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

[Ugly Ball]

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?

Please don't give the Patriots any ideas.

[Ravensfansince03]

When they say substance abuse are they talking about weed? I really want to know because I'm tired of seeing players suspended for these penalties this league likes to keep secret.

[Ravensfansince03]

  22 hours ago, RRRRRavens said:

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?

Please don't give the Patriots any ideas.

Lol

[Ravensfansince03]

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

Who the heck told you that Lol. Even before he played a snap for us there was no talk of that stuff lol. We fans here in baltimore have to learn to stop giving these guys credit before they've even made a play.

[Ravensfansince03]

Honestly, these guys are banging up their bodies and their brains. If a man is what he does, then these guys are essentially living out their lives as athletic warriors. And in their downtime they can't even smoke weed? I'm not choosing sides but if our nation's capitol can get with the program, why can't this football league. I'm not saying let the guys smoke weed, but they should at least acknowledge the fact that these are young human beings putting their body on the line. And if weed helps them cope then by all means come to some sort of agreement where these guys aren't always being tested like they're in the army.

[Ravensfansince03]

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")...

Seriously, I just want Brown to get on the field point blank. That guy really had talent to prove last year. But I felt like John didn't give him the oppurtunity until it was to late and our backs were against the wall with Flacco, SSS, and Perriman out.

[Bat-mite]

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

Seriously. Never a good idea to get suspended, but especially when you are the fifth man fighting for a three-man job.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

When they say substance abuse are they talking about weed? I really want to know because I'm tired of seeing players suspended for these penalties this league likes to keep secret.

The only thing we know for sure is that it is for a substance of abuse and not a PED in this case. So this means it could be anything from misusing prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana, over the counter drugs, and the possession or use of cocaine, opiates, MDMA (Molly or E), and PCP.

In order for you to get a 4 game suspension you already have to have essentially failed a first test. That gets you into stage one where you are fined and entered into a "wellness" program for 90 days. If you complete that successfully there is no further action taken. Which means...within that 90 days if you flunk another test you get the 4 game suspension. You are now in the same testing program as stage one, but now it lasts for 24 months. If you fail again within that time you enter stage three. In stage three if the first failed test is for marijuana you get 10 games instead of a year long ban.

It is not really the league that wants to keep this secret or even the NFLPA. It really falls under the HIPA laws and that an individual's medical records are private and confidential information. Though I am sure the NFL and the NFLPA are happy that this is the case. I don't think the NFL wants to have an image that a portion of their players are addicts.

[harfordravenfan]

7 minutes ago, EdTheMythicalOne said:

The only thing we know for sure is that it is for a substance of abuse and not a PED in this case. So this means it could be anything from misusing prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana, over the counter drugs, and the possession or use of cocaine, opiates, MDMA (Molly or E), and PCP.

In order for you to get a 4 game suspension you already have to have essentially failed a first test. That gets you into stage one where you are fined and entered into a "wellness" program for 90 days. If you complete that successfully there is no further action taken. Which means...within that 90 days if you flunk another test you get the 4 game suspension. You are now in the same testing program as stage one, but now it lasts for 24 months. If you fail again within that time you enter stage three. In stage three if the first failed test is for marijuana you get 10 games instead of a year long ban.

It is not really the league that wants to keep this secret or even the NFLPA. It really falls under the HIPA laws and that an individual's medical records are private and confidential information. Though I am sure the NFL and the NFLPA are happy that this is the case. I don't think the NFL wants to have an image that a portion of their players are addicts.

Makes it harder to understand why players risk millions and the chance to live out a dream. 

I know if I was put on a 90 day probationary period... I'd stay clean! In fact I had to stay clean for a year not too long ago. Did he really think they wouldn't retest him or something? Smh 

[EdTheMythicalOne]

  On 7/2/2016 at 8:59 AM, 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.

Actually it depends on a few factors and isn't this cut and dry.

If you are in stage one and you fail another test within that first 90 days you are subject to the 4 game suspension.

If the substance is Marijuana that he's tested positive for and he didn't test positive for it within the first 90 days of stage 1, then he does have to fail a test another time to get another fine, then a third one for the 4 game suspension.

This comes directly from the NFL's rule book on the subject: https://nflpaweb.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/PDFs/Active%20Players/Drug_SOA_Policy_9-29-14.pdf

According to those rules your suspension schedule does not match up.

STAGE 1:
1st fail: entrance into stage one: fine, no suspension 90 day program

STAGE 2:
1st fail: entrance into stage two: fine, no suspension IF the failed test does not occur within the time line of stage 1. If it does the suspension is 4 games and there is a fine, unless the first fail was for marijuana.

2nd fail: entrance into stage three: fine, 4 or 6 game suspension.

