AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIt’s Free-Wheeling Friday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re going to start a new tradition here on the old college football blog. On “Free-wheeling Friday” we just might talk about anything. And you do the same. If you want to step outside the world of college football, feel free. Just don’t wander too far away.
Today, for example, there are three things that I really wonder about:
1. Can Terrelle Pryor possibly be that good? The young man from Jeannette, Pa., is making his victory tour around schools that are still vying for his services. He is showing up at college basketball games where the crowds are going absolutely nuts and chanting his name.
I’m not trying to be an old fogey here but, having raised a teenager, I have to ask: Can that kind of adoration possibly be healthy for somebody who is 18 years old? And how will Mr. Jeannette react the first time that same crowd turns on him when he makes a mistake in a big game? In other words, if you crank up the hype machine to this kind of level, can you possibly live up to it?
All I know is that Jimmy Clausen, last year’s golden child in recruiting, showed up to make his announcement (that he was going to Notre Dame) in a stretch limo. Unless Clausen wins a national championship, that will be the lasting image people have of him.
2. Can coaches be objective when it comes to discipline? I wrote yesterday about how difficult it is to handle bad behavior by college athletes, particularly when the law is violated. One of the inherent problems is that the head coach has a conflict of interest in this area. He is in charge of disciplining the student athletes in his program, but at the same time he has a huge financial stake in keeping these men on the field. Back in the old days when coaches were not multi-millionaires, it was a little easier to stand on principle.
Some schools have kicked around the idea of taking discipline out of the hands of head coaches when the rule of law is involved. If a guy misses curfew, doesn’t go to class or misses practices, that’s up to the coach. He would be in charge of everything football related. If the police get involved, then the university takes over. Coaches would not like that because they are, my nature, control freaks. But it may be necessary.
3. Does Les Miles know that he is making a bad situation worse? First there were media reports that LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux would not take part in spring practice because of his most recent suspension. Then the school comes back and says “not so fast, my friend. That story is not true.” So then reporters ask coach Les Miles for a clarification. His response? “I’m not saying.”
Here is the problem that most coaches don’t seem to understand. Miles has every right to handle discipline within the confines of his program. But the response to allegedly bad information-that Perrilloux is being suspended for the spring-is not to shut down ALL information. You replace bad information with good information. Now the entire spring practice is going to be dominated by this story. There could be 100 great stories coming out of spring practice at LSU but nobody is going to care.
Does Miles owe a complete explanation to the media on this? Absolutely not. But a college football program is like a political campaign. If you don’t control the message others will control it for you. In today’s media culture, an information vacuum is going to be filled by something-and it is usually bad information.
See you Monday.
Comments
By Roswell Ed
February 29, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
All these coaches need to wear a
WWTTD? bracelet,
What would Tommy Tubberville do?
That would solve all their problems.
Kids would graduate and be responsible citizens.
Problem solved!
By WWTTD?
February 29, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Tommy T would place the kid in a PE major where text books are not necessary.
By JB
February 29, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
This bad boy at LSU WILL start next year.Book it.A second string lineman, no, this guy, yes. ANY BETS ?
By Dr. Who
February 29, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
My question today is which SEC team is gonna whomp the Buckeyes in a bowl this year? I’m gonna guess Ole Siss.
By Roswell Ed
February 29, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
WWTTD:
If that’s the worst thing you can make up about Tubs then that sez a lot about his high character.
By Bamafan
February 29, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Les Miles is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. The lsu QB will start the season and will play in the sec championship game, if Auburn does win the west. Want bama fans and Mal Moore need to do is to find a mens baketball coach and womens baketball coach. The programs are in last place and sinking fast!! As for the bama football program, start passing the hat around for bail money!! PAROLE TIDE!! JUST KIDDING BAMA FANS!!
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
February 29, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Can we all agree that politics and religion are excluded from Free-Wheeling Friday?
