LaVon Brazill suspended for 1 year.

[Snakeeyes3]

What the hell is wrong with this guy. I believed LaVon had the potential to make a true impact as a WR in the NFL with more time. He had the tools needed and was continuing to improve every year. I don't get it, I like I'm sure some of us have battled with drugs of some sort before, but to blow 500k a year playing a game you love with the potential for much more over weed is just dumb. I really believed he would've atleast beat out Whalen and possibly Rogers for the 5th spot. It was gonna be fun to watch that over the pre-season. This guy really needs to find a great psychiatrist to get his head out of his butt. So what does Grigson do now, keep who we have left or look into another FA. I'm aware we look good at WR but I would like to see Whalen and Rogers have another solid competitor. I'm not sure who is still left out there but I'm sure we can find one at a great price now. Over weed, its not even addictive and you couldn't say no. Bye - Brazil, I don't believe you will find much empathy out there for you. Come on WEED, I can't believe it.

[akcolt]

I never said this was an addiction, I was simply correcting someone who made the generalization that anything can be an addiction. Some things are much more addictive than others.

 

In relation to Brazill, I personally saw this coming, his attitude after his last suspension indicated he had not accepted responsibility. It was only a matter of time before it happened again.

Weed is not physically addicting unlike say heroin where you have severe physical withdrawals when you stop use heck stage three alcoholics can die when discontinuing use.

 

It can be psychologically addicting. In my opinion Brazil was and is not addicted. He has been being tested since he got popped the first time. I have said before I worked for Corrections these test are random everyone thinks they can figure out a pattern, They can't that is why the call the test "random" my guess would be they hit him with a test he thought he had a window then they hit him again boom he is busted.

 

Someone with as little body fat as Brazil could probably smoke once or twice and clean out in a week. THC is stored in the fatty cells most pro athlete's don't have a lot of fatty cells. I think he took the test thought he had a window and was hit with another RANDOM test. I have dealt with some many people getting sent  back to jail because they thought they knew the pattern of their RANDOM test. I would not be surprised if he hasn't been smoking a little here and there the whole time but a RANDOM test will eventually get you.

 

Whatever the reason clearly not worth the trouble and I may well be the biggest Brazil supporter on here. I really think things were coming together for him on the field this year. Hopefully he will have learned from this and next year can try resume his career somewhere else.

 

Brazil being gone I don't think makes Whalen a lock for the team. I am not convinced we keep 6 WR's. With the uncertainty at RB unless TRich is tearing it up in the preseason I would think we keep 4 RB's Bradshaw is injury prone and Ballard is coming of knee surgery so we probaby keep one more throw in that pesky FB that is 5RB's depending on Roger's development I could see us rolling with 5 WR's or keeping a 6th that is more of a return specialist maybe Lankford. As always training camp will decide all of that. Let's just get there without losing anymore players.

[BrentMc11]

Some of us said we wanted Brazill.....

 

Some of us wanted Whalen.  Some of us wished for both

 

GMs have tough roster calls every year.  I can only say one thing at this point.  I would now more than ever keep a Whalen over a Brazill due to past behavior.  

 

Lets cut Saunders instead of Doyle now.

 

Brazill will not be back with the Colts....nor should he.  So many wish they had his talent.....this disgusts me.

[ColtsLover4ever]

The thing that sucks is that the NFL has been talking about reducing the penalties for marijuana use. I think, a year from now, things will be different. 

 

 

I agree. Herb is now 100% legal in 2 states with more to follow. And, it's just a slap on the wrist in many states. 

[ColtsFAN808]

Lavon is loss but we are quite deep at WR...

Griff is ready and when it comes down to crunch time he'll produce. I hope he can clean up for his future. Although he was popped for herb once before maybe he just forgot? So stoked for the season.

Go Colts! Aloha

[Malakai432]

May have been a good idea to just wait it out for xx years, save up a few million, quit football all together and just simply move to Colorado then him and Von Miller could become BFFs and smoke all the pot they want.....

Although Von Miller would probably prefer things like........ecstasy.......

[AntonMcG]

Weed is not physically addicting unlike say heroin where you have severe physical withdrawals when you stop use heck stage three alcoholics can die when discontinuing use.

