The NFL still hasn't given up on the idea that it will eventually be able to suspend Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating its drug policy in the StarCaps case. There remains the chance the league will further appeal the decision by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld a federal judge's decision that the players could not be suspended. But on a conference call with reporters Monday afternoon, NFL union head DeMaurice Smith said the union and the NFL have had discussions about the drug policy in light of the StarCaps case, and he thinks there's a chance this could result in changes to the policy.
"I believe there is a resolution to this matter that can be collectively bargained," Smith said. "I do not think the only solution is continued litigation."
The back-and-forth between the courts and the NFL continues regarding the four-game suspension of the Minnesota Vikings' two gargantuan defensive tackles, Kevin and Pat Williams. Thursday, Hennepin County District Court granted the players' request for a temporary restraining order, which means the players cannot be suspended at this time.
Late last season, Williams and Wiliams -- All-Pro defensive tackles -- were slapped with a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy. They had tested positive over the previous summer for bumetanide, a diuretic which is considered a masking agent for steroids. Neither ever have tested positive for any steroid, and it's easy to see why they'd be taking something to control their weight. This is what they say they were doing.
This is a good thing, this ruling that came down Saturday in the StarCaps case. You may not see it that way if you're a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, who now face the first four games of their season without their Pro Bowl defensive tackles. Or if your team is the New Orleans Saints, who've likely lost their starting defensive ends for those first four games.
But if you're the kind of person who thinks pro athletes (and, by extension, the children who admire them) should be discouraged from taking drugs to cheat at their games, you have to look at today's development as a positive.
Those five players -- well, four if McAllister doesn't sign somewhere -- will be forced to sit out the first quarter of the season for their respective teams.
The Vikings should know by the time training camp begins whether they'll be missing two of the keys to the defense when the season begins. A U.S. District Court judge set a June 15 trial date for Pat and Kevin Williams lawsuit against the NFL.
The Williamses are suing because they were facing four-game suspensions for testing positive for a diuretic. The diurectic is banned by the NFL because it can be used to mask steroid use. But in this case, the players are claiming that they didn't know that the Starcaps they were taking contained the banned diruretic, and the supplements they were taking were used to try to make weight.
The big question heading into the 3:30 pm EST kickoff is whether Eagles coach Andy Reid will try to take advantage of this. Long known as a pass-happy play-caller, Reid does have the talent in the backfield to exploit the Vikings defensive front, which has missed Williams each of the last two games.
His absence may also hurt the effectiveness of the Vikings' other linemen, who aren't used to getting tons of attention from blockers on running plays.
As we get ready for the Wildcard Weekend matchup of the Vikings and Eagles, Dan Zinksi from The Viking Age and Derek from Iggles Blog were nice enough to offer some insights on their teams for this week's Behind Enemy Lines feature.
SportzAssassin: How do both of you feel about how your teams are playing heading into the playoffs?
Dan Zinksi (Viking Age): I would've been happier if the Vikes hadn't needed a 10-point comeback against the Giants' second-stringers to win their last game. I think they're shaky. I think Tarvaris Jackson's performance was a bit of a mirage, since a lot of it came against some bad pass defenses. I get nervous every time Adrian Peterson touches the ball now, because he keeps fumbling. I don't think they're exactly going into the playoffs with momentum.
Derek (Iggles Blog): I'd feel a lot better if the Eagles had won that "must win" game against the Redskins two weeks ago. These guys are clearly playing some good football right now, but I still think they're short a couple of guys needed to make a Super Bowl run.
A broken shoulder blade sounds like a pretty severe injury, but Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams is trying to prove that it's just a three-week speed bump for him.
Williams is planning to be back on the field Sunday when the Vikings face the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs. According to Big Pat, he no longer has any pain, although he has to show that he's regained the strength in the shoulder.
Even if Williams' isn't at 100 percent, he's one player who can help the team simply by getting on the field. Williams is big enough that even with one arm, he'll help clog the middle and force the Eagles to junk their running game. Williams' return would be especially important because there is a good chance Minnesota will be without starting defensive end Ray Edwards, who injured his knee against the Giants.
If Edwards is out, the Vikings will have to rely on Otis Grigsby and Brian Robison. Robison is a better pass rusher, while Grigsby may be a little bit better run defender, but neither of them can equal Edwards' all-around ability.
It would be easy for me to sit here and discuss the virtues of playing hard all 16 games and how that overtime win at home last weekend still wasn't enough momentum for the playoffs -- not to mention the fact that the Giants will have a bye next week anyway and that everyone keeps discussing how hard they played in Week 17 last year.
I'm not gonna do that. Instead, I'm going to tell you that the Chicago Bears are not near the playoff team the Minnesota Vikings are at this point. The Giants should be wanting a victory this weekend over the Vikings -- and hoping for a Bears win as well -- because the Vikings could be a scary NFC Championship game foe. That third week in January is one game for the chance to go to the Super Bowl.
The AFC and NFC Pro Bowlers were announced a short while ago, and why make some pointless comment you are sure not to laugh at when we can just give you the rosters instead? Here goes.
The NFL still hasn't given up on the idea that it will eventually be able to suspend Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating its drug policy in the StarCaps case. There remains the chance the league will further appeal the decision by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld a federal judge's decision that the players could not be suspended. But on a conference call with reporters Monday afternoon, NFL union head DeMaurice Smith said the union and the NFL have had discussions about the drug policy in light of the StarCaps case, and he thinks there's a chance this could result in changes to the policy.
The back-and-forth between the courts and the NFL continues regarding the four-game suspension of the Minnesota Vikings' two gargantuan defensive tackles, 
This is a good thing, 
As you may recall, five NFL players were slapped with respective four-game suspensions late last season -- though they never served them while their legal claims were being heard in court. Friday, a 
The Vikings should know by the time training camp begins whether they'll be missing two of the keys to the defense when the season begins. A U.S. District Court judge 
As we get ready for the Wildcard Weekend matchup of the Vikings and Eagles, Dan Zinksi from 
A broken shoulder blade sounds like a pretty severe injury, but Vikings defensive tackle 
C'mon, 
