Arizona Cardinals Linebacker Daryl Washington Needs to be a Boy Scout

Jun. 11, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington (58) during mini camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the arrest and subsequent release of now former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez this morning, one has to know look at the Arizona Cardinals and their situation regarding linebacker Daryl Washington.  Washington, as we know, was arrested last month, for a domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child.  How quickly do the Cards act once we find more out about what actually happened that day in early May?  For now, Washington is going to have to be on his best behavior and even that may not save him.

Clearly the two cases are different.  Hernandez had a part in a homicide.  What role he played may be determined here today when charges are formally brought against him in a Massachusetts courtroom.  However Washington, who is already facing a four-game suspension to start the 2013 season, will be formally arraigned in court next week on July 3rd.

The Patriots released Hernandez just 90 minutes after he was arrested this morning.  This tells me the Patriots either know or truly believe he is about to face some very serious charges.  The Patriots by their action have told everyone they wish not to associate themselves with that type of activity.  It tells me they’ve been monitoring the situation very closely.  The Cards have said the same thing about Washington.  We’ll see if that holds true.

Cards head coach Bruce Arians said last week that Washington is walking a very thin line in the NFL right now.  He’s right.  He got his four-game suspension and now he’s due in court on a very serious charge.  He very well may miss the entire season or longer.  The NFL has yet to weigh in on either player, however it is customary for the NFL to wait for the courts and the law situation to play out before doling out any type of punishment.  That’s what makes today’s release of Hernandez surprising.  Usually teams will wait to see the law play itself out first.  With a guy as high-profile as Hernandez to be released this quickly tells me he is in some serious trouble with the law.  Now, we wait to see what happens with Washington.