 

It can be psychologically addicting. In my opinion Brazil was and is not addicted. He has been being tested since he got popped the first time. I have said before I worked for Corrections these test are random everyone thinks they can figure out a pattern, They can't that is why the call the test "random" my guess would be they hit him with a test he thought he had a window then they hit him again boom he is busted.

 

Someone with as little body fat as Brazil could probably smoke once or twice and clean out in a week. THC is stored in the fatty cells most pro athlete's don't have a lot of fatty cells. I think he took the test thought he had a window and was hit with another RANDOM test. I have dealt with some many people getting sent  back to jail because they thought they knew the pattern of their RANDOM test. I would not be surprised if he hasn't been smoking a little here and there the whole time but a RANDOM test will eventually get you.

 

Whatever the reason clearly not worth the trouble and I may well be the biggest Brazil supporter on here. I really think things were coming together for him on the field this year. Hopefully he will have learned from this and next year can try resume his career somewhere else.

 

Brazil being gone I don't think makes Whalen a lock for the team. I am not convinced we keep 6 WR's. With the uncertainty at RB unless TRich is tearing it up in the preseason I would think we keep 4 RB's Bradshaw is injury prone and Ballard is coming of knee surgery so we probaby keep one more throw in that pesky FB that is 5RB's depending on Roger's development I could see us rolling with 5 WR's or keeping a 6th that is more of a return specialist maybe Lankford. As always training camp will decide all of that. Let's just get there without losing anymore players.

 

 

Why exactly did you quote me?

[Superman]

I agree. Herb is now 100% legal in 2 states with more to follow. And, it's just a slap on the wrist in many states. 

 

I don't think the league is ever going to just allow it with no penalty. But it sounds like the penalties will be reduced from four games, and probably drastically reduced. 

 

But just because it's being legalized doesn't mean employers in general have to accept it. A lot of businesses will continue to drug test for marijuana, even as the legal penalties are reduced or go away.

[akcolt]

Why exactly did you quote me?

I don't know not sure I realized that I did.

[PrincetonTiger]

How could he help the team next year after a year away from the games hen many of us had him on the outside looking in this year?

[MikeVander]

I don't know not sure I realized that I did.

Are you sure you're not substance abusing?

[akcolt]

Are you sure you're not substance abusing?

depends on the definition of the abusing it is the 4th of July nothing illegal.

[GOCOLTS_ROLLTIDE]

....good thing the Colts signed Nicks.

no good thing we drafted Moncrief

[The Old Crow]

I don't think the league is ever going to just allow it with no penalty. But it sounds like the penalties will be reduced from four games, and probably drastically reduced. 

 

But just because it's being legalized doesn't mean employers in general have to accept it. A lot of businesses will continue to drug test for marijuana, even as the legal penalties are reduced or go away.

This franchise has no credibility in dealing with this matter. The double standard is staggering.

[Cynjin]

This franchise has no credibility in dealing with this matter. The double standard is staggering.

 

What?  What has the franchise got to do with this situation?  Also, what double standard is evident?

[Hoosiernsavga]

I don't think the league is ever going to just allow it with no penalty. But it sounds like the penalties will be reduced from four games, and probably drastically reduced. 

 

But just because it's being legalized doesn't mean employers in general have to accept it. A lot of businesses will continue to drug test for marijuana, even as the legal penalties are reduced or go away.

 

 

Your exactly right just because its legal in some states like Colorado it doesn't mean you can come to work high. They still will drug test especially if you have an accident on the job.

Personally i would rather for an athlete be on steroids than weed.

[GoColts8818]

What?  What has the franchise got to do with this situation?  Also, what double standard is evident?

he just wants to back door this into taking shots at Irsay ignore it.

[Cynjin]

he just wants to back door this into taking shots at Irsay ignore it.

 

That would make sense, because what he said made none  .

[BOTT]

This franchise has no credibility in dealing with this matter. The double standard is staggering.

You're one to speak

[BOTT]

Blair White moved the chains. Austin Collie moved chains. Anthony Gonzalez moved the chains. Griff Whalen is the same player. Just because you get first downs doesn't make you a good player.

Collie does not belong on that list

[The Fish]

This franchise has no credibility in dealing with this matter. The double standard is staggering.

how about your credibility? 

