NFL Week 8
 

And it starts with steroid news:

REPORT: “RASH” OF POSITIVE DRUG TESTS ENSNARES SAINTS
Posted by Mike Florio on October 24, 2008, 12:29 p.m.

Josina Anderson of FOX 31 in Denver reports that there has been a “rash” of positive tests under the policy regarding anabolic steroids and related substances.

Citing a “highly-placed NFL source,” Anderson reports that there have been as few as six and as many as ten positive results, resulting from players taking water pills in an effort to lose weight.

Per the report, three or four play for the Saints, including running back Deuce McAllister and defensive end Will Smith.

The substance in question is Bumetanide, which apparently can mask the presence of other substances, such as steroids.

Under the league’s policy regarding anabolic steroids and related substances, a first offense results in a four-game suspension.

*rushes off to claim pierre thomas in fantasy league*

Oh .. more drug news:

HOLMES CITED FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION
Posted by Mike Florio on October 23, 2008, 11:52 p.m.

Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes, who ran afoul of the law twice not long after he was selected by the Steelers in round one of the 2006 draft, is in trouble again.

On Thursday afternoon, Holmes was cited in Pittsburgh for possession of marijuana.

His SUV was stopped because it matched the description of a vehicle that had been involved in a crime. Police then discovered the marijuana.

“When they pulled him over, they found there was a smell of burnt marijuana in the vehicle,” said Sgt. James Vogel. “Mr. Holmes was very cooperative with officers and turned over some items to us and was subsequently summoned for those items . . . a couple of marijuana blunts.”

Holmes wasn’t taken into custody, but he was given a summons to appear in court, and he was released.

And while the authorities in Pittsburgh didn’t give Holmes a pass, Sgt. Vogel has gone to bat for him.

“We wouldn’t expect a steelworker to be laid off or suspended without pay [for marijuana possession],” said Vogel. “I wouldn’t expect a police officer, firefighter or a member of the Steelers.”

[Editor’s note: If/when my house is on fire, I hope that they dispatch the guys from the firehouse with the firefigthers who spend their down time smoking pot. They’ll be so much mellower while trying to save my life.]

But Sgt. Vogel didn’t write the league’s rules for things of this nature. If Holmes is convicted of or pleads guilty to the charges, he’ll be subject to discipline under the substance-abuse policy. For a first offense, Holmes faces a maximum suspension of four games, without pay.

Earlier this year, Pats running back Kevin Faulk was suspended for one game after admitting to marijuana possession.

Technically, the Steelers aren’t permitted to discipline Holmes separately. And they likely won’t, given that Holmes is a key contributor. (See Harrison, James and Wilson, Cedrick.)

Ummmm....yeah. That could be bad. Or good since I'm a Falcon's fan. :)

:+1:

Mort is now saying it is over 15 guys who tested positive.

That I dunno, but considering I have Deuce because Bush is out, as well as Santonio on my team, I sure hope so. I had to go spend 5 more bucks just now to pick up Pierre Thomas just to be safe.

SANTONIO WILL SIT ON SUNDAY
Posted by Mike Florio on October 24, 2008, 1:35 p.m.

Our buddy Tim Benz of WXDX in Pittsburgh tells us that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will deactivate receiver Santonio Holmes for Sunday’s game against the Giants.

Holmes was cited for marijuana possession on Thursday.

Tomlin declined to call the move a suspension. Technically, teams are not permitted to discipline players who have been charged with drug or alcohol offenses.

Nate Washington will start in place of Holmes. Dallas Baker and Limas Sweed will both be active for the Steelers.

More suspension news:

Per Jay Glazer, Pat and Kevin Williams tested for that steroid coverup drug. There goes the Vikes season if true.

question: what's up with no sunday night football game up here in Boston this week? is it a local-market-blackout? or is my cable box showing the wrong info?

