For nearly two years, the league office has been trying to implement four-game StarCaps suspensions against Vikings defensive tackles
Pat Williams and
Kevin Williams. The effort has been thwarted by a legal challenge that has, to date, prevented the suspensions from being imposed.
The situation also has delayed suspensions of Saints defensive end
Will Smith and former Saints (now Bears) defensive end
Charles Grant.
So with Vikings quarterback
Brett Favre now facing a suspension for violation of the Personal Conduct Policy -- and the league
reportedly putting the matter on the fast track -- a reader has raised a comment that is worthy of repeating.
Could the league's frustration with the ability of the Vikings to avoid the competitive impact of losing two key cogs of their defense influence the speed with which the NFL pursues the Favre situation?
We doubt that there will be a connection, but we have a feeling that more than a few Vikings fans will wonder whether there's a link, if indeed the Favre investigation, discipline, and appeal move quickly -- and if Favre ultimately is suspended