Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids!

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Wow! A deep linebacker draft just took a huge blow, as did USC's reputation. Both Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews have tested positive for steroids. Both of these players were predicted by many as major options for the Patriots. I know this is a draft topic, but it's big news. Pats will probably need to look elsewhere for a top notch versatile linebacker. No way some of the top lbs drop now to #23. Reported by KFFL, who cite draftbible.com and various sources. Please post Link as I have an IPhone.

Expect the Jason Taylor/ Julius Peppers hype to continue.

Update: BJ Raji has also failed a drug test...substance not yet reported. Many had him rated as the top DT on the board.

 

[JSn]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

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Expect the Jason Taylor/Julius Peppers hype to continue.

Nah. If those players (Taylor/Peppers) are or are not being pursued, it's got nothing to do with this.

It's important to remember that we aren't missing any position going into the draft and there are variable we simply have little information about, Crable being a big one of those.

This news simply changes the Pats grade on these players. This draft was always going to be about drafting the BPA. Likely that will no longer include these boys unless the Pats decide the Steroids didn't alter their performance (which is highly unlikely).

It certainly doesn't improve the intelligence outlook on these guys.

Isn't Cushing a regular feature on NFLN? This should be neat to follow, hehe.

 

[BTTA]

There was talk about roids and Cushing when he was coming out of high school. He was almost as big and cut then as he is now.

 

[tobias funke]

If you didn't know Brian Cushing was on roids you've probably never seen Brian Cushing.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

I can't believe this is happening. Just yesterday my buddy was talking about the big three LB's on the board and I was bragging about how the Patriots would be getting one of the three and now two of them are alleged to have been doing steroids? What a turn of events . . . :ugh:

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

I can't believe this is happening. Just yesterday my buddy was talking about the big three LB's on the board and I was bragging about how the Patriots would be getting one of the three and now two of them are alleged to have been doing steroids? What a turn of events . . . :ugh:

Well, if it's true, they just might be easier for New England to get.

 

[Wretch]

I hate to be a buzz kill, but NFL players use PEDs. These guys were stupid to use PEDs and just as stupid to get caught. I doubt that they fall too far and I highly doubt they get taken off many team's boards.

 

[primetime]

Update: BJ Raji has also failed a drug test...substance not yet reported. Many had him rated as the top DT on the board.

Marijuana. No big deal. Calvin Johnson pissed hot for weed at the combine and was still a top 5 pick.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

I can't believe this is happening. Just yesterday my buddy was talking about the big three LB's on the board and I was bragging about how the Patriots would be getting one of the three and now two of them are alleged to have been doing steroids? What a turn of events . . . :ugh:

While it is—based on prior history with these sorts of rumors—likely true, maybe it was deliberately put out by a team to lower their stock?

 

[PATSNUTme]

Wow! A deep linebacker draft just took a huge blow, as did USC's reputation. Both Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews have tested positive for steroids. Both of these players were predicted by many as major options for the Patriots. I know this is a draft topic, but it's big news. Pats will probably need to look elsewhere for a top notch versatile linebacker. No way some of the top lbs drop now to #23. Reported by KFFL, who cite draftbible.com and various sources. Please post Link as I have an IPhone.

Expect the Jason Taylor/ Julius Peppers hype to continue.

Update: BJ Raji has also failed a drug test...substance not yet reported. Many had him rated as the top DT on the board.

Ok, when you post a thread like that you need to cite a credible source or provide a link.

I am not doubting what you say and Clay Matthews has been a fav of mine in this draft, but any story like that involving any player must have something other than " I heard it from uncle John".

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

While it is—based on prior history with these sorts of rumors—likely true, maybe it was deliberately put out by a team to lower their stock?

Unlikely. Every NFL team is informed of test results, so there are no secrets there.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

Well, if it's true, they just might be easier for New England to get.

While it is—based on prior history with these sorts of rumors—likely true, maybe it was deliberately put out by a team to lower their stock?

Pardon my confusion, but would we still want either of them?

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

Pardon my confusion, but would we still want either of them?

I didn't want any USC linebacker in the first round before this happened, so this doesn't really change anything for me.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

Pardon my confusion, but would we still want either of them?

I doubt either would be higher than mid second, and that is a stretch. This assumes that Goodell does not discipline them in advance. Basically there is now no info on their actual talent, stength, or speed, and a bad stigma. There are tons of better options.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

Unlikely. Every NFL team is informed of test results, so there are no secrets there.

Box--the source of the rumor is NFLDraftBible.com, which is/was run by a GM of a CFL team.

IIB--my point here is not that it is or isn't true. My question is, if the information is supposed to be kept confidential, why did it leak out? And why did an NFL team confirm something when, by rule, that team should not be saying anything at all?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

I doubt either would be higher than mid second, and that is a stretch. This assumes that Goodell does not discipline them in advance. Basically there is now no info on their actual talent, stength, or speed, and a bad stigma. There are tons of better options.

The CBA specifically limits what Goodell can do in drug cases.

 

[dhamz]

They will fall slightly in the draft more for being stupid enough to get caught than outrage over using PEDs. When they will get to the NFL, get schooled in how to use stuff that won't get you caught.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

I doubt either would be higher than mid second, and that is a stretch. This assumes that Goodell does not discipline them in advance. Basically there is now no info on their actual talent, stength, or speed, and a bad stigma. There are tons of better options.

I hear you.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Re: Cushing, Matthews test positive for steroids at the combine!!!

I didn't want any USC linebacker in the first round before this happened, so this doesn't really change anything for me.

But it changes other areas. Guys like Mauluega, Maybin and Jackson will certainly not drop to us now. Probably Lauranitis
too.

 

[TheComeback]

Not surprised. Matthews went from 166 to 245 in like three years. That's doable, but I'm sure the roids helped him out a bit.

I'm a little disappointed. I wanted the Patriots to draft Clint Sintim with that 23rd, if they think he's as good as I do, but it looks like his stock will be rising now. Perhaps too high for us. Luckily I think we are in a good position to draft the best overall player available.

Taylor is still out there too.