Multiple sources tell ESPN Cleveland that the NFL is currently reviewing a failed drug test by Browns cornerback Joe Haden that could result in a four-game suspension.
One source said that Haden tested positive for the prescription drug Adderall during a routine, off-season test administered in accordance with the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.
Adderall, which is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy, is also used for excessive tiredness. It is on the NFL’s list of banned substances and is classified by the league as a stimulant.
According to sources, Haden has been notified that he tested positive. Under terms of the league policy, a positive test results in a second test from the original sample. If that shows up positive as well, Haden would be suspended for the first four games of the regular season.
Haden can appeal. If upheld, the suspension would cost Haden four game checks. In his case, that would amount to more than $1.356 million.
Per terms of the league policy, Haden also would be ineligible for selection to the Pro Bowl or to receive any other honors or awards from the league or the NFL Players Association for the season in which the violation is upheld.
Safety Tyler Sash of the New York Giants was recently suspended four games by the NFL for testing positive for Adderall.
In a letter to players included as an appendix on the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances, the league states, “You and you alone are responsible for what goes into your body. Claiming that you used only legally available nutritional supplements will not help you in an appeal.”
Haden’s agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents several Browns, visited the team’s training camp practice on Tuesday. He was approached by ESPN Cleveland and declined to comment.
After practice, Haden also declined to comment to an ESPN Cleveland reporter.
Sean Cabble, Haden’s manager, was reached via phone and said, “I am unaware of any situation like that.”
Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis responded in an email, “Don’t know anything about that. Can’t confirm.”
A league spokesman also responded, “We have no comment.”
If Haden is suspended, he would be the fourth starter on the Browns’ defense who would be out for the season opener against Philadelphia on Sept. 9.
The team is already missing defensive tackle Phil Taylor (torn pectoral muscle surgery), linebacker Scott Fujita (league suspension) and linebacker Chris Gocong (torn Achilles tendon surgery).
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
it's just par for the course at this point. I'm so tired of reading bad news with this team. From injuries, to drug tests, to bounty suspensions.
It's tough loving this team....PS, I'm still driving 2 hours to the stadium tonight
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
How does this work. If a Dr prescribes a drug is he supposed to be more concerned with what the patient needs are or what the league says he can and cannot take?
For whatever reason Haden had to take this drug (if anything about this ends up being true at all), Is there an alternative medication that meets NFL Standards? Will it work as well? Can the patient tolerate it?
I know it doesn't matter, but Haden doesn't strike me as the kinda guy that would take performance enhancing drugs of any kind.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
I would assume it was not doctor prescribed because I'm 100% positive that IF he needed the drug, they'd find a way to make it work.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
if true, it would be Adderall (ADD drug the NFL sees as a stimulant).
but, regardless, NFL players are supposed to check ALL medication through the NFL hotlines before taking. they know this, the team knows this. if true (and i'm still skeptical), then Haden should know better.
So, let's see... Richardson will be out an undetermined amount of time, Taylor is out at least 6 weeks, Haden is out four weeks, is Alex Mack next? We didn't have a 2008 1st round pick...
Heckertts philosophy of not signing free agents and solely relying on the draft may end up biting him in the ass this year. We have TOO many young and inexperienced players starting this year.
Quote: So, let's see... Richardson will be out an undetermined amount of time, Taylor is out at least 6 weeks, Haden is out four weeks, is Alex Mack next? We didn't have a 2008 1st round pick...
Oh crap.
Someone wrap Joe Thomas in bubble wrap right now.
at this point, the only think we know for sure out of any of that is that Taylor will be out for at least 6 weeks of the season. not mentioned was Gocong out for the year.
Tell ya the truth, I don't believe this stuff with haden..
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Well, aj allmendinger lost his ride in nascar for what he said was adderall...........but he took it because a friend gave it to him. He had his second sample tested, and guess what? Second verse, same as the first.
I hope - if this is true - it was doctor prescribed.
If not, we're falling apart before the first pre season game.
Quote: So, let's see... Richardson will be out an undetermined amount of time, Taylor is out at least 6 weeks, Haden is out four weeks, is Alex Mack next? We didn't have a 2008 1st round pick...
Seriously....wtf is with this team. Losing Haden (possibly) and Fujita for the first four games. Gocong for the year. Taylor for 6 games at least. Our defense is going to blow.
I hate that I can't go into a season feeling positive about winning games.
Buster Skrine and Sheldon Brown......starting CB's........why does that give me a sick feeling...never mind I know why.
Joe Haden of Browns reportedly failed drug test By Marc Sessler Writer Published: Aug. 8, 2012 at 02:51 p.m. Updated: Aug. 8, 2012 at 03:00 p.m.
Print The NFL is reviewing a failed test by Browns cornerback Joe Haden for the prescription drug Adderall, which could result in a four-game suspension, Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland reported Wednesday, citing multiple sources.
Grossi reported that Haden tested positive during a routine test administered by the league during the offseason. Adderall can be used to treat symptoms linked to attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy.
The NFL declined to comment to Around the League on the matter. Team spokesman Neal Gulkis emailed Grossi to say, "Don't know anything about that. Can't confirm."
Sources told Grossi that the third-year cornerback, however, has been notified of the positive test. NFL policy dictates that a second test can be run off the original sample. If he is punished by the league, Haden can appeal the suspension, which would result in the loss of four game checks, or $1.356 million in Haden's case.
Haden declined comment to ESPN Cleveland, but he'll have a hard time escaping this story until the details become clear.
