The Dude
02-23-2008, 06:01 AM
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/15877862.html
Eagles defensive tackle arrested
By Bob Brookover
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS - Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson likely will be subject to discipline by the NFL after being arrested and charged with marijuana possession last Saturday in South Jersey.
Word of Patterson's arrest circulated yesterday when Evesham Police Capt. Jeff Gural sent out a news release detailing the incident, which occurred just after 6 a.m. The release said Patterson, 24, was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams.
According to the NFL's collective-bargaining agreement, "a player will normally be subject to discipline up to and including suspension without pay for four regular and/or postseason games for a first violation of the law related to substances of abuse other than alcohol."
That, however, doesn't mean Patterson definitely will be suspended for four games, although it appears likely he will land in the league's substance-abuse program.
An Eagles spokesman said the team was aware of Patterson's situation but did not have any other comment.
Josh Luchs, Patterson's agent, said, "We're looking into the situation, but we have no comment at this time."
The release from the police said the arrest came after an investigation of a disabled motor vehicle on Hopewell Road in Evesham.
A patrolman "observed a vehicle on the side of the road with some visible damage caused by a minor motor vehicle accident," the release said. "During that investigation, police smelled what appeared to be burning marijuana come from within the car."
The release said that marijuana was discovered in the car and that Patterson, an Evesham resident, admitted that it belonged to him. Patterson's brother Tyrone, 28, was a passenger in the car and also was arrested after police reportedly discovered minor outstanding warrants against him. The release said that Tyrone Patterson resisted arrest and that officers had to physically take him into custody.
Mike Patterson was released pending court action, and Tyrone Patterson, who according to the release lives with his younger brother, posted bail on a charge of resisting arrest and was released.
Mike Patterson, the Eagles' first-round pick in 2005, is coming off his best season. It would be a big loss if he were suspended for the first four games of next season. It also would cost Patterson $137,647 of his $585,000 base salary for the season.
According to the statistics kept by the Eagles' coaching staff, Patterson established a career high of 114 tackles last season, which ranked first on the team among defensive linemen. He also had a career high of four sacks.
Though defensive coordinator Jim Johnson was thrilled with the production he got from Patterson and fellow defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, the Eagles do not have depth at the position. The backup defensive tackles are LaJuan Ramsey and Montae Reagor, neither of whom saw much playing time last season.
The last time Eagles coach Andy Reid had to deal with this kind of situation with one of his players was in November 2001, when rookie safety Terrence Carroll was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana after being stopped on South Street in Philadelphia.
Carroll was released from the team. Running back Correll Buckhalter and cornerback Darrel Crutchfield also were in the car but not charged. Reid suspended both players for one game.
cliffs: eagles DT patterson gets arrested with 58g of ganj.
Eagles defensive tackle arrested
By Bob Brookover
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS - Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson likely will be subject to discipline by the NFL after being arrested and charged with marijuana possession last Saturday in South Jersey.
Word of Patterson's arrest circulated yesterday when Evesham Police Capt. Jeff Gural sent out a news release detailing the incident, which occurred just after 6 a.m. The release said Patterson, 24, was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams.
According to the NFL's collective-bargaining agreement, "a player will normally be subject to discipline up to and including suspension without pay for four regular and/or postseason games for a first violation of the law related to substances of abuse other than alcohol."
That, however, doesn't mean Patterson definitely will be suspended for four games, although it appears likely he will land in the league's substance-abuse program.
An Eagles spokesman said the team was aware of Patterson's situation but did not have any other comment.
Josh Luchs, Patterson's agent, said, "We're looking into the situation, but we have no comment at this time."
The release from the police said the arrest came after an investigation of a disabled motor vehicle on Hopewell Road in Evesham.
A patrolman "observed a vehicle on the side of the road with some visible damage caused by a minor motor vehicle accident," the release said. "During that investigation, police smelled what appeared to be burning marijuana come from within the car."
The release said that marijuana was discovered in the car and that Patterson, an Evesham resident, admitted that it belonged to him. Patterson's brother Tyrone, 28, was a passenger in the car and also was arrested after police reportedly discovered minor outstanding warrants against him. The release said that Tyrone Patterson resisted arrest and that officers had to physically take him into custody.
Mike Patterson was released pending court action, and Tyrone Patterson, who according to the release lives with his younger brother, posted bail on a charge of resisting arrest and was released.
Mike Patterson, the Eagles' first-round pick in 2005, is coming off his best season. It would be a big loss if he were suspended for the first four games of next season. It also would cost Patterson $137,647 of his $585,000 base salary for the season.
According to the statistics kept by the Eagles' coaching staff, Patterson established a career high of 114 tackles last season, which ranked first on the team among defensive linemen. He also had a career high of four sacks.
Though defensive coordinator Jim Johnson was thrilled with the production he got from Patterson and fellow defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, the Eagles do not have depth at the position. The backup defensive tackles are LaJuan Ramsey and Montae Reagor, neither of whom saw much playing time last season.
The last time Eagles coach Andy Reid had to deal with this kind of situation with one of his players was in November 2001, when rookie safety Terrence Carroll was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana after being stopped on South Street in Philadelphia.
Carroll was released from the team. Running back Correll Buckhalter and cornerback Darrel Crutchfield also were in the car but not charged. Reid suspended both players for one game.
cliffs: eagles DT patterson gets arrested with 58g of ganj.