by Tommy Gimler

Nobody needs to start training camp more than the Detroit Lions. If they wait another week or two, they might have to move their camp headquarters to the Central Michigan Correctional Facility.

No NFL team has had more offseason arrests than the Lions. In fact, they have just as many arrests as they do 2012 draft picks. On Saturday, cornerback Aaron Berry was arrested in Harrisburg, PA for brandishing a weapon from his vehicle. This is Berry’s second offense this offseason, joining Nick Fairley and Mikel Leshoure as guys who won’t be seeing any advertising dollars this year unless it’s for 1-800-BAIL-ME-OUT.

The Lions released this statement again, and should seriously think about creating a permanent link “Police Report” link on their website to save time and money:

“We are extremely disappointed by the reports involving Aaron Berry. We are currently gathering more information and will have further comment when appropriate.”

But are the Lions really that disappointed? Look, everybody makes mistakes. Some of us are just luckier than others. But when three of your players have had multiple incidents in just one offseason, it’s no longer a matter of luck. It’s just pure stupidity and/or ignorance.

As an organization, the Lions’ failures have been well documented on and off the field. But until you do more than just release a generalized statement where you just fill in the blanks with a name of another one of your players who thought finishing college without a degree was a good idea, you’re going to see the same things every offseason.

If the Lions really cared about what was going on off the field, then they would do the only thing that gets any athlete’s attention: take away their money. What if every offseason arrest, misdemeanor or felony, cost a Lions player 25% of their salary because of the four-game unpaid suspension that came with it? I’m pretty sure Ndamukong Suh might actually hire a driver to prevent a repeat of that 91 in a 55 MPH zone incident or the whole crashing his car into a Portland fountain thingy if that was the case.

In the meantime, the mainstream media continues to try to sell this team as a Super Bowl contender? Sure, sure. If the Rules Committee gives each team in 2012 two points for each penalty and four points for every in-season DUI, then ladies and gentlemen, meet your 2012 World Champion Detroit Lions…