November 13, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Houston Texans running back Derrick Ward (32) prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

This NFL offseason will be remembered for a couple different things, like the Drew Brees contract and guys like Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III starting their careers, but nothing will stand out more than the numerous arrests from drinking and driving. In case you stopped keeping track, here is the list of guys in the league that we know of who have been arrested for driving while impaired: Robert Quinn, Nick Fairley, Kenny Britt, Donald Washington, Marshawn Lynch, Aaron Berry, David Diehl, Justin Blackmon, Jerome Felton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Brandon Meriweather, Knowshon Moreno and Aldon Smith. Former NFL running back Derrick Ward has seen enough.

Ward took to Twitter on Saturday to impart some wisdom to the guys who apparently need all they can get. Here is a list of tweets, and while it’s long, it’s all pretty interesting and certainly valid.

“Alright NFL players!!! Its absolutely E-N-O-U-G-H!!! Drinking and Driving? How dumb can u be? Its absolutely stupid and your making the good guys that actually do right in the NFL look bad. How easy is it to call a cab to get a ride home? So what? Leave your car get it in the am!? Stop being so dumb! Yes that’s right dumb! I’m sitting here retired enjoyed a great career now all I want to do is become a fan and I see numerous arrest for DWI in the past several weeks? How many has it been this week 4? Absolutely ridiculous your not only putting yourself in danger but your putting other innocent people in danger that don’t deserve your stupidity. Open your eyes and do the right thing. I know what its like to get go out get drunk and debate on weather to drive home or not. Call a taxi! So what if u spend some money to take one or U get a ticket on your car in the am when u go bac 2 get it At least u won’t have to pay bail and then lawyer fees and then miss game checks from being suspended for a few games. Damn this really has me furious and its so avoidable. Tighten up youngsters of the NFL because guess what it doesn’t mean National Football League it really means Not For Long league. There’s no excuse to drive drunk! NONE! If all else fails WALK! NFL players are world class athletes Walking should be nothing!”

Aug 20, 2011; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Titans 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE

We have spent a good amount of time here at Ramblin’ Fan building up second-year defensive end Robert Quinn as a potential breakout performer in 2012. This time, however, the tone is far from positive. According to KSDK in St. Louis, Quinn was arrested in the morning hours on July 10 for DWI. The incident reportedly took place on Eastbound I-270 near the Washington/Elizabeth exit, where Quinn was involved in a single-vehicle accident. Quinn was reportedly cooperative with police, and he was charged with DWI and two additional traffic charges.

The Rams released a statement Thursday addressing the matter: “The Rams and the NFL office are aware of the situation regarding Robert Quinn. We take such matters very seriously, and we will act accordingly once the legal process plays out.”

I’m surprised it took over a week for this information to come to light on a large scale, but regardless of when the news came out, this is disappointing. It’s hard to predicting what kind of punishment will come down from the league, but this is a tough start to what many were hoping would be a breakout season for the young DE. That’s not to say that his year is ruined or he won’t be any good, but I have to admit that the air is out of the balloon a little for me. Drunk driving is never OK, but hopefully this is just an isolated mistake and Quinn can move forward. He is going to be a huge part of our success this season, so let’s hope we don’t have to hear about him getting in trouble again.