It seems to me that if this is really what the NFL is standing on as the principle of its substance abuse policy, then they might as well just not have ANYTHING ELSE on paper or in practice about substance abuse policy, because it just gets them into trouble.

Hopefully we can hang on in the first four weeks – get lucky with great performances from our backups or have those early teams not be very good yet so we can beat them.

I found two items in that story VERY INTERESTING:

“The biggest injustice done to us was that our names were leaked,” said McAllister, who pointed out that it was revealed during the trial that eight other players had tested positive in the past for the same diuretic, bumetanide, but they weren’t suspended. “It’s kind of picking and choosing which players you want to suspend and which ones you don’t.”

(Emphasis mine) What?!? I believe this matter of the “Unsuspended Eight” others deserves further investigation.

Also,

The Saints will likely try to see if they can stagger the players’ suspensions so they don’t lose them both at the same time.

I guess it’s worth trying anything, but I don’t think the NFL will go for that. Maybe Jackie Childs can take the case.