By Ben Troupe
SouthernPigskin.com

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Former NFL tight end Ben Troupe shares his thoughts on free agency in the National Football League.

Welcome in to the most dangerous blog on the planet, “Troupe Talk”. To all my loyal supporters and frequent readers, I cannot say thank you enough for all your love, support and, most importantly, your feedback. If this is your first time reading my blog, my hope is that you are intrigued by my thoughts and that you will make me a part of your weekly routine. You have tuned in to the right place, and I will not disappoint. Let’s get right into it.

It is truly an exciting time in the NFL because optimism is at its highest and positioning is the focus. The only thing more exciting than the newcomers getting ready to make their debut in the NFL is the veterans changing teams and making headlines. I am talking about free agency, which, just like the NCAA tournament, is madness.

Free agency in the NFL is an even bigger deal than the draft, only because you know what you’re getting in a player that has displayed his talents in the NFL and has already shown durability, dependability, and producution in a way that got the attention of potential teams that he could make better. Basically, the player has proven himself to be an asset and has, therefore, set himself up to continue his career on another team. Free agency is the business side of football. The NFL is definitely a business, but the fans and players can easily get caught up in everything else about the league until this time of the year arrives.

Players that you never thought would ever wear another team’s uniform gets released, contracts get restructured, players are getting traded, and, the best part about free agency, players are getting the contracts that they deserve through their play and presence on the field. All of these moving parts make up free agency and the frenzy that ensues. The big issue that I have with free agency is when the NFL tries to damage a player’s image while trying to either trade him or release him. Case in point, the situation with DeSean Jackson, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, just bothers me.

Look, there had been speculation that the two sides were probably going to part ways due to the fact that DeSean was owed almost eleven million dollars this upcoming season, a salary number that the Eagles agreed to, but decided against, which isn’t unusual. What is unusual is the fact that, instead of the team being professional about the whole situation and just releasing this man, thanking him for his contributions and wishing him the best, the Eagles’ organization threw him under the bus. They said that he has an attitude and bad work ethic, that he was hard to coach, and, the worst of it all, that he was associated with gang members away from the field.

I do not know if DeSean Jackson knows gang members or not, but even if he does, so what? That does not necessarily mean he is in a gang, and it is not a crime to know or talk to someone in a gang. That also is not a reason to release someone. That just seems so petty, from what is supposed to be a first-class organization. The Eagles showed no class at all. DeSean Jackson has done nothing since he has been in the league but produce. They did their draft analysis on him seven years ago, and he has not had any off-the-field problems. This entire situation is disturbing, because you are damaging this man’s image, and now he has to do damage control because potential teams could not want any involvement with him based off these allegations. Then you have all these NFL analysts, who have no idea if these allegations are true, slandering this man’s name even more on nationally televised sports shows and networks.

I understand that teams may not agree with who you associate with, but that is not cause for dismissal, and, better yet, should not be used as an excuse for a release. This man has committed no crimes and done no wrong while he has been in the NFL playing for the Eagles. It is truly unfortunate that he has to defend himself because of the opinions of an organization which he has only helped maintain its winning tradition and reputation. Now he is defending his reputation. It is a shame because now that stigma will follow him throughout the rest of his career. For a league known for its reporting and facts, they should do a better job of reporting the facts and stop spreading rumors. He was no longer welcome, and DeSean understands the business, so he moved on and thanked the organization. But do not add insult to injury and make up stuff that is unprofessional and uncalled for. Keep it classy, Philadelphia.

Thanks for taking the time to make me a part of your day. I hope that you have enjoyed yourself today with some good reading. Make sure to check back frequently with Southern Pigskin, which is all about the fans, to see the most dangerous blog on the planet, “Troupe Talk”. Everyday is a chance to define where you’re headed, and not where you’re standing. Remember to keep God first through infinity, and be persistent at being consistent. Two fingers.