I wonder how much this will affect his draft... http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2013/12/colt_lyerla_pleads_guilty_to_c.html SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Mired in a legal mess since his late October arrest, former Oregon tight end Colt Lyerla pled guilty to cocaine possession Friday in a deal that allows him to pursue his training for the NFL out of the state within a matter of weeks. Lyerla, 21, must report to the Lane County Jail by Jan. 3 to learn whether he must serve his 10-day jail sentence – another 10 days were suspended – or whether he can serve it another way, such as working on the county road crew, Lane County chief district attorney Patty Perlow said. As soon as his sentence is served he can move to Las Vegas to train for the NFL with trainer Dwight Ross of Performance Athletics, whom he will also live with, thanks to Lane County Circuit Court judge Jay McAlpin’s decision. “The kid just wants it bad,” Ross said in a phone interview, adding he and Lyerla talk at least every other day. “He’s really apologetic and he made a mistake and he’s very aware of it.” The jail sentence, or its alternative, is hardly the only condition Lyerla must complete. He must also finish two years of probation -- under the supervision of the court instead of a probation officer -- 40 hours of community service, submit to random urinalysis, attend a certified treatment program and attend group meetings similar to Narcotics Anonymous. His community service can be completed anywhere, Perlow said. If he successfully completes those requirements, she said Lyerla “can apply to the court to have the charge downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanor.” Though those conditions carry an initial sting and require walking the straight-and-narrow for the next two years, it is a victory for Lyerla to be able to leave for Las Vegas and train for February’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and May’s NFL draft. He will do so under the eye of Ross, who runs Performance Athletics. On the business’s website, Ross claims current Oregon receiver Eric Dungy, USC receiver Nelson Agholar and former Oregon State receiver Sammy Stroughter as clients who have used the program to prep for college or pro football. Ross will also not only train Lyerla's body but also attempt to sell his client's promise. "You better take him first" among tight ends, Ross said. One scout for an NFL team said Lyerla's troubles still outweigh his talent. "He's got a ton of ability. He's going to be pick apart through and through but (his recent history) is really scary," the source said. "Some teams think they can fix him, though." Ross does not know when Lyerla will arrive in Las Vegas, but said the tight end’s training will involve five days of intense training weekly, followed by a 10 p.m. curfew. “It’s an all-day thing for him,” he said. Ross outlined a typical Monday routine. Beginning with breakfast, it continues into a stretching session, followed by another meal, then a practice focusing on his straight-ahead speed. After a break, Lyerla will have a protein shake, lunch, and then a 90-minute lifting session focused on his lower body. After another shake, video study will follow. Before bed, Lyerla will try to eat another 1,000 calories of food to add the weight Ross says he will need in the NFL. “Once you sit down and talk with him obviously he made a mistake, but the kid is a football player and he got a little excited. But if you see his film he’s right between the ears, he’s mature. “We want him to make guys miss more and in the NFL everybody’s going to be a lot faster. We want to see him make the first guy miss more. If there’s an arm tackle situation at the next level he can break that. Just his first step catch and score right now. He’ll be sick of hearing that from day one.” Initially upon his Oct. 23 arrest, for admitting to snorting cocaine in a car while in a Eugene parking lot in front of undercover officers, a lawyer speaking on his behalf said Lyerla wished to train in Orlando, Fla. But between then and mid-December, he and his original agency, XL Sports, parted ways. Las Vegas then became the destination of choice if the court would allow. On Dec. 17, McAlpin denied Lyerla's Las Vegas proposal as both sides attempted to reach a settlement and avoid a trial. If he had accepted the county's original deal of treatment through its Drug Court program, Lyerla would have been required to remain in Oregon through its typically year-long duration. He declined that offer Nov. 13.
I would agree with the assessment that his issues outweigh his upside. Too much baggage and liability.
I'll be surprised if he's drafted at all. Doesn't seem like a guy you'd give a one dollar signing bonus to. I'd expect him to get camp invites and told to prove himself. Its one thing to have a knucklehead who is an all-pro level player like Randy Moss. Even with him; he only helped teams when he felt like it half the time. But a knucklehead who isn't an elite talent? Those guys are a pain for the culture of the locker room and not worth it. Dozens of them never make it to the NFL.
That tloong guy doesn't want to talk about the Beaver lineman naked, in a woman's apartment he broke into, doing the three point stance when cops arrived. Or, that other Beaver who tested positive for steroids who...or that guy caught with methamphetamine in the locker-room or....and so on and so on... Names omitted to protect young adults who are hopefully good guys making bad mistakes...
