NFL and Players Association Modify Drug Testing Program

This probably is a long time coming for the NFL and the NFLPA. In the dust of last weeks "Worst Week Ever" for the NFL, the league came to an agreement with it's players association on multiple improvements to their drug testing policy.

Among the changes:

---Increasing the threshold for a positive marijuana test and additional steps will be put in place for positive test before players are suspended.

---Independent arbitrators will hear appeals for positive tests.

---DUI's: 2 game suspension for anyone convicted or pleading to driving under the influence. This is contrary to the NFL's request of issuing discipline upon request.

---Amphetamines: 1st positive test in the offseason without a pre ordained exemption will be evaluated under the Substance Abuse Policy. Any positive test during the season without exemptions will be considered automatic violation of the policy.

---HGH: Testing will begin this season. Players are able to challenge the results and testing will not happen on game days.

---Finally, 3 players retroactively suspended will be immediately eligible. Wes Welker, Orlando Scandrick and Steadman Bailey are able to return to their teams. The fate of Rashad Jones is still up in the air. And suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon will be eligible to return to the Cleveland Browns on Week 11 instead of the original season long ban he was facing.

What does this mean? Hopefully not much other than the league and it's players will be more responsible. And yes, we, like you have our doubts about that...

Broncos Lose All Pro Kicker: Prater Suspended for 4 Games

((ht: denverpost.com))

Whomever said kickers are interchangeable in pro football obviously didn't have Matt Prater on his team.

Prater, the leagues most accurate kicker, who can and has knocked them down from over 60-yards away will sit out the first 4 games of the Denver Broncos season.

The reason: He violated the NFL Substance Abuse policy.

According to the Denver Post, Prater had been in the leagues Substance Abuse Program since his DUI arrest in 2011. And while specifics of the violation haven't been disclosed, in a story first reported by the Post, Prater's agent implied his client had a couple of beers while at home.

Officially, the announcement of Prater's suspension isn't supposed to happen until Monday, but the Post reported it on Sunday.

You can read the full story from the Denver newspaper RIGHT HERE

Denver was the leagues highest scoring team last season and Prater himself accounted for 150 points. The only other kicker brought into camp this preseason is rookie Mitch Ewald from Indiana.

Since there are always journeyman kickers available to come in and play for a few games, the guess here is the Broncos will bring a couple in, see how they do and have a plan B ready in case Ewald isn't up to the task.

This video explains why the Broncos will miss Prater--a 64-yard field goal....