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December 27, 2006

No appealing alternative

Question: Why hasn't Antonio Bryant appealed his suspension?

- Anita, Modesto

Answer: Very intriguing question, Anita. If Bryant had appealed - and he had every opportunity to do so - the appeals process would have taken months, delaying his suspension until next year. Maybe he figured he had no chance at winning and thought he should get it over with now. Some people, however, believe he cut a deal with the league. It's well known that Bryant's November run-in with San Mateo police wasn't his first violation of the league's substance abuse policy. If he had two strikes prior to the November incident, the league could have suspended him for a year. It's possible the league offered him a choice: Either take the four-game suspension now, or appeal it and risk sitting out the entire 2007 season.

- Matt Barrows

Posted by Bob Rudy at 7:23 PM | Comments |