UPDATE: Falcons waive linebacker Robert James
Robert "The Beast" James gives chase in an exhibition game against Jacksonville on Sept. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
UPDATE
The Falcons waived linebacker Robert James on Tuesday.
EARLIER
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons linebacker Robert James reported back to the team at 9:30 a.m. on Monday.
He missed the first four games of the season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
“What it was, I went to a doctor back in Phoenix,” James told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “They drew my blood and said my testosterone level was low. They give me a shot to boost it back up. I was told it was a natural substance and that it wasn’t going to hinder anything or violate any rules.”
But the shot did have something in it to violate the policy?
“Yes, yes,” James said.
James, 26, spent his suspension back home in Phoenix. He returned to Atlanta on Sunday night. The team said they had a roster exemption and would make a decision on James by the end of the week.
“I’m happy to be back in the building and getting back into the swing of things,” James said. “It was hard not being able to be here with my teammates. It was something that I had to do. I had to go back home and get my body back in shape and be ready to come back.”
The team has not told him if he has a role on the team. Before the suspension he had a shot at landing a roster spot as a backup linebacker and special teams player.
“I was just told to be back in the building today at 9:30 and I’m here,” James said when asked if he was told of his role.
James was picked in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2008 draft out of Arizona State. He missed his rookie season after suffering a concussion.
He spent the majority of 2009 on the practice squad before being promoted to the 53-man roster on Dec. 29, 2009.
“It’s been difficult after practicing all of the camp with them and going through OTAs and everything to where you couldn’t even be in the building,” James said. “It was kind of hard.”
James has exceptional speed and striking ability. With Jason Snelling taking on a more prominent role in the offense, the special teams unit needs another top flight coverage man.
“I’m willing to do whatever they need me to do,” James said. “I will contribute in any why that I can.”
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82 comments Add your comment
Mike Salmon
October 5th, 2010
7:41 am
I don’t like his excuse. For real? He went to a doctor and got injected with a banned substance? In this day and age of team support networks and agents, can that happen?:
waynester
October 5th, 2010
7:54 am
Mike
Seems like stretch to me, too but I’m glad he’s back(hopefully wiser) ready to work hard and(again hopefully) contribute on special teams, where we really could use a boost….
uga_b
October 5th, 2010
8:21 am
I don’t really care about the excuse as long as he admits he did it. That is the bigger issue. However, not many of us question our doctor any harder than we question our bartenders/
kdbanks01
October 5th, 2010
8:53 am
Dude’s a practice squad player/borderline special teams guy. Of course he’s going to take whatever he can to make him a better player, and who’s to blame him? I’d do the same thing. I just hope his gamble pays off with playing well on Sundays.
Native Georgian
October 5th, 2010
9:01 am
My biggest issue is whether or not he’s capable as a clean player.
Tweets that mention Exclusive: Robert James talks about his suspension | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
October 5th, 2010
9:03 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by How I C It Sports, D. Orlando Ledbetter. D. Orlando Ledbetter said: Exclusive: Robert James talks about his suspension http://bit.ly/acydZN [...]
ALEXANDER
October 5th, 2010
9:13 am
Garbage, for the honest athletes he competes against, his cheating means alot. uga-b , you need adifferent doctor ( or stay away from bars!)
In The Know
October 5th, 2010
9:38 am
First of all, I have low testosterone and take shots for it regularly. The questionable part of his story is that one shot “ain’t gonna do it”. Second, if he indeed has low testosterone why not have his doctor write the league with his medical opinion. For those of us with low “t”, it is a necessary hormone needed for many things in your body. I hate to think where I would be if I had not been taking these shots – for 40 years!
I hope this will help some of you to form an opinion from knowledge and not be completely judgmental.
Post-It
October 5th, 2010
9:42 am
Robert who?
