The StarCaps trial opened on Monday in Minnesota. On Tuesday, the two players at the center of the case will step onto the witness stand.
We hope that none of the wooden planks have rotted.
Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams are expected to testify regarding their use of StarCaps, an over-the-counter diuretic that worked primarily because it had been spiked with a prescription diuretic known as Bumetanide.
Murphy reports that Monday’s proceedings featured “numerous interruptions” as lawyers argued over evidence that would be admitted at trial. Murphy says that, at one point, Judge Gary Larson “scolded” plaintiffs’ lawyer Peter Ginsberg for arguing with the Court. (And that reminds me of something a wise judge once said during a trial I handled, fortunately to the opposing lawyer: “Counsel, there’s a point at which you’re not longer arguing to the Court but instead you’re arguing with the Court.”)
Only one witness testified — Dr. John Lombardo, the administrator of the league’s drug-testing policy. And his testimony was not completed when Court dismissed for the day. He was called by Ginsberg as an “adverse” witness, a common tactic in cases of this nature, given that much of the evidence that needs to be established by the plaintiffs resides within the minds of named defendants.
Skirmishes between the lawyers arose from testimony regarding the fact that other players who tested positive for Bumetanide were not suspended, and regarding the league’s knowledge of the presence of Bumetanide in StarCaps and alleged failure to tell the NFL Players Association or anyone else about this fact. The NFL’s position is that such evidence is irrelevant as to the remaining claims in the case — whether the NFL violated Minnesota law regarding notification as to positive drug tests and the confidentiality of those outcomes.
The ultimate question is whether the players will be suspended four games by the NFL. It’s likely a question that Judge Larson will have to resolve, based on the findings made by the jury.
Come on Mikey. The Williams boys waved the jury trial and placed it in the hands of the judge. Slow down & think before you hit the send key
Just like fat guys to argue they are not responsible for what they put in their mouth.
Please discontinue calling them the “Williams Wall” and begin use of the far more fitting “Williams Sisters.”
The only reason their run defense ranks so high year in and year out is because it’s so easy to pass on them that nobody bothers running.
Bob Nelson says:
March 9, 2010 9:30 AM
Just like fat guys to argue they are not responsible for what they put in their mouth.
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Sounds alot like you Bobby, and I’m not talking about food. I suppose you aren’t responsible for having JimmySmith in your mouth either huh?
——akuehn713 says:
March 9, 2010 9:45 AM
Please discontinue calling them the “Williams Wall” and begin use of the far more fitting “Williams Sisters.”
The only reason their run defense ranks so high year in and year out is because it’s so easy to pass on them that nobody bothers running.
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Here’s another polished turd.
Do you even bother looking at the stats before you spout off? Obviously not. 6 ranked defense overall.
Facts do not bother to morons like you though, keep spouting ignorance.
The late Robin Harris had a great way of dealing with hecklers, which I paraphrase:
Someone put something in Bob Nelson’s mouth; my zipper’s stuck.
Bob Nelson is a Whiney Titty Baby says:
March 9, 2010 10:27 AM
Someone put something in Bob Nelson’s mouth; my zipper’s stuck.
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Do you realize you just said you’re gay?
Chickenfoot says:
March 9, 2010 10:07 AM
Here’s another polished turd.
Do you even bother looking at the stats before you spout off? Obviously not. 6 ranked defense overall.
Facts do not bother to morons like you though, keep spouting ignorance.
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Yes, 6th ranked defense overall.
19th ranked against the pass, 2nd against the run.
It seems to me you’ve just made that guy’s argument for him.
Don’t worry about Bob — the guy’s as predictable as a Sunday morning dump and as intelligent as the subsequent deposit in the bowl. The Williams’ attorney keeps focusing upon crap the judge has already dismissed via summary judgment when he needs to focus on the NFL-as-one -unit/partial employer thing, as well as the confidentiality breach in violation of MN law. If he doesn’t do that, they lose.
However, while the trial doesn’t bug me and Bob never will, the thing that bums me out today is Joe Nathan’s torn elbow ligament. That really sucks
jimicos, do you need to see a SarcMark to recognize sarcasm? Can you recognize it now?
(And that reminds me of something a wise judge once said during a trial I handled, fortunately to the opposing lawyer: “Counsel, there’s a point at which you’re not longer arguing to the Court but instead you’re arguing with the Court.”)
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Really, Florio?
Was this judge an idiot?
Because that’s how an idiot speaks.
It’s called English, check it out.
If the NFL has to follow 1 law in ever states ” paying taxes in the state for which they play , even opponenets ” then they need to follow EVERY LAW that that state has.
@bigdogsolec-
Agree completely — made a similar point when this all started. If the NFL wants players to forego their rights under state laws, they need to identify that in the contract.
Or, as you indicated, they need to follow all the rights of each state, not just the ones they choose to.
jimicos says:
March 9, 2010 10:59 AM
Bob Nelson is a Whiney Titty Baby says:
March 9, 2010 10:27 AM
Someone put something in Bob Nelson’s mouth; my zipper’s stuck.
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Do you realize you just said you’re gay?
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Haven’t you watched harold and Kumar?
It’s not gay to get your dick sucked by a guy.
It’s only gay if you are doing the sucking!
