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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Two Saints avoid suspension


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Roger Goodell

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METAIRIE, La. — The NFL has decided against enforcing four-game suspensions of Charles Grant and Will Smith at this time, opening the way for the New Orleans Saints' starting defensive ends to play this week and possibly the whole 2009 season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it would be unfair to suspend the two Saints players now, when the league has been blocked from suspending two Vikings players for the same offense while their case is pending in Minnesota state court.

"This situation presents several unique and narrow aspects that I believe call for us to put the good of the game ahead of questions of discipline," Goodell said. "Considerations of fairness, uniform application of our policies, and competitive integrity all support deferring the suspensions at this time. I am not prepared to treat players differently when the same conduct is involved."

The four players, along with former Saints running back Deuce McAllister, all fought their suspensions last season after they tested positive for the banned diuretic bumetanide, which can be used to mask the presence of steroids.

BROWNS

Mangini's role with Favre's injury under review: Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini can't seem to escape from New York.

The NFL is investigating Mangini's role in the Jets' failure to list quarterback Brett Favre's arm problem on injury reports last season. Mangini coached the Jets during Favre's one season in New York before he was fired.

Last week, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum admitted the club should have listed Favre, who had a torn biceps tendon, as "probable" on the injury report for the last four or five games. Favre said the Jets knew of the injury, which required offseason surgery.

Spokesman Greg Aiello said Mangini's actions will be examined as part of the inquiry.

EAGLES

Vick starts practice today: Michael Vick can throw passes to his teammates instead of ball boys.

The Philadelphia Eagles elevated Vick to the team's 53-man roster yesterday, a move that allows the quarterback to practice with the team.

Wide receiver Hank Baskett was released to make room for Vick, who is eligible to play Sept. 27 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Vick will begin practicing with the team today, though he cannot play in Sunday's home opener against the New Orleans Saints. Vick was suspended for the first two regular-season games as the final league penalty for his role in running a dogfighting ring.

ELSEWHERE

Chiefs: Coach Todd Haley says quarterback Matt Cassel remains a question mark for Kansas City's home opener Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. Cassel missed last week's season opener at Baltimore with a left knee injury.

Patriots: New England coach Bill Belichick said yesterday he doesn't think Jerod Mayo, last year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, is done for the year after hurting his right knee in the first quarter of Monday night's opener against Buffalo.