What is it about the WR position, that attracts the troublemakers and misfits?

[NJmaverick]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0904/nfl.wide.receivers.in.trouble/content.1.html

[Auggie]

1. Is it just WRs, or is it because their higher profile position is more newsworthy?

[NJmaverick]

2. It's not just the WRs, in the sense that others have probelems

However the WR position does seem to have a much higher ratio of head cases and trouble makers, than any other position.

[nickgutierrez]

3. The best wide receivers are probably the best all-around athletes on the field.

I suspect there's a certain amount of narcissism that goes with that.

[Captain Hilts]

4. Don't forget tight end. A good # of crazies there. Shockey, Cooley, Burris...nt

[MrPerson]

5. O Linemen are the smartest.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Yes. They dominate television commentary. They usually have better grammar too. nt

[NJmaverick]

7. If you look at the Wonderlic scores there is an interesting pattern

the farther you get from the football (in terms of where you line up) the lower your score.

[NJmaverick]

8. Interesting responses, and here is my take.

I have read all your responses, and I have given this considerable thought. So here is my best explanation. In football there are 3 and a half glory positions. QB, RB and WR are the 3 and TE is to a lesser extent. Being the glory positions on the team I think they naturally attract glory seekers who are often have a narcissistic nature.
If I am correct in that assertion, I think the next logic question is why don't you see these problems from the other positions. I think the nature of the other positions limits how well those with serious personality disorders can function. Let's take the QB position. Sure you are a star in that position, but there is a price. The QB position, in order to be successful, requires leadership and self discipline. So it naturally weeds out most of the misfits. The RB position requires a certain toughness and self discipline. The constant physical pounding that most RBs endure, requires it. So it's tough to get away with having a weak personality and handle that position. Finally there is the TE position. You do see head cases that reside there, Jermey Shockey immedieately comes to mind. Still in general there is less glory to be found at this position, and usually more grunt work like run blocking, to be a prize attraction for the glory seekers.
Well that's my 2 cents on the subject, for what it's worth.

[1gobluedem]

9. It's a big money position

So it attracts the greediest and most unscrupulous agents who tell these kids what they want to hear; that their talent will carry them through anything and flamboyance makes headlines. Plus they are surrounded entirely by sycophants so they have no concept of reality or right and wrong. Everyone constantly tells them how great they are and they lose touch with reality. Rock stars are much the same -- if they make a mess there is always someone to clean it up no matter what.

[backtoblue]

10. Hype and Spotlight...

When a wide receiver gets the call, all eyes are on him and every movement is dissected and interpreted. You drop the ball, everyone sees it - It's like your mistakes are public anyways, so why bother behaving well when being bad is much more fun... Soft hands and a bad attitude make for an excellent fan attraction.