DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Antonio Callaway waived

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if he ended up on the Patriots, but we shall see.

WR Antonio Callaway has appealed a 10-game suspension for using a tainted CBD product, source says; waived by Browns

By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Antonio Callaway, waived by the Browns on Thursday, has been suspended 10 games by the NFL for two failed drugs tests, but is awaiting word on his appeal, a league source told cleveland.com.

Callaway, who was benched last week for being late to the Bills game on Sunday, was let go by the Browns just hours before their big showdown against the Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Callaway used a CBD edible product over the summer to deal with pain from his high ankle sprain, a league source told cleveland.com. The product was not supposed to contain THC, the active substance in marijuana, but it was tainted, the source said.


Callaway, who was suspended the first four games of this season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, tested positive twice for THC from the CBD product in August but both were for very small amounts. One was for 15 nanograms over the limit and the other was for 40 grams over the limit.

The NFL, the Browns and Callaway all now know that product, which was sent to a lab for testing, was contaminated. The NFL heard Callaway’s appeal on Friday, and will hand down its decision soon.

But the Browns lost their patience with their young wideout and parted ways with him on Thursday.

In addition to being late for the game last week, Callaway was about nine minutes late for practice on Tuesday when a snowstorm hit Cleveland and accidents occurred all over the highways. A short drive to work from a nearby suburb took him more than 45 minutes. He wasn’t the only one late because of the weather, a source said.

As for being late to the Bills game on Sunday, Callaway didn’t have the correct parking pass and was sent to another lot, the source said. He was about five minutes late for the game, the source said.


Callaway grew up in a rough environment

But it was really news of the 10-game suspension that was the last straw for the Browns.

Callaway, who came into the NFL with a strike against him in the NFL’s substance-abuse program because of a dilute sample at the NFL Combine, had tested positive several times for marijuana last season, which resulted in the four-game suspension to start the season.

Browns GM John Dorsey took a chance on Callaway in the fourth round of the draft last year knowing full well he’d be a work in progress. A man of second chances, Dorsey felt Callaway had first-round talent and was worth being rehabilitated.

But Callaway was never able to live up to his promise of not letting Dorsey down.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken revealed in August that Callaway reported to training camp out of shape. He then dropped a pass on the goal line in San Francisco with the Browns trailing 14-3 in the second quarter that was picked off by K’Waun Williams to set up a 49ers touchdown.


The drop represented a 14-point swing in the 31-3 loss, and Monken called it “catastrophic.”

But Callaway had been walking the straight and narrow road when he tested positive twice in August, the source said. He said Callaway hasn’t been using marijuana and hadn’t tested positive before or after the two failed tests for the CBD.

In the four games Callaway played this season, he caught eight passes for 89 yards with a long gain of 41 in Denver. Last season, he caught 43 passes for 586 yards and five touchdowns, with catches of 71, 59 and 47 yards.

The departure of Callaway marks the second key player the Browns have cut in recent weeks. They also waived Jermaine Whitehead on Nov. 4, a day after a series of offensive and threatening tweets following the loss to the Broncos. It also marks the exit of the third member of the 2018 draft class in recent weeks. The Browns traded second-round pick Austin Corbett to the Rams for a fifth round pick and fifth-rounder Genard Avery to the Eagles for a fourth-rounder.


Callaway came to the Browns with a laundry list of indiscretions, but they were hopeful they could surround him with the right support system and get him on the right track.

In December of 2015, he was accused of sexual assault and suspended from the school that offseason, but was cleared in August of 2016 in a Title IX hearing. His accuser and her attorney boycotted the proceeding because it was adjudicated by a Florida booster.

In May of 2017, Callaway was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession, and was in the car with a 40-year man, Kendrick Williams, who had been arrested more than a dozen times in Florida for drugs, guns, battery, auto theft and more.

His final season at Florida, he was suspended the whole year for allegedly using stolen credit cards to fund a bookstore account, and in March, he had a diluted urine sample at the NFL combine, which constitutes a failed test. Still, Browns general manager John Dorsey, who did “extensive research” on Callaway that included sending people to Gainesville, Fla., took a chance on him in the fourth round.


Without the long rap sheet, Dorsey believes Callaway (5-10, 200) would’ve been the first or second receiver drafted in 209 In his two seasons at Florida, he caught 89 passes for 1,399 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s also the first player in school history to score touchdowns via rushing, receiving, passing, punt return and kickoff return in a career.

While out of football last season, he spent more than a month training at N.U.M.A. Speed in Gainesville with Tim Montgomery, the former Olympic gold medal sprinter who overcame a troubled past of his own. At times, Callaway wondered if he'd ever get to this point.

"I questioned it a little bit, but I just kept my faith up, praying on it and leaving it in God's hands,'' he said.

