LaGarrette Blount Suspended for the Season.

mike_v_s · #1 09-04-2009, 04:52 PM

Your thoughts? I'm torn between the "that's what your dumb *** gets for punching someone on national television" and the fact that this suspension will definitely affect his future employment....possibly costing him a lot more money than it would have if I were to punch someone on national television.

Mike

king_biscuit · #2 09-04-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

Your thoughts? I'm torn between the "that's what your dumb *** gets for punching someone on national television" and the fact that this suspension will definitely affect his future employment....possibly costing him a lot more money than it would have if I were to punch someone on national television.

Mike

If someone in his life had disciplined him a little earlier, he probably wouldn't have thrown that sucker punch. He could have killed that other kid, who wasn't even looking. He should have been permanently ejected from the game, and I think he got off light. If you or I had done that we would probably be in jail, btw!

Hamrhed · #3 09-04-2009, 04:59 PM

It was a stupid move on Blounts part- I'm not sure that any less time (suspension-wise) would send the right message, but man I hate to see the guy suffer a season susp. for getting baited and making a mistake...

I dont agree w/ what Blount did- but Ill bet the idiot who came looking to rub his nose in the defeat will rest easy knowing that millions of people will be watching video of him getting dropped like a box of rocks. So what if Blount talked smack before the game: Boise did the best thing to shut him up- talked on the field by winning the game. The dude who came looking to gloat after that got more than he wanted

Yes it was a sucker punch- and deplorable. But- if you go looking to rub a mans nose in his teams defeat by grabbing at him... you better be ready for some payback- warranted or not

king_biscuit · #4 09-04-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamrhed

It was a stupid move on Blounts part- I'm not sure that any less time (suspension-wise) would send the right message, but man I hate to see the guy suffer a season susp. for getting baited and making a mistake...

I dont agree w/ what Blount did- but Ill bet the idiot who came looking to rub his nose in the defeat will rest easy knowing that millions of people will be watching video of him getting dropped like a box of rocks. So what if Blount talked smack before the game- Boise did the best thing to shut him up- talked on the field by winning the game. The dude who came looking to gloat got more than he wanted

Does anyone even know what the other guy said, or are we making some assumptions?

All his did was hit a guy who wasn't even looking -- that is nothing to be proud of.

jrthebassguy · #5 09-04-2009, 05:04 PM

I think it was ESPN's Todd McShay who said earlier that it's stuff like this is what gets a player who was an expected 3rd or 4th rounder and turning them into an undraftable player.

That guy has no class. The punishment seems fitting.

MatticusMania · #6 09-04-2009, 05:05 PM

He farted in his general direction.

mike_v_s · #7 09-04-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamrhed

It was a stupid move on Blounts part- I'm not sure that any less time (suspension-wise) would send the right message, but man I hate to see the guy suffer a season susp. for getting baited and making a mistake...

I dont agree w/ what Blount did- but Ill bet the idiot who came looking to rub his nose in the defeat will rest easy knowing that millions of people will be watching video of him getting dropped like a box of rocks. So what if Blount talked smack before the game: Boise did the best thing to shut him up- talked on the field by winning the game. The dude who came looking to gloat after that got more than he wanted

Yes it was a sucker punch- and deplorable. But- if you go looking to rub a mans nose in his teams defeat by grabbing at him... you better be ready for some payback- warranted or not

I held a somewhat similar opinion this morning, but after listening to multiple former players-turned-talking-heads on sports radio, I'm more or less convinced that this kind of jawing goes on before, during and after games (I've never been a college player, so I can't say this for sure). I think Blount overreacted becuase he had a really bad game and got reminded of it. In that light, I don't consider it "baiting". I consider it "every game day" for these guys.

I'm still really feeling for him, though. There's no doubt he'll feel this on draft day.

Mike

Hamrhed · #8 09-04-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Does anyone even know what the other guy said, or are we making some assumptions?

Saw this on Jim Romes show: The first thing I saw was the sucker punch- and it was bad. But they replayed it and the dude on the recieving up came up, slapped Blount on the shoulder pad as he got in his face and then got popped. I'm sure after the reaction by Blount that it wasnt nice what was said- but yes it was an assumption based on what I saw.

