20-Nov-2009 19:46pm
 
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Judge blocks doping suspensions of 2 Vikings

By STEVE KARNOWSKI - Associated Press Writer
    2009-07-09 15:18

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A judge on Thursday blocked the NFL's plan to suspend Minnesota Vikings linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league's anti-doping policy, a move their attorney said should let them start the season with camp beginning in just three weeks.

Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson granted the players' request for a temporary restraining order that keeps the NFL from suspending them until their case is decided. The order also prohibits the league from subjecting them to extra drug testing.

The Williamses ``would suffer a significant loss of playing time'' without the restraining order, the judge wrote, and they have shown ``some likelihood'' of winning their lawsuit.

Peter Ginsberg, an attorney for the two players, called the order a ``major victory'' and said that at a minimum it should allow them to play for the early part of the upcoming season. He said it also protects them from stepped-up drug testing that they consider to be retaliation for standing up to the NFL.

The NFL still wants to enforce the players' four-game suspensions at the start of the season. The first preseason game is Aug. 14 and the season-opener is Sept. 13 at Cleveland.

The judge also scheduled a July 22 hearing on whether he should put the state court proceedings on hold while a federal appeals court considers other issues in the case. The federal appeals process could take several months and could further delay any suspensions if Larson decides to wait.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the court order ``effectively exempts'' the Williamses from the league's collective bargaining agreement. He also said it has ``no immediate practical impact'' because they remain free to practice and to play in preseason games.

But the order ``illustrates the critical importance of a uniform policy for all teams in the league and why this matter should be governed exclusively by federal law,'' Aiello said. He said the NFL believes its federal appeal, which argues that the players' state claims are barred by the union contract, should be resolved before the start of the season.

Ginsberg said he and the Williamses are ready to go to trial. He said it wouldn't be fair to anyone to have a trial that conflicts with the season.

The defensive tackles, who are not related, tested positive last summer for a banned diuretic that can mask the presence of steroids, though they've never been accused of taking steroids. They took the weight-loss supplement StarCaps, which contained a diuretic, bumetanide, that wasn't listed on the label.

The NFL has acknowledged it knew StarCaps contained the banned drug, and the players say the NFL wrongly failed to share that information.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson last month dismissed most of the Williamses' original lawsuit and a related case filed by the NFL Players Association, but sent the Williamses' case back to state court to resolve two remaining claims under Minnesota law. Those claims involve whether the NFL violated the players' rights under a state law that regulates drug and alcohol testing in the workplace, and under another state law that governs disciplining employees for consuming legal products off their employer's premises during non-working hours.

The Williamses, the players union and the NFL are all appealing various parts of that order. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has tentatively scheduled oral arguments for Aug. 18 in St. Paul.


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Jamison Hensley, of The Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens LB Tavares Gooden (head) and LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as [ More ]

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Aaron KampmanNov 20 04:23p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers LB Aaron Kampman (concussion) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 [ More ]

Brady PoppingaNov 20 04:23p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers LB Brady Poppinga (quadriceps) and LB Desmond Bishop (ankle) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed [ More ]

Reggie BushNov 20 04:13p

ESPN.com reports New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush (knee) did not practice Friday, Nov. 20, and is questionable for Week 11.

Johnny JollyNov 20 04:13p

Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers FS John Kuhn (hand), C Scott Wells (concussion), DE Johnny Jolly (back) and LB Brad Jones (concussion) participated [ More ]

Mike VrabelNov 20 04:03p

Adam Teicher, of The Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for [ More ]

Cedric BensonNov 20 03:53p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals RB Cedric Benson (hip) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as doubtful for Week 11.

Laveranues ColesNov 20 03:53p

Joe Reedy, of The Cincinnati Enquirer, reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Laveranues Coles (head) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11 and will be able to play.

Keith RiversNov 20 03:53p

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Chike OkeaforNov 20 03:43p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals LB Chike Okeafor (back) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for Week 11. LB Bertrand [ More ]

Karlos DansbyNov 20 03:43p

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Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals TE Ben Patrick (knee) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 and could be [ More ]

Reggie WellsNov 20 03:33p

Darren Urban, of AZCardinals.com, reports Arizona Cardinals OG Reggie Wells (thumb) and DE Kenny Iwebema (knee) fully participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as probable for [ More ]

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Travis KirschkeNov 20 03:13p

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Michael TurnerNov 20 03:13p

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D. Orlando Ledbetter, of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White (knee) was limited during practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as questionable for Week 11 [ More ]

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Terrence McGeeNov 20 03:03p

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Marcus StroudNov 20 02:53p

Buffalo Bills DT Marcus Stroud (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He has been ruled out for the team's Week 11 game.

Danny WareNov 20 02:43p

Paul Schwartz, of the New York Post, reports New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said the team believes RB Danny Ware is capable of handling the duties of [ More ]

Troy PolamaluNov 20 02:43p

ESPN reports Pittsburgh Steelers SS Troy Polamalu (knee) has been ruled out for Week 11.

Brian WestbrookNov 20 02:33p

ESPNews reports Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) will be out in Week 11 and likely the two following weeks as well.

Garrett WolfeNov 20 02:23p

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Antonio BryantNov 20 01:13p

Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, report Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant (knee) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. He is listed as probable for Week 11.

Byron LeftwichNov 20 01:13p

Charlie Campbell and Jim Flynn, of PewterReport.com, report Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) and QB Byron Leftwich (elbow) participated in practice Friday, Nov. 20. They are listed as probable for Week 11.

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Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 19. The Broncos have not ruled him out for Week 11 and said he is feeling better.

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