Raji failed a drug test at the combine - 4/2/09

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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/04/02/raji/index.html?eref=si_nfl
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Source: Defensive tackle Raji tested positive at NFL Combine

Story Highlights
Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji fails drug test in Indianapolis

Defensive tackle B.J. Raji, whose draft stock has soared over the past six months, had a positive drug test at February's combine, NFL team sources have told SI.com. It's unknown to SI.com which drug triggered the positive result, but NFL scouts were made aware before the 2008 season that Raji had tested positive for marijuana during his time at Boston College.

NFL teams will receive the official list of those who tested positive in Indianapolis later this month, and Raji's name will be on it, according to a source who attended last week's owners meetings in California.

Brian Murphy, Chief Operating Officer of Athletes First, which represents Raji, told SI.com: "We will not comment on rumors from unnamed sources. I do know that B.J. has been one of the hardest workers and nicest individuals that we at Athletes First represent. There is no doubt that he will be an invaluable addition to an NFL team both on the field as a player and in the community as a role model."

Raji declined comment when reached by SI.com.

According to the NFL's drug policy, a positive test for street drugs, which includes marijuana, puts a player into the initial stage of the NFL's drug program. He's then subject to random testing and subject to a fine or suspension if he tests positive again.

How this affects Raji's draft grade remains to be seen. He missed the 2007 college season with academic issues, returned to Boston College and had a terrific senior campaign, recording eight sacks and 42 tackles, with 16 tackles for loss. He was a dominant force during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl and continued his momentum up draft boards after turning in good combine and pro-day workouts. His performances the past three months have some scouts believing he'll be taken in the top third of the first round of the April 25 draft.

One source familiar with the positive drug test assessed Raji's draft prospects by saying, "It's a roll of the dice. If Raji stays clean and plays to his potential, you could have a dominant defensive lineman on your team. Then again, it does nobody any good if the kid is on the sidelines serving a suspension for a failed test."

Prior to the 1995 draft, top-rated defensive tackle Warren Sapp saw his stock slip after reports surfaced of positive drug tests during his time at the University of Miami, which he denied. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers eventually selected Sapp with the No. 12 overall pick. Sapp went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL, earning seven trips to the Pro Bowl.
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The kid does look like he's got the munchies a lot.

And a 'no comment' is probably a confirmed yes on this one.
 
I hope it was some damn good weed because it just cost him some big money as this will send him falling in the draft.
 
Doomsday101;2714168 said:
I hope it was some damn good weed because it just cost him some big money as this will send him falling in the draft.


You know Raji got the killa chronic! He's gonna need it to help him forget about the lost money.
 
Now how far could he slip as a result of this?

Everyone smokes in the league, I'd even say around 70% of players do it. Interesting to see how this affects his stock.
 
Apollo Creed;2714257 said:
Now how far could he slip as a result of this?

Everyone smokes in the league, I'd even say around 70% of players do it. Interesting to see how this affects his stock.

I doubt it drops him far enough for us to get him. :mad:
 
All those smoking players do a good job of not getting caught apparently...

So he will be tested more often now and another failed test (or missed test) results in a 4 (?) week suspension. This kid already has had academic problems and now a failed test? I don't know why people want him to slip to us.
 
Don't want him.

This isn't even his first time to test positive.

If you test positive before the combine than you are an idiot.

How on earth can you screw up this bad.
 
CATCH17;2714272 said:
Don't want him.

This isn't even his first time to test positive.

If you test positive before the combine than you are an idiot.

How on earth can you screw up this bad.

:hammer:

I thought we were all sick of stupid players anyway?
 
Now some teams in the mid 1st round are happy. Testing positive for weed is better than tesing positive for steriods--assuming he can stay clean. A positve roid test could mean he's not the player that he's showing due to the extra burst, energy and stregnth....see Tony Manderich as exhibit A. See Sapp as upside for someone who fluncked a weed test.

BTW, don't even worry about him falling to #51...no chance. He may still go in the top dozen.
 
Woods;2714277 said:
:hammer:

I thought we were all sick of stupid players anyway?

This is the same message board that thought the Pacman move was the most brilliant move ever when it happened and were quick to bad mouth the Jerry after the guy screwed up and we had to cut him.
 
CATCH17;2714272 said:
Don't want him.

This isn't even his first time to test positive.

If you test positive before the combine than you are an idiot.

How on earth can you screw up this bad.

If its performance enhancing, I agree.

If its marijuana, who cares?
 
NextGenBoys;2714298 said:
If its performance enhancing, I agree.

If its marijuana, who cares?

This isn't the first time he's been caught.

One more infraction, he's likely suspended for several games.

But seriously, how stupid is he for doing weed (or whatever) right before the Combine?

I mean, they specifically do a drugs test on you there.
 
NextGenBoys;2714298 said:
If its performance enhancing, I agree.

If its marijuana, who cares?

See im the other way around.

Nothing against pot smokers because I think it should be legal but thats another story.

If he had an injury and felt pressure to take a performance enhancing drug to increase his stock than I can understand.

But smoking pot before the combine is just not worth risking all that money.

Both are wrong but the performance enhancer gets more of a pass in my book.

At least with the performance enhancer you are increasing your chances of making more money.
 
NextGenBoys;2714298 said:
If its performance enhancing, I agree.

If its marijuana, who cares?

Santonio holmes got caught with weed in his car, the league didnt suspend him or anything. It wasn't in his system. Tomlin gave him 1 week team suspension.

Jeremy stevens was in a DUI and had a marijuana offense. He was suspended 1 week for DUI and fined for marijuana offense.

I guess the penalty wasn't as steep as I thought....
 
This is why those who say that weed isn't dangerous are fools.

Weed causes people to make stupid decisions.

Like screw up their chance for money in the draft.
 
CATCH17;2714314 said:
See im the other way around.

Nothing against pot smokers because I think it should be legal but thats another story.

If he had an injury and felt pressure to take a performance enhancing drug to increase his stock than I can understand.

But smoking pot before the combine is just not worth risking all that money.

Both are wrong but the performance enhancer gets more of a pass in my book.

At least with the performance enhancer you are increasing your chances of making more money.

Doesn't week stay in the system for a couple of months?

Anyway, my fear with performance enhancing would be if he's been on it all through his senior season....so the player everyone has seen would not be the player who would be playing in the NFL (if clean). He would be worse.
 
Maybe he'll slip crazy style as Anttaj Hawthorne did. I remember people talking him up as a day one type talent and he fell all the way to the 6th rd.
 
Apollo Creed;2714257 said:
Now how far could he slip as a result of this?

Not nearly as much as some of the people hoping "slip to 51" think.

He'll go in the middle part of the round easily.
 

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