Big combine changes, players barred

[Doomsday101]

That's the problem, there's so much pressure on the player from the outside that they really have no choice but to get back on the field ASAP. If you don't then you're soft, you're letting your team down. And it gets worse because of how easy it is to pass the concussion test (or to cheat), the medical staff will clear you when you know that you shouldn't be. So what do you do? Do you quit? Do you refuse to go out there even though the experts in that area are telling you that everything is fine and you're good to go? Because that's how the media is going to portray it, they'll show you on the sideline shaking your head refusing to get back on the field while the medical staff is clearing you. Your career would be over at that point, you'd be the laughing stock of the NFL.

But at the same time, what do you do? Do you suspend everybody that suffers a concussion for 3-6 months? Everybody would be placed on IR immediately. The league would be "dead", there would be so many star players missing. And if you ban everybody after 2 concussions, forget about it. The players will do whatever it takes to hide it. The least the NFL could do is be upfront about this. Tell the players, everybody, the media, fans etc. what they're signing up for. CTE, suicides, brain damage, Alzheimer, all that stuff. If you still want to play football you know what you're signing up for. It's on you. It's not any worse than breaking your neck and to sit in a wheel chair your entire life, that stuff happened as well. Players have died on the field. So concussions aren't the worst thing that could happen to you, but the issue is that the NFL is trying to sweep it under the rug because they're scared that they're gonna lose fans, that kids are not going to be allowed to play football which obviously will hurt the NFL bigtime if all the great athletes are now heading to the NBA, MLB etc. Sooner or later they have to admit what's going on, what everybody is beginning to see. I don't know what they're waiting for.

NFL put in place independent doctors they do not work for the teams they will make the call and have they are holding players out. Lee was hurt in the philly game was not allowed back in and even missed the following week not because he did not want to play or coaches did not want him to play he missed because he did not pass the protocol so there was no call to be made by the Cowboys or Lee that was taken out of their hands and there were many others who also missed under this system that is in place. I do not think the teams or the league are the bad guys here. I do agree the competitive nature for players is to get back out and often not because of external pressure but because they are highly competitive people that is why they have gotten to this point in their athletic careers. As for what they are signing up for if you know it so do the players and agents who represent them. I don't think anything is being sweep under the rug. Don't you think it is odd that you would know this information but guys who are playing the game do not understand? I will also say for a very long time medical people did not fully understand the long term effect.

 

[CrownCowboy]

I agree. I think there has to be a case-by-case provision somewhere in this policy.

That's all I'm saying.

I'm not necessarily against the NFL doing something to keep the league clean of bad people. Let's face it, bad people do bad things and then have bad records.

I just don't think it's fair for some of these young men to be lumped into that category for some of the low level gun or assault misemeanors that are indeed on the books.

 

[LittleD]

Well that's the game the NFL will probably play anyway with this new policy. So what's your point?

No real "soap box" point other than to agree with the new policy which IMVHO is long overdue.

 

[Longboysfan]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...-domestic-offenses-barred-from-combine-draft/

An NFL policy change will bar players with convictions for domestic violence, sexual assault or weapons offenses from attending the league’s the annual scouting combine in Indianapolis.

USA Today reported Monday night that teams were informed of this policy change in a memo from NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent in late January. In the memo, Vincent wrote that players would be barred from “any league-related event” if a background check turns up a felony or misdemeanor conviction. Those players would also be prevented from attending the draft.

Players that refuse to submit to a background check will also be uninvited.

Could be an empty green room....

 

[CrownCowboy]

No real "soap box" point other than to agree with the new policy which IMVHO is long overdue.

Fair enough, my friend.

 

[Kevinicus]

There are still federal laws with respect to pot usage, I believe. The feds may not be enforcing them, but they are there.

Yeah, but those laws aren't legal. State laws are what matter.

