Mikel

Leshoure

Pro Football Weekly, which uncovers many hidden infractions, had nothing about Leshoure’s one-game 2009 suspension in last year’s scouting reports. That incident had slipped under the radar until Leshoure’s two marijuana-related arrests in the past two months. The NFL can and will factor in Leshoure’s entire history when dishing out punishment. He could face a suspension in the range of 6-8 games. Leshoure has a court hearing scheduled for May 15 after demanding a preliminary exam Wednesday morning.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press confirms Leshoure is being arraigned for the second charge in a Berrien County Court on Monday. In February, Leshoure was cited for possession, pleaded to a lesser charge of “using” marijuana, and paid a fine. On March 12, Leshoure was pulled over by police and allegedly “tried to eat the weed” to avoid an additional charge. Leshoure can almost certainly expect a league-imposed suspension at some point in 2012.

“He was supposed to be here and he didn’t show up,” said prosecutor Arthur Cotter. The Detroit Free Press reported Monday afternoon that Leshoure has been in contact with the court and plans to do a walk-in arraignment on Wednesday. Still, his no-show is another big concern. After a 2011 Achilles’ tear, the Lions can’t reasonably be counting on Leshoure for the 2012 season.

An arrest was going to be issued after Leshoure failed to show for his Monday arraignment. He had been arrested twice in a month’s span for marijuana possession. Leshoure is expected to face NFL suspension.

It was reported Monday Leshoure had rescheduled his missed Monday hearing for Wednesday, but that’s apparently not the case. According to Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter, a warrant will likely be issued for Leshoure’s arrest on Thursday if he has yet to clear things up. Recovering from a torn Achilles and facing a suspension, Leshoure is out of sight, out of mind in fantasy leagues.

The police term is “possession of marijuana/second offense” because Leshoure was arrested twice for the same misdeed. Police did acknowledge Leshoure stopped eating the weed after officers caught him in the act following a traffic stop. The Detroit Free Press points out that Leshoure may face a six-game suspension for multiple violations of NFL policy. After missing his entire rookie year, Leshoure needs to start worrying about his roster spot.

The arrest flew under the radar, but ESPN 96.1 confirmed Leshoure’s arraignment with the court’s clerk office. Leshoure has been nursing a torn left Achilles’ since suffering the rupture a week into his rookie training camp. The arrest will at least warrant Leshoure a spot in the NFL’s drug program. The 96.1 report notes also that this is Leshoure’s “second offense” in two months, meaning he’s likely headed for an NFL suspension.

Leshoure consented to a vehicle search which revealed a plastic container of marijuana in a backpack. He was subsequently charged with a misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Leshoure was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over for the second incident on March 12. He received the same misdemeanor charge after police caught him stuffing marijuana into his mouth.

A plea bargain reduced the charge from possession of marijuana, second offense. Leshoure was ordered to pay a $575 fine with no jail time, as the judge agreed the NFL’s testing program would be more stringent than any disciplined handed down by the court. Leshoure was fined $485 in early March after pleading guilty to his first charge of marijuana possession. He’s expected to face a suspension of up to four games.

Although they were effectively one-dimensional, the Lions were among the most one-dimensional teams in the league, lining up with at least three receivers on the field 74.8 percent of the time. Only 32.2 percent of their offensive snaps came from under center. The health of Best and Mikel Leshoure will be essential to the Lions’ chances of taking another step forward in 2012.