PEDs Claim Two More as Excuses Increase

Paulino will lose over $250,000 in salary
due to his mistake.

It was announced yesterday the Florida Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino was to serve a 50-game suspension due to a positive test for a banned substance under the MLB drug policy. The NFL also added that Shawn Nelson of the Buffalo Bills was also slapped with a four game suspension for a "no-no". It is unknown the substance found with Nelson's test.

All of this comes on the heels of Roger Clemens being indicted on perjury charges for allegedly lying to Congress regarding PED use. Throw in the NFL's recent decision to uphold the four-game suspension of Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing for testing positive for hCG and we have more to add to the list. List of cheaters to some. List of ignorant to others. List of arrogant to many.

This will not go away. Ever. It will last as long as the substances exist so we better prepare ourselves for the non-shock of any news of any player in any sport being suspended for usage. I've already grown numb of the issue.

Paulino stated that he was taking a diet supplement in order to control his weight. He was unaware the supplement contained the banned substance. But, somehow, Paulino accepts responsibility.

"I accept full responsibility and all consequences for this mistake, and therefore choose not to challenge my suspension," the 29-year-old Paulino said. "I was irresponsible for failing to take all precautionary steps in confirming the approval of the dietary pill. Without a doubt, I have learned from my mistake."

Responsibility? Seriously?

The MLBPA has a website in which players can refer to for the list of banned substances. Anyone can access this information. Anyone. Not just the players. It's part of the CBA for cryin' out loud. You have a tool. Use the damn thing. Someone gives you something or you take it upon yourself to take some unknown substance and you don't check to contents? To do so would be responsible. I haven't been able to buy the "I didn't know" line for years.

And it's not just Paulino and Nelson. Don't think I'm trying to bury these guys. The Marlins think he's a great teammate and were shocked to learn of this. In fact, Marlins owner Jeffery Loria ordered the organization to immediately review the means in which Marlins players are being educated on the matter of PEDs. I'm sure the Bills will miss Nelson as they were short at tight end due to injuries.

The major thing about all the PED crap (and it is crap) is that the athletes are becoming more creative with their "excuses". In essence, according to his statement, Paulino is claiming ignorance. He simply didn't do his due diligence. As of yet, neither Nelson nor his agent, Joel Segal, have commented. But Cushing's case is different. Really different.

Overtraining?

Texans owner Bob McNair went to New York on Cushing's behalf to appeal the four game suspension. I give McNair credit here. He knows the Texans need this guy and he'll do anything he can to get him back on the field. But McNair had to be convinced that Cushing had legit grounds for an appeal. Cushing has stated from the day he was informed of the positive test that he did not "knowingly" take hCG, the substance found in his system at the time the test was administered. Cushing has not tested positive since.

So why the one positive test? Cushing's newest theory..."overtrained athlete syndrome". I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV, but this is sounding far-fetched. So...I did something surfing.

hCG, also known as human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone that is produced by females during pregnancy. It is also associated as being a tumor marker as the tumor can secrete hCG. It also used as a weight loss supplement, although that aspect of its use has met with controversy. But, in males, hCG can be used to maintain the production of testosterone and, more prominently, kickstart testosterone production after a steroid cycle has ended. Males can also use hCG as a form of fertility treatment.

Overtraining is extremely possible. I cannot deny that fact at all. In fact, overtraining was popular with Soviet athletes as a training technique. I've not read where hCG is naturally produced in a males body, other than tumors which Cushing has previously stated that the thought he may have had cancer. Thankfully, he doesn't. I don't know if Cushing is in the business of fathering children either, so I can't buy this.

But Peter King of Sports Illustrated chatted with Cushing. Even after reading this, I'm still not in Cushing's corner. The NFL didn't buy it either. And exactly does Cushing think he's trying to fool here?

"Everything points to that overtrained athlete syndrome,'' Cushing said, walking back to the Texans' locker room after their afternoon practice. "I'm pretty sure it is. I'm pretty positive. I didn't take anything. It's not a tainted supplement. So all roads lead to that.''

Pretty sure? Pretty positive? In other words, Cushing still doesn't know.

Or does he?

AFC East Primer

Over the nest few days, I thought it would be a nice change and bring everyone a bit of a primer on the upcoming NFL season. With training camps now in full swing, what better time than now, right?

I'll break it down by division. I'm throwing a bit of a different look than in most "previews". I'm going to introduce three questions pertaining to each team and answer that question.

Let's get rolling and take a look at the AFC East.

Edwards gets the nod under center for
Bills new head coach Chan Gailey.

Buffalo Bills
2009 record: 6-10, 4th in division
Head coach: Chan Gailey
Key Losses: DE Aaron Schobel, OLB Chris Draft, WR Josh Reed, OT Jonathan Scott, WR Terrell Owens
Key Additions: DE Dwan Edwards, LB Andra Davis

1. Why didn't the Bills go after a quarterback either in the draft or in free agency?
If you're a Bills fan, you ask yourself this question every single day...and night...and the following day and the cycle repeats. Buffalo had shots at Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy and passed on them. It has to all come down to dollars. Quarterbacks, especially if they're drafted, receive the "QB premium" and Bills owner Ralph Wilson most likely didn't want to spend the funds there.