PMC
October 5th, 2010
9:47 am
An NFL athlete whose testosterone is low? I’m calling boosh on the Dr.
drew
October 5th, 2010
9:48 am
Anyone with the nickname, “The Beast”, gets my nod of approval.
D Money
October 5th, 2010
9:49 am
If this guy is telling the truth and his doctor can vouch for him, then fine. However, I’m not sure who they would cut to get him on the field…Adkins? At best he’ll go to the practice squad.
Willy
October 5th, 2010
9:53 am
Mike Salmon, exactly! It’s 2010 and it seems unlikely that any doctor would inject an NFL player with an illegal substance, especially if they talked about it. Instead of Phoenix, he should have said he was in Mexico or Guatemala and had to get a tetanus shot or something.
@ in the know – haha, gurly man
In The Know
October 5th, 2010
9:54 am
PMC – It has nothing to do with playing ball.
isproab
October 5th, 2010
9:55 am
First off he is a guy on the bottom of the roster who is not vital to the team success. If the Falcons like him and his story checks out, I would welcome him back. It is well known that there are over the counter medications that will cause you to fail an NFL drug test. I don’t think every instance of a banned substance violation is an attempt to scam the system.
Being an educated individual, if it were me and I heard “testosterone shot” I would immediately ask the team doctor to check out what the shot would do to possible drug test results. Either way, Falcons will make the call they feel is best.
In The Know
October 5th, 2010
9:58 am
Willy – you are one ignorant a$$. Open mouth and the ignorance spews out.
mike
October 5th, 2010
10:09 am
There seems to be a great number of medical specialist’s on here.
Samuel
October 5th, 2010
10:15 am
We need anybody to help us with special teams, the Falcons aren’t that good yet. If we could get Kieth Armstrong to convey to the guys- that It’s Imperative special teams has to win games sometime.
eaassyy
October 5th, 2010
10:20 am
give some to the braves so they can win a game in the playoffs
HGN
October 5th, 2010
10:27 am
The dude is back. We need another special team player to strengthen that unit. He could best serve in that capacity if Snelling is going to be getting more carries. Leave the man alone and lets wish him and The Falcons well. Lie , or no lie , I agree, when we go to the doctor and he gives us a shot we don’t know whats in that needle.
Lets give him the benefit of the doubt. At least he didn’t get caught with some illegal drugs and swear he didn’t know where they came from even though it was in his car….
Falcon Jim
October 5th, 2010
10:29 am
Willy – What’s with you? Are you twelve years old?
GregKennesaw
October 5th, 2010
10:33 am
So if they keep James, who gets cut?
dawgforlife
October 5th, 2010
10:33 am
if he can help the team, he’s paid his debt. but, that lame excuse is almost insulting to the intelligence. For one, the Falcons have a team doctor and take team physicals. This low testosterone would have been caught in house at some point.
GregKennesaw
October 5th, 2010
10:34 am
He is a LB, and we have 2 LB’s hurt right now, that alone might buy him some time
GregKennesaw
October 5th, 2010
10:36 am
Team roster is full, do we have practice squad positions open? If not someone will be cut to keep him
Sid
October 5th, 2010
10:39 am
I don’t know if this guy is telling the truth or not, nor do I care. If tiny little Ben Rothlisberger would stay out of the Viagara and booze maybe he wouldn’t get suspended too. Interesting, a 4 game suspension for a first offense banned substance in James case and an equal 4 game suspension for a second offense of a sexual assault in Rothlisbergers case. In James case I doubt he will repeat the offense, in Rothlisbergers case would ALL the women please come forward. Our special teams needs some help, give him a spot!
D. Orlando Ledbetter
October 5th, 2010
10:39 am
Greg — roster and squad are full. Someone would have to go (maybe RB G. Johnson)
Yep Yep
October 5th, 2010
10:47 am
First I hope he’s telling the truth. If not, I hope he has this type of thing behind him. I’m all for him doing well and helping the team where needed. But let’s be serious for a moment. Do we really think that he is the only player in the NFL with low T. There must be a common shot that those with low T get on a consistent basis but we are to believe that he is the only one who got a shot with an illegal substance in it. NOT. COME ON MAN!!!!!!!! At any rate, I wish him well.