STAGE 3:

1st fail:1 year suspension, unless for marijuana and then it is 10 games.

2nd fail: Banishment from the NFL.

Nowhere in the NFLPA's rules do they state a 2 game suspension for substances of abuse. Now, for PED's the rules are different and you will see a call for two game suspensions there.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

Honestly, these guys are banging up their bodies and their brains. If a man is what he does, then these guys are essentially living out their lives as athletic warriors. And in their downtime they can't even smoke weed? I'm not choosing sides but if our nation's capitol can get with the program, why can't this football league. I'm not saying let the guys smoke weed, but they should at least acknowledge the fact that these are young human beings putting their body on the line. And if weed helps them cope then by all means come to some sort of agreement where these guys aren't always being tested like they're in the army.

A few things to point out here.

1) While it may be legal in some states, Marijuana is still federally illegal.

2) Regardless of what state laws state, Marijuana is still on the list of banned substances in the NFLPA agreement.

3) The Army (and armed forces) has routinely used its members as guinea pigs for experiments. Just do a check around about some origins of LSD. There were also ground zero nuclear blast tests done on soldiers and civilians as well.

As to point 3 if you think I am a kook or am making things up you just go ahead and do some research. These are facts that can't be denied.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

  1 hour ago, EdTheMythicalOne said:

The only thing we know for sure is that it is for a substance of abuse and not a PED in this case. So this means it could be anything from misusing prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana, over the counter drugs, and the possession or use of cocaine, opiates, MDMA (Molly or E), and PCP.

In order for you to get a 4 game suspension you already have to have essentially failed a first test. That gets you into stage one where you are fined and entered into a "wellness" program for 90 days. If you complete that successfully there is no further action taken. Which means...within that 90 days if you flunk another test you get the 4 game suspension. You are now in the same testing program as stage one, but now it lasts for 24 months. If you fail again within that time you enter stage three. In stage three if the first failed test is for marijuana you get 10 games instead of a year long ban.

It is not really the league that wants to keep this secret or even the NFLPA. It really falls under the HIPA laws and that an individual's medical records are private and confidential information. Though I am sure the NFL and the NFLPA are happy that this is the case. I don't think the NFL wants to have an image that a portion of their players are addicts.

Makes it harder to understand why players risk millions and the chance to live out a dream. 

I know if I was put on a 90 day probationary period... I'd stay clean! In fact I had to stay clean for a year not too long ago. Did he really think they wouldn't retest him or something? Smh 

Probably because a lot of drugs, including some legal prescription ones, can be habit forming and addictive.

Caffeine is a perfectly legal substance, yet you certainly can become addicted to it and coming off of it can lead to some pretty serious withdrawal symptoms.

Perhaps Marijuana is a lot more addictive than people want to admit because a lot of people like to say that it is a harmless drug. Sorry to break it to people, but there really is no such thing as a harmless drug. People also like to say that there have been no documented cases of people dying from an overdose of THC (the active chemical in marijuana). I would like to put forth that I bet there have been a lot of deaths while people were under the influence of the drug.

So yeah, why would anyone with the potential of earning millions doing something they love risk it all and blow it when they KNOW they will be tested for something that breaks the rules you agree to work under? Are they all just plain stupid, or are they addicted?

[I*Bleed*Purple]

13 hours ago, harfordravenfan said:

In fact I had to stay clean for a year not too long ago.

Congrats on being a responsible adult!

[harfordravenfan]

4 minutes ago, I*Bleed*Purple said:

Congrats on being a responsible adult!

I wouldn't assume that, lol

But seriously, it was a minor incident. Only challenge was I wasn't allowed to drink for the fist 3 months 

[dirtybird66]

can't blame a guy for trying to bulk up a bit going from reciever to tight end,oh,well atleast he did alittle and he can still practice,i don't think hell ever be a blocking tight end,but what would you do?he's got one shot at making a team and either way he needed to get alittle bigger,its not roids or anything.

[Bat-mite]

On 7/5/2016 at 6:47 PM, EdTheMythicalOne said:

The only thing we know for sure is that it is for a substance of abuse and not a PED in this case. So this means it could be anything from misusing prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana, over the counter drugs, and the possession or use of cocaine, opiates, MDMA (Molly or E), and PCP.

In order for you to get a 4 game suspension you already have to have essentially failed a first test. That gets you into stage one where you are fined and entered into a "wellness" program for 90 days. If you complete that successfully there is no further action taken. Which means...within that 90 days if you flunk another test you get the 4 game suspension. You are now in the same testing program as stage one, but now it lasts for 24 months. If you fail again within that time you enter stage three. In stage three if the first failed test is for marijuana you get 10 games instead of a year long ban.

