Only thing recently I could find:
Cole Madison, guard Green Bay Packers. Madison was selected in this year’s fifth round by the Packers. He was the only offensive lineman Green Bay drafted this year. Due to what his agent called a personal issue, he is currently on the Pack’s reserve/did not report list. Madison won’t be on the squad this year but GM Brian Gutekunst expects him to be part of the team next year.
I hadn't heard they weren't expecting him at all this year.
I think it would be wise to not expect him to return at all.
There were some rumors on the Washington State forum his best friend committed suicide, perhaps even using a weapon that Madison owned and he was taking it hard. I don't know if this was fact or conjecture, and I can't find reference to it on their forum.
The whole thing is just odd...it's like he's disappeared off the face of the Earth. I only ask because he seemed like a guy they were really counting on to compete for a job or at least 2nd team depth.
http://www.sportingnews.com/us...chrtor61rcuc7qk17ae6
The article says Tyler committed suicide using his friend’s AR15 and two of his teammates discovered the body. Not sure if the gun was Cole’s or if he was one of the teammates that found the body, but I read an article months ago that said Cole and Tyler were really close.
Messed up.
This pick hurt the packers big time this year. I believe they were counting on this kid to provide some interior line depth which they really needed and then he never shows. I know the rumor is he was upset about the circumstances around the Washington QB that committed suicide but that happened four months prior to the draft. Not to say he should have been over it but he would have known what his plan was. You would think he would have been more forthcoming to teams about possibly not showing. Many players have to deal with tragedy-- some lose children, parents, grandparents, friends, wives, etc and still move on. The fact he showed for mini camp and then decided to stay away from training camp is even more confusing. If he could not function four to six months after the actual event happened (if that is what it was) I am not sure he is going to be able to function next year. I would think his career ended before it started. My complaint is he just should have been more open to teams willing to risk a draft pick.
Christ.
They were counting on him too.
He could've left a note he was going to be crucified.
Christ didn't do a very good job with the Badgers this year. 
At least Jesus helped the Brewers.
And scene.
Sounds like Cole Madison isn't going to report to camp this year. If he doesn't next year, Packers need to get the signing bonus back. Sucks that this kid is going through a tough time mentally, but this isn't a charity. Roast me, I don't care.
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https://theathletic.com/804779...n-away-from-packers/
Packers offensive lineman Cole Madison has been away from the team since the conclusion of the offseason program in June. His absence has been shrouded in mystery, and now a return to football seems uncertain.
The Athletic Wisconsin has learned that Madison’s absence can be linked to emotional distress brought on by the suicide of a close friend and former teammate. Four sources said Madison has been deeply affected by the tragic death of Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski, who took his own life on Jan. 16, 2018, two weeks after playing in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl.
And while Madison attempted to move forward with his professional career, sources said he eventually decided to separate himself from the game that left his friend with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE.
“The death of Tyler is in his head,” a source familiar with Madison’s situation told The AthleticWisconsin. “I don’t think he’s coming back. At least he’s not showing signs of it right now.”
General manager Brian Gutekunst selected Madison in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft and had visions of him becoming a starting guard. Madison, 24, signed a standard rookie contract worth $2.78 million over four years, and the only guaranteed money came in the form of a $324,332 signing bonus. Thus far, the Packers have not attempted to recoup Madison’s bonus, a source said.
At the Senior Bowl, Gutekunst would neither confirm nor deny that fallout from Hilinski’s death was keeping Madison away from football when asked by The Athletic Wisconsin. He simply reiterated that Madison is dealing with a “personal matter” for which the Packers have offered their full support.
Gutekunst did acknowledge, however, that the team won’t receive an additional draft pick if Madison chooses to retire or never plays for the organization.
“He’s still dealing with some of the things that he was dealing with at the beginning of the season last year,” Gutekunst told The Athletic Wisconsin. “Obviously we wish him the best and we’d love to, at some point, get him out there on the field to help us. But when that time is going to be, we’re not there yet.”