Sid
October 5th, 2010
10:56 am
Is Steve Hauschka on the roster? He is listed on the roster as a place kicker.
D. Led…………..I’d like to see Johnson stay.
Sid
October 5th, 2010
11:00 am
Testosterone is anabolic, meaning it builds up bone and muscle mass.
Recent estimates show that approximately 13 million men in the United States experience testosterone deficiency and less than 10% receive treatment for the condition.
Studies have shown that men with obesity, diabetes, or hypertension may be twice as likely to have low testosterone levels.
Buzz
October 5th, 2010
11:39 am
Wiley I thought it was funny!!! MEXICO BABY!!! Not Ron Mexico…..
Buzz
October 5th, 2010
11:40 am
Sorry I meant WILLY!!!
Your Comment Here
October 5th, 2010
12:03 pm
If he went to the doctor and they drew blood to see he had a low testosterone level, he must have been having some erection problems, due to all the steroids he’d been taking for so long.
Kenny D
October 5th, 2010
12:15 pm
I hope the Falcons don’t blow this with James, he can add more depth to Special Team or Defense position.
Joe Tess Fish House
October 5th, 2010
12:17 pm
Great…..Another wasted rooster spot for a drug user.
Saints LSU
October 5th, 2010
12:18 pm
the falcons has a good team but the saints will win the NFC south falcons get a wildcard
Falcon Jim
October 5th, 2010
12:35 pm
Saints LSU, go back to your craw-dad hunting.
bob
October 5th, 2010
12:35 pm
I hope James comes back. The Falcons special teams play hasn’t been up to par this year. Is someone new coaching it this year? I also would like to see them put Schillinger at wide receiver if he can catch. He is one of the fastest guys on the team and could add a deep threat. Atlanta could use him like New England uses Welker and drag him across the middle.
GregKennesaw
October 5th, 2010
12:40 pm
Thanks Dled
ELDERFJC
October 5th, 2010
12:51 pm
Thanks for the rest of the “untold story” Mr. Ledbetter. Now, can we please get back to work on the rest of the season? Let’s go Falcons!!!!!!!! Have a great season & post season.
Chucktown
October 5th, 2010
12:57 pm
I often wonder how PRO football, baseball players etc, can be so stupid with things such as drugs, guns, beating their wife and\or killing their girlfriend then stuffing her into a trunk of a car, standing on a street corner stabbing someone, killing and fighting dogs. Then I read what people write in this blog, rub my head while comming to the understanding their all the same kind of people. Some are just more public than others.I really am starting to believe 80% of America are the type you would see on stage of Jerry Springer we all know what a train wreck that is.
Falcon Jim
October 5th, 2010
1:12 pm
Chucktown, so we can assume YOU don’t live in a glass house.
WJ
October 5th, 2010
1:25 pm
Yes folks it is very possible for a doctor to inject the man with a drug that is banned by the NFL. The fact that it is banned by the NFL doesn’t make it an illegal drug for doctors to use. NFL players are simply banned from using it. I say, either make them illegal by the law, or leave it alone at the Sports level. It seems to me as if the courts and the sports programs could come to an agreement.
tim
October 5th, 2010
1:30 pm
I don’t believe a word that ANY athletes say…..
Most used to be trusted…..now, very few are. A bunch of liars!
NO1 PICK
October 5th, 2010
2:29 pm
Im so sure this “doctor” was in his HMO…LOL
Yep Yep
October 5th, 2010
2:43 pm
The Dr. must have been a Cardinal fan. hehehehehe
Key Man
October 5th, 2010
2:45 pm
I could care less what legal substance an athlete puts in their body. They are grown men for goodness sake. This business about athletes being role models is crap.