By shane #1
February 29, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
1-sometimes a man is worth all the hype,lebron james,sometimes not,ryan leaf.2-schools have already taken things out of the coach’s hands,in some matters.at uga if any student has two offenses relating to drinking they are suspended for two semisters,neither of which can be summer.hebron was suspended last year by uga,not richt..3-i don’t blame les{is realy less}miles for shunning the media.espn forced him to turn down his dream job at his alma mater.he did not want to leave his team in a lurch when they were in line for a bcs championship,or look like a liar.unlike some other coachs,miles was honest with lsu about his desire to coach at michigan.he even had it written in his contract.i give him credit for that.have we gotten to the point that a coach that just won it all has to worry about his job if he suspends a kid that needs it?i certainly hope not!
By dakid
February 29, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
You guys hold Tommy Tubs up like he is a saint. What about his constant job lusting. What about how he left the kids at Ole Miss. After telling them before the Egg Bowl that he wouldn’t leave. He’s a snake. Several and I mean several guys got into incidents while he was coach there, one guy shot someone, and nary a suspension. So WWTTD isn’t something coach’s should follow.
By reservoirDAWG
February 29, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
WWTTD, that is the stupidest acronym I’ve ever heard.
By Ramblin Wrecker
February 29, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
It’s funny about the LSU thing. That story that Perrilloux had been suspended indefinitely has been out there for a while (in terms of news cycles). Why is it just now being rebuffed by LSU? Sometimes blatant honesty is best. Just see the Clemens/Pettite situation. One guy is on the brink of being investigated by the FBI and being villified in the media. The other is heading to pitch in spring training, and with seemingly a lot of public sympathy.
Just say Perrilloux violated blank. He will/won’t be at spring practice. He will/won’t be a part of the team. Done. Answer some questions about it, then move on. Tony is right, nothing about the way this is handled makes any sense.
To me this Pryor kid is going to be the biggest flop in college football history. First of all, he played at the single A level in PA. His competition can’t be that great. He’s a big fish, small pond guy who is milking this decision as if he’s running for president. No 18 year old kid is worth all this media attention. What’s he going to do when he shows up for his first college practice and the Seniors shove him in a barrell and say “you aint the big fish here rookie.”? I think he’s setting himself up for a huge fall, and I don’t mean fall in the pumpkins and red leaves sense.
By BullDawg Rick
February 29, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Will Logan Gray become Hines Ward reincarnated??
With the very early comitments these days, Prior is really milking the process… Has the NCAA entertained further the idea of early signing like they do for Basketball??
By m
February 29, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
The good news is that Tech will have discipline now that we have a quality coach. We used to have discipline under another quality coach, George O’leary. But then the worst mistake in the history of Tech happened….the hiring of the worst coach in the history of the NCAA, Chandler Gailey. Tech had no discipline under Gailey and squandered what could have been and should have been some of the best years of Tech football. THANK GOD AND GREYHOUND that he is GONE!!! Hallleeeedamlooooyah!!
By shane #1
February 29, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
BullDawg Rick,what would meyer do if they had an early signing day?as to logan gray,we have plenty of wrs and just three qbs,so i don’t think he will be switched to wr.how about throwing to him for a wr pass?with a more experenced o line,a junior qb,and everybody keying on moreno,i look for more trick plays this year.
By KR
February 29, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
*Roswell Ed8: really, you have to lay off the Tuberville worship. His departure from Ol Misss was hardly an example of virtue. It was more like Saban from the Dolphins and Petrino from the Falcons.
He has done some things right and some things wrong, much like all of the other coaches in college football.
The Lowder jet incident does not absolve Tommy of his past.
WAR EAGLE!
By reservoirDAWG
February 29, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Very good points Shane.
By BullDawg Rick
February 29, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Shane…
There is an article in the AJC today & it quotes CMR stating that he’d like to get Gray on the field, as he’s the most athletic of the QB’s & will burn a RFr season waiting on Stafford..
I shoulda made the early signing another paragraph… But..
