5 players suspended for 5 games in 2011 regular season (Appeal has been denied)

[buckeyeintn]

6, 5, and even 4, all seem harsh for what it was...even if it tracks AJ's deal somewhat.

Gator: Was AJ's dealing with a booster? If so, could/should that impact the punishment?

 

[Gatorubet]

Gator: Was AJ's dealing with a booster? If so, could/should that impact the punishment?

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect...NCAA+requires+loss+of+contests+for+A.J.+Green

He sold his jersey for a grand to a guy fitting the description of an agent.

OTOH, Alabama DE Marcell Dareus got a 2 game suspension after he pocketed almost $2,000 in gifts from an agent.

While I may be wrong, I think the level of cooperation by the athlete when inititially questioned may have something to do with the number of games given, when all is said and done.

 

[sandgk]

Gator: Was AJ's dealing with a booster? If so, could/should that impact the punishment?

I've heard this attempt to raise a distinction between AJ Green and tOSU's 5 before. I don't think it has any real merit.
The second that someone engages in the kind of horse-trading involved in tOSU's case (discounted services that the general public would not receive, autographs, cash for Big Ten bling, gold pants, team emblems) then they also effectively become a booster.

Or, in terse lingo - point is moot.

 

[MaxBuck]

As I understand it, the pledges by the players involved were made to Coach Tressel and/or the team. The Coach and/or the team can reasonably release any or all of these players from their pledges, at their sole option IMO.

The pledges were NOT made to us fans, nor to the public at large.

If one or more of these guys elects to go pro, with the blessing of Coach Tressel and/or the team, it's none of our business. And it's certainly none of the business of the public at large.

 

[Coqui]

I've heard this attempt to raise a distinction between AJ Green and tOSU's 5 before. I don't think it has any real merit.
The second that someone engages in the kind of horse-trading involved in tOSU's case (discounted services that the general public would not receive, autographs, cash for Big Ten bling, gold pants, team emblems) then they also effectively become a booster.

Or, in terse lingo - point is moot.

I'm sure if I had an autographed jersey of Terelle Pryor, I could get discounted services in that parlor. :p

 

[buckeyeintn]

I've heard this attempt to raise a distinction between AJ Green and tOSU's 5 before. I don't think it has any real merit.
The second that someone engages in the kind of horse-trading involved in tOSU's case (discounted services that the general public would not receive, autographs, cash for Big Ten bling, gold pants, team emblems) then they also effectively become a booster.

Or, in terse lingo - point is moot.

If we were dealing in the real world I would agree the point is moot. However, the NCAA has definitions of a booster and of an agent which sets them apart from the public at large.

 

[Gatorubet]

As I understand it, the pledges by the players involved were made to Coach Tressel and/or the team. The Coach and/or the team can reasonably release any or all of these players from their pledges, at their sole option IMO.

The pledges were NOT made to us fans, nor to the public at large.

If one or more of these guys elects to go pro, with the blessing of Coach Tressel and/or the team, it's none of our business. And it's certainly none of the business of the public at large.

Max....you have to be joking man! They violated NCAA rules, no matter how silly or how much we disagree with them. They were allowed by tOSU to play in a BCS game (tOSU's win only assured in the last minute by the significant participation of several of the athlete violators) because their suspensions were put off until the 2011 season.

If they go pro they skate any responsibility for their actions, and tOSU and Tress look bad. Yeah, they look bad too, but to the sporting world it will look like tOSU scammed the system, pure and simple, and it will look like they scammed the system solely to allow their participation in the game to get that first bowl win versus the SEC and/or another BCS bowl.

If you mean "none of their business" to be the decision making process, you are right. If you mean that it is none of the public at large's business to have an opinion about the matter, I don't know what to say.

 

[GeorgiaBuck2]

Well none of them are leaving so what's the deal?

 

[Gatorubet]

Well none of them are leaving so what's the deal?

Never said or thought that they were leaving. I'd be shocked if they did.

The rest is just discussion GB2.

 

[MaxBuck]

If you mean that it is none of the public at large's business to have an opinion about the matter, I don't know what to say.

