THE CANADIAN PRESS
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — He remains a member of the New England Patriots but Canadian Nick Kaczur’s NFL future could impact the Toronto Argonauts.
Kaczur, a native of Brantford, Ont., who is a starting offensive tackle with the Patriots, reportedly worked with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in a sting operation after being arrested in New York in April for possession of OxyContin, a prescription painkiller.
According to DEA documents, Kaczur said he started purchasing OxyContin in November 2007, ordering 100 pills every few days. Abuse of prescription drugs is a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy and could result in Kaczur being slapped with a suspension by commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Patriots selected the six-foot-four, 315-pound Kaczur in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft. Shortly afterwards, the Argos took Kaczur with the ninth overall pick of the 2005 Canadian college draft.
Toronto knew Kaczur had NFL potential but figured he was worth taking a chance on because if he ever became available to play in the CFL, the Argos had a bona fide blue-chip prospect.
Kaczur is currently working out with the Patriots but his legal troubles have prompted speculation he could be on borrowed time with the NFL team. The Boston Globe reports New England hasn’t made any decisions on Kaczur’s future but if he does become available, the Argos would undoubtedly have interest in a 28-year-old Canadian offensive lineman who not only has started south of the border but played for a team that last year fell one game short of becoming just the second franchise in NFL history to go through a season undefeated.
“Hopefully for Nick everything works out well for him,” said Greg Mohns, the Argos assistant general manager. “Time will tell.
“Obviously we still have his rights. We just have to let time takes its course. If the time comes where he’s not in the NFL we will step up our efforts to try and entice him to come up and play in the CFL.”
