Thomas suspended for 4 games; tight end Higbee gets plea deal

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  • July 14, 2017 at 5:02 pm #70950
    Avatar photozn
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    STATEMENT BY AN NFL SPOKESPERSON:

    Mike Thomas of the Los Angeles Rams has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2017 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.

    Thomas will be eligible to return to the Rams’ active roster on Monday, October 2 following the team’s October 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

    Thomas is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.

    • This topic was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Avatar photozn.
    July 14, 2017 at 7:03 pm #70952
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    There is a lot of competition for the last 2 or 3 WR spots. This could hurt Thomas and help some of the other candidates. Maybe Thomas will wind up on the practice squad?
    .
    There is a sort of good side to this. It is like getting an extra spot on the roster when a player is suspended.

    Agamemnon

    July 15, 2017 at 1:35 am #70968
    Herzog
    Participant

    That’s why you need so many receivers…. some dumbaas is going to do something

    July 15, 2017 at 1:38 am #70969
    Avatar photoEternal Ramnation
    Participant

    Maybe that’s why Thomas was looking so good in OTAs/Mini Camp.

    July 15, 2017 at 3:03 am #70972
    Avatar photozn
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    Tyler Higbee pleads guilty to felony assault, avoids jail time

    By DEBORAH HIGHLAND

    http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/nfler-tyler-higbee-pleads-guilty-to-felony-assault-avoids-jail/article_90315511-3cac-571a-a6e3-c45f1f2ce81d.html

    Former Western Kentucky University football standout and current Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee pleaded guilty in Warren Circuit Court Friday to assault under extreme emotional disturbance.

    Higbee said little during the hearing beyond “yes sir” to questions asked by Warren Circuit Court Judge Steve Wilson.

    Bowling Green Police arrested Higbee, 24, in 2016 on charges of second-degree assault, second-degree fleeing or evading police and alcohol intoxication in a public place following an April 10 incident in which he punched a Saudi national, Nawaf Alsaleh, in the face. The assault resulted in Alsaleh sustaining a concussion and brain bleed, according to city police records.

    Under the plea agreement, Higbee avoids jail time if he successfully completes a minimum of five years pretrial diversion. During the diversion period he must pay undisclosed restitution to the victim. He must not violate the penal code or the Controlled Substances Act, must remain drug and alcohol free, be subject to random testing, not own or possess any firearms and perform 250 hours of community service work. The charges of public intoxication and fleeing police were dismissed as part of the plea.

    Assault under extreme emotional disturbance is “many times referred to as a heat of the moment assault,” Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Cohron said.

    If Higbee fails to successfully complete the diversion, he could serve two years in prison. At the end of the diversion period, once successfully completed, the case can be dismissed and expunged from Higbee’s record.

    “The main thing we want to convey is Mr. Higbee as well as the victim are happy to put this behind them both. Mr. Higbee wishes him continued good health, and we believe it’s a fair outcome given the circumstances,” Higbee’s attorney Brian Lowder said adding that Alsaleh has since returned to Saudi Arabia.

    At the time of the April 2016 incident Higbee told police he and his girlfriend had been to Dublin’s Irish Pub on State Street where they encountered Alsaleh, who Higbee said bothered his girlfriend, police records show. Higbee said Alsaleh rubbed his head against his and his girlfriend’s faces and was told to stop multiple times.

    Higbee and his girlfriend then left and went to the parking lot of Tidballs on Morris Alley to buy food at the Shogun food truck when Alsaleh approached the couple again, records show. Higbee said Alsaleh got into his personal space and he hit Alsaleh one time, knocking him out, records show.

    Alsaleh was treated at The Medical Center and then flown to TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville after tests showed that he had suffered a concussion as well as a brain bleed.

    Witnesses at the scene told BGPD officers that Alsaleh’s hands were down and that two white males were arguing with him before the punch, with one of them yelling ethnic slurs at him.

    Lowder said Higbee and Alsaleh have since shaken hands and Higbee has apologized to Alsaleh for the assault.

    “The racial slurs were not made by Mr. Higbee,” Lowder said. “The person who made the comments has acknowledged responsibility for having said the things he said.”

    Cohron said the state worked with the victim’s attorney, Steve Downey, to ensure that a restitution plan was in place before resolution of the criminal case.

    “It is not unusual in cases where there is significant injury for us to allow the resolution of restitution to be addressed up front so as it would be in the best interest of the victim,” Cohron said.

