[News] Darren Waller Suspended Four Games For Violating Substance Abuse Policy

[harfordravenfan]

1 hour ago, trevorsteadman said:

Even though he loses a bunch of money and NFL teams are less likely to ask him to play for their teams... He won't count against the 53 man roster. Meaning he has an increased chance of making the roster if a tight end goes down for an extended period the first four weeks...

Weird how you can get around the league like that.

Could definitely make it a tad easier on the FO deciding on the final 53 and gives us a few games to see if anyone gets hurt or, doesn't perform, or if they want Waller back

Edited July 2, 2016 by harfordravenfan

[bioLarzen]

Jeff Zrebiec says on twitter:

Ravens still have Crockett Gillmore, Ben Watson, Maxx Williams, Dennis Pitta and another converted WR Daniel Brown at TE.

Dan Brown converted to TE??? When did that happen??? I follow about 5-6 different news outlets multiple times a day, and never heard about such a move... Even br.com's team roster page lists him as a WR (while Waller is listed as a "WR/TE")...

Edited July 2, 2016 by bioLarzen

[trevorsteadman]

3 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

Jeff Zrebiec says on twitter:

Ravens still have Crockett Gillmore, Ben Watson, Maxx Williams, Dennis Pitta and another converted WR Daniel Brown at TE.

Dan Brown converted to TE??? When did that happen???

An article somewhere said Daniel Brown added 30 pounds of muscle... Seems like everyone is switching positions now days.

[harfordravenfan]

4 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

Jeff Zrebiec says on twitter:

Ravens still have Crockett Gillmore, Ben Watson, Maxx Williams, Dennis Pitta and another converted WR Daniel Brown at TE.

Dan Brown converted to TE??? When did that happen???

I must of missed that also

[trevorsteadman]

Here is the article I am not sure how much I would trust this website but it is the only information we have so far I believe.

http://cover32.com/2016/07/01/daniel-brown-changing-positions/

[bioLarzen]

7 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

An article somewhere said Daniel Brown added 30 pounds of muscle... Seems like everyone is switching positions now days.

 

5 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

Here is the article I am not sure how much I would trust this website but it is the only information we have so far I believe.

http://cover32.com/2016/07/01/daniel-brown-changing-positions/

 

It seems like a good idea, given Brown's body type and physical characteristics - it's just weird that it was never even mentioned - and yet Zrebiec knows about it...

 

Sadly, I don't think Brown has much better chances to make the final roster at TE - unless injuries - or more suspensions... - happen - which is sad because I like the guy a lot. Well, we'll see.

[trevorsteadman]

2 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

It seems like a good idea, given Brown's body type and physical characteristics - it's just weird that it was never even mentioned - and yet Zrebiec knows about it...

 

Sadly, I don't think Brown has much better chances to make the final roster at TE - unless injuries - or more suspensions... - happen - which is sad because I like the guy a lot. Well, we'll see.

It sounds like they want him working out of a slot like a pass catching wide receiver like Dennis Pitta has been for us. I think Daniel Brown is in the same boat as Waller was before the suspension... A long shot to make the team unless he proves he can be a huge asset on special teams. He has made several plays before but I still think he has an uphill climb as well. It is interesting though that Waller has struggled putting on weight so far and then Daniel Brown comes back the size of two Daniel Browns of last year. 

[letitgosometimes]

Ravens must maintain a clean product or risk further reduction from prime time entertainment venues. Simply stated: no one wants to watch a team with integrity problems.

[trevorsteadman]

3 minutes ago, letitgosometimes said:

Ravens must maintain a clean product or risk further reduction from prime time entertainment venues. Simply stated: no one wants to watch a team with integrity problems.

It seems like everyone is suspended on the Cowboys defense. And they are still one of the most popular or the most popular team out there. I don't think substance abuse affects the public's view that much.

What the NFL gets a bad reputation on is the abuse issue over the span of the game's existence.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, stampedehero said:

Looks like first place for Waller in the final cuts. Baltimore does not need this type of publicity. NFL players are making big $ and he ruins himself on lack of will power. Since he was suspended two games at Georgia Tech, his resume and future looks negative.

