Blount coming back?
by The VD Special on Oct 1, 2009 9:33 PM PDT
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Just got the text from ESPN. For those who don't believe me here
Your thoughts, Duck fans?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or the Addicted To Quack Moderators. FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable Oregon fans.
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I don't like it, but others seem to.
Addicted To Quack [dot] com; Six-hundred and ninety-four yards of total offense.
I think he should still be gone
I agreed with the decision at the time and I think he should stick with it.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
Funny how now that Oregon is back in the BCS hunt, there is talk of a Blount re-instatement. Curious timing, that’s all.
The UO Sports Dude - www.keithabecker.wordpress.com
Seriously
You think that if Oregon was 1-3 they would even considering taking the media backlash of reinstating him? It’s all about winning.
The UO Sports Dude - www.keithabecker.wordpress.com
by UOSportsDude on Oct 1, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Why go to the hypothetical?
Ducks are 3-1, just beat #6. The passing game finally clicked, but it’s the ground game and LMJ that appears to have finally found its groove. Why would you mess with that? If it was November and they were sniffing a bowl, I could see taking the gamble (Even then, I’d question if it was worth it), but there’s no reason for it now.
Why go to the hypothetical?
Because honestly he’s right. They couldn’t reinstate him if Oregon was 1-3 because of the appearance of being self-serving. “Oh, now that you suck, you reinstate your best player even though he was suspended for the year?”
I think it’s a great point. I don’t think the PR machine would allow for it
--Dominic, Addicted to Quack
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
No. The pros is all about winning. College is about education in all it’s forms and some of the best education you can get is by losing.
--Dominic, Addicted to Quack
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
It's rough either way
He committed an act on the field that he is lucky to not be in jail for. It was a black eye for the University on one of the worst losses on National television. We had to suspend him and make a statement we wont stand for it. The University suspended him, but kept him on scholarship, showing “once you’re a duck, you’re always a duck” and that the University does care for it’s students. Maybe a little too much now, Blount is in his last year of eligability, and a new father. This act has made his once bright looking future much more difficult.
I personally I’m torn as it was such a down moment for the University. But, the man’s future is in jeapordy and I’m too nice for my own good. To his credit he has helped the team out and stayed in the loop when it would have been easier to leave and go back home. (Plus I don’t condone his actions, but I have seen much worse by people at college parties then a single sucker punch and getting in a fans face after being hit). I said before the suspension he needs to be suspended at least tell USC, and I will stick by that. ……….. I guess this comment had no reason, just me rambling………
"Sometimes I catch myself watching him and he's shooting floaters all-net. And just to watch how he's talking trash. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Rudy's a competitor." - Brandon Roy
I love the “he’s lucky he’s not in jail” card. there a millions of acts in sports a year that people could go to jail for that are not part of the game’s.
Life is about growth. People are not perfect when they're 21 years old. - Bill Walton
by NEP on Oct 2, 2009 6:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Empathy. Lose yours?
I can honestly say, I’m on the fence here. It’s going to be a media blood bath, no question. I think Chip could give two shits about that. My reaction while watching the debacle was that LGB should never play for U of O again. Precedence does exist, however, in Tom Osborn’s unpopular decision to reinstate Lawrence Phillips during a national title run in the mid-90s. Anyone want to argue that Tom Osborn was spineless, greedy for wins, a lousy coach or a bad guy? Didn’t think so.
As for the perception that this kind of move would be motivated solely by Oregon’s re-emergence in the conference race… What a load of crap. The Ducks won three straight and beat two quality ranked teams without LGB. If Oregon was playing every Pac-10 team on Saturday, they’d be favored against almost every opponent, despite the lack of Blount. The way LaMichael is carrying the ball – and the way Blount looked at Boise – LGB may not even be an upgrade at the position.
Lots of people playing judge, jury and executioner. Duck haters will have a field day. Whatever. All kinds of people have pointed to the fiasco in Boise as a reminder that life is bigger than football, but now will rail against the notion of a player getting a second chance after taking his punishment like a man and publicly showing contrition. I trust the judgment of Kelly, Bellotti and Oregon’s administration. I’ll respect their decision, whatever it may be. I may not defend it, but I will respect it.
Last time I checked, there is no "Hall of Average." - Oregon Football Coach Chip Kelly
by JConant on Oct 1, 2009 11:19 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
+1
I may not defend it, but I will respect it.
This sums up my thoughts. LGB is really not the “thug” he was branded after the debacle. I have socialized with him on a few occasions and found him to be respectful to those around him. He never displayed the type of demeanor that was seen on the field after the BSU game. To quote the Shawshank Redemption, “Every man has his breaking point.” This applies to this situation. He was provoked, and fought back. I don’t condone the actions, but I can’t say with any certainty that I wouldn’t have acted the same if put in the same situation. I would like to think that if I had done what LGB did, and was truely remorseful (which knowing myself, I would be), I would be given a second chance. People make mistakes every day. We are all accountable for our actions and the consequences that follow. I don’t think that the original punishment was that severe, but if it is lessened and LGB is allowed to play, I am fine with it too.
