National Football League

Coughlin upset over Sash suspension

Published Aug. 1, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin feels the NFL didn't use common sense in suspending safety Tyler Sash for a violation of the league's performance enhancing drug policy.

The league announced the suspension Tuesday, saying Sash would be ineligible for the first four games of the season.

Sash said he took a prescription drug (Adderall) while under a doctor's care for an anxiety condition in March, having no idea it was banned by NFL policy. The league denied his appeal.

Coughlin defended his second-year player Wednesday after a rain-shortened practice at the University at Albany.

''This kid really had no intention of doing anything illegal,'' Coughlin said. ''I know what the definition of the rule is and understand all about that and been there myself when you have had to ask yourself ... sometimes you think maybe common sense needs to be involved in this.

''I feel bad for the kid.''

Coughlin said Sash takes everything he has and puts it into the game, adding he has never had an issue with him.

''He doesn't need any watchdog over him,'' Coughlin said. ''Ignorance is not an excuse for the law, I understand. But if he knows what is expected, he does it.''

A league spokesmen had no comment on Coughlin's statement.

Giants running back Andre Brown appealed a suspension earlier this year for using Adderall for a diagnosed case of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The league overturned the suspension.

Sash was surprised the league upheld his suspension, adding the league did not explain its reasoning.

''I had a prescription and, you know, things happen,'' Sash said. ''Again, I guess the league looked at my situation differently from Andre's and now I've got to deal with this.''

Notes: The Giants' first full-pads practice lasted about 60 minutes before the threat of lightning forced the team indoors. After waiting 35 minutes for the weather to pass, the team held a walk-through in the college gym ... Tom Coughlin is unsure whether the collective bargaining agreement reached last year allows him to make up for time lost to bad weather. ... LB Keith Rivers returned to practice after missing time with a hamstring injury. And LB Michael Boley is still out with a hamstring problem. ... OT James Brewer (back) and LB Jake Muassau (hamstring) were also out, along with DE Justin Trattou (ankle). ... CB Terrell Thomas, who injured his ACL for the third time, is in California getting another medical opinion.