At N.U.M.A, Montgomery mentored the young and troubled wideout and also introduced him to Browns receiver Josh Gordon, who trained at N.U.M.A while trying to get reinstated to the NFL.

Callaway trained alongside Gordon "for about a week. But it was just all work. There wasn't too much social,'' said Callaway.


After the draft, he vowed not to let down Dorsey, who took a chance on him when many teams had him off their draft boards.

"This is just telling that he believes in me, that I can do the right things,'' he said. "Just not going let him down. For somebody to put their job on the line, I can't let him down.''

He agrees with Dorsey that poor life choices "caused me to fall a couple of rounds. I have learned from them, moved on and became a better person and learned from mistakes day by day. Taking it day by day still, growing and maturing."

Can he be trusted?

"Yes, sir,'' he said. "I was just young and immature, living in the moment. I've learned from my mistakes.''

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/11...ource-says.html

Josh Jr .... just wondering what took so long ...

It was well worth the gamble where we picked him ...

He should have been cut when he lied by omission about getting pulled over with weed in his car shortly after we drafted him ... especially we had just cut Kendricks for lying ...

Damm am i hanging on to that one .... *L*

JG Jr is right ... adios

That makes it sound like he got a raw deal.

Other than he should have stayed away from anything marijuana plant related. Even if it was CBD. There is no federal drug regulation on that, and technically its illegal, federally.

There’s many ‘potheads’ in the league. Many. Most are just smart enough to not get busted.

Martellus Bennett: 'About 89%' of NFL players use marijuana
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/508746002

It’s time for cannabis prohibition to be tossed in the scrap bin of history.

So, he used it this summer. And, conveniently, it was supposedly found it was tainted? It was found in the last week or 2? Do I have that correct?

I'm surprised they aren't blaming it on adderal.

Ya ... he got a raw deal ... ...

And he didn’t know there was pot in his car .... and he was too stoned too rape that girl ... and on and on and on ...

He got a raw deal when it comes to his own DECISION MAKING!!!

All the talent in the world and hes in th process of urinating it all away .... but hey ... he got a raw deal the 7th time he f’d up .... ...

Well be happy, because Higgins will probably play tonight. Or are you going to whine and cry giant tears about that too. Oh wait, you already did.

Here's the issue: It's legal (pot) in many states.

However, that doesn't mean it's legal in one's job. Period.

The NFL currently has a rule against pot use. And it's rather lenient, really.

You can follow the 'law', but still be remiss at your JOB.

Attack this from a different way. Instead of doing something that is banned, go about unbanning it before you lose your job over it.

Ouch ... that left a mark ... u got me good there Eve ...

I understand. I’m not excusing him getting caught.
I agree. The laws need changed. From the federal level, through to the workplace. Until that time it’s a stupid dance between citizens and the infringement on their right to privacy and personal liberty. He lost the dance. It’s on him. It’s on the rest of us to do away with archaic laws that infringe on our rights.

When does New England Pick up Calloway?

Cause they ALready picked up Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown

oh wait... they don't screw around with problem childs like Randy Moss either.

I read this, and there is no guarantee that it's a pot suspension. It could be for an entirely different drug violation.

I had read that it was a CBD issue, whether that’s true or not

I saw that too.

He said that it was a CBD issue ...... but Josh Gordon always said his suspensions were for pot, as well. (until he finally came clean)

Drew Forbes was activated from injured reserve. Callaway was waived to make a roster spot

He’ll soon be on the Patriots roster and get a SB ring.

I believe it was a good move by Dorsey. It shows he isn't too proud to admit a player he drafted isn't working out. How many GM's have we had that kept a player we should have cut just because he drafted him? I still trust Dorsey. He built KC and they have a really good team. He's done pretty good getting talent in here. Best GM we have had since the return. WAY better than Farmer and Sashi. So we aren't there in two years. We are way better than we were when he got here. By MILES. If it takes a couple more years to finally get a great team that is far better than starting over again.

4 of 9 players drafted in 2018 are no longer on the team.

SO glad be punted on this problem child. We waited way too long to do so with meathead. Seems like Belichick got fed up with meat too. He has talent but he's dead from the neck up. So is Callaway. I don't blame Dorsey for taking a chance. I blame another talent kid who has nothing between his ears and thinks he is bigger than the team and bigger than the game.

How many are around from when Farmer had two years in a row with two firsts? No one is perfect. Dorsey is a DAMN sight better than anyone else we've had at GM since the return.

See ya.

We don't need anymore Josh Gordon Jr's.

How embarrassing.

That's why I've bought one bit of kit with a player's name on it. Landry. I figure he'll be here a while. If not, oh well I really like the young man. He wants it. You can tell.

I'm hoping Mayfield and Beckham are pretty solid since I have tons of money invested in their jerseys.

