NFL Capsules: Appeals court considers NFL suspensions case

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The NFL asked a federal appeals court Tuesday to let it finally suspend Minnesota Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams for violating the league’s policy against performance enhancing drugs last year.

NFL attorney Daniel Nash asked a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to allow the league to enforce to its anti-doping policy. He said the policy is a product of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the players union, governed by federal labor law, and that it pre-empts the state laws the Williamses are trying to use to block their four-game suspensions.

Minnesota opens the season Sept. 13 at Cleveland.

Nash said the case has implications for other pro sports’ ability to enforce their own rules against steroids and other drugs, noting that Major League Baseball, the NBA and the NHL filed a friend-of-the-court brief last month supporting the NFL’s position.

Peter Ginsberg, an attorney for the Williamses, argued that health and safety protections afforded under state law can’t be bargained away.

After hearing an hour of oral arguments, Judge Diana Murphy said the appeals court would rule in "due time" but did not specify when, leaving it up in the air whether the NFL stands a chance of imposing the suspensions next month.

Any further appeals could delay the case and a Hennepin County judge’s injunction against the suspensions remains in place pending a trial that — if it happens — likely wouldn’t be held until after the season and the federal appeals run their course.

The Williamses, who are not related, tested positive for a banned diuretic during training camp in 2008. They had taken the over-the-counter weight loss supplement StarCaps, which did not state on the label that its ingredients included bumetanide, a prescription diuretic prohibited by the NFL because it can mask the presence of steroids.

The Williamses were never accused of taking steroids, but an arbitrator ruled that they had violated the league policy, which holds players responsible for knowing what they’re taking.

The legal fight has taken several twists and turns. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson last May dismissed several claims in a lawsuit filed by the Williamses themselves, and all the claims in a similar suit filed by the NFL Players Association on behalf of the Williamses and three New Orleans Saints who were also ordered suspended after taking StarCaps.

But Magnuson sent two claims in the Williamses’ lawsuit that involve Minnesota workplace laws back to state court for further proceedings. The league, the union and the Williamses all appealed parts of that decision.

Clifford Greene, an attorney for the NFL Players Association, argued that all five suspensions should be blocked because the NFL knew StarCaps contained the banned drug but chose not to share that information with players or the union, putting the players’ lives at risk.

The appeals court’s decision will also affect the fates of current Saints Charles Grant and Will Smith, as well as Deuce McAllister, the Saints’ career rushing leader who was released after last season. The three are not part of the Williamses’ lawsuit in state court.

After sitting through the hearing, Pat Williams said he thought their chances were 50-50.

"Like everything else it’s up to the system. ... I’m prepared for the worst, I’m prepared for the good," he said.

Kevin Williams also sounded philosophical outside the courthouse, saying he isn’t spending as much time worrying about the about the prospect of being suspended as he did last year when the threat was new.

"We are going to play football until the courts or somebody rules any different," he said.

Player Moves

Contract talks stalled with Bills’ top pick Maybin

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Contract talks between the Buffalo Bills and first-round draft pick Aaron Maybin are stalled, and neither side is offering positive signs a deal is close.

Neither the team nor Maybin’s camp will offer specifics on how far apart they are, but the Bills are becoming concerned that the defensive end, selected 11th overall out of Penn State, will not report soon enough to be ready for the regular season in less than four weeks.

As of Tuesday, Maybin has missed 21 practices, 15 walkthroughs, countless film study sessions and two preseason games since the Bills opened camp in suburban Rochester on July 25. And it’s becoming increasingly likely that Maybin won’t take one snap at St. John Fisher College, because the Bills’ final day of camp is Wednesday, after which they’ll relocate to their headquarters in Orchard Park for the remainder of the preseason.

"You’re always concerned no matter who it is," coach Dick Jauron told The Associated Press after practice Tuesday. Jauron, however, wouldn’t say whether Maybin’s absence is disrupting his plans.

"If the guy’s not on the roster, you don’t have plans for him," Jauron said. "We’d love to get him in as soon as we can. I know they’re working at it, and I know our people are certainly working at it. I hope it happens fast."

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Maybin is a fast and aggressive pass-rushing specialist, who’s expected to immediately help a defense that registered 24 sacks, finishing in a tie with Washington for fifth-fewest in the NFL last season. The Bills believe he’s versatile enough to eventually spend time at linebacker.

The last time there was any reported dialogue between the two sides was this past weekend.

General manager Russ Brandon has declined comment except to shake his head "No," in what’s become a daily response to questions of whether there are any developments in negotiations.

Maybin’s agent, Chafie Fields, maintained his position against publicly discussing the status of negotiations in a brief telephone interview on Monday night.

The Bills have three preseason games left. It’s unlikely Maybin will sign in time to play Saturday, when Buffalo travels to Green Bay.

