So, the inevitable happened and the now-a-union-again NFLPA ratified the CBA. Goodell and Smith will sign the document tomorrow.
(link for the mods:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6834391/nfl-players-ratify-collective-bargaining-agreement-which-includes-hgh-testing-sources-say )
That kicks off the league year, meaning non-rookies with new contracts can finally practice.
The last details of the CBA concerning drug testing, personal conduct policies, and pensions are now in place. The only real shocker, on the face of it, is that players will apparently be subject to blood testing (for HGH).
That would be a huge deal, if it were real. My initial reaction was "yeah right, I'll believe it when players start getting busted". While most outlets are reporting it as a done deal, players would have to approve the testing method, which is not final. It's unclear if they have a fundamental veto power or if there is just an agreed-upon set of criteria the test needs to fulfill. In any event, no testing will be done AT ALL for now. None.
I guess I shouldn't have considered the HGH-testing agreement a "shocker". The sport needs to retain an outward image, but really testing for many of the WADA-banned substances would completely change the way injuries are handled in the NFL. HGH in particular is, by all accounts, extremely popular (and even used by healthy athletes for very dubious goals, like improving vision -- a total joke in athletes, since the type of vision degradation it could *theoretically* (the verdict is still out) hinder or repair is age-related and not an issue for someone 30 or even 40 years old). Go out and blood test for HGH right now and the league would be decimated. Just Not Going To Happen (anytime soon).
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