News (Media Awareness Project) - US WI: Wire: Packers' Hollinquest Suspended Four Games |
Title: | US WI: Wire: Packers' Hollinquest Suspended Four Games |
Published On: | 1999-08-06 |
Source: | Associated Press |
Fetched On: | 2008-09-06 00:22:28 |
PACKERS' HOLLINQUEST SUSPENDED FOUR GAMES
Some light was shed on the unusual circumstances of Lamont Hollinquest's
departure from the Kansas City Chiefs last month when the NFL announced
Thursday that Hollinquest will be suspended for violating the league's
substance abuse policy.
Hollinquest, who re-signed with the Packers on Tuesday, will miss Green
Bay's first four games.
After three seasons in Green Bay, he left the Packers in March to sign a
two-year, $1.6 million free-agent contract with the Chiefs, but Kansas City
placed him on waivers him July 21. Hollinquest said he was informed of the
decision by a letter in the mail.
Most of his Green Bay teammates were unaware of his suspension. As word
filtered through training camp, there was growing concern about the team's
depth at linebacker.
In addition to Hollinquest's suspension, fellow backup Jude Waddy will miss
the season's first two games while completing a suspension he received last
season for steroid use.
That leaves Anthony Davis, a starter at Kansas City last season who was
signed last week, as the only depth behind starters George Koonce, Bernardo
Harris and Brian Williams.
"We've got some young guys that are fighting for a backup spot," linebackers
coach Johnny Holland said. "Hopefully, one of them can step up and shine
this training camp and try to help us."
Hollinquest left practice without speaking to reporters. In an article
published Thursday, he told the Green Bay Press-Gazette he refused the
Chiefs' request he take additional treatment beyond what is prescribed in
the league's substance-abuse program.
Chiefs spokesman Pete Moris said the team refuses to comment on former players.
"(Hollinquest) will miss the first four regular-season games," league
spokesman Gregg Aiello said. "He can participate in training camp and the
preseason games, but he cannot play in the regular season until after the
Packers' fourth game (Oct. 10 against Tampa Bay).
"He will then be eligible to rejoin the team."
The NFL did not specify the substance for which Hollinquest tested positive.
The Packers are not allowed to comment on the specifics of Hollinquest's
case because of confidentiality rules related to the league's
substance-abuse policy.
Hollinquest confirmed to the Press-Gazette he tested positive twice over a
short span of time this spring, prompting the suspension.
"People make mistakes," he said.
Backup guard Joe Andruzzi went down holding his right knee during a drill in
training camp.
He was scheduled to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam today. But
judging from the time Andruzzi spent on the turf and the care with which the
trainers removed him on a motorized cart, the outlook isn't good.
"Right now, we don't have any conclusive information about the injury,"
coach Ray Rhodes said. "We'll know more about it, and the prognosis, after
the MRI has been completed."
Offensive tackle Jamie Wilson was acquired from Carolina for an undisclosed
future draft choice. Used as a guard and tackle by the Panthers, Wilson, 6
feet 6, 300 pounds, played at Marshall before making the Carolina roster as
a free-agent rookie in 1997. He didn't play in any games.
Some light was shed on the unusual circumstances of Lamont Hollinquest's
departure from the Kansas City Chiefs last month when the NFL announced
Thursday that Hollinquest will be suspended for violating the league's
substance abuse policy.
Hollinquest, who re-signed with the Packers on Tuesday, will miss Green
Bay's first four games.
After three seasons in Green Bay, he left the Packers in March to sign a
two-year, $1.6 million free-agent contract with the Chiefs, but Kansas City
placed him on waivers him July 21. Hollinquest said he was informed of the
decision by a letter in the mail.
Most of his Green Bay teammates were unaware of his suspension. As word
filtered through training camp, there was growing concern about the team's
depth at linebacker.
In addition to Hollinquest's suspension, fellow backup Jude Waddy will miss
the season's first two games while completing a suspension he received last
season for steroid use.
That leaves Anthony Davis, a starter at Kansas City last season who was
signed last week, as the only depth behind starters George Koonce, Bernardo
Harris and Brian Williams.
"We've got some young guys that are fighting for a backup spot," linebackers
coach Johnny Holland said. "Hopefully, one of them can step up and shine
this training camp and try to help us."
Hollinquest left practice without speaking to reporters. In an article
published Thursday, he told the Green Bay Press-Gazette he refused the
Chiefs' request he take additional treatment beyond what is prescribed in
the league's substance-abuse program.
Chiefs spokesman Pete Moris said the team refuses to comment on former players.
"(Hollinquest) will miss the first four regular-season games," league
spokesman Gregg Aiello said. "He can participate in training camp and the
preseason games, but he cannot play in the regular season until after the
Packers' fourth game (Oct. 10 against Tampa Bay).
"He will then be eligible to rejoin the team."
The NFL did not specify the substance for which Hollinquest tested positive.
The Packers are not allowed to comment on the specifics of Hollinquest's
case because of confidentiality rules related to the league's
substance-abuse policy.
Hollinquest confirmed to the Press-Gazette he tested positive twice over a
short span of time this spring, prompting the suspension.
"People make mistakes," he said.
Backup guard Joe Andruzzi went down holding his right knee during a drill in
training camp.
He was scheduled to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam today. But
judging from the time Andruzzi spent on the turf and the care with which the
trainers removed him on a motorized cart, the outlook isn't good.
"Right now, we don't have any conclusive information about the injury,"
coach Ray Rhodes said. "We'll know more about it, and the prognosis, after
the MRI has been completed."
Offensive tackle Jamie Wilson was acquired from Carolina for an undisclosed
future draft choice. Used as a guard and tackle by the Panthers, Wilson, 6
feet 6, 300 pounds, played at Marshall before making the Carolina roster as
a free-agent rookie in 1997. He didn't play in any games.
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