Suspensions May Mar Packers Season Opener

With the arrest and jailing of TE Andrew Quarless over the weekend in Miami there is a real chance that the Green Bay Packers could be minus three preferred starters for the opening of the 2015 campaign against the Bears.

With the arrest and jailing of TE Andrew Quarless over the weekend in Miami there is a real chance that the Green Bay Packers could be minus three preferred starters for the opening of the 2015 campaign against the Bears.

One of the final scheduled activity of the recently concluded OTA’s was a speech to the players by Head Coach Mike McCarthy and officials from NFL security office in New York.

It was a reminder to his players about what’s not going to be tolerated regarding their off the field activities.

McCarthy had asked the NFL security department to deliver their league-wide offseason message to his players a mere 48 hours before they broke for the summer recess.  What better way to impress the significance of staying out of trouble and avoiding headlines than to have that message come from the from the league itself?  

“We had our NFL security meeting yesterday”, McCarthy said at his closing news conference. “That was a great lead-up to the vacation.”

Clearly, it’s a message that the Packers and all NFL teams have repeated time and time again, but it’s always wise to have it come from the ultimate authority.

Apparently one of the “students” didn’t pay attention in class.  And a veteran at that.

It has been widely reported that TE Andrew Quarless was arrested in Miami’s South Beach this past weekend for discharging a gun into the ground in a dispute with a group of women.

This is just the kind of actions that McCarthy was hoping that his team would avoid.  To have it come from a veteran who should know better is all the more distasteful.

What was he thinking?

Although not all the facts are publicly known the preliminary investigation has landed Quarless in jail with multiple charges pending.  Needless to say, the NFL as well as the Green Bay Packers frown on such indiscretions.

According to the web site pointafter.com, Quarless becomes the twentieth Packers player to be arrested since the 2000 season.

To compound the matter, it was announced just two days previous to this incident that former first round pick Datone Jones will serve a one-game suspension for a violation of the league’s drug policy.  Reports indicate that it was a positive test for marijuana.  If true this would be a second positive test for the punishment to result in a suspension.

A third player, recently re-signed Letroy Guion, was in trouble with the law shortly after the season ended when he was stoped and arrested for marijuana possession and other related charges.  Although the league has not announced any disciplinary action regarding Guion, it has been widely speculated that Guion will be served with anywhere from a one to four game suspension.

That could leave the Packers with three key players sitting out for the Bears game on September 13:  Jones for sure, probably Guion and now possibly Quarless.

Gauging by the outcry by fans on social media to say that they are not happy is an understatement.  Many are calling for the Packers to release Quarless.  Others are taking a more reasoned approach. 

Whatever the final outcome you can bet that the Packers brain trust of McCarthy, Thompson and Murphy are as equally fired-up as the fans.

The one result that can be counted on is that B.J Raji, Richard Rodgers and Josh Boyd (and perhaps even Khyri Thornton?) will be receiving extra reps once training camp begins. 

When training camp opens later this month jobs will be on the line and opportunities will exist that may not have been present before.  In the ever-so-short career of a professional athlete these are opportunities that cannot wasted so foolishly.

Again, what were they thinking?

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Comments (30)

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NickPerry's picture

July 06, 2015 at 07:14 am

I still think Gresham should be on the Packers radar. If for nothing else, he has 4 years of NFL experience, something Blackman, Henry, and Perillo don't have combined. Still a FA I highly doubt he'd break the bank either.
I guess it all depends on the suspension and if MM and TT want to stick by a player who would do something so stupid weeks before TC starts. Damn you Andrew!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 06, 2015 at 07:48 am

Gresham had back surgery to repair a herniated disc on March 19, 2015. I've not heard what kind of surgery or his expected recovery time. He had surgery to repair a hernia the year before. He does have trouble with dropped passes, fumbles, penalties, etc. Might be the most talented UFA TE out there, though.

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dobber's picture

July 06, 2015 at 10:16 am

I've read that he'll be ready to play. That might be why he's still on the market, though.

My guess is that they could get him for right around the minimum at this point on a "show-me" contract, which would not hurt them at all if they let him go in camp.

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NickPerry's picture

July 06, 2015 at 08:45 pm

Wow I didn't know all of that. Knew about the drops but that was about it. Thanks!

