Bears waive troubled DT Tank Johnson

I think there are alot of people on here that are over-reacting on Tank's case.. Would u sign Ray Lewis to a vet min if he became available? Most of u would even though he killed 2 people. Stuff changes over time and I think he could a great value to our team in a reserve role

First off, Lewis wasn't convicted of anything.

Tank on the other hand is a thug, plain and simple. He's one F up away from a season long ban from the NFL and probably prison time.

First off, Lewis wasn't convicted of anything.

Tank on the other hand is a thug, plain and simple. He's one F up away from a season long ban from the NFL and probably prison time.

With the new Comiss in place, he obviously will not tolerate multple nickel dime problems, or more serious probs. It will get you the door. Guys like Tank have NO chance

First off, Lewis wasn't convicted of anything.


Well neither was OJ...

This last incident in Arizona is petty. a speeding ticket and being "impaired to the slightest degree" they could say that if he admitted hed even been to a bar. Who gets into trouble with their job for getting a speeding ticket?!?! Granted, his previous charge for the guns does say something about him, at least he didnt use them on anybody. But dont we have the right to bare arms in this country? I know they should have been registered. But compared to Pacturd and Henry... this is not even in the same range of problems.

There's no comparing OJ to Lewis. They had barely any evidence against Lewis. OJ on the other hand...

C'mon, don't pull this right to bare arms crap in regard to Tank. His problems go much deeper than that.

In November 2005, Johnson was arrested at the Excalibur nightclub in Chicago's Cook County for possession of a handgun in his sport utility vehicle. Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge and was sentenced to 18 months probation and 40 hours of community service. On February 12, 2006, Johnson, while still on probation, was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest after allegedly verbally threatening a police officer. Johnson was leaving Level Nightclub on Chicago's Rush Street when the police officer was ticketing a limousine driver whom Johnson had hired. As Johnson allegedly put up a struggle, he was maced and subdued with the help of other police officers. The charges were eventually dropped.

On December 14, 2006, Lake County police officers searched Johnson's home in Gurnee, Illinois, and allegedly discovered that he possessed six firearms, including two assault rifles. Although Johnson was at football practice during the search, his bodyguard William Posey was arrested from his house for alleged possession of marijuana. Johnson was charged with violation to probation and possessing unlicensed weapons. Bears coach Lovie Smith deactivated Johnson for the following game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers based on this incident.

On December 16, 2006, Johnson's best friend and bodyguard William Posey was killed in a shooting at Ice Bar in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Posey was shot after he was allegedly involved in a fight around midnight. Posey was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:30am. Posey's assailant was not apprehended by the police. On December 28, Chicago Police apprehended Michael Selvie, Posey's alleged assailant. Selvie, a "reputed gang member" has been implicated in over 30 other crimes. However, Selvie's defense attorney claims that Selvie does not posses a firearm or any gang affiliations. If found guilty, Selvie will face charges of first degree murder.

On December 22, 2006, Cook County Circuit Judge John J. Moran, Jr. (Skokie courthouse, Second District, Cook County, Illinois) placed Johnson on home confinement, preventing him from driving by himself or leaving the state of Illinois. On February 8, 2007, Johnson entered a guilty plea in Cook County's Courthouse in Skokie for violating his probation. On March 15, 2007, Johnson was sentenced to a 120 days in prison (Cook County Jail) and fined $2,500 for violating his probation. On February 17, 2007, Johnson's lawyer contested a Lake County Circuit Court to drop Johnson's unlicensed weapons charges. His attorney claimed that since Johnson is a resident of Arizona, he does not have to abide to gun registration laws of Illinois. Johnson entered a plea of not guilty on 10 counts of possessing a weapon without the proper state-required ID. On December 30, 2006, Tank Johnson contacted Gurnee Police Department to file harassment charges. Local youths left a toilet seat with a harassing message on his doorstep. Local news reported that the police did not disclose what the message on the garbage can said Other sources claim that "Nice Job Tank" was written on the seat. The seat had been duct-taped to a garbage can filled with excrement.

