Just a thought...

I've been meaning to get back on here and talk about the death of Sean Taylor, and on the eve of the Cowboys-Packers game I've finally found the time.

In case you are unaware, the young, talented beast of a safety -- Taylor -- was shot this past weekend and passed away two days ago. It certainly is a tragedy, but it also provides me a somber note on which to get up on my soap box.

First of all, Taylor was shot at his home in a run-down part of his hometown Miami, Fla. He grew up rough and without much money. Suddenly he's a star in the NFL and making gobs of cash. His first couple years in the league he still ran with the wrong crowd and got himself involved in multiple criminal activities.

Since the birth of his child over the last year, Taylor had changed his ways for the most part. A few days before he was shot, an intruder broke into his home and planted a machette on his bed.

To me this is a clear message. Someone from Taylor's past returned with an axe to grind. And now an immensely talented young man is dead.

This is not an NFL problem. This is a professional sports problem. All the major leagues must work harder with young players to teach them how to handle themselves with more money. How to cut ties with people from their past who get them into trouble. Many of these young athletes come from very humble beginnings and do not realize the true opportunities in front of them by entering these pro leagues.

If the NFL had worked harder with Taylor as a rookie and beyond, perhaps he still might have gotten into legal trouble early on, but maybe he doesn't make a critical mistake that bring trouble to his doorstep later.

Just a thought...