American Football: NFL: Off-field problems

Statistics in the NFL during the month of May haven't been good.

Seven unrestricted free agents have signed with other teams. Seven re-signed with their clubs. Eleven others were involved in off-the-field incidents: Four DUIs, two drug-related incidents, three victims of a robbery or shooting incident and one tragic loss of life (Cowboys rookie running back Ennis Haywood).

When the off-the-field stats outnumber the roster transactions, there is a problem. What's even more troubling is that these are predictable stages for the months of May and June in the NFL. Players, many of them rich, are staying closer to their NFL cities for 14 weeks of off-season training. They have more time, energy and money than they sometimes can handle.

Titans quarterback Steve McNair couldn't have been more apologetic about his DUI arrest in which his car was stopped and the police found his licensed gun in the car. McNair confessed to bad judgment. His body of work as a class act and being a great player should earn him the right to be forgiven by fans. Simply let the courts decide the right punishment for his blunder. That's what happens in normal society.

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