Questions about Ricky W.

[FansinceJan'72]

1. How did the test result come to be leaked in Denver?
I'm not up on NFL procedures but the rumor that a trade proposal involving Williams to the Broncos is how the failed test came to be leaked in Denver puzzles me because the Dolphins surely knew about it before the Broncos and that's not a good time to be trying to trade a player. It doesn't fit with Saban's statements about Ricky either unless he's just blowing smoke to help the team win and recoup Huzienga's money (which is obviously justified). Ok, bad analogy. Most like the Broncos were interested and inquired to the NFL about Ricky.

2. Exactly what did Ricky take?
These are legal drugs that can cause a false positive for amphetamine use. Are any of them on the NFL banned substance list? Could the Dolphins or Al Davis sue the league for $8 mill if they suspend him for taking one of these?:boohoo:

Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, propylephedrine, phenylephrine, or desoxyephedrine (Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, etc)
Phenegan-D, Robitussin Cold and Flu, Vicks Nyquil
Over-the-counter diet aids with phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, Accutrim)
Over-the-counter nasal sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin)
Asthma medications (Marax, Bronkaid tablets, Primatine Tablets)
Prescription medications (Amfepramone, Cathne, Etafediabe, Morazone,phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, benzphetamine, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine,dexdenfluramine,Redux, mephentermine, Mesocarb, methoxyphenamine, phentermine,amineptine, Pholedrine, hydroymethamphetamine, Dexedrine, amifepramone, clobenzorex,fenproyorex, mefenorex, fenelylline, Didrex, dextroamphetamine, methphenidate, Ritalin,pemoline, Cylert, selegiline, Deprenyl, Eldepryl, Famprofazone) Kidney infection, kidney disease, Liver disease, diabetes

3. Did Saban go out on a limb on ESPN and put his reputation somewhat on the line with some statements about Ricky, giving the league a scapegoat if they don't suspend him and he turns up another dirty test later? His contention that in his 30 years of football there weren't 5 players he'd rather have on his team than Ricky seemed prepared well in advance & he appeared a little nervous saying it. I wonder if this was some kind of subtle deal with the league where they want the public perception to be clear that it is the Dolphins, not the league who will appear foolish if Ricky wipes out later.

 

[Roman529]

I read the Denver Post pretty much every day, and I believe someone in the NFL's front office leaked it to Denver when Saban was looking to make a deal with the Broncos to trade Ricky there for a draft pick. The NFL has to approve all trades I believe and they must have leaked the failed drug test to them at this time.

 

[FansinceJan'72]

I read the Denver Post pretty much every day, and I believe someone in the NFL's front office leaked it to Denver when Saban was looking to make a deal with the Broncos to trade Ricky there for a draft pick. The NFL has to approve all trades I believe and they must have leaked the failed drug test to them at this time.

If Saban tried to trade Ricky a few weeks ago it means that one of those five players (out of thirty years) Saban would rather have on his team is a current Denver Bronco? Who?

If Saban DID try to trade him and there is not such a player it means he was disingenuous on ESPN.

 

[Pauly]

1. The story was initially reported in Denver, so logic suggests that the source of the leak is most likely someone in the Denver FO who is freindly with the local journalists. Other scenarios are possible and plausible, but if I were to put a bet on where the leak came from I'd put it on the Denver FO.

2. Ricky states it was a herbal supplement. These have been known to trigger false positives in Olympic competition. Since Ricky has admitted marijuana use previously and his story has a degree of plausability I consider it most probable that he's telling the truth this time.

3. Saban's contention that Ricky is one of the top 5 players he has coached is not inconsistent with him being willing to trade Ricky. We have another No. 1 RB and Ricky's drug history make him unreliable because even if he is truly clean because he can get a year long ban with false positives or missing scheduled testing. Ricky can be viewed an unreliable luxury on the team's roster, in which case it may make sense to get a less talented, but more reliable player at a position where the team isn't as deep.

 

[FansinceJan'72]

1. The story was initially reported in Denver, so logic suggests that the source of the leak is most likely someone in the Denver FO who is freindly with the local journalists. Other scenarios are possible and plausible, but if I were to put a bet on where the leak came from I'd put it on the Denver FO.

2. Ricky states it was a herbal supplement. These have been known to trigger false positives in Olympic competition. Since Ricky has admitted marijuana use previously and his story has a degree of plausability I consider it most probable that he's telling the truth this time.

3. Saban's contention that Ricky is one of the top 5 players he has coached is not inconsistent with him being willing to trade Ricky. We have another No. 1 RB and Ricky's drug history make him unreliable because even if he is truly clean because he can get a year long ban with false positives or missing scheduled testing. Ricky can be viewed an unreliable luxury on the team's roster, in which case it may make sense to get a less talented, but more reliable player at a position where the team isn't as deep.

1. the question was how Denver found out in the first place.
2. i know that. which supplement exactly and why couldn't he just be tested again if false positives are so common as they appear to be. otherwise you'll have players flying to new york back & forth non-stop.
3. trading ricky makes absolutely no economic or depth-chart sense whatsoever, unless a team wants to buy out the 8 million and send a 1st rounder. a luxury is an asset. being unreliable is a liability. you contradict yourself. of course ricky IS contradictory. however, imo, saban shopping ricky under the radar is NOT consistent with his ESPN statements.

 

[Pauly]

1. As I understand the situation teams looking at acquiring a player are allowed to know his status with respect to their drug history. It certainly would make a mockery of trading if teams were able to trade players on the cusp of a 1 year suspension to another unsuspecting team.

2. It's not common in the NFL because of their relatively relaxed attitudes to testing for drugs. It is far more common in Olympic sports which have much tougher testing regimes. In any event most of the time a sportsman or sportswoman won't already have 3 strikes against them for previous bans, so they get a short suspension or warning and don't take the herbal supplement again and no one hears of it. Ricky has a problem now because of his previous history. If Ricky was a cleanskin he'd probably take the warning and he'd change supplements and no-one would hear anything.

3. I was putting out an alternative theory. If Ricky is viewed as an unreliable luxury it makes sense to trade him. I wasn't saying I agreed with the theory, but it is a theory I've heard many times on these boards.