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Sports
Buc RB Doug Martin Violates Drug Policy, Suspended For 4 Games; Checks Into Rehab
Jameis Winston Approaching NFL Record
The Tampa Bay Bucca- neers surprisingly deacti- vated running back Doug Martin prior to their even- tual loss last week against the New Orleans Saints, and now we know the reason why.
The suspension starts on Sunday when the Bucs play the Carolina Panthers on FOX at 1 p.m.
Martin has been sus- pended for four games with- out pay for the team’s next four games by the NFL for vi- olating the league’s drug pol- icy. He issued a statement on Wednesday indicating that he is entering rehab.
“I was notified last week of a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. My initial instinct was to appeal the suspension and finish the season with my teammates. However, after numerous discussions with people close to me — includ- ing Coach [Dirk] Koetter — I am starting the suspen- sion immediately so I can enter a treatment facility and receive the help I truly need.”
“On the field, I must be strong and determined to push through both pain and injuries to become an elite NFL running back. Off the field, I have tried that same approach in my personal life. My shortcomings in this area have taught me both that I cannot win these personal battles alone and that there is no shame in asking for help.
“I sincerely apologize to the Glazer family, General Manager Jason Licht and the entire Tampa Bay organ- ization, my teammates and
RB Doug Martin has played for the Bucs for 5 sea- sons. He has been plagued with a hamstring injury most of this season.
our tremendous fans. This was not the season I envi- sioned and I have let every- one down, including myself. However, adversity yields opportunity and I ask for your support in my battle to overcome these personal is- sues.”
STATEMENT FROM BUCCANEERS GENERAL MANAGER JASON LICHT:
“Doug has been a valued member of our organization for the past five seasons and we respect and support his decision to seek help. Right now, he is working through issues that are much larger than the game of football. Our primary concern is that he takes this time to focus on getting the help that he
needs in order to move for- ward with his personal and professional life.” According to the Tampa Bay Times, Martin — who was a healthy scratch last Saturday — was excused from Wednesday’s practice. The suspension will begin this week with the sea- son finale against the Car- olina Panthers and carry over the remaining three games for the start of the 2017 season.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Martin is struggling with Adderall use.
Adderall is a prescription medication used to treat at- tention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and nar- colepsy. Adderall, a brand name, is a combination of amphetamine and dextroam- phetamine, which are central nervous system stimulants.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the sus- pension voids all guaranteed money from Martin's $7 million base salary for next season.
Coming off an All-Pro campaign in 2015, Martin has been a major disappoint- ment this year, averaging a mere 2.9 yards per carry with three touchdowns over eight contests. Coach Koetter benched his $35 million run- ning back in last weekend’s game with playoff implica- tions.
The fifth-year running back has been plagued with a hamstring injury this season.
Rex Ryan Fired As Bills' Postseason Drought Reaches 17 Seasons
COACH REX RYAN
The Buffalo Bills fired coach Rex Ryan on Tuesday after almost two seasons with the team.
The Bills also relieved as- sistant head coach Rob Ryan of his duties.
Offensive coordinator An- thony Lynn will serve as in- terim coach for the Bills' finale on Sunday against the New York Jets, and EJ Manuel will start in place of quarterback Tyrod Taylor, according to league sources.
JAMEIS WINSTON
Tampa Bay Buccaneers star quarterback Jameis Win- ston has an opportunity to place himself among some of the NFL’s all-time greats as the 2016 regular season is set to come to an end.
With 267 yards against the Panthers on Sunday, Win- ston will have 8,197 passing yards in his first two seasons, the most of any quarterback in NFL history.
Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck currently holds the record with 8,196 yards through his first two years. Cam Newton (7,920), Pey- ton Manning (7,874), Blake
Bortles (7,336) and Dan Marino (7,294) follow closely behind. Winston threw for 4,042 yards during his rookie campaign, becoming one of just three rookies to throw for more than 4,000 yards. He has 3,888 this season with one game left on the schedule.
Not only is Winston is climbing into the record books for passing yards, but he’s doing so in touchdowns as well. Winston’s thrown 49 touchdowns in his first two years, which puts him at No. 5 on the NFL’s all-time list. Winston is averaging 1.8 touchdown passes a game this season. With three touch- downs, he will move into a three-way tie for the No. 4 spot on the list.
Dan Marino currently holds the NFL record for pass- ing touchdowns in his first two seasons with 68. Derek Carr (53), Peyton Manning (52) and Russell Wilson (52) fol- low.
Dez Bryant Tries To Go To
Cowboys’ Quarterback Meeting,
Wants More Passing Plays
Dez Bryant has become a star with the Dallas Cowboys as a wide receiver, but after throwing his first career touchdown on his first NFL toss, it sounds like Bryant wants more action under cen- ter.
One day after his touch- down pass to tight end Jason Witten during the Cowboys’ 42-21 win over the Detroit Lions, Dallas vice president Stephen Jones said Bryant is trying to con- vince offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to give him another shot to show off his
DEZ BRYANT
throwing form.
“Dez tried to go to the
quarterback meeting this morning,” Jones said Tues- day, via the Dallas Morning News. “He’s lobbying Scott for more plays.”
Browns’ First Win Of The
Season Turns Into Huge Help
For Homeless In Cleveland
The Cleveland Browns’ first victory of the season will have much more meaning off the field, especially for those in need in the Cleveland area.
In light of the Browns’ 20- 17 win over the San Diego Chargers on Saturday, organ- izers of the “Perfect Season Parade”, which was going to recognize the team had it gone 0-16, said the $10,000 that they collected instead will go to the Greater Cleve- land Food Bank. The Browns said Tuesday that they will match the $10,000 that was raised.
The parade money, which
BROWNS’ QB ROBERT GRIFFIN, III
was raised by donations, ini- tially was going to pay for se- curity, bathroom facilities and other expenses, but those plans no longer were needed after the Browns avoided the dubious distinc- tion.
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