A Little More Behavioral Talk

INDIANAPOLIS - I wrote the story earlier today on how teams are responding to the spate of bad acting by players. Here are a few leftovers that didn't land in the story.

Jack Del Rio, the Jaguars head coach said that the fact young men become alarmingly rick almost overnight is a factor (perhaps best evidenced by Adam Jones' allegedly flinging $81,000 into the air in the move that may have sparked the much-discussed shooting in Vegas.

"When you determine character, you want guys you can rely on. Guys that show up as having trouble socially are not the ones capable of being relied on."

Colts GM Bill Polian said, "People are capable of change if they're sincere and motivated and prove they are capable of change. If you're satisfied with the results you see you're willing to take a chance. We've always relied on outside sources to help us make the decision (i.e. investigators).

Polian drew on an old experience to amplify his point.

"When I was in Buffalo, we brought in Art Schlichter (a quarterback whose life and talent were undone by serial gambling) and we had a real positive experience with him for 90 percent of the time and then he had a relapse but I don't regret having done it. Based on what people told us, it was a worthwhile choice to make."

Added Polian, "I think the commissioner knows full well with the age group and the amount of money they make there will always be some issues. I think he feels pretty strongly that he wants those to be as few and far between as possible and he's said publicly he will take steps to ensure that happens.

Said Fisher, "The process starts with the scout and it escalates as we get closer to the draft. Most of the discussions start right there with the character issues. Adopting a zero tolerance policy (for offenses), you're better off focusing your attention on those players that don't have background issues."