Saints linebacker suspended for four games

GumboBC · 08-20-2004, 11:59 AM

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

Saintsin04 · 08-20-2004, 03:03 PM

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

saintfan · 08-20-2004, 03:10 PM

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.

CheramieIII · 08-20-2004, 04:15 PM

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.

Chuck · 08-20-2004, 02:19 PM

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.

no_cloning · 08-20-2004, 01:14 PM

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.

Danno · 08-20-2004, 12:41 PM

Ruff and Huff, Enuff of this Stuff.

saintfan · 08-20-2004, 12:52 PM

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

saintfan · 08-20-2004, 12:59 PM

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

BlackandBlue · 08-20-2004, 12:37 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, 11:59 AM	#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, 03:03 PM	#2
Saintsin04 Registered Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 68	Saints linebacker suspended for four games Maybe now Hodge will be cut to make room for guys who actually are team players!
Saintsin04 Registered Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 68

08-20-2004, 03:10 PM	#3
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	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.

08-20-2004, 04:15 PM	#4
CheramieIII Fan Since 1967 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nomad Posts: 7,489 Blog Entries: 3	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.

08-20-2004, 02:19 PM	#5
Chuck 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 140	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.
Chuck 100th Post Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 140

08-20-2004, 01:14 PM	#6
no_cloning 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 249	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.
no_cloning 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 249

08-20-2004, 12:41 PM	#7
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,747	Saints linebacker suspended for four games Ruff and Huff, Enuff of this Stuff.

08-20-2004, 12:52 PM	#8
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Saints linebacker suspended for four games That IS funny B&B. Where\'s my smiley? LOL :P

08-20-2004, 12:59 PM	#9
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	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
	C'mon Man...

08-20-2004, 12:37 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]