If it's true that it was only for Adderall--and he had a legal prescription for it--I would hope the suspension would be lifted, regardless of what player and/or team it is. Yes, he should have known better and made sure it was OK officially through the League, but an oversight such as that is not worth of a four game suspension, in my opinion. I think , at worst, one game would be sufficient, if anything. A fine would likely be more appropriate. I think Neal has more than learned his lesson by now. If the NFL starts suspending players for 25% of the season for taking medications a licensed physician prescribed for a perceived medical disorder, then they're stepping over the line. Regardless of ones thoughts on the legitimacy of his disorder and the medication itself, the reality is that some people truly do benefit from this medication. It is not the NFL's place to place judgement on the reasoning of Neal taking the medication.

As I said, if Neal's side of the story is true, then I think four games is truly FAR too severe. Fine him heavily or suspend him one game, at most. PFT posted an article about another player that recently had a similar issue and the suspension was lifted upon appeal. Hopefully there's nothing else to the story and the same will happen with Neal. Regardless of whether he'll ever make an impact on this team, he deserves a chance to fight for a roster spot, given his story.

Originally Posted by: doddpower 

Giants running back Andre Brown said last week that his own four-game suspension for using Adderall was lifted on appeal. Neal said he’s hoping to win an appeal as well, and hoping that he’ll be on the field for Week One.

"PFT  wrote:

In the grand scheme of things, receiver Jerome Simpson escaped his conviction for receiving a large amount of pot at his home with a pop on the wrist.

He has a new job with the Vikings, he’s drawing rave reviews with his new team, he got a blink-and-you-missed-it jail sentence, and he officially has been suspended only three games by the NFL.

The league announced the decision today. Along with the suspension, Simpson will be fined a game check. Cont.

"PFT  wrote:

If Neal has a case, then the NFL has some adjustments to make.

If a player suffers from an issue such as ADD, then their medical staff should be aware of this. If that is the case, then the team and the NFL should have a mechanism in the policy to account for the substance in their system and still allow the player to be the one to determine if that should be public knowledge.

Not a testing program in which the player has no choice but to disclaim his condition to fight the testing process.

Now, if Neal has not disclosed his condition to the teams doctors, then I have little issue with the process escalating as such.

IMO, if the claims are true, his 4 game rip should be at minimum reduced.. but if it was a case where he didn't disclose it, then I think he should still at least serve a game.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

RT @ZachHeilprin: Mike Neal says he has been cleared by NFL to take Adderall for ADD. still not sure if he can appeal his suspension again.