Posted By: FormerPack (29/05/2008 2:26:35 PM)
Comment: Correction. This IS (not, is not) the reason why the Wolf Pack have played like c*** since thier 2005 WAC Championship.

Posted By: FormerPack (29/05/2008 2:23:57 PM)
Comment: I am a former teammate of Ezra. It doesn't stop there... Pretty much the whole Wolf Pack football team has a problem with weed. I used to live in a house with some of those palyers. I was forced to moved out because of the fact that they smoked it about 4-5 days a week. This smoke filled up the house with smoke and I did not want to be any part of it. This is, in my opinion, one of the reasons why the Neveada Wolf Pack hasn't played like c*^# since their 2005 WAC chanmpionship. That sad thing is that the coaches and school have no idea, because the players know how to get around the drug testing. I went to the University of Nevada to play Wolf Pack football and get an education, not to smoke weed and be on a free ride.

Posted By: STLNiner (29/05/2008 7:57:31 AM)
Comment: No double standard with Ezra and Strickland. Ezra had a known problem when they signed him as an UDFA. I'm sure he got the "Zero Tolerance" speech when he signed with the team. So what would you have McNolan do? Give the man another chance after threatening Zero Tolerance? That's an instant loss of credibility. Strickland was not driving intoxicated (big difference between the two cases) and he wasn't doing anything illegal that would result in a suspension from the NFL (another big difference between the cases). I'm sure Strickland has gotten the "Zero Tolerance from now on" speech, so he's now on notice. By the way, Leonard Little was not a Pro Bowler when he killed the woman in St. Louis. He was a rookie 3rd-round draft pick who had not played a down in the NFL yet.

Posted By: buzz (29/05/2008 6:46:47 AM)
Comment: Let me preface my comment by saying I was genuinely saddened by the Ezra Butler news-I felt and still feel he is a talent...however no matter where you stand about the use of "recreational intoxicants" and larger issues of freedom and responsibility the fact remains-the league bars the use of such substances and unless those rules change the onus is on the individual to act in that framework( whether someone is looking or not!) not doing so is not just a personal"choice" but an action which affects the larger whole(i.e.team ,community,etc.)-team sport has its' gauntlet but passing thru it brings a higher character(pun noticed!)-work first then celebrate!

Posted By: Ryan (29/05/2008 6:23:54 AM)
Comment: The 49ers reaction seems a bit rash. Butler seemed like a good kid with a problem in that he liked marijuana too much. Ricky Williams is a nice guy and a hell of an athlete, too and we all see how Parcells is giving him a fourth chance...and the dolphins aren't in as much need at their potsmoker's position as we are...and theirs is over the hill and ours is young. We should've given him a second chance as long as he agreed to counseling, treatment and community service. I mean, our team does represent San Francisco and California...we should be a little less conservative about second chances and redemption when it comes to nonviolent offenses.

Posted By: mikeeee uk (29/05/2008 12:26:13 AM)
Comment: Hey san mateo and co? No freedom without responsibility!

Posted By: Ted Spot (29/05/2008 12:19:00 AM)
Comment: Isn't Strickland the guy that the team made that strange contract for, with the impossible bonuses that allowed them to transfer cap space to next year? Could that possibly be a factor in their decision to stand by him?

Posted By: SonocoNinerFan (28/05/2008 7:38:20 PM)
Comment: Butler had a history of problems and yet the first thing he does is to put his future in peril which shows incredibly poor judgement. Whereas Strickland had no known history of off-the-field issues as far as I know. It's the NFL, without double standards there would be no standards. So what?

Posted By: 16280 (28/05/2008 6:57:18 PM)
Comment: Hey the issue is not getting a little buzz going, it is getting caught. Not real smart, call a cab. I never can figure these big time athletes getting DUI's when the can afford a limo. All this talk about pro bowl future...give me a break, 32 teams didn't think enough of him to risk a 7th round pick. He's a long shot to make the team let alone be a star.

Posted By: ninermaniac (28/05/2008 4:39:33 PM)
Comment: 1st off Strickland didnt get a DUI, and posession of THC. 2nd Strick didnt get caught out of state a few days before OTA's. 3rd Strick has experience in the NFL and is not a UDFA. This is an opportunity for someone caused be someones own mistake, 1 more opening on the practice squad.

