Why Santana Moss gets a free pass...

[sandtrapjack]

Looking back at all sports, not just football, you'll see that on most occasions, these "illegal performance enhancing" substances were used to expedite healing from an injury. But none-the-less, it is still an illegal drug obtained illegally. No matter what the intended use.

But I cannot endorse any suspension by the league without evidence.

Has Moss failed any league mandated drug tests? Do they have any evidence they he actually received these treatments?

Players who ARE suspended for performance enhancing drugs, like Brian Cushing and Shawne Merriman, were all implicated by POSITIVE drug testing and by league testing rules and procedures already in place.

As far as I know, all they have on Moss is an afadavit. In other words, this guy said he did, but other than that, there is no physical eveidence this ever took place.

So until the league endorses using "word of mouth" as fool proof eveidence of illegal activity, LEAVE MOSS ALONE AND LET THE MAN PLAY FOOTBALL!

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

Looking back at all sports, not just football, you'll see that on most occasions, these "illegal performance enhancing" substances were used to expedite healing from an injury. But none-the-less, it is still an illegal drug obtained illegally. No matter what the intended use.

But I cannot endorse any suspension by the league without evidence.

Has Moss failed any league mandated drug tests? Do they have any evidence they he actually received these treatments?

Players who ARE suspended for performance enhancing drugs, like Brian Cushing and Shawne Merriman, were all implicated by POSITIVE drug testing and by league testing rules and procedures already in place.

As far as I know, all they have on Moss is an afadavit. In other words, this guy said he did, but other than that, there is no physical eveidence this ever took place.

So until the league endorses using "word of mouth" as fool proof eveidence of illegal activity, LEAVE MOSS ALONE AND LET THE MAN PLAY FOOTBALL!

I understand your point and it is a legitimate point. But as Ben Roethlisburger is finding out the hard way (LOL!) you do not have to be convicted or have proof positive. It is the illegal or behavior that can get you in trouble. Plus, correct me if I am wrong, but there currently is no test for certain substances that are on the banned list. So....

[Daseal]

Sandtrap, I agree. I hate that the NFL can suspend people for 'giving the shield a bad name.' While I don't necessarily need a conviction in a court of law, I do need to see significant evidence before suspending anyone. That goes for everyone, past and present, that has been suspended.

That being said, as far as not knowing about HGH or it 'just helping him heal'. HGH is on the banned substances list for a reason. To say he didn't know is a tough pill to swallow. Everyone knows what this Dr. does. If he was really getting blood spinning done, tons of places that are well known and reputable can do blood spinning. This Dr. is a known provider of HGH and I think Moss took it.

We'll wait to see what comes out before I make a determination one way or another, but I think letting him completely off the hook isn't the right way to go. Would you have that same stance if this was Roy Williams from the Cowboys? Steve Smith from the Giants? DeShawn Jackson of the Eagles? I doubt it, you'd want a 4 game suspension, as long as sufficient evidence can be presented.

[sandtrapjack]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

I understand your point and it is a legitimate point. But as Ben Roethlisburger is finding out the hard way (LOL!) you do not have to be convicted or have proof positive. It is the illegal or behavior that can get you in trouble. Plus, correct me if I am wrong, but there currently is no test for certain substances that are on the banned list. So....

2 totally different situations and circumstances.

Goodell cannot suspend anyone for violating the leagues substance abuse policy without physical evidence.

However, if he feels that this incident gives the NFL a "black-eye", then Goodell would have to find a way to classify this incident as a violation of the leagues "personal conduct policy".

That is what Big Ben was suspended for. And lest we forget, Ben did it twice in consecutive years BEFORE he was suspended.

Big difference between substance abuse and personal conduct policy.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

2 totally different situations and circumstances.

Goodell cannot suspend anyone for violating the leagues substance abuse policy without physical evidence.

However, if he feels that this incident gives the NFL a "black-eye", then Goodell would have to find a way to classify this incident as a violation of the leagues "personal conduct policy".

That is what Big Ben was suspended for. And lest we forget, Ben did it twice in consecutive years BEFORE he was suspended.

Big difference between substance abuse and personal conduct policy.

What it's going to boil down to is proof. Just because a doctor says he was going to visit Moss doesn't mean Moss knew about it or was a part of it. Now if the Feds hold a hearing and put him under oath then I would presume the truth would come out.

Otherwise all you have is opposing teams hiring doctors to get caught and say they were in route to visit said opponents key players. Then watch all the players get suspended for no reason.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

Looking back at all sports, not just football, you'll see that on most occasions, these "illegal performance enhancing" substances were used to expedite healing from an injury. But none-the-less, it is still an illegal drug obtained illegally. No matter what the intended use.

But I cannot endorse any suspension by the league without evidence.

Has Moss failed any league mandated drug tests? Do they have any evidence they he actually received these treatments?

Players who ARE suspended for performance enhancing drugs, like Brian Cushing and Shawne Merriman, were all implicated by POSITIVE drug testing and by league testing rules and procedures already in place.

As far as I know, all they have on Moss is an afadavit. In other words, this guy said he did, but other than that, there is no physical eveidence this ever took place.

So until the league endorses using "word of mouth" as fool proof eveidence of illegal activity, LEAVE MOSS ALONE AND LET THE MAN PLAY FOOTBALL!

Until all the evidence is made clear, Moss will remain guilty by speculation since it appears to carry far more weight than guilt by association.