There is a big difference between what Oregon does and what other schools don't do

FirstDuck wrote: Although no coach, or school, can guarantee that some athlete won't make a horrible choice at any given time, I do believe there is a difference in the type of due diligence that Oregon (and some others) use to vett their recruits. Alabama places the highest priority on the kids on field results, and pay little attention to both academics or character. Oregon also makes on field success the highest priority, but closely linked with their review of both character and academics. It is interesting that Oregon, under Chip (and I hope it continues under MH) actually brought teammates into the process to discuss how they see a prospective recruit as a teammate. That input has actually led to Oregon passing on several high profile kids that looked to be headed to Oregon. I doubt that Alabama extends themselves to that degree. Oregon does not recruit saints, but there is an honest effort to not recruit kids with the reputation of being trouble makers.

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--- Green85 wrote:

The Oregon coaching staff has faced off-field issues with players, including some on Chip Kelly coached teams:

Jeremiah Masoli
Jamere Holland
Rob Beard
Embry
Cliff Harris
Darron Thomas (by association)
LaMichael James (incident with his girlfriend)
Josh Huff (DUII)

We all want the student-athletes on the teams at Oregon to be good students, good athletes and good people. BUT any time you bring together a large group of people to form an organization you are bound to have individuals make choices that reflect poorly on themselves and their group - it happens in colleges, high schools, and companies everywhere.

Yes, I think the Oregon coaching staff makes a point of looking for "good people" to build their teams. But even a "good person" can lack appropriate judgment at any point in time - and I cannot hold a coach or teacher responsible when those folks can't watch the student 24-7.
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--- MagicBo7 wrote:

all of our other coaches who have gone further than how athletic the players is.

The Alabama kids look like a felony waiting to happen.....AND the Bama coaches aren't doing much to reform them into good citizens.

Magic

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This is Bama's problem and if you go to their Scout.com website the Tide fans are absolutely livid about this. About 99.9999% of the posters want the players kicked off the team asap.

Conduct like this is embarrassing for any fan of any team including Alabama. Don't blame the Tide coaching staff, they can't babysit 100 players 24/7.

These players are just plain stupid.

GO DUCKS!

Clydekins wrote:   As well as the following:

LeGarrette Blount (fighting during a game, bringing shame to the program) - Suspended 10 games of his senior season

Mike Bowlin (street fight, saying mean things to a woman, not watching Beard's back) - Booted

Kiko Alonso (DUII, menacing while intoxicated) - Suspended for entire sophomore season and the first game of his junior season

Eddie Pleasant (street racing) - Scarred for life, suspended two games after missing one game for recovery

Terrance Montgomery (domestic abuse) - Booted

Tyson Coleman (attempting to elude, minor in possession, showing recruits a dorm room filled with hoochies and a bong) - May be on a short leash at the moment, was suspended for the Rose Bowl due to the attempt to elude and minor in possession charges.

My recollection is that Terrance Montgomery was taken in by the police after a domestic incident;  but, was released the next morning after the DA's office declined to pursue charges.  I recall he left the football program after his first season but prior to the start of spring practice the next year (an announcement made about the same time Iupati transferred to Humboldt State and the confirmation of Embry's dismissal was made).  One media outlet even reported TM planned to remain in school.  I recall some suggestions the DA didn't prosecute because TM's wife refused to prosecute;  but, I believe the DA still has the power to prosecute without the  cooperation of the victim - which does happen at times - against the victim's wishes (not an expert just an impression).

Can't find a reference to Montgomery being "booted" either.  Maybe its a small distinction;  but, I think there still should be one between guys being "booted" and others who just leave the program (if that indeed was the case).  Did I miss something on TM?

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--- Gaiser wrote:

There is nothing remotely close to Oregon's "off field" issues and Alabama and Auburn players committing premeditated violent crimes.   

The worst off field incident I think is Embry's non violent burglary.  But correct me if I'm wrong.  He wasn't even a Duck football player when it happened.  He had already been booted from the team.  It was never established Masoli had anything to do with it.   What Alonzo did was bad on the surface.  But that should be in the category of embarrassingly stupid.  Kind of like OSU players stealing sheep. 

This incident at Alabama suggests serious lack of control where players are doing whatever the hell they want and don't know up from down.   The fact that they quickly dismiss these players and throw them under the bus makes it even worst IMO.  
 
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Rumors were that Embry was going to be released from the team and wouldn't be on the depth chart for Spring, but those rumors didn't come up until after he was brought up as a suspect in the crime.

Gaiser - "It was never established that Masoli had anything to do with it."

Well, why else was he suspended for the season after pleading guilty to second degree misdemeanor burglary? He claimed guilt...how much more does his involvement need to be established?

Alonso's offenses were still criminal, even if embarrassingly stupid. Thankfully, he was given the chance to overcome his issues and he made the most of it in as positive a way as he could.

My point in my original post is that players like Thomas, Holland, Huff, Remington, and to a lesser extent, James shouldn't be lumped in with the others' "out of control" actions. And I never implied that the indiscretions of the other Ducks even remotely approached what happened with the four Alabama players. What those guys did is on a level that the Jason Shelley's and Jerramy Stevens' of the world can only comprehend.