It's been announced today that Jets outside linebacker Calvin Pace will be suspended for the first four games of the 2009 regular season for violating the NFL's "Policy on Performance Enhancing Substances." In a team-issued statement, Pace blames the failed drug test on an over-the-counter dietary substance:
"This is a situation that resulted from an over-the-counter dietary supplement that contained a substance that I did not know violated the League’s policy. I am responsible for what I put into my body and I should have paid closer attention to the League’s guidelines. 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."
I can't help but laugh at the final line from Pace's statement. The Jets winning the Super Bowl? I think he's using more than just performance-enhancing supplements, to be honest. Seriously, have you ever heard more cockiness from a team that didn't make the playoffs the previous year and whose quarterbacks have combined for just eight career NFL starts?
What this does mean is that Calvin Pace's first game of the '09 season will be on Monday Night Football in Miami against the Dolphins. So now we got another story line for a game that is already packed with story lines on October 12.