"That’s tough because we’d obviously love to have him here," linebacker Paul Posluszny said. "Hopefully, we can get him in here soon, but it’s definitely getting to the point now where we need him in here."

Posluszny was a senior at Penn State when Maybin was a redshirt freshman. The two have kept in touch by text message.

"Every time he sees us play, he’s dying," Posluszny said.

Maybin entered the draft after only two seasons at college and not even a full one as a starter. Though he played 13 games last season, Maybin didn’t take over as a full-time starter until the fourth week. Despite the late start, Maybin went on to lead the Big 10 Conference with 12 sacks and was voted a first team All-American.

Maybin is one of only three first-round draft picks who have yet to sign. The others are offensive tackle Andre Smith, selected sixth overall by Cincinnati, and receiver Michael Crabtree, who was drafted by San Francisco at No. 10, one spot ahead of Maybin.

Maybin’s publicist, former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington previously pinned part of the blame on Crabtree for holding up talks with the Bills. Rookie contracts are traditionally slotted in descending order of where the player was drafted. And with Crabtree unsigned, it makes it difficult to determine Maybin’s value.

But that was a week ago, and the argument is less likely to hold up now because enough players selected near Maybin have signed. That includes two defensive linemen: Green Bay defensive tackle B.J. Raji, the No. 9 pick; and Washington defensive end Brian Orakpo, the No. 13 selection.

As a result, Maybin’s value should fall somewhere between the respective five-year contracts signed by Raji ($28.5 million, with just under $18 million guaranteed) and Orakpo ($20 million, with $12.1 million guaranteed).

-- John Wawrow

Bucs’ Tanard Jackson suspended for 4 games

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open the season without safety Tanard Jackson, who apologized Tuesday for his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substances of abuse policy.

"I can’t really go into the details of the situation, but I can let people know that I’m obviously disappointed in decisions that I made that got me in this situation," the third-year pro said after practice.

"I’m definitely disappointed in myself. I let my team down ... a lot of people down. The fans, I’d like to apologize to them. ... I’ll be out four games and I’m apologetic. When I come back, I’m hoping to get back on track and move on."

The safety’s suspension begins Sept. 5 and will continue through the Bucs’ Oct. 4 game against the Washington Redskins. He will be eligible to return on Oct. 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Although the 24-year-old defensive back declined to give a specific reason for the discipline, he did say the suspension "was not a shock because I knew the situation I was in."

"It was something that was before I got into this league, but it kind of lingered on. ... I definitely have some off-the-field issues I have to address for the well-being of myself and the well-being of this team," Jackson said.

A fourth-round draft pick out of Syracuse in 2007, Jackson has started every game over the past two seasons.

Citing confidentiality rules, general manager Mark Dominik declined to discuss specifics about the suspension.

"It’s disappointing news. ... He’s a good young player. It’s a blow to the team," Dominik said.

Jackson, who has three career interceptions, can practice and play in Tampa Bay’s three remaining preseason games. Sixth-year pro Will Allen will take over the starting free safety job.

"I felt like Will played well in our (first preseason) game, but it’s disappointing," Dominik said. "It’s something we’re going to deal with. It’s something Tanard is dealing with ... and we have to move forward."

Arizona signs WR Sanders, waives injured Keyes

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals have signed wide receiver Steve Sanders and waived injured safety Dennis Keyes.

Sanders appeared in five games for the Cleveland Browns last season, catching one pass for 18 yards. He signed with Detroit in January but was released on May 4.

Three of Arizona’s receivers are out with injuries — Steve Breaston (knee), Early Doucet (shoulder) and Michael Ray Garvin (knee).

Keyes, on the Arizona practice squad the final five weeks of last season, has been sidelined with a strained right calf. He returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown during a preseason game at Kansas City a year ago.

Injuries

Lions K Hanson has surgery

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — One important veteran returned to Lions practice,sort of. Another left indefinitely.

Injuries are piling up on teams across the NFL three weeks into training camp and Detroit hasn’t escaped.

Longtime kicker Jason Hanson, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and the team’s career leading scorer, underwent what coach Jim Schwartz called a "fairly minor" procedure to treat a nagging knee injury Tuesday morning. The coach wouldn’t say which knee was affected, offering only that the team hopes to have the 18-year veteran back on the field soon.

Hanson, one of only six men in NFL history to kick more than 400 field goals, made both attempts in Saturday’s preseason-opening win over Atlanta, including a 47-yarder that won the game as time expired.

The news was somewhat better for Calvin Johnson, who took the field without a cast covering his right thumb. The team’s leading returning receiver ran in some drills, but quarterbacks were instructed not to throw to him.

