SkinsTillIDie Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2064069 Smith faces ban for reportedly skipping drug test By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Minnesota Vikings tailback Onterrio Smith has been apprised by the NFL that he faces a suspension for the entire 2005 season for a repeat violation of the league's substance abuse program, two sources with knowledge of his situation told ESPN.com. The suspension, which would be the second sanction against the third-year veteran, is subject to appeal. Smith missed four games in 2004 after the former University of Oregon star tested positive for marijuana. A player has five days to appeal a suspension. Citing the league's confidentiality guidelines on such matters, an NFL spokesman on Thursday declined comment. It is not yet known what triggered Smith's latest violation but sources were adamant that it had nothing to do with an April 21 incident in which the Vikings back was stopped at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in possession of a device, "The Original Whizzinator," which is marketed as a way to beat drug tests. Two team sources said Smith told them he had missed a league-administered drug test, which, according to the NFL guidelines, is tantamount to a positive screening. Smith, 24, was present for the start of the Vikings' offseason program on Monday, was absent on Tuesday, then returned Wednesday. On Thursday, though, coach Mike Tice said that Smith would miss the rest of the team's offseason activities. "He has been excused from the rest of the offseason program, and he will be gone indefinitely," Tice said. "I really can't speak about any reasons why, or when he will be back. It is in the league's hands. We'll leave it at that." The decision to have Smith not attend the workouts, however, would have to be made, at this time, by Vikings officials. Since the suspension has not yet been enforced because of Smith's appeal rights, he is not precluded from attending club-related activities. A fourth-round choice in 2003, Smith had a history of off-field problems in college, and they contributed to his depressed draft stock. When the Vikings ended his plummet in the fourth round, Smith referred to himself as the "SOD," explaining later that he considered himself the "steal of the draft." In two seasons, Smith has appeared in 26 games and started nine of them. He has logged 231 carries for 1,123 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith also has 51 receptions for 523 yards and two touchdowns, and has returned 36 kickoffs for 743 yards. The potential loss of Smith for the entire season is a blow to a Minnesota offense that Tice has insisted will refocus on the power running game the Vikings seemed to abandon at times in 2004. That said, the Vikings can still claim a deep tailback depth chart, with veterans Michael Bennett, Moe Williams and Mewelde Moore on hand, along with rookie Ciatrick Fason, of Florida, a fourth-round pick in last month's draft. --------------------------------- Original story: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2063904 Tice: 'It's in the league's hands' Associated Press EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith, caught recently with a device called "The Original Whizzinator" that is designed to beat drug tests, will miss the rest of the team's offseason program for undisclosed reasons. "He's been excused from the rest of the offseason program and he'll be gone indefinitely," coach Mike Tice said Thursday. "I really can't speak about any reasons why or when he'll be back. It's in the league's hands. We'll leave it at that." Neither Smith's agent, Doug Hendrickson, nor NFL spokesman Greg Aiello immediately returned phone calls seeking comment. Smith missed the team's camp on Tuesday for unspecified personal reasons. He returned on Wednesday and worked out, but didn't speak to reporters. 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 "The Original Whizzinator," 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. Smith has two strikes against him under the league's substance abuse policy, and is subject to a yearlong suspension with another violation. Smith, a fourth-round pick in 2003, led the team in rushing last season with 544 yards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntotoro Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Originally posted by SkinsTillIDie Smith told police the gear was for his cousin. I still laugh when I see that. Doesn't everyone pick up stuff like that for family members all the time? Imagine the phone call he got from his cousin after finding that out... :laugh: Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 To quote Bang "The peepee don't lie..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKINtil8tin Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 For anyone thinking it would be a good idea to inquire about onterrrio's availability...:hammer: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJeremy Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Looks like he is whizzinating away his career in the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 not too smart. - he'll now always have this rep. It's too bad when you have somebody like a Terrell Davis or even a Justin Skaggs that would do anything to be on a roster, and this guy would rather party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westbrook36 Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 League minimum plus incentives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sisko Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Originally posted by Westbrook36 League minimum plus incentives. That sounds like a great idea! Who do you think the Fecals should cut to make room for him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Deadman Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 Originally posted by Yusuf06 That sounds like a great idea! Who do you think the Fecals should cut to make room for him? Well, TO maybe..... seems like many Eagles sports writers and fans want him out (WB36 one of the exceptions) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted May 19, 2005 Share Posted May 19, 2005 his year ain't going to be whizzing by rapidly just call him the pre-fab whiz kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 An entire promising career, pi$sed away.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty Gut Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 I love smoking too, but damn, it's not worth losing your career over. :doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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