Doc's NFL Notebook

By James Santelli

This Month in Banned Substances

Two prominent players were put in the offseason spotlight in May for their connections with performance-enhancing drugs. Houston Texans LB Brian Cushing will be suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season after testing positive for the fertility drug HCG last September. The former USC Trojan, who denies ever taking a banned substance, took part in Texans' mini-camp following the announcement of his suspension. A re-vote was taken on Cushing's 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, but he won that vote and will retain the honor, despite losing 21 of his original 39 votes. On May 20, The Washington Post reported Redskins WR Santana Moss was the recipient of HGH from Canadian doctor Anthony Galea, who is currently charged with smuggling and unlawful treatment. Moss is not expected to be charged, and at this point, the NFL has taken no action against the 31-year-old receiver.

Spygate Lawsuit Thrown Out

The use of performance enhancers is not the only instance of pigskin in the courtroom. The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a suit brought about by Jets season ticket holder and lawyer Carl Mayer, one that sought damages for Jets fans who bought tickets to games "rigged" by the Patriots' taping of signals. While Mayer and his lawyer, Bruce Afran, argued that ticket buyers were defrauded and compared NFL games that include cheating to professional wrestling, the three-judge appeals panel disagreed. Senior Judge Robert Cowen concluded that "Mayer possessed nothing more than a contractual right to a seat from which to watch an NFL game between the Jets and the Patriots, and this right was clearly honored." Mayer and his lawyer told reporters he will appeal his case to the Supreme Court.

Straight Outta Oakland

After the Oakland Raiders traded for former Redskins QB Jason Campbell during the NFL Draft, the palpable feeling was that the JaMarcus Russell era was nearing its end. That feeling was confirmed when the former No. 1 pick was released by the team on May 6. Raiders coach Tom Cable didn't even want to talk about the failed $39-million experiment following his release, saying, "Let's not talk about someone who is not on our team anymore. It's done, it's over and we have to move forward." The 24-year-old Russell had a 7-18 record with Oakland, with a 52.1% completion percentage and an 18-23 TD-INT ratio. Some teams have made their interest known in signing Russell and moving him to a new position.

LT's Multi-State Troubles

Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor found himself involved in legal cases in two different states last month. The former Giants linebacker was arrested and charged with third-degree rape in Rockland County, New York on May 6. Police say Taylor solicited a 16-year-old prostitute at a hotel. The rape charge carries a four-year prison sentence, and the solicitation charge a one-year sentence. Taylor, 51, was also sued in Miami-Dade Circuit Court in Florida over a car crash that occurred on the expressway last year. He was originally charged with leaving the scene of an accident, and the lawsuit is now being filed by a 51-year-old man who was injured in the crash. 

Too Late to Apologize?

There is a great amount of anticipation as to how Philadelphia fans will treat Donovan McNabb upon his return to the City of Brotherly Love to play the Eagles on October 3. It doesn't appear, though, that McNabb himself holds any ill will towards the Philly faithful. "I love the fans in Philadelphia," the quarterback told 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia, "and love the things that they presented for me, giving me that opportunity to come out of that tunnel." McNabb also apologized to fans for not bringing home a Super Bowl after five NFC Championship appearances, an apology he later said was "from the heart."