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NFL 2014 Offseason Thread

  • BR1986FB
    lhslep134;1622853 wrote:Jmog, sounds like you don't really have a sense of why the the athletes and teams want to change the marijuana policy if you're comparing it to corporate America.
    Agree completely. Apples & oranges. None of these guys that are failing the weed tests in the NFL would never sniff corporate America, as far as a career choice goes.
  • lhslep134
    BR1986FB;1622878 wrote:None of these guys that are failing the weed tests in the NFL would never sniff corporate America, as far as a career choice goes.
    That's not why the comparison is terrible. What I quoted from you speaks only to the participants in the policy not the policy itself.

    The comparison is terrible because those in the NFL (teams/doctors and their players) want the marijuana policy changed for medicinal and pain-relieving purposes. No one in corporate America smokes pot because their body is getting pounded each day at work and especially so once a week (unless the porn industry is corporate America). But NFL players do. And teams want to allow their players to smoke or eat edibles rather than giving them questionable and dangerous painkillers like Taradol.

    So please jmog, continue and laugh, but know that you're only laughing at your inability to distinguish the situations.
  • jmog
    It's not just corporate America though. Working in a machine shop for most companies requires a pre-employment drug test and AT LEAST subsequent drug tests if there are ever any accidents/injuries at work IF NOT random.

    That is pretty much an OSHA standard now in most manufacturing/construction/etc industries.

    This isn't just office jobs I am talking about.

    Shoot, I had to take a pre-employment drug test for my first job ever in HS working at a Blockbuster Video, not really corporate America, just one step up from working fast food counters and asking "Do you want fries with that?".
  • jmog
    lhslep134;1622882 wrote:That's not why the comparison is terrible. What I quoted from you speaks only to the participants in the policy not the policy itself.

    The comparison is terrible because those in the NFL (teams/doctors and their players) want the marijuana policy changed for medicinal and pain-relieving purposes. No one in corporate America smokes pot because their body is getting pounded each day at work and especially so once a week (unless the porn industry is corporate America). But NFL players do. And teams want to allow their players to smoke or eat edibles rather than giving them questionable and dangerous painkillers like Taradol.

    So please jmog, continue and laugh, but know that you're only laughing at your inability to distinguish the situations.
    Now THAT would be a semi-valid reason, but the last time I checked, those getting busted aren't coming out and saying "but I had a prescription for medical marijuana". They were mostly recreational use.

    You are taking recreational and stretching it to saying that they all want it as a pain killer.

    Oh, and while I would NOT say that it is as hard as playing in the NFL, there are many backbreaking blue collar jobs in manufacturing that can leave workers hurting, and they can't use medical marijuana due to OHSA/safety/drug free workplace regulations.
  • lhslep134
    jmog;1622920 wrote: there are many backbreaking blue collar jobs in manufacturing that can leave workers hurting, and they can't use medical marijuana due to OHSA/safety/drug free workplace regulations.
    And you might be the only person that considers those jobs "corporate america." My point stands.
  • BR1986FB
    lhslep134;1622882 wrote:That's not why the comparison is terrible. What I quoted from you speaks only to the participants in the policy not the policy itself.

    The comparison is terrible because those in the NFL (teams/doctors and their players) want the marijuana policy changed for medicinal and pain-relieving purposes. No one in corporate America smokes pot because their body is getting pounded each day at work and especially so once a week (unless the porn industry is corporate America). But NFL players do. And teams want to allow their players to smoke or eat edibles rather than giving them questionable and dangerous painkillers like Taradol.

    So please jmog, continue and laugh, but know that you're only laughing at your inability to distinguish the situations.
    My bad. I haven't been following the situation closely enough to know that they've been trying to get it in for medicinal purposes. For the most part, just seems like a lot of recreational users to me.
  • lhslep134
    BR1986FB;1622925 wrote:My bad. I haven't been following the situation closely enough to know that they've been trying to get it in for medicinal purposes. For the most part, just seems like a lot of recreational users to me.
    Recreational by form, medicinal by substance. You're not going to have players get medicinal cards, or have teams do that for them, but you're having teams and players push for the NFL to "allow" them to use it as a pain-killer by decriminalizing it.

    Also, the pain-killing properties are obviously secondary to the purpose that these guys like getting high. But I imagine one of the reasons they enjoy it so much are because of how relaxed it makes them, and much better it makes their bodies feel.
  • jmog
    lhslep134;1622928 wrote:Recreational by form, medicinal by substance. You're not going to have players get medicinal cards, or have teams do that for them, but you're having teams and players push for the NFL to "allow" them to use it as a pain-killer by decriminalizing it.

    Also, the pain-killing properties are obviously secondary to the purpose that these guys like getting high. But I imagine one of the reasons they enjoy it so much are because of how relaxed it makes them, and much better it makes their bodies feel.
    Have any articles on this aspect of it? Players pushing teams to push the league for it due to wanting it as a pain killer?