He missed the preseason opener and his status for Saturday’s second exhibition game at Cleveland remains unsettled.

Another player who missed the opener, rookie safety Louis Delmas, was back on the field Tuesday after being out for several full sessions with a knee injury. Schwartz said a cautious approach to his return proved to be the correct one.

"He’s feeling better. He’s moving well," Schwartz said of the second-round pick. "He did a really, really good job of playing through his eyes rather than his feet (while he was out).

"When he does that, it’s like he never missed a day."

Schwartz would not say if Delmas will play at Cleveland, but he all but ruled out rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew, stymied by a quadriceps injury since the early days of camp.

"It’s been a nagging thing. It hasn’t responded as well as we’ve hoped," Schwartz said of the injury.

Rookie kicker Swayze Waters, who opened camp with the Lions but was released last week, was re-signed Tuesday. The team cleared a roster spot by placing linebacker Cody Spencer on injured reserve. The six-year veteran tore an ACL in Saturday’s preseason-opening win over Atlanta.

He joined offensive tackle Damion Cook (triceps) and defensive end Jared DeVries (Achilles’ tear) on the season-ending injury list.

Schilens breaks bone in left foot

NAPA, Calif. — Chaz Schilens, projected to be one of the Oakland Raiders’ top two receivers this season, broke a bone in his left foot while running a route during Tuesday’s joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers.

Raiders coach Tom Cable didn’t provide a timeline for when Schilens might return, but such an injury would likely sideline Schilens at least a month. He has been a major bright spot in the receiving corps this training camp.

Schilens said he didn’t know whether he would need a cast or walking boot. He also didn’t rule out playing in the team’s season opener Sept. 14 against San Diego.

"If God works a miracle, we’ll see," he said.

Schilens said he was uncovered when he made a cut and felt a sharp pain. X-rays revealed he’d broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot. He left after practice on crutches.

"I couldn’t run anymore so I knew something was wrong," Schilens said.

The 23-year-old Schilens made six starts for the Raiders during his rookie season in 2008, making 15 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns. He was a seventh-round draft pick last year out of San Diego State.

"It’s pretty frustrating, but you know we have good receivers, good young receivers," Schilens said. "I’ll support those guys and help them any way I can and try to hurry up and get back out here as fast as I can. I can’t focus on the negative. I’ve got to just look for the healing process right now and move forward."

With Schilens out, the Raiders’ receiving corps is in limbo and the depth gone.

Javon Walker hasn’t practiced at all this camp while recovering from offseason knee surgery. Cable said he expects Walker to join Oakland’s workouts Monday but declined to say when or if Walker would be able to play this preseason.

Fourth-round draft pick Louis Murphy has been sidelined in recent days with a hip injury, putting his status for Saturday night’s game with the 49ers in doubt.

In addition, first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey continues to have problems catching the ball. He had three drops during the joint workout Tuesday.

-- Janie McCauley

Titans rookie hurt during morning practice

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans rookie cornerback Ryan Mouton sprained his left ankle Tuesday morning and had to be carted off the practice field. Coach Jeff Fisher called it a "significant sprain" but said it should not keep Mouton out for the rest of the preseason.

Fisher said Tuesday night they would treat Mouton aggressively but did not set a timetable for his return, saying some players respond quicker than others. Mouton was seen wearing a boot, and Fisher said team officials initially worried the ankle might have been broken.

Mouton was the Titans’ second pick in the third round out of Hawaii. The 5-foot-9 rookie had been competing to be the team’s backup nickelback, which is a fifth defensive back in passing situations. Mouton also has been working as a backup outside cornerback and handling both kickoff and punt returns.

He intercepted a pass and ran it back 29 yards for a touchdown in the Titans’ 27-20 exhibition win last weekend over Tampa Bay.

"Fortunately, we got to see quite a bit from him the last couple weeks. He is coming along," Fisher said. "When he comes back, I’m sure he’ll pick up where he left off."

Notes: The Titans had their last two-a-day session of training camp Tuesday, concluding with a night practice at the team headquarters. A handful of Titans were given the night practice off, including defensive end Jevon Kearse, linebacker Josh Stamer and offensive lineman Doug Datish. ... One of the highlights was Vince Young rolling right and finding Jared Cook deep downfield on a perfect toss and catch that brought cheers from the fans.

-- Teresa M. Walker

Chargers get good news on Vasquez, English

SAN DIEGO — The Chargers received good news Tuesday regarding top draft picks Larry English and Louis Vasquez, both of whom had missed almost two weeks of practice.

Vasquez, a right guard drafted in the third round, took the field after missing 12 straight practices with a sprained foot. A hamstring problem kept English from practicing, but he ran well on a side field and on a hill above the Chargers practice fields.

