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**numinertyuesk** · 09-03-2006, 03:20 PM

NFL | Effectiveness of steroid testing policy questioned
Wed, 8 Mar 2006 21:14:47 -0800
Charles Chandler, of the Charlotte Observer, reports Dr. Gary Wadler, one of the world's foremost steroids experts, told the Charlotte Observer that medical records from the federal case against Dr. James Shortt showed five of six current or former Carolina Panthers used the steroids obtained from Shortt. Wadler said that while Shortt assured the players they would not test positive, Shortt did not take the proper steps to fulfill that promise. Shortt tested the players' testosterone levels through their saliva instead of more sophisticated urine tests used by the NFL. Shortt also did nothing to monitor whether the players were within specific testosterone -related ratios allowed by the NFL. Wadler said, "I don't know how he gave anybody any assurance they wouldn't step on the tripwire when he never checked (the ratio). That raises questions about the NFL's testing because you'd think you would have positive tests." The Panthers said none of their players who were patients of Shortt tested positive for steroids.

Here's the testing policy specs:

Pre-Employment: Pre-employment tests may be administered to free agent players (whether rookies or veterans). In addition, the League will conduct tests at its annual timing and testing sessions for draft-eligible football players.
Annual/Preseason: All players will be tested for Prohibited Substances at least once per League Year. Such testing will occur at training camp or whenever the player reports thereafter, and will be deemed a part of his preseason physical. In addition, random testing will be conducted during the weeks in which preseason games are played.
Regular Season: Each week during the regular season, players on every team will be tested. By means of a computer program, the Advisor will randomly select the players to be tested from the club’s active roster, practice squad list, and reserve list who are not otherwise subject to ongoing reasonable cause testing for steroids. The number of players selected for testing will be determined in advance on a uniform basis. Players will be required to test whenever they are selected,
without regard to the number of times they have previously been tested.
Postseason: Players on teams qualifying for the playoffs will be tested
periodically so long as their club remains active in the postseason. Players to be tested during the postseason will be selected on the same basis as during the regular season.
Off-Season: Players under contract who are not otherwise subject to reasonable cause testing may be tested during the off-season months up to 6 times at the discretion of the Advisor. Players to be tested in the off-season will be selected on the same basis as during the regular season, irrespective of their off-season location. Any player selected for testing during the off-season will be required to furnish a urine specimen at a convenient location acceptable to the Advisor. Only players who advise in writing that they have retired from the NFL will be removed from the pool of players who may be tested. If, however, a player thereafter signs a contract with a club, he will be placed back in the testing pool.
Reasonable Cause Testing For Players With Prior Positive Tests Or Under Other Circumstances: Any player testing positive for a Prohibited Substance, including players testing positive in college or at a scouting combine session, or with otherwise documented prior steroid involvement, will be subject to ongoing reasonable cause testing at a frequency determined by the Advisor. Such players will be subject to ongoing reasonable cause testing both in-season and during the off-season. Reasonable cause testing may also be required when, in the opinion of
the Advisor, available information provides a reasonable basis to conclude that a player may have violated the Policy or may have a medical condition that warrants further monitoring. (See Section 11.)

So you get tested at least once (training camp) and there's a lottery thereafter. We don't know how many players per team get tested each week - but I'd think that it's less than 5.

So the odds of getting hit are pretty slim. Little bit of luck....

09-03-2006, 03:20 PM	#2
numinertyuesk Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 371 Senior Member	NFL \| Effectiveness of steroid testing policy questioned Wed, 8 Mar 2006 21:14:47 -0800 Charles Chandler, of the Charlotte Observer, reports Dr. Gary Wadler, one of the world's foremost steroids experts, told the Charlotte Observer that medical records from the federal case against Dr. James Shortt showed five of six current or former Carolina Panthers used the steroids obtained from Shortt. Wadler said that while Shortt assured the players they would not test positive, Shortt did not take the proper steps to fulfill that promise. Shortt tested the players' testosterone levels through their saliva instead of more sophisticated urine tests used by the NFL. Shortt also did nothing to monitor whether the players were within specific testosterone -related ratios allowed by the NFL. Wadler said, "I don't know how he gave anybody any assurance they wouldn't step on the tripwire when he never checked (the ratio). That raises questions about the NFL's testing because you'd think you would have positive tests." The Panthers said none of their players who were patients of Shortt tested positive for steroids. Here's the testing policy specs: Pre-Employment: Pre-employment tests may be administered to free agent players (whether rookies or veterans). In addition, the League will conduct tests at its annual timing and testing sessions for draft-eligible football players. Annual/Preseason: All players will be tested for Prohibited Substances at least once per League Year. Such testing will occur at training camp or whenever the player reports thereafter, and will be deemed a part of his preseason physical. In addition, random testing will be conducted during the weeks in which preseason games are played. Regular Season: Each week during the regular season, players on every team will be tested. By means of a computer program, the Advisor will randomly select the players to be tested from the club’s active roster, practice squad list, and reserve list who are not otherwise subject to ongoing reasonable cause testing for steroids. The number of players selected for testing will be determined in advance on a uniform basis. Players will be required to test whenever they are selected, without regard to the number of times they have previously been tested. Postseason: Players on teams qualifying for the playoffs will be tested periodically so long as their club remains active in the postseason. Players to be tested during the postseason will be selected on the same basis as during the regular season. Off-Season: Players under contract who are not otherwise subject to reasonable cause testing may be tested during the off-season months up to 6 times at the discretion of the Advisor. Players to be tested in the off-season will be selected on the same basis as during the regular season, irrespective of their off-season location. Any player selected for testing during the off-season will be required to furnish a urine specimen at a convenient location acceptable to the Advisor. Only players who advise in writing that they have retired from the NFL will be removed from the pool of players who may be tested. If, however, a player thereafter signs a contract with a club, he will be placed back in the testing pool. Reasonable Cause Testing For Players With Prior Positive Tests Or Under Other Circumstances: Any player testing positive for a Prohibited Substance, including players testing positive in college or at a scouting combine session, or with otherwise documented prior steroid involvement, will be subject to ongoing reasonable cause testing at a frequency determined by the Advisor. Such players will be subject to ongoing reasonable cause testing both in-season and during the off-season. Reasonable cause testing may also be required when, in the opinion of the Advisor, available information provides a reasonable basis to conclude that a player may have violated the Policy or may have a medical condition that warrants further monitoring. (See Section 11.) So you get tested at least once (training camp) and there's a lottery thereafter. We don't know how many players per team get tested each week - but I'd think that it's less than 5. So the odds of getting hit are pretty slim. Little bit of luck....
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