I don't understand how Aderall is considered a stimulant by the NFL, unless one of the adverse affects is hyperactivity, similar to how Ritalin makes some people wig out instead of calming them down?
All the sources could be confirming is that the NFL is looking into it, rather than confirming the legitimacy of the test or what have you. If he's got a prescription the NFL may cut him some slack but if he's just taking it, then things get a bit fuzzy.
Grossi is reporting that the nfl is reviewing a failed drug test", or is it "Grossi is reporting the nfl is reviewing a failed drug test that grossi reported."
The nfl doesn't have a comment.
I don't know how it works - but if the nfl is reviewing something, wouldn't the nfl admit to it????
It's just strange that the rumor was circulating and now there are official reports of "something." I would highly doubt the media would rely on Twitter rumors to make this report, so there has to be something to it.
I'm just hoping it's prescription at this point.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Browns cornerback Joe Haden is one of the few bright spots on a potentially terrible football team (he even cracked CBSSports.com's All AFC North Team). So hearing a report that he failed a drug test is very bad news for Cleveland football.
But Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland is reporting just that. Grossi reports that the NFL is "currently reviewing" a failed drug test from Haden, and that the cornerback could potentially face a four-game suspension to begin the season.
One source told Grossi that Haden's suspension resulted from a positive test for Adderall during the offseason.
"I am unaware of any situation like that," Haden's manager told Grossi.
The league also declined comment on the possibility of Haden failing a drug test and a Browns spokesman told Gross that they “don't know anything about that" and "can't confirm."
Obviously a four-game suspension for Haden would be devastating for the Browns. He's their best defensive back and probably their best defensive player, and losing him would drastically reduce their ability to limit opposing offenses through the air. In addition, Haden has blossomed into one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL (ProFootballFocus.com graded him out as the ninth-best cornerback in the league in 2011) and seeing his progress stifled is just frustrating.
The league hasn't officially announced the suspension yet, so it shouldn't be all doom-and-gloom for the Browns, and it's always possible that, like Andre Brown of the Giants, Haden could have his suspension reduced if he is medically cleared to take whatever caused the failed test.
But it's safe to say that between this reported news and the increasingly terrifying nightmare that is Trent Richardson's knee injury, new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam might not be fired up to the max today.
But it's safe to say that between this reported news and the increasingly terrifying nightmare that is Trent Richardson's knee injury, new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam might not be fired up to the max today.
Ho Hum .... The news just keeps getting better.
Okay last count we are down 4 starters (possibly) from last seasons defense and without our top Draft pick and RB.
Grossi is reporting that the nfl is reviewing a failed drug test", or is it "Grossi is reporting the nfl is reviewing a failed drug test that grossi reported."
The nfl doesn't have a comment.
I don't know how it works - but if the nfl is reviewing something, wouldn't the nfl admit to it????
I don't know.
Just like with Richardson - we'll have to wait.
There is actually a pretty good article out on PFT about how players these days may be just using Adderall as an excuse for something worse.
The NFL is not allowed to comment about details of a voilation of substance abuse.
So if it were steroids, or maybe a party drug like Marijuana or Cocaine, he, probably through the advice of his management, can say it was just Adderall. Fans don't like seeing their players suspended, but nobody thinks twice about a drug like that. If it's cocaine or roids, there's a giant problem that comes with.
When you see something like that, and wonder if he has a prescription and why he was busted anyway, it raises an eyebrow.
But I just checked the nfl page (yahoo page, if that matters), and all I'm seeing is "Grossi is reporting.....blah blah blah", and the nfl has no comment, Haden has no comment, his agent has no comment, and Hadens manager (side story - wanna know why nfl players retire and have no money? Homes, cars, posses, agents, and MANAGERS?????)..........but, Hadens manager doesn't know anything about it.
If this is Grossi stirring the pot and it proves to be false, the guy needs to become a shark feeder at the local aquarium.
But I just checked the nfl page (yahoo page, if that matters), and all I'm seeing is "Grossi is reporting.....blah blah blah", and the nfl has no comment, Haden has no comment, his agent has no comment, and Hadens manager (side story - wanna know why nfl players retire and have no money? Homes, cars, posses, agents, and MANAGERS?????)..........but, Hadens manager doesn't know anything about it.
If this is Grossi stirring the pot and it proves to be false, the guy needs to become a shark feeder at the local aquarium.
Correct, as of right now, only Grossi is reporting it, without any named sources.... which means that he is probably running a story based completely off of a rumor, and everyone else is picking it up and running it.
Why? Because journalism is dead. Nobody checks anything. Even the NFL itself is too damned lazy to ask itself what the deal is before just blindly running with whatever some schmuck reporter writes.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Well, instead of being a whiner like a lot of people, I'm going to say that, assuming this is true (which I have a feeling it is), let's have the next guy step up and let's expect him to perform. Doesn't do me any good to throw the season away because Haden might be out for 4 games.
What I find most disturbing, if true, is the revelation that a single failed sample/incident can count as a player's two failed tests and result in the 4 game suspension.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Quote: What I find most disturbing, if true, is the revelation that a single failed sample/incident can count as a player's two failed tests and result in the 4 game suspension.
I thought it was 1st - 4 games, 2nd - 8, 3rd -Year
They aren't testing out of the same batch. Just confirming it.
Am I the only one that pronounces hyperbole "Hyper-bowl" instead of "hy-per-bo-le"?
If there isn't at least a fair amount of truth to it, why is Haden and his agent saying "No comment"? I would think if I was asked if I was being suspended for substance violation and I knew nothing about it.. I would tell the person that they are nuts.
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