Both said they were optimistic about playing in Saturday’s exhibition game at Arizona. Vasquez was encouraged by his practice session and said he felt fine.

"It has been progressing every day," Vasquez said. "I came out and felt good, so I kept on rolling through practice and was able to finish out. I felt pretty good on my assignments. I obviously have a lot of work to do, but I’m going to go out and keep grinding."

Coach Norv Turner described English’s practice prospects as day-to-day, but the outside linebacker taken No. 16 overall hopes to play against the Cardinals as well. To do so, he’ll have to be cleared for practice by Thursday at the latest.

"That’s the goal," English said. "We don’t know for sure yet, but we’ll find out within the next couple days.

Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman skipped both practices as part of his scheduled rest.

Hayden hurts hamstring, Colts re-sign DE Thomas

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden is going to miss three to four weeks after injuring his hamstring.

Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell provided the update Tuesday following the Colts’ final night practice of training camp.

Hayden signed a $43 million contract during the offseason.

The Colts’ other cornerback, Marlin Jackson, trimmed his workout Tuesday night because of tendinitis in his surgically repaired right knee. He did finish practice.

Indianapolis also re-signed defensive end Josh Thomas, who has spent his NFL seasons with the Colts.

To make roster room, running back Walter Mendenhall was released.

Elsewhere

Survivor of NFL boat tragedy wonders why he lived

TAMPA, Fla. — The sole survivor of a February boating accident that killed two NFL players and a former college player said he’s still haunted daily by "survivor’s guilt" and wonders why he was the one who lived.

"I still ask every day, ‘Why me?"’ Nick Schuyler, 24, said in an interview scheduled to air Tuesday night on HBO’s "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel."

"The hardest time of day for me is at nighttime," he said. "I toss and turn, and your mind’s weak. You get started thinking about everything, the same thing: ‘Why me?’ I don’t know."

Schuyler, a former University of South Florida football player, said he got seasick on the Feb. 28 trip and put on a sweat shirt, pants, shoes, gloves and a hat. That helped him stave off the effects of the hypothermia that led to the deaths of the others, who went into the water in shorts and T-shirts.

Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper, free-agent NFL defensive lineman Corey Smith and former USF player William Bleakley died.

After 46 hours, Coast Guard searchers found Schuyler sitting on the hull of the overturned boat.

Schuyler described how the boat capsized as the men tried to free the anchor, which was stuck on the bottom, about 70 miles west of Clearwater. They tried in vain to turn the boat back over, then were tossed about by 14-foot waves.

One by one, his friends began to succumb to the physical and mental effects of hypothermia brought on by the 63-degree Gulf of Mexico water. Bleakley, Schuyler’s best friend, was the last one to go. His torn life vest slipped off and he drowned, Schuyler said.

Their bodies have never been found.

Schuyler spent that night alone, bobbing up and down in rough seas and straddling the boat’s motor. At 7:45 a.m. March 2, a Coast Guard cutter’s crew spotted him. Doctors say he could have lived only five to 10 hours longer.

"You don’t realize — and I’m not the religious type — how many times you say, ‘Please, God,"’ he said. "When I saw that boat, I said, ‘Thank you God. Thank you God.’

"I still can’t believe it. Lucky. Lucky."

Motion filed to dismiss Roethlisberger suit

RENO, Nev. — A former Harrah’s employee has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of raping another worker.

Stacy Dingman is the former director of hotels at Harrah’s and one of nine defendants named in the lawsuit filed last month in Washoe County District Court. The suit also accuses managers of the hotel-casino at Lake Tahoe of covering up the alleged sex assault.

She also said she is the former best friend of the woman who claims Roethlisberger raped her at the hotel-casino during an annual celebrity golf tournament in July 2008.

Dingman said in her motion that the lawsuit is baseless and that she has been dragged into it without justification.

Other leagues

Redwoods sign 31 players

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Redwoods of the new United Football League signed 31 players Tuesday, including former NFL players Obafemi Ayanbadejo and B.J. Sams.

The Redwoods begin the season on Oct. 17 against the New York Sentinels in the four-team UFL. Las Vegas and Orlando also have teams.

Fullback Ayanbadejo played nine seasons in the NFL, but not since 2006, and won a Super Bowl with Baltimore. His contract was terminated by the Bears in 2007 after he completed a four-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

Sams, a wide receiver, spent parts of five seasons in the NFL, mostly as a kick returner.

"There is a tremendous amount of raw talent on this California squad that just needs some finessing and the opportunity to show their abilities," said Redwoods coach Dennis Green. "I am anxious to begin training camp in Casa Grande in September where we can really get back to the basics of playing football and the fundamentals of what it takes to win ballgames."

In all, the Redwoods signed 15 offensive players, 15 on defense and one special-teamer.