While Ricky's drug test failure has not been fully verified by the NFL, the alarming number of increased reports seem to lend creedence to the story. Also likely, the PFT report that Ricky has missed a test. While I am still in a "wait for verification" mode, to deny that this report seems to be gaining validation would be foolish.
As some of you will remember, I was against bringing Ricky back last season. I thought nothing good would come if it, and I thought Ricky was washed up. I was wrong. I actually felt good for Ricky as he seemed to put forth strong effort and was definitely beginning to return to form. I found myself "on his side". Then we get slammed with this report. I must say, the allegation has precedent and momentum that seem rather damning, and it is starting to become clear that something negative has transpired here.
I think all Dolphin's fans are starting to feel some serious dissappointment and concern. Some of us are showing skeptical disbelief. I think all those things are normal, but what really gets me is listening to people make excuses for this. Rants like "it's the offseason, he shouldn't be tested", "marijuana isn't any big deal", "the marijuana laws are stupid", "he's a great player, they have no business bothering him about off the field behaviour", and my favorite "players do worse things all the time and don't get punished" are popping up all over this board. These are as dissappointing to me as the allegations against Ricky are.
FWIW:
1. Marijuana is illegal in the US. Period. Anyone using it is breaking US law, not just some NFL rule. It doesn't matter if you like this law or not, it is still a law and is enforced as such.
2. Being a player in the NFL is a JOB. Employers are fully within their rights to terminate employment based on drug abuse. Many jobs REQUIRE drug testing. This is legal. That the NFL allows 4 violations before handing out a year's suspension is an indication of how player friendly their rules are. Most employees in other jobs don't have anything nearly as liberal as the NFL's drug policy.
3. Playing in the NFL involves huge salaries. As is the case with any employer, as salaries increase, so do demands on the employee's individual freedoms. Large money makers are often expected to conduct lifestyles ameniable to shareholder confidence and corporate stability. While not all standards are the same, the understanding is that the employee, when taking the position, was willing to make certain personal sacrifices to keep it. This can be something as simple as dress code.
4. Ricky was fully aware of the league's substance abuse policy when HE CHOSE to seek employment in the NFL. If the NFL's demands ever became to much for him to deal with, he was able at any time to leave. Which he did. Upon his return, HE also AGREED to certain stipulations. If HE has violated any of those agreed upon terms, HE fully DESERVES to pay the consequences...ie. a year's suspension.
In short, if Ricky has failed again, it's HIS fault. There was no injustice here. There are no rediculous demands. All there is, is an open demonstration of whether or not Ricky wanted to remain employed by the NFL or not. It's all very simple really...and way beyond time for people to start making excuses for him.
As some of you will remember, I was against bringing Ricky back last season. I thought nothing good would come if it, and I thought Ricky was washed up. I was wrong. I actually felt good for Ricky as he seemed to put forth strong effort and was definitely beginning to return to form. I found myself "on his side". Then we get slammed with this report. I must say, the allegation has precedent and momentum that seem rather damning, and it is starting to become clear that something negative has transpired here.
I think all Dolphin's fans are starting to feel some serious dissappointment and concern. Some of us are showing skeptical disbelief. I think all those things are normal, but what really gets me is listening to people make excuses for this. Rants like "it's the offseason, he shouldn't be tested", "marijuana isn't any big deal", "the marijuana laws are stupid", "he's a great player, they have no business bothering him about off the field behaviour", and my favorite "players do worse things all the time and don't get punished" are popping up all over this board. These are as dissappointing to me as the allegations against Ricky are.
FWIW:
1. Marijuana is illegal in the US. Period. Anyone using it is breaking US law, not just some NFL rule. It doesn't matter if you like this law or not, it is still a law and is enforced as such.
2. Being a player in the NFL is a JOB. Employers are fully within their rights to terminate employment based on drug abuse. Many jobs REQUIRE drug testing. This is legal. That the NFL allows 4 violations before handing out a year's suspension is an indication of how player friendly their rules are. Most employees in other jobs don't have anything nearly as liberal as the NFL's drug policy.
3. Playing in the NFL involves huge salaries. As is the case with any employer, as salaries increase, so do demands on the employee's individual freedoms. Large money makers are often expected to conduct lifestyles ameniable to shareholder confidence and corporate stability. While not all standards are the same, the understanding is that the employee, when taking the position, was willing to make certain personal sacrifices to keep it. This can be something as simple as dress code.
4. Ricky was fully aware of the league's substance abuse policy when HE CHOSE to seek employment in the NFL. If the NFL's demands ever became to much for him to deal with, he was able at any time to leave. Which he did. Upon his return, HE also AGREED to certain stipulations. If HE has violated any of those agreed upon terms, HE fully DESERVES to pay the consequences...ie. a year's suspension.
In short, if Ricky has failed again, it's HIS fault. There was no injustice here. There are no rediculous demands. All there is, is an open demonstration of whether or not Ricky wanted to remain employed by the NFL or not. It's all very simple really...and way beyond time for people to start making excuses for him.
