The Patriots aren't have a great off-season. After losing Super Bowl XLII, running back Kevin Faulk is found with a little bit of pot in his car. Reserve safety Willie Andrews trumps Faulk by being arrested with a bunch of weed and wads of cash.
But neither can compare to the revelation that starting right tackle Nick Kaczur bought Oxycontin by the hundreds for several months.
In case you missed it from The Boston Globe, Kaczur was arrested in New York back in April and was found with oxycodone in his vehicle. He admitted to buying the pills 100 at a time since November 2007 but saved his own behind by helping the DEA catch his supplier.
I won't go into what Kaczur's motivation to buy 100 pills of oxycodone at a time. I wonder what action the league will take.
Goodell has been tough on players since he became commissioner. He doesn't need a conviction to dole out a penalty. Typically a first time offense is a four-game suspension. Kaczur was arrested. Coping a plea with authorities won't save him if Goodell decides to bring the gavel down on Kaczur.
Goodell could take the personal conduct policy further. He also has the right to punish a team for players repeatedly committing offenses. He already suspended safety Rodney Harrison for purchasing steroids. Add two marijuana arrests and Kaczur, it might be enough to make Goodell take action against the Patriots organization. It could be fines or even draft picks or more.
Goodell has been accused of taking it easy on the Patriots for the punishment levied for Spygate. Could he be pressured by other owners to be heavy-handed this time around?
He can't set a double-standard for players so I expect Kaczur to be suspended for four games.
But will Goodell lay down the law against the Patriots to satisfy the owners and critics?
Funny how Cincinnati set the standard for number of bad apples on a team in the modern NFL. Now people will wonder if Ne England is picking from the same trees.
