Why do the Bengals where strips?

[travelinman]

Because they are all criminals.

The Bengals today selected former University of Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks in the third round of the NFL Supplemental Draft.

Once considered first-round NFL talent, Brooks? stock dropped dramatically after a poor 2005 season. Arrested for marijuana possession in March 2003, Brooks failed multiple drug tests in college, the Miami Herald reported earlier this year. His substance abuse issues led to his dismissal from the UVA squad in March 2006.

[cincygreg]

He's another in a long list of players who's of field problems overshadowed his talents on the field. He can play, and would have been one of the first linebackers to go in the draft (first couple of rounds) had he not had all those other problems.

It's a risk vs reward scenario,
Kinda like Chris Henry.
Taking him is a risk because of all the problmes, but if you can get him to straighten out and clean up his act, the rewards could be huge.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 13, 2006 04:35 PM: Message edited by: cincygreg ]</font>

[travelinman]

Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman will be suspended for the first four games of the NFL season for violation of the league?s substance abuse policy, a source close to the situation told the Enquirer this afternoon.

[Beachcomber]

I'm surprised at you Trav. Why should marijuana be any more illegal than alcohol? You know the government criminalizes otherwise law abiding citizens with such laws. With your basically Libertarian philosophy (albeit conservative) you of all people should know that. Hard drugs are another matter, but weed? C'mon....

[cincygreg]

They havent mentioned which substance it was, but It's not his first test failure. You dont get suspended until your second one.

[cincygreg]

GL, Alcohol abuse is considered "substance abuse" in the NFL's policy

Here is the policy itself (or at least the punishment section


Stage 1 is fairly straightforward. Essentially a positive test of someone. Now this could be a random test or a tip from someone such as NFL security or the team. All tests are confidential but a failure gets you into Stage 1. This stage is not to last more than 60 days, during which there is random testing. A player is usually given a few days notice but must not miss the test. Failure of a test or missing of a test gets you automatic admission into Stage 2.

Ah yes, Stage 2. During Stage 1 a treatment plan has been put together. Complete with regular meetings with Psychiatrists, Medical Doctors, etc. to stop what the NFL deems might be a problem starting. In Stage 2, which is only to last 24 months or two complete seasons, this gets more intense. You life is really not your own. Tests are more often, less time in advance, and the penalties are far more severe. In the NFL?s own words?

?(1)Discipline for First Failure to Comply in Stage Two: A player who has a Positive Test or who in the judgment of the Medical Director fails to comply with his Treatment Plan during Stage Two will be subject to:

(a) A fine of four-seventeenths (4/17) of the amount in Paragraph 5 of the NFL Player Contract if the player has successfully completed Stage One; and

(b) A suspension for the period of time to cover four consecutive regular season and post-season (including Pro Bowl, if selected) games without pay if he did not successfully complete Stage One.

(2)Discipline for Second Failure to Comply in Stage Two: A player who has two Positive Tests in Stage Two; or fails twice, as determined by the Medical Director, to comply with his Treatment Plan in Stage Two; or has a Positive Test and fails to comply with his Treatment Plan, as determined by the Medical Director, will incur:

(a) A suspension for the period of time to cover four consecutive regular and post season games (including the Pro Bowl, if selected) without pay if the player was fined pursuant to Section E.2.b.(1)(a) above; and

(b) A suspension for the period of time to cover six consecutive regular and post season games (including the Pro Bowl, if selected) without pay if the player was suspended pursuant to Section E.2.b.(1)(b) above.?

Pretty straightforward. You would think someone in Stage 2 would take this seriously. After all, where else can you get paid this much money as in the NFL? But addiction is a very tough thing to beat. But stay away from Stage 3!!!

In Stage 3, the player has failed the other two stages. There is no time limit on Stage 3. Once in this stage, you are in this stage for the rest of your career, period. Unannounced testing, counseling from all angles, NO TOLERANCE for failure. This is stricter than the requirements of the military, companies, or any other sport I know of.

You fail in Stage 3, the penalty is, in the NFL?s own words, BANISHMENT! First for a minimum of one year, second, while it is on a case by case basis the chances of maintaining your career are pretty slim. Start looking at a new line of work. Once you are banished, you do not get paid regardless of whether is was a guaranteed signing bonus or not. If you apply for reinstatement, and are reinstated, then you can pick up your contract. Although many teams have clauses in the behavioral section of the contract that would nullify it if you hit Stage 3. At Stage 3 you are really at the mercy of the NFL to get yourself back in.

Well, what are they testing for? The usual banned substances, cocaine, marijuana, steroids, but you can also be reported for and put in the program because of alcohol abuse. These all are watched not only by the individual teams but also by the ever present NFL security. They actually do follow players, teams, etc. VERY closely. So this is what it is. Big kudos to Dale Carter. To get out of Stage 3 he must have worked really hard on his issues, good for him!

[Beachcomber]

I just see dangerous trends in our society becoming worse. Smoking bans, "substance abuse", forced health care (in Massachusetts for now I think, who knows how many other states will follow suit). Our civil liberties are being eroded more and more in the name of "protecting us" from ourselves. Hitler used the same tactics. The "Nanny State" is out of control.

[cincygreg]

I think it's actually more than right to want to have an employee that the owners invest so much money in be held accountablke for their actions and that they should, in fact, welcome drug testing and treatment.
All they are asking is that they be resposible adults.
Businesses with far smaller payrolls and no media attention do drug testing as well.
I'm all for testing, and I think that the players need to realize that they are admired and cheered on by many who would love the opportunity to be in their shoes.

[travelinman]

Drug testing by private companies and whether the Government should make drugs illegal are not the same thing.

While I think pot should be legalized, I also think business owners have the right to have a drug free work place. I get tested for every new construction project.

Do you really want someone who is high or coming down from a night with the crack pipe making that catheter being shoved into you bladder?

[Lew]

Hey I agree with Trav AND GL on this one, go figure. I agree with GL that mj should be legal simply because hard liquor is. And from a scientific and medicinal perpsective, hard liquor is worse for you than weed; ergo, if hard liquor is legal, then it would flow logically that anything not as bad as hard liquor should also be legal. To me, it's like saying it's legal for you to drive 65 on the freeway, but not 60.

But I agree w/Trav in that, say I'm piloting a 767 on final approach to CVG; when I contact the tower, I need to hear "Delta 1045 heavy you are cleared to land, runway 18 right"; what I don't need hear is Spicoli munching on some chips and playing the Allman Brothers in the background and asking me what were we just talking about.

In other words, I would legalize mj, but I would not make it a protected status and I would leave it to employers to decide whether to drug test. And certain professions are better off without any drugs at all (air traffic, pilots, police officers, heavy machinery, etc.) while other professions are fine with drug use (musicians, carnies, artists, insurance executives, lawyers, etc.).