My understanding (and someone feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken), is that Mo failed at least one course when he was last in classes, and then stopped going entirely.
One of the prerequisites of him regaining his eligibility this year (and I'm saying this was a prerequisite even before all the NFL stuff) was that he demonstrate that he was serious about the academic side of being a student athlete. Attending classes, posting responsible grades, etc. He just simply hasn't done it. So when Geiger says something like "(he) shouldn't count on returning", it's crystal clear that he will not be. To me anyway. I can't say I have a huge problem with that either. We might be a better performing team with Mo, but I don't know that we'd be a better team for his presence.
For his sake, I hope he's made eligible for the supplemental draft and plays in the NFL this Fall. I don't think he will be however. Given my personal opinion that playing in Canada would be a mistake for him on a couple different levels, I think we're looking at another year of Mo-less football regardless of the pro or college tag. It's a tragic tale of epic proportions, and we can spend all day lamenting Mo's decisions, those of his disasterously inept and combative friends, family and 'advisors', whether or not Geiger had it out for him, what might have gone on behind the scenes to cause that if it's true, whether or not the team as a whole would want him back, etc. etc. etc. It's all meaningless at this point. I think in time, Mo might look back on these years as one of the biggest wasted opportunities of his life. A Heisman frontrunner as a sophomore, clear lock on the starting RB position at OSU, had he stayed healthy (a feat of questionable likelihood) and just maintained his averages as a FR during his SO and JR years, he would have been a high 1st round draft pick in my estimation, and gone into the league as a legendary college back and holding at least one Heisman.
Well, now I'm getting into all-too familiar territory for all of us. We know what could have been. We'll never understand all the nuances that led to where Mo is standing now, and it's not for us to understand them anyway. His life, I can shake my head and think he's done irreparable harm to it, but really who am I to question his decisions. For all the talk about being a kid, he's an adult making big boy decisions, and I wish him luck moving forward with those. That aside, my only other feeling is sincere appreciation for playing a direct role in the 2002 title.
:tongue2:
