UGA – Arky preview

Hands down the best pre game write up on the ‘net.  Enjoy.

http://viewfrom336.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010-Week-03-Ark1.pdf

Game Time Decision on A.J.?

Word has leaked out that A.J. Green didn’t get his appeal today.  He won’t get it tomorrow. No, the NCAA will not hear the plea until Friday. Friday? What’s the wait?

So what is it exactly the NC Double A-holes are waiting on? Coach Richt and the university made it known a week ago that they were appealing the four game suspension. Does it take a week to field a phone call?

If you’re planning on telling me “they need to get their info together”, I tell you to consider this – look at the prior appeals, ALL this season.

Jeremiah Masoli, deemed ineligible on August 31st. He regained his eligibility September 3rd.

Marcell Dareus of Alabama was involved in the “Great Agentgate of 2010”. Two trips to Miami, hotel, airfare, who knows what else, and he’s given the industry standard four game suspension.  But wait, those damn “mitigating circumstances” pop up and – voila!, suspension magically reduced to two games. No appeal necessary! Two games for taking trips from agents to an agent’s party totaling somewhere in the neighborhood of $1800. Yeah, two games is sufficient.

And now we get to A.J. He sells a jersey for roughly a grand (selling an autographed jersey IS against the rules), but it’s who he sold it to is what has gotten him in all the hot water. Chris Hawkins may possibly be an agent, or could one day become an agent, oh hell, they’re sure he at least knows an agent. A.J. loses 1/3 of what is likely his last season in college football.  Green and UGA file an appeal, as they should. They heard back from the NCAA today.  WEDNESDAY! Almost a full week since they announced the intention to appeal! And then, the trial judge, jury, and appellate circuit of college football punishment have said they will graciously hear the appeal on Friday.

So, NCAA, punish the player? You’re punishing the team! They must prepare for yet another conference matchup with the fate of their star player hanging in the balance.  I would say that would be somewhat of a distraction.

How about try this: Investigate, make a ruling, decide to hear an appeal, collect your thoughts (although, realistically, you should already have the facts you need, you have just doled out punishment. It’s just to double check any precedents to see if you were fair), and set up the appeal no less than 24 hours later.  Are you too busy for a half hour phone call the next day?

I’ve heard the argument “maybe there’s more to the story, that’s why it’s taking so long”.  That’s not the case. This is nothing more than the NCAA overcompensating for years of lack of relevance.

FREE A.J.!