http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-traffic-drug-charges-latest-details-reaction
Mason pleads not guilty
Los Angeles Rams running back Tre Mason's attorney entered a plea of not guilty on misdemeanor traffic and drug charges on Thursday.
Per
Jack Wang of the
Los Angeles Daily News, attorney H.T. Smith had to enter the plea on Mason's behalf after the former Auburn star skipped his scheduled court appearance on Monday.
As a result of skipping his scheduled court appearance, per Wang, a warrant has been issued for Mason's arrest.
A third-round pick by the Rams in 2014, Mason was arrested by police in Broward County, Florida, in March for suspicion of possession of marijuana, reckless driving, failure to register a motor vehicle and resisting arrest, per ESPN.com's
Nick Wagoner.
Wagoner noted police officers had to subdue Mason with a Taser before arresting him. The Rams released a statement on the matter, included in Wagoner's report.
"We are very disappointed to learn of an incident involving Tre Mason in the
Miami, Florida, area Saturday afternoon," the Rams said. "We are in the process of obtaining more information about the facts surrounding this incident and will have no further comment at this time."
In the official report filed by officer Lester Cochenour, per Wagoner, he said Mason "was warned several times in a composed voice to stop resisting, exit the vehicle and if he did not comply with arrest, a Taser would be used."
Mason looked like a key piece in the Rams offense as a rookie, running for 765 yards and four touchdowns on 179 attempts in 12 games (nine starts). He had a significantly reduced role last year after the team drafted Todd Gurley, as he only had 207 yards on 75 carries.
Despite Mason's drop in production, the Rams have him
listed as the No. 2 running back behind Gurley. He's got the potential to be a key figure in the L.A. offense, but this off-field incident will need to be resolved before looking ahead to anything on the field in 2016.