Arizona Cardinals: Making the right moves

The Arizona Cardinals have been both praised and criticized for releasing players with off-field troubles

When the Arizona Cardinals found out about the legal troubles of former running back Jonathan Dwyer, they wasted no time in cutting ties.  This past April, former Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington was conditionally re-instated by the NFL after a three-year suspension.

As soon as the draft ended later that week, the Cardinals met with Washington the next week and cut ties with him.  They couldn’t do it while he was under suspension per collective bargaining rules.

This past December, former Cardinals and current Minnesota Vikings receiver Michael Floyd was released after being arrested for DUI in Scottsdale.  Now, Floyd is in trouble with alcohol again after testing positive while under house arrest.

Fans were on both sides of the issue when he was released.  Some criticized the Cardinals for not giving him the benefit of the doubt.  Some felt like it was just an excuse for his poor play on the field.

In the end the Cardinals released him because he showed no remorse, offered no apology to the Cardinals for the incident.  He also failed to report the incident to the team in a timely manner once released.

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A lot of people like to go back to the days of William Bidwill and think it’s just a circus behind the walls of the team’s headquarters in Tempe.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Michael Bidwill, Steve Keim, Bruce Arians, they all have a grasp of reality but also want to give guys a chance.  Washington had a chance to meet with the team.  Floyd has his chance, neither told the Cardinals what they wanted to hear.

Now the Vikings will have to deal with the Floyd aftermath.  Not only did he test positive for alcohol, a no-no as part of his house arrest for his Scottsdale DUI.  He also reportedly skipped a breath test.

Football aside, the Cardinals have proven time and again, parting ways with a popular player isn’t easy but it is the right decision when off the field events shed a negative light on the player and organization.

Now we hope Floyd can get the help he needs.  According to TMZ.com, Floyd blamed his failed tests on a herbal tea.  However his blood alcohol level was much higher than what a herbal tea could provide.

Let’s also hope the Cardinals have zero off the field issues with anyone on the current roster. However life happens and we can just hope the team continues to give the player the chance to explain as they have in the past.