Stefon Diggs‘ absence from the first week of Patriots voluntary OTAs didn’t raise any eyebrows. However, the wideout quickly commanded attention when a video showed him flashing an “unidentified pink substance” while partying on a boat. New coach Mike Vrabel quickly cited making “great decisions,” and there was later speculation that the Patriots could consider ending the partnership before it truly begins.
Well, it appears the two sides have taken a step in the right direction, as Diggs was present during today’s portion of Patriots practice, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Even more notably, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says the Patriots have no plans to cut their free agent acquisition.
Rapoport provided a bit more insight, noting that Diggs presence at today’s voluntary practice “felt about as mandatory” as it could possibly be. Rapoport hints that Diggs addressed his new teammates, and Reiss notes that the receiver was later spotted catching passes from Drake Maye.
It’s been a bit of a rocky start for the receiver’s stint in New England. While the off-field issues commanded the headlines, there was some speculation that Vrabel may have been more perturbed by his receiver’s absence from practices. Not only is the receiver joining a new team with a new coaching staff, he’s also continuing to rehab a torn ACL suffered during his lone season in Houston.
While Boston radio pundits may be licking their chops at the potential drama, it sounds like those in the building are downplaying the whole story. “New” OC Josh McDaniels addressed Diggs’ recent absence, noting that the veteran has still been preparing for the upcoming season even if he wasn’t on the practice field.
“I know he’s staying up on the information and material and there’s so many things and opportunities for us to teach all our guys going forward — between the rest of the practices in the spring and going into the summer and the many days we have before we actually kick the ball off in September,” McDaniels said (via Reiss). “I’m not concerned about Stef in that regard.”
A significant portion of Diggs’ three-year, $69MM contract is based on roster and workout bonuses, and his guarantees are still contingent on Diggs eventually passing a physical (which he still hasn’t done). In other words, the Patriots do have a bit of wiggle room if they decided to bail on the Diggs experience. For the time being, it sounds like the organization isn’t considering that drastic route.
What a league! If you have a phenomenal game, mandatory pee test; if you’re on camera holding an unknown substance no worries.
Get ya behind to work and stop snorting dat pink powdah.
This is the NFL and what it almost always comes down to is whether the production is worth it. I’d argue it’s not. He was falling off in Buffalo before he was even traded and this behavior isn’t new. They traded him believing they could come close to replicating his production which they did. Then after the move he’s still no stud in a prove it year. Cost him some money but the Pats were desperate enough to take on a guy who seems to be a questionable WR1 with baggage. Had to have been a better option because the behavior everyone should have saw coming
He was on track for 1000 receiving yards in a stacked WR room where the ball gets spread around. I’m not claiming he’s anywhere near his peak, but he’s a good WR. His contract look bigger than it should be, but IIRC, it really amounts to a more reasonable 2 year deal.
Honestly…whatever. Let the legal system deal with it. Probably ends up being nothing or a fine. Does this actually impact Diggs’s ability to play football? Probably not.
Oh sure, I’m caught on a video posted to social media partying with a bag of questionable powder and I get investigated by a couple different federal agencies.
Stefon Diggs does the same thing on a viral video seen by millions and the NFL, the NFLPA, the Patriots, and the feds all stick their heads in the sand and pretend that none of them saw a thing…
It’s a wonder the the FBI can find time to investigate anything with all the sex scandals they’ve created 🙂
link to apnews.com
Its cause they cant void it – not without a union grievance and a big fight.
Or at least – Not without eating bonus money and looking incompetent.
He was not arrested, he didn’t break any team rules, and we cannot prove what the substance was.
The also knowingly signed an older WR with an injury that isn’t yet healed.
So – they double down in support instead. But I would bet there is buyers remorse by Patriots brass.
This whole thing is not a big deal. Let the guy play football. Sheesh.
Nobody is stopping him.
Well, except himself.
Anybody here have an idea what the ‘pink’ stuff is /was. Doesn’t look like any buzz that floated around when I was a youngster.
Until that can be determined it seems the only stupidity is wasting money on leeches to garner attention and get laid.
Heard pink cocaine is actually not cocaine – its a hallucinogen.
Its new to me, but Im an outsider to drug culture.
It was most likely 2C-B, “tusi”, which is called “pink coke” but is usually a mixture of 2C-B and a smorgasbord of adulterants up to and including meth or fentanyl and red dye or food coloring to get the color.
2C-B itself is a psychoactive phenethylamine, similar-ish to other 2C PEA’s and DOM, mescaline, etc. Think hyper-MDMA. It’s closer to LSD or PCP or ketamine in it’s effects.
According to Shulgin in his book PiHKAL it is difficult to dose properly; 10mg and it’s a good time, 40mg and you’re in mind-bending hyperspace like the end of 2001 A Space Odyssey. The problem is it’s really, really hard to discern the difference between a normal 10mg dose and a tragic 40mg overdose when it’s a random adulterated colored powder.
It’s what that instagram model was on when she killed 2 in the car crash in Miami last year that went viral from the body cam video of her stumbling away from the crash half nude talking about being from the future and seeing aliens.
Pink street 2C is legitimately far more dangerous than unadulterated coke or speed, and he gave it to several women who may not have had any experience with it, while partying on a boat with no life vests in sight.
Anyone else old enough to remember Jimmy Johnson cutting a rookie for sleeping in a meeting in order to send the important players a message?
Guess some rookie is going to get a surprise drug test this week…
Why is everyone saying a player or players had 1000 yards Rushing Or Recieving it only 58 yards a game in a 17 game season. It was something back in the day when they played a 14 game season, move on with that BS about 1000 yards