The NFL and NFLPA are making "real progress on a comprehensive new drug policy," and if a deal if completed soon, the suspensions to Browns WR Josh Gordon and Broncos WR Wes Welker "could be reduced," according to NBC's Mike Florio. If a deal is reached prior to the start of play Sunday, the suspensions "could go away completely." Gordon has been suspended for the entire '14 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, while Welker will miss four games for breaking the PED policy ("Kickoff Special," NBC, 9/4). In DC, Mark Maske cites a source as saying that the modifications to the Gordon and Welker suspensions "were possibilities but not certainties if the drug-policies agreement is finalized." It is possible that "neither player would have been suspended if some of the provisions currently being discussed by the league and union had been in effect at the time." Sources said that one possible modification under negotiation is that the "threshold for what would constitute a positive test for marijuana could be raised." Sources said that another potential change being discussed is that a "positive test for amphetamines could be covered under the substance abuse policy rather than under the performance-enhancing drugs policy, and a positive test during the offseason would not necessarily result in a suspension" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/5). CBSSPORTS.com's Jason La Canfora reported those who "tested positive for totals between what the current threshold is and what the new one would be, and who already lost millions on salary due to suspensions from discipline during this new CBA would be irate if now players with announced suspensions suddenly had theirs revoked based on timing." It would be a "Pandora's box, and the kind of scenario the league usually goes to lengths to avoid" (CBSSPORTS.com, 9/4).
TALKS STILL FRAGILE: ESPN.com's Mortensen & Schefter reported although the sides are "trying to come to an agreement before Sunday's slate of regular-season opening games," sources said that there "remains a 'fragile' state of talks as the proposed revised policy is being finalized." Sources said that HGH testing "is expected to begin within 10 to 14 days if the sides reach agreement." Sources added that it will be "conducted the day before games and the day after games but not on the day of." Mortensen & Schefter note the obstacles the sides are "trying to overcome on sweeping changes do not hinge alone on HGH testing but rather also on other matters." One "sensitive issue" involves any player arrested for DUI. Sources said that the league "wants the ability to discipline players immediately upon a DUI arrest as opposed to allowing due process to complete its course." Sources said that it is "one example of why talks remain fragile." Sources added that the union and its players "will not sign off on an overhauled drug policy without a radically altered appeals process for players that will be overseen by neutral arbitration and not" by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (ESPN.com, 9/4).
THE SAFETY DANCE: NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith there are several changes to player safety that will debut with the start of the season, but he hopes most of them "will be things that might be imperceptible to fans." He said, "For example, having neutral sideline concussion experts, increased doctor accountability to the players, increased guidelines that limit contact as we have for the last three years during training camps. Those are the things that are most likely going to have an impact on decreasing concussions by decreasing exposure to things that might lead to concussions." Smith noted the changes the NFL has seen in recent years "have been great strides in football, especially when you measure it against sort of the arc of history and football over the last 50, 60 years." But he said when it comes to possible suspensions and punishment for players who violate the new safety rules, "every player is entitled to their due process." Smith: "That's something that we will zealously and rightfully protect." However, he noted the overall goal is making players a "part of the system to make the game safer, making sure that there are protocols that doctors and players follow to remove concussed or players who might be concussed from the field" ("Newshour," PBS, 9/4).