Attempts to reach Madison through his agents were unsuccessful. Calls and messages to the Madison family went unreturned.
Madison cut a friendly and affable figure during his brief appearance in Green Bay, which stretched from rookie orientation in early May through the conclusion of mandatory minicamp in mid-June. He described the moment he was drafted as “the greatest experience of my life” and looked the part of an NFL offensive lineman: 6 foot 5, 308 pounds and with a lumberjack beard that nearly reached his chest. He joked with reporters about his aversion to haircuts and Twitter.
“I’m just kind of an old-school guy,” Madison said on draft weekend. “I’ve not really dabbled in the social media stuff. Don’t need to look at people’s food they post and all that stuff.”
A source said Madison had seemed genuinely excited about embarking on his professional career. He was eager to compete for immediate playing time as a rookie, and teammates spoke favorably about his addition to the locker room. Madison had even outlined his goals for the NFL and for life at large before sharing those plans with people close to him, according to a source.
But there was a five-week respite between the end of minicamp in June and the start of training camp in July, a time in which players and coaches tend to relax before the grind of a new season begins. And it was during that window, sources said, that something changed. It’s possible Madison’s state of mind was influenced by test results revealing Hilinski had been suffering from CTE, with news of the diagnosis made public in late June.
When the Packers reconvened on July 25, a day before their first practice, Madison wasn’t there. By that time, a source said, he had already shared the details of his situation with the organization and expressed his uncertainty about the upcoming season.
The Packers maintained rights to Madison by placing him on the reserve/did not report list at the start of camp, which meant he didn’t count against the active roster. Since then, members of the organization have clung to the party line regarding Madison’s situation: that he is dealing with a personal matter in his native Washington, that the Packers respect his right to privacy and that they hope he can eventually return to the field.
In August, Gutekunst told reporters the Packers are in constant communication with Madison but that they didn’t expect him to return “any time soon.”
“This will take a little bit of time to deal with,” Gutekunst said that day.
The relationship between Madison and Hilinski was strong. Just a few days after Hilinski’s death, Madison interrupted his combine training in Florida and returned to WSU’s campus for a candlelight vigil, which his parents also attended. He and teammate Luke Falk, another quarterback, wore No. 3 helmet stickers honoring Hilinski during the week of the Senior Bowl and brought extra decals for the other players.
On the internet, where dozens of articles have been written about Hilinski’s death, there are photos of Madison and his former quarterback celebrating together at practice. Hilinski was quoted as saying he tried to follow Madison’s style of enthusiastic leadership.
“They were just absolute best friends,” said Whittney Thornton, a photojournalist for Cougfan.com, in an article published by 247Sports last January. “Tyler would come from across the field, or wherever he was coming from, and Cole would be waiting for him. And Cole would just scream out (his number) ‘Threeeeeee!’ at the top of his lungs.
“And of course Tyler would run over to him and jump into his arms. They were just so funny together.”
The Packers believed Madison was in contention for the starting right guard position as a rookie, the spot left vacant by the departure of veteran Jahri Evans, whose contract expired last March. Though Madison had played exclusively right tackle in college, where he started 47 games in four seasons for coach Mike Leach, scouts in Green Bay saw a prospect with three-position flexibility: left guard, right guard and right tackle.
His shorter arms (32¼ inches) meant Madison was probably better suited for guard, but the footwork he developed as a high school basketball player gave him a chance on the edge. The coaching staff rotated him through several different positions during the offseason program last spring.
“He’s a big man,” said Jon-Eric Sullivan, then the Packers’ director of college scouting, during an interview on draft weekend. “He has good instincts for the position. They play in a pass-happy offense out there (at WSU), so you know, we like his feet.
“We think he’s a guy that has some positional versatility. He’ll probably line up first at guard, but if needed (he) can slide out to tackle.”
Later that day, Gutekunst described Madison as a “versatile inside guard/tackle swing type of guy.”