Posted By: ninermaniac (28/05/2008 4:29:31 PM)
Comment: Hes charged with a misdemeanor, the changed the law from a felony a couple years ago thanks to CA.

Posted By: Joe from San Jo (28/05/2008 1:41:19 PM)
Comment: This guy has bigger things to worry about, than just getting cut. He got popped in Reno Nevada, laws there are WAY more strickt than in Cali. For what he had, here, would be a ticket. Out in Reno I think it's a felony and he's going to do some time. I know people who got caught for the same thing bye bye for a while.

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (28/05/2008 1:19:53 PM)
Comment: Too bad about Butler, I don't think he is a bad person, he made a mistake. It is too bad the 9ers cut him. I would like to see them send him to rehab or try to help him. He's got talent. Matt: do the 9ers have a player behavior person? I know that Dallas sometimes works with Grant Hill's dad.

Posted By: Chris (28/05/2008 11:51:31 AM)
Comment: Kareem would be a helluva wr, but isn't that guy James Hardy that Buf drafted about that tall? (I know he's 6'7). Shame about E Butler, that was such a bad decision because like other posters on here I have seen the kid play and he is really good, what a horrible time to make a mistake like that. If he was an established player nothing would have happened to him. Leonard Little from the Rams drove drunk and killed a woman back in the day and the Rams didn't even think about getting rid of him because he is a pro bowl player. It's going to be sad to see Ezra blow it up on another team. Speaking of a lb that is still on the team, I am expecting a break out year from P Harralson.

Posted By: Darth (28/05/2008 11:50:06 AM)
Comment: SanMateoNiner. He was drunk and stoned yeah he did something stupid now he is going to pay for that. All the players you listed did not play for the Niners. The Niner Way is different. Ezra needs to play a couple of snaps before you start comparing him to people. He will get another chance Cowboys and Raiders always need good character types, he might have a great career it just won't be with the niners.

Posted By: mikeb (28/05/2008 11:30:13 AM)
Comment: Kareem would be a sick reciever just throw it up to him no one could stop him

Posted By: SanMateoNiner (28/05/2008 11:23:43 AM)
Comment: Wow, people are saying strickland is a better person than Ezra and they don't even know him, what a bunch of idiots. Ezra is a really good kid, my cousin played with him at UNR.. It was a dumb decision but I never knew the NFL and this blog was such a moral high ground. I agree the kid made a dumb move but he is a big talent and I hope everybody in this room is still holding fast to their morals and zero tolerance attitude when Ezra makes the pro bowl for another team which he will do. Yeah they don't call weed "dope" for nothing as a not forward thinking poster said. Have you been around a drunk vs. somebody stoned? The drunk person is far more out of control and more likely to get in trouble and the stoned person usually can function and form legible sentences where the drunk is a total idiot... Yeah you should stay away from players that smoke pot... I wouldn't want Kareem Abdul Jabar, Warren Sapp, Randy Moss, Josh Howard, Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, Michael Irvin, all those guys suck right.

Posted By: mikeeee uk (28/05/2008 10:42:19 AM)
Comment: Here is my piece of this tale and how they differ...... It obvious that if you stepout of line with McNolan you are history!.... They gave Butler a chance and hes come up short. You can tell what type of player Mcnolan go for with the draft of OL Rachel and Wallace both have had to grow up fast in their personal situation...same with Gore...... Butler is unstable and it maybe not his fault but he has made poor choices so far...... He has lived in 3 countries in a small period of time [S.Africa-UK-USA]....not really that stable for a growing mind..... Anyway this was is first chance to @get with the program' with MCnolan.... he's failed...... Strickland no contest better person and will be more reliable long term...... Topic Closed.

Posted By: riq roq (28/05/2008 9:41:44 AM)
Comment: I was there when strickland was harrased/ arrested. Some other guys were having a fight. He was standing around. He had been drinking at a danceclub and the cops started harrassing him. " He was like "are you kidding" and he started walking away and they busted him for resisting arrest and drunk in public after the fact. They also stole his I-phone because it never showed up in his personal effects. The police didnt release the story until two weeks later. (after he made issue of the missing phone. Cops think they own the world. Don Strickland is a sweet kid. A sweet kid who hits extremely hard on the field.