It is not really the league that wants to keep this secret or even the NFLPA. It really falls under the HIPA laws and that an individual's medical records are private and confidential information. Though I am sure the NFL and the NFLPA are happy that this is the case. I don't think the NFL wants to have an image that a portion of their players are addicts.

Whatever it is, if it's more important to you than your very lucrative career, then it is an addiction.

[sami]

I'm not saying he smoked weed but ya have to wonder why weed is a banned substance for the NFL. Its not like it helps ur performance, its legal in about half the states, not as addictive as cigerettes or alcohol. Why care if someone smokes it in their own private little worlds.

[harfordravenfan]

On 7/7/2016 at 1:11 PM, sami said:

I'm not saying he smoked weed but ya have to wonder why weed is a banned substance for the NFL. Its not like it helps ur performance, its legal in about half the states, not as addictive as cigerettes or alcohol. Why care if someone smokes it in their own private little worlds.

My guess is the NFL don't want their players to be a bad role model. Kids follow/imitate those they look up to (even with strong parental guidance, especially the college years).

I don't expect marijuana to be ok in the NFL until the federal government OKs it in all states 

[cushrinada1986]

On 7/4/2016 at 3:41 PM, Ravensfansince03 said:

When they say substance abuse are they talking about weed? I really want to know because I'm tired of seeing players suspended for these penalties this league likes to keep secret.

Might have been weed, I think he had an issue with that in college and since his sentence wasnt as long as Boyles I am guessing more than likely the cause. Hopefully Monroe can push the NFL to stop going after pot users. Theres no advantage to taking it and honestly I would prefer that then having our players hooked on pain killers like what almost happened to Megaron if he had not quit.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

On July 6, 2016 at 7:19 AM, harfordravenfan said:

I wouldn't assume that, lol

But seriously, it was a minor incident. Only challenge was I wasn't allowed to drink for the fist 3 months 

I hear you. I start to get antsy after 3 days! Lol

[EdTheMythicalOne]

On 7/7/2016 at 1:11 PM, sami said:

I'm not saying he smoked weed but ya have to wonder why weed is a banned substance for the NFL. Its not like it helps ur performance, its legal in about half the states, not as addictive as cigerettes or alcohol. Why care if someone smokes it in their own private little worlds.

I think I pointed this out rather clearly in a previous post. Marijuana is still FEDERALLY illegal. Regardless of what state law says, it is a crime in the nation as a whole. That means if the federal government really wants to get picky it can trump state law and prosecute people even in states where it has been "legalized." Even then there are some rather strict provisions on the legality of it. So I think the NFL will keep it on the list of banned substances until the time where marijuana is legal across the nation.

It can be debated whether marijuana can help your performance or not. While it may diminish your mental faculties and it isn't like an upper, it allows you to feel better, thus get on the field, and play the game when you otherwise may not have been able to. I would also argue your point that marijuana is not as addictive as alcohol or cigarettes. I keep hearing that, yet we see all these people failing drug tests all the time when their careers are on the line. I am not just talking about athletes. I have worked in the medical profession for almost a decade. When you work around medicine you have to be clean as a whistle. Numerous places I worked for were starving for employees simply because they would all fail their drug tests. Now, these people KNEW they would be drug tested if you are applying for a job like this and they would still fail.

I care if somebody takes a drug that can impair your judgement, especially if those people are going to be piloting a 3,000lbs. projectile. Now, you can legitimately bring up the alcohol issue here and I would agree with you. But that happens when you abuse any drug. Alcohol in moderation will not impair you to the point where you can't drive. Abuse it and it will get you to the point where you can't even walk.

As for cigarettes, tobacco companies have been very dubious in changing the recipes and altering the mixes of chemicals to keep people craving them. Whether you know this or not, the same thing has been happening to pot. It has been laced with cocaine and other drugs to change your addiction to it, and to possibly crave other drugs as well. All in a scheme to keep you buying so the people that sell it can make more money.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

On 7/9/2016 at 0:05 PM, cushrinada1986 said:

Might have been weed, I think he had an issue with that in college and since his sentence wasnt as long as Boyles I am guessing more than likely the cause. Hopefully Monroe can push the NFL to stop going after pot users. Theres no advantage to taking it and honestly I would prefer that then having our players hooked on pain killers like what almost happened to Megaron if he had not quit.

It has been reported by some that his two college suspensions were for marijuana and judging from how his suspension came down this time, it looks like it could have been for weed. Without knowing for certain what substance it was, we can only deduce it was a "substance of abuse" and not a PED. Boyle's suspensions were a 4 game first time one last year, and now a 10 game one this year and it was announced that it was for PED use, not for a substance of abuse.

Judging purely on track record with Waller, we can only guess it was for weed.