Positive Drug Tests

[Footballjoe]

KFFL) FOXSports.com reports there has been a "rash of positive tests under the steroid policy as a result of players taking water pills to lose weight," according to FOX 31 Denver, citing a highly-placed NFL source. New Orleans Saints RB Deuce McAllister and DL Will Smith were reportedly among the positive tests. McAllister and Smith are in a group of players that have tested positive for Bumetanide, a diuretic frequently used for weight loss, but also for masking the use of steroids or other drugs. All of the players who tested positive are subject to suspension, though they can appeal. Under the league's steroid policy, a first positive test results in a four-game suspension

[cogresha]

Pierre Time!

[Bronco Billy]

Weight loss? Are you kidding me? What professional athlete in season needs to lose weight? If anything, pro athletes need something to keep weight on during the season.

 

I can understand them - some of these guys must be sorely tempted to do whatever it takes to maintain a career that pays them millions of dollars every year, whether it is legal or not. I have a tough time sympathsizing with them, though.

[Big John]

Weight loss? Are you kidding me? What professional athlete in season needs to lose weight? If anything, pro athletes need something to keep weight on during the season.

 

I can understand them - some of these guys must be sorely tempted to do whatever it takes to maintain a career that pays them millions of dollars every year, whether it is legal or not. I have a tough time sympathsizing with them, though.

A lot of players have a prescribed weight given by the team that they must maintain or get fined for going over.

[Bronco Billy]

A lot of players have a prescribed weight given by the team that they must maintain or get fined for going over.

 

Sure, but usually involves player weights when reporting to camp. When the season is in session, these guys burn calories at astronomical rates.

[NAUgrad]

It also mentioned that the drug can be used to mask steriod use. That is more likely why he was using it.

[Bronco Billy]

It also mentioned that the drug can be used to mask steriod use. That is more likely why he was using it.

 

Yeah, we know. What we are doing is debunking the diuretic/weight loss argument as an excuse for a player to have this stuff in his system during the season.

Edited October 24, 2008 by Bronco Billy

[Pope Flick]

KFFL) FOXSports.com reports there has been a "rash of positive tests under the steroid policy as a result of players taking water pills to lose weight," according to FOX 31 Denver, citing a highly-placed NFL source. New Orleans Saints RB Deuce McAllister and DL Will Smith were reportedly among the positive tests. McAllister and Smith are in a group of players that have tested positive for Bumetanide, a diuretic frequently used for weight loss, but also for masking the use of steroids or other drugs. All of the players who tested positive are subject to suspension, though they can appeal. Under the league's steroid policy, a first positive test results in a four-game suspension

 

 

[Randall]

Water pills?

 

 

Friday, October 24, 2008

McAllister, Smith among players reportedly testing positive

ESPN.com news services

 

A number of NFL players -- including Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints -- have tested positive under the NFL's steroid policy as a result of taking water pills to lose weight, according to a report from Fox 31-Denver reporter Josina Anderson.

 

Anderson's report cited "a rash of positive tests." The number is more than 10 and may exceed 15, two sources have told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

 

Attorney David Cornwell told Mortensen he has been retained by "a number of players" to represent them in the NFL appeals process, but Cornwell wouldn't say who those players were or the exact number who have retained his legal services.

 

Smith's listed agent, Joel Segal, was not immediately available to comment, according to Fox 31-Denver. A representative for McAllister's agent, Jim Steiner, said the agent would call that station back.

 

Under the NFL's steroid policy, a player's first positive test results in a four-game suspension.

 

According to Anderson's report, McAllister and Smith are part of a group that tested positive for a diuretic known as Bumetanide. Others tested positive for a different substance.

 

"Most of them tested positive for Bumetanide," said the league source, according to Fox 31-Denver. "The last few tested positive for another substance that works similarly."

 

A source told Fox 31-Denver that Bumetanide "can also mask the use of other drugs or steroids."

 

Bumetanide is a drug belonging to a group of medicines called loop diuretics or "water pills." Its uses include the treatment of fluid retention and swelling caused by medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease, Fox 31-Denver reported.

 

 

REPORT: MORE THAN 10 OR 15 PLAYERS TESTED POSITIVE

Posted by Michael David Smith on October 24, 2008, 1:20 p.m.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen is reporting that the rash of positive tests under the NFL policy on steroids and related substances may be even more widespread than initially reported.

 

According to Mortensen’s report, which aired on SportsCenter, the number of players who tested positive is actually “more than 10 and may exceed 15.” Mortensen also confirmed that Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive end Will Smith were among those who tested positive.

 

Attorney David Cornwell told Mortensen that a number of players have retained him to represent them in the appeals process. He declined to name those players or say how many players he will represent in positive drug test appeals.

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Edited October 24, 2008 by Randall

[detlef]

F 'em I say. Someone get a rope.

[Bronco Billy]

If someone had been bright enough to offer sports writers that using a diuretic would theoretically control swelling after an injury because it flushes fluids, they may have had a plausible argument. Thin, but plausible. But weight loss?

