Reuben Foster Flunks Drug Test

[xwalker]

I realize that policy reform is being pushed for the new CBA deal, but I wasn't aware that the testing limit has been raised. So this is official?

The raise from 15 ng/ml to 35 was done in 2014.

 

[ksg811]

That was in 2014.

That's correct, but it's an indication that the NFL is open to drug reform. It's also not well known that the threshold was changed.

 

[fishspill]

The NFL would lose leverage if they quit penalizing players for failed tests. Some owners wanted the testing just so that they could use it as leverage in the future.

I know they want to use it as leverage like Jerry suggested, but would there be some legal repercussions from not penalizing under the contract starting now and using its reinstatement as a bargaining chip later. I suspect they may be on the wrong side with the public if they stopped suspending players for pot then started doing it again.

 

[xwalker]

That's correct, but it's an indication that the NFL is open to drug reform. It's also not well known that the threshold was changed.

They raised it to make certain that there was zero chance of failing due to 2nd hand smoke inhalation or anything like that.

The wacky thing is that players failing tests is detrimental to the league (owners) as well as to the players that fail. They don't have to pay them, but when star players or fan favorites are out, it's not good for the league. Also, the negative publicity is not good either.

As you mentioned, the problem is that the owners don't want to give it up without getting something significant back from the players. The problem with that is that the players that don't smoke weed, will not want to give up anything (money, etc..) in exchange for no testing. The NFLPA representatives from the teams are probably the guys least likely to need to smoke weed.
Some NFLPA reps:
Cowboys: Dan Bailey
Browns: Joe Thomas
Packers: Jordy Nelson
Dolphins: John Denney
Saints: Thomas Morstead
Raiders: Lee Smith
Bucs: Ali Marpet

The NFLPA website is interesting:
https://www.nflpa.com/active-players/drug-policies

 

[xwalker]

I know they want to use it as leverage like Jerry suggested, but would there be some legal repercussions from not penalizing under the contract starting now and using its reinstatement as a bargaining chip later. I suspect they may be on the wrong side with the public if they stopped suspending players for pot then started doing it again.

The main issue is that if players are not actively getting suspended, then players won't be worked up about it when it comes time for negotiations.

Out of sight, out of mind.

 

[noletime95]

Great in the box player. Why does that make him a fit for Dallas?

 

[ksg811]

Great in the box player. Why does that make him a fit for Dallas?

Because he's a top 5 talent in this draft. And I disagree that he's great in the box, he's just a great linebacker. Most complete LB I've seen out of college since Kuechly. Foster reminds me a lot of Patrick Willis.

You take talent over need. Grab the talent and worry about fit later. Lee has a history of injuries and we have no idea about Jaylon's health and effectiveness on the field.

 

[noletime95]

Because he's a top 5 talent in this draft. And I disagree that he's great in the box, he's just a great linebacker. Most complete LB I've seen out of college since Kuechly. Foster reminds me a lot of Patrick Willis.

You take talent over need. Grab the talent and worry about fit later. Lee has a history of injuries and we have no idea about Jaylon's health and effectiveness on the field.

I'm just not sold he can cover RBs and TEs. If he can I'm fine with taking an elite talent at 28

 

[ksg811]

I'm just not sold he can cover RBs and TEs. If he can I'm fine with taking an elite talent at 28

He certainly can cover. He wouldn't need to in our scheme anyway. Byron mans up against TEs and Lee is great in coverage which would allow Foster to be at his best as a roving sideline to sideline guy playing on instinct.

 

[noletime95]

Foster Lee and Jaylen would be money at LB, but we run nickel/dime half the time. I suppose with Lee getting older and Jaylen a ? It still makes sense

 

[ksg811]

Foster Lee and Jaylen would be money at LB, but we run nickel/dime half the time. I suppose with Lee getting older and Jaylen a ? It still makes sense

Many scouts thought Jaylon could be an elite pass rusher. He did play out of a 3 point stance as a rusher quite a bit at ND. Perhaps that's a route they could go? Move Jaylon down to RDE with Lee and Foster at LB when they go 4-2-5?