Addiction

With a beefed-up steroid policy, players like former Green Bay offensive lineman Tony Mandarich (the No. 2 overall pick in 1988) have a much harder time getting away with doping than two decades ago. Drug and alcohol abuse is another way to get a one-way ticket out of the league.

In 2005, the Miami Herald reported that 2005 third-round pick Maurice Clarett was caught drinking in Denver's weight room (a Broncos source couldn't confirm the story but said he was suspicious because Clarett always used his own water bottle). The running back was cut during the preseason and never played in the NFL. A star at Ohio State, Clarett is currently in prison after striking a plea deal on robbery and weapons charges.

Gluttony

There's a reason so much emphasis is placed on offseason conditioning programs. Unlike in yesteryear, players aren't supposed to use training camp to get into shape. A truncated preseason makes it even more imperative to remain fit on a year-round basis.

Wide receiver Robert Meachem and defensive tackle Manny Wright learned that the hard way. A 2007 first-round pick, Meachem was reportedly 19 pounds overweight when reporting for his first rookie minicamp. He didn't play that season and had only 12 catches in 2008 on a team that attempted an NFL-high 636 passes.

The slovenly Wright was an even bigger embarrassment in Miami after being a 2005 fifth-round supplemental choice. He literally cried on the field when berated by then-coach Nick Saban during a preseason practice. Having wasted loads of athletic potential, Wright is out of the league.

The same could happen to you, rookie, if you too leave behind a trail of tears by not avoiding the seven deadly NFL sins.

Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: April 30, 2009

Jacksonville Jaguars News News » The seven deadly sins of an NFL draft bust
The seven deadly sins of an NFL draft bust
To the 256 players selected in last weekend's NFL draft: Whoop-de-do. Sure, it's a tremendous achievement. But as so many of your predecessors have proven, just getting picked doesn't automatically guarantee pro success. It takes more than talent to make it here. Sometimes, a rookie can do himself in for reasons that are completely preventable. So everyone from Mr. Stafford to Mr. Irrelevant should listen up. Here are the seven deadly NFL sins that you want to avoid and some examples of the players who have committed them: