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Cowboys' owner/GM Jerry Jones broke the news tonight that CB Orlando Scandrick will be suspended for the first 4 games of the 2014 season. The story hasn't been completely confirmed yet, but early reports say that Scandrick took a "street" drug and not a supplement. Despite those reports, Scandrick is being suspended under the NFL's Performance Enhancing Drug Policy.
Dallas lost two of their best defensive players over the last few years this offseason in DeMarcus Ware(Denver) and Jason Hatcher(Washington). During OTAs this year, the unquestioned leader of their defense, MLB Sean Lee, was lost for the season to a torn ACL. And then one of Dallas' top draft picks(DeMarcus Lawrence), who they traded their 3rd round pick to acquire, was injured during training camp and will miss 2-3 months with a broken foot.
Dallas' defense was 32nd in yards allowed with an average of 415.3 yards/game, and they were the only team to allow over 400 yards/game. Will Tony Romo be able to carry the Cowboys on his back this year with a debilitating defense? Is Rod Marinelli able to turn an injured Henry Melton, and a group of defenders that will someday have wikipedia pages, into something respectable on the field?
Orlando scandrick has been suspended for first four games by the NFL, per owner Jerry Jones
— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) August 12, 2014
It was a street drug. Not a supplement. Scandrick has been fighting ban since April. Lost appeal
— Clarence Hill (@clarencehilljr) August 12, 2014
Scandrick suspended 4 games- a quick look at the estimated costs of the suspension #Cowboys http://t.co/guJAwLHs6r
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) August 12, 2014
[UPDATE: 8/12/14 8:25AM] Scandrick and his agent issued statements.
Orlando Scandrick's statement: "I would like to apologize to my children, my family, the Jones Family, my coaches, my teammates and my fans," Scandrick said. "Failing a drug test is far out of my character, and although I never knowingly took a performance enhancing drug/banned stimulant while on vacation in Mexico, I take full responsibility for what goes in my body and more importantly for the embarrassment of a failed drug test. "It’s my goal by issuing this statement to clear my name and more importantly to be judged by what happens to me in the future. I hope that my family, my Cowboys football family and all my fans can forgive me for this situation. I look forward to a successful 2014 season."
Slavin(agent) also issued a statement. "I do not excuse Orlando having tested positive for a banned stimulant," Slavin said. "The current rules are what they are, and a player is responsible for what is in his body. However, I would like it known that it is my understanding that if the current proposed agreement related to HGH testing would have already been instituted, a very significant percentage of the players receiving ‘PED’ suspensions since the new CBA took effect would not have been suspended. Instead, these players, under the proposed new policy, would have been subjected to the Substance Abuse Policy and Program. More than 80 missed games, millions of dollars in fines and bonus repayments have been issued because the NFLPA and NFL cannot come to an agreement. The only people who are losing in this standoff are the players and fans."