I did nothing wrong. The fact of the matter is, we weren’t using it to mask steroids. None of us were. That’s a fact. It was something to help us lose weight. If you read the bottle, (the label) says "all natural." There’s nothing that is a banned substance. We thought it wasn’t a big deal, then it because a huge deal. I was more afraid of the perception than the penalty. I never thought I would be suspended. I did nothing wrong. Absolutely not. That’s why I was never concerned about being suspended. It was clear it was being used for weight loss.
Will Smith
Utica Observer Dispatch
6 months ago
Saintsational
10 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
I am very concerned
Am I the only one? I don’t think they will win this appeal. If they don’t, 1/4 of the regular season x 2 DEs is potentially devastating. Especially, we could start off in a hole. We don’t want that. And, while I like Charleston and Mc Cray, I don’t see them as the players to usher in a new era of pressuring the QB. Not even sure if Grant and Smith will, but at least they have had a couple of seasons with good stats. And then there’s Paul Spicer…I just don’t know……seems like a weakness to me that was ignored. Seems like they think they can plug anyone in and GW’s scheme will take care of it all. We can’t expect much QB pressure from our DTs, don’t think that will happen. And our LBs and Cbs are not known for it either. If they get aquitted, now we have a roster that sports maybe above average DEs at best. I just think the DE position is so important. I like our talent and depth at every position across the board except the defensive end position in light of the suspensions.
by Philinwood on Apr 28, 2009 8:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think...
they win the appeal.
Just my feelings.
MT
by MT_always on Apr 28, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed!
Has everyone taken a close look at the circumstances behind the league trying to suspend these guys? Goodell and the NFL know they’re wrong in this and they are just trying to save face. The league officials simply made some key mistakes in this matter and are now refusing to own up to them.
Here’s a link to the latest goings-on regarding this case:
Buffalo Bills pulled into Kevin, Pat Williams’ StarCaps lawsuit with NFL
They plan to show that the league allegedly knew StarCaps contained Bumetanide, banned under the collectively bargained Policy On Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances, and one of its teams allegedly promoted its use.
The tactic also drags a third team into a landmark labor dispute between the league and NFL Players Association over a weight-loss supplement that triggered a Food and Drug Administration recall and three lawsuits involving seven NFL players.
Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, who are scheduled to give depositions in the case today in Minneapolis, are suing the NFL for $10 million in damages.
The NFL Players Association joined the federal suit in Minnesota on behalf of New Orleans Saints linemen Will Smith and Charles Grant and former Saint running back Deuce McAllister.
Trial is set to begin June 15. The union is prepared to argue for a summary judgment during a May 14 hearing before Judge Paul A. Magnuson, who is expected to order both sides into settlement talks.
The five players were suspended in December after arbitration hearings. Each tested positive during the exhibition season for Bumetanide, which the players said they unknowingly ingested.
StarCaps did not disclose the ingredient on the bottles, which, according to its parent company, Balanced Health Products, were contaminated in Peru.
On Dec. 11, Magnuson issued a temporary injunction that blocked the suspensions and allowed the players to compete the rest of the 2008 season. However, until this case is resolved, the suspensions still threaten to sideline the players in the 2009 season.
In his 20-page ruling, the judge sharply criticized the partiality of arbitrator Jeffrey Pash, the league’s chief legal counsel who ordered the suspensions.
And Magnuson questioned whether the NFL violated public policy by not warning the NFLPA it learned through independent testing in November 2006 that Bumetanide existed in StarCaps.
The NFL contends it rightfully suspended the players under the CBA. The league argues after its scientists determined StarCaps was contaminated it warned the NFLPA that players were banned from endorsing StarCaps and all of Balanced Health’s products.
How is warning them not to endorse the same as warning them not to ingest? And, I simply don’t buy the standard league argument of “the players are solely responsible for what they put into their bodies” in this case.
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by satchmo26 on Apr 28, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
How is warning them not to endorse the same as warning them not to ingest?
It’s not. It’s not even remotely the same. And especially if they didn’t specifically say WHY they were not to endorse the product. Had they said “you can’t endorse these products because they contained banned products that will cause you and others to fail a drug test”, that would fly. They (apparently, at least) didn’t say that.
Goodell DOES need to punish players who misbehave and give the NFL a bad name. Like, for example, people who DUI or commit crimes or whatnot. But he ALSO has a responsiblity to the image of the league in general, and trying to win a case anyway when they know they are in the wrong is NOT a smart way to go about doing that.
by FriarBob on Apr 28, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oops. Blockquote is trickier to use than I thought…
by FriarBob on Apr 28, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
people who DUI
Well there goes our new signee, 2 time loser in the drink and drive game.
Restore the wetlands!
by stujo4 on Apr 28, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
not really
even if they get suspended, i think our “depth” may be better than our “starters”.
by dmcgoey on Apr 28, 2009 8:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
BAH!
Smith was hurt all year
Grant was lazy
The Powderpuffs will regain form as the new DC will firmly plant his foot on their posteriors and make them better then last year.
We will have an awesome DE pairing this year. The depth people also rock but are not starter material.
MT
by MT_always on Apr 28, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
our depth is solid
not great but solid. I think there’s a good chance that they’ll win but also could lose. hope they don’t. detroit, philly, buffalo, and the ny jets are not the hardest part of our schedule. if we’re going to lose them, at least it will be early in the season where the teams we play are easier than say….any 4 week period after the bye week. our easiest 4 week period i would say will have atlanta,carolina,st. louis,tampa bay. yeah, definetly would rather have them miss the first 4 games(if they do) than any other ones.
Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D
by skinnykinney on Apr 28, 2009 5:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Canal Street Chronicles
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