At the NCAA meetings there was discussions to have an early signing period for football, as they do in hoops.. Was hoping Tony might offer a followup… IMO.. Would be a great idea.. Get the kid locked while they enjoy their HS sr season & not have all the preferrial BS…
By Gen Neyland
February 29, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
From the Grapevine : Perrilloux’s father passed away 07FEB…He left school to be with family and attend services without informing coaches, etc…The word is he is going to class and following rules, with the above exception. Now, I’d have to say that whatever he did to pi$$ off Miles had to be a bit more serious than to leave school for his Dad’s services…But for possible Fulmer Cup points, inquiring minds want to know…
By Matt
February 29, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
You’re not much good at paying attention, are you? Clausen wasn’t “last year’s golden child in recruiting.” He committed to Notre Dame in the spring of 2006 and enrolled in the spring of 2007. Since then ND has gotten the commitment of another QB, Dayne Crist.
Would you like help remembering last year’s BCS champ?
By D1 Parent
February 29, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
1 - Let the kid make up his own mind…is he playing various schools against one another for attention, possibly? Or is he just having a hard time making a HUGH lifetime decision. The recruiting junkies are never happy, “committed too early”, “soft-committment changed their mind” and now “no committment”. Leave the guy alone and let him make a decision.
2 - The NCAA attempts to regulate all aspects of college athletics…why don’t they come up with some guidelines that apply to every school when an athlete commits a crime or breaks the law? If the individual institution’s punishment is more severe (UGA)then use their guidelines, but if the school is oblivious or elects not to punish except for missing a practice session or two, ride along with the police (UT) then go by the NCAA guidelines. It’s a crying shame that a young man with 5 arrests with DUI, could possibly get a “lighter” punishment than a kid that gets caught for under age drinking. If an athlete is caught by the school for breaking team rules, then let the coach mandate the punishment. 3 - Les Miles…who cares? He just likes the attention…good or bad.
By Irish Pluck
February 29, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Thanks Matt, good points. I also want to mention Joe Montana’s son, Nate who is walking on for a shot at the QB job. Best of luck, I’d love to see him win the job!
By shane #1
February 29, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
rick,i would like to see any rule change that doesn’t allow an 18 year old to hold the media and three or four colleges hostage while he makes up his mind.i would also be in favor of anything that lessensthe hype around recruiting.i don’t think that will happen,because of people,like most of us on this blog,keep wanting more and more info on kids coming into our programs.i think we will see logan gray some at wr,but not like hines.i think we will see him spell staford at qb too.richt loves a change up to a running qb,like with dj.
By shane #1
February 29, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
hey general,the race for the coveted fulmer cup is a lot more exciting than some of the bcs bowls this year.
By War Eagle
February 29, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
bamafan, that is funny, nice sense of humor. Here is some free wheeling Friday:Last 15 years Florida is 102-25, Tenn, 92-32-1, Auburn- 80-42-1, UGA 75-47-1. LSU, 74-48.. Florida is only SEC who has a winning record against ALL SEC teams, Auburn has one losing record , (Florida 5-8).Tenn two, (LSU, Florida), UGA three(Auburn, Tenn, Florida. LSU three( UGA, Auburn Florida).Last TEN YEARS would show UGA and LSU much higher in W-L record since CMR started in 2001. Florida has been dominant force in SEC football last 15 years. Auburn has beat Florida last two years,but I am glad they are off schedule for 4 years.
By War Eagle
February 29, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
I am trying to get last ten SEC years ….Please don`t refer me to being BuLL**, having Dog Day Afternoon, BORING
By joe
February 29, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Hey, you glass houses out there need to hold onto your boulders. You can criticize Miles all you want but LSU isn’t even in the same zip code as far as off field problems as some other schools. You know who you are & you know where to find to find your latest rankings but I’m not here to throw you under the bus.
By C'mon peeps
February 29, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Perriloux was once quoted that he would have four heisman trophies by the time he graduated. How awesome is that?
