ASHBURN — Mike Shanahan made it clear where he stood. He’s disappointed in both Trent Williams and Fred Davis.
Both players were suspended four games by the NFL for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse. If not for the lockout and a grace period for testing positive, each would have earned a one-year suspension, which is what happens on a fourth offense. But the NFL Players Association negotiated a settlement with the NFL.
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“Am I disappointed? Big time,” Shanahan said. “They made a couple bad decisions, and they’ll pay the consequences for it — and so will we, as an organization and as a team.
“I think our whole team feels let down. There’s no question about it. Everybody should feel let down.”
Both players addressed their teammates in a meeting Wednesday, apologizing for their actions. Players say they support them, but privately some questioned their decision making and whether this was a sign of a bigger problem for them. After all, ever since their first positive test they’ve been in counseling. They knew what would happen with more positive tests.
“You could tell it was tough for them,” Redskins guard Chris Chester said. “Not that we ever thought that they didn’t care about what was going on. You knew. It’s a tough position to be in, and being accountable is tough. It showed some character. I’m glad they did it.”
Right tackle Jammal Brown said to him it’s the same as if someone made a mistake on the field.
“I don’t look at it no different,” he said. “I won’t hold no grudge against [Williams] or anything like that. I’m sure he’s on himself enough for what happened. I look at it like he messed up and hopefully he learns from his mistakes.”
| Notes |
| » One of the coaches Mike Shanahan visited during his hiatus was New England’s Bill Belichick, whom he has known since they were assistants for various teams in the 1980s. Shanahan spent a day at the Patriots practice. “He knows offense, defense, special teams. He lives it. He breathes it. It’s what makes him tick,” Shanahan said. “I think anybody who is as passionate about something as he is and is as intelligent, they’re going to be good. He enjoys what he is doing. I always try to steal things from people who are doing good. |
| » Safety LaRon Landry (groin), punter Sav Rocca (ankle), nose tackle Chris Baker (quadriceps) and nose tackle Chris Neild (personal) did not practice Wednesday. Receiver Terrence Austin (hamstring), defensive end Stephen Bowen (knee), right tackle Jammal Brown (hip), linebacker London Fletcher (ankle), safety DeJon Gomes (knee), cornerback DeAngelo Hall (back) and guard Maurice Hurt (knee) were limited. But fullback Darrel Young (concussion) practiced for the first time since getting hurt vs. Seattle on Nov. 27. |
Shanahan had not spoken about the matter until Wednesday, wanting to wait until it became official. He knew long before this that they were in trouble for violating this rule. He said teams find out once paychecks are docked, but Shanahan would not say when that started happening.
Nor did Shanahan know whether they could be at the facility and in meetings during the suspension. Phillip Buchanon was suspended for four games earlier this season for taking performance enhancing drugs and could not be at Redskins Park. But the league views street drugs differently. Shanahan said he would like them at the facility if possible.
As for the players’ futures, Williams is under contract, but Davis is an unrestricted free agent. Both would be suspended for a year for another offense. Shanahan said any contract Davis is offered would have protections built in for a possible suspension.
“We’ll see what direction Fred’s going in,” Shanahan said. “[A contract] will be based on performance and [staying on] the straight and narrow.”
Shanahan spoke to both players, letting them know how much they disappointed the organization. What happens from here is uncertain.
“You don’t always know how that’s going to turn out,” Shanahan said. “We know about their athletic ability. We talked about the bad decision they made. Are they smart enough to go down the right path? I’m hoping they do. They both have got a lot at stake, and only time will tell.
“Am I hoping they both do? I’m pulling for them because I like them both. I like them personally. I like their work ethic. I like how they go about their business They know they put us in a heck of a position, not even talking about themselves and what it means to them and their future.”
