Bears DT Johnson handed eight-game suspension

[packers11]

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CHI/10212452

Bears DT Johnson suspended eight games

(June 4, 2007) -- Tank Johnson of the Chicago Bears has been suspended without pay for the first eight games of the regular season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, the NFL announced.

Johnson is eligible to participate in the Bears' offseason workout program, training camp and preseason games before the suspension begins after the team's final preseason game. In a letter to Johnson, Commissioner Roger Goodell said he would be prepared to reduce the suspension to the first six regular-season games if Johnson meets certain conditions.

The conditions for Johnson include:

• No further adverse involvement with law enforcement and full compliance with any requirements imposed by a court.

• Compliance with all league requirements, including counseling.

• No participation in any practices or other organized team activities during the period of the eight-game suspension. (During the suspension, he may be at the Bears' facility for counseling sessions and other approved activities such as physical treatment or individual workout sessions.)

Commissioner Goodell said he would review the matter no later than Oct. 1 to assess Johnson's progress and determine whether the suspension should be reduced.

[woodbuck27]

The Bears lost a decent player there.

[MJZiggy]

Is it terrible that I'm hoping that he makes ONE more TINY little infraction that's just enough to make our dear Mr. Goodell decide to hold off until at least Oct. 8 before revisiting this issue?

[rpiotr01]

Not as big a blow to them as Tommie Harris would be, but still a big loss at DT.

Good for Goodell. Let them know you mean business. If he wants to reduce the ban for good behavior later that's fine, but at least this sets the tone.

[Charles Woodson]

So does he have to be reinstated or right after his suspension he can come back?

[Packnut]

Tank

He got off pretty light in comparison to Pacman. I mean Jones has'nt been convicted of anything yet and he gets a year and Johnson has 2 convictions and only gets 8 games. He should have been gone a year.

[Freak Out]

What a joke! He only gets eight freaking games? The guy has been arrested 5 times since he was drafted in 2005. I'm all for a second chance but I think he needs a year off doing community service and staying out of trouble before he gets to play.

[RashanGary]

Half of a season away from football and the whole TC is a long time. He could easily get injured if he doesn't keep himself in tip top shape. He has character issues and nothing in his life untill November to keep him busy so he could easily blow up too. This is a big loss for the Bears. Add Briggs to the list of problems and the aging line and I predict bad things for the Bears.

[MadtownPacker]

Good!!

I hope he spend the time buying new guns.