Speculation: More positive drug tests [disputed by Yahoo! Sports]

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by papabear

I actually don't care if someone takes steroids either.

But surely you care if one of the high-prices players on your roster takes steroids because its an infraction of NFL runles last I heard ? And if he continues to take them in the NFL and gets caught isn't there a penallty involved ? Like maybe suspension ? And if he took them but then stops, I dunno but maybe your 240 lb first-round LB shrivels into a 166 lb pounder ?

[edo783]

So far, NFL draft bible.com seems to be the only site reporting anything. The site seems more than a little suspect. Only 6 pages that were created in 07 and most are blank. Mathews via his lawyer has denied it and the lawyer has sent some sort of letter to the site. Looks more than tad suspicious that 3 weeks before the draft, suddenly 5-6 1st round picks are being talked about as flunking a drug test when the teams haven't even received the results. I'm not saying it isn't true, but at this point doesn't seem to pass the sniff test.

[dadmg]

Originally Posted by edo783

So far, NFL draft bible.com seems to be the only site reporting anything. The site seems more than a little suspect. Only 6 pages that were created in 07 and most are blank. Mathews via his lawyer has denied it and the lawyer has sent some sort of letter to the site. Looks more than tad suspicious that 3 weeks before the draft, suddenly 5-6 1st round pick are being talked about as flunking a drug test when the teams haven't even received the results. I'm not saying it isn't true, but at this pint doesn't seem to pass the sniff test.

I agree. This just doesn't look right at all.

And now there's a few more statements to cast doubt on it, courtesy of PFT:

Pete Carroll:

“These rumors are absolutely false,” said Carroll, adding that the NFL testing service informed him that both players didn’t test positive. “If they were found positive, Clay and Cush would have been notified three weeks ago, which they weren’t, and all of the NFL teams would have been notified too, which they weren’t.

“They’re both men of outstanding character and they never tested positive for anything here. This is an [sic] major example of irresponsible reporting, and the site that published this report should be ashamed of themselves.”

and Vontae Davis's agent:

“Last night it was reported on an internet site that my client, Vontae Davis, tested positive for marijuana at the combine. The report cited unnamed sources including an NFL team. Neither Vontae nor our office has received any notification of any positive test whether for marijuana or any other banned substance. In addition, we have been informed by several of our NFL contacts that they have not been notified of any drug testing results from the combine.”

Now obviously no one that's disputed this is entirely neutral, but at the same time I see no compelling reason to believe this NFLDraftBible site. Why should we?

[dadmg]

And right after I finished posting that, PFT posted this response from the NFL head office:

NFL Issues A Statement On Drug Rumors
Posted by Aaron Wilson on April 3, 2009, 7:36 p.m.

Responding to the NFL Draft Bible report that claims several NFL draft prospects tested positive for marijuana or steroids at the NFL Scouting Combine, the NFL issued a statment emphasizing that none of the 32 teams or the league office have been informed of the drug test results yet.

Here is the unabridged statement from the league office:

“Neither the 32 clubs nor the league office know the results of drug or steroid tests taken at the 2009 Combine. The independent medical advisors who administer the tests have notified in writing those players and only those players who
tested positive at the Combine. Unfortunately, rumors about draft eligible players, including rumors about test results, begin to circulate every year at this time. Many of these rumors are circulated for self-serving reasons and they
are terribly unfair to the players and their families.”

NFL Draft Bible, a web site unaffiliated with the league, reported that USC linebackers Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing tested positive for steroids and that Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji, Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis, University of Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin and UTEP kicker Jose Martinez tested positive for marijuana.

Matthews’ agent and USC coach Pete Carroll have denied the report, as did the agent for Davis.

[Roy P]

I have never been to the nfldraftbible site, and I'd imagine that a "story" like this has generated many hits. With a lack of accountability that .com sites have, I am not going to give this too much weight.

The only guy I can think of who tested positive for steroids and was reported accurately was Luis Castillo. He made a statement that it was to recover from an injury and to prepare for the Combine. If I recall properly, he stated that if he ever tested positive again he'd forfeit his bonus money or something to that effect.

I would imagine that there are folks who would like to create something like this in order to move players on draft boards and create some buzz. Again, the NFL teams will have the information in order to make informed decisions on draft day.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

And if he took them but then stops, I dunno but maybe your 240 lb first-round LB shrivels into a 166 lb pounder ?

Exactly -- see Mandarich, Tony.