NFL banned ephedra
The NFL banned ephedra, a dietary weight loss supplement, after the death of Minnesota 
Vikings offensive tackle Korey Stringer during training camp in 2001. Players are tested and can be suspended after the first breach.
Many believed that testing for amphetamines and ephedra based stimulants would have a major impact on some teams this season, particularly ones with older rosters. Not surprisingly, players would not speak openly on the subject.
Todd Sauerbrun will be suspended for the first month of the season after testing positive for the banned supplement ephedra, a person close to the player said Friday.
Sauerbrun will miss the first four regular-season games if his expected appeal is denied, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the NFL has not announced the suspension.
Coach Mike Shanahan said he wanted to wait for the appeals process to play out before addressing Sauerbrun's suspension. But he did say his players are well-versed in supplements: "Yeah, we talk about all those things quite extensively."
Sauerbrun came over from Carolina last season and quickly fit in. He averaged 43.8 yards a punt, won a player of the week award and even forced a fumble with a tackle against New England.
Sauerbrun's name came up in a steroid scandal last year in South Carolina, where Dr. James Shortt faces a July 17 sentencing in federal court after admitting he conspired to illegally prescribe steroids to NFL players. Federal prosecutors have not identified any of the eight players, but say they have audiotaped conversations between Shortt and Sauerbrun and other Panthers players.
Ephedra | Ephedra Products 09/11/2008