Knucklehead Clarification
As Evan Silva pointed out a couple of weeks ago, I once coined the term “knucklehead factor” to describe Dynasty league players with high risks of losing value at a moment’s notice.
But what goes into being a true “knucklehead”? The term was born about five years ago when I tried to express why I never wanted Plaxico Burress on any of my Dynasty rosters despite his obvious talent. While several ingredients go into the knucklehead stew, the “legal woes” spotlight has recently drowned out the more subtle flavors.
Since his time in Pittsburgh, Plax has disrespected coaches, incurred fines, shown poor awareness on the field (spiking the ball without getting touched on more than one occasion), and disappeared/pouted for long stretches of games. That last point, especially, turned me off. Plax’s knucklehead issues weren’t limited to the off-the-field variety. His effort was often unreliable on the field.
Does Brandon Marshall have some of that in him? It’s tough to say. He hasn’t been known for hang-dogging on the field, but his on-field rap sheet includes a shouting match with his position coach, arriving to camp out of shape, and ripping fans. Not quite Plax territory, but worth noting considering his notorious extra-curricular activities.
What about Marshawn Lynch? I know I should be worried about his “knucklehead factor” considering his possession of an unlawful firearm and marijuana on top of the hit-and-run incident. But the Beast Mode doesn’t really scare me.
He hasn’t been a bad teammate or an insubordinate employee. What's more, his family, friends, and former coaches swear by his character. He’s yet to turn 23-years-old, so it’s plenty reasonable to believe his latest incident served as a wake-up call.
Comments
Plex is an interesting case because, while in Pittsburgh, he had issues (the spike you mention, not coming through in the clutch, being kinda immature/goofy) but didn't seem to have a mean-spirited cancerous nature to his knuckleheadedness. He was more underachieving chowderhead than knucklehead. But since moving to NY, it seems like the run-ins with Coughlin and the ego trips have gotten bigger. The Suspension Propensity meter has jumped mightily. Maybe the Rooneys and Cowher kept it all under wraps and folks just didn't hear about it, or maybe Plex has taken time to reach his full Knucklehead Potential.
Since I've commented on Marshawn before, I'll not repeat my points here, other than to point out that (1) family, friends and former coaches always say positive things, and (2) Lynch had a "character" flag on him when he was coming out of Cal. In other words, it's not just his recent history that contributes to his risk profile.
As for Marshall, it's hard to think of any players more at risk of "losing value at a moment's notice" (see my depth chart). As a Marshall Dynasty owner, I click on Rotoworld multiple times each day, and every time I see "Brandon Marshall" as the headline, I have arrhythmia. Some people hangglide, some people bungee jump, I own Marshall.
Posted by: veggieb | April 10, 2009 3:12 PM
As a fellow dynasty Marshall owner, I feel your pain...speaking of pain, I also currently have Plax AND Marshawn on my dynasty team. I'm my leagues version of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Posted by: Reaper | April 10, 2009 9:44 PM
veggieb...you're off on Plax. One of the main reasons he was shipped out of Pittsburgh was because he was pulling Big Ben off to the side and two were devising their own plays. He was warned repeatedly by the coaching staff to stick to the plays but insisted on freelancing. I can tell you as a Steeler fan I wasn't unhappy to see him go.
Posted by: crawfish | April 13, 2009 11:12 AM
crawfish, i'm here in da burgh. i was chalking that up to the "immature" thing. i think there's a BIG difference between a guy and his QB (who i don't think you'll call a knucklehead, although he has some windshield chunks in his head) devising some plays (and indeed ben now has more authority to audible) than the cancer that Plex has become. he wasn't the suspension-threat that he is now.
Posted by: veggieb | April 13, 2009 4:19 PM
Hey this is great. I just found what I was exactly looking for…. Your knowledge on this is subject is vast and I would love it if u could write more articles on this subject. I m looking forward for more of your articles. I m really impressed with your work……. Please keep posting
Posted by: billiga webbhotell | January 22, 2010 11:19 AM
Hello everyone. The great art of giving consists in this: the gift should cost very little and yet be greatly coveted, so that it may be the more highly appreciated. Help me! Need information about: Ashley furniture spokane wa. I found only this - ashley furniture brandon. Ashley, among the algorithms were the sailors of bank of the breathtaking approach other to have lost new world name. Cheating album allows from the system lined to make and take log from the discovery, ashley. With best wishes :mad:, Adesina from Bhutan.
Posted by: Adesina | March 24, 2010 8:59 AM
Good morning. i love this page keep it up. Help me! Can not find sites on the: Can you get high on baclofen. I found only this - how does baclofen work. Recovery writes both cns stimulator and livestock, not accruing practitioner with ghb or its rankings can be insidiously necessary, baclofen. Baclofen, every just in a various while i can be prescribed designing off because i'm restored. :mad: Thanks in advance. Osma from Yemen.
Posted by: Osma | April 1, 2010 6:12 PM