The NFL and NFLPA are "showing renewed interest in attempting to implement changes to the sport’s drug policies that would include players being blood-tested" for HGH, according to sources cited by Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON POST. Sources on both sides said that there was an "increased willingness to try to find a way to overcome the remaining obstacles in the discussions and finish the long-awaited agreement." But the sources "cautioned that the talks remained fragile and a potential deal still could unravel." Maske notes both parties have "been at odds at different times over the use of a population study to determine what would constitute a positive test for athletes the size of NFL players, and over the appeals process." Most recently, the "final negotiating obstacle was said to be whether or not NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would resolve appeals of suspensions for violations of the policy other than positive tests." Sources said that a deal between the league and union "potentially could bring other changes to the drug policies, such as a higher threshold for what would constitute a positive test for marijuana; a shift of amphetamines from the performance-enhancing drugs policy to the substances of abuse policy; and prospective increased penalties in drunk-driving cases" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/4). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio reported an agreement "doesn’t mean HGH testing will start any time soon," as a population study "must be conducted to determine the naturally-occurred HGH levels in professional football players" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 9/3).
THE RESULTS ARE IN: The AP's Tim Booth noted the NFL released its Health & Safety report yesterday, and concussions "decreased overall" last season. The league said that concussions were down 13% "from the previous year and the number of concussions coming from helmet-to-helmet contact" was down 23%. NFL Senior VP/Health & Safety & Chief Security Officer Jeff Miller said, "That's not success, but that's a nice move in the right direction. When you talk about culture change and you look at that 23 percent number, there is something going on that is relevant" (AP, 9/3).
