Posted on 03/05/2007 6:49:16 AM PST by End Times Sentinel
According to league sources, Stallworth is a participant in the NFL's substance-abuse program, which could subject him to a league suspension if he were to violate the terms of the program again.
The circumstances and time frame that led to Stallworth's admittance to the program have not been disclosed, and the receiver's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return phone calls last night.
NFL players can enter the substance-abuse program in a variety of ways, including voluntarily. Players also can be entered in the program for failing drug tests or for drug- and alcohol-related law violations away from the field, according to the collective-bargaining agreement.
An Eagles spokesman said last night that the team had no comment, citing the confidentiality rules that are in place regarding the league's substance-abuse program. According to the NFL Players Association's Web site, a breach of confidentiality can be subject to fines ranging from $10,000 to $500,000.
The Web site, quoting the collective-bargaining agreement, said that teams interested in signing a player via free agency are entitled to know whether a player is subject to a suspension the next time he fails to comply with any terms of the NFL's intervention program.
Stallworth, of course, is trying to land the best deal he can as an unrestricted free agent after spending last season as the Eagles' top speed receiver following a trade from the New Orleans Saints. He has said numerous times that he'd love to rejoin the Eagles, but there were no negotiations between the team and Rosenhaus before the free-agent period started Friday.
As of last night, there were no reports of Stallworth's visiting another NFL team, a ritual for free agents when the market opens. That doesn't mean interest in Stallworth's services is nonexistent, but it could mean that Rosenhaus' initial asking price might be considered too expensive, especially if the receiver is in a position in which he could be suspended if he violates the league's intervention program.
Stallworth was a well-liked player in the Eagles' locker room who made some major contributions, particularly in the two postseason games when he caught six passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. During the regular season, he caught 38 passes for 725 yards and five touchdowns. He also missed four games with a hamstring injury, but those were the first games he missed because of injury in the last three seasons.
The Eagles have said that they would like to have Stallworth back, but they do not want to overpay for his services. The belief within the organization has been that Stallworth would probably get a lucrative contract from another NFL team.
"Obviously, we never want to overpay for players, but I think there's a common ground you can come to and you can say you're willing to go this high," Eagles general manager Tom Heckert said before the start of free agency. "But after that, you have to have your options open and move on if you think it's just too out of the price range."
Because Stallworth hit the free-agent market, the Eagles only have to surrender a fourth-round pick to the Saints as part of the trade the teams made shortly before the start of the 2006 season. Had Stallworth signed with the Eagles before the start of free agency, the team would have had to relinquish a third-round pick. The trade also sent linebacker Mark Simoneau to the Saints.
Stallworth, 26, is one of seven Eagles still on the free-agent market. The others are Rod Hood, Correll Buckhalter, Will James, Shawn Barber, Reno Mahe and Koy Detmer. According to league sources, Hood has a visit scheduled this week with the Cleveland Browns, and Buckhalter is scheduled to visit the Denver Broncos.
The Eagles have not announced any scheduled visits by free agents to the NovaCare Complex.
Ping.
Owl_Eagle
If what I just wrote made you sad or angry,
it was probably just a joke.
This is going to cost him some money on the open market.
In some ways, wouldn't that help his free agency? Figure that he comes with an insurance policy that other players would not. The team that signs him gets off the financial hook if he is suspended for cause, no? Yeah, there is the time invested and the opportunity costs but Donte knows the count is 0-2 (whoops, wrong sport) and will likely keep his nose clean (npi) whereas any other player is free to screw up with far fewer consequences. You know, kind of like lenders willing to extend credit to someone who went bankrupt because they know the person cannot refile bankruptcy for many years.
Boy that was a wasted fourth round pick if he doesn't resign.
Another model citizen from Knoxville.
You make an interesting point.
Of course the obvious drawback is that if he does screw up, you're suddenly left without a #1 receiver in the middle of the season.
The reports from the locker room this season have all been that he was a model citizen, so it sounds like he is keeping his nose clean. I don't recall anything specific, but I seem to remember there were some questions about his behavior when he came out a couple of years ago. He may have righed the ship so to speak.
Owl_Eagle
If what I just wrote made you sad or angry,
it was probably just a joke.
If only they would have locked him up and had to have given up a first day pick...
But there's the roster spot. Teams aren't going to be willing to spend a lot of money on a guy that's setup for a possible major suspension, especially a guy who is probably going to be a #1 receiver that's a lot of rework to the offense you might have to do. Overall though it should work out better for him as a voluntary sign up than if he'd gotten in trouble then joined the program.
Stallworth missed out on meth appreciation and jorts fashion by not attending school in Gainesville.
Would Fat Phil ever kick off the team his best defensive player, like Urban Meyer did with Marcus Thomas, after Thomas was caught using Marijuana?
Pats have offered him what appears to be 6 years for $32 million.
He would be a moron not to sign that deal. Pats are reloading HUGE to go for another SB run. With this guy, Welker, Thomas and the bit players they signed in Morris and Brady, they can draft defensive players with the first three picks they have and restock for depth.
By the time this guy winds up back in rehab/suspension the Pats should have Chad Jackson back for the end of the season.
SHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIITTTTT!!!!!
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