Saints lawyer: No steroids
NEW YORK — The lawyer for three New Orleans Saints players facing suspension said Wednesday the NFL’s independent drug administrator acknowledged he did not inform NFL players that the supplement StarCaps contained a banned diuretic.
During the players’ appeals hearing, attorney David Cornwell said that Dr. John Lombardo’s testimony proved none of his clients — Deuce McAllister, Will Smith or Charles Grant — took steroids.
Cornwell said in an e-mail that Lombardo testified he learned in late 2006
Cincinnati (1-8-1) at Pittsburgh (7-3)
Time: 8:15 p. m.TV: NFL Network Line: Steelers (-10ø).
Bengals: Have become more competitive, beating the Jaguars and tying the Eagles in their last two outings. With a bye week in between, they haven't lost since Oct. 26 at Houston. The Bengals lack the firepower to challenge the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense.
Steelers: Have beaten the Bengals four straight times and should be able to control the ball with Willie Parker, who averages 113.7 rushing yards vs. Cincy. Parker cracked 100 yards in his last two home games.
Players to watch: In the last two games, Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown three TD passes vs. one INT. The Steelers' Hines Ward, who has caught five TD passes in his last three games vs. the Bengals, has 19 catches for 236 yards the last two weeks.
The pick: Steelers 20, Bengals 6.
that StarCaps contained Bumetanide, a diuretic considered a masking agent for steroids. Lombardo’s reasoning, according to Cornwell, is that “he feared that a specific warning regarding StarCaps could be used as a defense to alleged violations of the steroid policy that involved weight reduction products other than StarCaps.”
The league said the hearing was confidential.
“Public comments during the process are totally inappropriate,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. “We will continue to respect the program’s required confidentiality until there is a resolution.”
McAllister, Grant and Smith are among several players identified as facing
suspension after testing positive for Bumetanide. Others include defensive tackle Grady Jackson of Atlanta and defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams of Minnesota.
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments