Decision on Vikings suspensions could come today

By JUDD ZULGAD and CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune staff writers

Last update: December 2, 2008 - 11:53 AM

The Vikings could learn today whether Pro Bowl defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams will be suspended for four games for testing positive for a banned diuretic that can serve as a masking agent for steroids.

According to a Fox Sports report, the suspensions could be finalized today, although the matter might not be settled if they are upheld. The players, who had their appeals hearings Nov. 20 in New York, are among seven who face suspensions. The case involves a product known as StarCaps that contained an NFL-banned product, bumetanide.

If the suspensions are upheld the players are prepared to take legal action, claiming NFL officials knew of the illegal substance and didn't inform players, Fox Sports reported.

Asked about today's reported deadline, Vikings coach Brad Childress said: "I wouldn't know. I don't have any timetables that have been advertised to me."

Bears tight ends stifled

The Vikings changed the game plan against Bears tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark after the duo combined for nine catches for 133 yards in the first meeting. Rather than put linebackers on them in pass coverage, the Vikings primarily used safeties and nickel back Benny Sapp.

The move worked as Olsen and Clark combined for only two catches for 16 yards.

"It was big to put a defensive back on their tight end and treat them like receivers," safety Darren Sharper said. "The matchup is a little bit better for us. Our linebackers are athletic enough to cover but a lot of times when you have a tight end that is a pass-catching tight end, it's going to create a matchup problem."

Sapp admits lapse

Sapp was apologetic after his unnecessary roughness penalty negated a third-down stop and gave the Bears new life in the second quarter. Sapp and Bears receiver Rashied Davis shoved each other after the whistle and Sapp was called for the personal foul after hitting Davis twice in the helmet.

"I'm better than that," Sapp said. "I just lost it a little bit. I didn't go over the edge. It's just competitive. Me and him were just pushing each other, going back and forth. I got the last push. He got the first. They say they always catch the last one. I got caught."

Sapp sat on the bench for a few minutes to calm his emotions. He had an interception in the fourth quarter.

"He has to be smarter, he knows that," Sharper said. "Benny is a veteran player. He knows he has to control his emotions."

Saw it coming

Antoine Winfield said he was a little tired after the Bears uncharacteristically threw in his direction early in the game. Devin Hester beat the Vikings cornerback on a quick slant for a 65-yard touchdown after Bears quarterback Kyle Orton changed the play at the line.

"That kind of messed up my night," Winfield said. "I was real hot about that. But I'm a pro. I bounced back."

Winfield dived at Hester's legs after he made the catch but he couldn't get him. Sharper had a shot at Hester in the middle of the field but took a bad angle and missed.

"I knew he was going to run a slant," Winfield said. "I was trying to get a quick read so I could jump it. But Hester burst right down the line, caught the ball and took off."

Etc.

• Childress said right tackle Ryan Cook did "OK" in place of injured starter Artis Hicks, but said the job is Hicks' when he returns from his right elbow injury.

• The Vikings' Chris Kluwe and Bears' Brad Maynard combined for 18 punts Sunday night, approaching the Vikings' single-game record. The mark for most punts in a game involving the Vikings is 20.