Stephen Cooper suspended 4 games

[keggerz]

for violating league substance abuse policy

 

via ROTOWORLD

[Footballjoe]

Posted: 13 minutes ago

Cooper draws four-game suspension for drug policy violation

NFL.com Wire Reports

 

 

SAN DIEGO -- Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper was suspended by the NFL on Tuesday for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

 

Stephen Cooper, LB

San Diego Chargers

2007 Statistics

Tackles: 108

FFs: 2

INTs: 2

 

"I regret that I mistakenly took a stimulant that I did not realize at the time was banned by the NFL," Cooper said. "I support the NFL's anti-doping policies, and understand that I must serve a suspension even though the stimulant that I took was not used before any game and was not used to enhance my performance.

 

"I apologize to the NFL, my team, my coaches, and to my fans, and I look forward to continuing to help the Chargers toward our goal of winning the Super Bowl in the upcoming season."

 

Cooper will miss San Diego's first four games of the 2008 season, but can particpate in the club's offseason program as well as preseason games.

 

Cooper's suspension begins on Saturday, Aug. 30 following the Chargers' final preseason game. He is eligible to return to the active roster on Monday, Sept. 29 following the team's Sunday game against the Oakland Raiders.

 

"Obviously we’re disappointed, just as I know Stephen is," coach Norv Turner said in a statement. "Coop made a mistake and now must deal with the consequences. It's unfortunate, but we'll deal with it and move on."

 

The Associcated Press contributed to this report.

[McBoog]

Ephedra = diet pills. Hasn't been used for a while and is not a very effective stimulant. It would be interesting to know where/when he got it!?!?

 

Two Words.... Derek Smith. Gotta love AJ Smith!

[rbmcdonald]

Well I gues this explains why someone Traded me Cooper for K. Mitchell striaght up. When was the first anyone heard rumors about this?

[little bighorn]

 

Well I gues this explains why someone Traded me Cooper for K. Mitchell striaght up. When was the first anyone heard rumors about this?

Actually you were traded Cooper because he has a 1 year contract and Mitchell has a 3 year contract.Rumor has it that the team who traded him to you will be decimated in RFA next year and really wanted to acquire a longer contract.Cooper was the only LB on that team with a one year deal so logically he was the man available and you were the 'homer' chargers.IMO they traded you a superior player,the trade off being the contract length.....I am reasonably sure the Chargers felt the same or the deal never would have gone.No prior knowledge of Cooper's situation was public as far as we could see other than the fact i read that the acquisition of Derek Smith was wierd with the depth at ILB the Chargers have.I never really put two and two together.I thought that Smith was brought in to compete with Cooper and Wilhelm and got a little worried and thought it best to try and acquire him[smith}If you in fact read back on the news history for the Chargers players ..on Rotoworld or Myfantasy league i am confident this will be borne out......so there..... Edited April 16, 2008 by little bighorn

[rbmcdonald]

Actually you were traded Cooper because he has a 1 year contract and Mitchell has a 3 year contract.Rumor has it that the team who traded him to you will be decimated in RFA next year and really wanted to acquire a longer contract.Cooper was the only LB on that team with a one year deal so logically he was the man available and you were the 'homer' chargers.IMO they traded you a superior player,the trade off being the contract length.....I am reasonably sure the Chargers felt the same or the deal never would have gone.No prior knowledge of Cooper's situation was public as far as we could see other than the fact i read that the acquisition of Derek Smith was wierd with the depth at ILB the Chargers have.I never really put two and two together.I thought that Smith was brought in to compete with Cooper and Wilhelm and got a little worried and thought it best to try and acquire him[smith}If you in fact read back on the news history for the Chargers players ..on Rotoworld or Myfantasy league i am confident this will be borne out......so there.....

 

It was not my intention to make a rash accusation, I was just blowing steam. However, as someone who takes his own sense of honor very serious, I would like to apologize. For the record, I do not have any indication whatever, that little bighorn had any inside information prior to agreeing to the Cooper / Mitchell trade. I was not my intention when I made my original post in this thread to imply that he did, and I am further convinced that was not the case.

Edited April 16, 2008 by rbmcdonald

[little bighorn]

It was not my intention to make a rash accusation, I was just blowing steam. However, as someone who takes his own sense of honor very serious, I would like to apologize. For the record, I do not have any indication whatever, that little bighorn had any inside information prior to agreeing to the Cooper / Mitchell trade. I was not my intention when I made my original post in this thread to imply that he did, and I am further convinced that was not the case.

no offense taken RB............no apology neccessary.....just explaining my side.....i'd be mift too if the situation were reversed........especially when 1/4 of the one year contract you acquired is voided...... .....its all good and i'll do my best to get derek smith over to you....oh thats right,you've already asked.... Edited April 16, 2008 by little bighorn

[keggerz]

fwiw, that was the very first time I had ever heard anything about this.

[loyalboyd]

So sad.

[Stingers]

This just opens up time for Smith or possibly Anthony Waters or someone else..... bad time to get caught doing anything. Too many players behind you looking for a chance.

Edited April 18, 2008 by Stingers