Eagles withdraw tampering complaint against Cowboys
The Philadelphia Eagles have withdrawn a tampering complaint against the Cowboys filed after Dallas owner Jerry Jones suggested on a radio show his team is often interested in players such as suspended wide receiver Terrell Owens.
“At the time, the Eagles were concerned that the nature and timing of the comments could affect the outcome of the arbitration hearing involving Owens,” the team said in a statement Friday. “We have now had the opportunity to review the full transcript of the interview and in light of the fact the comments obviously had no effect on the outcome of the hearing, the Eagles have since contacted the National Football League in order to withdraw their request to have the league pursue this matter.”
Owens was suspended for four games by the Eagles on Nov. 5 for criticizing quarterback Donovan McNabb, fighting with team “ambassador” Hugh Douglas and other actions deemed detrimental to the team. The suspension was upheld by an arbitrator.
Before the decision was announced, Jones seemed to express interest in Owens on a radio show.
“In general, I am a risk-taker. We’ve gone down that road,” Jones said when asked if the Cowboys might be interested in Owens. “I probably have a propensity to try and make things work. … A top receiver could flourish with Drew Bledsoe. That’s always appealing.”
NFL bylaws prohibit “any interference by a member club with the employer-employee relationship of another club or any attempt by a club to impermissibly induce a person to seek employment with that club or with the NFL.”
Doctor advised on drug tests
The doctor accused of writing illegal steroid prescriptions for three former Carolina Panthers advised the players how to take the drugs without failing league tests, the State newspaper of Columbia, S.C., reported.
A judge heard tape-recorded conversations between Dr. James Shortt and the three players, in which Shortt details how he could help them avoid being detected for performance-enhancing drugs, the newspaper reported.
Shortt has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges against him, which include distributing steroids and human growth hormones.
In a consultation with former Panthers punter Todd Sauerbrun, now with the Denver Broncos, on June 24, 2003, Shortt said, “You came to me … wanting some performance enhancement. We can do that – legal performance enhancement – because you’re drug tested in your profession.”
U.S. District Judge Joe Anderson also heard a tape of a consultation with former tight end Wesley Walls on Feb. 18, 2003.
“Now here’s the key,” Shortt said. “You want to use a natural testosterone. You do not want to use testosterone or any kind of Depo (testosterone injection) because that’s how they test you. They look for the Depo.
“For somebody like you, I can triple your testosterone levels without blowing any whistles.”
The third tape included conversations with center Jeff Mitchell.
A CBS News report in March identified Mitchell, Sauerbrun and tackle Todd Steussie as having filled steroid prescriptions written by Shortt. In addition to Walls, former Panther Kevin Donnalley also has been named in media reports as a patient of Shortt.
Prosecutors said the three tapes, along with 16 others, were seized under a search warrant for Shortt’s office, the State reported.
The hearing Thursday was held to determine whether an HBO television special could be entered as evidence during Shortt’s trial, which is set for March. Prosecutors said they played the tapes to show conflicts between what Shortt said in the television special and what he told patients.
Fitzpatrick will start
St. Louis Rams rookie quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was finally declared the starter for Sunday’s game against the Redskins.
Fitzpatrick getting the start turned out to be a no-brainer because Jamie Martin, who also sustained a concussion after starting last week in place of injured Marc Bulger, had blurred vision and headaches much of the week and hasn’t practiced.
Around the league
Green Bay Packers tight end Bubba Franks returned to practice, less than a week after a hard hit sent him to a hospital in Philadelphia. … The Arizona Cardinals signed former Washington Redskins kicker Nick Novak and released linebacker Isaac Keys. … Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor will not suit up for Sunday’s matchup against Cleveland, meaning he will miss his third game in the last four weeks because of an ankle injury.