[News] Late For Work 5/13: After Another Birthday, Steve Smith Has Chance To Join Jerry Rice In NFL History

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Marshal Yanda only Raven to make PFF’s Top 101 Players list. Eugene Monroe donates $80,000 to medical marijuana research for NFL players. Salary cap not as dire as recent ESPN article makes it seem.

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[budman]

There is just no way the NFL lets medical pot be used. No way for a long time.

[stixfix69]

Well....the list would be pretty long with players who would be doing back flips if they ever passed that....Like.....Josh Gordon.....

[FastEddie]

Wow SSS! Love players like him...inspiring to see someone like this play in the NFL. Glad to have seen him in black and purple for the home stretch. RAVENS!

[ellicottraven]

Eugene just wait till you retire and commit yourself to the cause. While I applaud you for your stance and belief system, I also think you are bringing unnecessary attention to the Ravens and yourself vis-a-vis more random testing directed at you.

[fusuymada]

I think that history will show Monroe will be viewed as a man with a lot of courage and determination. The problem with marijuana is that it has become so stigmatized that the appropriate research has never been done. With the appropriate research the chemicals that assist with pain management can be isolated from those that may cause other issues that people have concern with. I like many, do not believe this is negative publicity. When you show up on twitter with a gas mask on your face smoking dope, then your an idiot. When you donate close to $100,000 to fund research that helps people avoid opiates and the myriad of issues that come with them from addiction to organ damage to constipation, and create a website to help debunk and promote the cause then you are a person of conviction with great intent. And this isn't just about football players. It is about my family members addicted to prescription pain meds because doctors are casually prescribing them to treat hangnails, stubbed toes and bruised knees. I applaud Monroe and think the Ravens should kick in and support him instead of trying to drag him down over it. Monroe has never failed a single drug test in his entire career and has never been associated with or has been a promoter of smoking dope for recreational purposes though many indicate that his actions are just a cover to allow players to smoke pot. Far from the truth. He could do that for far less than $100,000, having a website in his name promoting it, and being as outspoken as he is. Kudos to Monroe and people should embrace him and his cause instead of having on your 1950's "Reefer Madness" blinders and sticking your head in the sand and hoping that opiates and marijuana will all just go away. Isn't going to happen so lets get it researched, figured out and lets deal with facts not just propaganda put out by industries who have something to fear with medicinal marijuana (pharmaceutical companies, oil companies, alcohol companies, etc....)

[stixfix69]

Monroe is also getting his excuse ready if he is a June 1st cut, he will blame his cause as the reason why......:)

[WNC-Raven]

At least Monroe followed up his support for MM by adding that he thinks doctors should prescribe less opiates. That is the real fight here. Some think it's perfectly normal to have a society addicted to prescription drugs that turn people into mindless drones. If you are hooked and then cant afford them because greedy pharma bleeds you dry you turn to heroin. Sure thats all completely normal. Nothing to see here

[crazyboutravens]

There is just no way the NFL lets medical pot be used. No way for a long time.

Depending on the research that could be a very sad outcome.

[trevorsteadman]

I think that history will show Monroe will be viewed as a man with a lot of courage and determination. The problem with marijuana is that it has become so stigmatized that the appropriate research has never been done. With the appropriate research the chemicals that assist with pain management can be isolated from those that may cause other issues that people have concern with. I like many, do not believe this is negative publicity. When you show up on twitter with a gas mask on your face smoking dope, then your an idiot. When you donate close to $100,000 to fund research that helps people avoid opiates and the myriad of issues that come with them from addiction to organ damage to constipation, and create a website to help debunk and promote the cause then you are a person of conviction with great intent. And this isn't just about football players. It is about my family members addicted to prescription pain meds because doctors are casually prescribing them to treat hangnails, stubbed toes and bruised knees. I applaud Monroe and think the Ravens should kick in and support him instead of trying to drag him down over it. Monroe has never failed a single drug test in his entire career and has never been associated with or has been a promoter of smoking dope for recreational purposes though many indicate that his actions are just a cover to allow players to smoke pot. Far from the truth. He could do that for far less than $100,000, having a website in his name promoting it, and being as outspoken as he is. Kudos to Monroe and people should embrace him and his cause instead of having on your 1950's "Reefer Madness" blinders and sticking your head in the sand and hoping that opiates and marijuana will all just go away. Isn't going to happen so lets get it researched, figured out and lets deal with facts not just propaganda put out by industries who have something to fear with medicinal marijuana (pharmaceutical companies, oil companies, alcohol companies, etc....)

Well said

[PurplenBlackFan2392]

Monroe is a Class Act! Him & SSS!! Go Ravens!

[harfordravenfan]

10 minutes ago, WNC-Raven said:

At least Monroe followed up his support for MM by adding that he thinks doctors should prescribe less opiates. That is the real fight here. Some think it's perfectly normal to have a society addicted to prescription drugs that turn people into mindless drones. If you are hooked and then cant afford them because greedy pharma bleeds you dry you turn to heroin. Sure thats all completely normal. Nothing to see here

Well said, prescription drugs has been an issue for way too long. My main concern with marijuana is teens using it before their brain fully develops

[harfordravenfan]

Almost forgot...

