Another receiver in whom the Patriots reportedly are interested, Donte' Stallworth of the Eagles, is reportedly in the substance abuse program.
Per Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the specific level of the program currently occupied by Stallworth is unclear. Unlike the steroids policy, which mandates a suspension for a first offense, a player is not immediately suspended for violation of the substance abuse policy. As a result, and in light of the high degree of confidentiality that sometimes applies to the player's status in the program, it's often difficult if not impossible to find out where a player falls within the spectrum of potential levels and penalties before a four-game suspension is imposed.
Stallworth's status in the program likely is a factor in the gap we recently reported between what Stallworth wants and what interested teams are willing to pay.
With that said, former Titans running back Travis Henry is getting plenty of attention in free agency, even though he was suspended for four games in 2005 for violation of the substance abuse policy. And the Titans traded for him when they knew (or should have known) that he was one visit to Rain Man's house in Georgia away from a one-year suspension.
Bottom line -- if a guy can play, he'll get an opportunity. For Stallworth, the bigger issue might be the perception that his hamstrings are tighter than guitar strings.