    Downey was not immediately available for comment.

    July 15, 2017 at 3:03 am #70973
    Avatar photozn
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    Rams receiver Thomas suspended for four games; tight end Higbee gets plea deal

    Gary Klein

    http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-thomas-higbee-20170714-story.html

    Receiver Mike Thomas on Friday was suspended for the Rams’ first four games of the regular season because of a doping violation, and tight end Tyler Higbee entered into a plea agreement in connection with an incident that left a man hospitalized.

    Thomas, who appeared to have raised his profile during offseason workouts and minicamps, was suspended without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. He can participate in preseason practices and games. He is eligible to return to the active roster after the Rams’ Oct. 1 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

    A Rams spokesperson declined to comment about the suspension.

    Thomas, a 2016 sixth-round draft pick from Southern Mississippi, played on special teams and caught three passes last season. He seemed to impress new coach Sean McVay over the last few months.

    With Tavon Austin sidelined while recovering from wrist surgery, Thomas made several difficult catches and avoided the drops that plagued him as a rookie.

    “It’s all about relaxing,” Thomas said last month, adding, “Last year, I was a little hesitant. … In Year 2, you got to step up.”

    Said quarterback Jared Goff: “He’s kind of found a role for himself. He’s one of our faster receivers and can stretch the defense.”

    The suspension will move Thomas down a depth chart that includes Austin, Robert Woods, second-year pros Pharoh Cooper and Nelson Spruce as well as rookies Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds. It also could open the door for receivers such as Paul McRoberts, who was on the practice squad last season.

    Thomas was scheduled to earn about $569,000 this season, according to spotrac.com.

    Higbee was involved in a 2016 incident in Kentucky.

    He pleaded guilty to second-degree assault under extreme emotional disturbance, agreed to be placed in a diversion program and reached a confidential restitution agreement with Nawaf Alsaleh, said Brian Lowder, Higbee’s attorney.

    Higbee will be on diversion for five years and must perform 250 hours of community service. He would then be eligible to have the case converted to dismissal, Lowder said.

    “We feel like it’s a fair resolution to what was an unfortunate incident,” Lowder said.

    Higbee, who played in college at Western Kentucky, was arrested in April 2016 after an altercation with Alsaleh outside a bar in Bowling Green. Alsaleh was found unconscious and bleeding from the mouth. He reportedly suffered a concussion as well as a brain hemorrhage.

    A month after his arrest, the Rams selected Higbee in the fourth round of the draft. Former coach Jeff Fisher said at the time that the team was “convinced” that Higbee’s situation would be resolved and that the team would not have drafted Higbee “had we had some concerns that it was going to be a problem down the line.”

    Last season, Higbee caught 11 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.

    July 15, 2017 at 3:29 am #70974
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2017/7/14/15937178/la-rams-roster-2017-preview-mike-thomas

    2017 Rams Roster Preview: WR Mike Thomas Looks To Year Two Jump

    Can Thomas make a significant improvement and carve out a consistent role on offense in year two?
    by misone Jul 14, 2017, 12:30pm CDT

    Los Angeles Rams WR Mike Thomas is a player that I thought was a great find in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was a bit underrated and probably got drafted about two or three rounds later than he should have as a sixth-round pick. Since January, he’s been one of three or four names I have constantly mentioned as someone to look out for this season. He has the potential to be a big threat to every receiver on the roster.
    Roster Battle

    As it stands now, WRs Tavon Austin, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp are all virtually locked in as the top three receivers. After that however, it’s wide open.

    It wouldn’t be a surprise if a receiver shines enough to steal number three targets from Kupp only because of the vertical concept that is sure to be mixed into Head Coach Sean McVay’s offense. In those situations, Kupp — one of the least vertical threats on the team — may very well lose targets.

    Thomas is battling Pharoh Cooper, Josh Reynolds, Paul McRoberts and Nelson Spruce for those stolen third-receiver targets as well as one of the final two or three receiver spots.
    Expectations

    I fully expect Thomas to take a massive leap forward.

    One thing that can be taken away from his rookie season is his ability to beat the press, stack the defender, and get downfield. He did this weekly as a gunner on punt against both starting and backup corners, and routinely was the first man down to prevent a return. This same skill is used to get deep on routes in the vertical game. Word from spring practices suggest he’s implementing this skill into his offensive game.

