For some reason people with money have the tendency to think that they’re above the law. A simple wrong move here or there, and it’s easy to put off on one of their friends that they roll in mobs with. Still, there comes a time when an athlete has to think before their actions. We’ve heard of Damon Stoudemire getting busted for pot trying to board an airplane, but nothing was as insane as Onterrio Smith.

Why in the world would Smith jeopardize his future, with a mistake like this? By being busted with a device that is supposed to help you pass a drug test, it only creates a negative hint on the whole picture. Hmm, Smith was kicked off the Tennessee Volunteers for marijuana use, and already has violated the NFL’s drug policy twice. He is able to sidestep his use to play well on the football field, but rules are rules.

As football camps mini camps are underway, Smith is having to face the ridicule and embarrassment that only can be tagged on himself. This might have been understandable as a college student, but he is repeatedly making the same mistakes. There comes a point in time when you have to make the sacrifice and mature as a human being. Smith is soon on his way to becoming a representation of what not to do for athletes once you make it into the NFL.

Sure there are probably athletes that have used the whizzanator or some other type of concept to pass drug tests. In fact it’s more than likely an actuality than an assumption. Obviously he hasn’t sustained his use, or he wouldn’t be traveling on the road with it. This is like a kid being caught doing something blatantly right in front of a parent, and still denying it. I don’t even know how Smith could even show his face at work, because the final outcome is going to be obvious.

It’s a shame because he could have really helped the Vikings. Even though the backfield is extremely crowded with Moe Williams, Mewelde Moore, and Michael Bennett, Smith has been the best when giving the opportunity. Mike Tice and the Vikings organization have given this kid enough chances already, and an obvious transition phase is going to have to happen in Smith’s life.

This is eerily similar to Ricky Williams last year, but Williams didn’t deny use and quickly exited before facing a four game suspension. Temptation can be classified as a drug in athletics, because it is everywhere. Whether it’s woman or drugs, an athlete needs to know to back down from the pressures just like they did in high school. The problem is an athlete can get comfortable with their money banked away, and high rolling life.

Maybe Smith is telling the truth about bringing the device to a relative, but it doesn’t take a genius to see the devious reason. Automatically bump up Mewelde Moore, because he was the one that played big last year when Smith was suspended and Bennett was hurt. Either way, Mike Tice will likely continue to share the load in a fair percentage like he did down the stretch. The area Smith would be missed the most is his size and speed, as Moore and Bennett are smallish backs.

If he is suspended for a year, there will be a team out there that takes a risk on Smith one more time. This time though, he will truly have to dig himself out of a hole, because the spot he’ll be competing for will be a hard fought grueling battle against rookie and veteran free agents. Just with the snap of the finger, Smith’s life has turned but maybe it was a good thing that Smith’s problems caught up with him now.

Okay, you’re an All-Pro wide receiver, who is entering his third year in the league, and your team still hasn’t proposed a long term extension or new deal and it’s your contract year. There are numerous stupefying head twisting questions that can quickly be brought up on this. One this player’s agent sucks, or two the organization is willing to jeopardize their future with this athlete. It can be either or, but one things for sure, an official holdout in Arizona has already started before mini camp.

Anquan Boldin bursted into the 2003 season as a second round rookie that had career day numbers from his first steps onto the football field. His steps weren’t premature either as he went on to have nearly 1400 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. Phew, the Cardinals quietly scooped up the biggest surprise, and right there you would have thought Boldin would have demanded more money. As they say a change for the better come to those who earn it, and he definitely earned it.

Since he wasn’t a first round draft pick, Boldin’s contract is of the caliber of a pathetic veteran that may be a backup or special teams player. He literally is scheduled to make around $380,000. Come on Arizona we know the Diamondbacks have struggled but it was time to step up to the plate on this one, a long time ago.

To make things worse Boldin can look to the left and see a second year receiver with his future in set, ($60 million over 6 years, plus a $20 million dollar signing bonus) in Larry Fitzgerald. Talk about getting slapped with an embarrassment and envy tag. It’s like being the last kid picked on a playground because you’re unknown, but you know you’re equal or better than most of the kids.

It just doesn’t make any sense from Arizona’s standpoint. The situation is obviously a tug of war battle, because Arizona wants Boldin to prove his money’s worth once again after coming off injury last season. If he is going to audition for a team though, than he is going to audition for 31 other teams and none are going to involve the words Arizona. Every other NFL team would be interested in Boldin, because he has an uncanny ability to make plays whenever and dominate. He is a replica mesh of Terrell Owens and David Boston combined. He has the size, strength, knowledge, and speed to outplay any cornerback.

Larry Fitzgerald will likely be the better receiver down the road, but there is no reason the Cardinals can’t have two dominant receivers and pay both. It’s not like they have a quarterback they’re paying ten million a year too. Stinginess can’t be a factor if Dennis Green wants this team to win the division and have success in the playoffs. They did do a solid job in the draft, and rightfully deserve an A. But a side factor for grading the draft, also has to add the element of off-season transactions and team management.

If the Boldin situation isn’t resolved before June 1st cuts, than the Cardinals will have to get a C. The chemistry a team needs to have to be successful needs to start right away. When’s the last time New England had to deal with any holdouts? The worst it came to was Ty Law last season, and he came to his senses and didn’t harm the team because he is a veteran and the defense was unchanged. Arizona has a new quarterback, and a running back in JJ Arrington, and this offense needs to get acquainted right away. Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Bryant Johnson should be a dynamic three wide receiver set, and in actuality anyone could argue this triple threat is step for step with the receiving corp Warner had in his hey day with St. Louis, in Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, and Az Hakim.