NFL suspends Saints trio

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Dec 3, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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As expected, the NFL on Tuesday suspended six players — including three members of the New Orleans Saints — for violating the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

All six players — including Saints running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant—were suspended for four games without pay for using a diuretic which can serve as a masking agent for steroids.

The suspension effectively ends the seasons of McAllister and Smith as the Saints have only four games left. Both would be eligible to return this season if the Saints make the playoffs, but at 6-6 they would likely have to win their final four games to even be in the postseason picture.

The suspension could also mean the end of McAllister’s career with the Saints. The eight-year veteran, the team’s all-time leader with 5,995 rushing yards and 54 touchdowns, is to earn $7.3 million next season. He turns 30 on Dec. 27 and has had major surgery on each knee in the last 36 months.

Grant was already lost for the season as he was placed on injured reserve in early November after having surgery to repair a torn left triceps muscle. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed via e-mail Tuesday night that Grant’s suspension will be served now even though he’s on IR.

The NFL, which has a zero-tolerance policy on steroids and banned substances, also came down hard on Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, and Houston Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman. They were each docked four games without pay.

The Associated Press reported that Angelo Wright, the agent for Pat and Kevin Williams, will file a motion in federal court today — presumably to put off the suspensions.

One other player named in connection with the case, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jackson, was not suspended because NFL chief counsel Jeff Pash has asked for additional information from Jackson.

McAllister last month admitted he had used for several years an over-the-counter weight-loss product called StarCaps to help control his weight.

The problem was the pills contained Bumetanide, a diuretic banned by the NFL, although the players argued that it was not listed as an ingredient on the product’s label.

McAllister, Smith and Grant traveled to New York on Nov. 18 to have their appeals heard. After returning, McAllister said the meetings were long, but said he thought they went well.

“I definitely was not trying to cheat in any form,” McAllister told The Associated Press. “I tried to do everything the right way.”

“We are disappointed for Deuce, Will and Charles,” Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said in an e-mail to The Advocate.