National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams stop running backs for a living. Today, they stopped the National Football League from suspending them — at least temporarily. To follow up yesterday’s post on the suspension of six NFL players for violating the league’s anti-doping policy, both Vikings DTs — Pat and Kevin Williams — were issued a temporary restraining order by a Minneapolis judge today, blocking the NFL’s four-game suspension. Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson issued the temporary restraining order at the players’ request, saying he wanted more time to hear arguments …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The NFL announced today the suspension without pay for four games of six players that violated the NFL Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances. The players specifically violated a longstanding provision of the policy relating to the use of diuretics and water pills, which serve as masking agents for steroids and are potentially dangerous to the health of players.
The policy states that the use of so-called “blocking” or “masking” agents, including diuretics and water pills, is prohibited and that a positive test will not be excused because it results from the use of a …read more

Photo courtesy EAS.com
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Arizona Cardinals two-time Pro Bowl WR Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best pure athletes in the National Football League. He grew up around the game. Larry was a ball boy for the Minnesota Vikings when Randy Moss and Cris Carter were wearing the Purple. He moved on to star at my alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh, where he was one of the most decorated receivers in Big East Conference history. Then as an NFL player himself, few have been able to compare to his combination of size (6′3″ 226), …read more

Photo courtesy EAS.com
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
By the time Miami Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown walks into training camp this summer, he might think he’s in the wrong place. So much has changed in South Florida, it’s hard to recognize the 1-15 Dolphins. And that’s a good thing. There’s nothing like a nearly winless season to inspire change.
One of the few bright spots for the Dolphins in 2007 was the development of Ronnie Brown. Though his season ended after seven games with a torn ACL (trying to make a tackle after an interception, no less), Ronnie’s string of …read more

Photo courtesy EAS.com
Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Vernon Davis is covered with tattoos and muscle. He looks like a professional bodybuilder. So he fit right in at the site of our interview, the 2008 Arnold Sports Festival Expo. With his shirt off at 6′3″ and 252 pounds, it’s pretty obvious he’s carrying single digit bodyfat. That’s why Under Armour has him wrapped in chains dragging heavy tires around in their commercials. He looks like some kind of sculpture.
Vernon also plays football for the San Francisco 49ers, owners of a colossally disappointing 5-11 record last season after being hyped …read more

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
The Arnold Sports Festival is the world’s largest multi-sport fitness weekend — a three-day fitness free-for-all with 37 events and 12 Olympic sports. This weekend, more than 150,000 sports fans witnessed 17,000 athletes competing in a wide range of sports — from the 20th anniversary of the Arnold Classic professional bodybuilding competition to archery, boxing, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, judo, running, table tennis, tae kwon do, weightlifting, wrestling, and wu shu. That’s a lot of sports. I don’t even know what wu shu is.
As usual, a mega-popular three-day Fitness EXPO anchored the fest …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Brady Quinn’s crossover appeal has already started. Not only is he appearing in football preview mags, he’s also gracing the cover of the latest issue of Men’s Health. In the article, he talks about his fitness regimen and future in the NFL. MH writer Scott Quill calls him “the world’s fittest quarterback.” I don’t know about that, but his deal with EAS doesn’t do anything to refute it. I’m seeing a lot of Brady on the newsstands, but I’m wondering if I’ll see much of him on the field this season. It seems …read more

Ronnie Brown signs autographs at the EAS Experience
(photo David Kindervater)
I spent the day at the Arnold Fitness Expo in Columbus, OH. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this event, it’s the largest multi-sports festival in the world. In addition to the 650 exhibit booths that feature the leading fitness equipment, sports apparel and nutrition suppliers in the world, there are 17,000 athletes competing in 39 different events, including contests in 14 Olympic sports.
One of the largest exhibit booths belongs to EAS (Energy, Athletics, Strength) who sponsors NFL players Larry Fitzgerald (Cards), Carlos Rogers (Redskins), Matt Hasselback (Seahawks), Vernon …read more