By Rosco
February 29, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Any of these problems with off the field antics are indicative of a bigger problem in society at large. Too long it’s been “acceptable”, by way of the Boys will be Boys argument that athletes and celebrities achieve a certain status of immunity because of what they bring to a school or team. It’s sad that these problem children are not the responsibility of the school. These issues should have been rooted out when the kids were children. What happened to children being raised with ethics and morals? It’s not the school or coach’s responsibility. It’s the family’s first and foremost. Grow a spine! Discipline your kids! If the kid is a bad egg at 18, throw them out… You’ve failed as a parent!
If you’re a school or coach, have some pride in your organization. STAY AWAY.
By Dick Rod
February 29, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Dr. Who, that’s a trick question (and Ole Miss would never make it to a BCS bowl game). Pryor won’t start out that good, but has been compared favorably to Vince Young… who became ‘that good’ when he learned to throw first, run second.
Rosco, “if a kid is a bad egg at 18, throw them out”, where do you expect those kids to go (other than the ‘U’?). Turning your back on a ‘bad egg’ doesn’t help the kid, and doesn’t help society at large. It just puts another criminal on the street. A little tough love is fine, but a cold shoulder is dangerous.
By Cuz
February 29, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
This blog is like a blender. I care not about Les, less is best, Miles nor his player controversies. I think I am more interested in getting Logan in the game and what is wrong with him being the new Hines Ward. Hines was an awesome, reciever, punt returner, running back and quarter back. I think he is Jim Thorpe reincarnated.
By RAMBLE ON!!
February 29, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Cuz shut your pie hole, you fat fart! You can sure bet that the schools toying around taking the discipline out of the coaches are not in the SEC!!!
By falcon21
February 29, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
D ROD, you said it.Give a kid a chance and you help more people than you know.
By Vision
February 29, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
Regarding Pryer, how funny would it be if he held his press conference and nobody was watching? Well, other than the 3-4 schools that are interested in him nobody will give a hoot what he does.
If you want to be a recruiting star, it’s all about timing and Mr. Pryor missed his time big time.
Can coaches be objective when it comes to discipline? You’re kidding right? If Mark Richt is doing anything right at Georgia it is the time the recruiting personnel are putting into the kind of recruits UGA is offering. Sometimes the biggest stars are NOT the best fit for a program. When schools recruit stars over character ugly outcome ultimately shows its head.
You get what you recruit.
By MBL
March 1, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
When will the media be held accountable for priniting inaccuarte information and the sensationalizing information? I hope soon.
Maybe we need more Mike Gundy’s that have the leadership courage to confront those in the media that make a choice to be insensitive journalist.
By Dean23
March 1, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
I don’t think everyone realizes that not only is Pryor a 5 star talent in Football, he is a 5 star in Basketball also. If the media or 3 or 4 colleges are being “held hostage”, I for one don’t see that as Pryor’s fault. None of us have to spend 4-5 years at one of these schools, he does. I commend the kid for not jumping into a commitment like some do. Best of luck to him.
By 3volpaul
March 1, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Phil is a caring coach. He tossed Coker over 3 issues. ALL-SEC punter Colquitt is still on the team after 5 little mix-ups. Family is big $$$$, 100K per year. Who says justice is blind? On to the Fulmer Cup.
By P Dawg
March 1, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Pryor probably IS that good at FB and BB but he’s definitely shopping for ca$h and prizes. Thank goodness none of the SEC teams will end up on probation for signing him.
Les Miles is under not only the given pressure of sustaining a championship team but also the comparisons to him and his predecessor Saban. He can say all he wants that Saban has no impact on his lagacy at LSU but it is understandable to the contrary. He can continue to put on this show of not allowing him (Perriloux) to participate in spring drills but I would bet the farm that they are working with him out of the spotlight and he will not miss a single SEC game.
It’s great to be a GEORGIA BULLDOG!!!
