Spikes will sit whole game. Will Meyer be joining him?
Normally on Thursdays we have Five Burning Questions. Today, we only have two:
1. Brandon Spikes will sit out the whole game against Vanderbilt. Will Urban Meyer be joining him? Florida’s Spikes was suspended for trying to poke Georgia’s Washaun Ealey in the eye last Saturday in Jacksonville. Originally, coach Urban Meyer suspended Spikes for one half of the Vanderbilt game. After a national media backlash against the punishment as being inadequate, it was announced after practice on Wednesday that Spikes would sit the entire game. Spikes said he asked that his punishment be extended because he didn’t want to be a “distraction” to the team.
We’ll deal more with that decision in the next note. But here is what I want to know. Did Urban Meyer break the SEC commissioner’s rule on not publicly criticizing officials? If so, could he be sitting out the Vanderbilt game with Spikes?
On Wednesday’s SEC conference call the Florida head coach said he sent video of what he believed was a late hit on Tim Tebow (by Georgia’s Nick Williams) to the conference office. I didn’t get to see the video but I talked to some people who did. Based on what those people told me, Meyer is right. Georgia Coach Mark Richt told the AJC yesterday that Williams should have been flagged on the hit.
When Meyer was asked about the play, Meyer said “I don’t want to step out of line on that.” Meyer said he had the utmost respect for SEC officials. But then he said this:
“That should have been a penalty, in my opinion,” Meyer said when asked about the hit. “Obviously, it should have been. You’ve got to protect quarterbacks. That’s the whole purpose. It’s right in front of the referee. I’m not sure how they’re going to handle that, but … that was one of the plays we did send in.”
So, does that violate Commissioner Mike Slive’s edict? Let’s just say it goes right up to the line. The SEC office said late Wednesday that Slive would review Meyer’s comments and make a decision whether or not the Florida coach actually crossed the line.
But remember this. Last week’s ruling by Slive was primarily put in place to keep coaches from questioning the integrity of the officials, not their judgment. It was because Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin used the phrase “and Florida and Alabama move on” suggesting that the officials were taking care of those two teams. That talk is what Slive’s rule is intended to address.
But I could be wrong about this one. Slive may feel he has to do something because if Meyer gets away with it, the rest of the coaches will take their shots as well, which is what started this whole mess. We will watch and report.
2. What will be the fallout against Spikes, if any? It may have actually been Spikes’ idea to increase the suspension to a full game. After the incredible storm of bad press, somebody may have suggested to the kid that it was a pretty good idea.
Whatever.
This whole circus should not have been necessary. I can’t say that Florida used the best PR judgment in its handling Spikes situation. What Florida didn’t seem to understand was that from a public perception standpoint, sitting the kid for only a half was almost worse than not suspending him at all.
Florida has gotten hammered in the media this week and most of the damage has been self inflicted. There is also the possibility that this will cost Spikes when it comes time for the media to pick all-conference and All-America teams. If it comes down to Spikes and somebody else for an award or honor, all some voters are going to remember his hand inside Washaun Ealey’s facemask. Is that fair? Probably not. But if you’re Florida—or any school–you just can’t make these kinds of decisions in a vacuum. I’m not saying that media reaction and public perception should dictate these kinds of decisions, but don’t you have to at least CONSIDER it?
Here is what should have happened. First, somebody at Florida needed to look Urban Meyer in the eye and say: “Coach, this isn’t right. It’s got to be for a full game. We’re going to get killed in the press.” Then Brandon Spikes has to stand in front of the media in Gainesville and say just three sentences: “This is not who I am. I lost my temper in the heat of the game. I am sorry.” Then it’s over. You ask for forgiveness. It is given. Then Spikes, who has had an otherwise brilliant career and who I think is a good kid, doesn’t get defined by 20 seconds of video.
Florida made the classic political mistake. They took what could have been a one-day story and let it become a four-day story. Here it is Thursday morning and we’re still talking about it.
Maybe Spikes mitigates the damage by this decision. But some damage has already been done. And the sad thing is it didn’t have to be this way.
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316 comments Add your comment
rtque
November 5th, 2009
6:56 am
What is the big deal about being first?
bhamwreck
November 5th, 2009
6:58 am
Darwin Holt vs Brandon Spikes:
1) Spikes COULD have ruined Ealey’s playing career. Holt DID ruin Chick Granning’s career when he sent him to the hospital during a dead ball in the Alabama Georgia Tech game in 1962 in Tuscaloosa when the ref wasn’t watching.
