Haden had thought to be suspended starting the season, but his case appears to have fallen between the cracks of the Saints' bounty cases, and he was able to play in week one.\
Haden must have known the suspension was imminent as he played with his "hair on fire" and was tremendous against the Eagles with five tackles, a pass defended, and an interception that he returned fifty yards to set up a Phil Dawson field goal.
Adderall is a drug prescribed to treat ADD, but it has been known to provide energy boosts and to act as a fatigue fighter in professional athletes.
It is a legal drug, but the NFL requires it to be prescribed and to have the prescription turned into the league for approval.
Since there was a suspension issued, Haden must not have done one of those things or both.
Haden's four-game suspension will not only cost him four game checks, but it also makes him ineligible for the Pro Bowl or postseason awards, which could cost him money from possible contract bonuses.
The Browns will move Dmitri Patterson into the starting lineup for Haden, with Buster Skrine sliding into the third corner spot for Patterson.
Patterson played well last season in earning a new contract from the team in the offseason and was expected to start in place of Sheldon Brown this season, but obviously that did not happen.
I like Joe Haden, and I don't believe Adderall is a drug of abuse, but this has to fall on Haden.
Either it is not a need for him, and he was trying to get an edge, or he needs it and neglected to inform the league, which was an oversight that will cost him.
Tough break for Haden and the Browns, but a justified one-rules are rules....
Meanwhile, soon-to-be new owner Jimmy Haslam has stepped down from his role as CEO of the Pilot/Flying J organization for a promotion of sorts to chairman.
The chairman has control of the company, but his workload is lessened, along with being far less hands-on.
What does this mean for the main issue? (IE-the Browns).
Well, to me, as Haslem and the Mrs. shop for homes in the Northern Ohio area, it looks like Haslem has lessened his duties at Pilot/Flying J in order to be EXTREMELY involved with the Browns.
As in the Jerry Jones micro-managing type of involvement.
Time will tell how much Haslem learned from his stint in Pittsburgh, and I have severe questions on the involvement of Joe Banner, but one thing is clear to me- This will not be the same front office depth chart in five months as it is now.
How much that changes is hard to say, but considering what I have seen from Haslem and the on-field Browns-People get ready, there is "a train" a coming.
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