Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Saints linebacker suspended for four games

11:44 AM CDT on Friday, August 20, 2004


WWLTV.com



The expected starter at outside linebacker for the New Orleans Saints was suspended for the first four games of the regular season on Friday morning.


According to team spokesman Greg Bensel, Sedrick Hodge was suspended without pay after he violated the NFL Substance Abuse Policy.


The exact nature of the violations was not released.


Bensel said Hodge's suspension begins on Sunday, September 5, and he is expected to return after the October 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals.


Until that time, Hodge remains eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games.


Hodge was battling James Allen for one of the starting spots at outside linebacker.

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Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Uh-Oh.
Not good news at all.
We now have one and only one SLB for the 1st 4 games.
Does Darren Smith play SLB?
I also suspect this may be the final nail in his coffin.
I look for the Saints to sign a vet SLB among the final cuts.

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

I sit here with absolutely no suprise whatsoever. (Still looking for the saintfan smiley)

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

You know, sometimes things just have a way of woking themselves out. Maybe Hodge was going to develop into a great player?? On the other hand, he\'s been slow in developing. Yeah, I know he was injured last season, but this will give someone else a chance. And it will give James Allen the majority playing time and it will answer whether or not he can get the job done.

If Haslett can\'t make the right decisions, maybe there\'s a higher power at work here.. ;)

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Wasn\'t it WhoDat that complained about moving Darren Smith inside when his best years were as an OLB.

Can Darren Smith play SLB? Has he played it before?

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Yeah, he\'s played there. But man, I don\'t even want Darren Smith on this team. Much less starting at WLB. Not even as a backup. He is way past his prime, IMO.

And no... I don\'t need his leadership skills either.. :P

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

I think you are thinking about Clemons, and how WhoDat always questioned why, and deservedly so, he was pushed into the MLB spot, when he played better on the outside.

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Well somethings gotta give. According to our depth chart we have 3 MLB, 5 WLB and now 1 SLB.

And that one SLB is James (3rd year) Allen.

I guess that idea about dropping Will Smith back as a SLB is looking more and more attractive.

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

I remember now. It was the BUCK LB position that both Clemmons and D. Smith did well at. Its what they were hinting Will Smith would see some of.

Any SLB\'s looking for work? Other than Sedrick?

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Slim pickens.

Too bad Seattle resigned Orlando Huff. Then we could have had Huff and Ruff :P

:(

Oh comeon, that\'s humorous...

:casstet:

****, I need sleep.

[Edited on 20/8/2004 by BlackandBlue]