[Savage Beatings]

I wonder how many super studs this will effect? How quickly does the league tend to react to this type of situation? And how quickly would the appeal process take place?

[cdrudge]

Pierre Time!

You think Pierre over Stecker?

[Mojo Rising]

You think Pierre over Stecker?

 

I think Stecker over Pierre!

[Hat Trick]

I wonder if Ricky Williams is on the list

[Delicious_bass]

I think Stecker over Pierre!

+1

 

Stecker filled in last year and was more than serviceable. I think he is the way to go in Bush's absence if Deuce is suspended.

[SLAYER]

What I like to know is if there are 10-15 that tested positive how come Duece and Smith are the only names mentioned?

[Brentastic]

What I like to know is if there are 10-15 that tested positive how come Duece and Smith are the only names mentioned?

Was thinking the same thing.

[millerx]

All I know is that the last "big" appeals process I can remember (from last year) involved that piece of chit RB from Denver named Travis "I gotta spread my seed" Henry and it lasted F-O-R-E-V-E-R!! Don't expect a quick resolution to this either...especially when it involves multiple players.

 

Which really sucks because I have Pierre...

[SLAYER]

Add Charles Grant to the list, reported this AM in the Picayune.

[tbimm]

Add Charles Grant to the list, reported this AM in the Picayune.

A link to Grants addition to the list.

Edited October 25, 2008 by tbimm

[rajncajn]

Weight loss? Are you kidding me? What professional athlete in season needs to lose weight? If anything, pro athletes need something to keep weight on during the season.

Not to say they weren't using steroids, but I can see why Deuce would need to keep his weight down coming off a serious knee injury. In fact it was reported multiple times this off season how lean Deuce was looking & how he was back down to his old playing weight. As for the others, a lot of defensive lineman have problems keeping their weight down, even in season. We've had several that had issues in New Orleans (Norman Hand, Gravy Jackson, Hollis Thomas & Jonathan Sullivan). Grant has always had issues with his weight as well. It also doesn't say when they tested positive & NO does have a very strict weight plan that if you don't meet, you don't play. So, while everybody is quick to jump on the roid bus, I do think it is highly plausible that they actually were taking these as just diet pills.

[myhousekey]

Appeals for Saints players appears to be set for mid-November.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8715300...ves-6-8-players

 

FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer has already identified most of the players under investigation. They include: Saints RB Deuce McAllister, Saints defensive linemen Charles Grant and Will Smith, Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, and Falcons DT Grady Jackson.

 

The Saints players' appeal, in which they have decided to band together and appeal as one, is set for the middle of November, Glazer reported. 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, according to Glazer.

Edited October 27, 2008 by myhousekey

[Pope Flick]

Not to say they weren't using steroids, but I can see why Deuce would need to keep his weight down coming off a serious knee injury. In fact it was reported multiple times this off season how lean Deuce was looking & how he was back down to his old playing weight. As for the others, a lot of defensive lineman have problems keeping their weight down, even in season. We've had several that had issues in New Orleans (Norman Hand, Gravy Jackson, Hollis Thomas & Jonathan Sullivan). Grant has always had issues with his weight as well. It also doesn't say when they tested positive & NO does have a very strict weight plan that if you don't meet, you don't play. So, while everybody is quick to jump on the roid bus, I do think it is highly plausible that they actually were taking these as just diet pills.

 

 

That shouldn't matter, and they should still be suspended. I recall jim Miller getting busted with vitamins that had some terierary roid class drug in it that wasn't a muscle builder it was just on "the list." he got 4 games, and clearly didn't mean to do it. No difference here.

[rajncajn]

That shouldn't matter, and they should still be suspended. I recall jim Miller getting busted with vitamins that had some terierary roid class drug in it that wasn't a muscle builder it was just on "the list." he got 4 games, and clearly didn't mean to do it. No difference here.

From what I am hearing & is being reported locally is that the drug was sent in and approved by the NFL.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5igFYfvn..._gcZKwD942FH800

McAllister insists he played by rules for doping

 

By MATTIAS KAREN – 1 day ago

 

WEMBLEY, England (AP) — Deuce McAllister knew coming to London that he was being investigated for violating the NFL's steroid policy, but insisted Sunday that he had done "everything that we were asked to do" to follow the league's drug policy.

 

McAllister and New Orleans Saints teammate Will Smith reportedly are among several players who tested positive for a weight-loss diuretic that can be used as a masking agent for steroids.

 

Saints coach Sean Payton refused to comment on the reports after New Orleans beat the San Diego Chargers 37-32 at Wembley Stadium.

 

McAllister stopped short of saying he tested positive, but said he had known about the investigation since before it was first reported by Fox 31 television in Denver on Friday.

 

"We've been kind of going through this process for a while," said McAllister, who ran for 55 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. "I guess you guys just found out about it at this point. But whatever happens, that's what's going to happen. We've hired counsel. He's going to do his job to kind of put the case together and however the NFL rules, that's the way it will be.

Edited October 27, 2008 by rajncajn