2) Urban Meyer probably didn’t direct Spikes to try to go after Ealey’s eyes whereas Bear Bryant did direct Holt to take Granning out of the game.
3) Idiots call up and make empty threats to boycott the SEC unless they do something about Spikes whereas Bobby Dodd actually changed the course of a program forever when he got Tech out of the SEC in part because he was disgusted with the leagues lack of disciplinary action on Bear Bryant for that incedent.
4) The Darwin Holt hit wasn’t caught on video.
Buzz29
November 5th, 2009
6:58 am
To hell with the SEC! First?
Gary
November 5th, 2009
7:06 am
Correct me if I am wrong but a quarterback that is running an option oriented offense is also a potential running back. Therefore he is going to be hit when he is handing ,pitching or keeping the ball on any given play. To disallow the defense to hit the qb in this instance allows the offense an unfair advantage. Maybe in order to protect the qb we should put a red jersey and flags on them,therefore barring any contact by the defense. C’mon this is football we are talking about. Water the game down and it will not be woorth watching. No one says anything when Tebow lowers his shoulder and attempts to run over the smaller dbs. Just food for thought.
nowhine
November 5th, 2009
7:13 am
Spikey probally said “If I can’t play whole Game I won’t play at all” bhamwreck one of many whiners
nowhine
November 5th, 2009
7:17 am
Sec should kicked out of ncaa. They would do better by them selves no other conference even comes colse to being talked about or viewed as much as the SEC never have!
m
November 5th, 2009
7:23 am
The entire sec is full of whiny, crybaby, fans, players.coaches…and sportswriters.
The sec is the weakest I have ever seen it in my lifetime. They are lucky we don’t have a playoff system because none of these weak sec teams, that are articially propped up by the polls, would go anywhere.
Gatorbait
November 5th, 2009
7:26 am
Tony it is the media like you who keep writing about this instead of UGA’s issues on the field and the Gators success on the field. Like the Ole Ball Coach used to say if they like you too much, they must be beating you. Well nobody is liking the gators, since nobody can beat them. Go Gators. Another BCS championship is on its way.
Nachos
November 5th, 2009
7:28 am
Tony Jabroni would you quit with the god dam UGA-Florida stuff? This is suppose to be a COLLEGE FOOTBALL blog. Not a UGA blog. Do you plan on discussing the LSU-Alabama game? FYI – Its a pretty big game.
Joey
November 5th, 2009
7:28 am
Nowhine, I would attempt to respond to your half-witted comment, but I have absolutely no idea what you’re trying to say. Graduate, much?
Even as a Florida fan, I think Meyer is trying to see what he can get away with. He knows he’s in the driver seat, he just wants to see if the SEC will push him off the side of the road for driving too fast. Does he have more balls than brains? Possibly. But I think his coaching staff can handle Vandy and I think he’s well aware of that.
As far as Spikes, I’m disappointed in the guy. He’s had a stand-up career and, until now, has been feared as a beast for his LEGAL play. I don’t think this play reflects his true character, I think he just got caught up in the moment and made a really, emphasis on really, stupid decision. Like Mr. Barnhart said, I hope this 20 second clip doesn’t define his career.
JB
November 5th, 2009
7:35 am
TB, spot on, per ususal.
The crazy thing is, they don’t even need the gouger for that game. Had it been a full game, to start, end of story. You are absolutely correct in that they blew it in many ways.
I also be more than a tad surprised if they suspend the sainted one. He did break the recently laid out rule but it won’t happen.
Sadly, it’s really starting to look like there are different sets of rules, for different teams, in the SEC.
HBTD!!!
Paul ( You doesn't have to call me Johnson}
November 5th, 2009
7:40 am
Ward, I’m worried about the Gators…..they are getting so much bad publicity lately.
Aw June, The Gators will be just fine as long as Mike Slive is there to protect them. He’s gonna make sure there is an SEC team in Pasadena.
The Southeastern Conference: 11 schools under NCAA investigation and Vanderbilt
JB
November 5th, 2009
7:53 am
I didn’t know UGA was under investigation? Is SC? Ol’ Miss? LSU? Wow!!!
Run along Paul.
HBTD!!!
leland
November 5th, 2009
7:59 am
Paul (You doesn’t have to call me Johnson.)–you can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay, but….