Falconian
October 5th, 2010
2:50 pm
Who cares. I didnt even know this guy was a Falcon to begin with.
ELDERFJC
October 5th, 2010
2:53 pm
“TO FURTHER CLARIFY MY RECENT POST”….Thanks for giving us the rest of the “untold story” Mr. Ledbetter. James deserved an opportunity to tell hs side as well as dispel all speculation and rumor (which is something that I see a lot of here today). Now, can we please get back to work on the rest of the season? Wishing you all the best success Rob James. Let’s go Falcons!!!!!!!! Have a great season & post season. @ “bob” I am with you on hoping James comes back to help the special teams play. They really can use his talents.
Blanket Statements
October 5th, 2010
3:47 pm
Must have been Tracy Jordan’s doctor- Dr, Spaceman.
Skee
October 5th, 2010
4:03 pm
I feel he should have investigated this testosterone injection a little bit more before he recieved it. But, it turned out to be a bad situation on his behave. I’m sorry this happened to him, and I’m glad he’s back. Now it’s time to get soaring and cracked some heads. Like the way the Falcons are heading and hope they keep it going. Let’s go James and let’s go FALCONS…………………..
ReddJonn68
October 5th, 2010
4:11 pm
With the Falcons not coming clean on Spoon’s health, we could use another set of fresh legs out there to spell the LB corp or be ready if someone else gets dinged up. Good luck James, they must have kept you around for something if you missed the entire season !!! Not to mention special teams we haven’t been looking too good on STs, besides FG unit, don’t forget a blocked punt almost cost us. After watching the worse ST performance ever last night on MNF, the whole nation knows how important they are now !!!!
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
October 5th, 2010
4:13 pm
Hey Willy….I got a tetanus shot in Mexico and felt wonderful afterwards!
SAINTS LSU
October 5th, 2010
5:10 pm
@ Falcon Jim the truth hurt’s
rainbow party
October 5th, 2010
5:21 pm
here’s some words chucktown said used compleatly out of contrast “, rub my head while comming”
Stockdog
October 5th, 2010
5:30 pm
What happened to Michael Jenkins, wasn’t he supposed to be back by now?
alanfalcon
October 5th, 2010
5:35 pm
Doctors are not pharmacist, so don’t think that many of them have a clue unless they have a pharmaceutical degree as well.
I was a detail rep for 12 years, job was to provide doctors information about the drugs I represented, belive me they don’t keep up with the make up of the drugs. FACT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chucktown
October 5th, 2010
7:01 pm
I wonder if rainbow party has a deeper meaning??? OOPs I did say deeper hope you don’t get to worked up on that one too.
Reid Adair
October 5th, 2010
7:27 pm
I don’t by Robert James’ “explanation” for failing his test. I’m also not disappointed to see the Falcons waive him.
Tweets that mention UPDATE: Falcons waive linebacker Robert James | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
October 5th, 2010
7:36 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nicholas Martin, D. Orlando Ledbetter and D. Orlando Ledbetter, D. Orlando Ledbetter. D. Orlando Ledbetter said: Exclusive: Robert James talks about his suspension http://t.co/VE1zeNd [...]
Falcon Jim
October 5th, 2010
7:47 pm
Saints LSU, nothin hurtin me……………………
FalconsFan284
October 5th, 2010
8:23 pm
The Saints need linebackers and he is probably good enough to start for them. He is already making excuses for different things so he should fit right in!
Sid
October 5th, 2010
8:47 pm
This has got to be strictly a character decision……………………….
Arthur Blank
October 5th, 2010
8:48 pm
We will not have anyone with baggage on the team (I still don’t understand why Babineaux is still here.) That’s why we were not interested in having criminals like T.O. or Vincent Jackson on our team despite the fact that they could help us win a Super Bowl.
waynester
October 5th, 2010
8:51 pm
If we’re set on bringing back a linebacker, I say bring back Bear Woods…otherwise, we seem to have adequate depth at the position….
