NFLPA approves new drug policy; includes HGH testing

[Denver Native (Carol)]

from article:


Some of the key elements to the new agreement, from the NFLPA:

» HGH Testing will start in the 2014 season. The collection of blood specimens is prohibited on game days.

» The new threshold for a positive test for marijuana will increase to 35 ng/ml from the previous limit of 15 ng/ml. There will be additional steps for players who test positive for the substance before suspension.

» A two-game suspension will be issued upon conviction or plea agreement for driving under the influence.

» The NFL and NFLPA will have the right to retain independent investigators to review cases where player confidentiality as related to the drug policies has been breached. Employees found to violate confidentiality agreement will face fines up to $500,000 and/or termination or other discipline.

» An independent arbitrator will hear appeals for positive test violations of both substances of abuse and performance enhancing drug policies. The NFL and NFLPA will jointly select, approve and pay for retention of three to five arbitrators.

full article - http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000393562/article/nflpa-approves-new-drug-policy-includes-hgh-testing

[TXBRONC]

Now lets see if the NFL does away with Welker's suspension.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Now lets see if the NFL does away with Welker's suspension.


The threshold for positive marijuana tests was raised and offseason amphetamine-positive tests will go from the performance enhancing drug policy to the substances of abuse policy. That means players that failed tests for amphetamines this offseason like Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker will have their suspensions immediately lifted and be eligible to play this weekend, according to Rapoport and Breer.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...es-hgh-testing

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Vic Lombardi @VicLombardi · 2h

RT @RapSheet: Players like Wes Welker can return to the field Sunday. But no practice all week, may not actually see the field

[TXBRONC]

Vic Lombardi @VicLombardi · 2h

RT @RapSheet: Players like Wes Welker can return to the field Sunday. But no practice all week, may not actually see the field

I don't think he'll play. He hasn't practiced all week. Heck he has even been allowed to be at Dove Valley it's doubtful he has the game plan down.

[VonDoom]

I saw Chris Mortenson on ESPN talking about this. He thinks that the players like Welker will be reinstated, but he said that teams might have the opposite problem - if they were to play this week, the opponents could say that we had a competitive advantage, since they haven't game planned for Welker. So it's likely that they won't activate everyone until Monday, at least according to him. Either way, that's two more games he can play for us.

[VonDoom]

Also ...


Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 1m

Despite players voting on @NFL’s drug proposal, teams being informed no final deal means it’s unlikely suspensions will be lifted before Sun

[MasterShake]

Good. The "performance enhancing" part of Welker's suspension made no sense because it was a short term effect drug he used in May.

[BeefStew25]

Carol have you ever dropped some Molly's?

[aberdien]

How much is a nanogram of weed?

[silkamilkamonico]

I saw Chris Mortenson on ESPN talking about this. He thinks that the players like Welker will be reinstated, but he said that teams might have the opposite problem - if they were to play this week, the opponents could say that we had a competitive advantage, since they haven't game planned for Welker. So it's likely that they won't activate everyone until Monday, at least according to him. Either way, that's two more games he can play for us.

Still don't think he's back any earlier. Dude still hasn't been cleared to play.

[silkamilkamonico]

How much is a nanogram of weed?

0.000000001 grams

[atwater27]

How much is a nanogram of weed?

Ask that question after a bowl or 2. It will be much more interesting.

[aberdien]

1 gram =1 000 000 000 nanograms

I don't know a whole lot about math, but that doesn't seem like very much weed.

[TXBRONC]

1 gram =1 000 000 000 nanograms

I don't know a whole lot about math, but that doesn't seem like very much weed.

It's like size of single grain of sand.

[VonDoom]

Mike Klis ‏@MikeKlis 29m

All agree for union rep vote and then no deal? This smells like NFL double-cross.

and



Mike Klis ‏@MikeKlis 27m

Broncos' Wes Welker has to be on 53-man roster by 2 p.m. or he can't play Sunday vs. Chiefs. New drug deal by 2 p.m. doesn't seem likely.

