Saints in trouble!

[The Vent King]

McAllister, Smith, Grant, Texans' Pittman among players testing positive

ESPN.com news services

Updated: October 25, 2008, 11:56 AM ET

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Report: NFL Players Test Positive Under Steroids PolicyThree members of the New Orleans Saints -- running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant -- are among a number of NFL players confirmed to have tested positive under the NFL's steroid policy, ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen reports.

Mortensen confirmed through league and union sources on Saturday that the number of pending cases on the positive tests in violation of the steroids policy is eight.

Sources also have confirmed for Mortensen that four of the eight have tested positive for the diuretic Bumetanide, which belongs to a subset of medicines known as water pills that enable users to lose weight , but it is unclear who those four players are.

Mortensen also confirmed that Houston Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman is among those players to test positive for using a weight-loss supplement.

The positive tests for McAllister and Smith were initially reported by Fox 31-Denver. Grant's positive test was first reported by the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Pittman is expected to appeal the findings of his test and has hired attorney David Cornwell to represent him in the process.

In a statement to the Houston Chronicle on Friday, Cornwell said, "Bryan did everything humanly possible to comply with the NFL steroid policy, including obtaining doctors' written authorization to take weight-loss medication. He did not use steroids."

Cornwell told Mortensen he has been retained by "a number of players" to represent them in the NFL appeals process, but Cornwell wouldn't identify those players or the exact number he will represent.

"The recent reports about pending appeals by players who are alleged to have used weight loss supplements reflect the most egregious violation of the NFL steroid policy," Cornwell said in his statement. "The foundation of the policy is both a player's right to appeal and an absolute right to confidentiality. By leaking this story, the 'source' is clearly attempting to put their thumb on the scale of justice and harm these men."

Smith's listed agent, Joel Segal, was not immediately available to comment, according to Fox 31-Denver. A representative for McAllister's agent, Jim Steiner, said the agent would call that station back.

Under the NFL's steroid policy, a player's first positive test results in a four-game suspension.

McAllister and Smith both practiced Friday morning at the Saints' hotel in Watford, England; they are preparing for Sunday's game against San Diego in London.

Saints spokesman Greg Bensel, who is with the team in London, said drug testing is a league matter and the team would have no immediate comment.

NFL spokesman Michael Signora, who is in London, said the league will not comment on the reports.

McAllister

Smith

According to Anderson's report, McAllister and Smith are part of a group that tested positive for a diuretic known as Bumetanide. Others tested positive for a different substance.

"Most of them tested positive for Bumetanide," said the league source, according to Fox 31-Denver. "The last few tested positive for another substance that works similarly."

A source told Fox 31-Denver that Bumetanide "can also mask the use of other drugs or steroids."

Bumetanide is a drug belonging to a group of medicines called loop diuretics or water pills. Its uses include the treatment of fluid retention and swelling caused by medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver disease and kidney disease, Fox 31-Denver reported.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Related Topics: NFL, New Orleans Saints, Deuce McAllister, Will Smith

Wonder if they'll be out when we play them? What's the advantage, besides losing weight, does these water pills give them anyway?

[iloxygenil]

McAllister, Smith, Grant, Texans' Pittman among players testing positive

ESPN.com news services

Updated: October 25, 2008, 11:56 AM ET

Comment

Email

Print

Report: NFL Players Test Positive Under Steroids PolicyThree members of the New Orleans Saints -- running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant -- are among a number of NFL players confirmed to have tested positive under the NFL's steroid policy, ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen reports.

Mortensen confirmed through league and union sources on Saturday that the number of pending cases on the positive tests in violation of the steroids policy is eight.

Sources also have confirmed for Mortensen that four of the eight have tested positive for the diuretic Bumetanide, which belongs to a subset of medicines known as water pills that enable users to lose weight , but it is unclear who those four players are.

Mortensen also confirmed that Houston Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman is among those players to test positive for using a weight-loss supplement.

The positive tests for McAllister and Smith were initially reported by Fox 31-Denver. Grant's positive test was first reported by the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Pittman is expected to appeal the findings of his test and has hired attorney David Cornwell to represent him in the process.

In a statement to the Houston Chronicle on Friday, Cornwell said, "Bryan did everything humanly possible to comply with the NFL steroid policy, including obtaining doctors' written authorization to take weight-loss medication. He did not use steroids."

Cornwell told Mortensen he has been retained by "a number of players" to represent them in the NFL appeals process, but Cornwell wouldn't identify those players or the exact number he will represent.

"The recent reports about pending appeals by players who are alleged to have used weight loss supplements reflect the most egregious violation of the NFL steroid policy," Cornwell said in his statement. "The foundation of the policy is both a player's right to appeal and an absolute right to confidentiality. By leaking this story, the 'source' is clearly attempting to put their thumb on the scale of justice and harm these men."

Smith's listed agent, Joel Segal, was not immediately available to comment, according to Fox 31-Denver. A representative for McAllister's agent, Jim Steiner, said the agent would call that station back.

Under the NFL's steroid policy, a player's first positive test results in a four-game suspension.

McAllister and Smith both practiced Friday morning at the Saints' hotel in Watford, England; they are preparing for Sunday's game against San Diego in London.

Saints spokesman Greg Bensel, who is with the team in London, said drug testing is a league matter and the team would have no immediate comment.

NFL spokesman Michael Signora, who is in London, said the league will not comment on the reports.

McAllister

Smith

According to Anderson's report, McAllister and Smith are part of a group that tested positive for a diuretic known as Bumetanide. Others tested positive for a different substance.

