NFL notebook

Williamses win in court

Vikings allowed to play all season

Associated Press / September 12, 2009

Text size – +

A federal appeals court in Minneapolis yesterday cleared the way for Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams to play all season, despite the NFL’s attempts to suspend them for violating the league’s anti-doping policy.

The NFL already had said the defensive tackles could play in tomorrow’s season opener at Cleveland because their court fight over the suspensions would not be decided in time.

“It’s a big sigh of relief to know we’re going to get to play the whole season,’’ Kevin Williams said. “We were looking forward to Cleveland not knowing what the future may hold. But it’s great to get if off of our shoulders in the season and know we can deal with it in the offseason.’’

The fight isn’t over, but a three-judge panel of the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld earlier decisions from a federal district court - including one that says the remaining legal issues must be resolved in state court. The judge there has issued an injunction prohibiting the NFL from suspending the players, and he has said a state trial during the 2009 season was unlikely.

“It is putting in jeopardy a drug program that has been put in front of the entire world as being one of the highest standards in all of sports,’’ commissioner Roger Goodell said in an interview on WFAN-AM in New York. “It puts in jeopardy that players in Minnesota in any sport - this could affect other sports - are subject to a different standard than in the other 49 states. You recognize that it is a fairness question for all the athletes.’’

Goodell said the NFL was considering its next step, which could include an appeal, a trial in state court, or taking the issue to Congress.

The NFL wants to suspend the Williamses, who are not related, for four games each after they both tested positive for a banned substance during training camp in 2008.

The players are not accused of taking steroids. They acknowledge taking the over-the-counter weight loss supplement StarCaps, which did not state on the label that it contained the diuretic bumetanide. The diuretic is banned by the NFL because it can mask the presence of steroids.

Merriman in clear

San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis dismissed reality TV star Tila Tequila’s accusations that Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman choked her and threw her to the ground early last Sunday while she was trying to leave his suburban home.

Merriman was arrested after Tequila signed a citizen’s arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

Dumanis decided not to charge Merriman after her office spent three days reviewing reports from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

“After a thorough review of the investigation into the Sept. 6, 2009, incident at the Poway home of Shawne Merriman, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed,’’ Dumanis said in a statement. “This case is now closed. No further comment will be made.’’

Mangini not contacted

Browns coach Eric Mangini said he has not been contacted by the league in its investigation about a possible injury report coverup while he was with the Jets. On Thursday, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum admitted the team should have disclosed Brett Favre’s torn biceps tendon on mandatory weekly injury reports over the final third of last season. Mangini, who was fired by New York in December, said he has always followed league rules when filling out the report. “The approach has really been consistent from my perspective,’’ he said. The league rules state that all players with significant or noteworthy injuries must be listed, even if the player takes all the reps in practice and even if the team is certain that he will play. Despite an arm injury that required offseason surgery, Favre played in the final five games last season . . . The Eagles will be without starting left tackle Shawn Andrews for tomorrow’s opener against Carolina because of a sore back. Andrews, who has not played since Week 2 of last season after he suffered a herniated disk, missed the entire preseason and did not start practicing until the last week of August. Andrews tweaked his back in Wednesday’s practice . . . Saints left tackle Jammal Brown has undergone hip surgery, a procedure that team officials say could keep him off the field for several weeks . . . Wide receiver Deion Branch’s ability to play in the Seahawks’ opener tomorrow against the Rams will be a game-time decision. Branch appeared to injure his hamstring toward the end of practice on Monday and he didn’t practice all week. He did work out with a trainer on a separate field yesterday . . . Titans tight end Bo Scaife called Steelers linebacker James Harrison’s shot on his left leg a “cheap shot’’ in the locker room after Thursday night’s game. Titans coach Jeff Fisher doesn’t agree. Scaife missed the rest of the 13-10 overtime loss to Pittsburgh after being hit by Harrison on the opening drive of the third quarter. He was limping badly in the locker room and told The Tennessean newspaper he thought Harrison dived at his knee. “I have been playing my whole life and no one has ever hit me like that,’’ Scaife said. Fisher was asked yesterday if he agreed with Scaife’s assessment. “When the ball carrier’s got the ball, he’s a runner,’’ said Fisher. “The defender can tackle him anyway he wants.’’