Travis Henry’s lawsuit against the NFL is being closely watched across the country. Many believe it can be a landmark case if Henry wins.
There are many who believe the Broncos’ star running back might be innocent since his case likely will revolve around low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in his urine sample. Henry’s case is expected to revolve around the possibility of secondhand marijuana smoke and his willingness to submit to a lie detector test and give hair samples. Those moves could make his case viable.
Still, many in the league don’t expect him to win, but his victory would change the way positive drug tests are approached by players and their representatives and could have an effect on how the substance abuse program is operated. The NFL is very difficult to beat legally, especially in the case of drug testing. Thus, the consensus is Henry eventually will be suspended, and it could be November before such a move is finalized after the appeal process.
If Henry is suspended, he will be lonely. The NFL allows players who are suspended for four games (Henry received this punishment two years ago while with Tennessee) to continue to work out at their team’s facility. Players who are bounced from the league for a year cannot work out at that facility. Players are tested for drugs during their suspension, and if players who are suspended for a year test positive a fourth time, they receive a lifetime ban.
The Canadian Football League also recently decided to not allow players banned by the NFL to play in that league. Former NFL running backs Ricky Williams and Onterrio Smith played in the CFL while serving year-long NFL bans.
If Henry is suspended, watch for the Broncos and his agent to talk about redoing his contract. A $6 million option bonus kicks in next spring, and that would not be paid by the team. The Broncos are on the books for the $6 million signing bonus paid to Henry, and they can recoup $1.2 million in prorated money. Henry has been paid $1 million of the signing bonus.
Bell trade talk
There have been persistent rumors in the past week the Lions would be willing to deal running back Tatum Bell. The Lions just don’t run the ball much, and with Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett in the mix, Bell could be available.
Here’s one thing for sure. Bell will be elsewhere next spring. He is a free agent and will get some looks. Bell has big-league speed, and there will be a market for him. As far as rumors that Denver would trade for Bell as insurance for Henry’s pending drug suspension? Don’t believe it.
Denver traded Bell and right tackle George Foster for Dré Bly in the offseason. The two teams likely won’t swing a deal for Bell again. It is clear Denver won that trade, by the way. Bell isn’t being used enough, and Foster has been benched. Bly has pleased Denver’s coaching staff with his gamer attitude and willingness to do the dirty work.
Broncos’ dirty tactics?
In his soon-to-be-released book, New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan is expected to talk about offensive units that use “dirty” tactics. In a conference call with media members while promoting the book Tuesday, Strahan addressed the Broncos’ line.
“It’s no secret about the Broncos line,” Strahan said. “It’s not innocence. Some of this is so blatant you can’t miss it.”
Around the league
The chatter this week that Arizona might look to unload quarterback Matt Leinart, who is out for the season with a broken collarbone, next spring is silly. Sure, he struggled before his injury, but he is talented and coach Ken Whisenhunt is a developer of quarterbacks. Whisenhunt owes himself, Leinart, the organization and Cardinals followers an attempt to make it work when Leinart gets healthy. …
The league’s trading deadline is Tuesday. The Vikings are offering Mewelde Moore, who is a Broncos-style running back, but the Vikings are said to want a midround pick in return. They likely won’t get that high a bounty for a third-string running back. …
It seems the Chiefs will not part ways with safety Greg Wesley, whom the Broncos and Texans seriously considering trading for before training camp. Wesley is playing about 35 percent of the plays in Kansas City, but it wouldn’t be a shock if he were free in the offseason even though he still has two years remaining on his contract. …
David Canter, the agent for punter Todd Sauerbrun and fullback Cecil Sapp, talked to Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist and director of football administration Mike Bluem prior to the San Diego game Sunday. Sauerbrun and Sapp are free agents after this season. “We were just talking about the future,” Canter said. “There’s nothing imminent at all.” …
The word around the league is that the available free-agent group is not strong this season, although a couple of players to keep an eye on are linebackers Robert McCune and Brett Pierce. Both will be signed sometime soon. The Broncos have looked at both players in recent weeks. …
Former CU star kick returner Jeremy Bloom is back in the Denver area working out after staying in the Philadelphia area after his September release by the Eagles. …
The league said goodbye to Seattle fullback Mack Strong. He suddenly retired this week after suffering a neck injury Sunday. Strong will not make the Hall of Fame, but some scouts said he was the best fullback of his time. …
In his 18th NFL season, New England linebacker Junior Seau is enjoying a renaissance. Several NFL observers say Seau is having his best season in the past five years. Not bad for a 38-year-old linebacker. …
Former Broncos fullback Kyle Johnson had just his second tryout, this one in Detroit this week, since being cut six weeks ago. Many in the league are surprised the three-year starter for the Broncos is still looking for work. …
According to those in the know, former Denver quarterback Jake Plummer is still months from having the grievance against him heard. The Buccaneers and Broncos have filed actions against Plummer, but actually the Broncos are simply doing so because they traded his contract to Tampa Bay in March. The Buccaneers are looking for $7 million from Plummer. Those close to Plummer maintain that he is happily retired. Recently married and recently inducted into the Arizona State University Hall of Fame, Plummer is spending a lot of his time participating in handball tournaments.
It’s been a long time
The Broncos, struggling at 2-3 as they enter their bye week, have gone the longest in the NFL without finishing under .500. A look at the last time each NFL team finished with a losing record:
Season Team Rec.
2006 Buffalo 7-9
2006 Miami 6-10
2006 Cleveland 4-12
2006 Houston 6-10
2006 Oakland 2-14
2006 Washington 5-11
2006 Minnesota 6-10
2006 Detroit 3-13
2006 Atlanta 7-9
2006 Tampa Bay 4-12
2006 San Francisco 7-9
2006 Arizona 5-11
2005 New York Jets 4-12
2005 Baltimore 6-10
2005 Tennessee 4-12
2005 Philadelphia 6-10
2005 Green Bay 4-12
2005 New Orleans 3-13
2005 St. Louis 6-10
2004 Kansas City 7-9
2004 Dallas 6-10
2004 N.Y. Giants 6-10
2004 Chicago 5-11
2004 Carolina 7-9
2003 Pittsburgh 6-10
2003 Jacksonville 5-11
2003 San Diego 4-12
2002 Cincinnati 2-14
2002 Seattle 7-9
2001 Indianapolis 6-10
2000 New England 5-11
1999 Denver 6-10
