Risky Business

**RamWraith** · #1 (**permalink**) -08-05-2006

Risky Business
POST-DISPATCH
05/07/2006

Player ... Pos. ... Year ... Round ... (overall)

Jesse James ... OL ... 1995 ... 2nd (62)
Problem: Failed drug test at NFL Scouting Combine
Outcome: Released by Rams in 1996

Lawrence Phillips ... RB ... 1996 ... 1st (6)
Problem: Assaulted girlfriend
Outcome: Released by Rams in 1997

Ryan Tucker ... OL ... 1997 ... 4th (121)
Problem: Assault in bar fight
Outcome: Nine seasons in NFL, including five with Rams

Az-Zahir Hakim ... WR ... 1998 ... 4th (96)
Problem: Arrested in alleged gang rape (never charged)
Outcome: Eight seasons in NFL, including four with Rams

Raymond Priester ... RB ... 1998 ... 5th (129)
Problem: Arrested for allegedly charging long-distance calls illegally
Outcome: Never made an NFL roster

Steve Bellisari ... S ... 2002 ... 6th (205)
Problem: Drunken driving
Outcome: Never made an NFL roster

Pisa Tinoisamoa ... LB ... 2003 ... 2nd (43)
Problem: Served 4-month felony-assault sentence
Outcome: Three seasons in NFL, all as Rams starting linebacker

Jeff Smoker ... QB ... 2004 ... 6th (201)
Problem: Substance abuse
Outcome: Two seasons in NFL, both as reserve with Rams

Richie Incognito ... OL ... 2005 ... 3rd (81)
Problem: Assault in fight at party
Outcome: Probable reserve on Rams o-line after missing '05 season with knee injury

Claude Wroten ... DL ... 2006 ... 3rd (68)
Problem: Failed drug test at NFL Scouting Combine; arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute (charge dropped)
Outcome: To be determined

**HUbison** · #2 (**permalink**) -08-05-2006

Quote:

Pisa Tinoisamoa ... LB ... 2003 ... 2nd (43)
Problem: Served 4-month felony-assault sentence

Kind of hard to believe now, huh?

*RamsFan16* · #3 (**permalink**) -08-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUbison

Kind of hard to believe now, huh?

Yea. I honestly had no idea about the charges against Pisa. I'd a never thought in a million years that he had done that.

**AvengerRam** · #4 (**permalink**) -08-05-2006

So... the point of the article was: college players who do bad things end up repeating their bad behavior, except when they don't.

*.ramfan.* · #5 (**permalink**) -08-05-2006

I'm really not worried about Wroten. I think we made a nice gamble that will pay off for us in the very near future.

**AvengerRam** · #6 (**permalink**) -08-05-2006

Makes you wonder how their agents spun their shady backgrounds prior to the draft. Hmmm.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamWraith

Jesse James ... OL ... 1995 ... 2nd (62)
Problem: Failed drug test at NFL Scouting Combine

"Like his name (reversed) would suggest, he has the toughness and ferocity of an outlaw!"

Quote:

Lawrence Phillips ... RB ... 1996 ... 1st (6)
Problem: Assaulted girlfriend

"A downhill runner who is known to drag opponents a great distance!"

Quote:

Ryan Tucker ... OL ... 1997 ... 4th (121)
Problem: Assault in bar fight

"Never backs down!"

Quote:

Az-Zahir Hakim ... WR ... 1998 ... 4th (96)
Problem: Arrested in alleged gang rape (never charged)

"A team player!"

Quote:

Raymond Priester ... RB ... 1998 ... 5th (129)
Problem: Arrested for allegedly charging long-distance calls illegally

"Will do anything for his friends and family!"

Quote:

Steve Bellisari ... S ... 2002 ... 6th (205)
Problem: Drunken driving

"Never lets influences impede his drive!"

Quote:

Pisa Tinoisamoa ... LB ... 2003 ... 2nd (43)
Problem: Served 4-month felony-assault sentence

"A big hitter!"

Quote:

Jeff Smoker ... QB ... 2004 ... 6th (201)
Problem: Substance abuse

"This young man has great substance!"

Quote:

Richie Incognito ... OL ... 2005 ... 3rd (81)
Problem: Assault in fight at party

"Has fun while mixing it up!"

Quote:

Claude Wroten ... DL ... 2006 ... 3rd (68)
Problem: Failed drug test at NFL Scouting Combine; arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute

"Doesn't only think of himself - always thinking of sharing with others!"

*RamsFan4ever* · #7 (**permalink**) -09-05-2006

WOW!! I never knew that bout Pisa, But good post

*majorram* · #8 (**permalink**) -09-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamsFan4ever

WOW!! I never knew that bout Pisa, But good post

me neither, well it seemed to work out ok...

I still think that Wroton will be Ok, man I hope so, we have got ourselves a player if he has....

steve

*RamsFan4ever* · #9 (**permalink**) -10-05-2006

Yea if he stays off drugs...... i cant wait to see his future with the Rams!!!!

**txramsfan** · #10 (**permalink**) -10-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamsFan16

Yea. I honestly had no idea about the charges against Pisa. I'd a never thought in a million years that he had done that.

16, here's a tip for you....they are just athletes. That's it. For them to be role models is really quite hilarious. They probably won't cure cancer, they probably won't stop nuclear proliferation, and I bet they won't help solve the deficit problem. Most of them never ask to be a role model in the first place.

Everyone has skeletons in their closet. It's how you deal with them is what makes or breaks you. So far, Pisa has dealt with his admirably.