Williams Wall Has Cases Moved to Federal Court; Will Be Heard at 10:30 AM

by Gonzo on Dec 5, 2008 6:00 AM CST in Vikings

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, in just about four and a half hours, we're going to have a better idea of what the rest of the season holds for the defensive tackle tandem of Pat and Kevin Williams as it relates to their bogus suspensions. According to the Star-Tribune:

Two separate actions regarding the playing status of the two Pro Bowl defensive tackles, who were suspended four games by the NFL on Tuesday for using a banned diuretic, are on the docket for a 10:30 a.m. hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson.

The NFL seeks to dissolve a temporary restraining order obtained Wednesday by the Williamses that allows them to play.

The NFL Players Association joined in the action and filed a lawsuit to block the suspension of the Williamses and three other players. The union is hoping the judge issues an order allowing the five to play. The NFLPA lawsuit argues the players' careers are "short and precarious so that being denied the opportunity to play in games is an irreparable harm which cannot be compensated with monetary damages."

The NFLPA's suit, when boiled down to its essence, pretty much says that the league's substance abuse policy has more to do with protecting the image of the league than it has to do with protecting the safety of the players. . .which, after seeing this recent ruling, is clearly the case.

I really can't add a heck of a lot to this that hasn't already been pounded into the ground here and in other places already. Hopefully I'll be getting home from work earlier today than I have the past couple of days so I can get something up on this during the afternoon, but until then, consider this your daily open thread for StarCap-alooza 2008.

Maybe at some point today, tonight, or tomorrow, I'll do something really crazy here. Something like. . .I don't know. . .talk about the Detroit Lions or something. Wouldn't THAT be weird? Talking about football games on a football blog? Heck, I might be onto something here.

Poll

What percent chance do you give Pat and Kevin Williams of beating their bogus four-game suspensions?

Somewhere between slim and none. . .and slim just left town.

78 votes

I'd give them about a 1-in-4 chance of beating the rap.

104 votes

It's a 50/50 proposition.

105 votes

I think they've got a better than average chance.

91 votes

I am 100% positive that the Williams Wall will beat this thing.

57 votes

435 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 8 comments |

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Comments

Good News

Good that it’s today and not next week. I would hate for them to fight the suspension, play the Lions, only to lose the appeal and be suspended the harder 3 games plus the potential playoff game.

by PizzaDelivery on Dec 5, 2008 9:13 AM CST 0 recs

Under the Circumstances

Because the players union unwisely agreed in writing that the decision of the steroids program administrator is final and that the players are responsible for what is in their bodies, it seems highly unlikely the suspensions will be reversed in court, fair or not. I do hold out hope that the league can be fined for damages in allowing the names of the players to be leaked to the press before the suspensions were issued, even as high as half a million per player. Like bad calls by referees, sometimes the play stands as called. In any event, it was probably wise for the Williamses to toss the red flag so the whole world can see this thing on the Jumbotron and form their own opinion.

by Elgar on Dec 5, 2008 11:10 AM CST 0 recs

federal Judge

Needs more time to read case but noted there was no steroid abuse in the case.Looks good for the Williams duo.

by speedlod on Dec 5, 2008 4:02 PM CST 0 recs

gut feeling...

……maybe im all wet, but i have a gut feeling that this case will be thrown out and no one involved with starcaps will be suspended……the federal judge hopefully will look at this from a non- sports perspective and more of a strictly business perspective….

"Somewhere in Minnesota, a child becomes a Vikings fan and wonders if they will win a Super Bowl in their lifetime"

by Skol!dTimer on Dec 5, 2008 4:26 PM CST 0 recs

To be continued...

I don’t have the number for the psychic hotline (and am always amazed that they don’t call me whenever I have a question), but my hunch is that the Honorable Judge Magnuson is not at all happy that the NFL and NFLPA negotiated such a crappy steroids agreement and now they want to take up time in his courtroom untangling it. Now that he’s stuck with it, he’s going to make the best decision he can. Labor relations usually means whatever agreement you signed is what gets done, fair or not. If I were a player, I’d be really upset with the NFLPA for signing off on something that makes taking over-the-counter diet pills more of an offense than being caught with cocaine. Other people were standing in line for Federal hearings, and the NFL clearly took their own sweet time coming to a decision on this. Time enough now to let the league sweat, as in: don’t come back to my courtroom again with this junk.

by Elgar on Dec 5, 2008 5:39 PM CST 0 recs

Judge Magnuson

The heart of the Matter I believe has already been settled,the four game suspension is due to so called steroid abuse.Which has already been determined they are not guilty, hence no 4 game suspension.The other part is the with holding of information,kind of hard to suspend someone when you have known for close to 3 years it is banned but dont tell anyone.The I cant tell because I might get sued doesnt hold.Only thing they had to do was say that the manufacture did not meet the NFLs guidelines and all players cannot take this product.Clearly the NFL has a one-sided advantage in all things and can label it under player safety and league image.I believe Ogunleye not being fined is a clear warning from the League with more to come in the future.No matter what the out come the League is losing its grasp and it knows it.Watch for a roughing the passer call on Allen that ends up being a 2 game suspension.

by speedlod on Dec 5, 2008 8:36 PM CST up 0 recs