The New York Jets will be without starting linebacker Calvin Pace for the first four games of the regular season as Pace was suspended on Thursday for violating the league’s performance-enhancing policy.
Pace blamed the failed test on an over-the-counter dietary supplement. “I am responsible for what I put into my body, and I should have paid closer attention to the league’s guidelines,” he said. “I regret that this has happened and apologize to my teammates, the entire Jets organization as well as the fans. Hopefully, this does not distract from our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl.” New York is a 45-1 longshot in NFL odds at the sportsbook to win Super Bowl XLIV
Pace will still be at training camp and can play in preseason games. He will miss the first four regular season games so he can’t return until October. The loss of Pace is definitely going to hurt the Jets early in the season. He was second on the Jets with 7 sacks and he also had 80 tackles and forced a team-high 5 fumbles as NFL betting statistics show. It will be important for linebacker Vernon Gholston who the Jets drafted highly last year to get things figured out. He struggled as a rookie last year and had only 13 tackles for the year as NFL betting statistics tell us.
The Jets have a new head coach this season and Rex Ryan is all about defense. Losing Pace was not the way he wanted to begin. The Jets do have some new players on defense including linebacker Bart Scott, safety Jim Leonhard, defensive end Marques Douglas and cornerback Lito Sheppard. NFL betting information shows that the two outside linebackers were expected to be Pace and Bryan Thomas
Suspensions are nothing new for the Jets. NFL odds information shows that last season rookie quarterback Erik Ainge and running back Jesse Chatman were suspended. It has definitely become important for NFL players to understand what they are taking. The NFL recommends players don’t take any supplements.
“For your own health, and the success in the League, we strongly encourage you to avoid the use of supplements altogether,” the NFL’s official policy states.
The Jets are not considered a serious contender in the AFC this season in NFL betting odds at the online sportsbook but they could be a surprise if quarterback Mark Sanchez plays well. Losing a starting linebacker definitely doesn’t help them as they start the 2009 season though.