Justin Houston Failed A Drug Test In February...But, Ummm, It's April

Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin/AJC

Justin Houston, the former Georgia Bulldog linebacker who parlayed his great 2010 season into a possible late-first round selection at this year's NFL Draft, reportedly failed a drug test at the NFL Combine in February.

Okay, so now that it's May, can someone please elaborate on why anyone should care?

Let me make this clear, I don't advocate the use of marijuana. I have never used it, never cared to use it, and don't see it being used anytime in my foreseeable future—unless I develop severe cataracts and just need a hit (sorry, bad form there)—but what Houston did seems irrelevant now.

Maybe if we had not been privy to Ryan Mallett's admission of recreational drug use during his time at Arkansas, I might be more inclined to raise a little sand. But, in fact, the main issue (at least from my perspective) isn't the fact that Justin Houston was using sometime last winter, but whether or not he was using while he was still enrolled at Georgia—which given the party atmosphere that has been known to surround the UGA football team and Athens, GA, in general, would not surprise me one iota.

If he was in fact using when he suited up, then it's possible he wasn't the only one and, if that's the case, then a whole other can of 'what the hell' is about to be opened in the blogosphere.

But back to the question at hand: what will this news do to Houston's draft status? If I had to take a guess, I'd say nothing. He's not a bad character guy and it's clear that he could excel if placed in the right system at the next level.

Plus, forgive my license here, but the NFL hasn't exactly been all that great about keeping it's players clean and sober—just saying. And, even if this latest revelation hurts his stock a bit, it's not likely to carry any more weight than the questions that were already being lobbed his way—the most important of which appears to be is he a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 linebacker?

Justin Houston tested positive for marijuana and that's unfortunate for him as that could tarnish his legacy for some Georgia Bulldog fans who came to respect him as a person and a player, but none of that will mean much come April 28th.

Georgia Bulldogs: Is There A Player Who Can Fill Justin Houston's Shoes?

Photo Credit: KELLY LAMBERT

Justin Houston finally made the decision most felt he would—he's going to the NFL.

Houston supplied the spark many thought he would—playing in Todd Grantham's 3-4 defense—and he took advantage of the freedoms that scheme offered him by wreaking havoc in the SEC's backfields. His quickness, tenacity, and game-changing ability will be missed—sorely. Who will, or can, step into those roles and take on the mantles of being both a leader and a playmaker in this defense?

Christian Robinson and Cornelius Washington are the two most experienced players returning in 2011, but are either one of them prepared to shoulder that much responsibility?

Washington showed promise early, and was impressive through the first few games, but again failed to blossom into the player most still feel he can.

He, like Houston, made the switch from defensive end to linebacker in 2010. And, while Houston took to his new position almost instantly, Washington had problems. He struggled with assigments—particularly in pass coverage—and tailed off as the season progressed. 

Now, with a year under his belt, can he finally put it all together?

As for Robinson, no one can doubt his great attitude and above-average work-ethic. However, it's tough to say whether or not he's got the goods to become the kind of player opposing teams scheme for or make adjustments around.

He's a good player, but he's not going to blow your doors off on a weekly basis.

The wildcard here is, obviously, Jarvis Jones. Was he able to maximize his one year as a spectator enough that he will be able to step into the role of starter? It seems to be asking a lot of him—considering he hasn't played one SEC down—and there has yet to be any indication that Georgia will fare any better at the nose position.  A point that should not be forgotten.

Houston made plays despite deficiencies at that position, is there any reason to believe—at least right now—that there is a guy on this roster who would be able to do the same in 2011?

So, for right now, Georgia is left with one giant hole in their front-seven, and a whole lot more questions on how, and if, it can be filled.

What say you? Is there a guy on this roster, today, who can become anything close to what Justin Houston was over the last two years?

Related articles

• Justin Houston of Georgia Bulldogs declares for NFL draft (sports.espn.go.com)