Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure will be suspended for two games during the upcoming NFL season, according to a league source. Leshoure will also be docked two additional game checks, which will cost him $109,411, according to Dave Birkett.

Well, we kind of knew this was coming, right? Right? Sigh. The suspension comes after Leshoure was busted twice this offseason for marijuana possession. Leshoure later pleaded guilty and paid a $575 fine. Unfortunately, he couldn’t avoid further punishment.

In a radio interview with 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday, Lions president Tom Lewand said he was expecting a suspension.

“Obviously that discipline falls under the commissioner’s purview,” he said. “And suspensions are certainly something that could be a possibility and I would say are likely if you look at similar types of incidences on other teams. “ » Continue reading “Mikel Leshoure To Be Suspended 2 Games”

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley released a statement apologizing for his actions this offseason that resulted in both an arrest for marijuana possession and most recently an arrest for DUI.

In Ndamukong Suh like fashion, Fairley took to his Facebook page to apologize for his actions that he called “inexcusable.” The full statement is as follows:

After taking some much-needed time to reflect on recent incidents, and after conversations with my advisors, teammates, and members of the Lions organization, I would like to make the following statement:

I want to personally apologize to my fans, teammates and the Detroit Lions organization for bringing this unwanted attention to our team. I recognize my actions were inexcusable and I personally need to uphold the expected standard of behavior of a professional athlete. I do not take for granted this opportunity and feel blessed everyday to play in the NFL.

At this time, I am fully cooperating with the Mobile, Ala. Police Department. I am now focused on moving forward and committing my focus to football. I would like to thank everyone for your concern and understanding. » Continue reading “Nick Fairley Releases Apology Following His Arrests”

Update: Details have emerged since we first learned that Nick Fairley was arrested for a DUI. We now also know that Fairley was driving 100 mph when he passed a police car and was eventually pulled over. The Lions released a statement saying simply that they are aware of the arrest and are gathering more information.

Because no nice weekend would be compete without a little controversy, it was reported early this morning that Detroit Lions defensive defensive tackle Nick Fairley was arrested for driving under the influence and attempting to elude police. According to the police report, he was also ticketed for driving recklessly, no proof of insurance, and having an open container.

And in his mugshot, he doesn’t look like he gives a single ****. Good show, Fairley.

To make the situation much worse, this is Fairley’s second arrest in as many months. In April, Fairley was arrested for marijuana possession. He apparently didn’t learn his lesson.

Alabama State Troopers say Fairley was arrested shortly after 1:00 a.m. Sunday on I-10 near the intersection of Highway 90 in Tillman’s Corner. » Continue reading “Nick Fairley Reportedly Arrested for DUI”

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was scheduled for arraignment Monday from his second-degree marijuana possession charge.

Fairley’s attorney, however, requested more time to review the case and as a result, the arraignment was adjourned. It’s been rescheduled for July 31.

Fairley’s attorney, Sidney Harrell Jr., told the judge today that Fairley is in a first-step substance-abuse program with the NFL and that he has passed a drug test since his arrest, according to the Mobile Press-Register.

It’s still unclear whether Fairley will be punished by the NFL of if his court date and subsequent punishment will interfere with the start of training camp.

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Hi, I'm Nate Burleson. And I'm awesome.

Nate Burleson stopped by the NFL Network earlier this week to address — among other things — the off-season arrests that have brought attention to a few of the Detroit Lions second-year players.

When asked if he would talk to Mikel Leshoure, Johnny Culbreath, and Nick Fairley about their recent charges of marijuana possessions, Burleson gave the affirmative. And it makes sense, considering Burleson is certainly a leader in the locker room and a widely respected athlete on and off the field.

“I’m just going to say tighten up,” Burleson said during an appearance on “Total Access” Thursday on NFL Network. “We’ve done too much to get to where we’re at. There’s been a black cloud hanging over Detroit for so long, so for us to go from 6-10 to 10-6 and feel like we’re heading in the right direction and just a few mistakes happen, we’ve got to tell the young guys to get it together.

“But here’s the thing, I really believe that, in the analogy of football, you’ve got to fumble in order to have great ball security. So in life, these guys got to stumble a little bit. And you know as a young guy in the league, you’re going to make those mistakes and hopefully this is just one thing that happens and doesn’t happen again for a lot of these guys.” » Continue reading “Nate Burleson Addresses the State of the Detroit Lions”

In a radio interview Monday, Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand said that Johnny Culbreath, Nick Fairley, and Mikel Leshoure would all get a second chance after being busted for marijuana possession this off-season.

He also said he expects them to participate in the Lions voluntary workouts scheduled to start next Monday.

