09-20-2007, 08:51 PM
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FBF Rookie
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 238
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Jason Taylor Paranoid?
In an interview with Jarrett Bell of USA Today, Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor says that, since he spoke out publicly regarding linebacker Shawne Merriman's eligibility for honors at the end of a season in which Merriman missed 25 percent of the games due to a suspension for violation of the NFL's steroid's policy, Taylor has been visited frequently by the urine collection dude.
"Since I made those comments, I've been tested more than ever," Taylor told Bell. "It's supposed to be random, but I guess that computer has a star on it, next to my name. I guess they want to make sure I practice what I preach."
Though it's not clear from the context, it could be that Taylor's tongue was visiting the area of his cheek when he made these remarks, which on the surface are fairly inflammatory in nature. Because it otherwise sounds like he doesn't have a problem with the whole testing thing.
"There's a need to keep the game clean and also to protect people's health," Taylor said. "And at the end of the day, it's against the law."
Players who no history of positive tests are subject to up to six random tests during the offseason. Then, an annual non-random test is imposed at the outset of training camp. After that, 10 players per team are selected randomly for testing during each week during the regular season and the postseason.
Taylor was tested four times during the 2007 offseason.
Earlier this year, Taylor questioned whether Merriman should be permitted to play in the Pro Bowl. "You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with," Taylor said. "To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards, I think you're walking a fine line of sending the wrong message.
"A performance-enhancing drug is, obviously, what it is. You enhance your performance by doing that. You fail that test, I think it's not right. It's against the rules and ultimately I think it's sending the wrong message to the youth in America and the people who look at this game not only as entertainment but also to learn lessons from it."
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Jason Taylor Paranoid?
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