NFL Will Collect Blood Samples From Players

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N.F.L. Will Collect Blood Samples From Players

 

 

By KEN BELSON

 

 

Published: July 22, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

Blood samples will be taken from all N.F.L. players in training camp this summer to help create a benchmark for testing them for human growth hormone, according to a memo sent to players on July 12.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The memo said the samples would be used as part of a population study run by doctors hired by the league and the players union solely to determine the standards of a test to be introduced in the future.

 

 

The league and the players agreed to implement testing for H.G.H. in 2011 as part of their collective bargaining agreement, but they have been unable to agree on the procedures for the testing.

 

 

The memo said several other issues must be resolved before testing could be begin, including discipline for players caught using H.G.H.

 

 

Brian McCarthy, a league spokesman, said: “We are in active discussions with the N.F.L.P.A. regarding the implementation of H.G.H. testing for N.F.L. players. Those discussions are focused on a full resolution of any remaining issues, including the role of a population study.”

 

 

Union officials declined to comment.

 

 

BRONCOS’ MILLER SUSPENDED Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, one of the N.F.L.’s best young pass rushers, has been suspended for four games because of a violation of the league’s policy on banned substances, according to a person involved with the league.

 

 

Miller and a players union official said he would appeal the suspension, which had not been announced by the league.

 

 

Miller, about to enter his third season, was a Pro Bowler last season after finishing with 18 ½ sacks, fourth best in the N.F.L. He had a total of 30 sacks in his first two seasons and, with his gifted athleticism and exuberant personality, is the most important player on the Broncos other than Peyton Manning.

 

 

On Monday, Miller posted on Twitter: “Seeing reports abt 4 game susp. I know I did nothing wrong. I’m sure this’ll be resolved fairly.”

 

 

A spokesman for the players union, George Atallah, posted a Twitter message saying that it was “working closely” with Miller to appeal the suspension and that “we are all very disappointed that confidentiality was breached.”

 

 

JETS SIGN QUARTERBACK The Jets’ quarterback competition resumes this week, and Geno Smith will not have to worry about his contract status when it does. Smith avoided the potential for a holdout by signing a four-year contract worth about $5 million, four days before the Jets begin training camp in Cortland, N.Y.

 

 

There, Smith will continue to challenge the incumbent Mark Sanchez for the right to start the season opener Sept. 8 against Tampa Bay. It is what the Jets intended when they drafted Smith in the second round, No. 39 over all, out of West Virginia — making him a genuine and immediate threat to Sanchez, who has struggled the past two seasons.

 

 

The team sees Smith as Sanchez’s likely successor, though how soon the switch occurs hinges on Smith’s development. A speedy pocket passer with a strong arm, Smith must improve in several areas over the next six weeks — footwork and mechanics among them — if he is to be considered ready to unseat Sanchez. During minicamp last month, Coach Rex Ryan and the quarterbacks coach David Lee said Smith was not yet ready to start. BEN SHPIGEL

 

[Blackout]

this could be huge....i can't wait for all the dirty Patriot players to get busted.  We all know 90% of cheating and other crime in the NFL is at the hands of the Patriots.

[kelticwizard]

Seems to me, though, that if a lot of Patriot players get caught, Aaron Hernandez has a legal defense for three murders-'roid rage from performance enhancing drugs the club officially forbids but actually quietly encourages.