No Lane Johnson

Posted: September 12th, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 59 Comments »

The NFL and the NFLPA are on the verge of an agreement in regard to a new drug policy. The policy will take effect immediately and some players will have suspensions reduced.

But…

Too bad. The OL could use a boost from Johnson right now.

Apparently he used PEDs and they are not affected. Only substance abuse matters.

* * * * *

This would make some sense, if Smith can get up to speed. Dennis Kelly has never started at LG in the NFL. He hasn’t played in a real game since 2012. Smith was a starting LG for all of 2013 and knows the position inside-out.

* * * * *

Fran Duffy’s All-22 preview of the Colts is must read material.

This is a big step up in competition from the opener.

_


59 Comments on “No Lane Johnson”

  1. 1 makarov123 said at 10:59 PM on September 12th, 2014:

    Breaking news – read on twitter that apparently after NFLPA team reps voted in favor of the deal, the league said, uh, no.

    Personally, I have no idea why the players would agree to HGH testing without a year of baseline testing, and also without near or complete elimination of sanctions for marijuana use. What are the players getting out of this? They don’t have to agree to anything before the current CBA runs out.

  2. 2 ICDogg said at 11:19 PM on September 12th, 2014:

    It depends on how you look at it. If you’re a player who prefers not to endanger his health even more than you are doing by playing NFL football in the first place, that is, by taking performance-enhancing drugs, then you probably would like a system to ensure that everyone else isn’t taking them either.

    If you believe that the problem of performance-enhancing drugs is a bigger problem for the league’s integrity than the problem of the use of recreational drugs, then you would want the league to adopt such a policy.

  3. 3 anon said at 12:18 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    It’s about leverage. Finally the players have something that the league wants. I wouldn’t agree to it until I got every last thing I could out of the league — especially now. I can’t believe the players association is willing to give all this stuff up so that 3 people can play this season. it’s crazy to me how backward that leadership is.

  4. 4 Media Mike said at 12:20 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    And the only guy trying to challenge for leadership is trying to allow for an 18 game schedule…………… which no player wants.

  5. 5 anon said at 12:26 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Yeah it’s silly. If i was leadership, i’d be trying to find a way to renegotiate the CBA. I’d tell the players look, this year save your money, don’t make any big purchases b/c we might be going on strike. The CBA is terrible, drug policies are terrible, concussion settlement is terrible, player fines for stuff that bring enjoyment to the game are terrible. Rule changes that the players have no say on are terrible. I don’t know how Goddell was able to amass so much power — and while he secretly hates Demaurice Smith — he’s gotta love him b/c he dominates him at every negotiation.

  6. 6 Media Mike said at 12:28 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    I agree the players got the worse end of things in that negotiation, but the cap keeps going up and up and up and up. The things the players need to really go after in the next negotiation is Goodell’s power and increases in retirement money and healthcare.

    The cap is going to be at $160 mil in 2 or 3 seasons, which would be appx 33% higher than it was in 2011. If I’m a player, I’m not complaining there.

  7. 7 anon said at 11:44 PM on September 12th, 2014:

    agree. wouldn’t agree to it now if i’m the nflpa.

  8. 8 Cafone said at 2:11 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    Two cities where weed is legal were in the Super Bowl last year. And now Philly is decriminalizing it… all signs point to a green Super Bowl!

  9. 9 Media Mike said at 8:39 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    I think the more interesting aspect of that discussion if if/when there needs to be a therapeutic use exemption for marijuana use. From a medical standpoint, I’d rather have my players managing pain via marijuana than anything in the opiate family.

  10. 10 anon said at 12:17 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    I listened to one of the player reps talking, it’s never going to happen. They’re so backward on pot it’s crazy. Their acceptable standard is still 5 times lower than the Olympics which I think should be the standard for doping. That said they were worried about the signal it would send to young kids if players could smoke. GTFOH.

  11. 11 Media Mike said at 12:19 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Those dudes inclined to smoke are going to smoke 24-7 until they need to go to the combine anyway.

  12. 12 GEAGLE said at 4:26 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    What a joke… If states aren’t worried about the message decriminalizing pot sends to kids, then the NFL should shut up… Especially now that they have proven to have a really screwed up idea of values and morality…

    Greg Hardy can assault and threaten to kill his girlfriend, but he can’t paint his face according to the NFL ..
    ..
    NFL players been popping pain killers like candy for decades, who the fuck are they to crucify players from smoking pot in the offseason

    Wish they bring back Paul tagliabu for the investigation, so he can clean up idiot Goodells mess again like when he came in and wiped away all the bullshit Bountygate penalties that clown Goodell tried to hit the saints with…
    ..
    If this was a fair investigation, tagliabu would be running it since he knows what he is doing and has proven to not have a problem ruling against Goodell.. If the former commissioner was in charge, no need to get mara and Rooney involved in this charade

  13. 13 Sean Stott said at 3:23 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    We don’t know why he fell under PEDs!

