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]

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Ruff and Huff, Enuff of this Stuff.

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

That IS funny B&B. Where\'s my smiley? LOL :P

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Hodge is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games, but must leave the team Sept. 5.

The suspension will cost him four game checks of $36,941 each for a total loss of $147,764. The four-game suspension indicates that it is either a second or third violation of the league\'s policy, both of which can carry a four-game suspension with loss of pay.

The earliest he can be reinstated is Oct. 4, six days before the Saints\' home game against Tampa Bay.

Third-year man James Allen, who was battling Hodge for a starting spot, will assume the starting role. Allen has worked with the first-team defense throughout training camp. Allen subbed for Rodgers at weak-side linebacker in the 2003 season opener against Seattle. He has started two games in two seasons.

Hodge was unavailable for comment Friday. He accompanied the team on its afternoon flight to Green Bay, Wis., for Saturday night\'s exhibition game against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Hodge\'s agent, Brian Mackler, also could not be reached for comment.

Hodge had a hearing July 27 to appeal the suspension, but the appeal was denied.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Huff and Ruff? Terrible mistake.
Remember that old kids show H.R. Puffnstuff? With all those ffffffffffs I can\'t help but conclude that it means Huff & Ruff Puffnstuff and we don\'t want our players to be puffing stuff, now do we? Look at Ricky.
Huff can stay in the pacific North West.

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

I would like to take time to congradulate James Allen on winning the strong side line backer spot. By withstanding the urges of pot, steriods, or crack, James Allen has blown away the competition and assumes the starting role.

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Maybe now Hodge will be cut to make room for guys who actually are team players!

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

I doubt they\'ll cut him. The team has known about this for a while now. Besides, see the Quincy Carter debate. I\'m not sure they could cut him if they wanted to...not for failing a drug test anyway.

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

Allen would have won the starting spot anyway. Hodge will be back after the suspension and he can still practice with the team, so he won\'t lose much. Look\'s like Bockwoldt is slowly getting an opening to make this roster, if only in a backup role. I think after the preseason game this kid had he deserves a fair shot. I don\'t care if the tackles he makes or ugly or he needs to develop more upper body strength, the guy finds a way to make tackles.

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

A mediocre player doesn\'t have the right to be a junkie. He\'s using a roster spot.

.02

Saints linebacker suspended for four games
 

That\'s right B - thanks for setting it straight. ;)

Smith is a guy that no matter what always seems to be one of our 3 best LBs. Now, that\'s obviously not saying a whole lot, but the guy won\'t go away. Seems to me with Ruff and Watson, now is as good a time as any to move Cie (I only have one leg) Grant outside.

I didn\'t expect Hodge to do much this season, I think he\'s a bust... but it\'s always bad to lose a starter and depth.