The fact of the matter is that the decision rests with the brass at the U of O, and I will respect their decision. We as fans have no choice but to like it or not. We choose to root for the team that is put forth. Fair weathered fans who voice their opinion when things are great or things are bad. I really think there is no in between with that. If you are a fan of the Oregon Ducks, you should cheer for every player on that team, because the people in charge of said team feel they deserve a chance to represent the school.
May we hand you your taints on a silver platter...
i think personally Legarrette served his punishment, if he did not do what he has done so far he would not be reinstated, honestly if the punch hadnt happened on an espn game it would have gotten half the attention. it was inexcusable, but to ruin LGB’s life over one action is extreme Dante Stallworth killed a man and he gets a second chance.
I don't like it.
It would have been very easy to say that Blount was suspended indefinitely. That would have left it open for reinstatement if he showed remorse. This just looks like we want our best players regardless of behavior. Coach Kelly and the Athletic Dept. chose the timeline, they need to stick to it, as much as I’d like to see Blount back on the field. That, and my LMJ man-crush is at maximum capacity.
It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."
I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
by Takimoto on Oct 2, 2009 12:37 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd just for this comment
That, and my LMJ man-crush is at maximum capacity
That is great…
Hi, my name is Matt Daddy and I am a....
HUGE FREAKING DUCK FAN!!!!!!... "Hi Matt Daddy"
Not a black mark at all.
This won’t be a black mark on the program and I don’t think the media backlash is going to be nearly as bad as some of you think. Didn’t it seem as though the majority of people thought the suspension was too harsh?
LGB messed up but did not warrant a year long suspension. I think Kelly either overreacted or was painted into a corner, and the right thing to do is try and come back and make the correct decision. We constantly complain that politicians, coaches and other important leaders just stick with a decision, policy or philosophy because that was their original take and so it looks bad to change things and thus admit you made a mistake. If Chip Kelly does this he is taking a stand and doing something that I bet a lot of others wouldn’t and in the end he may actually get a lot of respect for the move rather than backlash.
Maybe I’m wrong and this all blows up, but I think this could actually turn out to be looked at as a refreshing reversal we don’t often see.
NO WAY
As a few of you have mentioned, now that they are starting to find some rythm why would you want to mess with that?It looks like were gettting some depth now with the RB’s. The suspention might have been the best thing that could have happend to this yourg team, they are beginning to gel together and thats something I wouldn’t want to mess with right now. Wouldnt it be sweet if “THIS” team could work some magic this season, that would make next season even better!!
NO BLOUNT
GO DUCKS!
PS: there is some really funny audio on you-tube for the WSU game!
The real question is, do you believe in second chances?
I honestly think Kelly is trying to do right by his player, not just for his team. I don’t think this is a “we will make an exception now that our season is starting to look up.” This was a “let’s see if this kid can do what’s right and we will consider giving him a second chance.” They told him that he will never play a game again but you can do the right thing and continue to help out your team. He has done the right things and now they decided to give him a second chance.
I am pretty big proponent of giving people a second chance, particularly at a young age. I am happy to give Blount a second chance. I think its sheds a positive light on Blount, Kelly and our program.
I think LMJ is a better fit
Blount would have to come off the bench and thats how it should be. Just like last year let the defense chase the fast guy all over the field and let Blount pound them. I dont believe that Oregon is doing this to help the running game, but to be able to put Barner back at corner now that WT3 is out and keep a good dept at rb.
Take out the (possible) reinstatement…it seems like players (both recruits and current players) would look at how CK kept Blount around even when he messed up about as bad as a player can mess up, and think, “wow, this coach actually cares about his players on a personal level beyond football.” Keeping Blount on the team showed that CK isn’t the type of guy to just say, “you crossed me so now I’m going to bury you”. Now let’s imagine that Blount has been a model citizen…he’s killing himself in practice with no shot at being reinstated, he’s had perfect attendance in class, he’s being a leader in practice and on the sidelines, he’s apologized to the team, the school, and the community…Rewarding a player that does all of those things could be the kind of thing that makes the other players willing to run through a wall for a coach. It could be the kind of thing that attracts recruits.
I honestly think that this could be a distraction for the team more than a positive. Things are clicking right now and throwing a wrench into it doesn’t seem to be a good idea. But this is what I respect about CK. He doesn’t seem to care about what other people think. He wants to do what he thinks is right for his players and his team, not just to win games, but to make them better people for life. Whether I agree with this decision or not, I can tell you that I respect Chip Kelly for having the huevos to make an unpopular decision if he thinks it’s the right thing to do, and for being able to swallow his pride and change his mind if he thinks it’s the right thing to do.
