Saints linebacker suspended for four games

GumboBC · 08-20-2004, 12:59 PM

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.

Link

Danno · 08-20-2004, 01:01 PM

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.

BlackandBlue · 08-20-2004, 01:06 PM

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

GumboBC · 08-20-2004, 01:10 PM

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..

Danno · 08-20-2004, 01:21 PM

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?

GumboBC · 08-20-2004, 01:24 PM

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?

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

BlackandBlue · 08-20-2004, 01:29 PM

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

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.

Danno · 08-20-2004, 01:30 PM

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?

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

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.

Danno · 08-20-2004, 01:33 PM

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?

BlackandBlue · 08-20-2004, 01:37 PM

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]

08-20-2004, 12:59 PM	#1
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	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. Link
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616

08-20-2004, 01:01 PM	#2
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	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.

08-20-2004, 01:06 PM	#3
BlackandBlue Kinder, gentler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,889	Saints linebacker suspended for four games I sit here with absolutely no suprise whatsoever. (Still looking for the saintfan smiley)

08-20-2004, 01:10 PM	#4
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	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..
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616

08-20-2004, 01:21 PM	#5
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	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?

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08-20-2004, 01:24 PM	#6
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	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? 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
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616

08-20-2004, 01:29 PM	#7
BlackandBlue Kinder, gentler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,889	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. 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.

08-20-2004, 01:30 PM	#8
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	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? 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 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.

08-20-2004, 01:33 PM	#9
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	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?

08-20-2004, 01:37 PM	#10
BlackandBlue Kinder, gentler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: dirty south Posts: 3,889	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]