Harvin, Tate Test Positive

[tjones7]

Wide receivers Percy Harvin and Brandon Tate tested positive for marijuana during February's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, two sources told FOXSports.com

Report: NFL prospects Percy Harvin, Brandon Tate test positive - ESPN

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

No Tate in NE then.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

How stupid do you have to be to fail the most important drug test of your life, and you knew it was coming many many months in advance?

I'm not sure how long the pot is detectable, but this throws up not just the red flag of drug use but also the big red flag of absolute boneheadedness.

 

[Tunescribe]

I'm not sure how long the pot is detectable ...

I think it can be detectable for a week or two. You're right, it is pretty stupid. So stupid that they're not smart enough to be Patriots.

 

[bakes781]

No Tate in NE then.

d%#*!@t I was really pulling for this kid too! He wasn't even there to workout and he FAILS a drug test! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

 

[SamBamsFan]

d%#*!@t I was really pulling for this kid too! He wasn't even there to workout and he FAILS a drug test! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Too much time on his hands I guess. Pot can be found for 2 months if they use the hair sampling method.

 

[bakes781]

Too much time on his hands I guess. Pot can be found for 2 months if they use the hair sampling method.

I actually felt bad for the guy prior to this because he was considered a sure 1st round talent before tearing his ACL.

 

[Patsbacker]

That sucks as I LOVED Tate in the late 2nd maybe 3rd...

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

How stupid do you have to be to fail the most important drug test of your life, and you knew it was coming many many months in advance?

I'm not sure how long the pot is detectable, but this throws up not just the red flag of drug use but also the big red flag of absolute boneheadedness.

EXACTLY, you seriously have to question the intelligence of anyone who fails a drug test that they knew was coming! These idiots just cost themsleves MILLIONS of dollars. I would take them both off the draft board.

 

[letekro]

EXACTLY, you seriously have to question the intelligence of anyone who fails a drug test that they knew was coming! These idiots just cost themsleves MILLIONS of dollars. I would take them both off the draft board.

I agree that putting oneself in a position to fail such an important test exhibits poor judgment. But, (i) these are college kids and probably believed that there was some supplement they could take to eliminate it from their system; (ii) it's only marijuana; (iii) I imagine Randy Moss has smoked roughly 100 times more weed over the course of his life than these guys combined. And, percy harvin is very talented. If he falls to the point where he's a good value, I don't think BB would hesitate to take him.

 

[spacecrime]

I agree that putting oneself in a position to fail such an important test exhibits poor judgment. But, (i) these are college kids and probably believed that there was some supplement they could take to eliminate it from their system; (ii) it's only marijuana; (iii) I imagine Randy Moss has smoked roughly 100 times more weed over the course of his life than these guys combined. And, percy harvin is very talented. If he falls to the point where he's a good value, I don't think BB would hesitate to take him.

You're missing the point. It isn't that others don't smoke pot, or whether it is a bad drug or not, it is that they knew a test was coming and that failing would cost them millions. It is about them and their decision making. They may only be college kids, but they are college kids who are not thinking clearly. Teams cannot tolerate much trouble at all these days, and they HAVE to be thinking, "If this kid cannot keep clean for the most important drug test of his life, what is going to happen after I put millions in his bank account?"

It is like dating. It is like going to a meetup dinner party hoping to find a long-term girl friend with a motel reservation sticking out of your shirt pocket and a bunch of condoms in your hand. Yes, people who date do go to motels and yes, condoms are a good idea, but advertising such before you begin a relationship is no way to get selected. (Women, substitute carrying a copy of Bride's Magazine and a wedding planner. You get the idea.)

If they thought they could beat the NFL system with a supplement, it is even worse. They are telling teams who are considering drafting them that they think they can beat the system. Just what teams want to hear these days.

Sorry, these kids made a bad mistake. They deserve a second chance, and they will get one. They will go on the second day instead of round one. The point is the millions of dollars difference they cost themselves by not being able to stay drug-free for a couple months before a test they knew was coming.

 

[Bring Back Antowain!]

No Tate in NE then.

Well, Kevin Faulk is still with the team.

