The Big Cat Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Link INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Colts starting defensive tackle Ed Johnson was arrested early Wednesday on a drug possession charge. Colts president Bill Polian said the team was still gathering facts about the case before determining how it will discipline Johnson, but Johnson will not play Sunday at Minnesota. “He will not play this week, for sure,” coach Tony Dungy said. Story continues below ↓ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- advertisement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Polian said Johnson was stopped for speeding between midnight and 1 a.m. on Interstate 465 just north of Indianapolis. Police also charged him with marijuana possession. He later was released on bond from the Hamilton County Jail. Johnson was temporarily expelled from Penn State in 2005 for violating the school policy on sexual misconduct and confining another student against the student’s will. He was reinstated in 2006, but later suspended for the Outback Bowl for violating team rules. Once considered a first-day draft prospect, the big defensive tackle went undrafted in 2007 draft. “We had a talk with him and I thought he was going in the right direction,” Dungy said last summer when Johnson was trying to make the team. “He has to understand the environment he’s coming into and what we expect from him.” Johnson’s past indiscretions could also have an impact on whether the league takes action. “As in any other incident of this nature, it will be reviewed under the league’s substance abuse policy,” league spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “A player’s prior history can be considered in evaluating potential discipline under the program.” The 6-foot-2, 296-pound Johnson was the biggest surprise in training camp last year. He took advantage of an injury-depleted defensive line to start all 16 games, finishing with 63 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. The Colts (0-1) had even bigger expectations for Johnson this year, but Wednesday’s arrest has the Colts reassessing those plans. Johnson was not in the locker room Wednesday to answer questions. Slide show Week in Sports Pictures Soaring above the clouds, victorious Serena, UCLA rolls, and more more photos The arrest couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Colts. They allowed Chicago to run for 153 yards and average 4.7 yards per carry in a season-opening 29-13 loss and now face back-to-back games against two of the NFL’s best running tandems: Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, and Jacksonville’s Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. One option for Dungy is moving 274-pound defensive end Raheem Brock inside, where he was the starter last season. Second-year player Keyunta Dawson is the other starter. They also could use their most experienced tackle, Darrell Reid, in the lineup. The only other tackles on the active roster are Eric Foster, an undrafted rookie, and Daniel Muir, who was claimed off waivers last week from Green Bay. It’s the third legal incident involving a Colts player since April. Police charged running back Kenton Keith with criminal trespassing after refusing to leave the parking lot of a nightclub. He has since been cut. Perennial Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison was interviewed by police about a shooting near his North Philadelphia car wash in the spring. He wasn’t charged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ans4e64 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Man, AP and Chester Taylor should run ALL over them this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyBall4Buffalo Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Im almost tempted to pick The vikings as the upset of the week over the colts, but if Jackson has to throw the ball at all they'll lose. I really dont get why Childress is so adamant about Jackson being the guy there. He's costing a veteran team a serious shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ans4e64 Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Im almost tempted to pick The vikings as the upset of the week over the colts, but if Jackson has to throw the ball at all they'll lose. I really dont get why Childress is so adamant about Jackson being the guy there. He's costing a veteran team a serious shot. I agree. They need to run the ball as much as possible. Those receivers and QB aren't going to get anything on the Colts D in the passing game. I think with some coaching, and another few years of experience, Jackson MIGHT be a good QB. But with the kind of team they have, they don't have that luxury if they want to win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Colts starting defensive tackle Ed Johnson was arrested early Wednesday on a drug possession charge. Colts president Bill Polian said the team was still gathering facts about the case before determining how it will discipline Johnson, but Johnson will not play Sunday at Minnesota. Apparently it didn't take them long to gather the rest of the facts and make a decision. Bill Polian released a statement this afternoon stating that the club has decided to waive Ed Johnson. "In this particular case, Ed was well aware that his past history required him to be in complete compliance with club rules," Polian said. Polian said Johnson was repeatedly told that during the offseason, and was reminded as recently as Tuesday of coach Tony Dungy's rules of behavior. "Unfortunately, he chose to violate those rules," Polian said. I have to give Polian, Dungy, and the Colts organization credit - they really have followed through on their commitment to build a team of "high character players". This move will really hurt them this year. Johnson was by far and away their best DT, and they will now be left scrambling to try and fill that void. They were gashed by Chicago's running game this past Sunday, and their next 2 opponents are Minnesota and Jacksonville. I think there are many teams who would have had a hard time just cutting someone like that. They are doing more than just "talking the talk". There's been wide speculation that Johnson will just hop in his car and make the 90-minute trip to Cincinnati to find employment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VOR Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Trade them McCargo for Dallas Clark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Apparently it didn't take them long to gather the rest of the facts and make a decision. Bill Polian released a statement this afternoon stating that the club has decided to waive Ed Johnson. "In this particular case, Ed was well aware that his past history required him to be in complete compliance with club rules," Polian said. Polian said Johnson was repeatedly told that during the offseason, and was reminded as recently as Tuesday of coach Tony Dungy's rules of behavior. "Unfortunately, he chose to violate those rules," Polian said. I have to give Polian, Dungy, and the Colts organization credit - they really have followed through on their commitment to build a team of "high character players". This move will really hurt them this year. Johnson was by far and away their best DT, and they will now be left scrambling to try and fill that void. They were gashed by Chicago's running game this past Sunday, and their next 2 opponents are Minnesota and Jacksonville. I think there are many teams who would have had a hard time just cutting someone like that. They are doing more than just "talking the talk". There's been wide speculation that Johnson will just hop in his car and make the 90-minute trip to Cincinnati to find employment. Eh, he could probably be there in an hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bananathumb Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Trade them McCargo for Dallas Clark. Do it, Russ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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