Dolphins’ Chambers could face NFL’s wrath

By Adam Best  |   Monday, July 16, 2007  |  Comments( 18 )

Miami Dolphins
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
DUIs have become as en vogue among NFL players as rocking Under Armour and performing exotic touchdown celebrations. Among some of the more high-profile players who have recently gotten DUIs, receiving punishment from the league as a result -- Cincinnati Bengals wideout Chris Henry, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen, Oakland Raiders running back Dominic Rhodes, and former San Francisco 49ers WR and current free agent Antonio Bryant. Again, those are just some of the bigger names, as I'm sparing you from the ridiculously long laundry list of players who've been busted for driving under the influence.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has made it crystal clear that this kind of off-the-field behavior will not be tolerated, handing out suspensions for players who get DUIs without any hesitation whatsoever.

Considering Goodell's crackdown on players who get DUIs, the Miami Dolphins and their fans might want to brace themselves for the possibility that receiver Chris Chambers will not be available for the first two to four games of the '07 season.

As we all know, Chambers was arrested in North Carolina early Saturday morning and charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving and speeding. There are even rumors floating around that there potentially could even be other more severe charges.

Even if there doesn't end up being additional charges, there is a possibility that Chambers will be suspended by the NFL. A DUI alone is a serious enough offense. Considering that Chambers was driving recklessly and speeding while intoxicated, this won't be viewed as just a DUI by the league. After all, we aren't that far removed from St. Louis Rams star defensive end Leonard Little killing another motorist in a car accident while he was intoxicated. The NFL wants to curtail the rampant drinking-and-driving habits of its players, and especially wants to avoid another situation like the 1998 Little accident.

Unfortunately, despite his clean legal record, Goodell very well could make an example of Chambers. This news is especially discouraging considering Chambers' lackluster '06 season and prophesied comeback. As stated in my column "Expectations for Miami's Chambers may be too high" from about six weeks ago, Chambers wasn't a surefire bet to have a standout season anyway. Not only could this incident take him off the field, which would prohibit him from starting the season strongly, it also has to raise questions about both Chambers' focus and priorities. If Chambers was truly bent on reclaiming his status as a Pro Bowler, would he have even put himself in this situation in the first place? It's doubtful.

Because of Chambers' track record, there is a chance that he won't be suspended at all. Dolphins hope need to hope that's the case. If not, hopefully he can move past this incident and the resulting suspension and focus on having a stellar season. In order for quarterback Trent Green, new head coach Cam Cameron and the rest of Miami's offense to be successful, the team will need Chambers to play at a high level.

While Chambers stepping up his game and enjoying a fine statistical campaign still remains a possibility, after his arrest a strong comeback is definitely less of a foregone conclusion.

Got a bone to pick with a newspaper columnist, talk show personality or television analyst? E-mail us at mediawatch@realfootball365.com. For more information, visit our Media Watch info page.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (18)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report