 

[Doomsday101]

Vincent, however, did inform teams that players barred from the combine will be able to work out and interview with clubs on an individual basis with no restrictions.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2016/2/...bans-players-domestic-violence-sexual-assault

 

[fortdick]

Good post. Curious, how do the NFL rules reside if an NFL player who lives in Colorado smokes pot (legally)? Doesn't the NFL still have the right within the organization to punish a player for this act although it's "lawful" in the state he resides?

felony under federal law

 

[LittleD]

Vincent, however, did inform teams that players barred from the combine will be able to work out and interview with clubs on an individual basis with no restrictions.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2016/2/...bans-players-domestic-violence-sexual-assault

What this probably means is that players will find a way to get on some teams but it will not be in the draft and they
are unlikely to get a big money deal in their first 4 years in the league. UDFA money is not much money these days.

 

[Direwolf63]

Yeah, but those laws aren't legal. State laws are what matter.

Federal laws aren't legal? hmmmmm............

Unless a federal judge has struck down those laws, I would think they are most definitely legal.

 

[LittleD]

Federal laws aren't legal? hmmmmm............

Unless a federal judge has struck down those laws, I would think they are most definitely legal.

Right and Federal Law always trumps State Law unless the administration and justice department
decides not to enforce it.

 

[Doomsday101]

What this probably means is that players will find a way to get on some teams but it will not be in the draft and they
are unlikely to get a big money deal in their first 4 years in the league. UDFA money is not much money these days.

Combines are 1 event teams will still work guys out at individual workouts.

 

[rockj7]

Think how this could affect players like Noah Spence's draft position. Teams will have to focus a little harder at player Pro days an player visits.

Think the NFL finally got a policy right.

I'm a jerk but I first thought maybe Noah falls an we pick him up in Rd 2 I know I know I'm just tired a looking at other teams win Superbowl 21 and counting smh

 

[Doomsday101]

Good post. Curious, how do the NFL rules reside if an NFL player who lives in Colorado smokes pot (legally)? Doesn't the NFL still have the right within the organization to punish a player for this act although it's "lawful" in the state he resides?

You do know business in Colorado have the right to drug test including weed and not hire a person or fire a person who test positive. That state law does not change that, that is like saying alcohol is legal therefore a business can't fire a person who is intoxicated or fails a Breathalyzer test


NFL combines however are not excluding those who may have been arrested for weed

 

[Deep_South]

So, if one of these ostracized players has a Hall of Fame career, he won't be allowed to attend his own induction ceremony. What nonsense.

 

[Doomsday101]

So, if one of these ostracized players has a Hall of Fame career, he won't be allowed to attend his own induction ceremony. What nonsense.

That is not what the NFL has said, it was pertaining to the combines. Like always people take a subject and go way overboard with it

 

[Deep_South]

That is not what the NFL has said, it was pertaining to the combines. Like always people take a subject and go way overboard with it

My comment was based on the highlighted portion below. It may very well be referring to the draft only, but that would even make less sense, telling a player he can't attend the draft, but if he has a good enough career he will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame with a full ceremony, IMO.

USA Today reported Monday night that teams were informed of this policy change in a memo from NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent in late January. In the memo, Vincent wrote that players would be barred from “any league-related event” if a background check turns up a felony or misdemeanor conviction. Those players would also be prevented from attending the draft.

 

[iceberg]

You do know business in Colorado have the right to drug test including weed and not hire a person or fire a person who test positive. That state law does not change that, that is like saying alcohol is legal therefore a business can't fire a person who is intoxicated or fails a Breathalyzer test

NFL combines however are not excluding those who may have been arrested for weed

on one hand i fully agree that it being legal can make the law go away to a large degree, but an employer can still refuse to hire someone for their own policies. how this would eventually stand up in court would be interesting, to say the least.

as to the issue w/alcohol - i know of no one who tests you for drinking habits prior to getting a job so not exactly a 1:1 comparison but i think overall we agree on this one. i'm all for choice for the individual but the business still has a right to a choice of their own.

 

[iceberg]

So, if one of these ostracized players has a Hall of Fame career, he won't be allowed to attend his own induction ceremony. What nonsense.

what is it with people today who hear something and find the most remote possibility then put it out there like it will happen every day?

 

[Kevinicus]

Federal laws aren't legal? hmmmmm............

Unless a federal judge has struck down those laws, I would think they are most definitely legal.

Nope, federal government doesn't have authority to create laws on topics like that. Only the states do.