The Denver Broncos defense is expected to take a big hit this season as star linebacker Von Miller, the 2011 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, is expected to be suspended for the first six games of the season, according to reports.
Miller violated the NFL's substance abuse policy; the offending substance found in his system is not public record, but sources have indicated performance enhancing drugs were not the issue. As a rookie in 2011, Miller tested positive for marijuana and amphetamines, leading to suspicion that those drugs could be the cause of his latest troubles.
Upon the news of a possible suspension breaking the first time, Miller said that marijuana is not a part of his life. Teammate Champ Bailey stood up for Miller, telling Yahoo! Sports, "One thing I know about Von is that he's not going to jeopardize what he does on that field," Bailey said. "He's 100 percent a football player. I know he cares about it and loves it to death, so he's not going to jeopardize his career for something stupid."
The looming ban is not Miller's only issue. Miller was arrested last week for failure to appear in court to answer to traffic violations. He was released on $1,000 bond. Prior to the arrest Miller said of being a distraction to the team, "I don't think I'm the center of attention," he said. "It's business as usual in the locker room. Outside of the locker room I can't control too much stuff. But on the football field I can control the way I play football. The way I go out there snap-to-snap and just relate with my teammates. That's some of the stuff I can control and that's what I am going to focus on."
Following the arrest, the news of the suspension reaching six games, and the absence of sack partner Elvis Dumervil, Miller's certain to be on everyone's mind in Denver now. Last season Miller piled up 18.5 sacks, returned an interception for a touchdown and forced six fumbles.
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