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Both players declined comment on their appeals of a positive test for a weight loss diuretic considered a masking agent for steroids. The meetings in New York lasted several hours. They were accompanied by their agents and attorneys, and owner Zygi Wilf and vice president for operations and legal counsel Kevin Warren.
Angelo Wright, the agent for Pat Williams, said he expected to learn of the league’s decision the first week in December. The Williamses are facing possible four-game suspensions.
Coach Brad Childress said he didn’t have details of what transpired.
“I have no idea. I just know that they had a forum, and it was pretty comprehensive,” he said.
Childress said both players were “bright eyed and bushy tailed” on Friday despite the long day before and early-morning return to Minnesota. As far as a distraction to them, or the team, this week?
“You really don’t allow it to,” Childress said. “You just don’t. You deal with the hand that’s dealt you.”
WE’RE COOL: Fox television cameras caught Adrian Peterson and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy yelling at each other on the sideline near the end of last Sunday’s game, but Peterson said there was no story behind the exchange.
“During a game it’s really intense out there,” Peterson said. “So we bump heads here in the facility, out there during a game. It’s part of it. ... It’s kind of like being in a relationship. It’s not always going to be good, but if you’re able to solve whatever the issue is, it will be all right.”
WOE IS WINFIELD?: With this week’s news that heavy participation by Washington fans has Redskins players leading Pro Bowl voting for the NFC at 16 of 19 positions, Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield had to wonder if he’d be left out again.
With 55 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, nine passes defensed, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two touchdowns, Winfield is having his finest of 10 seasons in the NFL. He’s never been picked for the annual all-star game, but he said he wasn’t worried about any disadvantage he has in a medium-sized market.
“I think it’s better if you’re making plays when you’re on television: Monday night games, Sunday night games, so all the people around the world get a chance to see you play,” Winfield said.
Fans count for one-third of the voting totals, with players and coaches also accounting for their share.
“I can’t control that. The only thing I can control is the way I play,” Winfield said.
QUICK HITS: The Vikings still haven’t filled the roster spot opened when they put cornerback and punt returner Chuck Gordon on injured reserve. Gordon had surgery last week, but he can’t walk on his broken ankle for another six to eight weeks. “Left-foot injury,” Childress said, “so he can still drive a car.” Gordon said he’s confident he’ll fully heal by next season. ... Maurice Hicks might have cost himself the job as the primary kickoff returner when he fumbled in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay last Sunday. Peterson replaced him on the next kickoff. Special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro said Peterson, Chester Taylor and Aundrae Allison are being considered this week. ... Defensive end Jared Allen (shoulder), safety Madieu Williams (shoulder) and wide receiver Bobby Wade (quadriceps) were limited participants in Friday’s practice. They’re each listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
OVERHEARD: Winfield, asked about his memories of former coach Mike Tice, now an assistant with Jacksonville, who lobbied hard for then-owner Red McCombs to cough up more cash at the last minute to lure the cornerback to Minnesota instead of signing with the New York Jets: “He even put a couple extra dollars in my pocket, so I can’t complain.”
