Claude Wroten Has Probably Smoked His NFL Career Away

After losing millions of dollars because of a liking of marijuana that caused him to drop from the first round to the third round in the 2006 draft, Rams defensive tackle Claude Wroten might have seen his last chance dissipate thanks to a one-year suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Wroten was suspended for four games in 2007, but had gotten positive reviews for the work he put in this offseason in an effort to dispel the claims that he's a bust, and the team ordered he stay in St. Louis to help him avoid trouble home in Louisiana. But that's the thing about weed dealers -- they're everywhere.

Look, in the grand scheme of things, smoking weed is pretty much a non-offense. I don't begrudge the guy if that's how he wants to spend his life; there are worse things he could be doing. But he can't have it both ways, and if weed is the route he's chosen he needs to say goodbye to the NFL.

Of course, the NFL has said goodbye to him, until at least May 2009. When he's able for reinstatement, however, it's hard to envision the Rams, or anyone, giving him a serious chance, if one at all.