Absolute nonsense........enough of the high horse Newsome, it will strand a team in the dead zone.  Stop it.

A skilled indispensable player making a mistake is worth dispensing with "high horse Newsome".  As it pertains to Waller, if it is true, he made a monumental mistake because he was in a battle for a position and had promised the coaches his experiments were behind him. We will likely cut him, though I would not.  When we cut him he will become a bona fide starter for another NFL club if he can put the immature things behind him.

[mearzunkies]

Makes the decisions at a deep position that much easier. Thanks dummies...

[mearzunkies]

  3 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

Jeff Zrebiec says on twitter:

Ravens still have Crockett Gillmore, Ben Watson, Maxx Williams, Dennis Pitta and another converted WR Daniel Brown at TE.

Dan Brown converted to TE??? When did that happen???

I must of missed that also

me too

[thecommish]

that may actually help us to have time to better understand exactly what our TE situation is before we need to make a decision on him. IDK if that is all bad TBH

[Maryland]

that may actually help us to have time to better understand exactly what our TE situation is before we need to make a decision on him. IDK if that is all bad TBH

This is an excellent point. If they consider cutting him before setting the 53-man roster for performance reasons, they can now forestall doing that until after week 4 without the risk of someone claiming him on waivers. Who knows what can happen during those 4 weeks; someone could get IR'd and then you would have Waller to come in right on cue. It actually adds flexibility, as crazy as it sounds.

[bioLarzen]

5 hours ago, thecommish said:

that may actually help us to have time to better understand exactly what our TE situation is before we need to make a decision on him. IDK if that is all bad TBH

That's what I was thinking, too. Ultimately - if no other injuries and suspensions hit the TE corps - Waller would probably be on the bubble anyway - so, in essence Ozzie got a 4-week buffer to make a decision on him...

[mendii]

You know, a failed drug test for performance enhancement is something I could understand and sympathize with the guy for as he battles for a roster spot, but a substance abuse failed drug test is just stupid. Come on man, your career is on the line and that's the choice you make?

[sticks999]

You can't fix stupid. He just showed his hand. It tells you everything you need to know.

[Minionhunter]

I don't know what Darren tested positive for but he can get over it. Everyone deserves a second chance to especially for a first drug abuse test in the nfl.

[Minionhunter]

Everyone saying the Ravens get a 4 week live evaluation of the TE group, I think is on to something. I'm looking at this as a blessing in disguise. Also I think it's a great example of why depth is so important and why depth is a great "problem" to have. I just hope Darren gets things turned around, seems like a good kid.

[Minionhunter]

Anyone who thinks Torrey should still be here needs to go back and look at the tape of him giving up on the pass in the 2014 playoff game vs the pats. It was perfectly thrown to him and he gave up on it and made no real fighting try to smash the defender. Then tell me how much we should have paid him. Ozzie is doing fine.

[bluehen]

You can't fix stupid. He just showed his hand. It tells you everything you need to know.

What is wrong with these players, they get the chance of a life time, then go do something stupid!

[TheConquerorWorm]

7 hours ago, Minionhunter said:

I don't know what Darren tested positive for but he can get over it. Everyone deserves a second chance to especially for a first drug abuse test in the nfl.

In order to be suspended 4 games, a player must be in the Stage 2 of the intervention program - which means this is at least Waller's 3rd failed drug test.

1st fail = Entered into Stage 1, Fine, No suspension
2nd fail (during Stage 1) = Fine, No Suspension, Entered into Stage 2
3rd fail (during Stage 2) = Fine, 2-4 Game suspension
4th fail (during Stage 2) = Fine 4-6 Game Suspension, Entered into Stage 3
5th fail (during Stage 3) = Fine, 1 Year Suspension (10 Games for weed), Random unannounced drug tests

If a player completes the Stage (Stage 1 = 90 Days/Stage 2 = 2 Years) without a positive test, then he starts over from the beginning - meaning the next positive test starts again at Stage 1. A player in Stage 3 will always be in Stage 3 for the rest of his career.