Blount got what he deserved either way-but it was obvious to me (after all the smack talk leading up to the game) that the Boise player thought he would use the opportunity to be a poor sport and take a jab at Blount. Blount obviously reacted poorly- but my point is that the Boise player was an idiot as well.

king_biscuit · #9 09-04-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

I'm still really feeling for him, though. There's no doubt he'll feel this on draft day.

Mike

Why do you care? I don't! If you did what he did, you would have been arrested and convicted of assault and battery. How would a felony affect your employability? That guy is a punk with no discipline and he got off light. He keeps his scholarship, and continues to practice with the team.

king_biscuit · #10 09-04-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamrhed

Saw this on Jim Romes show:

Blount got what he deserved either way

Really? He deserved to be punched in the jaw while he wasn't looking? Hmmm...

Hamrhed · #11 09-04-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Why do you care? I don't! If you did what he did, you would have been arrested and convicted of assault and battery. How would a felony affect your employability? That guy is a punk with no discipline and he got off light. He keeps his scholarship, and continues to practice with the team.

I agree I just think its funny after all is said and done the Boise player is going to be youtubed millions of times

mike_v_s · #12 09-04-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Why do you care? I don't! If you did what he did, you would have been arrested and convicted of assault and battery. How would a felony affect your employability? That guy is a punk with no discipline and he got off light. He keeps his scholarship, and continues to practice with the team.

Because I know someone who, thanks to one stupid night in highschool, had to completely reroute his future after 4 years of college when his past transgression came back to bite him in the ass. I don't know Blount from anyone, but I know he's likely spent his entire life working towards the one goal that is now in jeopardy thanks to a REAL dumb mistake.

If this were his Junior year, I wouldn't feel the same. He'd have time to reflash his image. But it's not. He won't play another game between now and the draft. You're right, you and I would probably be hit with a charge, but we wouldn't lose the potential income he will, either.

Mike

king_biscuit · #13 09-04-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

You're right, you and I would probably be hit with a charge, but we wouldn't lose the potential income he will, either.

Mike

Percentage wise we might. There are regular -- non-athletic royalty -- folks all over (many in prison) who are living with and paying the consequences of a single mistake. Why shouldn't this guy? What kind of precedent is set by letting him off light? It's ok to punch a guy while he isn't looking because he said something you don't like? What if he had caused a permanent injury to the other player? I think the league should have a zero tolerance policy towards this sort of thing. And if Blount cared so much about his future, he would go to team meetings, and stay out of trouble, which he has failed to do. He is low class, and if he couldn't run fast and lift heavy stuff, he'd be in jail right now.

MoD_Scotty · #14 09-04-2009, 05:28 PM

I know several people who would have acted the same way in that situation. I think they're idiots, just like this guy. Instead of this guy getting drafted, someone else will. Someone who keeps their cool and doesn't punch people on national TV. I don't see a problem with how this situation turned out.

mike_v_s · #15 09-04-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Percentage wise we might. There are regular -- non-athletic royalty -- folks all over (many in prison) who are living with and paying the consequences of a single mistake. Why shouldn't this guy? What kind of precedent is set by letting him off light? It's ok to punch a guy while he isn't looking because he said something you don't like? What if he had caused a permanent injury to the other player? I think the league should have a zero tolerance policy towards this sort of thing. And if Blount cared so much about his future, he would go to team meetings, and stay out of trouble, which he has failed to do. He is low class, and if he couldn't run fast and lift heavy stuff, he'd be in jail right now.

I'm not saying I completely disagree with you, just that I'm bouncing between the two schools of thought. You're right, he could have easily caused career-ending damage to the other player and that needs to be considered. I just find it a shame.

Mike

king_biscuit · #16 09-04-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

I just find it a shame.

Mike

What is a shame is that low IQ neanderthals like LaGarrette Blount will get rich playing a kids game -- the whole time acting like a complete dumbass -- while teachers, firemen, nurses, etc., work their asses off just to pay their bills. How can you feel any sympathy for this guy? If he doesn't wind up killing himself or someone else, he will make plenty of money.