Happy b-day SSS

So glad we got you to Baltimore

[trevorsteadman]

Eugene just wait till you retire and commit yourself to the cause. While I applaud you for your stance and belief system, I also think you are bringing unnecessary attention to the Ravens and yourself vis-a-vis more random testing directed at you.

He hasn't failed a drug test yet to no need to blame him for anything. I think Eugene is actually a very smart guy. Just because he funds research for medical marijuana does not mean he is a stoner.

[ellicottraven]

3 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

He hasn't failed a drug test yet to no need to blame him for anything. I think Eugene is actually a very smart guy. Just because he funds research for medical marijuana does not mean he is a stoner.

I'm not saying he's a stoner at all. All I'm saying is don't bring unwanted attention to yourself and the team especially on a controversial issue. Why not wait till he retires and then he can become a champion of the cause.

[stixfix69]

  33 minutes ago, ellicottraven said:

Eugene just wait till you retire and commit yourself to the cause. While I applaud you for your stance and belief system, I also think you are bringing unnecessary attention to the Ravens and yourself vis-a-vis more random testing directed at you.

He hasn't failed a drug test yet to no need to blame him for anything. I think Eugene is actually a very smart guy. Just because he funds research for medical marijuana does not mean he is a stoner.

I do agree he is very smart, and intelligent, and has shown he is much more than just a football player. He thinks for himself, and does follow up on issues he believes in......He probably is a June 1st cut, but it really wouldn't bother me if we kept him, as i would like to see him play a full season with no injury issues...

[ellicottraven]

1 minute ago, stixfix69 said:

I do agree he is very smart, and intelligent, and has shown he is much more than just a football player. He thinks for himself, and does follow up on issues he believes in......He probably is a June 1st cut, but it really wouldn't bother me if we kept him, as i would like to see him play a full season with no injury issues...

I really think it would be foolish to cut him this year or even next as long as he can play injury free.

[b93333]

If the Ravens want to play their best five players on the OL this year they will keep Monroe. And by the way, opioids are indeed over-prescribed by the medical profession... the drug companies provide financial incentives to do so.

[CaliRavenFan]

When CBD injections have proven to cure cancer but is still viewed as a negative thing to our society but people OD on pills everyday and they just continue to prescribe you script after script of actual drugs you know there is something wrong with our society and the fact that the major drug companies have control over everything.

If you havent done the research yourself, please just Google CBD curing Cancer and all the benifits it actually has. It should change the view of anyone that is against it, to see kids not suffer from radiation treatments and live a happy healthy life is simply amazing. 

[bioLarzen]

  29 minutes ago, stixfix69 said:

I do agree he is very smart, and intelligent, and has shown he is much more than just a football player. He thinks for himself, and does follow up on issues he believes in......He probably is a June 1st cut, but it really wouldn't bother me if we kept him, as i would like to see him play a full season with no injury issues...

I really think it would be foolish to cut him this year or even next as long as he can play injury free.

No question about it. OT's seldom come out of college NFL-ready. If Monroe can play, analysts rather see Stanley at RG in his rookie season. Great to get his feet wet in the NFL.

As we all know: even the great Jon Ogden played guard in his rookie season... Theres nothing wrong about this.

[ZooDane]

Can it be June 1st so we can just cut Monroe already?

[757RavensFan]

43 minutes ago, ellicottraven said:

I'm not saying he's a stoner at all. All I'm saying is don't bring unwanted attention to yourself and the team especially on a controversial issue. Why not wait till he retires and then he can become a champion of the cause.

It can't be too controversial if it's legal in a few states.  

[WNC-Raven]

First I would like to applaud baltimoreravens.com for not systematically removing any post involving Monroe and Medical M. This issue IS sports related as it is discussing pain management. A subject any athlete will tell you is a major part of their lives. Second, what does it say when all of the posters are completely aware of the issues surrounding prescription drugs yet they only seem to be getting worse.

[eze17]

Can it be June 1st so we can just cut Monroe already?

Why would we cut him June 1st? I say you at least keep him through training camp/pre-season to see how he plays. Stanley needs to prove he can play LT at the NFL level. If he comes out and dominates, then you can cut Monroe. If he looks like hes not ready, keep Monroe at LT and move Stanley to LG for a year so he can get experienced playing time.

As for Monroe donating money for cannabis research, I don't see how that should have any effect on how the Ravens evaluate his position on the roster. If given the opportunity and he plays better than Stanley, he gets the LT job. Period. I really don't believe the Ravens or the NFL in general will have some kind of vendetta against him for speaking publicly about the benefits of medical cannabis. If he was advocating everyone just go out and smoke weed, yeah, there would be a problem. However, using his position to speak about a social issue with clarity and logical arguments show intelligence and reserve that should be respected.