Posted By: http:// (28/05/2008 8:54:55 AM)
Comment: The only 49er news I want to hear is that we signed Takeo Spikes. Come on McNolan, throw me a frickin' bone.

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (28/05/2008 8:53:25 AM)
Comment: While it appears that there is a double standard with the Strickland/Butler thing, I disagree. Strickland kept his nose clean and had built up goodwill with the Niners. I am sure he got a tlaking to and if he screws up again, bye-bye. Butler was an UDFA who was marginal to make the team. When you're on the edge like that you show up at 9:50 for you 10 o'clock meeting with donuts for everyone. You have to do it better and cleaner than everyone else. There is no double standard, there is the reality of the NFL. The more talented you are, the more you can get a way with...to a certain extent. Manning, Brady and LT could probably get away murder.

Posted By: PhillyNiner (28/05/2008 8:42:15 AM)
Comment: "Better Than Ezra." Ouch. You truly do have the humor of a journalist. I've seen worse, though. When Samkon Gado was tearing it up for the Packers in 2005 I was waiting for someone to write that GB had been Waiting for Gado

Posted By: sro_pet (28/05/2008 8:35:19 AM)
Comment: how high do you have to be drafted or how long do you have to be in the league to become a character guy? - rhetorical

Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (28/05/2008 8:29:44 AM)
Comment: Well, we always could use some other loser flipping burgers at a fast food restaurant.

Posted By: 49ersKing (28/05/2008 8:03:48 AM)
Comment: If the "substance" wasnt the issue, he wouldnt have been charged with "posession of a controlled substance". Why any of these jackasses do anything to get themselves in trouble with Goodell in charge is beyond me. The NFL players as a whole should go through remedial COMMON SENSE classes. I love the 49ers quick move on this, especially on a 2nd offense, regardless of his position on the team, rookie/veteran, I hope they keep this kind of stance on all future idiots.

Posted By: Darth (28/05/2008 7:57:50 AM)
Comment: Matt,I think you just came up with a cool band name......"Better Than Ezra".

Posted By: Darth (28/05/2008 7:57:30 AM)
Comment: Matt,I think you just came up with a cool band name......"Better Than Ezra".

Posted By: BrodietoParks (28/05/2008 7:46:46 AM)
Comment: They still arrest people for pot? I think that being under the influence while driving is the issue not the substance. Bone head play for a rookie trying to make the team.

Posted By: oneniner (28/05/2008 7:21:58 AM)
Comment: Now here's an image: Owens rejoining the 49ers(his three-year contract ends this yr) , along with quarterback Jeff Garcia (in his last year of a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and coach Steve Mariucci (on call at the NFL Network)

Posted By: StonerLab (28/05/2008 7:13:22 AM)
Comment: Matt, On another note your boy from the SacBee just posted an article about the 49ers moving Rachal from guard to RT. I believe he would be a good fit at tackle based on his body type. He is long with a good arm span, your thoughts Matt?

Response: Here is what I've written about it in the past week. http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2206139 and also http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2206778. --Matt M.

Posted By: StonerLab (28/05/2008 7:08:10 AM)
Comment: Matt, It's been awhile since I've last posted but I really like what you did to this place (web page). Cleveland Mike is right though, Ezra had a dream & a chance to make it in the NFL but he pissed it all away & for what? A night on the town & a doobie? It's happening all the time now but it's still astonishing! As for Ezra getting another chance? No way that happens now with the new fines being handed out by the League to any Team that has one of their own players fall out of line. I like the quick reaction by the 49ers in cutting their ties with Loser Ezra.

Posted By: Cleveland Mike (28/05/2008 5:53:59 AM)
Comment: The kid has talent but how stupid can you be. You're an undrafted free agent....you don't even want a ticket for j-walking let alone other 'stuff'. What a waste. Let's hope he learns and get get his act together. Just sad...very unfortunate.

Posted By: buzz (28/05/2008 5:34:42 AM)
Comment: what a waste -sad!