I'm not sure this takes him off their draft board, but it may lower him.

Still, you wouldn't take a flier on him in the sixth round or something?

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Too much time on his hands I guess. Pot can be found for 2 months if they use the hair sampling method.

Two months is how long it takes to get our of you system if you are an every day smoker. If you are just a once and a while type of guy then it should be out of your system in two or three weeks. That being said I am not sure which these two fall under but if I was in their position I would have stopped it well in advance of any testing.....just stupid.

 

[Leave No Doubt]

You're missing the point. It isn't that others don't smoke pot, or whether it is a bad drug or not, it is that they knew a test was coming and that failing would cost them millions. It is about them and their decision making. They may only be college kids, but they are college kids who are not thinking clearly. Teams cannot tolerate much trouble at all these days, and they HAVE to be thinking, "If this kid cannot keep clean for the most important drug test of his life, what is going to happen after I put millions in his bank account?"

It is like dating. It is like going to a meetup dinner party hoping to find a long-term girl friend with a motel reservation sticking out of your shirt pocket and a bunch of condoms in your hand. Yes, people who date do go to motels and yes, condoms are a good idea, but advertising such before you begin a relationship is no way to get selected. (Women, substitute carrying a copy of Bride's Magazine and a wedding planner. You get the idea.)

If they thought they could beat the NFL system with a supplement, it is even worse. They are telling teams who are considering drafting them that they think they can beat the system. Just what teams want to hear these days.

Sorry, these kids made a bad mistake. They deserve a second chance, and they will get one. They will go on the second day instead of round one. The point is the millions of dollars difference they cost themselves by not being able to stay drug-free for a couple months before a test they knew was coming.

Good post. Players/draftees really need to educate themselves about how long marijuana stays in one's system. Depending on a few things there can be traces hanging around for as long as a couple of months. That said there have also been a recent rash of false positives; it wouldn't hurt to retest someone who showed very low levels.

There are many kinds of testing methods too,and of all the drugs out there pot stays in your body the longest. Cocaine's only detectable for a matter of hours as are many of the other illegal and far more nasty(than marijuana) drugs out there. That fact is why we worry about someone's choice of drug when they know a test is coming soon. JMHO but I'd rather see the world dabble in weed than coke,meth,etc.

But regardless, testing positive for an EXPECTED drug test seems to indicate a couple of "tells" such as a level of disregard for the rules and a lack of self-discipline. But mostly a lack of knowledge. There have been cases in which THC has remained in a person's system for upwards of 6 months, so it's really hard to judge. It's entirely possible(not probable but possible) that one or more of these kids hasn't smoked since Thanksgiving break.jussayin.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Well, Kevin Faulk is still with the team.

I'm not sure this takes him off their draft board, but it may lower him.

Still, you wouldn't take a flier on him in the sixth round or something?

Faulk got busted in the offseason, well before he was going to report to Training Camp and would be subject to testing. It happens. Do you expect him to be caught again and suspended longer? Maybe he'll be caught waving a gun at a girlfriend too, but I kind of doubt that happens.

These mopes just demonstrated they don't have the good sense to take their last toke at Christmas and stay clean until after the Combine. Folks may make fun of Forrest Gump, but "stupid is as stupid does" fits those mutton heads all too well.

BB took a chance on Willie Andrews in the 7th round and got two years of production before he self-destructed with his weed. What if there had been another kid who was nearly as good who would have played the full four years? Last season Slater was drafted in the 5th round to play the roles Willie did, BB spent two picks to get him (that's 3 picks in three years used to fill the Gunner/Lead Blocker role), if Willie had stayed clean maybe there was a kid who would have helped out another way in the fifth round - maybe an O-lineman who upgraded Yates and prevented that blitz gap from forming... :confused2:

 

[mayoclinic]

BB took a chance on Willie Andrews in the 7th round and got two years of production before he self-destructed with his weed. What if there had been another kid who was nearly as good who would have played the full four years? Last season Slater was drafted in the 5th round to play the roles Willie did, BB spent two picks to get him (that's 3 picks in three years used to fill the Gunner/Lead Blocker role), if Willie had stayed clean maybe there was a kid who would have helped out another way in the fifth round - maybe an O-lineman who upgraded Yates and prevented that blitz gap from forming... :confused2:

Roy Scheuning for Oregon St. I wanted him badly last year, and he went to St. Louis in the 5th round. He would have been a nice upgrade over Yates.

