Talib and Manningham Admit Marijuana Use; Draft Status Affected?

I'm so tired of the Jordy Nelson slurping. Talib got beaten on one play by Nelson, and that one stinkin play is everyone's reference for why we shouldn't draft him.

But repeatedly failing drug tests and not caring about it something to be concerned with. It'll be fun to see Talib's status in Kiper's newest mock draft. He had him jump from #21 to #7 last week. Oops Mel.

Jordy had a huge day against Talib who lined up across from him on almost every play:

10 REC,137YDS, 1 TD
You could see the speed issue there on the Nelson TD


He had an even worse performance vs Maurice Purify of Nebraska:

7 REC,158 YDS,3 TD


Talib tried to jam Purify to no avail on 2 of the TD and the ball was lofted over his head for easy TDs.

He looked really bad in these 2 games. If you watch just those 2 games you will not want to spend a 1st or 2nd on him

If you smoke pot on a regular basis or even a semi-regular basis, in my opinion, you're a bad-character guy and have no place on the team (I'll take the Joe Gibbs school of thought anyday). Only exception would be if you're an absolutely unbelievable talent like a Calvin Johnson.

If you admit to smoking pot, but indicate that it's a one-time thing, I'm still going to red-flag you. I wouldn't rule out drafting you, but I'd insist on doing a lot more homework on you. I'd be talking with your high school coaches, the parents of your high school friends, your college coaches, your parents, everybody.

NFL teams believe that about 80-90 percent of players coming into the league have smoked marijuana.

NFL teams believe that about 80-90 percent of players coming into the league have smoked marijuana.

Have smoked or DO smoke?

Have smoked or DO smoke?

Have smoked.

I definitely wouldn't equate smoking pot with bad character. A lot depends on the individual situation.

If we're talking about a chronic user that's failed multiple tests, that's a problem and that's someone that would definitely fall off my draft chart. In this case the bad character thing might hold water.

If someone admits to having done it in the past and they've never tested positive, I wouldn't call that a big issue. There are probably more guys that fall in this category than not.

If someone failed one test but has been clean since, it's a situation to be mindful of but I wouldn't knock someone off my draft chart because of it.

NFL teams believe that about 80-90 percent of players coming into the league have smoked marijuana.

And I'd say a large percentage of people in general have smoked pot.

IMHO, who the f cares if someone smokes pot? It says very little about one's character. If it weren't illegal there would be much less stigma about it then alcohol, cuz weed wont kill ya . . . ever!

It is illegal, however, and noone wants their players getting in some stupid legal trouble that they could easily avoid. What I don't get is that I have had several friends pass drug tests that they rightfully shouldn't have; there are ways to get around it. So it seems like guys that get caught up in this shit have an attitude like "whatever, Im a baller, I can do what I want," and THAT is what is dangerous. It shows lack of maturity and respect for authority.

If I'm about to pay you millions of dollars to play ball, you sure as shit better be able to quit smoking pot, and if you don' want to, fine! I don't give a shit, but at least lie to me and say you'll quit, don't you fucking get caught, and for God's sake don't run your mouth about it.

In the end, I guess I too would be wary of drafting such a player, not because of the pot per-se but because of the lack of maturity.

I used to blaze every day, but haven't in years. I had to pass a test to get my job & I can pass one to keep it if need be. Granted I have a lot of years between me & those older days, but in the world of pro sports these guys are forced to grow up quickly, cause if they don't they risk losing their career or lots of $.

I'm not saying that it's not a red flag, it is, but to me it's more about how mature the player is & how prepared he is to be a pro. Off the field Collegiate sports are a sheltered environment, pro sports aren't.

The article sounded pretty reasonable to me; Talib drew red flags because he seems nonchalant & immature about the issue, while Manningham has AT LEAST gotten some good legal/agent help to try & squash the situation.

Have smoked.

Yeah that's my point. I don't mind if you've tried it once or twice, just about everybody in this world has. Or even if you smoked a lot when you were a freshman in college or whatever, that doesn't affect my draft decision either. All I want to know is whether you've given that shit up or not.

If you're testing positive, or admitting to it, I'm going to do crazy homework on you to ensure you're a hard worker and someone who will be dedicated enough to the team to give that crap up.

I just want to be comfortable that you're a good teammate who will put the team first. Knowing that the team needs you, and knowing that smoking is illegal and can get you banned from games, if you STILL decide to smoke pot while knowing all that? Yes, you certainly are a bad character guy.

Yeah that's my point. I don't mind if you've tried it once or twice, just about everybody in this world has. Or even if you smoked a lot when you were a freshman in college or whatever, that doesn't affect my draft decision either. All I want to know is whether you've given that shit up or not.

If you're testing positive, or admitting to it, I'm going to do crazy homework on you to ensure you're a hard worker and someone who will be dedicated enough to the team to give that crap up.

I just want to be comfortable that you're a good teammate who will put the team first. Knowing that the team needs you, and knowing that smoking is illegal and can get you banned from games, if you STILL decide to smoke pot while knowing all that? Yes, you certainly are a bad character guy.

makes sense to me

I have a general distaste for marijuana and for those who smoke it (sorry), but I'm looking at this strictly through a GM's eyes:

- Smoking pot can get you banned from games.
- If I draft you, I want you available and accountable to your teammates.
- So if you smoke pot, you're risking your availability.

QED: Not the kind of guy I want on my team.