Comments about ‘Report: Brian Blechen's suspension linked to failed drug tests for marijuana use’

You may not agree with the rule Brian, but they have to be followed; especially when your coach is the one who issues them. It would be foolish to waste this great opportunity that has been afforded to you.

Leach knows how to clean up a program. Three games for a second time getting caught, weak. If he wasn't a starter he would have got kicked off. Did I say weak!

Washington State Defensive Lineman dismissed from team

Mike Leach dismissed a returning starter on the defensive line, a fifth year senior for being caught and charged with third degree theft for stealing a pair of headphones from Walmart.

This leaves WSU extremely thin on its defensive line. Previously, Leach had dismissed two linebackers for being involved in criminal activity.

It sounds like Leach is cleaning house and holding to a noncriminal standard for his athletes.

Todd R. Renda

Good for you Kyle. As much as I like Brian as a player he needs to clean up.

I'm glad Kyle is nipping this in the bud. The Utes don't want or need a rep as another Oregon or TCU.

There's another downside here. Already too insufferable, Spence Checketts must think he's now the Woodward and Bernstein of local sports media.

Rep like Oregon?
Good luck, cause that's unattainable

Clean it up man, we want you back Brian.

I applaud coach Whittingham for his leadership and decisive disciplinarian action with this player, and I hope the best for Blechen. Hopefully he, and his teammates will learn from the experience.

The Utah policy is no penalty for a first drug offense, 25% of the season for a 2nd offense and dismissal for a 3rd offense. Since this is a school policy (not mandated by the NCAA), it really isn't up to the coach or AD to reduce the penalty. Very common for most universities to give a pass on the first offense. Since he is only a junior, he better right the ship or he won't finish his senior season. Hope he learns.

Black shirts,
Leach is in his first year, he needs to establish himself, put the fear into his players. Whittingham is established, his players know he is an enforcer. He is playing this one right. notice also that the two non starters names have not even been been released, let alone dismissed from the program. Kyle holds his starters and his upper classmen to a higher standard.

"Multiple positive tests for marijuana". Hmmm........and only 3 games? This isn't a "violation of team rules" this is illegal drug use. But he is a good player so "multiple" amounts of illegal drug use is a pretty minor thing I suppose.

@Black Shirts

You understand that there's quite a difference between the two scenarios, right? One was arrested, and charged, with theft.

The other was not arrested, never charged with anything, just failed a program issued drug test, twice apparently.

I understand hyperbole to make your hatred for everything Utah sound more legit, but at least have a little common sense.

"Leach knows how to clean up a program."
You mean the same Coach Leach who was fired from Texas Tech university in part because of the way he mistreated a player that had a concussion? Do you have any other role models, Black Shirt?

@Black Shirts/Todd Renda

Enough with the Leach lovefest. This is about Blechen and the shortsighted decision he made. Similar to Reno Mahe's shortsighted choices, these athletes are still good people who have to learn the hard way.

Good luck to Blechen and Mahe. Let's hold off on judging them, all right?

"Utah safety Brian Blechen's three-game suspension for violating team rules is tied to failed MULTIPLE drug tests for marijuana use."

JohnInSLC: I'm glad Kyle is nipping this in the bud.

Looks like Kyle is a little late for "nipping this is the bud," but at least he's finally decided to do something to get his young safety's attention.

Hopefully this isn't just the tip of iceberg, because it sounds like at least two or three other players were also involved in illegal drug use.

oh no. now an excuse when utah loses to byu

It's funny that athletes who play games with specific rules so often are prone to see themselves as above the rules when it comes to violating them, but so adamant about upholding them when they are the victims of rule violators on the field.

Good to see Coach Whit and his staff teaching their kids the importance in life of keeping your word.

More power to this excellent staff of coaches and leaders of young men.

How many people would lose their jobs for failing multiple drug tests? This is just a slap on the wrist, and like most universities primarily interested in winning football games, the suspension is designed to keep the player on the field.

I guess I'll tone down my original response and say this.

The guy has been disrespectful to his coach, his team, his university and the fans with these multiple infractions and his selfish behavior.

Coach, college and program are coming off very weak on this and only now he's under ZERO tolerance?

The program is going up in 'smoke' and there's a rumored two more 'players' to go.

No program needs this.

Leach will roll the Utes like a tire down a hill.

Clean up your acts, Brian and get back in the team.
Wish you all the strength to get this straight!