Randall Posted September 4, 2005 Share Posted September 4, 2005 Saturday, September 3, 2005 Clemons suspended for substance abuse violation By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Duane Clemons, a 10th-year veteran who started 14 games in 2004, has been suspended for the season's first four games for a repeat violation of the league's substance abuse policy. Clemons By definition the four-game suspension, handed down by the league, means that Clemons has twice tested positive in the program. The NFL and the Bengals offered no explanation for the suspension, citing the confidentiality policies that are part of the program. Clemons will forfeit $294,117 of his scheduled 2005 base salary of $1.25 million. Clemons, 31, will be eligible to return for the Oct. 9 game at Jacksonville. Under parameters of the substance abuse program, Clemons can attend meetings and also lift weights during the suspension, but cannot even watch the team practice. A significant player for the Bengals last season, Clemons dropped out of the starting lineup at the outset of training camp when he was supplanted by second-year end Robert Geathers. Even before that, Clemons drew the ire of Bengals coach Marvin Lewis by skipping much of the team's offseason conditioning program. Still, Clemons was a part of Cincinnati's defensive end rotation and the suspension is a setback for the front seven, particularly given his consistency as a pass-rusher. The former University of California player, a first-round choice of the Vikings in 1996, was signed by the Bengals as a free agent in 2003 after he was released by Kansas City. In two seasons with Cincinnati, he has appeared in 30 games, and started in 27 of them, posting 140 tackles, 12 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles. In stops with Minnesota (1996-1999), Kansas City (2000-2002) and Cincinnati (2003-2004), Clemons has 443 tackles, 47 1/2 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 15 pass deflections. Clemons has started in 86 of his 132 career appearances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admtahoe Posted September 4, 2005 Share Posted September 4, 2005 All of these guys take enhancements of some sort. Who really cares? I say let em do what they want to their bodies and play ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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