Least Surprising News Ever

From the NFL's number 1 site for rumor mongering and baseless speculation comes word that Odom faces a 4-game suspension for steroid use.

Frankly, I don't know where this is coming from.  Lots of 250+ pound human beings gain an additional 30 pounds of muscle without losing any speed.

While we're here, WDR Official Stance on Steroids:  They rule.

Update:  Odom will appeal the suspension and claims the banned substance he tested positive for was not a PED.  If he didn't use them, fine, whatever.  But we've been here with athletes before and guilty until proven innocent appears to be a better rule of thumb when it comes to PEDs.  But even more to the point:  who gives a shit?  I'm beyond caring at this point.  The NFL has a policy:  you get suspended, you move on, no one gets all that upset (see Cushing, Brian).  Again, steroids rule.

Update to the Update:  even NFL.com is running with a story putting the case in sympathetic light.  Given Odom's diagnosed sleep apnea maybe he is takin some crazy prescription shit that contains a banned substance.  So hopefully he doesn't get suspended.  At the very least, going forward I would appreciate no more talk of him gaining tons of muscle and maintaining his speed/explosiveness.  (I'm looking at you Hob)  Nothing to see here.  Move along.

Comments

[Fulton]

apparently it's true? just saw this on twitter: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/5vcdiv

[Wyatt]

Did you see the comments on ProFootballRumor? Buncha Steelers fans saying "typical Bengals" and whatnot, when their team is the one that's been linked to steroids for 30+ years now.

[Hofbraunow]

Not steroids, just a banned substance? I'm so relieved...now I can get back to that faith I was having...now I can get back to my faith...

...and my hobby...of banning substances...you just name it, and I will ban it, nay, I will banish it...begone, substance! Begone you, begone I say!

[Hofbraunow]

I blame whoever gave it to him...I also blame the devil...and, I also say, that whoever tried to 'ban' it, didn't do a very good job...obviously not...or he would not have been able to partake of the so-called 'banned' substance...I'm guessing it was Hostess Fruit Pies...let's all crucify Fruit Pie the Magician...

[CurseofBoJackson]

DEEP D LINE, would be a loss, no doubt, but far from the end of the world if the moron who runs this league suspends him for 4 games. That said, I aint buyin till i have the proof. Lastly, whoever mentioned the Steeler fan/PFT poster "typical Bengals fan" stuff is right on, worst fans EVER are Vikings Steelers, and OSU, that's right you bunch of blowhard idiots, I said, deal with it, you're in that same class of people.....

[Major Payne]

SWB is right... after Cushing, this is actually a story? We all learned from the collective yawn that came from sports punditry that PEDs are a non-issue. Move along, people, there's nothing to see here.

Interesting note by John Thornton about the issue: http://www.allproblogger.com/2010/09/09/nfl-drug-testing/#comments

@Wyatt: obviously we can't read your tone, but are you surprised at Stealer fan reaction? Uber-arrogance, hypocrisy and immaturity are prerequisites to donning the black-and-yellow. I expect it as much as I expect that the people who wrote those comments are related to someone named Bubba (likely most to the same Bubba), have a couch and fridge on their porch, and are missing several teeth. It comes with the territory. "Stupid is as Stealer does."

[Hofbraunow]

I only hope that mike Brown will redeem Floyd Landis...then, maybe Floyd Landis can recruit Lance BallStrong...Who Dey!

[WhoDeyFans]

"and OSU, that's right you bunch of blowhard idiots, I said, deal with it, you're in that same class of people....."

hate to open this debate but seriously? How many OSU radio ads take shots at UC? How many OSU t-shirts jab at UC? None.

UC sniffs the ass of success, plays a real team and is destroyed and it is Ohio States fans fault I guess. UC got good and Ohio State fan didn't care until UC fan picked the fight.

[Sly Vramavomovich]

Lets leave college football out of this. Thats a flame war no ones going to win.

Lets get back to the moral of the story. Steroids are awesome and Bengals players should take the cutting edge ones that they don't test for yet.

[Mockenrue]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81a67f58/article/bengals-de-odom-to-play-while-appealing-positive-test?module=HP_headlines

Looks like it's just something from a prescription he's taking, which is an exemption under the league policy. He ought to be just fine.

[Reydawg]

Thing is he wasn't all that explosive last season he reminds me of Justin Smith a Strong hard worker who never gives up on plays..Most of his sacks weren't because he torched a tackle but there was great coverage and he kept going.

[Hofbraunow]

"...he wasn't all that explosive last season..."

Yeah, but they have commercials all the time for that...I think there's even something available over-the-counter for that...or at least in an ad in the back of a magazine at the newsstand

Explosiveness aside, I think they prescribe steroids for asthma and apnea

[Hofbraunow]

I still think he should be burned at the steak...you know, like it's the last one, and I call "dibs", but then I have to reach for it

[Wyatt]

@Major Payne: I wasn't serious or surprised. I actually grew up in Steelers Country (which locals are proud to tell you, even if they can't spell it and can barely say it), so I'm familiar with how deluded and obnoxious "Yinzers" are. Thankfully my dad's side of the family is from Pataskala, Ohio, and I grew up spending Sunday afternoons at my grandparents' house, either watching the Bengals on the rare occasions they were on television or listening to them on AM radio. (My grandma still faithfully listens to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night on AM radio.)

[Nike Shox Navina]

He has the genius of sparks! Do you know what this means? It is brave, open the eyes of the thoughts,... He planted a tree, he would have seen the thousands of results, has been longing to human happiness. This person is few, love is love this man.