    I'd like to read a couple.
  • Heretic
    lhslep134;1622928 wrote:Recreational by form, medicinal by substance. You're not going to have players get medicinal cards, or have teams do that for them, but you're having teams and players push for the NFL to "allow" them to use it as a pain-killer by decriminalizing it.

    Also, the pain-killing properties are obviously secondary to the purpose that these guys like getting high. But I imagine one of the reasons they enjoy it so much are because of how relaxed it makes them, and much better it makes their bodies feel.
    I remember how on Deadspin recently, I read an article that's apparently an excerpt by a book by former player Nate Jackson (I think) detailing his injury history. By reading it critically, I got the idea that his smoking almost was as much for mental health as anything else. As in how he was a guy fighting for a roster spot, but he was watching his body betray him so instead of being on the field working to be on the field, he was stuck at home and going to rehab, so he was looking for any way possible to get his mind off his precarious situation (something that really was noticeable in that excerpt when he talked about finding evidence of mice or something and then making their extermination his obsession) and doing that was relaxing.
  • lhslep134
    jmog;1622940 wrote:Have any articles on this aspect of it? Players pushing teams to push the league for it due to wanting it as a pain killer?

    I'd like to read a couple.
    http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24579115/time-for-roger-goodell-and-nfl-to-get-real-about-players-marijuana-use

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20140123/nfl-marijuana-legalization/

    http://mmqb.si.com/2014/01/17/marijuana-in-the-nfl-colorado-legalization/

    IMO the NFL is obviously distinguishable from other pro sports physically and therefore marijuana, as an alternative pain killer, should be allowed even if there's a percentage of players who don't actually use it for that purpose.
  • jmog
    lhslep134;1622983 wrote:http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24579115/time-for-roger-goodell-and-nfl-to-get-real-about-players-marijuana-use

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20140123/nfl-marijuana-legalization/

    http://mmqb.si.com/2014/01/17/marijuana-in-the-nfl-colorado-legalization/

    IMO the NFL is obviously distinguishable from other pro sports physically and therefore marijuana, as an alternative pain killer, should be allowed even if there's a percentage of players who don't actually use it for that purpose.
    First, let me state that I am actually FOR upping the threshold by far and lowering the penalties. If/when it becomes legal across the US then eliminate the policy completely.

    With that said...

    The CBS article is nearly 100% the writers opinion, he quoted one agent and one "NFL personnel executive" under anonymity. Not quite a list of "doctors, players, coaches, owners, et al pushing to get it legalized as a pain killer in the NFL".

    The MMQB article had more substance with informal surveys of players, coaches, execs, etc OPINIONS of how many players smoke. A much better article to support your claim than the CBS one.

    The SI link didn't work for me for some reason.

    My 'concern' if I was a coach, exec, or the NFL, is players PLAYING (games or practice) high. The same concern as coming to work high at a manufacturing facility. People can/will get hurt. If your left tackle comes to a game high and the DE tears apart Peyton Manning's knee due to a missed block, then it becomes a HUGE freaking deal.

    The absolute first thing a company does when someone gets hurt at work in a manufacturing environment is test for any drugs/alcohol, including marijuana. We can talk about all the medical advantages of marijuana but you can't deny the fact that when high, reflexes are VASTLY impaired (would be just like coming to a game drunk, but harder to tell from the outside).

    As soon as you open the gates to allow it completely (like I said, I am all for much higher thresholds and much lower penalties), it opens the doors for abuse and potentially lawsuits of injured players due to teammates being high.
  • DeyDurkie5
    You are reading way too much into this jmog. Weed isn't coke. Weed is a natural plant that your "god" put on this earth (supposedly). It helps with stress, eases mental anxiety and helps with headaches/pain. Comparing smoking pot in the offseason to corporate America testing for drugs is so far off its just shows your ignorance on the matter.
  • Mulva
    I think easing stress and mental anxiety is pretty easily applicable to corporate America.


    I also think the physical pain argument is less than believable. Not that medical scripts wouldnt help with pain, but that's not why any of these guys started to/continue to smoke. Its just a convenient explanation to keep doing it.
  • BR1986FB
    Mulva;1623203 wrote: Not that medical scripts wouldnt help with pain, but that's not why any of these guys started to/continue to smoke. Its just a convenient explanation to keep doing it.
    I agree with this.
  • lhslep134
    Mulva;1623203 wrote:I think easing stress and mental anxiety is pretty easily applicable to corporate America.


    I also think the physical pain argument is less than believable. Not that medical scripts wouldnt help with pain, but that's not why any of these guys started to/continue to smoke. Its just a convenient explanation to keep doing it.

    Agreed, but you also can't just dismiss NFL teams' desires for alternative pain killers.

