Center position takes double hit for New Orleans Saints
Times-Pic
One position became the "center of attention'' for Saints Coach Sean Payton at Monday's organized team activity.
Undrafted rookie free agent center Alex Fletcher of Stanford will be placed on reserve/retired due to medical reasons because of a career-threatening kidney condition, and backup center Nick Leckey underwent ankle surgery to remove bone spurs.
The Saints signed former University of Cincinnati center Digger Bujnoch, 6-5, 285, to fill Fletcher's roster spot. Bujnoch last went to training camp with the New York Giants. More on Bujnoch later.
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More on Fletcher
from Pat Y:
But recent medical exams determined Fletcher has only one kidney.
“He has one kidney and the one kidney he has needs some work,‘’ coach Sean Payton told the media Monday. "That becomes an immediate stop to playing football. I think he’s going to be done playing football."
How do you just find out a guy only has one kidney? Fletcher must have know and didn’t let the team know outta fear that they wouldn’t want him. If so, it was just a matter of time before they’d find out. Could Fletcher have not known? I don’t see how. I feel for the guy.
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jun 15, 2009 12:46 PM CDT reply actions
I don’t know about you, but I can’t exactly see my kidneys. :)
And yeah there are blood tests that can determine kidney function and such, so they were probably running some routine tests and ran across this result and went “oh crap”.
Yeah, but...
it’s unclear if he only has one kidney (as in the other was removed or he was born with only one) or if he has two but one is totally dysfunctional. The report says he “has only one.” My point was that there could be no way he could only have one present in his body and not know it. Over the course of his twenty-something years, a test surely would have discovered that. Now, if it’s a matter of one of his kidneys having totally shut down on him, I can see how he wouldn’t be aware of that.
It’s probably all water under the bridge anyway. He most likely wasn’t going to make the roster anyway. I wish him luck in whatever he goes on to do.
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jun 15, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I have
a buddy who only has one kidney, and he didn’t find out about it until he was hospitalized after an accident. If Fletcher never had any injuries or illnesses where they would have tested kidney functions or done ultrasounds to look at his kidneys it is quite possible he didn’t know. I personally went through a sudden kidney shutdown about 2 years ago, spent 7 days in ICU and had dialysis 5 times. I never had any kidney issues before that day, and they started working again while I was in the hospital. My guess is that the onset of some sort of kidney issue led to the discovery that Fletcher has but one, and until they can get it back working the way it should, if they even can, his football career is over.
Thanks for clarifying
I had no idea a person could go that long without finding out. Once again, my medical knowledge is proven to be lacking.
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jun 15, 2009 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions
It's better to lack medical knowledge than a kidney
…or a reliable backup center.
Fortunately, Leckey will be okay, and Nesbit is getting experience at center. I think we’ll be fine.
This is OUR year!
Coldpizza is apparently speechless over this turn of events ^ :-)
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jun 15, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions
How about LeCharles Bentley?
I know he’s retired after battling knee injuries that have sidelined him for most of the past three years, but there’s talk he may be looking to come back. He was a great player for the Saints from 2002-2004. It’s probably not worth it, but I wouldn’t mind seeing what he had left in the tank during training camp. Since Jamar Nesbit took reps at the center position today, they may plan to use him as a hybrid lineman who could play either guard or center.
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jun 15, 2009 3:01 PM CDT reply actions
Correction:
He was a great player for the Saints from 2002-2005.
New Orleans Saints
Bentley was drafted in the second round (44th overall) in the 2002 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints and was signed to a four year deal worth $2.95 million. He excelled at the guard position and started in 14 games. He was named Sports Illustrated ’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team. He made his NFL debut at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 8.
Bentley started in 13 games and earned a spot in the 2003 Pro Bowl.
In the 2004 season he moved back to his original center position and started in all 16 games, he went on to be voted as an alternate to the 2004 Pro Bowl at that position.
Bentley started 14 games at center in 2005 and was voted to the Pro Bowl again. He left the Saints saying he would rather sit out the season than play with them again.
After the hell all Saints players endured in 2005, I can understand how he may have felt that way then, but surely he wouldn’t feel that way now, would he?
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jun 15, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I just changed my mind
I just remembered the recent departure of Dan Morgan and suddenly the thought of bringing back a player out of retirement doesn’t seem so appealing.
Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
by David "Satch" Kelly on Jun 15, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Let me say this
If Digger Bujnoch is half as awesome on the field as he is at having a name, you guys are in luck.
Sign up for a free account today to join the discussion about all things Atlanta Falcons!
The best center the Saints ever had
judging solely by his name, would have to be Joe Wendryhoski. Where can you find a better center name than that?
This is OUR year!
the worst ...
Wimpy Winther. He’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Chris Hanburger today.
A few other center names worthy of mention:
Remi Prudhomme … Paul’s brother?
Kendall Gammon … Back’s uncle?
Jeff Uhlenhake … nicknamed the U-Boat for his 70 mph torpedo snaps.
Jim Pietrzak … lead singer of the Ides of March.
Kendyl Jacox … just a cool name, in general.
We really should do an all-time Saints team based on names alone.
digger
digger just dug a hole and shoved (insert name of guy that just got stuffed) into an early grave. i like that sound of that. thanks falconer, it is definetly a cool name lol.
Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D
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