Both Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune and NFP are reporting that Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett blew off his April 9 team-facility visit with the Carolina Panthers.
Biggs has the details.
Citing multiple sources, Biggs reports that Mallett met the Panthers on the evening of April 8 for dinner with club officials. The Razorbacks’ all-time passing leader was “seen out on the town late” following the meal, and reportedly called in sick the next day.
Biggs’ report acknowledges the mass amounts of pre-draft misinformation spread this time of year. But Biggs insists “there is no mistaking that Mallett called the Panthers (on April 9) and told them he was ill after a late night in Charlotte.”
Mallett, as you already know, has been the subject of character scrutiny due to a 2009 arrest for public intoxication, as well as countless pre-draft rumors that take his alleged consumption problems much further.
During February team interviews at the Combine, Mallett reportedly told NFL executives and coaching staffs that he did drugs at Arkansas.
While these issues say little about Mallett’s football future, they certainly threaten to torpedo his draft stock.
UPDATE: The Panthers and Mallett’s agents have responded to the report.