Thread: Will Henry Play This Week?

So here's a big question, and before you respond read the first post, not just the title. The question is, due to the fact that Henry currently has the league tied up with his "B" sample in court, and no suspension has been handed down yet, will Henry play against SD?

The League cannot confirm a positive drug test unless the second sample, or B sample has been also tested positive to ensure there have been no mistakes with the first sample, or A sample. Now I know an appelette court released the B sample, but I believe since Henry can escalate the appealete courtes decision to a higher court, that the NFL cannot take action on that ruling until it is either resolved in a higher court, or the case is moved to a different court (as the NFL is trying to do now).

So, lets weigh in, do you think Henry, at least this week will be able to play due to court proceedures and what appears to be a bit of a loophole with only two days left to resovle it?

Guess that's totally up to Shannie, as it does not appear the NFL can stop him.
Mark Schlereth said the appeal process could take up to two weeks, so I would think until the appeal is decided, he can play. The question is, was anyone other than him even practicing the running plays for the game plan this week. If not, that might be a deciding factor.

Originally Posted by Denver Native (Carol)

Guess that's totally up to Shannie, as it does not appear the NFL can stop him.
Mark Schlereth said the appeal process could take up to two weeks, so I would think until the appeal is decided, he can play. The question is, was anyone other than him even practicing the running plays for the game plan this week. If not, that might be a deciding factor.

Two weeks, interesting. The Broncos would be smart ,at least for this week to start Henry against SD. It's a matter of putting your best players on the field, unfortunately not your smartest . Then come the bye week the Broncos can start working toward fitting in Young, Sapp, Hall, and Bell into the position, see who looks the strongest (I'm guess Young and Sapp) and decide where to go from there.

If Henry has the ability to play, I suppose it comes back down to a question of his injury and if it will effect him.

I read that the total process of his supension, etc, could take up to six weeks.

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

I read that the total process of his supension, etc, could take up to six weeks.

Could you post the article?

If that is true... the Broncos won't nearly be in a bind like many are imagining, and the Broncos through that time could hand more balls to Young in the interim to spell Henry and get him the touches he needs to ease into the position.

However I can't imagine the NFL allowing the process to take that long. They have plenty of precedent to ensure that continuences and further delays through the court process are avoided.

I understand he is our best running back at this time. I also understand that the general motto of football has become "winning is the only thing". At what cost to the organization do you let him play? I am a mother and I teach my kids wrong is wrong whether you get caught or not. The league had special meetings this summer to write new off field conduct, Foxworth was in on that. Henry knew that he had been caught before, twice and the Broncos were giving him a chance. He made a choice and broke clearly defined rules. I don't think he should play and it totally stinks for everyone else on the team, the fans and Denver itself.

Originally Posted by pnbronco

I understand he is our best running back at this time. I also understand that the general motto of football has become "winning is the only thing". At what cost to the organization do you let him play? I am a mother and I teach my kids wrong is wrong whether you get caught or not. The league had special meetings this summer to write new off field conduct, Foxworth was in on that. Henry knew that he had been caught before, twice and the Broncos were giving him a chance. He made a choice and broke clearly defined rules. I don't think he should play and it totally stinks for everyone else on the team, the fans and Denver itself.

Its a really thin line here IMO. If the Broncos take pre-emptive action without the league confirming that the test is positive for drugs, they also send a message, and what I precieve to be a poor message to their players. That this organization will jump the gun on incomplete information. So say a Bronco is falsly accused of some crime, what the Broncos are in effect saying is, we don't care if you actually are guilty or not (Even if it is true) we will take action based upon what WE believe to be true.

The Broncos have to balance this. Take severe action if he does infact test positive (and they have to wait for the test results to do that) but don't jump the gun and show this Broncos team that they are not pro player but pro image. I think the Broncos would be smart not to take any action until the test results are confirmed in my humble opinion.

I hear what you are saying BBL. I can see the organization supporting the player till it is proven one way or another. I just don't want the message to be we knew he was guilty but over looked it because he has the talent we need.

Originally Posted by pnbronco

I hear what you are saying BBL. I can see the organization supporting the player till it is proven one way or another. I just don't want the message to be we knew he was guilty but over looked it because he has the talent we need.