It’s the type of player the Packers could use as questions about their offensive line still linger. They have yet to identify a quality backup at tackle, where former second-round pick Jason Spriggs continues to struggle, and their guard play on either side of center Corey Linsley left much to be desired last season. Madison could have offered valuable depth at multiple spots along the line.
Instead, the Packers are navigating the offseason with an understanding that Madison won’t be part of their plans — at least not right now. They have to move forward without him unless Madison expresses a desire to return.
“If that happens, it’s great,” Gutekunst told The Athletic Wisconsin. “And if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”
Meh, $300K is pocket change in terms of bonuses. It's a signing bonus, he signed, he gets it. Everyone is okay with losing millions when they need to cut a player, I fail to see how $300K is going to affect their ability to afford another player. He would have kept that if he had been cut. Sucks more about losing that pick.
Hope he is able to get any help to cope with it. I have a friend who worked in suicide awareness who lost her partner to suicide this past year. She left that line of work because she needs space to deal. It is a real bitch of thing to deal with the loss of someone close, and then to compound it knowing it was self-inflicted.
Packers would be doing him a solid by not trying to recoup that money.
I hadn't read before that Hilinski had CTE. I thought Madison was just hit too hard by losing his BFF. But if it came out that it likely was the result of CTE, he must be considering life after football. Not sure how you leave it undefined for so long though. If you decided to move on, make it official.
I realize it's a small fraction of cap money, and that we have to choose which battles to fight, but I would doubt the sincerity of anyone who would take money, and not fulfill his obligations, regardless of their reasons for doing so.
I'm not saying he did; I have no idea what, if anything, he may have done with that money. But either return it or report to the team.
So what should he get for rookie orientation and mandatory mini-camp? Free room and board?? It's not like the guy took the signing bonus and went on a bender in Vegas. He worked hard in college which afforded him the opportunity to get drafted and sign. And by signing, he gets some cash. It's a drop in the bucket to the franchise.
It would be really petty for the Packers to try to get it back, and I'd be disappointed if they went that direction.
It's not petty, it's business. If I'm hired to build a website and I take $500 up front and then proceed to change my mind after doing an hour of work, the client would want the money back.
Same for prostitutes. They usually give me refunds though.
They pay me
Slut
Last thing you want is a guy who isn’t 100% engaged. If he has any doubts it’s time to move on and wish him the best of luck. Not the first wasted draft pick the Packers have, wont be the last.
Sounds like the CTE report was the pause-maker. Look at it from Madison's point of view: his best friend appears depressed and decides to kill himself. That's hard to understand. Then, best friend found to have CTE, the very thing you are at incredible risk for, especially as a lineman. Yeah, I'd pause as well. You can argue about the signing bonus, but you're dealing with a kid in his early 20s who's lost his best friend to an incurable brain disease he himself is at risk for. It would look awfully petty to go after $300,000 when Madison did go through early camps and looked set to join.
And who knows? Maybe he still will join but just hasn't fully made up his mind... and if he doesn't, $300,00 is a nice parting gesture for him to start a new career. We ask these guys' bodies and minds to go through a lot for a sport.
I agree he should return the money if he decides not to play. Its the principle of it. The money was for the future commitment and expectations, not for his college days. I don't have much hope he is going to return.
Is this the same conversation where people compare their checkbook to the financial responsibilities of the entire United States government?
From Cheesehead TV:
"By now, Madison would likely be the player the Packers expected him to be -- or at least showing signs of such. Instead, it is believed that the tragic suicide of his close friend and former teammate, Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski, turned him away from the sport completely.
It wasn't until the players broke away for a brief summer break between minicamp and training camp that Madison's decision -- for now -- was truly set in stone.
Testing showed that Hilinski had stage one of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, at the time of his death. Such a grim discovery could be enough to deter someone almost entirely from chasing a dream such as playing in the NFL."
How sad is this? I never heard this was the reason for Madison not being in camp before. Maybe we should leave him alone so he can recover.