ET
October 5th, 2010
9:36 pm
I have been diagnosed with low testosterone. I am given shots and I rub some Andro-gel on my stomach every day. Either of these methods violates the NFL drug ban. His excuse is 100% believable. When the doctor runs blood tests and tells you that you have low testosterone & that he will get the level back up with natural testosterone, one believes it isn’t a bad thing. Evidently the NFL wants every player with low testosterone to stay that way. What a Crock!!!!!!! They are as bad as the NCAA…
DePlane
October 5th, 2010
9:52 pm
Babs is still here because he is the best DT in the NFC South and maybe the NFC. He won’t get another chance so he better make best use of this one.
Timbo
October 5th, 2010
10:31 pm
AJC pumped him up . . . he gets released. Sounds plausible!
Football
October 5th, 2010
11:19 pm
That’s messed up. They could have told him that was coming. I think they could have used him especially now. Go figure.
Falcons Chic
October 6th, 2010
1:12 am
Why make him report if you are going to waive him? Have to get him in the building for actual signatures? He could have been looking for another job.
I, too, like Bear Woods, but what’s the cost of the flight? the hassle? Just wondering what the point was…
Reggie
October 6th, 2010
4:57 am
Bear Woods? Give me Bear Grylls…dude is the real “beast”. Any man who can take on the “wild” can certainly make a tackle on 3rd and inches!
GregKennesaw
October 6th, 2010
5:58 am
TD and Smith always meet with a player and tell him why he is being cut. There was probably paperwork that needed to be signed. I don’t think he was let go because of the suspension, he would have been on the bubble anyway. look all he was last year was practice squad and special teams. don’t make this out to be more than it is. if they added him to roster, then they have to cut someone else. who was that going to be?
Paddy
October 6th, 2010
6:55 am
During the 2 to 3 day wait to get the blood work results; did james call anyone to check on this type of treatment for low testtosterone. The Falcon, the NFL, the players union, his agent, ANYBODY? With his career on the line he just goes it alone with no verification! Falcons don’t need this MENSA student.
LawdhamMercy
October 6th, 2010
7:08 am
WE NEED A RB OR WR. Go get Randy Moss. Why aren’t we looking for help opposite Roddy White. We can get more points with a big WR.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
October 6th, 2010
7:51 am
Randy Moss is being traded to the Vikings…. Falcons wouldn’t take on that huge contract any way.
waynester
October 6th, 2010
8:01 am
floriduh
Read last night that Moss would have to sign a contract extension in Minn and that’s what was holding up the deal. With an (likely) uncapped season the contract could be heavily front-loaded to relieve any cap pressure, but it’s still seems unlikely for ATL to go that route.
DePlane
you nailed it on Babineaux–if he was a middling player, he’d be on another roster by now….
Reggie
Grylls–funny stuff. No, seriously, I thought Woods was an excellent ST prospect–he has great speed and really flies around the ball on most every play…
Buzz G
October 6th, 2010
8:37 am
It was right to let this guy go. The athlete who takes steroids and then competes with clean athletes is about like the Mexican who sneaks across the border and then competes with legal immigrants for jobs.
auparson
October 6th, 2010
8:42 am
I’m not complaining about the Falcon’s decision, but why give him hope and make him fly all the way from Arizona only to waive him?
Sid
October 6th, 2010
9:31 am
auparson, the Falcons probably paid for the flight. They are a class act, you don’t fire someone over the phone or via text or fax. Just seems there is more to this than we are being let in on.
Diogenes
October 6th, 2010
10:12 am
An awful lot of cynics on this blog.
Chop Buster
October 6th, 2010
12:55 pm
Next time he’ll leave the hemp alone.
That Dude
October 6th, 2010
6:22 pm
The Falcons have signed Robert James to the practice squad and terminated the contract of Shawnbrey McNeal #atlcle10