[Julio4Ever]

Quote

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The NFL has suspended Pro Bowl linebacker Tamba Hali of the Kansas City Chiefs for the season-opener against Atlanta for violating its policy on substance abuse.

The league announced the suspension in a brief statement Monday without disclosing details.

Hali will miss the Sept. 9 game against the Falcons and be fined an additional game check. He will be eligible to return the following day and he is still allowed to participate in preseason practices and games. The Chiefs play the Seattle Seahawks on Friday night.

"Tamba's situation is unfortunate," Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said. "Obviously we are disappointed and will miss him during the suspension, but the NFL's policies are very clear and we respect the league's decision in this matter."

Pioli said he could not provide any additional comments.

Hali long ago established himself as the Chiefs' best pass rusher, reaching his first Pro Bowl last season alongside fellow linebacker Derrick Johnson.

The former first-round draft pick has started every game he's played over the past six seasons. The past two years have been his best -- he had 14½ sacks two years ago and 12 last season, when he helped a team ravaged by injuries to the doorstep of the playoffs.

The Chiefs were eliminated from contention in their penultimate game.

Interesting, our season opener just became more winnable.

[Barracuda]

[dutchff7]

Barracuda, on 20 August 2012 - 12:45 PM, said:

[BLUE]

Quote

Posted by Mike Florio on August 20, 2012, 5:01 PM EDT

Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali has made his living slipping past blockers. At some point in the not-too-distant past, Hali and the team slipped an arrest, prosecution, and disposition of a criminal case past the media.

The decision of the NFL to suspend Hali for one game under the substance-abuse policy has created plenty of confusion, given that the substance-abuse policy as written doles out suspensions only in four-game and one-year chunks.

The exception arises when the player has violated the law.

In Hali’s case, the league office attributes the Hali suspension to just that — violation of the law that was previously unreported and undisclosed. This means that Hali has been arrested at some point for something relating to alcohol or marijuana or some other substance, and that the player, the team, and the league managed to keep the media from finding out about it.

Under the policy, a first offense for alcohol ordinarily results in a two-game fine only, barring aggravating circumstances. For second and subsequent offenses, a suspension is imposed. For offenses not involving alcohol, the first offense subjects the player to discipline of up to four games.

It’s our understanding, per a source with knowledge of the situation, that Hali’s offense involved marijuana, and that (as the league has announced) the penalty was a one-game suspension and a one-game fine.

The good news for the Chiefs is that it doesn’t mean Hali is in one of the advanced stages of the substance-abuse program, which would have put him on track for, eventually, a one-year banishment.

That said, the incident undoubtedly resulted in the placement of Hali in Stage One. Whether he emerges from the program or progresses to Stage Two or Stage Three depends at that point on whether he can choose football over marijuana.

Source: ProFootballTalk

[BoneKrusher]

ATL, on 20 August 2012 - 11:28 AM, said:

Interesting, our season opener just became more winnable.

i agree.
i cant understand these players.

[B-isforBowe]

He's definitely gonna be missed in the opener against Atlanta, but if the D-line, especially the NT position, shows up big, it won't end up mattering. Houston can get pressure from the other side, and if the NT gets pressure up the middle Ryan will still be running for his life all day.

Still, Tamba is the motor that makes this pass rush go. For a long time, he's been the only pass rush this team had. One game is not so bad though. If it's really just weed, I'm not gonna burn the guy over it. He's been a standup guy for years. I really don't see the big deal about weed, anyway. I know it's against the rules and what not, and he's gonna have to make sure he doesn't get caught doing this sort of thing again. That would be a big deal.

[Rain Man]

This is a huge loss for the Chiefs, even if it is just one game. However, it should open the door for Justin Houston to strut his stuff and get after the quarterback a little more against the Falcons. (A guy which I was projecting the Falcons would have taken if they hadn't traded up for Julio)

Great news for the Falcons though, I don't care what anyone thinks or whether or not they are underestimating the Chiefs, they will be a good football team this year. And not having to keep tabs on Hali the entire game will definitely make it a lot easier on our blocking assignments. Should be an interesting game.

[dutchff7]

If it's just weed, it sucks he got suspended for it but wouldn't blow him over for that. Any drug enhancing substance, then yeah, shame.

[BoneKrusher]

man o man...

[Ngata_Chance]

dutchff7, on 22 August 2012 - 11:19 AM, said:

If it's just weed, it sucks he got suspended for it

How ? He is not a rookie, he knew the rules and still chose to break them. He is not only getting paid millions to play but to follow the rules. He needs to remember that last part. He got what he deserved.

[B-isforBowe]

Ngata_Chance, on 23 August 2012 - 05:29 PM, said:

How ? He is not a rookie, he knew the rules and still chose to break them. He is not only getting paid millions to play but to follow the rules. He needs to remember that last part. He got what he deserved.

He definitely got what he paid for, but we all break rules. It's really not a huge thing. We face consequences for our actions, but as far as actions go, this isn't really a disturbing one.

I don't see Tamba being the kind of guy who suddenly becomes a problem. If he gets busted doing something stupid again, then it's an issue imo. As of now, I'm not stressing about it. He's been a standup guy since he came to the league, and apparently if the law didn't get involved, this would be a complete non-issue.

[Ngata_Chance]

B-isforBowe, on 24 August 2012 - 02:59 PM, said:

He definitely got what he paid for, but we all break rules. It's really not a huge thing. We face consequences for our actions, but as far as actions go, this isn't really a disturbing one.

I don't see Tamba being the kind of guy who suddenly becomes a problem. If he gets busted doing something stupid again, then it's an issue imo. As of now, I'm not stressing about it. He's been a standup guy since he came to the league, and apparently if the law didn't get involved, this would be a complete non-issue.

Oh yes I am not saying he is a bad guy because I like Hali. And all in all dont really care if people partake in bud. All I am saying is he is no rookie. H eknew the rules. He broke them. He was punished. I do not feel bad for him or feel it sucked because he is facing the consequences of his actions.

I will say I like how he is just kind of being stoic about it knowing he was wrong and not bitching and trying to appeal and shit like that, or running his mouth in the media. Again I think he is a great guy and great player he is just paying for his mistakes whether I believe them to be right or wrong.

[dutchff7]

Weed is a hell of a drug