St. Louis Rams: Robert Quinn Court Date Set for Oct. 11

Arrested for drunk driving and failure to have insurance, second year defensive end Robert Quinn has a third charge pending too: "failure to exercise a high degree of care". I've never heard of this last charge, but as an NFL fan, it seems both ironic and self evident. Anyone who drinks too much and gets behind the wheel of a car obviously doesn't care, yet for some reason this little law strikes me as NFL appropriate.

NFL players seem to be having an attack of the "don't care - dumb-s" lately. When Quinn ultimately enters a courtroom to answer these three charges, his attorney can probably make excuses for the first two, but how do you defend against the "Didn't care" part? Look, I know this law must have more to do with the level of recklessness involved while driving, I get it. But when Quinn stands before a judge, and no doubt a courtroom filled with media who will convey his answers to Rams fans, won't we all be expecting two answers to this charge?

One answer will be about how he failed to properly control his car at 5:38 in the morning, but what about the the next answer? What didn't he care about more: his life, family friends, teammates, coaches, and let's not forget the fans. Will we ever hear an un-canned response from a player in trouble with the law that hasn't been watered down by legal-eze spin twaddle?

I read earlier today that Kenny Britt decided to join the growing number of NFL players who just don't care. I understand this will be the 8th time Britt has been arrested since being drafted in 2009 by the Tennessee Titans... 8 times? How is Britt not in jail, let alone still in the NFL?

"Failure to exercise a high degree of care".... Hmm, I wonder if this little legal description is only in cities with professional sports franchises? It's such a kinder - and gentler - way of expressing dismay at a lack of both motor and emotional skill control, isn't it? What's the penalty for the "Didn't care" part of the charges Robert Quinn will face? Maybe they'll order him to get a puppy or kitten, just to see if he can care?

I know, I know, these are serious charges before Robert Quinn, and my preoccupation with this little "Didn't care" thing is a bit out there, but can you really blame me? Look at the Britt-s of the NFL, or the bunch of idiots on the Detroit Lions. What part of caring about what, and who, you are as an individual is lost on these young men? One of the comments I read yesterday said this rash of DUI/DWI, Mom beating, domestic violence represents "ONLY" 1% of NFL players... Only... Isn't there just the tiniest of chances thinking "only" is actually the problem? It's "only" a few miles to my house, so I can drive. It's "only" a family matter, so no big deal in the broader scheme.

In the same comment thread I saw another remark that makes sense to a part of me I didn't know was there. The comment-er said the Rams should suspend Robert Quinn for a few games if the NFL doesn't. Say what you want, but at least it would show Jeff Fisher cared.

I know fans care, and we prove it with our collective dismay at each announcement of a player's misstep. It seems each year in the NFL is marked by something. Last season will have an asterisk attached to it from the lockout/CBA. This year, the history books will have to throw a few *** next to 2012. I hope in the legend at the bottom of the page, it won't say "Bounty Scandal". I hope it says: The year players forgot to care...