Jay Cutler Lifestyle

The four-game suspensions of Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for testing positive for a banned diuretic might be upheld and enforced next season. The suspensions were put on hold last season but U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson has rejected most of the Williams's claims and has dismissed a lawsuit by the NFL Players Association on behalf of the two Vikings players and three members of the New Orleans Saints, according to the Associated Press. According to the AP, Magnuson agreed with the league's position that the players are responsible for any substance they ingest, even unknowingly. The NFL released a written statement that said: "We are pleased that after a careful review of the record the court has upheld the suspensions of the players in this case. The decision strongly supports the NFL program on performance-enhancing substances that protects the health and safety of NFL

The NFL's website reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be interested in free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Buccaneers officials have made contact to check on Burress's offseason progress, according to the report. Agent Drew Rosenhaus has indicated that at least two teams are interested in Burress, who was released by the New York Giants and faces weapon charges stemming from the incident last year in which Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg at a nightclub. Speculation about which club might sign Burress previously focused on the New York Jets and Chicago Bears.

Brady Quinn appears to have the early lead over Derek Anderson in the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback competition. Quinn has been running the starting offense in recent days in offseason practices. Coach Eric Mangini is warning, however, not to read too much into the way the work is being split so far.

The San Francisco 49ers signed cornerback Dre' Bly to a one-year contract, the team announced. The two-time Pro Bowl selection had been released by the Denver Broncos. "It was an opportunity for me to step in and have a chance to compete," Bly said in a conference call with reporters, according to the 49ers' website. "At this point in my career, being successful like I've been, it's not about money it's about opportunity. It was the first opportunity for me to come in and compete."

According to the Associated Press, Minnesota Vikings Coach Brad Childress told reporters today that quarterback Brett Favre remains retired, as far as he knows. Childress did not completely rule out the possibility of signing Favre. But, according to the AP, Childress said Favre was "worth the conversation" but Childress is not currently "entertaining" the idea of signing Favre. Childress indicated he last spoke to Favre several weeks ago by phone, the AP reported.

Michael Vick arrived at his home in Hampton, Va., today, according to reports. Vick left federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., on Wednesday and traveled to Hampton by car, reportedly with his fiancee and members of a security team. He is to serve a two-month home confinement and work a construction job. Vick remains on indefinite suspension by the NFL, pending a decision by Commissioner Roger Goodell about his playing status for the upcoming season. Vick reportedly met with probation officers today and had an electronic monitoring device placed on him. He is serving a 23-month federal sentence for his role in a dogfighting operation in Virginia.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced that they'd hired Mark Donovan as their executive vice president and chief operating officer. Donovan had been the Philadelphia Eagles' senior vice president of business operations. "We are very excited to have Mark join our executive team," Clark Hunt, the chairman of the Chiefs, said in a written statement. "Mark's track record of success in the business of the NFL has earned the respect and praise of the entire league."

According to the Associated Press, the Detroit Lions signed veteran offensive tackle Ephraim Salaam. He'd been a free agent after spending the past three seasons with the Houston Texans. In Detroit, Salaam is to back up starting tackles Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus, according to the AP.

The New England Patriots and the Massachusetts state lottery announced today that they will be partners in developing the first state lottery ticket involving an NFL team. The announcement comes two days after the NFL's franchise owners voted Tuesday in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to lift the league's ban on team logos being used on state lottery tickets. "This is going to be a hugely successful collaboration," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a written statement. "We are looking forward to helping the lottery generate much-needed revenue for the cities and towns of Massachusetts." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said when the league's policy change was announced Wednesday that teams could participate only if the outcome of the lottery was based on chance, not the outcome of NFL games. Some owners had pushed for the change as a revenue-producing opportunity, and Goodell said Wednesday he thought the new policy was reasonable

The NFL Players Association has expressed support for Michael Vick, without taking a position on whether Vick should be reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. DeMaurice Smith, the union's executive director, said in a written statement: "We are glad that Michael Vick is committed to rejoining the community as a contributing member. The NFLPA supports him and his family as he works to rebuild his life off the field." Vick left federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., on Wednesday. He is be on home confinement in Hampton, Va., for the remainder of his 23-month sentence for his role in a dogfighting operation in Virginia. He remains on indefinite suspension by the NFL, pending a ruling by Goodell on Vick's eligibility to play.