Uh oh.
I don’t know anything about this website, whether they’re legit, or have a penchant for posting rumors before they’re confirmed – but according to NFLDraftBible.com, the two names most-associated with the Texans’ first-round pick in the upcoming draft, Clay Matthews and Brian Cushing, both tested positive for steroids at the NFL Scouting Combine.
So that probably complicates things. Of course, we’ll have the obligatory conspiracy theories that these are just leaks that hope to drop the players’ draft stock… but more times than not, these types of stories are eventually confirmed when the “positive test” results list from the NFL Combine is released. Most recently, of course, we all recall Amobi Okoye on the list for a positive marijuana test.
I’ve seen a lot of comments here and elsewhere that the steroid allegations around Cushing scare people away from him… so, does the same now apply to Matthews? If not, it should.
Problem is – we really need an OLB. I suppose we need to weigh exactly how much a positive steroid test for a college kid factors in to “character issues.”
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Apr 3, 2009 at 02:00:56
That site also said Percy Harvin and Vonte Davis failed drug tests as well. I find it hard to believe 5 first rounders failed drug tests at the combine. I also question the report because no other notable sports news sources have post this info.
Apr 3, 2009 at 06:26:12
Chris, I’ve been poking around this website, and it looks legit at first, but upon further inspection it seems a little ramshackle. I was surprised to never hear anything about it because I do a lot draft research. In the end, I’m thinking about the possible ramifications, but I’m hesitant to say it’s so until I see it from another organization or site.
Apr 3, 2009 at 09:26:37
Hey wait a minute guys! That site is called NFL draft BIBLE,not the nfl book of Morman or Koran…wait a minute, the bible said the sea opened up and Moses walked across on dry land….never mind, it could be a lot of rubbish about the steriods.
Apr 3, 2009 at 10:29:49
Just a thought, but what if we traded Chicago our 15th pick for an OLB like Lance Briggs. They just got Cutler, and now need and reliable WR to actually make the trade worth it. They’re also known for drafting good players and coaching them to fit into their defense, so Briggs could eventually be replaced. Best of all, we get a four time pro-bowler to play next to Ryans.
I know he plays the Will and Chicago would probably ask for a little more, but i’m just trying to imagine another scenario for us.
Apr 3, 2009 at 10:42:58
Also, I read that SI.com released a report that BJ Raji test positive for a drug test. It didn’t say what drug he failed, but I would guess that USC’s two linebackers would also be in that report if they failed drug tests. In my humble opinion, SI.com would be a more reliable site than the “draft bible”.
Apr 3, 2009 at 11:40:45
raji was also a pot smoker. big deal. lots of people smoke pot, and i would rather have a pot smoker than a steroid abuser.
i dont think briggs is worth the 15th, but maybe our second rounder, then CHI could trade our 2nd and a third for a WR that drops.
i hears clint sintim on 1560 yesterday… i now think the texans should trade back to 20-25 and take this guy.
FORGET ALL LB’S from USC…THERE IS A CURSE IM TELLIN YOU!!!!
Apr 3, 2009 at 11:48:46
Ari (Houston, TX): I know it’s early, but as the league stands right now who do you have winning divisions in the AFC and who gets Wild Card bids.
KC Joyner: It’s never too early to talk about next season! I’d say Pitt, NE, Houston and SD for divisions and Baltimore, Indy, the Jets and Denver for WC
Allen (htown) sounds about right for big ben. Romo is usually asked to do more. the AFC south blogger thought your prediction of houston winning the afc south was, “cute”
KC Joyner: Cute, eh? I see the Texans passing attack, the Colts having to adjust to a new HC and players at key positions and the Titans being one QB injury away from a crippled passing attack and like Houston’s chances.
will ah b damned
Apr 3, 2009 at 11:49:20
I’m pretty sure that Amobi did not test positive for marijuana at the combine, rather he admitted using it during interviews there. I can’t find a link, and if anyone can show me otherwise I’d appreciate it. These are two different issues – testing positive indicates immaturity, where I believe admitting usage represents just the opposite.
Apr 3, 2009 at 15:12:48
I know these are still rumors so take this with a grain of salt, but:
1. If you’re on steroids at the Combine you’re not as good as the numbers you posted. You can’t stay on steroids in the NFL, just ask Shawne Merriman.
2. What does it say about a man’s character when he’s willing to cheat to improve his draft position amongst his peers. He’s basically stealing money right out of their pockets. Despicable.
3. How stupid do you have to be to test positive for steroids at the Combine!?!? I mean it’s not like the Combine just snuck up on them. What a bonehead. You can’t coach stupid.
Who wants the next Brian Bosworth here in Houston?
Apr 3, 2009 at 16:03:40
A response posted a couple of hours ago at PFT. Matthews legal team has responded, saying (among other things): “…NFL League Office that they have not received notification from the Independent Administrator of any Draft-eligible players testing positive for steroids during the pre-employment drug testing conducted at this year’s Combine, and likewise, that they have not informed the member NFL clubs of any drug testing results.”
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/04/03/report-of-matthews-drug-test-refuted/
Looks like someone wants them to fall.
Apr 3, 2009 at 16:17:48
Just a clarification on Amobi. He admitted to trying pot in college as part of his combine interviews. His truthful admission was what was leaked.
Okoye was not busted for testing positive at the combine as far as we know.
Nobody is going to drop due to a false testing rumor because all the teams get the reports. But if you do have a bad test, it is a bad bad thing because it demonstrates that you are a dumbass.
Apr 3, 2009 at 19:55:24
Rumors are part of the game. No matter what the reality is, people assume that when there is smoke, there is fire:
[EDITORS NOTE: Sorry, but your 8000 character-long links totally wreck the formatting.
Just pretend there are some links here that talk about other NFL draft rumors.]
Apr 3, 2009 at 23:11:36
Matthews Agent going crazy over the report:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/04/03/agent-demands-retraction-following-drug-test-report/
Apr 4, 2009 at 15:37:54
Steph – That last paragraph needs to be repeated ad-nauseum. This supposedly leaked info came from a report that all the teams get. So there’d be no incentive for a team to leak the info out in order to scare off the other teams, since they other teams already had that info anyway.