BartmanPDX · #17 09-04-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

Your thoughts? I'm torn between the "that's what your dumb *** gets for punching someone on national television" and the fact that this suspension will definitely affect his future employment....possibly costing him a lot more money than it would have if I were to punch someone on national television.

Mike

Yeah, I'm going with your first thought.

He made a mistake, but it was a HUGE mistake. It probably will cost him a pro career, but then there's not much that's guaranteed in football. He could blow out his knee next week and never be able to play again. Running backs in the NFL have notoriously short careers. As with all pro athletes and wannabes, I hope he had a backup plan. Time to put it in motion.

Someone else who doesn't lose his cool and has worked just as hard will take his spot. Even the NFL takes a dim view of fights during games.

Jared Lash · #18 09-04-2009, 05:40 PM

First off I should point out that I thought I laughed the first time I saw it. The guy was looking to rub in the win and got popped. The expression on his face was priceless. It reminded me of a very similar incident in college where a guy in my fraternity was being a douchebag to a smaller guy at a bar and the guy hauled off and clocked him on the side of the head.

That said, thousands of players do this "meet at midfield handshake" nonsense and I don't recall another player sucker punching a guy, let alone fighting his own teammate or trying to go into the stands to fight fans. The guy made a mistake and he's being appropriately punished IMO. This isn't a life ending mistake. Sure he cost himself a ton of money on draft day, but if he's a legit NFL talent (and by all accounts he is) then he has a decade or more to prove this is an isolated incident. Or he could turn out to be a Lawrence Phillips type story. His choice as to how he responds.

That said, I think this midfield handshake stuff is outdated and pointless. Have the coaches come out and shake hands and leave the players on the sidelines. These things ALWAYS have guys taunting and talking trash after the game.

But then college football is more or less a sham from the beginning with the idea that these guys are all about their education. Not as transparent a sham as basketball since football players stay at least 3 years and usually 4 or even 5 as opposed to one and done, but a sham nonetheless.

I still think basketball and football need to do what baseball does and have a true minor league so that players who want to get an education CAN choose that route but also so guys who are only there to play football can do so without the charade of classes and rules and be legitimately compensated.

mike_v_s · #19 09-04-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

What is a shame is that low IQ neanderthals like LaGarrette Blount will get rich playing a kids game -- the whole time acting like a complete dumbass -- while teachers, firemen, nurses, etc., work their asses off just to pay their bills. How can you feel any sympathy for this guy? If he doesn't wind up killing himself or someone else, he will make plenty of money.

The same can be said for countless musicians and bands. It's not his fault that millions of people pump billions of dollars into something he's good at. If this is yuor stance, you should be mad a virtually everyone you pass on the street for this. They buy the tickets. They watch the game. If they didn't, he wouldn't be there.

I'm betting if you asked everyone you know to throw together the same amount of money they spent on sports (tickets, jerseys, snacks, etc) and hand it over to the local fire department instead, they'd all decline.

My showing of concern/sympathy for his future doesn't mean I feel less for the other people in the other professions you mentioned. Truth be told, I gave more money directly to the professions you listed last year than I did all of my sporting events combined. I still think it's a shame.

Mike

king_biscuit · #20 09-04-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

The same can be said for countless musicians and bands. It's not his fault that millions of people pump billions of dollars into something he's good at. If this is yuor stance, you should be mad a virtually everyone you pass on the street for this. They buy the tickets. They watch the game. If they didn't, he wouldn't be there.

I'm betting if you asked everyone you know to throw together the same amount of money they spent on sports (tickets, jerseys, snacks, etc) and hand it over to the local fire department instead, they'd all decline.

My showing of concern/sympathy for his future doesn't mean I feel less for the other people in the other professions you mentioned. Truth be told, I gave more money directly to the professions you listed last year than I did all of my sporting events combined. I still think it's a shame.

Mike

I am not mad at him or anyone else for making money. I just don't feel sorry for him if he loses a little gravy from his train for being a violent dumbass.