I agree pnbronco, and at least morally I am in complete agreement with you. Unforunately due to this business nature, and the fact that many players consider the Broncos a classy organization, I think it's important to handle this case with kid gloves.

One thing I do want to see is Young included in the line up with more regularity. What that does IMO is not only allow him to get mroe touches and prepare for the eventuality that Henry will be sidelined, but also sends a psuedo message to Henry that the Bronco organization has less faith in him without actually spitting in his face....

It will be interesting to see how the Broncos choose to handle it.

Originally Posted by pnbronco

I hear what you are saying BBL. I can see the organization supporting the player till it is proven one way or another. I just don't want the message to be we knew he was guilty but over looked it because he has the talent we need.

I believe the team will stand behind him, until all of the facts are in. If he did test positive, but after his two years was up, then suspension is out, and it is treated as a new case. Shannie has always said he will stand behind his players until everything is decided, and I feel that is the only thing he can do to keep the players confidence in him, as well as the organization.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/s...e=NFLHeadlines

Henry will be playing it seems


Proclaiming himself sufficiently recovered from the knee and ankle injuries that kept him out of practice for much of the week, Broncos tailback Travis Henry, who is facing a one-year ban from the league for a repeat violation of the substance abuse policy, said Friday that he intends to play in Sunday's game against the Chargers.

"I'm going to play Sunday," Henry said after Friday's practice, the only session in which he participated all week.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan also said that, barring any physical setback, Henry will be in the lineup against San Diego.

The NFL's leading rusher through the first four weeks of the season, Henry sprained his right knee and right ankle in last week's loss at Indianapolis.

Both Henry and Shanahan declined to discuss reports that the veteran tailback has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block the league from testing a so-called "B" sample that is standard for positive drug tests.

League sources said Friday that it could be two to four weeks before the matter is resolved. During that time, it is expected that Henry will continue playing.



Clayton: Injury updates

Check out John Clayton for the latest news on injuries going into Week 5 of the 2007 NFL season. Injury report

The issue being challenged by Henry is that the NFL would not allow his expert to observe the testing of the "B" sample. Although the collective bargaining agreement permits a player to have an expert present for testing, league vice president Greg Aiello said that expert cannot be affiliated with any laboratory.

The expert presented by Henry, Dr. William Closson of Long Island, N.Y., did have such an affiliation. The league provided Henry with the names of 10 independent experts as reference for his potential use.

In an affidavit filed by Henry on Sept. 18 as part of his court action -- it was obtained by the New York Daily News -- he stated: "There is no valid reason why any unlawful substance would be in my urine. This must be a mistake."

Henry also noted in the affidavit: "If I fail this test, I will be suspended for one year from my employment, and will be obliged to repay all signing bonuses paid to date. ... I will be prejudiced if my expert cannot observe these tests."

Henry, 28, signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the Broncos in March, only days after his release by the Tennessee Titans (the Titans did so to avoid paying him an $8 million roster bonus). The deal included a $6 million signing bonus to be paid in three installments and he has received $2 million of that.

A seventh-year veteran, Henry has rushed for 433 yards and one touchdown on 86 carries in the first four games of the season.

For his career, the former University of Tennessee star has carried 1,407 times for 5,828 yards and 35 touchdowns in stints with Buffalo (2001-2003), the Titans (2004-2006) and the Broncos. He was the Bills' second-round choice in the 2001 draft and was traded to the Titans in 2004.

The top backup to Henry, as listed on the Denver depth chart, is rookie Selvin Young, an undrafted free agent who has logged 15 carries for 138 yards. Also on the roster is second-year veteran Mike Bell, who rushed for 677 yards and eight scores in 2006, but who is currently listed as a fullback and who has only five carries in 2007.

While Henry intends to play this week, Shanahan said that wide receiver Javon Walker, who is battling a knee problem, will not play against the Chargers.

Reminds me of my drill sergeant....



...."smoke 'em if you got 'em".......

Originally Posted by rcsodak

Reminds me of my drill sergeant....



...."smoke 'em if you got 'em".......

They still say that today...lol

Originally Posted by rcsodak

Reminds me of my drill sergeant....



...."smoke 'em if you got 'em".......

Yeah but did he mean a doobie?

BBL, i agree completely-- it's the league's job to mete out justice in these situations, let them do it. . . in the meantime, i would run the wheels off him, and try to at least get a little something back from all the money we invested in him. . .