"Most of them tested positive for Bumetanide," said the league source, according to Fox 31-Denver. "The last few tested positive for another substance that works similarly."

A source told Fox 31-Denver that Bumetanide "can also mask the use of other drugs or steroids."

Bumetanide is a drug belonging to a group of medicines called loop diuretics or water pills. Its uses include the treatment of fluid retention and swelling caused by medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver disease and kidney disease, Fox 31-Denver reported.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Related Topics: NFL, New Orleans Saints, Deuce McAllister, Will Smith

Wonder if they'll be out when we play them? What's the advantage, besides losing weight, does these water pills give them anyway?

It masks other drugs, and gets them out of their system.

It's going to be interesting to play the Saints without those 3 key pieces.

[ol'_dirty2]

The suspected advantage is that these pills mask the use of other drugs including steroids. It doesn't matter what they're trying to hide, if anything. If it's a banned substance, it's illegal according to the league.

[The Vent King]

"It's going to be interesting to play the Saints without those 3 key pieces."

I don't root for other team's players to be out due to injuries, but if they are cheating then I will. I agree it will be verrry interesting indeed. Hope we smash 'em!

[tonegully]

its like Golden seal except a billion times better and stronger

[miKevicK777]

could be a field day for ryan with smith and grant both out

[SwaG FactorY EnT]

You can use water pills or whatever to lose weight you just cant use waterpills that contain the specific drug Bumenatide. Because as it pertains to steroids specifically it is a masking agent, therefore if you test positive for beumenatide no matter what its in you will be disciplined as if you were taking steroids, according to the substance abuse policy.

No appeals will be granted, the people that tested positive will get a four game suspension. Its not like its a new rule, this has been in effect for years now.

[wook21]

I knew water wasn't good for you!!! bump for soda

[SwaG FactorY EnT]

Bump for Bumenatide

[wook21]

yesss :P

[Bucman™®]

When it Rains...

[SwaG FactorY EnT]

When it Rains...

It pours?

[thempizzle]

We are going to stomp them in the dome...

Without their two starting DEs....

It's over. MATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTY ICE GONNA RIP THEM APART.

SCREW THE AINTS

[~SEAMILL~]

It masks other drugs, and gets them out of their system.

It's going to be interesting to play the Saints without those 3 key pieces.

I heard espn say the suspension will likely be appealed and it could take at least a month before the suspension even begin. So, they will likely play when we play them.

LINK

[The Vent King]

You can use water pills or whatever to lose weight you just cant use waterpills that contain the specific drug Bumenatide. Because as it pertains to steroids specifically it is a masking agent, therefore if you test positive for beumenatide no matter what its in you will be disciplined as if you were taking steroids, according to the substance abuse policy.

No appeals will be granted, the people that tested positive will get a four game suspension. Its not like its a new rule, this has been in effect for years now.

If that is true, will they still even attempt to appeal knowing it will be useless? I can't see them doing that, better to go ahead and get the four games out the way and be around for the home stretch dont'cha think?

[chifalc]

I heard espn say the suspension will likely be appealed and it could take at least a month before the suspension even begin. So, they will likely play when we play them.

LINK

If you lose an appeal of something which you are obviously guilty of, the suspension shoudl be increased by a game, just so guilty as **** players don't appeal suspensions they earn.

[falconsd56]

When it Rains...

the saints's fan whine about others making "excuses"...................then turn around and complain and "explain" why the saints are sucking.

I can see some of the saints fans now.......when they finish 4-12... "well if both our ends and out best runing back were not juicers the falcons would not have kicked out *** like they did"

[SwaG FactorY EnT]

If that is true, will they still even attempt to appeal knowing it will be useless? I can't see them doing that, better to go ahead and get the four games out the way and be around for the home stretch dont'cha think?

Yea, the appeal if anyhting is just gonna delay the suspension, everyone who has entered the appeal process has already tested positive for bumenatide, so I dont know what they expect to gain from it,

your right it may turn out for the worse and they may end up getting suspended during the playoffs or near and it could affect the Team at a more critical time.

[SwaG FactorY EnT]

If you lose an appeal of something which you are obviously guilty of, the suspension shoudl be increased by a game, just so guilty as **** players don't appeal suspensions they earn.

Its the players right to an appeal, so there will be no extra punishment dished out for simply exercising your rights.

[chifalc]

Its the players right to an appeal, so there will be no extra punishment dished out for simply exercising your rights.

I did say 'should'

They are the ones cheating.

[BW79]

Sweet. Thats' what cheaters get. I was hoping Bush was on that list too lol...

[FalconsFor6]

Here is a list posted on the saintsreport.com message board:

Deuce McAllister (NO)

Will Smith (NO)

Donte Whitner (BUF)

Leon Washington (NYJ)

Warrick Dunn (TB)

Jason Ferguson (MIA)

Eddie Royal (DEN)

Ben Utecht (CIN)

Malcolm Floyd (SD)

Dawan Landry (BAL)

Cornelius Griffin (WAS)

These are supposed to be the players that got caught. The guy who posted it says he can't vouch for it so take it with a grain of salt.

Here is the thread where it was originally posted: Busted List

[FalconsFor6]

Another guy said Mike Karney and Jamaal Brown were also involved...

I don't see any mention of the Houston player that was mentioned somewhere. I think his name was Brian Pittman...

[1000#]

Why in the **** does a long snapper need to do roids?

[Robb4242]

Dunn??? That's interesting.