When word came that Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Letroy Guion would open the 2017 season by serving his second career suspension, we floated the possibility that the team would release him.
In fact, some people think that’s a good idea. That enough is enough and the Packers should release him.
But that isn’t happening.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson confirmed that on Monday. In the process, he also confirmed the Packers’ double standard.
“I think you have to deal with those things on an individual basis,” Thompson said. “In Letroy’s case, that’ll work itself out.”
Both of Guion’s suspensions are drug-related. The first was a substance abuse suspension in 2015. This latest one is for performance-enhancing drugs, which is ironic because Guion’s performance has actually been in decline.
Regardless, the Packers are awfully selective when it comes to these matters. They quickly released defensive lineman Mike Pennel during last season’s playoffs after he was eligible to return from his second suspension.
Pennel’s two infractions were also drug-related, both of the substance-abuse variety. Two other Packers — cornerback Sam Shields and receiver Geronimo Allison — were popped for marijuana offenses last year. Although not related, Shields was released, but Allison will be with the team in 2017.
What all of this illustrates is the Packers clearly don’t have a blanket policy when it comes to drug infractions. The only blanket policy is, we’ll keep you on the roster regardless of what you do if we think you can help us win football games.
Sick.
Didn’t they rework his deal so his roster bonus doesn’t come until after the suspension? If all is well on the defensive line, they can cut him easy peasey.
Letroy keeps the locker room hooked up with some of the best weed money can buy. There would be a locker room uprising if you let him go.
Honestly, if any team has a strict blanket, black and white only policy on almost anything, what is to prevent anyone from saying “Screw it, I’ll do X purposely and get caught by turning myself in simply so I can gain my release.” I’m not saying Guion shouldn’t be gone, repeat dipshit offender is repeat dipshit offender who isn’t gonna learn it seems. In general though, unless all teams colluded to not sign dipshits who can’t follow the rules, or are rapists, murders, wife beaters or various other types of collegiate/professional criminal so there is no incentive, a strict zero tolerance policy would quickly become the demise of the NFL as we know it. I mean when is the Hall of Fame gonna open up the Felon Wing, so guys like Randall Woodfield, Aaron Hernandez, O.J. Simpson, Ray Lewis and Rae Carruth have their own special club recognized for more than just their exploits on the field?