[Superman]

This franchise has no credibility in dealing with this matter. The double standard is staggering.

 

[braveheartcolt]

I agree. Herb is now 100% legal in 2 states with more to follow. And, it's just a slap on the wrist in many states.

Being unfaithful to your partner is not a crime. But it is not something to be proud of. Rules is rules. The whole 'weed' v 'crack' v 'heroin' stuff is irrelevant.

He messed up. See ya.

[The Old Crow]

I think Brazill is just ill and needs treatment. I don't think he did anything wrong, he is just a victim of drug abuse.

[ColtsBlueFL]

I think Brazill is just ill and needs treatment. I don't think he did anything wrong, he is just a victim of drug abuse.

 

I've been reading the substance abuse policy.  There are not fines ans suspensions based upon getting caught, it is based upon being placed in an intervention treatment program (Stage 1, Stage 2, ans stage 3).  Failure to comply with testing or following the treatment plan gets a fine, and and advance to next stage on next positive.  Here's a snippet from the policy about failure to cooperate in Stage 2 (second + result) program-

 

 

So all those caught are offered treatment program, and appear to get fined for not doing it. Unless I'm reading it wrong, these guys are all offered a treatment plan.  They get disciplined for not doing it.  So they (those caught with mj) all puff and don't care either.  LB was certainly in Stage 3 and seems he got the 1 year ban.  If so, here is how the NFL says it plays out. He is banned for 1 year.  He will forever be placed in stage 3 intervention.  And-

 

 

The policy is a hard read, but it appears my assumption of it are all wrong. Unless their wording is so bad everything anyone thinks about it is wrong.  LOL  For those withwith time, inclination, and smarter than me... here you go. 

 

http://images.nflplayers.com/mediaResources/files/PDFs/PlayerDevelopment/2010%20Drug%20Policy.pdf

[CanuckColt]

no, good thing we drafted Moncrief

Exactly! 

[CanuckColt]

This franchise has no credibility in dealing with this matter. The double standard is staggering.

Ha, ha, ha! "double standard".

Big Jim is an owner, Brazill is a player...totally different set of rules, as it should be.

[CanuckColt]

I think Brazill is just ill and needs treatment. I don't think he did anything wrong, he is just a victim of drug abuse.

"Brazill is just ill and needs treatment"...hmmmmmmm...

Perhaps the Ravens organization can pick him up and take him on....as a 'humanitarian project'.

[CardiacColts]

This franchise has no credibility in dealing with this matter. The double standard is staggering.

As others have mentioned, the league is responsible for administering punitive measures not the team. Additionally, it is important to note that they will both be punished. Brazil was dealt with swiftly, given that there are no legal ramifications, just a failed drug test, and he is a repeat offender. Irsay is not getting out of anything, the league is simply waiting for the legal aspects of his case to be resolved first. This is typically how they deal with players enduring legal processes as well, obviously not including Mr. Hernandez and his egregious acts.

[DougDew]

Oh goodie...another thread where people can express their political opinion by disguising it as a football discussion....and need to express some strong opinion about the illegality of weed.

[jvan1973]

You are new to this one must figure.

No one counts against the 53 man roster until we cut to the 53 man roster. HUH! Go figure.

Few of the SALARIES are guaranteed unless you make the 53 man roster. Must be why the players want guaranteed signing bonuses. Yip, sure is.

signing bonuses are guaranteed

[jvan1973]

This franchise has no credibility in dealing with this matter. The double standard is staggering.

the league hands down the punishment, not the team.... Derp

[ruksak]

Get out of here.

 

He knew that would be the punishment if he were caught. It's ridiculous that he was too stupid to stay away from the stuff knowing full well what would happen if he were tested, which of course he would be seeing as he was multiple time offender already.

And you're right. However, as a fan, I would posture a thought that these silly rules regarding marijuana use are utterly outdated and have greatly impacted the quality of the game. This coming from a league that feeds powerful, highly addictive pain medication to players with impunity toward standard laws that regulate the pharmaceutical industry. 

 

Indeed it's silly to throw away a career over weed, obviously. But this doesn't mean we, as fans, cannot call into question the absurdity of rules that forbid players to have a taste of a plant that may cause them to giggle while eating pasta with their friends. Speeding is illegal as well, yet I would hesitate to work for a company that would fire me for receiving a speeding ticket while off the clock. 

