ESPN Commentary

Yawn. The Chicago Bears waived the galactically stupid Terry "Tank" Johnson after -- what was it this time? -- he got pulled over at 3:30 a.m. for speeding and suspected driving while impaired. This isn't news, it's habit.

Johnson owns guns, lots of them, but he apparently doesn't own a watch or the name of a limo company that can drive him home when he's out until two hours before dawn. But it isn't as though he'll be unemployed for long. Here's what will happen next:

The now-former Bears defensive tackle will keep a subterranean profile until blood test results determine whether authorities in Gilbert, Ariz., charge him with driving under the influence. In the meantime, there's always Johnson's heartfelt statement -- the one his lawyer issued and probably wrote, too -- professing his "regret that I have to leave Chicago under these circumstances."

Now then, if Johnson is charged with the DUI, his lawyer likely will release another polished statement, supposedly in the player's words, in which Tank declares his innocence, announces a spiritual rebirth, and says the recent events have taught him a valuable and life-changing lesson. There might even be a few strategically timed tears at the first court appearance. You know, just for the cameras or sketch artists.

And if he's cleared of the charges, Johnson undoubtedly will declare his desire to move forward and return to the football field -- just as soon as he completes his eight-game, NFL-imposed suspension for the other dumb-ass things he has done in the past 24 months. He'll apologize -- again -- and promise never to make the same mistake.

Until the next time.

Anyway, it's a scam and it's insulting, disingenuous and manipulative. But it works. Always has, always will.

Johnson will get another NFL job. As long as teams need experienced defensive tackles -- and Johnson has 46 games of experience in his three seasons in the league -- general managers and coaches everywhere will pretend Johnson is sincere about rehabbing his image and character. And as usual, Johnson will pretend back.

I'm not cynical enough to question the Bears' sincerity when it came to their efforts to help Johnson. GM Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith knew they'd look like idiots if Johnson brain cramped again, but they took the plunge anyway. Now, their credibility needs mouth-to-mouth.

The Bears should have waived Johnson in December, when police discovered more than 500 rounds of ammo and six unregistered rifles and handguns -- in full view of his children -- at his suburban Chicago house. And if not then, they should have waived him when he went clubbing with one of his best friends, only to see the friend get shot and killed that night. This was immediately after the Bears warned Johnson to clean up his act.

But the Bears needed a defensive tackle, just as the Tennessee Titans need cornerback and playmaker Adam "Pacman" Jones, whose new nickname should be, "The Human Mug Shot." Bears and Titans management can rationalize it any way they want, but this is about greed, nothing else. The greed to win, no matter what mope wears your uniform.

Can you play? That's all that really matters. Bill Walton said it in his autobiography 13 years ago: "You can be a criminal, a druggie, a jerk of a person, have zero social skills, very little intellect, but, man, if you can play, there's always a spot for you." Walton was talking about the NBA, but it fits the NFL just as snugly.

If you can play, an NFL team or a smart agent can massage the rough spots. All it takes is, say, an appearance in a United Way commercial or a Thanksgiving Day photo op in an Armani. Maybe something with puppies. Hey, we'll fall for anything.

The Bears fell for Johnson, and the Titans fell for Jones. And the Cincinnati Bengals apparently fall for anybody who has been fingerprinted. How's that working out these days, fellas?

A New York Post columnist, Paul Schwartz, recently suggested that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell punish not only the guilty players but also the teams that employ the players. Take away a draft pick for every conviction. Shrink the precious salary cap. That will do it.

No, it won't. It's a nice idea, but if it doesn't work on the college level (NCAA investigators do a brisk business every year), it's not going to work on the pro level. You think the Atlanta Falcons wouldn't have traded for the right to draft just Michael Vick because they heard he might be a fan of illegal dogfights?

NFL teams are about making money, not necessarily about making good citizens. For some GMs and coaches, choosing between a law-abiding player with average skills or a Pro Bowl-caliber player with a criminal past isn't exactly a moral dilemma. Talent, not character, wins the day.

Goodell is trying to change the culture. Johnson is looking at that eight-game suspension, maybe more. Jones is gone for the season. The Bengals' Chris Henry is out for eight games. But none of it matters if another team (Dallas? Denver? Tampa Bay?) enables Johnson when he's eligible to sign as a free agent.

Maybe you take Schwartz's original idea and apply it to suspended players and the teams that retain their services. You want to sign Johnson? Knock yourself out. But if he screws up again, it's going to cost him his career and cost you a draft pick. Now that's a partnership.

Earlier this week, Goodell spoke to all 255 players of the 2007 draft class at the league's mandatory rookie symposium in Palm Beach, Fla. He talked about the rookies' responsibilities not only as players but as men. He referred to the famed NFL logo and how "We all represent that shield."

Maybe the rookies listened, maybe they didn't. All anyone knows for sure is that the shield has some dent marks in it. And as long as teams keep giving the Johnsons of the world fifth chances, the marks are only going to grow deeper.

Gene Wojciechowski is the senior national columnist for ESPN.com. You can contact him at gene.wojciechowski@espn3.com.