DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Ryan Tucker Suspended 4 games

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Correct me if I'm wrong...

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No problemo... You're wrong.

Go read the article from June 2006 that YTown posted on the previous page.
Steroid policies & punishments are tougher than Substance Abuse ones... they are separate and a FIRST offense under the Steroid policy is a 4 Game suspesion.

Your wrong. Posted earlier in the thread.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9529228


NFL adds amphetamines to steroids policy


NEW YORK (June 27, 2006) -- The NFL toughened up its drug policy, adding amphetamines to the list of banned performance-enhancers starting this season.


Amphetamines were previously listed as a "substance-abuse drug," but are now in the same category as steroids and other enhancers, which carry much stronger penalties. Next year will serve as a transition year, where a first positive test would bring a warning and put a player into the drug program.

But in 2007, amphetamines will be tested for on a regular basis. A first positive test will result in a four-game suspension, the same penalty now levied for positive steroids tests. Major League Baseball also started testing for amphetamines this season as part of its steroids policy.

Harold Henderson, NFL executive vice president of labor relations, said the league and union worked together to toughen the penalties for amphetamines after the U.S. Congressional hearings last year on drugs in sports.

"We never looked at it as a competitive issue for our players, like steroids and other things, but realized the possibility that some players would use it for a gameday edge," Henderson said in a phone interview from San Diego, where he was attending the annual rookie symposium. "The union quickly agreed with us."

In addition to the amphetamines change, the penalty for a second positive test for performance-enhancing drugs was increased from six to eight games. A third positive test still carries a one-year suspension.

Messages left with NFLPA representatives were not returned.

I was wrong, I admit.

BTW BeeR, you were wrong. Just thought I would let ya know

just clicking...This is a shame, I like Tucker and I think most of the team does as well.

Obviously this was a Catch-up temptation that he succombed to. After divulging all his time to correct his inbalance that he had he had neglected the body conditioning and probably got considerably smaller. When his urgent matter cleared up he made a bad choice to get back to where he was. The decision was wrong...what we are forgetting that he probably would not have been in the mix or 6 months away from being ready so that was what spurned him to make the decision. We aren't losing anything - if he did it straight we probably wouldn't be with his services till after game 4 anyways (pup list). No way am I condoning his action just bringing it in reality.

Would we have gone after Pashos??? Would we have drafted somebody??? I don't know. Right now we have depth - we still might trade Shaffer if the offer is right but the offer must be good real good. RAC has thrown Butler in a competition with Shaffer although all the reports have been him being good in the run game and horrid in his pass protection. We still don't know what Shaffer has to bring to the position - or if his heart is in the position. I still think we might work out a deal to accomodate Shaffer to be a LT somewhere else. Tucker's predicament means that deal has to be good, real good or it just doesn't pay. I really don't think Butler is ready but we'll see what Shaffer brings to the position.

This is why we have depth and why depth is so important to a team.

There is no team in the NFL that goes unscathed with situations and injuries - some are luckier than others. Actually with Roye and now Tucker I consider us one of the Lucky ones. Both will be back.

I can't believe there are many throwing Tucker to the curb. He's been good to the team and for the team. He has always given us his all. As bad as his actions were a lot of it in his thinking was for us the fans and to get back into action a.s.a.p.

What I don't like is the non-investigative reporting and non-insistance of the fans on investigating where Tucker got the drugs...without the temptation of access there is no steroid taking. Where? Who? this should be our outrage and why does one of our team member have that there for a temptation to turn to.

This wasn't to heal from an injury - it was to hasten the time to bulk up.

I still like Tucker hopefully this will be lesson to not only Tucker but all the members of our team - no cheats.

JMHO - Good Luck Tucker, stay back on track to the road of recovery and come back, clean and strong as ever after our 4th game.

This is a shame on many levels .....

never been a fan of tuck on the field .. always have and still do think hes WAY OVERATED by most on here .. but he works his ass off and is a good guy so i always rooted for him ...

I'll welcome him back with open arms ... and am glad to hear he has his LIFE OFF THE FIELD on the right track with whatever bothered him last year and with his FAMILY ... thats way more IMPORTANT than football ..

on a SELLFISH note .... the bright side .. he'll be REALLY FRESH when he gets back ..

this doesnt really bother me...

I have always liked Kevin Shaffer, and I think he will be a better fit at RT, and it will also give him some time to shine...

I can't beleive I am about to say this but.......I think CoachB said it best:

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I do not condone what he's done, but I respect him for taking responsibility for his mistake and not denying the situation. Now, as long as he continues with that type of class, he'll lose no respect for one mistake in such a desperate situation.

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And as others have said, this just makes us make the switch to Thomas that much sooner, and allows Shaffer to also get more time at RT. Plus, Tucker comes back healthy, rested and ready to go.

Just ribbin'ya coach .

*LOL* ... dotn hold your breath ... Shaff will STINK up the place at RT also ... we will all be THRILLED when Tuck comes back cause he will UPGRADE RT right away .... and hes not even a good RT, just better than Shaff ..

Last year this would have been an epic disaster. We can absorb the hit this year. It means we'll get to look at a couple of young guys at RG before we need to decide on Tucker and Bentley.

J.

Well, this stinks. But all this could mean is that Thomas could be on the starting line for sure now!

But, it's good thing it happened when it did.

Knowing Romeo, he'll move Shaffer to RT, yet Thomas still won't start opening day at LT!

Hahahahahaha BeerDowner was WRONG! What a schmoe!

