Umm, what?

Kevin and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings are getting suspended 4 games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Specifically, they took a supplement that included Bumetanide, a banned diuretic which could be used to mask steroids. Unfortunately for them, the substance wasn't listed on the bottle. The NFL doesn't want to budge on this issue, which is ridiculous. These guys weren't taking something to mask their steroid use, they didn't know the banned substance was even one of the ingredients. If they weren't aware they were taking something illegal, it's not rocket science to figure out they probably weren't taking it to mask steroid use.

FYI, they also tested negative for steroids.

Hmm. Sounds like the NFL realizes their policy has some major holes in it, and instead of fixing the problem, they would rather go down with the ship and take some innocent players with them. Not to mention the first place Vikings, vying for a playoff spot and needing their best DT and DL.

Not only is the steroid policy in need of an overhaul, NFL suspension policy in general could use a major makeover. Take, for instance, the following excerpt from the ESPN article on the Williamses' suspensions:

"On a personal level, it [stinks] for them. I know what they're going through," said defensive end Jared Allen, who served a two-game suspension last season in Kansas City after multiple DUI arrests. "That's why we're with them. We've got their back 100 percent."

Wait, what? This guy got a 2 game suspension after multiple DUI arrests? In the words of Amy Poehler: Seriously NFL, are you serious? So let me get this straight; you can drive drunk multiple times and get a suspension reduced to 2 games, but if you take a banned diuretic that you didn't even know existed to "mask" something you aren't even doing, you qualify for a 4 game suspension? You can read a little more about Mr. Allen and his DUI issues here.

Oh yeah, makes perfect sense.

And excuse me, but I can't think Jared Allen knows what they're going through. Allen is an alcoholic who hasn't been able to stop himself from driving drunk. Pat and Kevin Williams are guys who take weight loss supplements. Somehow, one seems worse than the other. According to the NFL, that would be the weight loss supplements.

Way to set an example.