Florida Felons

[BigPapaVol]

Originally Posted by lawgator1

If, on the other hand, you prefer to simply say that a number of UF's players have character issues in general, I am tempted to agree. I don't like it, but its the way it is these days at all of the major schools given the unfortunate backgrounds of so many of the players.

Interesting wording choice. Almost a built in excuse. It's amazing that all of those Americans languishing through the Great Depression didn't even remotely approach the behavior being shown in NCAA sports programs. I'd say their circumstances were unfortunate. I guess rationalization is just your knee-jerk reaction.

[Fine Vol]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

Interesting wording choice. Almost a built in excuse. It's amazing that all of those Americans languishing through the Great Depression didn't even remotely approach the behavior being shown in NCAA sports programs. I'd say their circumstances were unfortunate. I guess rationalization is just your knee-jerk reaction.

[lawgator1]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

Interesting wording choice. Almost a built in excuse. It's amazing that all of those Americans languishing through the Great Depression didn't even remotely approach the behavior being shown in NCAA sports programs. I'd say their circumstances were unfortunate. I guess rationalization is just your knee-jerk reaction.

Actually, no. I was trying to be a-political and non-controversial in referencing the fact that some of these players, who often come from very bad upbringings and poor conditions, would never be college students but for football.

The college game at this level is not interested in the scholar-athlete. They are interested in the athlete, regardless of circumstances. I'm not in any way excusing criminalk behavior. I'm just saying its the way it is right now, and that's true everywhere.

You want to field a team of middle and upper class kids with two-parent homes and no gangs, good grades, etc.? You'll have the team with the highest GPA, sure, but you'll go 0-8 in the SEC every year.

[Fine Vol]

Originally Posted by lawgator1

Actually, no. I was trying to be a-political and non-controversial in referencing the fact that some of these players, who often come from very bad upbringings and poor conditions, would never be college students but for football.

The college game at this level is not interested in the scholar-athlete. They are interested in the athlete, regardless of circumstances. I'm not in any way excusing criminalk behavior. I'm just saying its the way it is right now, and that's true everywhere.

You want to field a team of middle and upper class kids with two-parent homes and no gangs, good grades, etc.? You'll have the team with the highest GPA, sure, but you'll go 0-8 in the SEC every year.

Vandy is not 0-8.

[BigPapaVol]

Originally Posted by lawgator1

Actually, no. I was trying to be a-political and non-controversial in referencing the fact that some of these players, who often come from very bad upbringings and poor conditions, would never be college students but for football.

The college game at this level is not interested in the scholar-athlete. They are interested in the athlete, regardless of circumstances. I'm not in any way excusing criminalk behavior. I'm just saying its the way it is right now, and that's true everywhere.

You want to field a team of middle and upper class kids with two-parent homes and no gangs, good grades, etc.? You'll have the team with the highest GPA, sure, but you'll go 0-8 in the SEC every year.

I never talked about GPAs and upbringing, that's yours. I'm talking about kids with some discipline who actually believe laws are to be followed and coaches willing to let players go who can't seem to abide by the law. It would impact all programs to some degree and would be a positive step for college athletics.

[lawgator1]

Originally Posted by Fine Vol

Vandy is not 0-8.

Because even they have relaxed their allegiance to the usual criteria for admission in favor of being competitive.

[lawgator1]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

I never talked about GPAs and upbringing, that's yours. I'm talking about kids with some discipline who actually believe laws are to be followed and coaches willing to let players go who can't seem to abide by the law. It would impact all programs to some degree and would be a positive step for college athletics.

I agree with you, but unless every school would simultaneously and truly change its philosophy on the subject, no one school will.

[Fine Vol]

LAW look at golf thread and see if you agree.

[kbutler]

No stones being thrown from my way. The way I see it, we're lucky with everyday that passes in the offseason that we don't appear on the front page. I hate this time of year... as much as I hate the few idiots that "Pacman it up" for the rest of us.

Having said that, "Herben" Meyer is one of the funniest things I've read in a while, even given the unpleasant overall circumstance.

[BigPapaVol]

Originally Posted by lawgator1

I agree with you, but unless every school would simultaneously and truly change its philosophy on the subject, no one school will.

Fair enough, but this comment is a far cry from the rationalization stuff in your earlier threads.

[lawgator1]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

Fair enough, but this comment is a far cry from the rationalization stuff in your earlier threads.

It is a rationalization, but it is one that every school has made to justify enrolling "students" that they would otherwise never consider. Now that it is the norm, us fans have the pleasure of shaking our heads this time of year as these guys get caught doing their naughty off field things, knowing that come October we will be screaming and high fiving with our friends the same players' spectacular play.

The hipocrisy of the system is outmatched only by that of the fans who criticize it.

[sjt18]

Originally Posted by lawgator1

If, on the other hand, you prefer to simply say that a number of UF's players have character issues in general, I am tempted to agree. I don't like it, but its the way it is these days at all of the major schools given the unfortunate backgrounds of so many of the players.

Not necessarily or haven't you been watching the much despised CPF lately? He's booted players who probably would have resulted in at least more respect from the preseason writers this year. He punished McNeil more for drinking beer than Meyer has guys with serious crimes.

The good news for us is that this stuff doesn't take all that long to build up and cause problems within the program- witness UT Vols 05.

BTW, the problem isn't just that the guys are getting into trouble with the law. The problem is that UF and particularly Meyer seem to be trying to minimize the issues so they can keep them on the field. The issue with the WCU suspension last year makes an excellent example.

[sjt18]

Originally Posted by lawgator1

The hipocrisy of the system is outmatched only by that of the fans who criticize it.

The REAL hypocrisy is cheering and supporting a coach that doesn't deal with it aggressively... especially at a top name school that doesn't "need" those guys to start with.

[sjt18]

Originally Posted by lawgator1

The college game at this level is not interested in the scholar-athlete. They are interested in the athlete, regardless of circumstances. I'm not in any way excusing criminalk behavior. I'm just saying its the way it is right now, and that's true everywhere.

.

Is that why Fulmer kicked his starting safety off the team for failing to attend classes as he'd been told or maybe why Coker wasn't allowed to do bowl prep last year until he took care of some academic issues?

[kptvol]

Originally Posted by sjt18

The REAL hypocrisy is cheering and supporting a coach that doesn't deal with it aggressively... especially at a top name school that doesn't "need" those guys to start with.

Fulmer didn't start dealing with his guys strictly until recently. When UT became a national discipline joke and Fulmer's job became less secure, he stepped up his discipline.