For those of you wondering just how seriously the NFL planned to take the precedent it set when it decided to effectively enforce the five-game NCAA suspension former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor skipped out on to enter the league, you have a tentative answer: Fairly seriously. As it turns out, Pryor's old coach is going to sit for a while, too.
Last week, the Indianapolis Colts hired Jim Tressel ?�also slated to serve a five-game suspension this fall for intentionally covering up NCAA violations by Pryor and multiple Buckeye teammates last year, before he was forced to resign in May ? as a "game day consultant" assisting with decisions about challenging officials' calls on the field via instant replay. Today, after a weekend to mull it over, the Colts decided it's only fair for Tressel to eat bench along with his old quarterback. From an official statement by general manager Bill Polian (emphasis added):
After the announcement of Coach Jim Tressel's agreement to join the Colts as a game day consultant, questions were raised with respect to the equity of his appointment as opposed to suspensions being served this season by present and former Ohio State players.
Over the weekend Coach Tressel, [owner Jim] Irsay, Coach [Jim] Caldwell and I had a discussion of the issue. In addition, we had a conversation with league officials to apprise them of the details of Coach Tressel's employment and the issues we were reviewing.
At Coach Tressel's suggestion, and with Mr. Irsay's concurrence and support, we have decided to begin Coach Tressel's employment effective with our seventh regular season game. We have informed the league office of our decision and expect that they will be supportive of it.
Welcome to the slippery slope. Can we assume Reggie Bush and Pete Carroll are next?
It is significant that the suspension is (allegedly) Tressel's idea, absolving the NFL itself of the burden of having to issue a token slap on the wrist to every disgraced college coach that gets snapped up by one of its teams. But it is significant that assorted forces within the league continue to acknowledge and reinforce the arcane rules of an antiquated governing body whose fundamental premise is based on the cold, hard realities of 1910. If such a precedent had been established in the early nineties, would Jerry Jones have been willing or able to hire Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer Barry Switzer to coach the Dallas Cowboys? Back then, you could still hire your old college teammates regardless of their record or reputation as scandal mongers in the college ranks, and wake up one day with three Super Bowl championships in four years and no regrets. Man, those were the days.
- - -
Matt Hinton is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
Cleveland Browns Mathew Safford Atlanta Falcons Minnesota Vikings Washington Wizards
No comments:
Post a Comment