The public has a right to whatever opinion they have - even when they're full of [Mark May]. :tongue2:

Plenty of people (read today's Dispatch) have already checked in with criticisms of Jim Tressel, claiming he showed some sort of moral shortcoming by allowing the players to play in the Sugar Bowl. How anyone can put themselves above Coach Tressel when it comes to moral rectitude and judgment is beyond me. IMO they're clueless. He's established himself irreversibly (to me) as someone who has the players' best interests at heart, and his decisions have demonstrated great wisdom. Add to that the fact he cares very little about "how he looks" if in making himself look better, the players will suffer. That's the true mark of a great leader.

I'll abide by whatever decisions Coach Tressel makes, and I'll support them with vigor.

 

[Deety]

Max....you have to be joking man! They violated NCAA rules, no matter how silly or how much we disagree with them. They were allowed by tOSU to play in a BCS game (tOSU's win only assured in the last minute by the significant participation of several of the athlete violators) because their suspensions were put off until the 2011 season.

If they go pro they skate any responsibility for their actions, and tOSU and Tress look bad. Yeah, they look bad too, but to the sporting world it will look like tOSU scammed the system, pure and simple, and it will look like they scammed the system solely to allow their participation in the game to get that first bowl win versus the SEC and/or another BCS bowl.

If you mean "none of their business" to be the decision making process, you are right. If you mean that it is none of the public at large's business to have an opinion about the matter, I don't know what to say.

No, they were allowed by the NCAA to play in the BCS game because the NCAA decided to push the penalties into the 2011 season. Tressel simply told them that this was not acceptable to him unless they were to return and take the penalties, and put them on their honor to do so. Their honor, not his. His is already satisfied not only ensuring the violations were reported, but going beyond the imposed penalties via the agreement made with the players.

 

[sepia5]

No, they were allowed by the NCAA to play in the BCS game because the NCAA decided to push the penalties into the 2011 season. Tressel simply told them that this was not acceptable to him unless they were to return and take the penalties, and put them on their honor to do so. Their honor, not his. His is already satisfied not only ensuring the violations were reported, but going beyond the imposed penalties via the agreement made with the players.

But my question is, how do I reconcile all that with rumors--if true--that, should Boom leave, it would be with JT's approval?

 

[Onebuckfan]

The game was Tuesday..they played ..tOSU won that wont change..blame or fault can go on many...I prefer to move on now..this has been disscussed ad mauseum..tOSU's reputation to me has not been tarnished ..if it has to any of you I'm sorry but nothing can be changed now..

 

[muffler dragon]

I would like to think that my alma mater is a step above other universities in how they operate. They leave and I look at the entire pledge as a dog and pony show just to allow them to play in a bowl game. I agree it's in Boom's best interest to go pro. However I also believe violating the NCAA rules requires punishment and he's pretty much avoiding that punishment if he goes pro. Yeah the NCAA reinstated him, Sugar Bowl wanted them to play, etc. but this is THE OSU and would like my University to be shown in the best light as possible given the situation.

For me, it goes like this (and I'm just presenting my point):

tOSU has been presenting themselves as a model for self-reporting. The compliancy department does a spectacular job (regardless of the press conference comments by Gene). The school does the best that it can. The press can spin that however they want, and most oftentimes do. I (and many others) see a very negative trend in sports and entertainment media towards the Buckeyes EVEN WHEN they are squeaky clean. Thus, it is what it is. The Buckeyes as a whole have transcended the negativity that's been abounding for a decade now. I believe the same will hold true even if some of the tatted-five decide to go pro. Like I said and maybe I'm just gullible, but I believe they were sorry when they apologized publicly. That's more than any of the other schools are doing. That's more than the mediots do when they screw up. IMO, these players and the school are presenting themselves as the higher standard.

I'm probably more bitter about the situation as have many friends that are alumni of the SEC and they have loved every bit of this...from the Gene Smith press conferences to their comments after the game. January 15th can't get here fast enough....

:osu:

I lived in NC three times for a total of about 6.5-7 years. It's not SEC country, but it's a lot of the same ol' "War of Northern Agression" bull shit. Just pass it off as ignorance, because that's what it is. You've got plenty of things to be proud of regarding tOSU that they can't take away from you.

 

[Best Buckeye]

Can anyone make a short list of say top five Universities that wouldn't hire JT on the spot if the appropriate opening came to pass?