Rumor: Justin Houston and Christian Ballard failed drug test at Combine

[jmt57]

A few other sites are reporting this now, but here is the original source of this story.

Sources: NFL prospects failed Combine drug test - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN

Multiple sources told FOXSports.com that Georgia outside linebacker/defensive end Justin Houston and Iowa defensive lineman Christian Ballard failed drug tests at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Both players tested positive for marijuana, the sources said.

If true, to me the intelligence and decision-making of these two is far more of a red flag than their choice to smoke.

 

[crowell33]

A few other sites are reporting this now, but here is the original source of this story.

Sources: NFL prospects failed Combine drug test - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN

Multiple sources told FOXSports.com that Georgia outside linebacker/defensive end Justin Houston and Iowa defensive lineman Christian Ballard failed drug tests at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Both players tested positive for marijuana, the sources said.

If true, to me the intelligence and decision-making of these two is far more of a red flag than their choice to smoke.

Both players just took themselves out of the first round and cost themselves big $ . Believe thats what happened to Hernandez last season ( although not sure that was at the combine )

 

[letekro]

Good. Patriots are smart enough to know that a little dope smoking does not define a person. Houston would be a great pickup in the mid 2nd. Obviously if it's PED or something more serious that's a different story.

 

[patchick]

Patriots are smart enough to know that a little dope smoking does not define a person.

Fair enough. But being stupid enough to smoke it knowing that you're about to have a drug test as part of the biggest job interview of your life just might define a person...as having no judgment and self-discipline whatsoever.

Huge difference between testing positive at some point during college and testing positive at the Combine, IMO.

 

[letekro]

Fair enough. But being stupid enough to smoke it knowing that you're about to have a drug test as part of the biggest job interview of your life just might define a person...as having no judgment and self-discipline whatsoever.

Huge difference between testing positive at some point during college and testing positive at the Combine, IMO.

Yeah, I don't agree with this. Kids make dumb decisions. That doesn't mean they don't have exceptional work ethic/discipline and/or can't digest a playbook. Not hard to imagine how it happens--they're drunk, feeling good, have heard that the weed will clear their system in X days, and figure they have nothing to worry about. Is it a dumb move? Of course, but unless there is a long pattern of bad decisions, I don't think it is something that should cause a team to disregard their evaluation of the player.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Wow, I knew that there was something missing from this whole draft process, but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

It's the annual player(s) failed the drug test thread. Now things seem to be where they are suppose to be.

 

[patchick]

I don't think it is something that should cause a team to disregard their evaluation of the player.

Of course, neither do I. I just think that a failed test at the Combine counts more than a routine test in assessing how ready the kid is to become a professional.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Both players just took themselves out of the first round and cost themselves big $ . Believe thats what happened to Hernandez last season ( although not sure that was at the combine )

Hernandez did at some point, but I don't think it was at the combine.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

It turned out Hernandez pretty well.

So smoke it up.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

It turned out Hernandez pretty well.

So smoke it up.

Those two can smoke all they want, their resumes already read like a match for the scouting acumen of Cincinnati or Oakland.

 

[Clonamery]

Those two can smoke all they want, their resumes already read like a match for the scouting acumen of Cincinnati or Oakland.

Maybe one or both would be willing to trade into the first round to take 'em.

 

[Seneschal2]

But being stupid enough to smoke it knowing that you're about to have a drug test as part of the biggest job interview of your life just might define a person...as having no judgment and self-discipline whatsoever.

The only event of their careers that they'll be under such a large microscope, yet they still can't control their actions for this brief period of time.

And who knows, maybe that same poor judgment will lead to that player getting disciplined on the eve of the playoffs. Ya know, that time of season when the HC wants every player to be on the same page and not dance to their own drummer. It's certainly food for thought when evaluating each prospect.

Irregardless, they weren't on my Pats prospects list to begin with.