Somebody Needs To "S-Can" This A$$hole:

[DIESEL TROLL]

Romanowski apologizes to Williams, 'mates

NFL.com wire reports

ALAMEDA, Calif. (Aug. 26, 2003) -- Two days after Bill Romanowski seriously injured teammate Marcus Williams during a fight in practice, the Oakland Raiders' controversial linebacker was remorseful and apologetic.

"I hold myself accountable," Romanowski said. "It was a classless move by me."

Romanowski ripped off Williams' helmet and punched the reserve tight end in the face, breaking his left orbital bone and chipping his tooth. The fight came at the end of a running play during a 9-on-7 drill Aug. 24.

Williams, a second-year pro who played mostly on special teams last season, was taken to a local hospital for a series of tests. He saw an eye specialist Aug. 25 and was told to rest at home for a week until the swelling goes down, but Williams still has double vision.

While trimming their roster, the Raiders placed Williams on injured reserve, ending his season.

"He's a little scared, if anything," Williams' agent, Lee Kolligian, said. "Essentially he's going to have no film, no playing time to show to market himself to another team next year, if that's necessary."

Romanowski was suspended from the Aug. 25 practice and fined an undisclosed amount by the team, but he was back in Alameda the next day. Romanowski said he had spoken with Williams since the incident.

"I made my apologies," Romanowski said. "I said what I had to say to him. I pretty much told everybody what I had to say. You can try to make excuses, but there's no excuses. It just won't happen again."

Romanowski also apologized to the rest of the team. Afterward, some Raiders players seemed almost indifferent toward the matter.

"I don't see it as a big problem," linebacker Eric Johnson said. "It's just something that happened. Bill is a part of the family, and so is Marcus. Brothers fight all the time."

NFL spokeswoman Leslie Hammond said the league won't get involved in what it considers a team matter, leaving any discipline to the Raiders.

He signed with Oakland before last season, and he finished second on the team in tackles while helping the Raiders to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1983. His influence on Oakland's defense has been praised, and he hadn't been in any trouble with the Raiders until this incident.

"Everybody knew what they were getting when he (Romanowski) came here," guard Frank Middleton said. "As long as it doesn't happen again, it'll be fine."

Romanowski, who spoke with coach Bill Callahan the night of Aug. 25, denied having an anger problem.

"I've never really had problems controlling my temper," Romanowski said. "I am an intense guy on the football field, and sometimes I get carried away. I got carried away two days ago. I'm just going to make the situation right from this point forward. Can I move forward? I have no choice.

"The punishment is not about a fine or about missing practice. It's about what you learn as a person. You've got to look at yourself in the mirror and say, 'I screwed up.' There's two reasons I play this game: One is my love and respect I have for the game, two is to win the Super Bowl, and I can't do it without (teammates). I let my teammates down, and I apologized to them."

Callahan didn't speak to reporters, even though the Raiders made several cuts and roster moves.

[Riggo-toni]

Is it too late to re-institute the practice of flogging! :finger:

[DIESEL TROLL]

Romo sits to pee has stepped WAY over the line here. "Even money" says he'll be "taken out" by a "freak accident/hit" before the first six weeks is completed.....(toss-up on which side of the ball it comes from though..)

[Potato Sack]

"I don't see it as a big problem," linebacker Eric Johnson said. "It's just something that happened. Bill is a part of the family, and so is Marcus. Brothers fight all the time."

WHAT??? Yes, I fought with my brother too, but never got CLOSE to breaking any bones. Sorry Johnson, but if you've got to make a statement like that, you need to have your head checked!

[Henry]

He knocked a teammate out for THE SEASON and it's not a problem? I betcha if he put Gannon or Rice on IR like that they wouldn't be sweeping it under the rug like this.

[All In]

The TE should sue Romo sits to pee's ass. Make him pay for it. May have finished his career, or at least his earning potential.

[Burgold]

I wouldn't be surprised if he did sue. Especially if the eye problems linger. Far more intentional than the ref who throw the beanbag....