Acquiring Fringe Character Players Does Not Equal Commitment to Win by Ownership

It is being argued elsewhere that the startling number of arrests and character issues among the Bengals personnel cannot be blamed on ownership.  In fact, elsewhere has gone so far as to argue that the malcontents that occupy the Bengals roster space actually prove ownership's commitment to win, stating that:

"If anything, picking up players that develop "character issues" should prove that the team will acquire anyone, at any cost, to win."

Let's be clear, when ownership picks up players like Chris Henry, Odell Thurman & Frostee Rucker they are doing so because they hope to win on the cheap by acquiring first class talent at a discount due to the baggage that comes with these players.  This, quite obviously, strikes us as the opposite of a total commitment to win as the organization would rather take chances on loose cannons and keep the bottom line healthy than make the necessary expenditures on quality players with clean rap sheets. 

Are there exceptions and times when taking these kinds of risks have panned out?  Sure.  Randy Moss comes to mind as someone with a rap sheet who is still a valuable asset.  (And, for clarity, this post is focusing only on players that have a history of run-ins with the law...TO may be obnoxious and a terrible teammate, but as far as we know he has always been a law abiding citizen.)  Maybe the Cowboys acquisition of "Adam" Jones will turn out to be a steal.  But, on average, the strategy of picking up players with a history of legal trouble will fail.  And, in addition, Jerry Jones' success and proven commitment to win earns him the right with the fan base to take these risks (in our opinion) from time to time, whereas our ownership hasn't earned the right to do the same thing.

Elsewhere also argues these players are adults and responsible for their own actions...Mike Brown doesn't force Odell to get behind the wheel after 15 drinks and speed through downtown Cincinnati after all...but ownership allowed these players to become a part of our roster in the first place.  So, we don't see how The Patriarch avoids blame for the recent embarrassments to our franchise on these grounds either.

Besides, as our comrade Steven Mayne points out, "Who are we supposed to blame, the fans?!"