[Nomad]

Follow the rules.....no issues! Pretty black & white to me.:ohwell:

[TXBRONC]

Everyone agrees and then no deal? That sounds very suspicious.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

On Friday night, the NFLPA announced that its board of player representatives had approved a new, comprehensive drug policy. On Saturday morning, both the league and the union have said that the new drug policy isn’t finalized yet.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tells PFT that the policy is “not done” and that there is “some work to do.” Likewise, the NFLPA has announced that the board of player representatives authorized leadership to finalize an agreement “consistent with detailed term sheets” the players reviewed.

“We hope to have final agreements, including effective date for players with adjusted discipline, very soon,” the union said.

rest - http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/13/new-drug-policy-isnt-done-yet/

[Denver Native (Carol)]

As a practical matter, it means that suspension of players like Broncos receiver Wes Welker won’t be lifted until the agreements are written up and signed. It also means, as a practical matter, that Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will be giving the league office and union leadership the “Omaha! Omaha!” treatment until they get the work done.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/13/new-drug-policy-isnt-done-yet/

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/9/12/6139905/new-nfl-drug-policy-will-turn-players-into-pot-addicts

[Joel]

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2014/9/12/6139905/new-nfl-drug-policy-will-turn-players-into-pot-addicts
It's just satire, but that article has good examples of why the NFL should do like the CFL: Ignore recreational drugs until/unless someone's arrested. If a guy's nodding off in team meetings or can't remember plays a coach showed him for the umpteenth time five minutes ago, that's a self-correcting problem, and NO JHS kid sees that and thinks, I'm'a do drugs, too, so I can be a burnout like them.

Performance enhancers are a whole other animal. Not only is it cheating as well as illegal, but the resulting phenomenal performance brings rewards in fame, championships and money that encourage both aspiring young athletes to destroy their bodies the same way for the same results, and teams and the league to look the other way (hence PED suspensions are brief and frequently overturned.) Look at Dick Sherman shrugging off his overturned Adderall suspension because "half the league's on it;" how does any rookie compete in that league? He's juiced or cut: That simple.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Mike Klis @MikeKlis · 20m

It's past 2 p.m. and Wes Welker is not on the Broncos' 53 man roster. He won't play tomorrow against Chiefs.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

If there's an important issue involving the National Football League, chances are it will be messy.

Although the NFL Players Association's 32-team representatives gave unanimous approval on terms of the league's new policy Friday, the league and union did not have a formal agreement by 2 p.m. Saturday, when 53-man rosters must be set for games played on Sunday.

That means Broncos slot receiver Wes Welker will not play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

That there is no agreement is baffling. The league and union officials had seemingly agreed on terms of a revised new drug policy — which included first-ever testing for human growth hormone in return for leniency on testing for marijuana and offseason amphetamine or stimulant use — to the point the union gathered its 32 teams reps for a vote early Friday evening.

rest - http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26528199/wes-welker-out-sunday-nfl-council-puts-temporary

[VonDoom]

Stop me if you've heard this one - the new drug policy has been approved. La Canfora says:


Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora · 2h

NFLPA has begun notifying players of revamped suspensions from new drug policy. Officially it is now 10 games for Josh Gordon


Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora · 2h

Also, as already documented, Wes Welker and Orlando Scnadrick eligible to play this week now. About 7 players impacted in alll


Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora · 1h

Final pieces of business being touched up on the steroid policy b/n NFL and NFLPA on a call now, formal announcement by the morning

OTOH, Jay Glazer says:


Jay GlazerVerified account ‏@JayGlazer

I know it's been stated that the suspended players have been informed they have been reinstated... as of 10 ET that still had not happened


Jay Glazer @JayGlazer · 8m

I won't say the new drug program is a full go until BOTH sides announce it and actually tell all guys they are back

Schefter has said nothing, FWIW. Call me skeptical, but it sounds like something is happening and we SHOULD have Welker back for Seattle.