Williamses’ suspensions blocked again

The Vikings received some good news on Thursday, although it may be temporary, when the suspensions to Kevin and Pat Williams were blocked. Plus, get other player notes.

DTs Kevin and Pat Williams have had their four-game suspensions stemming from their StarCaps case blocked by a judge. Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson scheduled a hearing for July 22 to decide if the proceedings should be put on hold while a federal appeals court looks at other issues related to the case, according to The Associated Press. The Williamses have not been accused of taking steroids, but StarCaps is a banned diuretic that can be used to mask steroid in the system.

“Today’s decision, which effectively exempts two players from the NFL-NFLPA collectively bargained program, further illustrates the critical importance of a uniform policy for all teams in the league and why this matter should be governed exclusively by federal law,” read a statement issued by NFL- spokesman Greg Aiello. “The Court’s interim decision regarding the suspensions has no immediate practical impact since the suspensions will not take effect until the beginning of the regular season in September. In the meantime, our appeal to the United States Court of Appeals, which argues that the players’ state claims are barred by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, should be resolved before the start of the season.”

The Vikings have signed two of their five draft picks. Fifth-round linebacker Jasper Brinkley and seventh-round safety Jamarca Sanford both have received four-year deals.

Vikings left guard Steve Hutchinson was named to an NFL all-decade team by NFL.com. Hutchinson, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, and Alan Faneca were the two offensive guards.

Vikings coach Brad Childress on what he told quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels about the potential arrival of Brett Favre in Minnesota. “I said to them that you know what? ‘You can’t know (what’s going to happen) because (Favre) doesn’t know and I don’t know. But it would be a bad deal for you not to do anything over the summer,’” Childress said on KFAN Radio in the Twin Cities. “In the last couple seasons here, somewhere, somehow, the same thing I told Tarvaris last year, ‘We’re going to need you.’ Gus (Frerotte) went down (in 2008, Jackson) was able to come in and help us win a couple of football games. You look at it now. Sixty odd starting quarterbacks two years ago in the National Football League (were used), whether it’s for a play, a series, a game, a couple games, you need all those guys. You need all 53 guys on your roster.”

While there has been talk that Favre was a less-than-ideal teammate with the Jets last season, in part because he did not dress in the locker room, Childress has no such concerns. “I talked to (former Vikings fullback) Tony Richardson, who was his teammate at the Jets, and he had nothing but great things to say about him,” Childress said. “Did I get into did he have a separate locker? It’s hard for me to see that and, of course, I know how Winter Park is set up. I think he’ll be a great locker room guy. He’s probably one of the better practical jokers out there over the course of 16 years (in Green Bay) and he’s not afraid to give it to anybody. I think he’ll be a tremendous teammate as well.”

The Vikings released three rookie free agents they signed after the draft. The list includes quarterback Sean Glennon, offensive lineman Bobby Lepori and tight end Nick Walker.