NFL Suspends Jets LB Pace for 4 Games

NFL News - July 4, 2009 - Written by Bruce

Calvin Pace has been suspended for the first 4 games of the 2009 NFL regular season. The Jets LB was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Pace will be allowed to participate in training camp and play in preseason games but will have to wait until Week 5 when the Jets play the Dolphins to make his 2009 regular season debut. Pace says that the suspension is due to an unidentified over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that he did not know was banned by the league. The Jets have said they respect the leagues decision and will look forward to Pace's return in Week 5.

This will be a big blow for new Head Coach Rex Ryan's defense as Pace led the Jets last year with 12 tackles for losses and had the second most sacks on the team with a career high 7. The Linebacker also tied for 5th in the NFL with five forced fumbles. The suspension is a big loss for the Jets defense which will leave them without one of their best defensive players for the 1st four games. Second year LB Vernon Gholston will likely replace Pace in the starting line up. Gholston was the 6th overall pick of the 2008 NFL draft out of Ohio State. He had a very poor rookie season having almost zero impact last year. Coach Ryan likes what he has seen from Gholton this off season and hopes he will be able to fill the void at Outside Linebacker until Pace's return.

The Jets acquired Pace before the 2008 season signing him to a 6 yr deal worth 42 million dollars. He had spent his first five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals who drafted him 18th in the 2003 NFL draft. Pace no doubt a big impact in his first season with the Jets and was looking forward playing under new Head Coach Rex Ryan who was previously the Defensive Coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. The Jets hope to avoid a poor start to the season, knowing Pace will be a big boost to the team when he returns from suspension.