Darrell Russell, P****** Talent Away - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Hostile · 07-15-2004

Thursday, July 15, 2004

By Chris Mortensen
Special to ESPN.com

Darrell Russell's release Tuesday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was preceded by a positive test last month for alcohol, a banned substance in the player's treatment program, according to NFL sources.

Russell is facing another indefinite suspension by commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Sources say the positive test approximately five weeks ago was his seventh infraction of the league's substance abuse policy since he was selected second overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 1997 draft.

Russell may be allowed to seek reinstatement after the eighth week of the 2004 season, but sources say the medical staff that oversees the substance abuse policy is still making determinations for a new course of treatment for him.

If Russell does seek reinstatement at midseason, it won't be warmly embraced by a skeptical Tagliabue, sources said.

The defensive tackle missed 1½ years while serving two league suspensions before he played in eight games in 2003 for the Washington Redskins.

Tampa Bay signed him in March, reuniting him with ex-Raider GM Bruce Allen and coach Job Gruden, both now with the Buccaneers. The Bucs had placed several restrictions that could have prompted Russell's release, but he had complied with those restrictions until the positive test.

"If he has had a positive test, you'd have to check with the league, not me," Allen said.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment.

Russell could not be reached for comment!

QuincyCrusha_LeVar56 · 07-15-2004

Yup...he's pretty much a worthless dude.

Eddie · 07-15-2004

He tested positive for ALCOHOL??? ??? Are you guys serious???

SALADIN · 07-15-2004

Football is the least of his problems right now. Whether it's alcohol abuse or substance abuse there are some negative entities that he has to rid himself of before he can even think about being the player that he was.

I know some see it as a young man that will never learn, but it takes some longer than others to get well from their diseases. If they live long enough to get well.

I wish him well. The hard part is ahead of him.

DallasKnight · 07-15-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

He tested positive for ALCOHOL??? ??? Are you guys serious???

Are you sure he didn't take a cough medicine? ;>

**ABQCOWBOY** · 07-15-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

He tested positive for ALCOHOL??? ??? Are you guys serious???

May not seem like much but when you have multiple offenses, the program says that you must stay clean, alcohol included. It's really not about what he's used, it's that he continues to accumulate all these infractions when he knows he's screwed if he gets caught.

This guy has probably played his last game in the NFL.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 07-15-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

He tested positive for ALCOHOL??? ??? Are you guys serious???

If he had not been in a treatment program and currently on probation for violating the leagues substance abuse policy (multiple times) then this would not be a serious issue.

However since he has been in trouble many times, since he is on probation...it is a different thing....it also goes to show that he is not able to control himself or what is good for his career even after having multiple chances in the league and with rehab.

Yeagermeister · 07-15-2004

He drank from Al Davis' special flask

**Sarge** · 07-15-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

Thursday, July 15, 2004

By Chris Mortensen
Special to ESPN.com

Darrell Russell's release Tuesday by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was preceded by a positive test last month for alcohol, a banned substance in the player's treatment program, according to NFL sources.

Russell is facing another indefinite suspension by commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Sources say the positive test approximately five weeks ago was his seventh infraction of the league's substance abuse policy since he was selected second overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 1997 draft.

Russell may be allowed to seek reinstatement after the eighth week of the 2004 season, but sources say the medical staff that oversees the substance abuse policy is still making determinations for a new course of treatment for him.

[View Full Quote]

Very sad. A shame.

Cbz40 · 07-15-2004

Very Sad indeed........

**jobberone** · 07-15-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuincyCrusha_LeVar56

Yup...he's pretty much a worthless dude.

I take pity on their illness. Nor do I personally know this guy enough to have an opinion about his sense of worth. I'd say it is not too high considering his past problems with life on top of the substance abuse problem. I also try not to pass judgment on anyone although I still do it all too often.

SALADIN · 07-15-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobberone

I take pity on their illness. Nor do I personally know this guy enough to have an opinion about his sense of worth. I'd say it is not too high considering his past problems with life on top of the substance abuse problem. I also try not to pass judgment on anyone although I still do it all too often.

Judge Not

Bob Marley

Skeptic · 07-16-2004

Wow.

The NFL is beginning to stand for Nazi Football Legion.

M'Kevon · 07-16-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeptic

Wow.

The NFL is beginning to stand for Nazi Football Legion.

That's way overboard. As a multi-offender, he was given a list of substances that would flunk him, including alcohol. And I'm sure they didn't tap him on the shoulder at 1 in the AM, drink in hand at a club. Probably showed up at his AM workout; having a measurable alcohol content at that time indicates a problem.

**Sarge** · 07-16-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by M'Kevon

That's way overboard. As a multi-offender, he was given a list of substances that would flunk him, including alcohol. And I'm sure they didn't tap him on the shoulder at 1 in the AM, drink in hand at a club. Probably showed up at his AM workout; having a measurable alcohol content at that time indicates a problem.

True, he was given rules to abide by and he failed, again.

It's an illness. It's sad an unfortunate but to somehow take issue with the NFL for imposing those types of rules is inane.