Weslye Saunders: Fight for Survival

[hawaiiansteel]

then shouldn't Weslye Saunders get his suspension lifted also since he too tested positive for Adderall?


New York Giants running back Andre Brown has four-game ban lifted

by SI.com
6/1/12



New York Giants back Andre Brown had his four-game ban lifted.

The NFL says that New York Giants running back Andre Brown had his four-game suspension lifted Friday.

The NFL suspended Brown for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Brown appealed the suspension.

“I don’t know what I can and cannot say,” Brown told CBSSports.com last month. “It was something that I’ve been on since I’ve been in the league, which was Adderall. I just forgot to fill out some paperwork and that was it.”

Brown has only carried the ball twice in career for negative-1 yard with the Denver Broncos in 2010. He spent 2011 season on the Giants practice squad and signed a Reserve/Futures contract in February.

[URL]http://tracking.si.com/2012/06/01/new-york-giants-andre-brown-ban-lifted/[/URL]

[phillyesq]

then shouldn't Weslye Saunders get his suspension lifted also since he too tested positive for Adderall?

I think part of it will depend on whether Saunders actually had a prescription and when he started taking it. If he did, the league might reduce the suspension by a game like they did for the Houston punter.

[Shawn]

If he took it "once", said he didn't get it from his brother, didn't mention anything about having ADHD, the likelihood of him having a script is about zero.

Also, I'm shocked the league allows adderall. It would clearly enhance performance. Just because someone has a script doesn't mean the med wouldn't create an unfair advantage.

[hawaiiansteel]

Giants RB Andre Brown Has Suspension Lifted, Why Not Weslye Saunders'?

by Neal Coolong on Jun 4, 2012

CBS Sports' Alex Raskin recently reported Giants RB Andre Brown - suspended for a violation of the league's policy against performance-enhancing drugs - has been exonerated, and his four-game suspension has been lifted.

Brown told CBS Sports, via Sports Illustrated, "It was something that I've been on since I've been in the league, which was Adderall. I just forgot to fill out some paperwork and that was it."

We wrote back in February signs pointed to a drug of similar nature, and a slip-of-the-mind on the part of Steelers TE Weslye Saunders, as the reason why the Steelers second-year tight end received the same four-game suspension.

So what gives?

Of course, the league will not divulge such information (and this isn't confirming Saunders was suspended for the same reason, but both Mark Kaboly and Dejan Kovacevic of the Tribune-Review largely indicated that was the case, as we wrote in February). Brown openly admitted his mistake, being that Adderall, an ADHD medication, is an amphetamine, a drug test taken by a player who's on it will result in testing positive for a banned substance.

The protocol seems to be the player filing paperwork (likely with accompanying doctor's confirmation and/or the confirmation of a pharmacist), thus explaining the positive test before it comes back.

As we wrote, Saunders' situation appeared to be very similar in nature, if not exactly the same thing as Brown. It's a fair question to wonder what exactly Saunders would need to do in the event of his appeal, and if it's possible that appeal will result in the overturn of his suspension.

It'd be a good time for it, too. Recent reports indicate offensive coordinator Todd Haley wants to get Steelers' tight ends more involved with the offense. Saunders, the team's second-best receiving tight end behind Heath Miller, was thought highly of this offseason in terms of 2012 production before the suspension hit.

Saunders will not count against the team's 53-man roster until his suspension ends. The Steelers signed veteran TE Leonard Pope this offseason, and have moved David Johnson to fullback.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/6/4/3062332/giants-rb-andre-brown-has-suspension-lifted-why-not-weslye-saunders[/URL]

[Chadman]

If he's messed up, and it's proven, he's gone. Another talented schmuck that moves to the scrapheap. Or the Bengals. (It could be argued that they are 1 & the same).

If it's an honest mistake, he makes the roster.

Don't care much for excuses- these guys get plenty of perks thrown their way- so they should, at the least, be held accountable for their actions. Mike Adams failed the drug test at the Combine. He didn't hide, or blame others. He took responsibility. That's the move of a man. Chadman has far more time for someone who owns their mistakes, rather than find reasons as to the how's & why's it happened. Hopefully it's all a big mix-up, and Saunders can move forward & fulfill his talent.

But if he's just another schmuck, don't go feeling too sorry for him.

[Flasteel]

What in the hell is wrong with all of these players? How do they not know Adderall is on the banned substances list? I know it's banned and have known for a number of years...and I'm not subject to having my piss analyzed by the NFL. You would think it was mentioned at some point in the rookie symposium...or their agent would have that question as SOP for all of his clients...or that their doctor would inform them that it renders a non-negative hit for amphetamines on any type of U/A screen. How does it get past all of those layers and then the common sense to investigate the ramifications of anything you are putting into your body?

As far as Saunders...I'm obviously ignorant of all the facts involved, but from what was originally posted in this thread, it would appear he had no prescription and decided to "try" it once. If that's the case, then it's not likely he's going to get his suspension lifted or even reduced. It would also mean (at least to me) that his suspension is completely warranted on the grounds of stupidity alone.

[Slapstick]

If he took it "once", said he didn't get it from his brother, didn't mention anything about having ADHD, the likelihood of him having a script is about zero.

Also, I'm shocked the league allows adderall. It would clearly enhance performance. Just because someone has a script doesn't mean the med wouldn't create an unfair advantage.

I think that the view is that Adderall "levels the playing field" for those with ADHD...if you don't allow them to take a legitimate, doctor prescribed medication, isn't that a form of discrimination?

[Crash]

I think that the view is that Adderall "levels the playing field" for those with ADHD...if you don't allow them to take a legitimate, doctor prescribed medication, isn't that a form of discrimination?

Nope. Violations are violations in the NFL's world. The real world doesn't matter.

[RuthlessBurgher]

You would think it was mentioned at some point in the rookie symposium.

Undrafted free agent rookies like Wes Saunders are not invited to the NFL Rookie Symposium, only rookie draft picks.

[Shawn]

I think that the view is that Adderall "levels the playing field" for those with ADHD...if you don't allow them to take a legitimate, doctor prescribed medication, isn't that a form of discrimination?

There are other non stimulant meds that treat Adderall. As for discrimination...I wouldn't think so. Lets say you have a double amputee, and he uses some sort of new robotic technology that allows him to run faster than most human beings. Should he be allowed to compete with these mechanical limbs?

[Flasteel]

I think that the view is that Adderall "levels the playing field" for those with ADHD...if you don't allow them to take a legitimate, doctor prescribed medication, isn't that a form of discrimination?

To my knowledge you can take it, but it needs to be prescribed and reported to the league...it would be the same as an opioid painkiller, which is part of the recreational testing program. Taken in normal prescription parameters, Adderall poses no problems and would give a player no edge. Taken in higher doses it increases alertness, attention, and energy...thus providing an edge. Players slam 5-hour energy and other energy drinks like it's water in the desert, just to get those same advantages. I'm sure a few Adderall would be significantly more beneficial in that regard.

[Shoe]

And the judgment is dripping off of this thread...

It is what it is. If this was Ben (i.e. a star), it'd be minimized. Since it's Saunders (i.e. a ham and egger), no one cares to cut him any slack. Nor should we. If you are a scrub, you better not cause the team or fans any sort of displacement. As it stands, I wouldn't bat an eye if they dropped this guy.

[Oviedo]

The fact that Saunders is still on the roster and working out with the team pretty much should tell you that the Steelers see something there worth keeping and working with.

If this had been a huge issue to them he would have been gone by now.

[Shawn]

There is little doubt in my mind that Adderall taken even with normal dosing would provide a competitive edge. So, I am indeed surprised the league allows it.