http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8722 ... co-benched
The New Orleans Saints, who have three players facing four-game suspensions due to testing positive for water pills, aren't the only team feeling the heat of possibly losing multiple Pro Bowlers.
FOX Sports has learned that both of the Minnesota Vikings' Pro Bowl defensive tackles, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, are also facing suspensions for testing positive for the same product. Losing one of the Williams would be a major blow to the Vikings but to possibly lose both would serve as a major blow to the NFC North contenders.
The Williams aren't the only defensive tackles facing the penalty as well. FOX Sports has also learned that the Falcons' Grady Jackson tested positive for the water pill and is facing a four-game ban just like the other players who are currently fighting the suspension.
This trio joins, among others, Saints players Deuce McAllister, Charles Grant and Will Smith. But those aren't the only Saints to get caught in this growing web. It turns out, Saints guard Jamar Nesbit had also tested positive for the pill but he took his four-game suspension a month ago. His test, according to sources, came back earlier than the others.
The fact that Nesbit has already taken a four-game ban does not bode well for the remaining players who are attempting to fight their pending suspensions.
The Saints players' appeal, in which they have decided to band together and appeal as one, is set for the middle of November. 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.
Many of the players who have taken the product have long used water pills in order to make weight as they show up to camp or in order to make certain weight on a weekly basis. Guys like the Williams duo, Grady Jackson, Charles Grant appear on the surface to clearly fall under this reasoning.
It's a shame that players who use such pills, which are readily available at drug stores and health food stores, are swept in the same category as those who try test positive for juicing.