 

In a strange twist, the two states whom provide homes for both of last years Super Bowl teams now have 100% legal marijuana. Indeed applying a clever pun to the title "Super Bowl". 

 

It is quite easy for us to project our supposed ability toward full self control on to others, as if "we" have no issues ourselves with self-control. 

 

The NFL's marijuana policy damages the quality of their product. 

[ruksak]

Oh goodie...another thread where people can express their political opinion by disguising it as a football discussion....and need to express some strong opinion about the illegality of weed.

 

As I mentioned above, in many states, the penalty for minor possession is on-par with the penalty for speeding (5-10MPH over). So the real discussion may not be the illegality of marijuana. Rather, the discussion should be more in the direction of what is an appropriate and proportional response from the league toward minor marijuana offences. 

[The Old Crow]

the league hands down the punishment, not the team.... Derp

Of course, but you get it. Sure you do.

[The Old Crow]

"Brazill is just ill and needs treatment"...hmmmmmmm...

Perhaps the Ravens organization can pick him up and take him on....as a 'humanitarian project'.

See article from your own Indy Star sports writer Kravitz eight hours ago. It sums things up nicely.

[jvan1973]

Of course, but you get it. Sure you do.

not really, the team has no control over the punishment. Plus this is his third infraction, not his first

[IndyFan93]

See article from your own Indy Star sports writer Kravitz eight hours ago. It sums things up nicely.

Their situations are completely different, and I'm sure you are smart enough to see that. Brazill is currently taking up one of the 90 roster spots with no possibility of contributing to the team for an entire season. From here on out for the rest of his career he will be one failed drug test away from a one year suspension. How could this team ever put themselves in a position where they must rely on LaVon to contribute every week? We gave him several chances to get help and turn things around for himself. We could have dumped the guy after his first failed test, but we gave him a second chance. We could have dumped him after his second failed test that resulted in a 4 game suspension, but we gave him not a second, but a THIRD chance to get the help he needed.

So now that he's messed up once again we are somehow made out to be the bad guys if we let him go? We should give that roster spot to someone who can actually compete for a spot on the final 53. When it comes down to it this is a business, and when a player continually hurts the team and their ability to compete it's just bad business to keep them around. LaVon had every chance possible to get his head on straight, but he made his choices and now the organization must make theirs. I wish him the best and I hope he gets help if he really does have a drug problem. My point is that comparing LaVon's case to Irsay's is just being ignorant of the facts surrounding both situations. Their suspensions have totally different impacts on this team. You have to be able to make tough decisions if you want to run a successful business. This organization can't be afraid to release a player who has continually hurt the team just because someone might call it a double standard.

[cbear]

Forget whether smoking weed is worthy of a one year suspension.  I'd suspend him just for his stupidity.

[GoColts8818]

Their situations are completely different, and I'm sure you are smart enough to see that. Brazill is currently taking up one of the 90 roster spots with no possibility of contributing to the team for an entire season. From here on out for the rest of his career he will be one failed drug test away from a one year suspension. How could this team ever put themselves in a position where they must rely on LaVon to contribute every week? We gave him several chances to get help and turn things around for himself. We could have dumped the guy after his first failed test, but we gave him a second chance. We could have dumped him after his second failed test that resulted in a 4 game suspension, but we gave him not a second, but a THIRD chance to get the help he needed.

So now that he's messed up once again we are somehow made out to be the bad guys if we let him go? We should give that roster spot to someone who can actually compete for a spot on the final 53. When it comes down to it this is a business, and when a player continually hurts the team and their ability to compete it's just bad business to keep them around. LaVon had every chance possible to get his head on straight, but he made his choices and now the organization must make theirs. I wish him the best and I hope he gets help if he really does have a drug problem. My point is that comparing LaVon's case to Irsay's is just being ignorant of the facts surrounding both situations. Their suspensions have totally different impacts on this team. You have to be able to make tough decisions if you want to run a successful business. This organization can't be afraid to release a player who has continually hurt the team just because someone might call it a double standard.

He can but doesn't want too.  He has an agenda bash Irsay at any chance he can.  He's not worth debating with on this subject.