    If it was for amphetamines, those are reclassified to recreational if it’s in the offseason.

  14. 14 Media Mike said at 7:20 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    If a player won’t tell you what he did to get suspended, assume the worst.

  15. 15 Sean Stott said at 2:08 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    I agree, I’m just pointing out that just because he fell under PEDs doesn’t mean it’s hopeless. But it doesn’t sound good obviously.

  16. 16 McNabbulousness said at 3:07 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    oh no, lane kicked a puppy?!

  17. 17 GEAGLE said at 7:34 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    Our tempo is too important to us to start Wade Smith. Fortunately, it’s not like he has been on the street, the dude was in training camp with the Seahawks, but there is no way he is in “eagles shape” at this point..

    Chip compared our use of tempo to body blows that pay dividends later in the fight..well when we face other top teams, tempo-ing them to death in the first half is what should wear them down and allow us to pull away in the second half…. I don’t see how we could possibly give up our tempo and go with Wade on Monday… But he could get his conditioning up and be ready to play in a few weeks, for now, I assume he is an emergency backup,,
    ,,,
    Wade talked about the emphasis we put on sports science as soon as he walked in Novacare..

  18. 18 ICDogg said at 7:47 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    I think you’re right about Wade Smith not likely being ready to play a full game at Eagles tempo. Still not out of the question they could start him, though, even if they sub in for him at some point. Depends on what they think about Kelly at that spot.

  19. 19 Media Mike said at 7:59 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    I think you’re correct that they could start Smith and sub in Kelly or Molk as needed. They might value keeping Kelly ready to play tackle while keeping Molk ready to play G/C if they need to sub guys in.

  20. 20 GEAGLE said at 11:35 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    Think it would be the other way around.. Start Dennis, and if he struggles, go with Wade

  21. 21 Media Mike said at 12:09 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    That could work as well. I’m not that concerned about blocking this week. I’m more worried we lose because we make one more mistake than they do in a shootout game.

  22. 22 GEAGLE said at 3:45 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    We ain’t losing. luck is a great QB, but he will throw INTs, because he has too much on his plate. He has to do too much for the colts to win…luck will throw an INT or two Monday, our offense will get back to protecting the ball, and we should win this match up

  23. 23 SteveH said at 9:09 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    Adrian Peterson issued an arrest warrant for child injury.

    http://deadspin.com/report-adrian-peterson-indicted-in-child-injury-case-1634160368

    This has been a banner last week and a half for the NFL.

  24. 24 Media Mike said at 9:37 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    We had a fun go-around with this last night.

  25. 25 SteveH said at 12:26 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    So I see. Always fascinating to read what people have to say about cultural issues.

  26. 26 anon said at 12:28 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Your thoughts? I find it interesting that they had to go to two grand juries. Like it’s bad but not arrested bad it’s OK no more spanking bad, and i’ll buy the kid a video game. If you’re raising kids together I don’t understand how you let it get to this.

  27. 27 Media Mike said at 12:31 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    The two grand jury discussion would a great interest to a juror who is having some doubts if these actions are criminal.

  28. 28 mtn_green said at 1:43 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Grand jury will indict anything. The process is ridiculously easy and pro-prosecutor.
    No Texas jury will convict him.

  29. 29 Media Mike said at 1:44 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    I’m inclined to agree with what you said, but my question was as to why the first grand jury saw the exact same evidence and declined to indict.

  30. 30 SteveH said at 12:45 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    I have plenty of thoughts, but as with most things nothing I say is going to sway people from the beliefs they already have, so I guess I’ll just add that Roddy White probably should have held off on the fantasy team joke. Not a good look, Roddy.

  31. 31 Media Mike said at 12:46 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Yeah, guilt or innocence here isn’t exactly in need of being viewed in a fantasy football context.

  32. 32 Media Mike said at 12:31 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    That cultural element of things is why I swear he’ll never be convicted of the current charges. I guarantee you 12 Texan jurors will include several who believe that the DA had no right to pursue these charges.

    If the DA is smart he’ll plea Peterson down to anything that’ll keep it from going to jury with the caveat that Peterson go to classes on learning how to parent in a more modern way.

  33. 33 anon said at 12:34 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    No wonder AP was calling Jerry saying he wanted to play in TX.

  34. 34 Media Mike said at 12:35 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    That is certainly one way of looking at it.

  35. 35 Buge Halls said at 12:27 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Arrested for spanking your kid! Ridiculous!

