The distance between the NFLPA and the NFL on HGH testing "is immense, and for the first time, several union player reps and non-union players explained why they won't sign an agreement as currently constructed by the league," according to Mike Freeman of CBSSPORTS.com. While players "believe the league is trying to railroad them into a quick deal that isn't beneficial to the union," the NFL "believes union politics are the reason for the delay." The league also believes that players "don't want to give in to the NFL too quickly on HGH and are stalling." WADA has been "heavily involved in the negotiations," and some players believe that "by using WADA, it would basically be akin to being treated as a violator in the NFL's drug testing program." The players said that "they'd have to keep WADA apprised as to their whereabouts under certain circumstances." The NFL, meanwhile, "vehemently denies these claims." The league has said that "specimen collection will be handled by the National Center for Drug Free Sport" (CBSSPORTS.com, 9/12).
AIDING THE INJURED: In Boston, Greg Bedard wrote, "We haven't heard a good reason why the NFL and the union failed to come to an agreement on an in-season injured reserve list." Perhaps the NFL "would entertain that only if an 18-game schedule" is considered. Bedard: "The game is too violent. If you're not going to expand the 53-man roster, an in-season injured reserve list makes sense" (BOSTON.com, 9/11).
