Whizzinator joins the Bombers!

[Bobblehead]

Running back Onterrio Smith, suspended last year for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, signed a contract with the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday.

If I was Charles Roberts I wouldn't be buying any green bananas.

[Cheese]

Welcome to the CRL....the Canadian Reefer League!

well I guess that opens the door further for a Dolphin in Argoland...although Smith woulda been better.

[Antithesis]

Does anyone else think this sends a bad message to fans about the CFL? That two drugged-out castoffs are somehow desirable (and will probably start)? Isn't it also kind of disrespectful toward the NFL at least with their suspension of Williams?

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Does anyone else think this sends a bad message to fans about the CFL? That two drugged-out castoffs are somehow desirable (and will probably start)? Isn't it also kind of disrespectful toward the NFL at least with their suspension of Williams?

With regards to Ricky, I agree entirely. They should respect the NFL ban.

As for Onterrio Smith, he has served his time, but the CFL needs to adopt a drug policy of their own or it will become the Cannabis Football League.

[rubecube]

I really don't have a problem with football players smoking the reefer. Roids are a different story.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I really don't have a problem with football players smoking the reefer. Roids are a different story.

ood point. I had been lumping everything as 'drugs', but I guess it should specify 'performance enhancing' drugs.

Can weed be a masking agent?

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

ood point. I had been lumping everything as 'drugs', but I guess it should specify 'performance enhancing' drugs.

Can weed be a masking agent?

Not as far as I know. The IOC doesn't think so at least. If anything pot is performance inhibiting whether it masks or not.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I really don't have a problem with football players smoking the reefer.

I do. If you can't keep drugs out of your system for the millions upon millions of dollars they are paying you, you've got some problems with substance abuse.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

I do. If you can't keep drugs out of your system for the millions upon millions of dollars they are paying you, you've got some problems with substance abuse.

Unless it's affecting your playing it's really nobody's business but your own.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Unless it's affecting your playing it's really nobody's business but your own.

So pot has absolutely no effect on your performance at sporting events?

You signed a legally binding contract, smoking reefer is violating that agreement. You also entered into agreement with a certain franchise too.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

So pot has absolutely no effect on your performance at sporting events?

Didn't seem to affect Ricky when he ran for over 2000 yards 3 years ago.

You signed a legally binding contract, smoking reefer is violating that agreement. You also entered into agreement with a certain franchise too.

It's only violating it if there's a clause that says "I will not smoke pot."

[calf]

Originally Posted by rubecube

It's only violating it if there's a clause that says "I will not smoke pot."

it's violating it when you're unionized and part of your CBA is following the substance abuse policy

That being said, regarding Onterrio Smith - the guy showed up to TC with about 20lbs of "extra baggage"...he's gonna have to work incredibly hard to get playing time out of the gate.

[moon]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Unless it's affecting your playing it's really nobody's business but your own.

Well considering its illegal it is more than just your own business.

And it has affected Williams play as it caused him to quit playing for a season and has affected his off field training and ability when he came back.

[StoneCole]

I'm gonna' have to side with rubecube:

"what's the big ****in' deal bitches?"

1. It's not a performance enhancer.
2. It's not a masking agent.
3. It really doesn't affect play at all...no more than alcohol, and I think it's less problematic than athletes gambling (ie. costs less in the long run).

It may be illegal, but so is jaywalking. Anyone who's never jaywalked hands up. My point is, if it doesn't affect their game, it's their business.

[Antithesis]

I don't think the issue is a moral one in terms of "people should not smoke marijuana, it is wrong" or even, "it is illegal, therefore wrong and damnable". I think the issue is more that it is, in addition to illegal, banned in both players' CBAs, and this is something that they were certainly aware of.

Continuing to use seems to indicate (to me, at least) an unwillingness to follow rules. Where does it extend to? Practice times? Expectations? It also demonstrates a lack of control which would strike me as a problematic trait in a professional athlete.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I don't think the issue is a moral one in terms of "people should not smoke marijuana, it is wrong" or even, "it is illegal, therefore wrong and damnable". I think the issue is more that it is, in addition to illegal, banned in both players' CBAs, and this is something that they were certainly aware of.

Continuing to use seems to indicate (to me, at least) an unwillingness to follow rules. Where does it extend to? Practice times? Expectations? It also demonstrates a lack of control which would strike me as a problematic trait in a professional athlete.

Well I guess maybe the issue should be whether it belongs in the CBA or not. IMO, it shouldn't.

[snappyk]

Smith showed up to camp 30 pounds overwieght and says that he his hurt so he isn't even doing anything right now.

[snappyk]

ESPN has picked up the story about how he is in danger of getting cut by the Bombers now

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2461538