[sticks999]

  6 hours ago, sticks999 said:

You can't fix stupid. He just showed his hand. It tells you everything you need to know.

What is wrong with these players, they get the chance of a life time, then go do something stupid!

Well, money doesn't change class. You can be poor and classy, you can be rich and classless. You take these guys that probably wouldn't be in college, much less pass it, if not for sports . . . and then throw millions or at least hundreds of thousands their way. It's still the same person, the same guy that got in trouble in high school in trouble in college, now in trouble in the pros. This shouldn't be unexpected.

[January J]

10 hours ago, bioLarzen said:

That's what I was thinking, too. Ultimately - if no other injuries and suspensions hit the TE corps - Waller would probably be on the bubble anyway - so, in essence Ozzie got a 4-week buffer to make a decision on him...

 

15 hours ago, Maryland said:

This is an excellent point. If they consider cutting him before setting the 53-man roster for performance reasons, they can now forestall doing that until after week 4 without the risk of someone claiming him on waivers. Who knows what can happen during those 4 weeks; someone could get IR'd and then you would have Waller to come in right on cue. It actually adds flexibility, as crazy as it sounds.

 

7 hours ago, Minionhunter said:

Everyone saying the Ravens get a 4 week live evaluation of the TE group, I think is on to something. I'm looking at this as a blessing in disguise. Also I think it's a great example of why depth is so important and why depth is a great "problem" to have. I just hope Darren gets things turned around, seems like a good kid.

Bingo.

[Minionhunter]

  9 hours ago, Minionhunter said:

I don't know what Darren tested positive for but he can get over it. Everyone deserves a second chance to especially for a first drug abuse test in the nfl.

In order to be suspended 4 games, a player must be in the Stage 2 of the intervention program - which means this is at least Waller's 3rd failed drug test.

1st fail = Entered into Stage 1, Fine, No suspension
2nd fail (during Stage 1) = Fine, No Suspension, Entered into Stage 2
3rd fail (during Stage 2) = Fine, 2-4 Game suspension
4th fail (during Stage 2) = Fine 4-6 Game Suspension, Entered into Stage 3
5th fail (during Stage 3) = Fine, 1 Year Suspension (10 Games for weed), Random unannounced drug tests

If a player completes the Stage (Stage 1 = 90 Days/Stage 2 = 2 Years) without a positive test, then he starts over from the beginning - meaning the next positive test starts again at Stage 1. A player in Stage 3 will always be in Stage 3 for the rest of his career.

Interesting

I think the lack of consequences (no game or dollar cost) maybe contributes. Still I wish him well and hope he gets it now.

[huntrgathrr]

I don't believe they have any intention of switching Waller to TE. He's a lock to make the final 53 as a WR however. At 6'6 and with 4.4 speed why move him to TE?? This suspension is unfortunate for him and the Ravens. This guy has the potential to be a TD machine in the NFL and is going no where, suspension or not.

[harfordravenfan]

1 hour ago, huntrgathrr said:

I don't believe they have any intention of switching Waller to TE. He's a lock to make the final 53 as a WR however. At 6'6 and with 4.4 speed why move him to TE?? This suspension is unfortunate for him and the Ravens. This guy has the potential to be a TD machine in the NFL and is going no where, suspension or not.

The decision to switch him was made before adding a vet, before pitta returning, and before learning Gilmore didn't need additional surgery. Love his size/speed but gotta be a reason he didn't get more play time as a wr last year

[OUravensfan]

Thought he was supposed to be the next Calvin Johnson......

[ellicottraven]

Stupid is as stupid does. Welcome to the Boyle home Darren.

[RRRRRavens]

Let me put my paranoid plotting hat on here. Let’s say a team has too many good players over the 53 man limit. Let’s also say they set the league record in having players get injured during the season. How can they solve this problem? Maybe they have some of their bubble players fail a drug test. So now they’re out for 4 games and don’t count against the limit. So the team gets to stash a bunch of players this way. By the time the suspensions are over several other regular players have gone down with injuries just in time to be filled by all those guys coming off suspension. Sounds like a plan to me. If not now then some time in the future?