Just kidding. Some day, I could be sleepy - on pain medicine - recovering a bender - and nearly make a mistake too.

WFT!??? OK I give up man. This is far too disapointing for even me to bear.
I have more important things to worry about.
When is this team and it's players going pull their collective head out of the fans "assets"?

Hey, at least his head didn't fall off in practice or anything.

Meh...

must've been caught taking dat dere Cell-Tech.

In all seriousness, I'm terribly disappointed as an outspoken anti-steroid weightlifting enthusiaist.

I really hope it's a one time thing.

Wow eo.

An unsigned kid gets more heat than a performance enhancing suspension from you?

Those glasses are tinted huh?

See,I'm not throwing stones at Tucker either. But on the other hand,I'm not "diisin'" some kid who hasn't signed yet even worse.

Unbelievable...................

j/c

Just thought I'd chime in here. I understand the disappointment and the tendancy to moan about the loss, but like the loss of Orpheus, or the loss of Bodden & Baxter last year, I believe we'll come through this situation stronger for the experience. I seriously believe that the times where we'd be decimated by the loss of one or two starters is over. I also think the turn around time is getting shorter as well, because of the quality behind the starters. As depressing as this situation could be, we are beginning to see the benefits of the FO's efforts at putting quality players on the field. Every year the quality of our depth gets better and the differences in talent between the 1st & second stringers becomes less apparent. JMHO

Thank goodness it's Tucker. Later dude. It's been nice having you in Cleveland but you get the Alonzo Ephraim treatment now.

http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/article.php?id=7020

Suspension causes line shuffle

Zac Jackson, Staff Writer
08.03.2007

The suspension of Ryan Tucker will test the Browns' newfound depth at the tackle position.

When healthy, Tucker has been the Browns' right tackle since signing with the team in 2002. His suspension means the Browns will likely play the first four games of the season -- three home games against division rivals -- with either Kevin Shaffer or Kelly Butler at right tackle. If Shaffer plays right tackle, rookie Joe Thomas could start at left tackle.

The Browns' usual starting line for the first week of training camp has featured, from left to right, Kevin Shaffer, Eric Steinbach, Hank Fraley, Seth McKinney and Tucker. At times, Thomas has played with the starting unit at left tackle, and Shaffer has taken reps on the right side.

With four preseason games still to come and 37 days until the season opener against the Steelers, time is on the Browns' side. They'll use that time to evaluate their options and give the eventual starting five time to gel.

"We shouldn't assume that (Thomas) is going to be the starter (at left tackle)," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "If Kelly Butler ends up being the best right tackle, then Shaffer could end up competing with Joe on the left side.

"We're going to try to put the best five out there."

Butler started five games at right tackle last year; he started 16 games at right tackle for Detroit in 2005. Shaffer, who's started 55 of his last 56 games at left tackle, spent some extra time on the field after Wednesday's morning practice working on his sets and drops from the right tackle spot.

"(Shaffer) will get a lot more work on the right side now," Crennel said. "We'll talk about it as a staff and determine whether we'll move him over there full time or continue to flip him. No matter what, we still need a swing tackle, a guy who can play both sides."

Crennel said Thomas "is making good progress" in his first NFL training camp.

Copyright 2001 - 2007 Cleveland Browns

Was Tucker even going to start in the first place?

So, if Butler is better than Shaffer... Shaffer could still be better than Thomas? Hmmm...

I don't think you should be asking if Tucker was going to start, I think that's an obvious yes, I think it's a better question to ask if Joe Thomas was even going to start from day 1?

So much for continuity and these guys learning to gel.

Legal, I don't think it's the end of the world,,, now, if someone else should go down with injury,, we could be hurting...

I too am surprised how quickly everyone has turned on Tucker. He always signs autographs for a long time and talks to the fans at training camp. I believe that he did use the steroids to help him with his recovery, but it was still wrong to do. It is however better than taking them when you are perfectly healthy. I give Tucker props for admitting that he did indeed take them and saying it was a mistake. I for one will welcome Tucker back with open arms.

But, on the bright side Joe is starting. Yaaay go Joe.

From what I am understanding... it's because of his meds?

Then I have to say...
I am dissapointed in the NFL for testing him when they knew that the would be usings perscribed steroids.

Shaffer makes sence at RT...provided he can do it.
With Tucker's recent history, this could be a long term spot for him...should he succeed.

It had nothing to do with his meds. He admitted to taking a banned substance.

No, read the article I posted that quoted Tucker. He said he did it to get back into shape after being off last season. He admitted he did it and should be punished.

The NFL,as are most other professional leagues,are chock-full of users.The smart ones don't get caught.I don't condone nor codemn,not my place to judge.
I guess you disagree and consider me a moron which is your right.I don't know you,so I don't give a what you think.

This makes me wonder if the Browns knew this was coming down the line and nixed trade offers for Shaffer to ensure we had him at least the first 4 games...

Vette, I was kinda thinking the same thing... This is Tucks 11th year, he was born in 1975 putting him around 32 now. Last year he had an issue that we still don't know a lot about and now this... I don't want to throw him out or anyting and I don't want to knock the guy too hard because I don't know the circumstances,, but this, I think, could be the end or close to the end of his career..

Shaffer is really in the catbird seat if you think about it.. he's got the opportunity to OWN the RT job...

Since it was said the Browns knew about this for a while....I wonder if this had any impact on our draft??

That may be true Peen but didnt savage say Joe was going to be their pick no matter what?