[The Greek]

unless monroe is battling with injuries yet again during training camp i would keep him on the roster at least for this season while stanley adjusts to the speed of the nfl game.

[budman]

2 hours ago, fusuymada said:

I think that history will show Monroe will be viewed as a man with a lot of courage and determination. The problem with marijuana is that it has become so stigmatized that the appropriate research has never been done. With the appropriate research the chemicals that assist with pain management can be isolated from those that may cause other issues that people have concern with. I like many, do not believe this is negative publicity. When you show up on twitter with a gas mask on your face smoking dope, then your an idiot. When you donate close to $100,000 to fund research that helps people avoid opiates and the myriad of issues that come with them from addiction to organ damage to constipation, and create a website to help debunk and promote the cause then you are a person of conviction with great intent. And this isn't just about football players. It is about my family members addicted to prescription pain meds because doctors are casually prescribing them to treat hangnails, stubbed toes and bruised knees. I applaud Monroe and think the Ravens should kick in and support him instead of trying to drag him down over it. Monroe has never failed a single drug test in his entire career and has never been associated with or has been a promoter of smoking dope for recreational purposes though many indicate that his actions are just a cover to allow players to smoke pot. Far from the truth. He could do that for far less than $100,000, having a website in his name promoting it, and being as outspoken as he is. Kudos to Monroe and people should embrace him and his cause instead of having on your 1950's "Reefer Madness" blinders and sticking your head in the sand and hoping that opiates and marijuana will all just go away. Isn't going to happen so lets get it researched, figured out and lets deal with facts not just propaganda put out by industries who have something to fear with medicinal marijuana (pharmaceutical companies, oil companies, alcohol companies, etc....)

I don't recall hearing anything or even reading anything about the Ravens "dragging him down" over it.

[eze17]

First I would like to applaud baltimoreravens.com for not systematically removing any post involving Monroe and Medical M. This issue IS sports related as it is discussing pain management. A subject any athlete will tell you is a major part of their lives. Second, what does it say when all of the posters are completely aware of the issues surrounding prescription drugs yet they only seem to be getting worse.

Seconded. Many seem to think Mr. Monroe should have kept silent on this subject, but the pros/cons of this debate should be aired in the public. This is an issue that directly affects football, wether some support it, or some oppose it.

Thank you Baltimoreravens.com for allowing discussion of what some find a sensitive subject.

[ellicottraven]

1 hour ago, 757RavensFan said:

It can't be too controversial if it's legal in a few states.  

Not this one and many many more. More importantly, illegal in the NFL where he plays.

Edited May 13, 2016 by ellicottraven

[ZooDane]

  1 hour ago, ZooDane said:

Can it be June 1st so we can just cut Monroe already?

Why would we cut him June 1st? I say you at least keep him through training camp/pre-season to see how he plays. Stanley needs to prove he can play LT at the NFL level. If he comes out and dominates, then you can cut Monroe. If he looks like hes not ready, keep Monroe at LT and move Stanley to LG for a year so he can get experienced playing time.

As for Monroe donating money for cannabis research, I don't see how that should have any effect on how the Ravens evaluate his position on the roster. If given the opportunity and he plays better than Stanley, he gets the LT job. Period. I really don't believe the Ravens or the NFL in general will have some kind of vendetta against him for speaking publicly about the benefits of medical cannabis. If he was advocating everyone just go out and smoke weed, yeah, there would be a problem. However, using his position to speak about a social issue with clarity and logical arguments show intelligence and reserve that should be respected.

I have no issue with the actual act of donating for research. The fact that he's been on a crusade for as long as I can remember is the issue. Every other word out of his mouth is talking about marijuana.

Most will disagree but the Ravens absolutely do not want to deal with that. If you think Monroe didn't force the Ravens hand in drafting Stanley at 6, you're kidding yourself (let's not get wrapped up in Stanley as I think he's great). They had tunsil and Stanley still on the board and I guarantee they could've dropped 2-4 spots and still got one of them. But couldnt afford to miss out on Stanley with Tunsils incident. If they had faith in Monroe and thought he would be the best left tackle this year (he's still 29 and has 4-5 good years left if they believed in him) they would've taken Buckner or traded down and got another good player. You don't take a QB in the first because Flacco is 31 and just tore an ACL, do you?

There's a time and a place for everything. Coming off two seasons where he was awful, (when he actually managed to touch the field) after getting paid like a top LT, would be classified under not the time or place. Leave it to the NFLPA for now and pick up the crusade after he retires (which will be very soon because if you follow him at all you know he has no love for the game is seemingly is only in it for the paycheck).

[stixfix69]

IMO, it just sets a bad example for kids as we teach them that drugs are bad, and whether it is for medical reasons we still teach our kids say no to drugs.....Second of all, these guys have to much time and money in the off-season and will find ways to get in trouble over using it, and if you have money you will find ways to get more than prescribed, and then they will end up selling the stuff, and we all know where that leads....Just do research, and find another drug, that is a prescription off the get go, and not a illegal drug...JMO.....