Again, it is a signing bonus. He signed, he gets it. If he got cut later he still keeps the signing bonus. How hard is that to understand?
Won't be the last $300K the Packers "waste".
Maybe he will or has donated some of the money for CTE research. Do you all still think he should return it then?
I guess he could show up to camp, out of shape and disengaged and get cut and still walk away with 300 grand.
Unless there are specific stipulations in the bonus, I'm guessing that money is his to do as he pleases.
As Kinky Friedman famously said.."let Saigons be byegones".
Henry posted:Is this the same conversation where people compare their checkbook to the financial responsibilities of the entire United States government?
...go on. I'll bite.
Timmy! posted:I realize it's a small fraction of cap money, and that we have to choose which battles to fight, but I would doubt the sincerity of anyone who would take money, and not fulfill his obligations, regardless of their reasons for doing so.
I'm not saying he did; I have no idea what, if anything, he may have done with that money. But either return it or report to the team.
Chris Borland gave it all back. He moved on with a clear conscience.
BrainDed posted:It's not petty, it's business. If I'm hired to build a website and I take $500 up front and then proceed to change my mind after doing an hour of work, the client would want the money back.
Business also involves PR. This may be a PR nightmare for the Packers. Might have to let it go.
Henry posted:Same for prostitutes. They usually give me refunds though.
Apparently, you have a thing for "heart of gold" hos. One look and they feel sorry for you?
Stuffed Jebediah was a top 5 all time nickname we were all robbed of using forever. **** the $300k bonus. The real crime here is losing Stuffed Jebediah.
Gotta trust in the Packers new front office hire. He is the OL Whisperer.
Keep an eye on Kelechi Osemele. Raiders may cut ties with him and go younger. He's a two time Pro Bowler at G that was drafted by our guy Uncle Milt in Baltimore.
GB might land him and give up nothing in return. That would be nice.
BrainDed posted:It's not petty, it's business. If I'm hired to build a website and I take $500 up front and then proceed to change my mind after doing an hour of work, the client would want the money back.
Not really the same at all.
Maybe if a company offered you a contract to build a website. And there were multiple terms of the contract (based on performance, timeliness, and other factors). And the contract lasted a couple of years. And they told you that if you agreed to the terms of the contract, they would give you a bonus just to sign said contract. Not advance money on your contracted price. A bonus. Like a holiday or end of the year bonus. And then you show up at the company and take a further look into what they expect you to do. And you actually do some of the prep work. But then for whatever reason, you decide to not honor the contract and bail....which the contract allows you to do. Ummm, you;re still entitled to that money.
You're right - it is business. The Packers gave him money to SIGN a contract. And it would be petty for them to go after it.
ChilliJon posted:Keep an eye on Kelechi Osemele. Raiders may cut ties with him and go younger. He's a two time Pro Bowler at G that was drafted by our guy Uncle Milt in Baltimore.
GB might land him and give up nothing in return. That would be nice.
Just look at the guns on that man... he sure looks like he could knock Khalil Mack on his tushy. 
mrtundra posted:From Cheesehead TV:
"By now, Madison would likely be the player the Packers expected him to be -- or at least showing signs of such. Instead, it is believed that the tragic suicide of his close friend and former teammate, Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski, turned him away from the sport completely.
It wasn't until the players broke away for a brief summer break between minicamp and training camp that Madison's decision -- for now -- was truly set in stone.
Testing showed that Hilinski had stage one of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, at the time of his death. Such a grim discovery could be enough to deter someone almost entirely from chasing a dream such as playing in the NFL."
How sad is this? I never heard this was the reason for Madison not being in camp before. Maybe we should leave him alone so he can recover.
Yeah, but he could've left a note.
Goalline posted:Henry posted:Same for prostitutes. They usually give me refunds though.
Apparently, you have a thing for "heart of gold" hos. One look and they feel sorry for you?
So. Constanza effect.
