Well, Gates may have just blown any shot at the NFL

[BillyLP]

Does anyone know the status of his case? Is he out of jail? What charges are being pressed, etc?

From the BCSN website -

Gates also closed the book Monday on charges stemming from his arrest in the early morning hours of May 4. At that time police say Gates was observed making a drug deal of two buds (5.0 grams) of marijuana, and he was charged with drug trafficking, a felony.

That charge was dismissed, and Gates instead was charged with permitting drug abuse, a misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge and was fined $1,125 as well as a $71 dismissal fee.

http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show/38 ... _id=878183" target="_blank

Thanks for the update. I'm having trouble figuring out how it could have been a felony in the first place. Can't help but think it may have had something to do with his race. Not trying to open a can of worms, but I remember several of my black friends would always have problems with BG police, even if they were standing around doing nothing.

[MarkL]

Whoever his agent is needs to contact every NFL team in need of safety depth. His measurables match or beat most safeties that were drafted. With a misdemeanor instead of a felony charge and a fine instead of jail time, I should think a lot of NFL teams would be interested in a four year starter safety.

I'm glad he will be able to tie this problem up. I sincerely hope he learned a lesson here and will not return to this mistake.

Update: it didn't take long upon BooBoo's release to get an invite to try out for the Titans. He's got a real chance there. I believe that makes seven class of 2013 seniors either signing FA deals or receiving camp invites. What a class!

[transfer2BGSU]

This is pure speculation, but charging him with a felony instead of the misdemeanor was overreaching and likely cost him what small chance he had of being drafted. Yeah, it sucks for him, but he should have never put himself in that position to begin with.

If he was the one selling, then the trafficking charge would be appropriate.

If he was the one buying, then he should not have been charged with trafficking.

[Globetrotter]

Whoever his agent is needs to contact every NFL team in need of safety depth. His measurables match or beat most safeties that were drafted. With a misdemeanor instead of a felony charge and a fine instead of jail time, I should think a lot of NFL teams would be interested in a four year starter safety.

I'm glad he will be able to tie this problem up. I sincerely hope he learned a lesson here and will not return to this mistake.

Update: it didn't take long upon BooBoo's release to get an invite to try out for the Titans. He's got a real chance there. I believe that makes seven class of 2013 seniors either signing FA deals or receiving camp invites. What a class!

I think his best chance is nickel linebacker and special teams leader.

[poltergeist]

First of all, I apologize a s I hit the wrong smiley....but you obviosly don't know me very well. Most who do will tell you I don't "pound a few - or any- brews at tailgate. I know you guys look at the whole pot thing differently than I do, and I DON'T know that $30 worth is nothing. But we come from a different time frame so I guess I'll still think this is a dumb thing to do, especially at this time.

um, you do realize that you can edit posts, right? sheesh.

congrats to Booboo for getting a camp invite, and putting this minor screwup in the rear view.

[TG1996]

I'm having trouble figuring out how it could have been a felony in the first place. Can't help but think it may have had something to do with his race. Not trying to open a can of worms, but I remember several of my black friends would always have problems with BG police, even if they were standing around doing nothing.

Without having (thankfully) any in depth knowledge of the legal system, the felony was probably just a preliminary booking charge. Once prosecutors could look at the case and the evidence, they probably had the same reaction as many of us here, "For $30 of weed?!?" and officially charged him with the misdemeanor.

Not saying the second part of your post doesn't play into things, but it was probably mostly a procedural thing.