Too bad… the kid from Delaware had made a nice impression as a blocking tight end and an occasional go-to pass receiver for the Ravens in his rookie year in 2015…
But the young tight end was suspended a second time for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
It’s a WTF moment in an aspiring NFL career…
Sarah Ellison of BaltimoreRavens.com: “Boyle was suspended the final four games of his rookie season in 2015, and now he’ll miss the first 10 games of 2016. It’s unknown what the substance is or if it was the same as the first time (all we know is it wasn’t steroids the first time, per Head Coach John Harbaugh). If Boyle violates the policy again, he would be suspended for two seasons. Harbaugh and Boyle both agreed that the first violation was “stupid,” and now a second suspension before he even got back on the field has some calling for Boyle’s release. They say it’s not worth the headache for a former fifth-round pick.”
I have no idea what Nick Boyle was thinking when he decided to ingest illegal performance supplements again between drug tests, but I suspect the kid is so insecure about his natural football ability or his pedigree that he is willing to take crazy chances to stay viable in the league.
Too bad.
Nick Boyle forfeits $308,824 in salary based on his 10 game suspension. Ravens get a credit of that amount against the salary cap. Big whoop.
“The suspension … certainly casts Boyle’s future with the team in doubt,” wrote Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun… “The Ravens have long said that they’d have little tolerance for repeat mistakes, and now Boyle won’t be available to play until mid-to-late November.”
“It would be presumptuous to write off Boyle right now,” added Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. “But Boyle has a lot to prove. This repeated mistake shows poor decision-making and that he didn’t learn the first time. It also puts his once-secure place on the Ravens roster in jeopardy.”
The saddest part of the story, according to Sarah Ellison, is that Boyle was “playing above expectations before the first suspension, and he was being dubbed a gem of the 2015 draft class. He came into the league labeled as a blocking tight end, but showed he could be a receiving threat too. Debates ensued as to whether Boyle was outperforming second-rounder Maxx Williams.”
“If Boyle’s replacement fills his void, Baltimore could decide to move on from Boyle in early November when he is eligible to be reinstated,” wrote Hensley. “Boyle’s mistake creates an opportunity to take a spot he may never be able to regain again. The worry with sticking with Boyle is he’s one more violation away from being suspended for two years.”
“There’s also a chance that the Ravens will be counting the days until Boyle can play again. Gillmore and Williams dealt with multiple injuries throughout last season and missed a combined eight games. If either one is injured, Boyle could come back to a situation where Baltimore needs him to play significant snaps right away.”
Stupid is as stupid does, they say…
Sad because you have the talent and the “want-to” but you believe so little in yourself that you need that extra edge…gotta have that “fix”…
It’s so stupid… this may be the only NFL player I can think of who was suspended while he was already suspended!
I expected much better from Nick Boyle. After all, he was recommended to the Ravens by fellow Delaware alumnus Joe Flacco, among others.
The Ravens may not elect to release Nick Boyle. After all, they stuck with CB/KR Asa Jackson through two similar suspensions.
But if I’m running personnel for this team, I say see ya, wouldn’t want to be ya… Two darts are too much in such a short period of time… I can’t rely upon you to be on the field in the offense when I need you the most… I can replace you with another 5th round draft pick.
This stuff gets old, but you’re so young… I will release you and wish you the best in the future. Just don’t sign with the Steelers— please?
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