Haloti Ngata suspended 4 games

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata has been suspended for the rest of the regular season for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, the team announced Thursday.

Ngata, a five-time Pro Bowl defender, received a four-game suspension from the NFL, and he's eligible to return for the playoffs if the Ravens make the postseason.

He will forfeit $2.1 million in salary as a result of the suspension.

"I made a mistake, and I own this," Ngata said in a statement. "I took Adderall and take full responsibility for doing this. I am deeply sorry and broken up over this. I let down my family, my teammates, Ravens fans and myself. My hope is that the Ravens make the playoffs, and I believe they can do this. And, then I can come back and help us win."

Among Adderall's uses is for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The Ravens will likely turn to rookie second-round pick Timmy Jernigan to replace Ngata.
In his ninth season, Ngata was having one of his better years in recent memory. He had two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and seven batted passes.

READ MORE: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11977442/baltimore-ravens-haloti-ngata-suspended-4-games-peds

Tisk tisk tisk, Mr. Ngata. You team is in a playoff race and you get busted for something like this? Shame on you....

On a side note: does anyone really think Adderall is a PED? I would say it is as much of a PED as a Viagra.

From what I know about the drug is that it is primarily used to increase focus and is a stimulant.

So I guess you could say that it would enhance performance.

I know that this drug is sold (illegally) on quite a number of college campuses. I understand why a student would want to take it -- especially when studying for finals.

Here is an article from the Seattle Times that addresses this issue:

http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2019776708_adderall28.html

You are correct, Ginger. You know what else increases focus? Discipline.

SteelersYak wrote:

You are correct, Ginger.  You know what else increases focus?  Discipline.

You're preaching to the choir baby.  I'm so damned disciplined that my picture appears next to the word in the dictionary!

You're spot on.  But discipline is a side effect or a cause (either way) of work ethic.  Unfortunately, some athletes do not have work ethic and want the easy way out, or the quick fix.

Stevie Smith threw a little temper tantrum:

Steve Smith: We got our butts kicked

Wide receiver Steve Smith expressed his frustration more than any other player after the Baltimore Ravens' 25-13 loss at the Houston Texans.

"Bottom line is offensively, we just got our ass kicked," Smith said. "That's what happened. That's what the score looks like. That's what it looks like when you just lose. That is the consequences of losing."

Smith's frustrations weren't contained to just the team's on-the-field performance, he also took aim at those that will criticize the team's play.

"We expect and understand and anticipate all of the negative feedback and all of the fat, lazy, sorry couch quarterbacks are going to come out," Smith said. "We expect that and understand that. We're not going to pay attention to it."

READ MORE: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12062683/steve-smith-baltimore-ravens-frustrated-calls-critics

I am beginning to hate Steve Smith as much as I hate Thuggs.

His trap never shuts up.