  36. 36 jshort said at 3:13 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Perhaps he is preparing for his post football career. There are positions available for secondary school “Discipline Masters” in Singapore.

  37. 37 Maggie said at 6:57 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Agree to a point. What makes some people wonder is how often Peterson ran around trying to prove his “manhood” to himself by sticking his equipment into anything that moves. (“C’mon, babe, don’t make me wear a raincoat. it don’t feel so good! C’mon, uh, uh, what’s your name, again?”) Repeat with whatever slang term is current.

  38. 38 CrackSammich said at 1:27 AM on September 14th, 2014:

    The pictures are widely available, so I won’t repost them. If you left marks like that on an adult, you would be arrested. Hopefully he is charged for this. This is clearly, in no uncertain terms, more than spanking.

  39. 39 ICDogg said at 1:56 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    The age of the kid (4yo) is important to my view of it, makes it less ambiguous of an issue to me.

  40. 40 GEAGLE said at 3:42 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Agree, this be easier to bear if the kid was 9 or 10 years old,,, how can a 4 yr old really understand y he is being beaten?

  41. 41 jshort said at 3:57 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    4? Made me go back and read the article. Pretty beat, even for an ole conservative like me. Don’t think even Texans like toddlers switched, “like that.”

  42. 42 FEATURED ARTICLE: No Lane Johnson | Eagles Nest Online | Philadelphia Eagles Blog said at 11:21 AM on September 13th, 2014:

    […] The rest of the article can be found here: Iggles Blitz […]

  43. 43 mtn_green said at 12:58 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Can belichik find some dirt on Luck to release before Monday?

  44. 44 Media Mike said at 12:59 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    There should be tons in that beard. Good God man, shave!

  45. 45 mtn_green said at 1:41 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Maybe he hazed a freshman. Or used Jordan Matthews name in vain.

  46. 46 GEAGLE said at 3:41 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    No need, FOles will out play Luck..

    As good as Luck is, he has to do too much for that team to win which often results in luck throwing a couple INTs.. FOles will get back to playing a clean no turnover game, Luck will be pressing to keep up with our offense, and we should come away with an INT or two this week that will make the difference…

    We are not going to lose this game…..

  47. 47 Flyin said at 1:34 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Colts LB Jerrell Freeman is out against Eagles. He’s supposedly their best cover linebacker. Josh McNary is expected to get his first career start in his place.

  48. 48 ICDogg said at 1:58 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Good week to use substantial double tight end if that’s the case.

  49. 49 Media Mike said at 2:03 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Given we have two quality TEs and zero qualtity WRs; every week might be good for 2 TEs.

  50. 50 McNabbulousness said at 3:05 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    maybe a tre burton sighting this week

  51. 51 GEAGLE said at 3:38 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Good week to get Sproles man to man on a LB who has no chance of covering him

  52. 52 GEAGLE said at 4:07 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Aurthur Jones might not play either and he is one of their top run defenders

  53. 53 Baloophi said at 2:02 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    If things don’t work out for Dennis Kelly in football, “Game of Thrones” is always looking for extras…

  54. 54 McNabbulousness said at 3:03 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    he looks like he was born north of the wall

  55. 55 Maggie said at 6:49 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Like I said, it seems being very hairy is a requirement to play on the Eagles O Line.

  56. 56 GEAGLE said at 3:48 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    The MIGHTY Robert Quinn, one of the best players in all of football, signed 4yr extension, 66million, 41mil in Guaranteed dollaz

  57. 57 GEAGLE said at 4:06 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    It is a big deal that Colts LB Freeman missing the game since he is their best LB in coverage who I assumed they were going to ask to defend Sproles lol.. But we have to establish the run first, and our offensive line, might catch a big Break if run stopper, Aurthur Jones can’t play Monday night..

    Sounds like a good chance Polk is ready to play after being a full go at practice all week. Really hoping Polk can stay healthy, because I think he can be a fantastic change of pace power back to compliment shady and Sproles.. Also like getting Polk back on Special teams. Kid made some big tackles last year.

    This was the year I expected to really see Polk reach that next level, hopefully injuries are done getting in his way

  58. 58 barneygoogle said at 5:40 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    I think Kelly is going to fool us and start Wade Smith, with Dennis Kelly available to back up at four positions on the line, and spell Smith at times. Chip does not do the usual thing. He seems to like Smith’s smarts, too.
    Is Dennis Kelly his son? Some ugly there. No wonder Chip keeps it secret.

  59. 59 Maggie said at 6:48 PM on September 13th, 2014:

    Maybe Chip is the son of Grace Kelly’s secret love child? That would explain his wandering unorthodox path to the NFL AND his having second thoughts before signing with the Eagles. ;~p