Bluntly: Lett is an idiot, etc.

By LANCE FLEMING / Sports Writer (Dec. 5, 1996)

Let me get right to the point: Leon Lett is an idiot.

I mean, how many times do you have to get caught with your hand in the cookie jar before you quit reaching?

Lett's suspension Tuesday for a minimum of one year for violating the NFL's drug policy for the second time will likely cost the Cowboys a Super Bowl appearance this year, and maybe next year.

How many people out there really think Tony Casillas or Hurvin McCormack can adequately replace the best defensive tackle in the league?

If you do, then you've been partying with Lett.

And even if Lett does return to the Cowboys, he likely won't be the same player he is right now.

What motivation will he have to stay in shape during his suspension?

Who will monitor his habits?

How will he be able to maintain his current skill level?

If anyone says that he's a man and he can take care of that himself, they haven't been paying attention. He's been taking care of himself for the last three years and look where it's gotten him.

The real travesty of this whole thing is that Jerry Jones seems unwilling to do anything about the image beating the Cowboys have taken over the course of the last three years.

Since 1994, Clayton Holmes, Lett, Michael Irvin, Shante Carver, Nate Newton and Erik Williams have run afoul of either the law, the NFL or both.

And what did Jones tell the media back in July at training camp about repairing the Cowboys' image? He said it didn't need repair.

Wrong then and wrong now.

It's time for Jones to take a stand and do something to start mending public relations fences.

The view from here is that Jones should cut Lett loose, no matter who picks him up. San Francisco, Philadelphia, Washington, Green Bay; it doesn't matter. He's already been caught twice, and he'll probably be caught again in the next couple of seasons. And when it happens, he'll be suspended for life.

And before all the Cowboy crazies go nuts over that suggestion, here's one thing to remember: When pitcher Steve Howe was let back into baseball time and time and time again, how many of you wanted him to be suspended and never allowed to throw another pitch?

This is the same deal, only now it involves one of the best players on the league's highest-profile franchise.

Lett had no regard for the team or how his actions might hurt the other 52 players on the roster, not to mention the Cowboys' image.

Troy Aikman said back in Austin that this team has taken a public relations beating with the Irvin drugs and sex scandal, and that it was time for something to be done about it.

He said again Wednesday that the organization has a black eye, and that's too bad because it's tainting good citizens like Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Darrin Smith, Chad Hennings, Daryl Johnston, Darren Woodson and Tony Tolbert.

Those are the players that everyone should associate with the Cowboys. Instead the Cowboys are linked to the spoiled names and images of Lett, Irvin and Williams.

Now, don't get me wrong; I know that what Lett has is an addiction, and for that I'm truly sorry. But it's time the Cowboys stop pinning their hopes on players that can't be trusted to keep their noses clean - literally - when they leave the team's training facility.

It's time Jones takes his head out of the sand and do something about this team's image before it's too late.