The Milwaukee Post

The Green Bay Packers have signed free agent tight end Colt Lyerla. He's a mess. His life has been a mess. He's a talented player who is so messed up that no NFL team was willing to draft him. In fact, Chip Kelly was the coach at Oregon when Lyerla started his career with the Ducks. Kelly, now the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, didn't draft Lyerla. If Lyerla deserved a second chance, wouldn't Kelly be the one person who would give it to the athletically gifted tight end? The Eagles didn't draft him and didn't sign him as a free agent. Isn't that all you need to know about him? So, why did the Packers take a chance on the "he's-screwed-up-and-might-be-a- bad-guy" Lyerla? First of all, they need help at tight end. He ran a great 40-yard time at the com- bine and had a vertical leap that is off the charts for a tight end. He was a projected first-round pick a year ago. Secondly, there's no risk of harm to the Packers' image if he adds to his extensive rap sheet. The Packers are a beloved fran- chise with a general manager who has already won a Super Bowl. The standard has been set by the New England Patriots. It's possible that a former tight end will be found guilty of three murders, and no tangible evidence that the franchise has suffered in any way. Their coach has won multiple Super Bowls. I'm not saying he should be held accountable. I'm not saying he should be fired for drafting Aaron Hernandez. I am saying that the Patriots' situation makes it clear that no successful team should worry about fan reaction when taking a chance on a shaky character. They may choose not to do it but only because they think, after factoring in all issues, he won't make the team better. But what about the "Packers" way? The character of the players has certain- ly been talked about by Mike McCarthy. It has been stated by many that Ted Thompson looks for quality people when drafting players. It seems to be so, but it's clearly because he believes there is a con- nection between such quality and the likelihood that such players will make the Packers a better team. A "quality person" is clearly not a requirement for all players or Lyerla would not even have received a tryout. According to www.bleedinggreenna- tion.com, Lyerla has been involved in the following sitations. "He had a rough family life and was held out of fall camp for nine days in 2012 by the University of Oregon football team for what was rumored to be cocaine rehab." Last season, "Lyerla was suspended for the Oct. 5 game against Colorado for vio- lating team rules. On Oct. 6, he quit the Ducks altogether." "Five days later, his driver's license was suspended for multiple speeding tick- ets. On Oct. 23, he was arrested for cocaine possession after detectives on an unrelated stakeout saw him snorting white powder in a car parked in the mid- dle of downtown Eugene." "Last spring, he tweeted conspiracy theories that the Sandy Hook massacre was committed by the U.S. government, in a plot to further gun control: "'The par- ents of the kids that supposedly died in the Sandy Hook situation are liars.'" Ted Thompson is willing to take a chance on the mess that is Colt Lyerla because he might help the team. If he screws up in the near future, Thompson can cut the rookie free agent. If Lyerla screws up down the road, Thompson can do the same. Either way, it won't have any significant impact on the great image of the Green Bay Packers. It's that simple. May 23, 2014 • Milwaukee County Post • 11 "HOMER" on SPORTS STEVE "The HOMER" TRUE (Ste v e "The Homer" True, host of "Homer and Thunder Show," heard from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays on 540 ESPN, can be reached at homer@espnmilwaukee.com) Packers adding troubled but talent player Colt Lyerla worth the gamble Free-agent signing shouldn't damage team's image Mirrasou Sweet Red. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.29 Ravenswood Chardonnay . . . . . . . . . . . $6.99 Charles & Charles Rose . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.29 Revelry Riesling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.99 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rose . . . . . . . . . . $8.99 Coppola Syrah-Shiraz. . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.99 Simply Nakes Pinot Grigio . . . . . . . . . . $7.99 Kendall Jackson Chardonnay . . . . . . . $11.29 Bogle Pinot Noir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.49 19 Crimes Red. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.99 Anew Riesling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.99 CoCoBon Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.99 FRUITS OF THE VINE ❖ 750ML ❖ WINE & LIQUOR 4075 South Howell Avenue • 481-3500 • Fax 481-3567 Hours: Daily 9am-9pm • Sundays 10am-5pm We sell & deliver beer & soda wholesale to taverns, church groups, etc. 238335117 OLD MILWAUKEE & LIGHT 30 PK CANS 14.29 -6.00 MIR 8.29 GENESEE CREAM ALE 30 PK CANS 12.99 -4.00 MIR 8.99 TITO'S VODKA 1.75 LITER $ 26 49 BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM 750ML $ 20 99 DAY TRIPPER SUNSET WHITE 750ML 2/ $ 10 00 GANCIA ASTI 750ML $ 10 99 MILWAUKEE BREWING BEERS 6 PACKS $ 7 29 SEAGRAMS GIN 1.75 LITER $ 16 79 WINE OF THE MONTH WINEHEART VINOLECHE 750ML $ 9 49 MIX & MATCH ALL VARIETIES REGULARLY 2/$10 HENNESSY COGNAC 750ML $ 31 99 SOUTHERN COMFORT 1.75 LITER $ 24 49 BUD BLACK CROWN, BUD LIGHT LIME & PLATINUM 12 PACKS $ 10 99 SMIRNOFF ICE MALT BEVERAGES 6 PACK BOTTLES $ 6 29 NEW BELGIUM FAT TIRE, RANGER IPA SUMMER HELLES, FOLLY PK 12 PACK BOTTLES $ 12 99 CORONA CORONA LIGHT 24 PACK BOTTLES $ 25 49 COKE PRODUCTS 24 PACK CANS 6 99 CAPTAIN MORGAN 1.75 LITER $ 24 39 REVEL STOKE CANADIAN WHISKY 1.75 LITER $ 16 99 RECEIVE 25OZ BUD LIGHT RITA OF CHOICE W/EACH 12 PACK (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)_ SAND CREEK WILD RIDE IPA 6 PACK BOTTLES $ 7 29 3 SHEEPS BREWING CO 6 PACK BOTTLES $ 7 49 TRADER VIC'S SPICED RUM 1.75 LITER $ 13 49 RUM CHATA LITER $ 20 99 SEAGRAMS 7 CROWN WHISKEY 1.75 LITER $ 18 79 LUNETTA PROSECCO 750ML $ 10 99 FRANZI WHITE ZINFANDEL 1.5 LITER $ 6 99 2/$ 8 Flip Flop California Wines Check Out Website: www.AvenueLiquors.com OPEN MEMORIAL DAY 9-5 OPEN MEMORIAL DAY 9-5 TOMATIN 12YR SCOTCH 750ML $ 20 99 CROWN ROYAL X.0 750ML $ 45 49 STINKY GRINGOS MARGARITAS 1.75 LITER $ 13 49 FREE Summerfest Ticket with any 2-18 Pk Bottles of Miller Lite, Draft or Miller 64 DINKEL ACKER PILS 24 PACK BOTTLES 16 OZ CANS $ 22 29 BUSCH & BUSCH LIGHT 30 PACK CANS $ 13 99 WHEN YOU PURCHASE A SALTY SNACK OR BAG OF ICE JIMMY LUV'S BLOODY MARY MIXES LITER $ 3 99 BURNETTES VODKA 1.75 LITER $ 6 49 COORS LIGHT SUMMER BREW 12 PACK CANS $ 8 99 PABST & PABST LIGHT 30 PACK CANS $ 13 99 WHEN YOU PURCHASE A SALTY SNACK OR BAG OF ICE JOHN B STETSON BOURBON 750ML $ 21 99 GOLDSCHLAGER LITER $ 25 29 NEW PAUL MASSON BRANDY 1.75 LITER $ 15 69

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