ESPN.com's Ganguli & Graziano noted NFLers are "being warned about consuming meat produced in China and Mexico that potentially contains clenbuterol, which is banned under the league's performance-enhancing substance policy." The drug-testing program's independent administrator "sent a memo to players" yesterday with the warning. Sources said that Texans OT Duane Brown "tested positive for clenbuterol last season after a bye-week trip to Mexico, during which he ate Mexican beef." The sources added that after a "months-long process, Brown was finally cleared in April ... allowing him to avoid what would have been a 10-game suspension" (ESPN.com, 5/3).
HURT LOCKER: In DC, Dan Steinberg noted the NHL CBA "specifies that injury to the opposing player is a factor in supplemental discipline," as the Capitals "were reminded Sunday night" when D Brooks Orpik was suspended three games for a hit against the Penguins. Steinberg: "If a fourth-liner is ever on the receiving end of a superstar’s shoulder, could there be a temptation to hold out that lesser player, putting more pressure on the league to penalize the star? And what of an initial misdiagnosis, or an injury that turns out to be worse than it initially appears?" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/3).
KICK START: In Baltimore, Glenn Graham noted the Indoor Professional League "has officially been launched," and four soccer teams "will be inaugural members with more franchises set to be named in the next 90 days." Major Arena Soccer League Baltimore Blast Owner Ed Hale Sr. founded the league, and said that he is "expecting a total of eight to 10 teams for the inaugural season." Also on board in the new IPL "are longstanding franchises St. Louis Ambush and Harrisburg Heat, along with newly formed Florida Tropics SC, which will be based in Lakeland, Fla." (BALTIMORESUN.com, 5/3).