Guy behind me at Autzen says "why do the fans yell 'OOOOOO' when we are on D?" He then proceeds to yell "DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" on every defensive play for the rest of the game. As Carlos Mencia would say, "Dee Dee Deeeee".
by MarineCorpsDuck on Oct 2, 2009 6:53 AM PDT reply actions 4 recs
Very very well said MCD. Capturing my thoughts (both praises and concerns) almost exactly.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
My plan to transform myself into an AddictedToQuack robot is almost complete!
Guy behind me at Autzen says "why do the fans yell 'OOOOOO' when we are on D?" He then proceeds to yell "DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" on every defensive play for the rest of the game. As Carlos Mencia would say, "Dee Dee Deeeee".
by MarineCorpsDuck on Oct 2, 2009 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions
I did NOT say RoboDuck either, so dont’ even THINK about it…
Guy behind me at Autzen says "why do the fans yell 'OOOOOO' when we are on D?" He then proceeds to yell "DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" on every defensive play for the rest of the game. As Carlos Mencia would say, "Dee Dee Deeeee".
by MarineCorpsDuck on Oct 2, 2009 7:31 AM PDT up reply actions
And we didn’t even have to assimilate you.
MCD, I share your concern about the distraction. At the same time I am not convinced there is any motivation – wins, depth at running back, recruiting, etc., – other than giving a young man an opportunity, in whatever form that may come, to redeem himself. I believe Chip Kelly is just the kind of man you described and that this issue is no more complicated than that.
Last time I checked, there is no "Hall of Average." - Oregon Football Coach Chip Kelly
Exactly. Part of being a good leader is being able to make an unpopular decision. Sometimes that decision is unpopular because the people you are leading are going to hate it, and sometimes it’s unpopular because “outsiders” will hate it. Either way, as a leader you have to make the unpopular decision if you feel it’s what’s best. I think Chip is doing that, the team sees that, and they will be even more willing to “run through a wall for him” now.
Guy behind me at Autzen says "why do the fans yell 'OOOOOO' when we are on D?" He then proceeds to yell "DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" on every defensive play for the rest of the game. As Carlos Mencia would say, "Dee Dee Deeeee".
by MarineCorpsDuck on Oct 2, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Rec’d from me. Especially for…
Whether I agree with this decision or not, I can tell you that I respect Chip Kelly for having the huevos to make an unpopular decision if he thinks it’s the right thing to do, and for being able to swallow his pride and change his mind if he thinks it’s the right thing to do.
People don’t get praised enough for this. We want people to be honest and to be able to change their mind if they feel they made a mistake. Instead, most of the time they get slammed for it. We’ll see what comes out of the presser. I’m just hoping that LGB doesn’t end up burning Kelly further
--Dominic, Addicted to Quack
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
Wow VD…
I would think even less of Kelly as a coach than I did before.
If you want people to care about your opinion, you don’t toss crap like that around.
It's spelled "S-H-U-A-R-E-A-J-A-C-K-A-S-S"
Keep in mind. Kelly is a coach that helped destroy rose bowl hopes for VD’s team. I doubt highly that VD looks at Chip Kelly as a saint
--Dominic, Addicted to Quack
Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.
But he hasn’t exactly been an ass about that win. Thinking of someone less just because they are associated with a program is pretty stupid. It’s a irrational fandomism.
Ty Willingham, he’s been with both ND and UDub – I think he’s a quality person though.
Mike Riley, he’s a quality person.
Craig Robinson – another quality person.
I’m not saying Chip Kelly is a saint, or the greatest person in the world, but “I would think even less of Kelly as a coach than I did before” implies he’s already looked upon in poor light. What’s he done in his short career to deserve that? Ruin another team’s Rose Bowl chance? Might as well look poorly on Jim Harbaugh too.
It's spelled "S-H-U-A-R-E-A-J-A-C-K-A-S-S"
i can't really condone letting him back on the field, but i can't condemn it either
i’ve gone back and forth on this about 20 times since i heard about it last night. Frankly I think that if chip lets him back on the field, it’ll be after the USC game. furthermore, I can’t see bellotti especially being ok with the major shitstorm we’d have to endure should he be let back on the field. However, if the kid has really changed, if he’s really become a new and better person, then I guess i would have to wait and see. And yes, talk i’ve heard so far is dead even 50-50
Q: How many OSU freshmen does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None, it's a sophomore course.
My thoughts are
Mike Lissman, theft, 85-year-old-victim, suspended zero games, exactly zero posts at BtD—or by Canzano, for that matter—talking about how doing nothing is a ‘black mark on the program’ and Pat Casey is less of a person because he didn’t take action.
Not necessarily in that order.
by grimc on Oct 2, 2009 8:42 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree. I didn’t think Lissman should have been brought back. And, if memory serves me correctly, it was an 85-year old family member.