2. Another draft question: Why C.J. Spiller?
As much as people harped on the Bills for this pick, I kind of liked it. Spiller was, by far, the best pure athlete in the draft. I think there was an ulterior motive here, attempt to trade Marshawn Lynch. With Spiller, Fred Jackson and free agent acquisition Chad Simpson, the need for Lynch in Buffalo was gone. Since Spiller is still a holdout, Lynch is still a Bill and he most likely will remain a Bill.

But make no mistake about it. Spiller can change a game with one play. Buffalo hasn't had that type of a threat in a long, long time.

3. Will the offense struggle as bad in 2010 as they did in 2009?
Yes, but it won't be because of lack of effort. New head coach Chan Gailey won't accept that attitude. If Buffalo can rediscover the rush, the passing game might be plausible. I stress might. Having Trent Edwards named as the starter might create flashbacks and most of those can't be good.

You'll notice I didn't address the defense. I think it will be all right. Signing Edwards and Davis are positives. Beyond that, the Bills are most likely to, at best, duplicate their 2009 record.

Keeping Henne healthy could keep the
Dolphins in contention in 2010.

Miami Dolphins
2009 record: 7-9, 3rd in division
Head coach: Tony Sporano
Key Losses: WR Ted Ginn, Jr., ILB Akin Ayodele, S Gibril Wilson, OLB Jason Taylor, OLB Joey Porter
Key Additions: WR Brandon Marshall, LB Karlos Dansby

1. How long will have have to wait for a Brandon Marshall blow-up?
I'm not referring to a doll either. We saw Marshall act extremely adolescent during his days in Denver. That won't happen under the watch of one Bill Parcells. He won't only be gone, he'll be booted to Guatemala with former Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson.

2. Is this the year Chad Henne "breaks through"?
Despite what those in Dolphins organization think of the former Wolverine, he's not even close to Dan Marino. That being said, Henne could be on the verge in Miami. Strong rushing attack and the addition of Marshall could be all Henne needs.

3. Why is there so much talk about Miami?
Excellent question. Can't really grasp that concept myself except to say that they did make the playoffs in '08. Getting Dansby and drafting Jared Odrick did provide for upgrades on the defense, but I felt they didn't do enough on the offensive side despite getting Marshall.

No, I'm not big on the Phins, but they could prove to be a thorn in the side of all their opponents.

Holt could be a bigger signing than we think.

New England Patriots
2009 record: 10-6, 1st in division
Head coach: Bill Belichick
Key Losses: DE Jarvis Green, TE Benjamin Watson, TE Chris Baker
Key Additions: TE Alge Crumpler, WR Torry Holt, DT Gerard Warren

1. Will Randy Moss dump the season?
All of the previous cases of Moss being unhappy in his surrounding point that way. We actually saw a bit of that during last season. That's why bringing Torry Holt was so crucial. Holt is a professional ad he will view this as a chance to get another ring.

2. Will the loss to the Ravens in the playoffs affect how the Pats approach 2010?
Yes, it will. They saw that the Ravens pounded them senseless and a call for toughness and focus will reverberate throughout camp. And the fact that Belichick has made it a priority to remove all remnants from the previous Pats success will make this squad anxious to prove it is still a winner.

3. Can the Patriots "get by" without Logan Mankins?
Not completely. He's Brady's security blanket and you best believe Brady knows that. I know the contract for Brady needs worked out, but he and Mankins pretty much go hand-in-hand. If you have Brady and no Mankins, it could be a long season for Brady no matter how good he is.

People are thinking the glory days of the Patriots are behind them. As far as the roster goes, that's true, but there's no reason to doubt these guys. They will be ready to play. Would you expect anything less from a Belichick coached team.

Sanchez again will have to manage the game
instead of playing the game in 2010.

New York Jets
2009 record: 9-7, 2nd in division
Head coach: Rex Ryan
Key Losses: RB Thomas Jones, G Alan Faneca, CB Lito Sheppard, RB Leon Washington
Key Additions: WR Santonio Holmes, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, CB Antonio Cromartie, OLB Jason Taylor

1. Will the J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets! live up to the hype?
I think it's been overblown. Do I think they're good? I sure do, but I don't think they're the AFC favorite to go to Dallas. There were some personnel moves made that I question.

2. Which moves?
Releasing Faneca was nothing more than a money purge. Faneca may be getting long in the tooth, but he can still deliver a pancake. I strongly disliked not keeping Thomas Jones. How can you let one of the most productive running backs in the NFL just walk out of town? Sure, the Jets have Shonn Greene, but you need two high quality backs in the NFL now. Getting LT doesn't provide that. And couldn't there have been better receivers to snag than Santonio Holmes? I know he's a Super Bowl MVP, but he's missing the first four games this season and there's no other quality receivers on the roster. None.

3. How will Mark Sanchez fare in 2010?
I believe he's the one aspect of the offense I like the best. He's got a year under his belt. We saw at the end of last season that a light bulb finally went off over his head. I hope he decides to slide correctly because I like this kid.

Am I down of the Jets? Not really, but I don't see how they improved so much compared to all the shaking up the roster underwent. And I didn't mention the missing "island"...

It's that time. Who's finishing where?

1. New England. Until someone else steals the title, I'm sticking with Brady, Belichick and Company.
2. New York. They'll battle the Pats to the end and come up a game short...again.
3. Miami. Not seeing anything above 8-8.
4. Buffalo. Sorry, Chris Berman. They won't be circling the wagons.