Now that we've had a chance to digest the news of Lane Johnson's looming 10-game suspension for his second PED violation, it's time to 'fess up and admit something. This is not the end of the world — not for the right tackle, not for the Eagles.
People are feeling a wide range of emotions over this issue, from anger to disappointment, and it's all justified. Assuming Johnson's side of the story is even partially true, the entire situation sounds like it was easily and completely avoidable. If there is any doubt, just the slightest shred, that what an athlete is putting into their body might be against the rules, maybe don't take it. The end.
So, no, this is not a defense of Johnson, who regardless whether he appeals and is successful still winds up looking bad. Having said that, we might as well move on, because the outcome for 2016 isn't too terrible, and the not-so-uncertain future is out of everybody's control anyway.
Yes, not-so-uncertain. While it's easy to become fixated on the possibility of another positive PED test resulting in a two-year ban for Johnson, how likely is that really? Again, we're basing this line of thinking on the notion that the 26-year-old is being honest about not knowing the substance was banned — but while trusting someone is always a risky proposition, there are a lot of reasons to believe this was simply a mistake.
56 million reasons, to be exact.
Keep in mind, while the guaranteed money in Johnson's new contract extension is voided by a positive test, he still stands to earn that money as long as he's on the Eagles roster. He would lose a fair chunk of his 2016 while out with a suspension, but otherwise, he can make every penny he signed for. Johnson would have to be a total fool to allow anything to jeopardize that.
Once again, it's dangerous to presume anything about another human's motives. Maybe Johnson really is this insecure in his ability. Not to imply he's in anything less than stellar condition, but at least he doesn't appear to be obsessed with bodybuilding or anything. Regardless, will any of that, even the mere risk of taking a banned substance, be worth the penalty next time around?
Philadelphia Eagles
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles and their NFL rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
One can never be too sure, but it's difficult to imagine. Hell, 10-game suspensions for PEDs are rare enough in the NFL, let alone a third strike.
And if Johnson does fail a third test, the Eagles will have to cross that bridge when they come to it. The sheer possibility may create a bit more urgency in the front office to build depth at offensive tackle. But then again, seeing as Jason Peters will be 35 in January and it's a critical position to begin with, that urgency already exists.
Which brings us back to why this doesn't have to be the most devastating thing that could've happened to the Eagles. The club needs to replace Peters anyway, so they're already in the market for another tackle. They didn't necessarily want to invest another first-round pick in somebody with Johnson's kind of talent who can play the left side, but it was going to be high on their list of priorities, that's for sure.
As for 2016, the loss of Johnson would be a significant blow, especially when an aging Peters sustains an inevitable injury. At the same time, since when are people so worried about the 2016 Eagles? Very few people are giving them so much as a shot to win their division this season, let alone considering them a dark horse Super Bowl contender.
Nor do the Eagles intend to rush Carson Wentz into the lineup anytime soon, so it's not as if there's any need to be concerned about the health and development of the franchise quarterback. By the time the rookie signal-caller might be a thought to get a start or two, Johnson should be back from his suspension, or just about.
There's no debate, the Eagles are a worse team without Johnson — although by how much? If the rest of the line is healthy, Allen Barbre is at right tackle, and if Peters is out, Dennis Kelly. Both are capable NFL players anyway, not of Johnson's caliber, but the offense will get by. Is this really the absence that changes everything?
Well, maybe. Losing Johnson for 10 games hurts, but it's not exactly the difference between winning 10 games and losing 12 either. If you didn't have very high expectations heading into this season to begin with, what's it matter?
Granted, the larger concern is Johnson's future with the Eagles. While we have to admit the prospect of the team losing its left tackle of the future to what might as well be permanent exile, it's difficult to envision Johnson's troubles ever reaching that point.
After all, he couldn't possibly be that careless — could he?
