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Browns WR Antonio Callaway’s marijuana charge dismissed: ‘They did the right thing,’ lawyer says
Updated 9:18 AM; Posted 9:17 AM

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/02/browns-wr-antonio-callaways-marijuana-charge-dismissed.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns receiver Antonio Callaway had his marijuana charge dropped, his lawyer Kevin Spellacy told cleveland.com.

His charge for driving with a suspended license was amended, and he pleaded guilty to speeding Oct. 14th in Strongsville, going 58 mph in a 35 zone, in a hearing Jan. 25th.

“The whole time I maintained he didn’t know (the marijuana) was there. It wasn’t his,’’ Spellacy said Thursday. “The officers on the video said he wasn’t smoking it.

“It was literally the size of the tip of a pen. That’s how minute it was and at the end of the day, they knew they had a problem proving a case against him that he knew he possessed marijuana which he didn’t know.’’

Callaway was stopped in Strongsville at 2:59 a.m. Aug. 5 for failing to yield to oncoming traffic, and officers found a small marijuana roach under the passenger seat of the car. Callaway was charged with minor misdemeanor possession and driving with a suspended license.

But Spellacy provided proof that Callaway’s car had been shipped from Florida just three days earlier, and that he hadn’t driven it in weeks since he came to Cleveland for the start of training camp in July.

“They did the right thing,’’ said Spellacy. “They dismissed it, he took responsibility for the things he has done which was he didn’t have a valid driver’s license at the time, and then a second case that was months, months, months later, he had a speed and he pled to that.’’

Callaway paid $911 in fines and court costs, and received one year of monitored probation for the suspended license, which Spellacy said was the result of some paperwork that fell through the cracks in his move from Florida to Ohio.

Spellacy said Callaway, the Browns’ fourth-round pick out of Florida, can get back to the business “of catching footballs.’’

But he must still be on his best behavior and avoid further trouble. Callaway tested positive at the NFL Combine last year because of a dilute urine sample, and was placed into Stage One of the NFL’s substance abuse program.

The Browns have surrounded him with a strong support system and he went on to have a good rookie season, catching 43 passes for 586 yards and a team-best five touchdowns.

I look forward to the day when simply possession of marijuana is no longer a criminal offense.

And this is from someone who doesn't smoke.

This makes me recall the Hard Knocks episodes when this was dealt with..

this kid showed some real talent this past season. I remember reading that he was considered as a possible first rounder. Not sure I buy that, but he's sure as hell showing that he can catch the ball and he sure is fast once he does.

Sure hope he stays clean...

It was said by the "experts" that he had 1st rd. talent ...

I think Callaway's absence from the field for a year, then moving up to a higher level of play in the NFL set him back. I got a feeling he is going to break out big time next year.

I like the idea of him breaking out next year a bunch. Cane he be consistent and effective? Can we see the game being less of a problem? Will his light bulb go off? Is a receiver bigger than him something we need more?

I really want to see this position at the Combine as to how they stack up this year. I see no reason for him to backslide even a little bit.

They might have been right. Of the rookie receivers, Callaway was 5th in yards, tied 4th in receptions, 3rd in touchdowns and 6th in yards per reception.

What really stands out is some of the bad moments he had. For every highlight, the kid also had some pretty bad drops or mistakes - including that mind-blowing fumble on what should have been a touchdown.

It seems clear he's got the talent of a first round selection, but he definitely lacks the consistency and polish one would like to see.

The first receiver off the board was D.J Moore to Carolina. At this stage, I couldn't honestly say which player will have the better career.

Just a question, how much of the polish he's missing is due to him missing a year of play in College?

True, but I look at what he was able to do down the stretch. Which was pretty outstanding in my book.

Agreed with the others that his time out had a lot to do with it.

Which, in my mind, is even more exciting. At the beginning of the season, Callaway had some awful moments combined with superstar moments. He had some excellent toe tappers and deep catches, but also some crushing drops. The fact he kept bouncing back showed a lot of mental toughness, in my mind.

In my opinion, you can see when some receivers struggle with missed plays and they just don't recover. Corey Coleman was a prime example, in my mind. The kid would make a mistake, and he'd just mentally check out. Callaway was the opposite.

Being able to trust that he's a resilient player almost makes those raw early-struggles worth it.

I'm excited for him. His social media is just Browns and his daughter. It is still early days, but I feel like it's a player who gets it, and has the kind of talent that makes the sky limitless.

And for me that's the key. There's no doubt the rust was there after a year away from the game. But to get any real idea of what we're going to see, the second half of the season tells much more of the story than the first half of the season.

An Air Raid offense is a perfect fit for Callaway as well. He's gonna get plenty of chances to do what he does best and run vertical routes.

I watched it too and Callaway even being raw in week 3 after missing his last year in college looked unstoppable and that is only the beginning for him and Baker ...

Watched it again, too.

Baker was fantastic - first game and he was incredibly accurate, quick and decisive, spread the ball to all receivers, elusive when needed, took charge - absolutely fantastic.

Night and day between him and Taylor.

