Jerome Simpson: How Long Will Roger Goodell Suspend Bengals WR After Drug Bust?

Cincinnati Bengals WR Jerome Simpson was busted at his home when 2.5 pounds of marijuana was delivered Tuesday.

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Authorities swooped in on a house owned by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson after a package containing 2.5 pounds of California marijuana was allegedly delivered to the home. Investigators found six more pounds of pot inside the home," says Michelle Gregory, spokeswoman for the California Department of Justice.

Gregory confirmed the information that CaliforniaWatch.org, a group of investigative journalists, broke on Wednesday after local reporters heard persistent rumors about the incident.

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The Bengals’ 2010 breakout stud wasn’t the only player present, as teammate offensive lineman Anthony Collins was also present when police arrived.

Neither Simpson nor Collins answered the door to accept the marijuana package delivered, but they were both present. They were both detained, but neither was arrested.

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Gregory said Simpson and Bengals teammate Anthony Collins were present when a woman, identified as Aleen Smith, 27, accepted the package Tuesday at Simpson’s home. Authorities detained Simpson and Collins, but no one was arrested, Gregory said. Simpson told police he lived at the residence and gave officers consent to search the premises, Gregory said.

During the search, officers found about six more pounds of pot, Gregory said, which was seized along with related items such as ‘packaging materials, scales and smoking devices.’

"The house was set up as a potential distribution network," Tommy LaNier, head of the National Marijuana Initiative, told CaliforniaWatch. The NMI is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy and helps coordinate marijuana enforcement operations around the United States.

"They had it all set up to receive supplies of high-grade marijuana from Northern California, and from there, it was being distributed from that residence," LaNier said.

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Look, it is one thing to let somebody stay with you and not know what they have delivered to your home. But it is a completely different beast when your home looks like it’s the marijuana version of Denzel Washington’s blockbuster American Gangster.  

If there’s one commissioner in all of sports that won’t take this lightly, it’s Roger Goodell. Goodell does not play around with situations like this. After letting Aqib Talib, Kenny Britt and Braylon off easy this year, Goodell will go right back to being the judge, jury and executioner in this scenario.

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Under NFL rules, both Collins and Simpson could be subject to discipline under the league’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies. Drug testing was suspended during the league’s lockout but restarted when it ended in late July.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed that violations of law when drugs are concerned would make both players subject to discipline under both policies.

Calls to Collins’ and Simpson’s agents were not returned.

However, both Simpson and Collins did participate in Wednesday’s practice in preparation for Sunday’s game against San Francisco.

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I don’t see “everyone’s favorite commish” letting Collins and especially Simpson off easily. He needs to send a message that this will not be tolerated.

Of course, we’ll need to receive more information on their involvement, but I would assume that just being present and owning the home will prove to be more than enough to warrant some sort of suspension. A fine will not suffice. Suspension will.

Simpson already has eight receptions for 180 yards this season after breaking out in 2010’s final two games with 18 receptions for three scores and 247 yards.

Simpson will be missed if he suspended for an extended period of time.

Rookie QB Andy Dalton came in to his own last week against Denver as Simpson led the way with four receptions for 136 yards. Dalton just lost second-year WR Jordan Shipley for the season and would lose his No. 2 WR, which could hinder his progression moving forward.

It remains to be seen what Goodell will do Simpson, but it is safe to assume he will take action. I wouldn't expect anything less than a four-game suspension to send a message.