On April 30, Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge as part of an arrangement with prosecutors that will keep him from serving additional jail time. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail, which will be served concurrently with a four-month sentence he's already serving in the Cook County Jail for violating his probation; to donate $2,500 to the Gurnee Police Department and $2,500 to the Gurnee Exchange Club's child abuse prevention program. While he was in jail, many of his teammates and coaches, including Brian Urlacher, Rex Grossman, and Lovie Smith visited Johnson. His release from jail on May 13 ended his legal problems from the December 2006 weapons incident. The league ultimately suspended Johnson for half of the regular season on June 4.. However, he will have the opportunity to reduce the sentence to six games if he complies with Commissioner Goodell's guidelines of behavior, which include going to counseling.

Well neither was OJ...

This last incident in Arizona is petty. a speeding ticket and being "impaired to the slightest degree" they could say that if he admitted hed even been to a bar. Who gets into trouble with their job for getting a speeding ticket?!?! Granted, his previous charge for the guns does say something about him, at least he didnt use them on anybody. But dont we have the right to bare arms in this country? I know they should have been registered. But compared to Pacturd and Henry... this is not even in the same range of problems.

Petty or not when you're already on thin ice with the league and with the legal system it makes any offense a significant one. The guy just doesn't get it at all. I'm amazed that some people would want this guy. Would you want to work with a guy like this?

First off, Lewis wasn't convicted of anything.

Tank on the other hand is a thug, plain and simple. He's one F up away from a season long ban from the NFL and probably prison time.

Well, actually, he pled guilty to obstruction of justice. It was clearly one of those situations where everybody knew he was involved but (in part due to his obstruction) the actual part he played was never really demonstrated. But for those who followed it, Lewis almost certainly didn't kill anyone but gave a lift to the killer or someone who participated in the fight w/ the killer and then helped that person dispose of/destroy his bloody clothes.

No doubt in my mind, given the facts that came out, Ray Lewis would have gotten a suspension had Goodell been Commissioner. Don't kid yourself - In the offseason, Lewis was every bit the thug, out all hours with his posse. He was, however, a workaholic during the season.

Don't forget Jamal Lewis who was convicted of conspiracy and served time. Again, I think he would get a suspension also.

It's a different world in the NFL for players. Unless they start penalizing teams, however, it's really not going to change.

Well, actually, he pled guilty to obstruction of justice. It was clearly one of those situations where everybody knew he was involved but (in part due to his obstruction) the actual part he played was never really demonstrated. But for those who followed it, Lewis almost certainly didn't kill anyone but gave a lift to the killer or someone who participated in the fight w/ the killer and then helped that person dispose of/destroy his bloody clothes.

No doubt in my mind, given the facts that came out, Ray Lewis would have gotten a suspension had Goodell been Commissioner. Don't kid yourself - In the offseason, Lewis was every bit the thug, out all hours with his posse. He was, however, a workaholic during the season.

Don't forget Jamal Lewis who was convicted of conspiracy and served time. Again, I think he would get a suspension also.

It's a different world in the NFL for players. Unless they start penalizing teams, however, it's really not going to change.

By 'anything' I meant he wasn't convicted of murder. I wouldn't put Lewis in the same class of thug as Tank though. Yeah Lewis was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he seems to have cleaned up his act since then. Tank just doesn't seem to have the IQ to be able to turn his life around. He'll end up dead or in prison.

Let's not forget that Tank already served prison time. I wouldn't want him here because the fact that he won't change. He thinks that it is a game and he should be casted aside like a pile of rancid taco meat.

Im just showing both sides Matty, but when you get this much pub. over a speeding ticket... A SPEEDING TICKET!!!! its gone too far. which was the only citation he recieved if im not mistaken. Granted the man should have enough money to hire a whole fleet of cars and drivers, and not put himself in that position this close removed from his prison stay. As far as the guns go, I said it before it speaks volumes about his character, but the only thing that was ILLEGAL is that they werent registered. I just moved down to Texas and i was shocked at the amount of guns and ammo everyone has down here... it speaks volumes about their character... but since they are registered its not illegal... its just overboard in my opinion... but down here my opinion is the minority.