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

July 06, 2015 at 07:21 am

I posted this the other day, maybe Andrew had his headset on when they talked about staying out of trouble. Does dumb and dumber come into play here. I mean what was he not thinking early in the morning, me its coffee not shooting a gun off.

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SpudRapids's picture

July 06, 2015 at 12:41 pm

What I don't get is why any of these guys carry hand guns anyways... look I get the whole 2nd amendment deal but who in their right mind would want to fight or mess around with NFL players? If it's a protection thing why not hire a body guard to carry a gun for you... just don't get it.

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Evan's picture

July 06, 2015 at 01:31 pm

"...who in their right mind would want to fight or mess around with NFL players?"

I feel like a lot of stupid people would want to.

Not defending Quarless' alleged actions or the "intelligence" of carrying a gun, but I'm sure NFL players get harassed all the time when they're out, especially at bars/clubs. Stupid drunk dudes trying to assert their masculinity and whatnot.

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Schonejl's picture

July 06, 2015 at 04:25 pm

There are bars ... and then there are bars. I've been in Buffalo Wild Wings, for example and never experienced any fighting or gun play or drug dealer harassment. I also remember the dean of students at my small college reminding us that "nothing good happens after midnight." Just saying.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 06, 2015 at 07:40 am

Perhaps the author's reference to a reasoned approach involves waiting for all the information, and was directed at those who want Quarless cut ASAP before GB can conduct their investigation. I'd agree with that approach.

That said, if the Packers determine during their investigation that the reports from the Miami News Tribune are substantially correct, then Quarless is not Packer People and should be cut. IIRC, it's not like Quarless didn't have a few incidents at Penn St., including a DUI, and marijuana possession charges. What price glory?

If there is more to the story, or if some of it is incorrect, then I will re-evaluate.

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spin's picture

July 06, 2015 at 10:01 am

I don't see how you defend a man who fires a gun in a dispute with women. The solution that would be best for the Packers would be a yearlong suspension by the NFL.
Mostly because I do not want to see him on a rivals roster.

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dobber's picture

July 06, 2015 at 10:15 am

I've seen a couple reports that indicate that they expect the Packers to release Quarless once the specifics of the incident are all on the table. Right now, no one in the NFL is tolerant of any kind of violence or violent acts involving women (as it should be).

What a knucklehead.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 06, 2015 at 04:20 pm

Allegedly fired a gun...

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Tundraboy's picture

July 06, 2015 at 05:33 pm

Yes allegedly. Must admit it's all speculation at this point although it does not look good.

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WKUPackFan's picture

July 06, 2015 at 07:54 am

According to PFT, Datone's suspension is a result of a marijuana possession charge, not a failed test.

If I was a Packer I'd stick around GB full-time (although that wouldn't have helped Datone). However, I'm 55, not 23-24 with a lot of money and the urge to party. I do vaguely remember those days (without the a lot of money part).

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lou's picture

July 06, 2015 at 10:35 am

Of the 3 "stooges" Guion appears to be the only one with some sense, reportedly he volunteered for a blood test to show he was not on weed, he may be able to with the unions backing to not be suspended at all. The other "stooges" can't stop TALKING about how good they will be in 2015 but have the attention span of 6 year olds.

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chaka's picture

July 06, 2015 at 11:39 am

They should sign Colt Lyerla so hey would then have a real starter at TE. They have nothing to lose, he would just cost the pack the rookie min. 1st round talent without a team.

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NewNikeShoes's picture

July 06, 2015 at 06:30 pm

Didn't he mug a hippie and take his drugs?

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TarynsEyes's picture

July 06, 2015 at 11:57 am

So the story or a version of it is Quarless pulled his gun out and fired two shots to prove his machismo to 3-4 women who he was in an argument with over who knows what and for me,the what doesn't matter unless it's proved that any of the women pulled a gun or other weapon which made him feel threatened and he acted to ward off any harm that the women intended to inflict.

No matter how this is played in the courts of the NFLPA,NFL or Legal system,unless self defense is proven,I cannot condone anything less than banishment from the league or are we to continue offering second chances until it goes another step further via the stupidity of some players up to and including someone actually being shot and killed by one who appears compelled to look and or act the role of gangster when given the opportunity to be better than that which so many boast of being lucky enough to escape from in the first place.This is not a racist remark,as I know it's accusation is likely from at least one patron of CHTV, since the players themselves invoke this from their own mouths and cannot then be used as a defense for such demeanor afterwards.

