Bears DT Collins suspended for opener

**short faced bear** · 07-20-2012, 07:50 AM

Bears DT Collins suspended for opener
By Dan Pompei, Tribune reporter

5:49 p.m. CDT, July 19, 2012
Training camp hasn’t even begun, and the Bears already know one player won’t be available for the opener.

Defensive tackle Nate Collins, who was signed in late May, has been suspended without pay for the first game of the season, Sept. 9 against the Colts. He also has been fined an additional game check.

Collins was found in violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

The suspension could not have come as a surprise to the Bears. Collins was arrested for marijuana possession in February in Virginia. According to reports, Collins was pulled over for having illegally tinted windows and police smelled marijuana in the car. A search turned up marijuana in the trunk.

If Collins had not been arrested, he probably would not have been available.

The 24-year old made 10 tackles in 12 games for the Jaguars last season. The Jaguars had placed an exclusive rights tender on Collins in the offseason, but rescinded the tender after Collins’ arrest.

Collins is eligible to participate in training camp and in preseason games. The suspension won’t make it any easier for him to make the team.

He will compete for a backup defensive tackle spot with John McCargo, DeMario Pressley, Jordan Miller and Ronnie Cameron. It is assumed that Henry Melton, Matt Toeaina and Stephen Paea have roster spots locked up, barring injury.

Collins, who is with his third team in three years, is eligible to return to the Bears the day after the Colts game.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,4776896.story

**omc1969** · 07-20-2012, 08:01 AM

Yeah, no surprise here. Missing one game probably was taken into account when they signed him for rotational depth. I hope he keeps his nose clean and helps the team.

**soulman** · 07-20-2012, 09:00 AM

Wouldn't it save a lot of trouble if the NFL waited to find out whether or not these guys even made the team before they suspend them from a game they may never play to begin with? Maybe they need a category called "suspended pending final roster determination".

I mean if you can suspended just for smoking one or two joints I'd have a lifetime ban long ago from games I'd never play in anyway.

Suspend the guy after he makes the team.

I'm kind of glad the Bears aren't all hung up on these minor league misdemeanors. I've got hops for this kid. They liked him coming out of college and we really have a need for at least one more DT on the roster and probably one more on the PS.

And of course from a standpoint of "what was he thinking" just how intelligent is it to go driving around with a trunk full of weed?

**omc1969** · 07-20-2012, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by soulman

Wouldn't it save a lot of trouble if the NFL waited to find out whether or not these guys even made the team before they suspend them from a game they may never play to begin with? Maybe they need a category called "suspended pending final roster determination".

I mean if you can suspended just for smoking one or two joints I'd have a lifetime ban long ago from games I'd never play in anyway.

Suspend the guy after he makes the team.

I'm kind of glad the Bears aren't all hung up on these minor league misdemeanors. I've got hops for this kid. They liked him coming out of college and we really have a need for at least one more DT on the roster and probably one more on the PS.

And of course from a standpoint of "what was he thinking" just how intelligent is it to go driving around with a trunk full of weed?

Probably too stoned to think.

**soulman** · 07-20-2012, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by omc1969

Probably too stoned to think.

Been there done that. You remember that commercial "why do you think the call it dope"?

I suppose that couldn't have named it stupid since that name was already taken.

**Shark86x** · 07-20-2012, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

Wouldn't it save a lot of trouble if the NFL waited to find out whether or not these guys even made the team before they suspend them from a game they may never play to begin with? Maybe they need a category called "suspended pending final roster determination".

I mean if you can suspended just for smoking one or two joints I'd have a lifetime ban long ago from games I'd never play in anyway.

Suspend the guy after he makes the team.

I'm kind of glad the Bears aren't all hung up on these minor league misdemeanors. I've got hops for this kid. They liked him coming out of college and we really have a need for at least one more DT on the roster and probably one more on the PS.

And of course from a standpoint of "what was he thinking" just how intelligent is it to go driving around with a trunk full of weed?

Oh no... we don't want him drinking too much beer!

Sorry, had to do it.

**Papa Bear** · 07-20-2012, 12:23 PM

Well, now you can kiss the Super Bowl goodbye.

**BigClaws** · 07-20-2012, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Papa Bear

Well, now you can kiss the Super Bowl goodbye.

Beat me to it, lol.

**short faced bear** · 07-20-2012, 03:58 PM

If anything he can be can be made a nice example of. Maybe ward off the mischevious spirits. Or he can sell his pot to the team.

**JJ-30** · 07-20-2012, 04:03 PM

Not sure I understand the question, were you talking about him drivmg around with a trunk full of weed or where you asking so you would know in the future if it was still ok to do that or not.

Originally Posted by soulman

Wouldn't it save a lot of trouble if the NFL waited to find out whether or not these guys even made the team before they suspend them from a game they may never play to begin with? Maybe they need a category called "suspended pending final roster determination".

I mean if you can suspended just for smoking one or two joints I'd have a lifetime ban long ago from games I'd never play in anyway.

Suspend the guy after he makes the team.

I'm kind of glad the Bears aren't all hung up on these minor league misdemeanors. I've got hops for this kid. They liked him coming out of college and we really have a need for at least one more DT on the roster and probably one more on the PS.

And of course from a standpoint of "what was he thinking" just how intelligent is it to go driving around with a trunk full of weed?

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