FanHouse JeremyBridges

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington's offensive line was arguably one of the biggest culprits responsible for the team's last-place, 8-8 finish in 2008. Yet, as the Redskins wrapped up their first OTA of the summer on Thursday, four months from the 2009 season opener, their starters up front appear set.

Almost.

The 'Skins are, for better or worse, basically settled at left tackle (Chris Samuels), both guard spots (Derrick Dockery and Randy Thomas) and center (Casey Rabach), but there's approximately an entire roster's worth of guys battling to start at right tackle. And, so far, it's hard to pick a favorite.

Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges was arrested Sunday night for assault and battery and communicating threats.

The charges stemmed from an incident Saturday night involving Dom Perignon champagne and a bouncer at Villa Antonio Restaurant in Ballantyne, according to Bridges' attorney, George Laughrun, and the restaurant's manager.

Bridges turned himself in Sunday night and was expected to be released after posting $2,500 bond. Laughrun said he expected Bridges would plead not guilty.

Apparently, Bridges ordered a bottle of bubbly at the bar, shook it up and got some of the other customers wet. He was asked to leave, which he attempted to do. However, a female customer who received the champagne shower took issue with Bridges. He didn't like that -- not one bit.

So Bridges started yelling at the customer and pushed away a bouncer. Because he is a big man and was obviously angry, the police were called.

Carolina Panthers guard Jeremy Bridges was found guilty of assault by pointing a gun yesterday and was given a 60-day suspended sentence, one year of probation and 60 hours of community service. He also had to surrender the gun.

But that's not the fun part. No. According to Darin Gantt of the Rock Hill Herald, Bridges' trial looked ready made for The Jerry Springer Show.

Jeremy Bridges gets convicted of assault for pointing a gun at a stripper ("entertainer") who was arguing with one of his buddies. Bridges didn't want his pal talking to her, in part because, as she testified in court: "I don't even date men."

Then the entertainter's uncle takes the stand wearing a sleeveless black dress and high-heeled shoes -- looking like Tina Turner but sounding like Ike -- followed by her pregnant ex-girlfriend.

Y'know, if you're looking for a good character witness, there's nothing better than a man in drag, is there? You won't find a judge in North Carolina who wouldn't find that witness entirely credible. No, sir. I can't wait to see what ensemble he wears at Bridges' appeal in March.

A year ago, Jeremy Bridges was a stopgap offensive lineman that the Panthers picked up off the scrap heap. Now, Bridges is back from his two-game suspension, and he's quite eager to return to the starting lineup he cracked last season.

After Sunday's game against the Texans, Bridges might get a shot. Rookie Ryan Kalil has been filling in at right guard, and while he proved capable against St. Louis, Amobi Okoye was clearly the better rookie on Sunday, blowing Kalil off the line for two sacks and forcing a DeShaun Foster fumble.

I have my doubts that Bridges would have won that battle, given Okoye's talent, but he does have more experience than Kalil, and if the rookie struggles next weekend against Atlanta -- which I'm not expecting, but I didn't expect God to heal Jon Kitna, either -- Bridges might reclaim the right guard spot sooner rather than later.

In other Panthers news, cornerback Dante Wesley cracked his collarbone and will be placed on IR. Curtis Deloatch, who was signed two weeks ago and then cut in favor of Christian Fauria last Tuesday, will take Wesley's roster spot. At this rate, Deloatch will be re-hired and fired more times than Billy Martin by Thanksgiving.

Get? Suspended Bridges? Ha ha ... oh, never mind.

The Carolina Panthers decided not to wait for Roger Goodell to make a move on Jeremy Bridges' strip club shenanigans, suspending the
offensive lineman for the first two regular season games for "conduct detrimental to the club." (Ya think?)

Bridges played right tackle last season after Travelle Wharton's knee injury, but with Wharton back and apparently fully recovered, Bridges was expected to compete for one of the Panthers' starting guard spots, which are proving to be very competitive. Pointing a gun at a female strip club employee? Yeah, that'll put a dent in Bridges' hopes to become a starter again this year.

Previously at FanHouse:
Jeremy Bridges Points a Gun Outside a Strip Club, Gets Arrested