McAllister, Smith, Grant Suspensions May Not Occur Until Next Month.
Jay Glazer says their group appeal to "Waterpill-gate" is set for the middle of November, which Rotoworld.com is interpretting as--they will play at least until then without suspension. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad. At least by then, Reggie will be back, but that means they may all get suspended at a time when the Saints are desperately playing for a playoff spot.
The New Orleans Saints, who have three players facing four-game suspensions due to testing positive for water pills, aren't the only team feeling the heat of possibly losing multiple Pro Bowlers.FOX Sports has learned that both of the Minnesota Vikings' Pro Bowl defensive tackles, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, are also facing suspensions for testing positive for the same product. Losing one of the Williams would be a major blow to the Vikings but to possibly lose both would serve as a major blow to the NFC North contenders.
The Williams aren't the only defensive tackles facing the penalty as well. FOX Sports has also learned that the Falcons' Grady Jackson tested positive for the water pill and is facing a four-game ban just like the other players who are currently fighting the suspension.
This trio joins, among others, Saints players Deuce McAllister, Charles Grant and Will Smith. But those aren't the only Saints to get caught in this growing web. It turns out, Saints guard Jamar Nesbit had also tested positive for the pill but he took his four-game suspension a month ago. His test, according to sources, came back earlier than the others.
The fact that Nesbit has already taken a four-game ban does not bode well for the remaining players who are attempting to fight their pending suspensions.
The Saints players' appeal, in which they have decided to band together and appeal as one, is set for the middle of November. The Vikings' suspension appeal was slated for this past week, the team's bye week, but it was pushed back.
Water pills are deemed illegal in the NFL because they can be used to mask positive steroid tests. However, considering the players who have tested positive, the intent appears to be to cut weight, and not for a masking agent.
Many of the players who have taken the product have long used water pills in order to make weight as they show up to camp or in order to make certain weight on a weekly basis. Guys like the Williams duo, Grady Jackson, Charles Grant appear on the surface to clearly fall under this reasoning.
It's a shame that players who use such pills, which are readily available at drug stores and health food stores, are swept in the same category as those who try test positive for juicing.
This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.
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Comments
Grady Jackson
Oh brother. Here I was, ready to taunt you guys like a good Falcons fan, and then this dip*&# *&#$s it up for me. *&@#$!
by Dave the Falconer on Oct 27, 2008 8:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
good job satch
I was going to post a shorter version of this, yours is much better. And look at that poll!!
by stujo4 on Oct 27, 2008 10:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What do we really loose though?
I have been thinking about this a lot, so sorry if this is a rant. Smith and Grant haven’t exactly been Tuck and Osi. and DMac. hasn’t seen much playing time so what are we going to be playing without? And do I want them to prove me wrong before they get suspended?
by dmcgoey on Oct 27, 2008 10:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
good point....
they haven’t really done squat for us this year….. Thank god for Brees, Moore & Vilma!!!!
by dell00 on Oct 27, 2008 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget
Reggie too. He had a great start before he hurt his knee. Let’s hope he is back by the time these suspensions come around and can gt back to where he was.
by BayouRebel on Oct 28, 2008 6:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you would think
There might be an effort to diminish the effect of this by having one player not even appeal (preferably Smith or Grant) and take their medicine now (no pun intended) while the other appealed and, if unsuccessful (which is likely), take their 4 games thereafter.
That way we are missing only one DE at a time or maybe both at the same time but only for a game or two, not 4. we have played without one or the other several games over the last three years, and sometimes it has seemed we are playing without both.
by MobileSaint on Oct 28, 2008 8:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Something Fishy
Something smells fishy here. The NFL is releasing no info, hasn’t said there was a positive drug test even though everyone in the country now knows……the suspensions are delayed til ..maybe… mid- November…several comments lead one to believe that this test was in pre-season?? ……or some time ago. We already had one player out with a 4 game suspension for same substance ( no delay there)…originally there were 15 players involved, now just 7 or 8….this stuff was leaked out…..(shouldn’t there be an investigation as to who leaked PRIVATE PERSONAL MEDICAL INFO" )……. we even know what the substance was but no other info such as when this occurred….Chris Mortensen confirms story but STILL no official release by NFL as to who else is involved and when…..I don’t know …something doesn’t seem to pass the light of day test.
by Philinwood on Oct 28, 2008 8:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nesbit
waived his right to appeal and accepted his suspension which is why there was no delay. From what I understand Deuce, Smith and Grant have their appeals all lumped into one. My guess as to the reason is that what is coming out now (still a MAJOR rumor) was that Deuce had previous approval to use StarCaps and he may have an excellent case to avoid suspension. Perhaps by lumping all three appeals together may help the chances that all three can avoid it? IMHO that is.
by BayouRebel on Oct 28, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stinky more
also- if this has been going on for some time now, shouldn’t Payton/Loomis been signing DEs to the team or the practice squad? Shouldn’t someone else have gotten some playing time last game to prep for suspensions? Who will play DE besides Mc Cray?? Jeff Charleston?… who else?
by Philinwood on Oct 28, 2008 8:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
They need to stagger the suspensions
Let Grant go on suspension IMMEDIATELY! That way we get him back when Smith goes out.
by xen-cuts on Oct 28, 2008 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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