5 of 9 still remain....Mayfield, Ward, Chubb, Thomas, Ratley.

And two (in bold) were afforded to him by transactions of the last regime.

Antonio Callaway epitomized what’s been wrong with the Cleveland Browns this season - cleveland.com
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/11...his-season.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Look for one player to exemplify what’s gone wrong with the Cleveland Browns this season as they carry a 3-6 record into tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and my choice would be receiver Antonio Callaway.

He’s gone, waived this afternoon. That doesn’t mean the season is saved. Actually, it means his role should have been lessened or eliminated far sooner. But every failure from the second-year receiver captures some aspect of the Browns’ woes.

• Given what he hasn’t earned: Returning after a four-game suspension for a failed drug test to start the season, Callaway played 20, 47, 48 and 36 snaps in the next four games as a primary part of the offense. Why?

If you think a talented roster filled with guys who haven’t yet won in the NFL got ahead of themselves this offseason, the Browns encouraged that kind of reward without evidence with Callaway. At New England in Week 8, Callaway’s 48 snaps were only eight fewer than Odell Beckham and 14 fewer than Jarvis Landry.

Trying to beat the Super Bowl champs? Get that Callaway guy on the field for three targets, two catches and 11 yards.

Meanwhile, Rashard Higgins was lost on the depth chart, sitting in Weeks 5 and 6 once Callaway came back. My understanding was that after the Patriots’ loss, change was coming to the receiver lineup. Instead, Callaway was back out there for 36 snaps against Denver for the Week 9 loss. It took Callaway showing up late for the Week 10 game against Buffalo for Higgins to get back into a major role.

Callaway never deserved this kind of role in this offense, as analysts called for many more two-TE packages instead of three receiver sets. The Browns ran a guy out there snap after snap who they now got rid of. This was the right move, after four weeks of wrong moves.

• Imprecision: In a season bedeviled by penalties, turnovers and a lack of details, Callaway checked all the boxes of imprecision. You want the perfect example of silly killer penalties? Try this from Callaway’s first game back.



Want another? Callaway drifted too far downfield setting a pick for Landry against New England and was called for a penalty that wiped out a long pass. Bad routes, confusion when lining up, a general lack of on-field discipline --- after that Patriots loss, which included 13 penalties, I thought Callaway was one of the most imprecise players worthy of a benching. It didn’t happen until last week.

* Red-zone failures: Of all the problems near the goal line, no mistake loomed larger than Callaway turning a touchdown into an interception with his bobble against the 49ers. A Browns touchdown there would have cut the San Francisco lead to 14-10. Instead, the pick after Baker Mayfield hit Callaway in the hands set up a San Francisco touchdown for a 21-3 lead. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken later called the play “catastrophic," and I’ve heard worse nicknames than Catastrophic Callaway.

• Lack of deep throws: The Browns haven’t threatened teams downfield much this season, which is what Callaway should have helped them do. In the second half of last season, after the coaching change, Mayfield ranked fourth in the league among starting QBs in adjusted completion percentage on deep throws. So far this season, he ranks 21st.

Last season, Callaway caught seven of 19 throws of 20 yards or more. This season, the Browns tried him twice 20 yards down the field, and neither was completed. Instead, they threw to him in tight spaces, which didn’t work. The route Higgins ran to shake his defender and get open for the game-winning touchdown against Buffalo? Callaway wouldn’t have executed that.

• John Dorsey draft issues: The 2018 draft isn’t helping the Browns as they expected. First came the trade of second-round pick offensive lineman Austin Corbett. Then came the trade of fifth-round pass rusher Genard Avery. Now comes the release of fourth-rounder Callaway. Mayfield, Denzel Ward and Nick Chubb were three of the first four Browns picks that year. But in less than two years, there’s a hole in the middle of that critical draft.

When it comes to Callaway, Dorsey made his choice and Callaway’s failure is on the GM, as I wrote when Callaway was suspended before the season. Dorsey has earned his reputation for taking risks on players with off-field issues. Add this to Dorsey’s list as a miss. This guy didn’t get it done on the field or off it.

Ditto, like Coach BBs and Coach Jim Johnson's quotes- draft a guy who's stupid, hit me in the head with a hammer.....well PART of being stupid is character.....and we've got meathead, money in his fingers man, and wrong way callaway on our great draft picks list......who's stupid. Go Browns!!!!

but then I got high, but then I got high, but then I got high...

OC Todd Monken on what affect cutting WR Antonio Callaway has on offense: "None."

Dayam!

It is a shame all that talent wasted

brutal

Todd, could you be a little clearer and more transparent about what EFFECT this will have. Pretty much said it all.

Why is this dead topic still relevant?

It is sad but also comical if the rumors are true on Callaway.