Fog Slowly Lifting On NFL Steroid Scandal

Remember how yesterday it was reported that a whole bunch of Saints, including Deuce McAllister, tested positive for steroids, or steroid masking agents, or something else equally illegal? Well, the man on the scene Chris(t) Mortensen has learned himself a few names to go along with those allegations.

Three members of the New Orleans Saints — running back Deuce McAllister and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant — are among a number of NFL players confirmed to have tested positive under the NFL's steroid policy, ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen reports. Mortensen also confirmed that Houston Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman is among those players to test positive for using a weight-loss supplement.

There's still quite a few unanswered questions: (1) Who are the other four players who failed their tests? (2) What exactly were they taking anyway? According to the reports, the tests were positive for weight-loss supplements and something called Bumetanide, which is a drug known to mask certain steroids. Now while some might say there's a whole bunch of smoke but nothing in the realm of "fire", that's kind of like saying there's no "real proof" that the 6-foot-tall, strong-calved, enormous-handed lady walking up and down Santa Monica Boulevard isn't really a dude. The most important thing to take away from this story, however, is that if you happen to own McAllister on your fantasy team, go ahead and snatch up backup Pierre Thomas just in case a lengthy Deucepension is enforced. McAllister, Smith, Grant, Texans' Pittman among players testing positive [ESPN.com]