 

[letekro]

You're missing the point. It isn't that others don't smoke pot, or whether it is a bad drug or not, it is that they knew a test was coming and that failing would cost them millions. It is about them and their decision making. They may only be college kids, but they are college kids who are not thinking clearly. Teams cannot tolerate much trouble at all these days, and they HAVE to be thinking, "If this kid cannot keep clean for the most important drug test of his life, what is going to happen after I put millions in his bank account?"

It is like dating. It is like going to a meetup dinner party hoping to find a long-term girl friend with a motel reservation sticking out of your shirt pocket and a bunch of condoms in your hand. Yes, people who date do go to motels and yes, condoms are a good idea, but advertising such before you begin a relationship is no way to get selected. (Women, substitute carrying a copy of Bride's Magazine and a wedding planner. You get the idea.)

If they thought they could beat the NFL system with a supplement, it is even worse. They are telling teams who are considering drafting them that they think they can beat the system. Just what teams want to hear these days.

Sorry, these kids made a bad mistake. They deserve a second chance, and they will get one. They will go on the second day instead of round one. The point is the millions of dollars difference they cost themselves by not being able to stay drug-free for a couple months before a test they knew was coming.

No - you're missing the point. One instance of bad judgment does not make the man. Do you honestly believe that Percy Harvin will drop to day 2? If you do, you're quite naive.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Faulk got busted in the offseason, well before he was going to report to Training Camp and would be subject to testing. It happens. Do you expect him to be caught again and suspended longer? Maybe he'll be caught waving a gun at a girlfriend too, but I kind of doubt that happens.

These mopes just demonstrated they don't have the good sense to take their last toke at Christmas and stay clean until after the Combine. Folks may make fun of Forrest Gump, but "stupid is as stupid does" fits those mutton heads all too well.

BB took a chance on Willie Andrews in the 7th round and got two years of production before he self-destructed with his weed. What if there had been another kid who was nearly as good who would have played the full four years? Last season Slater was drafted in the 5th round to play the roles Willie did, BB spent two picks to get him (that's 3 picks in three years used to fill the Gunner/Lead Blocker role), if Willie had stayed clean maybe there was a kid who would have helped out another way in the fifth round - maybe an O-lineman who upgraded Yates and prevented that blitz gap from forming... :confused2:

I totally agree with all of this and good points about Andrews and the importance of early warning signs. Trust me football players do sometimes indulge in the off season but business is business and the statement "stupid is as stupid does" is the best way to describe it.

 

[mgteich]

Some team will spend millions on a player who will start his career on the NFL drug program and is on his way to future suspensions. And yes, that will likely happen on Day One.

The choice is not whether to take your risk of millions with Harvin or not. The choice is whether to take your risk with Harvin or with another player. The question is whether the patriots are more likely than other teams to ignore this issue. I think that another team will choose Harvin before the patriots.

And just BTW, this issue is much less of an issue than steriods. I am not averse to choosing such a player if the extra value and great need is there. The patriots are not desparate for a WR; others are.

No - you're missing the point. One instance of bad judgment does not make the man. Do you honestly believe that Percy Harvin will drop to day 2? If you do, you're quite naive.

 

[Urgent]

If they use a hair test, I guess I question why these guys don't cut their hair...

As I understand it, teams tend to look at the positive results in two camps:

Marijuana - indicates some immaturity and stupidity, but you can interview for those same qualities and balance the equation. Marijuana use does not equate to violence or on-field performance. Warren Sapp is a pretty good example here. Yes, he dropped. Still had a pretty good career though.

Steroids/PED's - this is a far greater problem. Again, some level of stupidity, because you pretty much know when that test is coming. However, how much of the college performance was improved by the impact of those enhancements? If he stops juicing, is he going to go all Giambi on you? Are all those combine times a function of the performance-enhancing drugs enhancing right now? Very serious concern.