sc85sis
Well-known member
Alcohol is a drug; it's well known that overuse of this drug can lead to seriously negative consequences. This does not stop people from abusing alcohol or drinking and driving. Some of us eat too much junk food (I'm looking in the mirror on that one). Some stay out partying too late when they have to work the next day. What's the point? Sometimes people do stupid things, even when they know better.
While I agree that six positive Adderall tests in the program is not a good thing, I'm not willing to jump to conclusions that there's some conspiracy or concerted effort by management and coaches to skirt or ignore the rules (as some people have suggested).
Obviously team management and the coaching staff are likely going to have to increase education, but even that doesn't guarantee success. One of the great ironies of the USC fiasco with Reggie Bush was that the NCAA actually stated that USC did a good job of educating players and their families about the rules. Obviously that education was ignored by Reggie and his family. Likewise, Pete and the Seahawks are not going to be able to babysit all the players, all of whom are grown men who must be held accountable for their own actions.
As to the question of whether Pete's Always Compete approach causes added stress that can lead to some guys wanting to take shortcuts, anything is possible. However, I think it's no more likely than the stress of competing on any other NFL team. NFL football has become a big business. The difference between starting and not starting could mean a lot financially to a player. That's true whether that player is a Seahawk, a Patriot, a 49er, a Raven, or a member of some other team.
While I agree that six positive Adderall tests in the program is not a good thing, I'm not willing to jump to conclusions that there's some conspiracy or concerted effort by management and coaches to skirt or ignore the rules (as some people have suggested).
Obviously team management and the coaching staff are likely going to have to increase education, but even that doesn't guarantee success. One of the great ironies of the USC fiasco with Reggie Bush was that the NCAA actually stated that USC did a good job of educating players and their families about the rules. Obviously that education was ignored by Reggie and his family. Likewise, Pete and the Seahawks are not going to be able to babysit all the players, all of whom are grown men who must be held accountable for their own actions.
As to the question of whether Pete's Always Compete approach causes added stress that can lead to some guys wanting to take shortcuts, anything is possible. However, I think it's no more likely than the stress of competing on any other NFL team. NFL football has become a big business. The difference between starting and not starting could mean a lot financially to a player. That's true whether that player is a Seahawk, a Patriot, a 49er, a Raven, or a member of some other team.