Handful of out-of-work free agents suspended

A small group of free agents have been suspended by the NFL for the start of the season.

In an email to all 32 clubs, commissioner Roger Goodell informed the clubs of various suspensions.

Linebackers Eric Alexander (4 games), Eric Barton (4 games), Vinny Ciurciu (4 games), Harry Coleman (1 game) and Brandon Lang (4 games), offensive tackle Robert Brewster (4 games), defensive linemen Charles Grant (2 games) and Pat Williams (2 games) and running back Dominic Rhodes (1 year) have all been suspended. Also, fullback Reagan Maui’a, who was placed on waivers by the Arizona Cardinals, has been suspended for the first 3 games.

Grant and Williams, of course, faces his suspensions for their role in the StarCaps case. Saints defensive end Will Smith and Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams are serving two-game suspensions to begin the season.

It does strike us that the list is linebacker heavy but it’s hard to draw any conclusion why.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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