Marcus Washington Had a Urine Test "Flagged" Last Year

I wish, born 10/17/1977, so by my precise calculations that would make Marcus 29 turning 30 on or about 10/17/2007

for some odd reason is thought he was talking about Vick. my bad.

This is why we drafted Starz and Blades. I think these two guys will be pushing Washington and Fletcher this time next year.

This is why we drafted Starz and Blades. I think these two guys will be pushing Washington and Fletcher this time next year.

Them's some pretty high expectations for a couple of guys who have yet to set foot on an NFL gameday field.

Is there anything you're basing this on, or do you just like making generalized, overly-optimistic predictions?

Them's some pretty high expectations for a couple of guys who have yet to set foot on an NFL gameday field.

Is there anything you're basing this on, or do you just like making generalized, overly-optimistic predictions?

I agree, we haven't even seen these guys in action yet. I have high hopes too but at the same time let's be realistic. I'll be happy if they both make the squad.

Them's some pretty high expectations for a couple of guys who have yet to set foot on an NFL gameday field.

Is there anything you're basing this on, or do you just like making generalized, overly-optimistic predictions?

IMO Blades is our MLB for the future. I think he was a 3-4 year starter for Pitt. I only saw a few Pitt's games last year but I remembered him very well. The guy is a real good tackler. He just seems to have a nose for the football. Very similar to Fletcher. I mean, how many more years is Fletcher going to play anyway? We already know Marshall isn't a pure MLB. So it's just seems like a natural fit.

I admit I don't know much about Starz except he was suppose to go much higher in the draft. So I guess you can call that an overly optimistic prediction.

Good points, neither Fletch or Marcus need any pushing....both very motivated and proven vets, much better chance the other way around, the vets showing the young boys how to play ball, at this level.

IMO Blades is our MLB for the future. I think he was a 3-4 year starter for Pitt. I only saw a few Pitt's games last year but I remembered him very well. The guy is a real good tackler. He just seems to have a nose for the football. Very similar to Fletcher. I mean, how many more years is Fletcher going to play anyway? We already know Marshall isn't a pure MLB. So it's just seems like a natural fit.

I admit I don't know much about Starz except he was suppose to go much higher in the draft. So I guess you can call that an overly optimistic prediction.

OK, and I hope you're right because that'll mean Blades is really good. But before we start projecting Blades to take London Fletcher's job next season, I'd just like to see how he performs against NFL competition. Seems way too early to predict anything until we see him in some games. College doesn't tell me too much.

More realistically, only one of them is likely to make the team this year.

As for Marcus, I think it's WAAAY premature to assume the guy was doping because of this suspicious sample. IMO, he's more likely to come back looking like the player he was in 2005 than anything else.

From what I read under the 1st step you have not tested positive but had somethinng like MW for the NFL to watch and test you. In the 1st stage the inforation is not given to the public because the player has not actually tested positive so they protect their name. Its only after a positive test that you are suspended and it becomes public knowledge. What bothers me is how he said it effected his whole season and how it made him depressed. I understand if he is clean how he would want to protect his name but to bother him all season is what I question. The way the NFL has it set up your name is protected and the player can prove with more test that they are clean. I guess he took it as a hit on him and his name and just let it bother him all season. Why didn't he use it as a tool to motivate himself and work hard to play his best while showing he was clean. Instead of the other way around or maybe he is making an excuse which is no better.

From what I read under the 1st step you have not tested positive but had somethinng like MW for the NFL to watch and test you. In the 1st stage the inforation is not given to the public because the player has not actually tested positive so they protect their name. Its only after a positive test that you are suspended and it becomes public knowledge. What bothers me is how he said it effected his whole season and how it made him depressed. I understand if he is clean how he would want to protect his name but to bother him all season is what I question. The way the NFL has it set up your name is protected and the player can prove with more test that they are clean. I guess he took it as a hit on him and his name and just let it bother him all season. Why didn't he use it as a tool to motivate himself and work hard to play his best while showing he was clean. Instead of the other way around or maybe he is making an excuse which is no better.

Good post, I think you hit the nail on the head. I think his pride was wounded from the way he was playing last year, and he is using this as an excuse of sorts. He's a very proud guy. I think this year he'll be motivated to return to form.

Let's not go overboard about our rookies at LB just yet. We all thought Rocky would come in and have a great rookie season, and even though our LB's underacheived all season, he could barely crack the lineup. Rocky has more talent than both Blades and Starz, so I have difficulty imagining they will be taking over some all pro caliber players positions.
It will be nice to see them develope, but if they don't, then no big deal, we'll bring someone in that can. They were late round picks, so it will be no skin off our noses.
We just always seem to have on rose colored glasses about everything related to the Skins (myself included). I love the optimism, but we need to be real. Just like everyone here thinking JC is the next best thing. To this point he hasn't shown us much to really assume this. Let's just let him play first now that he has some time under this system.