Packers Daily Links: Neal Plans Appeal to Suspension for Using Aderall
The Packers defensive lineman is planning a second appeal for his four-game suspension by the NFL. That and more in today's Daily Links...
Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Mike Neal said on Tuesday he's planning a second appeal to his suspension handed down by the NFL. "Neal was suspended for four games for performance-enhancing drugs. Neal, however, said it was for Adderall, a prescription medication typically given for ADHD but was prescribed to him to combat obsessive-compulsive disorder," writes Bill Huber of Packer Report. "Adderall is not a banned substance; Neal was suspended because he didn’t get the prescription from a team-employed doctor and, therefore, didn’t get approval from the league." One suspension has already been denied. The report also cites the overturning of a suspension by the NFL to New York Giants running back Andre Brown who also used Aderall.
More on Mike Neal comes from PackersNews.com, ESPNMilwaukee.com, Green Bay Press-Gazette, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, JSOnline, Fox Sports Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Journal and CBS Sports.
Comments by head coach Mike McCarthy regarding Charles Woodson continue to create speculation about the defensive back's role on the team. Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com goes in depth about Woodson's role in the team's base 3-4 defense. "That could mean making the team’s 'Corner Okie' package its base defense," writes Wilde. "When the Packers have employed 'Corner Okie' during the past two seasons after injuries to Morgan Burnett (2010) and Nick Collins (2011), Woodson would move to safety, No. 3 cornerback Sam Shields would enter the game and take Woodson’s spot at cornerback opposite Tramon Williams, and fill-in safety Charlie Peprah would head to the bench." This would seem to be consistent with McCarthy's comments about not moving Woodson around as much as they have in the past. And it would also mean he would no longer play the perimeter cornerback position. That would seem to suit Woodson's strengths.
Newly signed free agent defensive lineman Phillip Merling spoke to the local media for the first time on Tuesday. “I never thought that would happen to me," said Merling of being cut, as quoted by Jason Wilde. "Nobody does. Even if you’re a free agent, when you come into a program, you’re not thinking your going to be cut. That’s the wrong way to approach anything. But it happened and I learned from it and it took me back down. I’m here to work. It’s over with. That section’s done. Now it’s time to be a Green Bay Packer.” Merling is saying the right things. Now he must back it up with his play.
More on Phillip Merling comes from Packer Report.
The impact of keeping Donald Driver around for another season is assessed by Pete Dougherty of the Press-Gazette. "That, in turn, means the Packers could end up cutting a young receiver they like at the end of training camp," writes Dougherty. "If the Packers keep six receivers, which probably is the maximum, and (Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb) are healthy enough to make the team at the end of camp, then either (Tori) Gurley or (Diondre) Borel is the most likely to go, along with Shaky Smithson, a third intriguing undrafted rookie from last season who spent 2011 on injured reserve." Assuming all the wide receivers will be completely healthy is a dangerous assumption. And even if they are, another option could be to trade one of the young receivers.
More on Tori Gurley comes from PackersNews.com.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers took part in a Q&A session with Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. One of the topics that came up was that of motivation. "Winning more Super Bowls," Rodgers is quoted as saying. "That's the No. 1 thing. Especially after you win one and you go 15-1 in the regular season and then you lose in the first round, you deal with that disappointment. I think you just appreciate that experience you went through in the 2010-'11 season. Just wanting to win more championships. That's what you get remembered for as a team and individually." Typical Rodgers.
Quarterback Graham Harrell gets some media attention of his own at the Packers official website and at JSOnline.
Injured tight end Andrew Quarless is holding out hope of returning in time for training camp.
The Donald Driver "Cleatgate" situation is wrapped up.
Only one minicamp practice is open to the public next week, per ESPNMilwaukee.com and PackersNews.com.
A notebook section of happenings at Packers practice on Tuesday is published at Fox Sports Wisconsin and Packers.com.
Former Packer Alan Veingrad is hosting the "Ultimate Jewish Football Experience" for fans traveling to Green Bay for the season opener.
Video of an interview with Greg Jennings is posted by Fox 11.
Video: Plaques on the Packers Heritage Trail are unveiled, from Fox 11...
Brian Carriveau is a writer for Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (9)
June 06, 2012 at 09:36 am
Will anyone who trashed Neal as being an obvious steriods abuser please stand up?
June 16, 2012 at 03:12 pm
I Agree. The guy should get some credit for getting his strength the "Right Way".
June 06, 2012 at 10:40 am
I know I'm in the minority, but I've always been rooting for Neal. And just imagine how a healthy Neal would give us yet another option on the D-line. What was a below average unit could end up being one of the strengths with Neal performing and some of the newbies mixed in.
June 06, 2012 at 11:30 am
I don't have any beef with Neal. It's just frustrating when a player can't stay healthy. Let alone one who was in such an important role.
June 06, 2012 at 12:24 pm
I doubt you're in the minority Mojo. I think most of us want to see Neal do well and contribute. As a second round pick, I know I sure have never wanted him to fail. I still have hope he can be an asset.
June 06, 2012 at 08:07 pm
+1
June 16, 2012 at 03:30 pm
Mike Neal's first 2 seasons he played in 9 games and was injured most of the time
Aaron Rodgers first 2 seasons he played in 5 games, with a QB rating of 44% and threw 0 TDs 1 Interception. Oh yeah he broke his foot and was injured twice making him unavailable for a number of games.
The best of Mike Neal is yet to come. It doesn't matter if it's week one or week 5. When this guy gets on the field he will be a difference maker.
June 06, 2012 at 01:40 pm
I'm with you.
June 06, 2012 at 10:37 pm
I root for Neal too, and am astonished at how much hatred he has gotten/gets (see Twitter and msg boards) over legitimate injuries. As a human being, from what I know of him, and as an athlete, there's nothing not to like about him...other than the one thing he has no control over. I mean, he's clearly not faking it, clearly works his tail off, and has shown ability. The injuries themselves are frustrating, but taking it out on the player is just insensitive and ignorant.