Discipline take tolls...but not where it counts

[donovan]

I have never felt one way or another about Urban Meyer. I liked him at Utah because besides winning he did a lot of sustaining good things for the university. Once he headed South, my interest in what he did melded into my general interest in Southern sport teams. Seems to me he has been a good teacher of athletes on and off the field. The latest reports from Ohio State send a clear message. I hope the fans and administration support him, if it causes a rocky road ahead.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/08/17/two-more-key-ohio-state-players-bradley-roby-rod-smith-suspended-to-miss-opener/2667597/

[Spence]

I have never felt one way or another about Urban Meyer. I liked him at Utah because besides winning he did a lot of sustaining good things for the university. Once he headed South, my interest in what he did melded into my general interest in Southern sport teams. Seems to me he has been a good teacher of athletes on and off the field. The latest reports from Ohio State send a clear message. I hope the fans and administration support him, if it causes a rocky road ahead.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2013/08/17/two-more-key-ohio-state-players-bradley-roby-rod-smith-suspended-to-miss-opener/2667597/

The punishments doled out aren't much of a change in what usually happens at Ohio State. The difference, that I can see, is that the players are immediately suppended from the team until everything comes out. It used to be they waited until the court appearance then punished. I'm not sure I like the immediate suspension. I guess the news service picks it up and it limits the uproar, but if a guy isn't guilty then it really isn't fair.

[donovan]

"First the verdict, then the trial" I get what you say and it is hard to argue that point. However, if what I read is correct, Meyer says he was where he was not suppose to be and whether or not the offense was committed, he was still in violation of some team rule. Seems to me that would make some punishment appropriate. A lot of times I get caught up in the media hype about the egregious behavior of athletes. I think in reality there are a lot of piddly rule violations that get handed out almost daily. I've seen, as you have, kids not starting for the first series, as punishment, name not listed as starter, etc. But after the first series, they are up and at 'em. Át lest Coach Meyer does not have the "kids will be kids" mentality.

[Cane from the Bend]

At least, now that he's back up north.

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[Spence]

"First the verdict, then the trial" I get what you say and it is hard to argue that point. However, if what I read is correct, Meyer says he was where he was not suppose to be and whether or not the offense was committed, he was still in violation of some team rule. Seems to me that would make some punishment appropriate. A lot of times I get caught up in the media hype about the egregious behavior of athletes. I think in reality there are a lot of piddly rule violations that get handed out almost daily. I've seen, as you have, kids not starting for the first series, as punishment, name not listed as starter, etc. But after the first series, they are up and at 'em. Át lest Coach Meyer does not have the "kids will be kids" mentality.

He was in Bloomington Indiana in a bar he should not have been in at a time he should not have been. Two of the three, the punishment is real. It will hurt their numbers and that could hurt their draft numbers at next years draft. I don't have a problem with the final punishment. My problem is kicking them off the team as soon as there is an allegation. I believe it is mostly to quit the media and prove that Coach Meyer is "tough on rules breakers". Then the real punishment is later. I can see where this can cause problems. A female fan of another school can say this player hit me, he is out for two games during the season while the police determine the player did nothing.