The NFL needs to make another strong step against this type of behavior or thuggery,that by numbers can be argued isn't rampant in the NFL based on number of players and incidents,but taking into account how many abuses came out from the Ray Rice ordeal,one can assume an escalation is imminent in such and the manner or tool used,gun in the recent episode,should demand/dictate a one and done penalty before it escalates to bullet holes in one's body becoming the line needed to be crossed.

Many talk of Packer People and what it is supposed to convey.IMO,the slightest acceptance of excuse for the actions performed by Quarless will erase any perceived respect or thought that such a conveyance is true and any and all attempted backlash that comes from it toward the fans and the Packer Organization is deserved.

If the NFL doesn't ban Quarless,the Packers most assuredly should if only for such a trivial thing as moral compass.

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Tundraboy's picture

July 06, 2015 at 01:34 pm

Totally. Thanks for injecting some reality on this.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 06, 2015 at 06:43 pm

I agree this should not be tolerated if Quarless is found guilty. I disagree that criminal activity is rampant in the NFL. It's not. It's just a lot more visible.

Currently 1 in 12 of the total US population has a felony conviction according to the FBI. (yes, that's really scary ) . We all know this percentage goes up for males, and goes up in a tragic fashion for African American males.

If there are 32 teams with 53 on roster and 10 on the PS that's 2016 active NFL players in any one season. 1/12 of that player population is ~168 players who would have been in serious trouble with the law.

I don't think there is anything close to that.

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TarynsEyes's picture

July 06, 2015 at 06:29 pm

" I disagree that criminal activity is rampant in the NFL."

As you can see by what I wrote,pasted below,I didn't say it was rampant, but numbers,as those pointed out by you,would/could be a used to dismiss a rampant allegation.I only said that an escalation could come about as did seemingly after the Ray Rice incident.

"that by numbers can be argued isn't rampant in the NFL based on number of players and incidents,"

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 06, 2015 at 09:30 pm

No that's fair. Amazing how we can discuss this with resorting to accusations and name calling.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 07, 2015 at 12:36 am

Well done, Jeremy. Thanks for the statistics. Stats do show about 1 in 12 are convicted felons, higher for some segments of society based on gender, age, and ethnic groups. Seems clear that it is not rampant (though Taryn did not write that felons were rampant) in the NFL. Note that the stat is for convicted felons. The percentage would be higher if it took into consideration the many plea deals. I'd say overall the NFL and GB are doing okay in this matter.

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TheLegendary52's picture

July 06, 2015 at 10:50 pm

Brilliantly stated Taryn.

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SpudRapids's picture

July 06, 2015 at 12:46 pm

I'm suddenly really glad they drafted Beckmon

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 06, 2015 at 11:22 pm

Backman would have been a nice pick up in UDFA. Jury is out on him, of course.

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Lphill's picture

July 06, 2015 at 01:53 pm

My son played high school football against Andrew Quarless, I remember him well , have film of him really stood out , Andrew played for Holy Trinity until junior year , rumor was he got booted out for marijuana then transferred to a public school his senior year.

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PortlandMark's picture

July 06, 2015 at 01:58 pm

The pointafter.com site says there were 20 Packers arrested since the year 2000, not 2010. That's a huge difference. Most of them were shipped out right after their altercation. Unless something else comes out about the Quarless incident, I can't imagine him being on the Packers for the 2015 season.

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Clay Zombo's picture

July 06, 2015 at 09:36 pm

Were these women in a car when the argument and gunshots occured? Could they have threatened to run him over either verbally or by driving at him?

Im just trying to think of something that would make a guy think he needs to shoot his gun off to stop an argument. Not making excuses for him but we dont know what actually occured so withhold judgement untill all the facts are known.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

July 06, 2015 at 10:45 pm

I know all the facts aren't in, but a vet being out at 4:00 or 5:00 am, closing down da club... just doesn't seem to be a smart decision, in today's NFL anyway. I don't expect these guys to stay home and not chase tail, but it really seems like nothing good ever happens that late/early.
He should've been in the middle of a great REM cycle.

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