In hindsight, it would have been wise for former Boston College offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus and cornerback DeJuan Tribble to get their criminal cases resolved two months ago.

If the charges against them had been cleared up before Cherilus was picked in round one of the 2008 draft by the Lions and Tribble was selected in round six in San Diego, neither man would have faced potential consequences under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.  But since both have been placed on one year of pre-trial probation with a requirement to pay restitution of $52,000 to their alleged victim after being drafted, Cherilus and Tribble will be subject to sanctions.

“It will trigger a [Personal Conduct Policy] review,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told us by e-mail on Thursday.  “Definitely.”

In contrast, Aiello tells us that Lions linebacker Jordon Dizon, a second-round choice, won’t face Personal Conduct Policy sanctions for his pre-draft DUI arrest, because alcohol-related offenses now fall squarely within the jurisdiction of the substance abuse policy.

The lesson for all college players who might get in trouble this summer?  Get your situations wrapped up before next April.  Otherwise, you might eventually be giving up a game check or two.