By Comin' Down The Track
March 1, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
“Thank goodness none of the SEC teams will end up on probation for signing him.” Man, you sure said something there, P Dawg; but isn’t that really an interesting point. Since no SEC team is involved, there won’t be any probation. The SEC has the reputation of “football at all costs” as if all of the other conferences are simply angelically and guiltlessly waiting for the other shoe to drop on the SEC again and again. Horsewash. Anyone remember Maurice Clarett? Reggie Bush? Those two stink to high Heaven with innuendo and suspicion, but nobody even mentions USC, OSU, the Big 10(11?!), or the PAC-10 in the same breath as the “P” word. See?! I couldn’t even do it. Whoops. Got on my soapbox. Guess it’s time for my meds.
By shane #1
March 1, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
track man,violations happen everywhere,but no conference is the equal of the sec for coachs ratting out their peers.this is done both openly and sub-rosa.i think the big 10 and pac 10 are still”gentlemen’s clubs” the way the sec used to be.there was no love lost between bama and auburn,but bear and shug would not rat on each other.those good old pre-spurrier,pre fulmer,days are gone now.the sec has some hard driving,ambitious,young coachs,many of whom don’t plan to spend twenty years at their school.these guys have huge egos and will use any means at their disposal to win.when coachs stayed put they would not turn in another program because they knew it would happen to them!now some of them think it doesn’t matter because they only plan on staying a few years and the future is now.things are changing in the big ten,new coaching blood coming in,we’ll see what happens.
By War Eagle
March 1, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
As like last year Bama Spring game was NO CHARGE, this year you get a country and western concert starring Alan Jackson FREE? get~um Suitcase.
By zinoDawg
March 1, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Tony - couldn’t agree with you more about the Ryan Perrilloux situation. Kudos to Mark Richt for handling things different. Example - Akeem Hebron. I’m sure Akeem will be a better man for it, and I think he may be hard to keep off the field next year. Go Dawgs/24-7.
By JJ
March 2, 2008 6:41 AM | Link to this
Well hell Zino, Richt is so good at it cause he has had the most experience!
By Bamafan
March 2, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
Hey War Eagle, Would anyone pay to see bama’s A-day game? May be somebody who does have a real life. I will watch on CSS and listen to the homers talk about a great recruiting class and want great fans Bama has. How many fans will be at Auburn A-day? Maybe 15,000 folks and a few dozen cows and a few buzzards flying around also? PAROLE TIDE!! LOL!!
By Bamafan
March 2, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
I just remembered something about Auburn halftime show. They can bring the sheep out and find the G-SPOT!!
By Top Dawg
March 2, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
What’s the story on Early County defensive star Shawn Williams? Word is, he wears UGA attire quite frequently. Has CMR offered him a scholarship yet?
By GT fan
March 2, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
I understand any coach refusing to publicly discuss an athlete’s legal matters. I was wrongly arrested for DUI which took me two months to resolve. In some cases, it is cut and dry, in others it is not. Discussing the matter publicly or announcing a punishment could jeopardize that player’s right to an unbiased trial. Until a judge or jury gives a verdict, the coach has the right to keep quiet about how he intends to discipline his player. Innocent until proven guilty….
By shane #1
March 2, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
zeno,the hebron suspension was handed down by the university.it’s in black and white for any student to read.a student with two arrests involving drinking will be suspended for two semisters,neither of which can be summer.this rule applies to ALL students,not just athletes.the guilty party must undergo counseling and apply for re-admission.the university is not obligated to take the student back.hebron being suspended was not richt’s decision,neither was his being re-admitted.
By Cuz
March 2, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
gotta agree with you GTfan. sometimes we get so caught up in the allegations, the facts get lost. i for one am tired of the witch hunts. in the words of Joe Friday, just the facts….
By shane #1
March 2, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
cuz,in the words of the immortal”flip”wilson,”it’s a lot easier to deny the allegation than to deny the alligator!”
By Johnny Danger Dawg
March 2, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Tony, your third point (Les Miles and the media) is excellent. On point two, I don’t think the idea of “the university” making discipline decisions solves much. A school like Rutgers has a very different alumni base than Texas and would thus discipline a player differently for the same crime. That’s not fair.