Funny because I watched it too ... two things stood out. Tyrods ineptitude and Callaways potential

This..in spades. I believe we're gonna be an offense to fear, much like KC and the Rams. Our receivers are going to go crazy. And this will open the run game too.

Mahomes and Baker's epic 2016 showdown in Lubbock was a precursor to what's about to transpire.

Callaway can be a legit #1 WR IMO. But he could also end up being same guy he was last year just in veteran shoes for rest of his career. It's weird but I don't see a middle ground. I hoping for the #1 WR. We need one.

I remember that Jets game as well and have watched a few times.

The only thing I can compare it to was the first game that Marino played.

The light came on, that team played better, and the Browns won't be needing a QB for a long long time...

On the second play Njoku made a shoestring catch just above the grass... This from a hands of stone player that was dropping everything...

Just amazing.

I see more Torry Holt in him than I see Isaac Bruce. If he gets a little bit stronger it could be a different story, but I did see a lot of improvement on his route running.

I don't see a number 1 WR in Calloway, but I don't think he has to be. I think he compliments Landry very well. If he stays out of trouble, he should progress nicely and be part of a nice package.

Yeah, I don't see it either. He's young so maybe he gets stronger and develops into a perfect route runner but even then I don't see anything that screams dominant in the middle of the field. He can be special over the top though.

I agree. I also better say I am not knocking him. If he stays clean, I think he can help us. What round did we draft him in? The 4th? I'd say he was worth the risk.

I didn't like the pick at the time, but he grew on me as the year progressed. He has a future in this league if he can stay clean. He can really help us. I think he is a great compliment to Landry. It's all good.

IF we can re-sing Perriman ... I LOVE this group as long as Perriman is who he was last year and Calloway progresses ....

It checks all the boxes when u add Njoku in as the big red zone target ....

We got some talent in that room and Calloway should make a decent jump next year because he played last year and wasn’t sitting out and will have his 2nd full off season and TC and he has some skills ...

And who knows what we have in Strong and Willies and what other gem KJ may find out there ...

One thing i know ... KJ has a plan in case Perriman gets stupid witch appearantly he all ready has based on his choice of agents ... BUMMER, cause like i said .. i really like that group ...

Here’s to hoping ...

I am not saying I am right, but I think we need one more piece.

I want a big, strong WR who can catch the ball in traffic and break tackles for huge chunks.

He doesn't have to accumulate a ton of catches, but a guy like that will open up things for Landry underneath and guys like Calloway on deeper routes.

I think the same.

I've been wondering if Devin Funchess might be a good fit for that role for a while.

Funchess and Moncrief from Jax are the two dudes who fit that mold. However, both are really inconsistent. I'm not sure about this............but, I think we might be better off getting the dude in the draft.

What do you think about that?

I haven't looked hard enough at WR in the draft to see if that guy is there yet.

I agree about the consistency for both guys, but I'm not sure how much of that is because of QB play. I don't think either is going to get a huge contract, so maybe one of the vets and a draft choice to try and develop?

Check out Hakeem Butler if you have time.

No disagreement.

You know more about it than I. What is a #1 receiver? Does he have to be a big guy?

To me, the QB makes his #1 receiver. Ozzie was a tight end, but there was little doubt he was the #1 receiver, but that is going back in time. Maybe things have changed.

Higgins is a good example of what I am talking about. The guy went from being cut, to signed again, to being left out of the receiver group who got together in Az. to practice last winter, to a guy who got to work with Baker on the 2nd and 3rd teams last camp. He became Bakers #1 receiver in camp and even in some games. Now everybody looks at him a valuable team member and want us to sign him again.

Is there a certain size, body type for a guy to be classified a #1 receiver?

AC is looking good so far, and I hope he has the off field issues in check. His speed is his greatest asset IMO. Hope he has a better and a great 2nd year.

One good talented and accurate QB can develop a lot of great WR’s.

Go Browns.

I don't think there is a "real definition" to a number one WR. I think people have opinions on such a thing. It seems that a lot of people believe a #1 WR is someone like Julio Jones. Big, fast, plays outside, etc.

I don't agree w/that. I don't get caught up in a #1 receiver. If I had to define it, I would characterize that position as someone who causes opponents to game-plan against. We have that guy in Landry. He makes things easier for other receivers.

I desperately want Butler to get to our 2nd round pick, but I highly doubt it. We may need to trade up from our 2nd, or down from our 1st to get him. I'd be fine with either depending on the circumstances.

I read a couple of those online scouting reports about him awhile back and they had him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder. Has his status been elevated since then? I wouldn't be surprised if he has moved up because he is talented. I just haven't followed the draft talk that much this year.

This year is weird. Butler, Harry from ASU, Brown from Oklahoma, and couple others are anywhere from 20 - 75 or so. Probably depends on how the bigger guys run, and how Brown's injury looks.

Hmmmmm........that's kinda what I thought. I am almost hoping Butler's 40 time isn't that great and that he falls so we can pick him up outside of the first.

Like I said, I haven't studied the draft at all this year. Instead, I just know about a few guys because they caught my eye in games. What do you think about Lil Jordan Humphrey? I might not have spelled that correctly, but he is a WR from Texas.