The Bears gave up on defensive tackle Tank Johnson on Monday, releasing him after his latest brush with the law.

The NFL already had suspended Johnson eight games after a multitude of troubles over the last couple years. His latest transgression — the police pulled him over for speeding and appearing impaired by the arrested officer. Though Johnson wasn’t charged or booked (yet), it was the last straw for the Bears.

The league’s crackdown on off-the-field bad behavior is being taken to heart by the teams. Obviously, the Bears had enough. Aside from any moral issues, could they count on him to play that second half of the season after this latest incident? Better they cut him now and plan for a season without him.

Hopefully, the harsh consequences for Johnson and Pacman Jones will be a wakeup call for other players to avoid trouble, or at the very least, avoid it again after getting busted a first time. Wouldn’t it have been prudent for Johnson, impaired or not, not to be speeding knowing even getting pulled over for that would get his name in the newspapers? Or for Jones not the visit a strip club the night before his meeting with the league?

Maybe not. I’m thinking more players will find themselves suspended before the 2007 season is over.