No SNF tonight, presumably because of the World Series.

aaaah *nods* well that's silly. woulda been a good opportunity for the NFL to outdraw the WS and be like "see advertisers, we are America's #1 sport"

RE: Dallas

That might have been one of the best tackles done by a punter, ever.

Rams looking pretty good for a second straight week so far. If you had asked me at the start of the season what would happen for St.Louis last week and this week I definitely would have figured they would be blown out of both games. What a crazy season this has been so far.

nice to see Anquan Boldin back on the field after that scary hit to his face against the Jets. Yet another stuff on 3rd down keeps the Cards out of the endzone though.

That screen pass TD for the Jets was pretty sweet. Just saw the replay as well and Alan Faneca is a freakin' genius (wish my Steelers would've paid him and done a bit more to keep him happy).

Did Marshawn Lynch go down? I'm playing against him but I keep seeing F. Jackson getting carries.

NEVERMIND, Lynch didn't go down. Just surprised how many carries Fred Jackson is taking from Lynch.

What a joke call against the Eagles there. This is becoming touch football.

I'll admit on the roughing the passer call in the Falcon-Eagles game, that was a bad call.

So every time a QB gets hit, even while he's throwing, they're going to throw the flag? Really, these officials need to be reminded that the object is to tackle.

Ugh, only get one game choice (Rams vs Pats) and right now the feed on this game is acting up. It is skipping like a DVD with a scratch on it to the point of unwatchable. Stupid FOX, get your act together.

That sucks Alan, hope it clears up soon for you (although still a bad game to have to see).

Yup, but then again if Ryan is hurt, then league can feel free to fine the guy a million dollars. :)

Bad pick by Favre. Partly forced by pressure, partly forced by Brett being Brett. He's hurt too, hit his forearm on a helmet on the follow-through.

Long pass to Avery for a Rams TD. The two Patriots secondary players made a great tackle on each other to look foolish.

And Thigpen puts together a great drive (thanks to beautiful catches by Bowe and then Gonzalez for the TD) to tie things vs. the Jets.

LOL! Favre throws yet another terrible pick and Tyler Thigpen shows him how it's done, 7-7 game.

Tyler Thigpen is 6/6 for 65 yards and a TD for KC, looking good so far.

Go Thigpen! :)

woohoo, Cards knock the ball out of Delhomme's hands and have it at the five yard line

and just like that TD Anquan Boldin

Pats secondary is so bad it's going to prevent them from going anywhere this year - unless these young kids grow up FAST

Wow, my fantasy team is getting decimated. Jason Witten, early word, broken ribs pending X-rays.

ooof on Witten.

Ryan to Roddy White, TD. 7-0 Falcons.

Favre another bad pick.

Favre just throwing it up for grabs now. Thigpen is outplaying Favre. Here's a tip for the Jets- Run the ball against the worst rush defense in the NFL.

Good to see that the Saints are finally motivated to play well with the threat of losing half to the team to waterpill suspensions. :banghead:

Muhammad drops a perfectly thrown TD pass for the Panthers with no one around him and they have to settle for a FG.

Thigpen a perfect 10/10, who said he had accuracy problems?

So, how long will the Falcons luck out and McNabb will keep missing open receivers?

of course right after I said that he had an incomplete

i think it's more that McNabb is intimidated by Matty Ryan - getting a chance to see what a real-QB looks like...

Lol. Then again, McNabb might be rubbing off on Ryan, since he has missed a couple guys open down-field.

Cards go for the fake FG after that damned last second time out on the first try of the FG, and don't get enough for the first down. :(

Sure, faux QB's always lead their team to 4 straight NFC title games.

Good call by Pete Morelli. That was a TD by Mark Bradley. The Jets are struggling for the 2nd week in a row against one of the worst teams in the NFL.

wooh Thigpen and the instant replay folk. Incomplete pass call reversed, TD Chiefs

Why in the hell would they try a fake there? 4th and 14, up 10-3 with an easy 39 yard FG try to go up 2 scores before the half... 4th and 14!!!

yeah I don't understand that one either, should have been a no-brainer FG there