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jimicos says:
March 9, 2010 11:02 AM
Chickenfoot says:
March 9, 2010 10:07 AM
Here’s another polished turd.
Do you even bother looking at the stats before you spout off? Obviously not. 6 ranked defense overall.
Facts do not bother to morons like you though, keep spouting ignorance.
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Yes, 6th ranked defense overall.
19th ranked against the pass, 2nd against the run.
It seems to me you’ve just made that guy’s argument for him.
================================
It would seem so, but you are wrong, again.
He’s making it seem like they are horrible in pass defense, which they are not. They aren’t the greatest by any means but they aren’t as bad as before.
You of all people should see that he only threw a blanket statement out there, he had no clue until you typed it where they ranked.
I did.
I should have known stat boy could not hold his tongue forever.
Williams Wall will take the stand on Tuesday…..
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…….steel and concrete reenforcements provided by local whale tank manufacturer.
Bob Nelson is a Whiney Titty Baby says:
March 9, 2010 11:21 AM
jimicos, do you need to see a SarcMark to recognize sarcasm? Can you recognize it now?
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No, I can recognize sarcasm. It stands out like you in a line of straight guys.
Chickenfoot says:
March 9, 2010 12:53 PM
Haven’t you watched harold and Kumar?
It’s not gay to get your dick sucked by a guy.
It’s only gay if you are doing the sucking!
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Go ahead and keep telling yourself that.
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Chickenfoot says:
It would seem so, but you are wrong, again.
He’s making it seem like they are horrible in pass defense, which they are not. They aren’t the greatest by any means but they aren’t as bad as before.
You of all people should see that he only threw a blanket statement out there, he had no clue until you typed it where they ranked.
I did.
I should have known stat boy could not hold his tongue forever.
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Let me get this straight.. Someone makes a statement. You take issue with that statement and argue with an unrelated statistic. I point out that he has a point by using stats that actually relate to his original point. You call me “stat boy”.
Is that how this unfolded? Then I guess I can call you “confused boy” for bringing up stats that have nothing to do with the point you were trying to argue.
Anyway, at no point did he say “they were horrible in pass defense.” He said it’s a lot easier to pass on them than it is to run on them. And based on their relative rankings in run/pass defense, I think he makes a valid point.
Surely you aren’t so blinded by your love of all things purple that you can’t admit it’s easier to pass on the 19th ranked pass defense than it is to run on the 2nd ranked run defense?
The only reason their run defense ranks so high year in and year out is because it’s so easy to pass on them that nobody bothers running.
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There it is word for word, imbecile.
So easy to pass on them? are they ranked dead last? No.
In years past you could make that argument, not this year.
What your precious stats don’t tell you is that a lot of teams were way behind and HAD to pass!
How you don’t get that, is beyond me.
I call you stat boy because you present stats as facts, when said stats can be twisted anyway you want to.
We’ve had this argument before and frankly I’m not going to rehash it with you.
You are going to stick to stats as cold hard facts when they are not.
You were so good for so long. Do you miss me that much that you can’t go on on PFT with out me verbally abusing you?
Seriously? WTF is your problem?
Take issue with me all you want, but for christ sake, bring some knowledge to your posts at least.
Chickenfoot says:
March 9, 2010 3:06 PM
Take issue with me all you want, but for christ sake, bring some knowledge to your posts at least.
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Yeah, bring knowledge.. Like pointing to an overall defensive ranking (which includes both passing and rushing) as proof that teams don’t go overboard on passing on the Vikings because it’s hard to run on them. That makes perfect sense. Look in the mirror, Ragnar.
Here’s another one for you. They ranked #1 in rush attempts against (fewest), and #18 in passing attempts against. Without a doubt, I admit teams passed more on them in part because the Vikings were leading most games. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Although the Vikings led the league in sacks, they couldn’t capitalize on it. They were 26th in INTs and near the bottom of the league in opponents’ passer rating. Leading in games doesn’t explain why opponents were successful passing on them. On average, they allowed a 90 passer rating. If my memory serves, that was good for bottom five in the league.
Jimi, Jimi, Jimi……
It’s too bad you get so wrapped up in your stats.
It really is.
What did your paackers regular season stats and rankings do for your Packers against the Cards? huh?
Stats mean nothing but you use them to be the be all to end all of your arguments.
Stats can be twisted anyway you want.
I’m tired of the same argument with you, i’m not changing my mind and neither are you.
Bottom 5 in passer rating= 12-4 hmmm
that stat means shit.
lead the league in sacks, not as many ints?
that stat means shit. that u use it a basis for your argument shows how little you know about football.
Please go irritate someone else. You are beneath me and I have wasted waaaaaaay to much time with you on this site.
I bet the guy who owns the waffle house nearest the court house is thankful these two fat asses are in the neighborhood.
Jesus, just suspend them and get on with the rest of the off season. How come when it comes to sleazy behavior and people trying to get away with it; Whizanator, flying hookers in from out of state and now this, its always the Biqueens?
Right, right.. But the overall defensive ranking is perfectly suited to make your case, right? I don’t give a shit what you think about the opponent passer rating stat. The fact remains: teams were able to pass on the Vikings last season, but not run. akuehn was right, and you tried to use an inconsequential statistic to prove him wrong.