The Green Bay Packers have been in the news quite a bit lately.  Given that organized team activities and mini camp are over with and the team isn't scheduled to reconvene until later this month means there should be little to no news out of 1265 Lombardi Avenue (even with Brett Favre's upcoming number retirement ceremony).  Within the last week, three current players under contract have had separate issues that will or could keep them off the field for part of the 2015 season.  

Defensive lineman Datone Jones received a one-game suspension for a failed drug test.  His line-mate Letroy Guion if facing a possible civil suit by the mother of his child.  Tight end Andrew Quarless kept the adage that "everything happens in three's" alive by receiving a misdemeanor citation for firing a gun in public this past weekend.  Our own Jeff Albrecht discussed these issues earlier this week and asked the question we're all likely asking "What were they thinking?".  With as many players who have previously been disciplined and faced bad publicity over questionable actions, it's hard to understand why some of these guys fall into the same traps.  That said, all of the outrage over these actions and results is a bit overblown.  We don't always know all of the facts involved and in the end, the Packers and these players will be just fine.

In Jones's situation, he has failed a test multiple times and so he knew he was taking a risk by contuing to use marijuana.  While the debate rages on about pot and whether or not it should still be banned by the NFL, the fact remains that it is.  It's also illegal in most states, including Wisconsin.  The league doesn't want its players using illegal drugs and harming themselves along with setting a bad example.  That part I can understand.  But marijuana is not a performing enhancing drug.  If a player is high, he likely isn't going to perform at his peak level.  Many players smoke pot because it helps them deal with some of their injuries and manage pain.  With all of the press the NFL has received over the past few years about former and current players and the effects of football injuries, it's worth a look at whether marijuana should be allowed if obtained and dispensed legally.  Jones will miss one game, return to the team and get back into the D-line rotation.

Guion's pending civil suit sounds like a money grab by his ex girlfriend and her current boyfriend.  While I feel for Guion after what he dealt with earlier this offseason after a marijuana and handgun arrest in his hometown, this is a second incident that has cast a not-so-flattering light on him.  Where there's smoke there's fire.  Guion may be a magnet for trouble that's not necessarily all his doing, but he's a perfect example of how perception is reality.  Guion had a history that came with him to Green Bay last offseason and there were questions about whether he would fit in with Green Bay's culture.  He turned in a nice 2014 season and was re-signed for this season.  His earlier arrest has already been dealt with from a legal perspective and this latest bit of news is likely to be no more than a flash in the pan.  Guion may face a suspension to start this season, but it shouldn't be any more than two games at most.  As a veteran, he should be able to jump in and contribute right away following.

Quarless's situation is the most troubling of the three.  He's a six-year veteran who has not previously had any troubles away from the field, that we know of.  He has been a regular part of the team's offense and special teams and figured to be again this season.  Anyone who fires a gun into the air or at the ground in a display of dominance likely has some issues in their life that need to be worked out.  This isn't the old west and that it happened at 5am only adds to the questionable nature of the incident.  Quarless reportedly tried to hide the gun and leave the area immediately after and seems very lucky to only have been hit with a misdemeanor.  Earlier this week, reports came out that the Packers have no immediately plans to cut ties with Quarless.  While his actions led many to want him off the team, the fact that the Packers aren't taking any immeidate action should calm fans' nerves, at least a little bit.  The Packers have handled player issues well in the past and there's no reason to think they won't do what is best in Quarless's case.

The term "Packer people" was coined in the recent past and refered to the fact that the team rarely had players getting into trouble.  General manager Ted Thompson and his personnel team have a reputation for spending a lot of time learning about the character of incoming players and typically avoid those likely to cause problems or miss games due to rules violations.  While this recent flurry of drama may call into question whether there are troubles in Green Bay, it appears to be more of a case of "when it rains, it pours".  Maybe it was just the Packers' turn to deal with some adversity.  Whatever it is, they'll be fine and winning games on the regular sooner than later in 2015.