In the previous post about the Vikings' first Training Camp press conference, I mentioned that Kevin Williams had not yet heard anything about his four-game suspension for the StarCaps incident from the National Football League. On his Twitter feed, Tom Pelissero of 1500 ESPN in Minneapolis has a bit of an explanation as to why that might be the case.
The NFLPA* has once again become, simply, the NFLPA. No asterisk necessary, they're a union again and not a "trade association." The newly-reformed NFLPA is now entering negotiations with the league on a number of subjects. . .including the policy on banned substances.
Obviously, the NFLPA is going to take steps to make sure that this sort of thing doesn't happen again, but what about in the case of Pat Williams, Kevin Williams, and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints? Since the suspensions will be handed out under the new CBA, it might be possible. . .though not highly likely. . .that the NFL could apply any agreement reached under this CBA retroactively, thereby voiding those suspensions.
Pelissero says that he would bet that those three players will end up serving those suspensions, and I tend to agree with him on that. But, the book isn't completely closed on this story yet. We'll have to see what happens.