Cunningham Suspended 4 Games for PED Use

**hendersonsplow** · 11-27-2012, 07:29 PM

Belichick comments:

"Those situations are unfortunate," Belichick said Tuesday on his weekly teleconference. "Neither one of them needed to happen, they weren’t that important, but they were violations, so they are what they are."

Belichick was asked if, as a result of Bolden's suspension earlier this month, he discussed the issue with the team.

"I address the team every day, we talk to them on a regular basis," Belichick said. "Unfortunately sometimes on these things people make mistakes, but everybody is accountable for them."

**hendersonsplow** · 11-27-2012, 08:38 PM

Eagles released Jason Babin today. Think the Pats take a look?

**TheSeyMonsta** · 11-27-2012, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by hendersonsplow

Eagles released Jason Babin today. Think the Pats take a look?

Would LOVE it....

**ItIsWhatItIs** · 11-27-2012, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by TheSeyMonsta

Would LOVE it....

Then you must LOVE giving up 5-6 yards per carry. Babin is like a homeless man's Robert Mathis. His idea of run defense is trying to hit the QB before he can hand it off to the back.

I suppose I'd be fine adding him if all he were used for is as a nickel DE, but even then he is not the same player this year at rushing the QB that he has been in the past.

**Underdog** · 11-27-2012, 09:07 PM

Babin has always been the ultimate one trick pony, and except for the 2 years prior to this one, he's never even been particularly good at that one trick. That said, guys that can get after the QB are always in demand...given that teams could bring him in just for the remainder of his base salary this year, I'd be pretty surprised if he even makes it down as far as the Pats in the waiver order.

I'm perfectly fine with giving Scott, Francis, and Bequette the chance to pick up the slack.

**Hyped** · 11-27-2012, 09:31 PM

I am interested in seeing Francis the most...he showed me some good plays 1-2 times, but never sees the field consistently.

**hendersonsplow** · 11-28-2012, 01:42 PM

USA Today article on athletes and Adderall

Athletes in other leagues can use Adderall by being granted therapeutic use exemptions, but the leagues say it is a misconception that any player with a prescription qualifies for an exemption. The pro leagues and the NCAA have a process to determine whether an exemption is warranted.

"The process in the NFL for obtaining a therapeutic use exemption on any drug I would say is extremely rigorous, and the number of persons who obtain them is very small," Birch says. [NFL senior vice president of labor law and policy Adolph Birch]

...

When an NFL player is suspended for using a banned substance, neither the league nor the NFLPA identifies what drug triggered the positive test. Birch says the NFL would like to, for one reason to put an end to the "Adderall excuse" — players who use some other banned substance and get suspended, and blame their positive test on Adderall. Because of the NFL's confidentiality provision, the league does not refute players' explanations about their drug tests.

"We've been laboring to change that for years, but the union has not shared our view on that," Birch says. "We think it's important for everyone to know what the substance is."
...

The NFL believes its approval process thwarts improper use of Adderall. The league requires the player/patient to apply to an independent administrator of the NFL Policy on Steroids and Related Substances before he starts using the drug.

The administrator sends the application to selected specialists who review the player's medical diagnosis.

"The way our system works, it is difficult to obtain one," the NFL's Birch says. "There are certainly legitimate uses for Adderall and if people have a condition that legitimately necessitates it, our doctors and advisers will give it. But it is a very, very detailed process to obtain one."

The league's protocol may also explain why some players have prescriptions for Adderall but lack the required exemption from the NFL.