I don't like dirty players. I don't want them on my favorite team. It seriously dampens my ability to root for the Rams, and I've been doing that since 1966/67.

It's a big deal for me.

I'd even go this far: I'd much rather the Rams build a competitive team, with players who put sportsmanship, ethics and fair play first -- win, lose or draw -- than to see them win Super Bowls playing "dirty." As in, I wouldn't trade a playoff team for a Super Bowl winner if they win Super Bowls unethically. For me, that runs the gamut from stealing info from the opposing team to stomping on players when they're down. It also includes personal conduct on the home front -- like domestic assault.

To refine that a bit further, it's not an issue of "the law" (for me) necessarily. It's an issue of violence, bullying, etc. etc. Drug use? I couldn't care less, as long as they don't hurt other people. Non-violent dissent from norms in general doesn't bother me. But violence against others does. Further down the line, I'm not a fan of prima donnas, either. But that's not a deal-breaker for me. I'd just rather the Rams avoid them altogether.

The ideal for me -- which is incredibly rare in professional sports -- is the "lunch pail" type, the team-first guy, who is also a really good athlete, etc. When those guys are available, grab 'em and keep 'em for the long haul. To the degree possible, make them your core and your benchmark.