FReepmail me to get on or off
Posted on 06/07/2005 5:46:08 PM PDT by Asphalt
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (June 7, 2005) -- Troubled Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith has been suspended by the NFL for the entire 2005 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
The announcement had been expected for several weeks, ever since Vikings head coach Mike Tice suspended Smith indefinitely following an embarrassing run-in at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Smith was stopped April 21 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after his bag set off a screening device. A search found several vials of dried urine and a device which is marketed as a way to beat drug tests.
Smith told police the gear was for his cousin. He wasn't charged by police, and the NFL has said possession of the device alone isn't enough to violate league drug policies.
The NFL did not give a specific reason for Smith's suspension.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Onterrio that he can shake some of these problems and be with us next year," offensive coordinator Steve Loney said. Smith's attorney, David Cornwell, did not immediately return a telephone call from The Associated Press.
Smith had been expected to battle for the starting running back job with Michael Bennett and Mewelde Moore after leading the team in rushing in 2004.
Smith missed four games last season for violating the league's drug policy, and had two strikes against him before the latest violation. The third strike in the program comes with an automatic one-year suspension.
"We first off hate for him as an individual to be going through this, but certainly we know the league and the organization will do all we can to help him overcome his problems," Loney said.
The Vikings raised eyebrows in March when they spent a fourth-round draft pick on Florida running back Ciatrick Fason, which brought another gifted runner into the Vikings' already crowded backfield that also includes veteran Moe Williams.
The move seems to have paid off, with Fason now in the running for serious playing time should Bennett and Moore get injured or fail to produce.
Although Smith's suspension means more practice repetitions for Fason, the rookie was not in a mood to celebrate.
"I feel real bad because Onterrio was a big part of this offense," Fason said. "I feel bad because it kind of hurt the team somewhat. But you have to move on and know that he'll be back here next year ready to go. He's going to prove a lot of people wrong and show what he can do."
That ol' fake pee pee is a dead giveaway.
Why do you think they call it "dope"?
I don't get the reference.
ROFLMFAO!!!!!!!!
OMG! LOL!!!! Funniest thing I've read all day!
/bookmarked
Sometimes you just learn the most amazing things on FreeRepublic.
Oh. I see.
Heh. Sort of funny.
hehe, that's hilarious
-Eric
yep
Results come back and the sample that he snuck in tests positive while his (the warmer one) tests negative.
I called him into my office, gave him the results and asked him how stupid he felt and what he was going to do to his buddy after he gave him a "positive" sample. No response.
bump
Now, blows it big time in the Big Show.
I just do not get it. How can a drug buzz (of which I am acquainted) compare with playing in the Nf'nFL???
Not surprising. The reason Smith sank as far as he did in the draft a few years back was that he entered the league with one strike already on him. His first violation was therefore a suspendable offense.
There was speculation the Vikings would take a back a lot higher in the draft than Cedrick Fason. But although Smith was our best all-around back we still have Michael Bennett (if healthy) and Mewelde Moore. We won't be hurting at running back and I don't think the Whizzinator will be missed much.
Does this mean Peter King will change his NFC champion pick?
doubt it, it was inevitable
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