    Also it's more than just stress and mental anxiety, it's physical pain too. That's not easily applicable to corporate America.
  • jmog
    DeyDurkie5;1623193 wrote:You are reading way too much into this jmog. Weed isn't coke. Weed is a natural plant that your "god" put on this earth (supposedly). It helps with stress, eases mental anxiety and helps with headaches/pain. Comparing smoking pot in the offseason to corporate America testing for drugs is so far off its just shows your ignorance on the matter.
    1. I am not reading into anything, I am stating an opinion. If you actually READ that opinion I said that I believed the thresholds should be higher and penalties lower. I just stated that I could not believe the outrage over even testing/having penalties for marijuana when you realize that it is honestly nearly hard to think of a 'normal' career that doesn't drug test.

    2. Cocaine comes from a plant that "my god" put on this Earth too, the coca plant. Sure, it is ran through a few chemical processes to intensify the 'high' of the coca plant, but so is marijuana from the plant to the joint. Things are added to it as well.

    Now, don't make the illogical jump to the idea that I am saying that marijuana is just as "bad' as cocaine. If you jump to that then your reading comprehension is terrible because I don't believe that. I am just stating that just because it is "natural" doesn't make it good for you. Most opiates like heroine, morphine, etc are "natural" as well.

    I really think you either didn't read my post or have a terrible reading comprehension. I stated my OPINION was that in the off season in the NFL I wouldn't care (although that would go against the stated reason for it being a pain killer wouldn't it? You'd need it in season for that). I stated that what I could see being a problem for the NFL and teams IF they made it legal in the league would be possible liability problems if someone is high at a practice or game and that directly causes someone else to get hurt (similar to in a manufacturing environment).

    I also stated that I thought it was funny that people are so outraged that this is against the rules of the NFL when it is still against the law in the USA in every state not named Washington and Colorado (the only two states that have allowed it across the board). There are still 29 states where it is 100% illegal even for medical use. It is still a federal crime regardless of what state you live in (even if it is legal in that state...obviously the Feds have backed off enforcing this).

    So, something that is still illegal without a prescription in 48 of the 50 states, yet there is outrage that a policy even exists. I find that actually funny.
  • jmog
    lhslep134;1623224 wrote:Agreed, but you also can't just dismiss NFL teams' desires for alternative pain killers.

    Also it's more than just stress and mental anxiety, it's physical pain too. That's not easily applicable to corporate America.
    There are many corporate America jobs (like in construction, manufacturing, etc) that are VERY physical (not as tough as playing in the NFL, admittedly). If workers in these jobs get hurt/injured on the job and need pain management of some sort they are NOT allowed to return to work (assuming their job is operating machinery or something where others can get hurt) if they are still on the prescription pain killers (this could include marijuana, vicodin, percocet, etc).

    I could see a similar policy in the NFL, if you want to use marijuana as a pain killer due to a game/practice, it has to be prescribed by the team doctor and you can't return to practice/games until you are off of it.

    Like I've said, if I am the QB, I want to know my blindside LT is not high during games.
  • Mulva
    lhslep134;1623224 wrote:Agreed, but you also can't just dismiss NFL teams' desires for alternative pain killers.

    Also it's more than just stress and mental anxiety, it's physical pain too. That's not easily applicable to corporate America.
    I'm all for legalization in general, not just medicinally, so I'm not dismissing the desire from teams at all. I just don't feel sorry for dumbasses who get caught because "they need it to manage pain".
  • lhslep134
    Mulva;1623261 wrote:I'm all for legalization in general, not just medicinally, so I'm not dismissing the desire from teams at all. I just don't feel sorry for dumbasses who get caught because "they need it to manage pain".
    They're only "dumbasses" because of the current policy. And yes, they are indeed dumb as hell for knowingly risking violation of the policy. But the policy still needs to change.
  • lhslep134
    jmog;1623241 wrote:There are many corporate America jobs (like in construction, manufacturing, etc) that are VERY physical (not as tough as playing in the NFL, admittedly). If workers in these jobs get hurt/injured on the job and need pain management of some sort they are NOT allowed to return to work (assuming their job is operating machinery or something where others can get hurt) if they are still on the prescription pain killers (this could include marijuana, vicodin, percocet, etc).
    I already addressed this. I don't, and I don't know many people who do, consider those jobs "corporate America." Those are blue collar jobs.
  • lhslep134
    Jmog, you're also acting like there aren't any in corporate America who want drug policies changed. In fact I know of a couple friends who worked for firms this past summer or 2 years ago and they didn't even drug test. I've worked quite a few jobs that probably were drugtested before but aren't anymore.
  • sleeper
    TIL that stuff is added to marijuana and that makes it bad like Cocaine.
  • DeyDurkie5
    sleeper;1623310 wrote:TIL that stuff is added to marijuana and that makes it bad like Cocaine.
    Jmog went full retard with that one
  • BR1986FB
    Atlanta Falcons will be doing Hard Knocks per Schefter.
  • Ironman92
    RIP Chuck Noll