Posted By: Dean (28/05/2008 4:12:13 AM)
Comment: Niner4Life: Why do you think they call it "dope"?

Posted By: E (27/05/2008 10:53:16 PM)
Comment: For all of those who seem to forget, it's notj just about how much talen a player brings, and its not just a little weed, it's character, in addition to a four game suspension. That hurts teams BIG.

Posted By: Jeff Peabody (27/05/2008 10:33:47 PM)
Comment: Does this mean that's the last we've seen of the Better than Ezra jokes?

Response: Sadly, yes (probably). --Matt M.

Posted By: Trev from Aus (27/05/2008 10:33:09 PM)
Comment: JR: Donald strickland has already proved himself to the 9ers staff that he is a good person and to my knowledge has had no previous character issues. Butler has apparently had this happen before. And yes I do agree it's a double standard, but I do agree with what was done

Posted By: Pat (27/05/2008 8:58:25 PM)
Comment: Well played AlaskaDan! What a great tune :)

Posted By: JR (27/05/2008 8:40:36 PM)
Comment: Matt, how did Ezra look during the minicamps earlier this month? Word had it he was in the mix for a pass rushing LB and if that's the case, the niners can't afford to give up on a player with potential. They are so weak in that role!It's also a double standard to say Strickland has character and this guy they don't know well doesn't. Don't get me wrong, the kid blew it, but for the niners to act rigthtious is laughable.

Posted By: Joseph Granata (27/05/2008 7:42:47 PM)
Comment: I think this was a good move on the 49ers part. If your a Rokie and haven't proven yourself and get caught with drugs or alcohol while driving then yes you deserve to be cut. Strickland is not a rookie and proven to be a high class guy who made one mistake, if your a rookie you have to prove yourself. Ezra made a mistake, but that mistake cost him his job.

Posted By: ninermaniac (27/05/2008 7:40:41 PM)
Comment: "Raiders here i come" Ezra. I knew it, a slap on the wrists is a slap on the face by Nolan. Better than Ezra..... yeah, his weed hahaha. No this sucks though, he must not give a crap the way he got caught. To bad he wont be in upcoming video part 2 of this song (URL)

Posted By: JBG (27/05/2008 5:39:30 PM)
Comment: Maybe the Bengals can use another player...

Posted By: BTE (27/05/2008 5:33:27 PM)
Comment: Better Than Ezra..... Nice Matt.

Posted By: Sean (27/05/2008 5:25:10 PM)
Comment: Niner4Life Ezra is the one that made the mistake, not the 49ers. And in case you haven't noticed this IS becoming a habit for Ezra. He was busted for it in college as well. How many times has he not been caught?

Posted By: Niner4Life (27/05/2008 5:14:03 PM)
Comment: Big big big mistake, just watch. I watched Ezra in college and he is a big talent that will do big things for another team. I don't like players getting arrested but for things like a little Marijuana I don't think you should cut a talented good player (also heard he is a good guy and teammate) unless it happens habitually and the guy is young and deserves a chance, he is not an idiot like Lawrence Phillips. I think we made a mistake but we will see after he gets some playing time for another team. I don't want guys that are career criminals but I would rather have a player that gets in a little trouble once in awhile and can play at a high level on the football field rather than a guy (like alex smith) that gets good grades and is a boy scout in the community and sucks on the field.

Posted By: Patrick (27/05/2008 4:59:59 PM)
Comment: Hi, Matt. There are rumors that the 49ers have signed two linebackers out of the mexican college system (Monterrey Tech to be specific). Have you heard anything about this?

Response: No, but it's expected. As I reported last week, the 49ers will carry a foreign player on their practice squad this season. http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2205756. --Matt M.

Posted By: G )))) (27/05/2008 4:53:02 PM)
Comment: I liked what I had read about Ezra, but I like the bold and quick statement made by the 49ers.

Posted By: alaskadan (27/05/2008 4:40:25 PM)
Comment: It's never Good to lose depth at a position that is Desperately Wanting a starter.

Posted By: friend (27/05/2008 4:25:08 PM)
Comment: Not the FIRST and not the last to do this hopefully the kid gets his head on straight.