The suspension/non-suspension that bothered me most was that of Al Afalava last year. A DUI hit-and-run is nothing to be messed around with. I was shocked when Coach Riley only suspended him for 2 games. Anything less than 6, in my opinion wasn’t sending enough of a message.
I support Takimoto in his effort to support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
by The VD Special on Oct 2, 2009 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Anthony Wheat-Brown? If memory serves, he beat the hell out of a National Guardsman the night before he was deploying to Iraq because he was white and his wife was black. The National Guardsman was hospitalized and didn’t get to deploy with his unit to Iraq. I think he was suspended for the offseason and played in the first game. I’m going off of memory here, but I’m pretty sure my facts are accurate.
Guy behind me at Autzen says "why do the fans yell 'OOOOOO' when we are on D?" He then proceeds to yell "DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" on every defensive play for the rest of the game. As Carlos Mencia would say, "Dee Dee Deeeee".
by MarineCorpsDuck on Oct 2, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002092511_webosu16.html
I was wrong, he was suspended for the final 2 games of that season, plus the bowl game. 3 games total.
He was back for the 1st game of the next season.
Guy behind me at Autzen says "why do the fans yell 'OOOOOO' when we are on D?" He then proceeds to yell "DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" on every defensive play for the rest of the game. As Carlos Mencia would say, "Dee Dee Deeeee".
by MarineCorpsDuck on Oct 2, 2009 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions
That was Joe Rudulph that threw the punch
Wheat-Brown was just there. I’ve talked to more than a few people who were there when it happened. Rudulph basically stalked the guy and sucker punched him
I support Takimoto in his effort to support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
by The VD Special on Oct 2, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I've read a lot of comments, and after seeing some, I've waffled back and forth about how I feel about the situation
But some of the comments that frustrate me are the ones that are performance related. You shouldn’t re-instate someone or not re-instate someone because “we’re doing well! Why mess with it??” or “we need a good running back!”
You re-instate someone because they’ve earned that right, and what LGB did was appalling. And I said it when it happened: it wasn’t him punching the Boise St guy. That stuff happens, a suspension is warranted, but everyone moves on. Going after teammates and then fans was unacceptable. YOUR OWN TEAMMATES?! Call me old fashioned (I’m only 23) but when I was growing up, I was taught that in sports, your teammates are as close as your family, and fighting with them was the absolute worst thing you could do.
I support Takimoto in his effort to support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.
I honestly think the decision to re-instate him has nothing to do with football. It’s about giving him a second chance for his actions when there was no hope.
With the team doing well, Kelly didn’t have to do anything. He did, because I think he genuinely cares for Blount and all of the players on the Oregon football team.
As far as his actions at Boise State, I agree about the teammate punch, and also will add the going after fans aspect. But at this point, I trust that Kelly is in a much better place to make this decision, and I think that this change of course will benefit Blount in the long-run, which, in my mind, is what this entire situation should be about.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
and his teammates didn't turn on him
I think they all realized that that it was an ugly situation. But if his team is now standing by him, they are willing to forgive him. Hard to argue that something is unforgiveable when someone who is directly impacted is willing to let it go.
My friend got in a bar fight one time when I was in the Marines. He was obviously extremely mad. I got in the middle and broke it up, and he was pissed at me for doing so. He was yelling at me to get the hell off of him and let him go. We struggled for a minute, and the other guy in the fight took off. 5 minutes later in the car, my friend apologized to me. I told him it was all good, I knew he was heated, and that he was still my friend. I did NOT want him to go to the brig for a year, either for punching the guy, or for being an asshat toward me. If he HAD been put in the brig for a year, I hope to god that my Commanding Officer would have stepped in and said “let’s get him out of there, this is a little excessive.”
Guy behind me at Autzen says "why do the fans yell 'OOOOOO' when we are on D?" He then proceeds to yell "DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" on every defensive play for the rest of the game. As Carlos Mencia would say, "Dee Dee Deeeee".
by MarineCorpsDuck on Oct 2, 2009 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Well,
This was an extremely teachable moment, And I do sincerely believe that Blount has learned so much because of this, and has thus put everything into perspective (not to mention his newborn); he has without a doubt in my mind matured significantly.
I believe that any of us that would have witnessed Blount’s maturation as a person firsthand as Kelly did, would have made a decision much like Coach Kelly’s.
Not to mention, this will motivate Blount to play harder, and work harder once he again hits the field of play come (hopefully) Stanford. He has been working with the Scout team since BSU, thus it is not as if he will be a foriegn body on this team that would be a big distraction.
Formerly, thats a no-go.
I apologize for my ignorant and blatant lack of refinement in terms of my cursage. I did not know much of this Tuel feller so I accidentally used another innocent mans picture. Believe me, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!
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