“We expressed disappointment last week, and I continue to express disappointment that guys put themselves in the position where they have to have an unpleasant interaction with law enforcement,” Lewand said. “That is something that should be avoided. But as we all know from life’s experiences, it happens, people make mistakes, and you want to give guys opportunities to correct those mistakes, learn from them and move forward.”

Lewand expressed disappointment in the three Lions players, but said it’s ultimately up to them to earn back the trust of the organization.

“In the case of all of our guys, they are good guys, and we still have to remember at times — and this is not to excuse anyone’s behavior — but guys are young,” Lewand said. “I think when all of us were in our early 20s, the feeling of invincibility was a lot higher than maybe it is today. » Continue reading “Lions: Culbreath, Fairley, Leshoure Will Get ‘Second Chance’”

Derp.

Yep. You read that right. Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was arrested today in Mobile, Ala. on a second-degree marijuana possession charge — a misdemeanor offense in Alabama.

Words fail me.

Fairley was pulled over after Police received complaints of a speeding car through a residential neighborhood. It was then that police found marijuana in both his and the passenger’s possession. Fairley was arrested but later released on $1,000 bail.

This is the second Detroit Lions’ player to be busted for possession of marijuana in as many days, and the third this off-season.

Mikel Leshoure was charged yesterday — the second time in a month — and Johnny Culbreath was charged back in January. Ironically enough, all three of them are from the same 2011 draft class. Did you guys make a pact or something?

The Lions released the following statement about the incident: » Continue reading “Nick Fairley Charged with Marijuana Possession, Second Lions Player in 2 Days”

The hurt just won’t stop for the Detroit Lions. At this point in the season, it’s easier to ask who is still healthy than to ask who isn’t.

It was made plainly obvious last week just how depleted the Lions secondary really is. And unfortunately it’s not going to get any better any time soon.

Cornerback Chris Houston and safety Louis Delmas both have grade 2 MCL tears.  Headcoach Jim Schwartz doesn’t currently have a timetable for their recovery as it could be anywhere from a couple weeks to a month or more.

“We’re going to get (all of our injured defensive players) back, it’s just a matter of when,” Schwartz said Thursday. “We don’t have anybody there that, other than maybe Lawrence Jackson, which is a little bit more long-term — but we haven’t put any of those guys on the (injured reserve) and all those guys are expected back. And they’re all making progress. They’re all doing well, but whether or not they’ll be available this week, it’s still too early to say.” » Continue reading “More Bad News for Lions on Injury Front”

After handing out a $7,500 fine to Kyle Vanden Bosch yesterday for a late hit during the Lions-Bears game Sunday, the NFL thought to itself, “why stop there?” Shortly after that fine, the NFL also fined Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett $10,000 for wearing orange shoes.

Today, however, several more fines were handed out by the league — $45,000 worth actually. The fines include:

• Lions Matthew Stafford: $7,500 for his take-down of D.J. Moore by the back of his helmet
• Bears D.J. Moore: $15,000 for his retaliation attack on Stafford, which led to a mini-brawl and an ejection
• Bears Rob Sims: $7,500 for “jumping on the pile late” according to Dave Birkett of the Free Press
• Lions Nick Fairley: $15,000 for his roughing the passer penalty on Jay Cutler

Ndamukong Suh, Lance Briggs and Julius Peppers did not receive fines despite early speculation that they might.

Suh knocked Cutler’s helmet off on a hit, but the NFL deemed it clean. And Briggs and Peppers both laid hard shots on Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, but the NFL deemed both of those clean, too — even though Briggs was given a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness.

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After one of the Lions most physical games of the year on Sunday, many assumed that both Detroit and Chicago would be hit with some pretty hefty fines. The only question was who the first victim would actually be.

Unfortunately, the prize goes to Lions defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch who is reportedly being hit with a $7,500 fine for a late hit on Bears running back Matt Forte.

Several plays will undoubtedly be under review, including two hits to Jay Cutler (Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley) and a tackle from Matthew Stafford that led to several players brawling and an ejection for Bears cornerback D.J. Moore.

Officials review all plays involving potential violations, even if not penalized during the game, and they are referred to Ray Anderson and Merton Hanks, executive vice president and vice president of football operations, respectively.

Stafford said he didn’t really care one way or the other whether he was fined.

“I was doing what I thought was the right thing to do and the best thing to do at the time,” he said. “I’m aggressive, just like everybody else, and this is a tough-guy sport. And if you get tossed around a little bit, that’s part of the job. They hit me every play; I’m going to hit them every chance I get.”

Well said, Staff! Except, maybe next time don’t try to rip someone’s head off.

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