    He should shine on intermediate to deep routes.
    Chances of making the final roster (8/10)

    I have a hard time seeing Thomas not making the final 53-man roster. In fact, I see him securing the fourth receiver slot, and splitting reps with Kupp as the third receiver. Thomas has the potential — and is a serious contender — to be one of the Rams’ breakout performers this year.

    A season of 450 yards and 4 touchdowns could definitely happen. If an injury occurs above him on the depth chart, 700+ is not out of the realm of possibility.

    Agamemnon

    July 15, 2017 at 7:41 pm #71000
    Avatar photowv
    Participant

    I read Higbee’s version of what happened. I’m a bit skeptical. If it had happened exactly the way Higbee told the story
    one would think he would have taken it to trial, and won a jury verdict or at least gotten a hung-jury.

    I suspect the facts are a bit worse than Higbee is saying.

    w
    v

    July 15, 2017 at 8:25 pm #71001
    Avatar photonittany ram
    Moderator
    wv wrote:

    I read Higbee’s version of what happened. I’m a bit skeptical. If it had happened exactly the way Higbee told the story
    one would think he would have taken it to trial, and won a jury verdict or at least gotten a hung-jury.

    I suspect the facts are a bit worse than Higbee is saying.

    w
    v

    If he was a Seahawks player you’d be screaming about how unfair the justice system has been to ‘Saint Higbee’, no doubt.

    July 15, 2017 at 9:38 pm #71004
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator
    wv wrote:

    I read Higbee’s version of what happened. I’m a bit skeptical. If it had happened exactly the way Higbee told the story
    one would think he would have taken it to trial, and won a jury verdict or at least gotten a hung-jury.

    I suspect the facts are a bit worse than Higbee is saying.

    w
    v

    Here’s some more on that.

    …

    waterfield wrote:

    I have yet to find a state where it’s legal to send someone to the hospital with an Intracerebral hemorrhage because they insulted your girl. Moreover the fact he plead guilty to a “felony” aggravated assault speaks volumes. In this State that means prison time not just a jail time for a misdemeanor. Remember the Brian Stowe case at Dodger stadium where Giant and Dodger fans were insulting each other resulting in a Giant fan severely beaten up by a Dodger fan resulting in a severe and permanent brain injury. That resulted in severe prison sentences where the Dodger fans may never get out.

    If the judge was NOT going to incarcerate Higbee he had to sentence him to some pretty severe probation terms. Otherwise he would not be doing the job he was elected to do. IMO Higbee’s defense attorney did a pretty good job keeping him out of prison.

    July 16, 2017 at 3:25 am #71010
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator
    wv wrote:

    I suspect the facts are a bit worse than Higbee is saying.

    Well for one thing he ran away from the cops and hid when they arrived.

    But I agree with you. And I am also surprised that some out there think the judge’s ruling was harsh. He got a guy hospitalized. You don’t get to go around doing that, unless I suppose it’s in direct self-defense in response to an actual physical assault.

    July 16, 2017 at 9:31 am #71012
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    why wouldn’t they send him to prison?

    is it so that higbee can earn a salary and pay the victim for damages?

    or cuz it was one punch and not a continued assault?

    confusing.

    • This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Avatar photoInvaderRam.
    July 16, 2017 at 12:30 pm #71025
    Avatar photozn
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    July 16, 2017 at 1:06 pm #71029
    Avatar photoInvaderRam
    Moderator

    an inexperienced unit? how much experience would higbee even add?

    hopefully everett and hemingway step up. they still have harkey, and maybe we even see some sam rogers.

    July 16, 2017 at 11:30 pm #71034
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    PFF thought highly of Thomas when the Rams drafted him.

    ==

    from PFF: Top 10 impact sleeper picks from the 2016 NFL draft

    MAY 2, 2016

    https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-top-10-impact-sleeper-picks-from-the-2016-nfl-draft

    3. MIKE THOMAS, WR, LOS ANGELES RAMS
    Thomas likely fell in the draft due to average measurables and the fact that he played against a lower level of competition at Southern Miss. But he had the 11th highest receiving grade in this draft class, and flashed the kind of ability at times that leads you to believe he has a chance to develop into a very special player. His 2.98 yards per route run average was the fifth-best mark of any receiver in this draft class. His second-highest game grade of the year came against Washington in the bowl game, which should at least somewhat dampen fears about the level of competition he faced. He’s a potential steal for the Rams, which currently doesn’t have the strongest offensive supporting cast around new QB Jared Goff.

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