No logic in trashing Nash
The SportsEye thought Rams General manager Charlie Armey was simply sandbagging the National Football League when he saw fit to question former Missouri Tiger and current Tennessee Titan Damien Nash’s character last week.
Armey, with much gusto, said Nash would probably fall in the draft because of his run-in with coach Gary Pinkel last year following a pitifully coached game against Oklahoma State.
Pinkel suspended Nash for the following week’s game at Nebraska, and Nash declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft as soon as humanly possible following the end of Missouri’s dreadful 4-7 season.
So Armey’s extremely critical comments about Nash, and his gall to say that problems with coaches in college often translate to the same behavior in the pros, seemed like a ploy to move Nash down to a point where the Rams would draft him.
That was until the Rams didn’t draft Nash and did draft Richie Incognito.
Incognito, who found a way to get thrown off of two Division 1 teams, Oregon and Nebraska, has fallen victim to demon alcohol on more than one occasion and then injured his knee in the NFL Combine workouts in Indianapolis. He would not be ready for action in 2005 until late this summer, if at all. Yet, Armey signed off on this proven malcontent and troublemaker.
Armey’s inflammatory statements about Nash are also ridiculous given the fact that he approved of drafting backup quarterback Jeff Smoker.
Topping Smoker’s resume at Michigan State University is the fact that in 2002 he was suspended for a substance-abuse problem and missed the final five games as he completed a treatment program.
His coach at MSU (St. Louisan Bobby Williams) would eventually be fired and his team fell apart because of him. He played OK when he returned and was then drafted by the Rams. Nary a word was heard from Armey on Smoker’s character or lack thereof.
Had the Rams drafted Nash, he would have become the teammate of one Leonard Little, who is certainly a beacon of honorable behavior, right?
The Rams have also drafted Ryan Tucker and Lawrence Phillips, both of whom had troubles during their collegiate football careers.
Armey’s comments not only seem out of place, they seem purposely hurtful. One can only guess what the root cause is, but should Armey be let go in the rumored upcoming housecleaning at Rams Park, the SportsEye can only say, good riddance.