Bradham filling up police blotter

PHILADELPHIA >> When you read the crime blotter, it sure looks like Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham needs to make changes.

In 3½ months he’s been arrested twice, once for aggravated battery causing bodily harm in Miami Beach, Fla., and this past Sunday on a weapons charge at Miami International Airport.

The assault charge is a seconddegree felony punishable by up to 15 years in jail according to online information.

We still think there will be a settlement with the cabana worker Bradham allegedly punched in the nose, although a hearing Wednesday resulted in a Jan. 17 court date in Miami Beach.

The weapons charge is a misdemeanor, as Bradham has a license to carry a concealed weapon. Had he not been out on bail for the assault charge, he wouldn’t have been hit with the gun charge because authorities at the airport believed his story that he forgot the weapon was in his bag.

You can see how these issues

snowball, right?

“Both of these were incidents that were away from here,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “They are out of your control that way. This is where guys need to just be smart about it. It’s their livelihood, it’s their families. In everything that we do, it’s no different… You have got to make those smart choices.”

It’s not like Pederson can block Bradham from going to Miami or Miami Beach, a couple of places where a chunk of the citizenry enjoys life in the fast lane. All the coach can do is issue a warning — or two in this case — and if it continues, move on. Bradham is under contract for this year and next. Unfortunately for Pederson, he’s also been their best linebacker.

The weapons charge won’t make sense to a lot of people. Who forgets they left a loaded gun in their backpack when they go through airport security? On their worst day the TSA people will find that. Bradham said the gun was in a zippered compartment he rarely uses.

“A small zipper on the bag,” Bradham said. “That’s all it was, an unintended incident. I was obviously coming back for this week to get ready for practice. I just made a mistake.”

Bradham sounds believable. We believe he really thought the Wednesday court hearing on the assault charge resulting in the January court date actually was supposed to be Friday. His lawyer is taking care of the matters, and he sent the help home after lunch to get ready for Hurricane Matthew, according to the voice message. The lawyer couldn’t be reached for comment on another number.

But back to Bradham, the unsung defensive hero in the Eagles’ 34-3 pre-bye week rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 27-year-old product of Florida State is a nice guy. His football IQ is way up there.

Bradham’s common sense is another matter. He’s responsible for his actions on and off the field. But how can the decisions be so out there when he’s in Miami, it seems?

Just the way Bradham attempted to describe why he carries a loaded gun around Florida was eyeopening.

Bradham has the gun for protection for himself and his family. The piece may be loaded but hey, it isn’t cocked, which is necessary before shooting it.

“It was loaded as far as bullets-wise but it wasn’t

“I don’t know all the circumstances around it. It’s obviously, it’s a big deal, to do that. Obviously he has it registered. Listen, I have rifles and I like to hunt but we just have to be smart. But it is a little surprising that he carried it.” — Eagles’ coach Doug Pederson

cocked,” Bradham said. “It’s always a one-step process legally.

“In Florida, I don’t know how many people who know about the gun laws down there, but they’re very lenient and a lot of people have guns. So it’s something that could happen to anyone.”

Bradham totally is within his rights to own the firearm. We’d like to think it’s not easy to get a concealed weapons permit.

Eagles veteran Malcolm Jenkins basically rolled his eyes when asked about the weapons issue.

“It’s America,” Jenkins said. “I mean, you talk about guns. It’s not unlawful to have one. And I’m sure many guys own them. It’s just about being smart when you take them out obviously. But it’s nothing of concern… I don’t think there’s been really any issues, nothing that’s really distracting or hurting the team. Obviously a couple decisions he probably wished he had back. But, no, I don’t think there’s a need to really address it.”

Pederson is much more disappointed. He paused somewhere between “scared” and “you” that Bradham was carrying a loaded weapon.

“I don’t know why anybody would do that,” Pederson said. “I don’t know all the circumstances around it. It’s obviously, it’s a big deal, to do that. Obviously he has it registered. Listen, I have rifles and I like to hunt but we just have to be smart. But it is a little surprising that he carried it.”

All of this brings me to the protection the gun supposedly affords. Bradham says his life hasn’t been threatened, which is good to know. He also said he has a two-yearold son. Do you need to have children to realize what could accidentally happen with a loaded gun in the house?

“He’s pretty much watched at all times,” Bradham said.

We’d all like to believe that. But can we?