TommyJack
November 5th, 2009
8:00 am
Gators. Building championships one thug at a time.
Newnan Jacket
November 5th, 2009
8:03 am
m – You didn’t thank God and Greyhound! Are you OK?
Tony – You are wrong about what should have happened. Meyer should have looked at the play Sunday night, then given the punishment at that time. A good coach stands by the standards of the organization and does not let others dictate how discipline is handed down. The fact that he handled this in such a fashion is just weak.
Fire Truck
November 5th, 2009
8:03 am
This is all much to do about nothing. No pain no foul, but it did deserve a 15-yard penalty – nothing more. As far as Meyer is concerned, coaches are permitted to protest officiating but are not allowed to denegrate the officials publicly. Meyer did nothing wrong by stating that he thinks that there should have been a pernalty called on the Tebow late hit. Hell, Richt agrees. There is no story here.
OldricketyWreck
November 5th, 2009
8:04 am
Funny how the Nick Williams cheap shot on Tebow is garnering NO press. Flagrant late hit to a guy who just healed from a concussion?
Corrine Brown
November 5th, 2009
8:05 am
Did Spikes check with Timmy first to make sure its OK ?
Tom S
November 5th, 2009
8:08 am
Hey Tony –
Maybe you’ve not heard, but Georgia Tech, Atlanta’s home town team, is 8-1, 10th in BCS, and possibly headed to an ACC Championship and BCS game. Tech has a much better W-L record than UGa, and is ranked much higher. This is not the norm over the past few years, so you might need to re-think your priorities for coverage.
The team has a charismatic coach who publicly tells it like it is (compare to Mr. Richt). You might consider a column this year on Coach Johnson, or QB Nesbitt.
Tom
Harrisonburg, VA
JB
November 5th, 2009
8:10 am
Yeah there’s no difference between a late hit (happens 4 or 5 times a game) and eye goughing (never seen it on tape, ever)…
HBTD!!!
blazer
November 5th, 2009
8:13 am
give it up please!!!!!!!!!!wonder if it would been a big deal if ga. had won
ManUp
November 5th, 2009
8:13 am
This wouldn’t even be on anyones radar if these dogs hadn’t had the crap kicked out of them. The whole AJC Sports staff has been writing about this junk for almost a week.
Newnan Jacket
November 5th, 2009
8:15 am
bhamwreck – Let it go, man. That was almost 50 years ago! I’m a young’un (born 10 years after that game) so wasn’t around for Tech’s glory days. But I am grateful that Coach Dodd took us out of that midden heap. It cost the program a few years of mediocrity, but I’ll take that any day over the stuff I see in the SEC.
JB
November 5th, 2009
8:16 am
Yeah, again, cause eye gouging happens all of the time. It’s so mundane!!!
Does your same theory apply to the national press?
Might the ajc folk be covering it do to the fact that it happened to a local team? Perhaps that the gouger just annouced that the suspension would last the entire game?
Such brainiacs today. Sheeesh!
HBTD!!!!
gatorsam
November 5th, 2009
8:18 am
Yo! Tony! If pundits like you would shut up about the incident, the fallout would stop. You are spending too much time in New York!!
help, I live in Ga
November 5th, 2009
8:18 am
Not a word about the Georgia players comment that he shouldn’t be suspended. Tony, guys like you create the situation, then just listen to who ever supports your side. My gosh this incident is not even an incident and you find a way to keep it alive. Isn’t there anything good in college football to write about? C’mon Man!
gatorsam
November 5th, 2009
8:19 am
Yo! Tony! let’s put Meyer and Spikes in prison, and the Gators would still hammer your puppies!
EEJacket
November 5th, 2009
8:22 am
Dammit tony if you’re going to write all about the same SEC topic two days in a row at least make it about the dawgs. There’s enough hooplah over that Tebow boy to begin with the gaytors don’t need any more press……
Fat American
November 5th, 2009
8:22 am
Spikes should be banned from playing collegiately. He’s a better fit with the Ravens or Raiders
help, I live in Ga
November 5th, 2009
8:23 am
Tony, I have your show on my DVR and was going to watch it tonight. Never mind. I’m watching Greys Anatomy with my wife. Maybe they will have a controversial “no injury” to a football player. At least they will talk about football for a while.
bhamwreck
November 5th, 2009
8:24 am
Tony,
I wish I knew how to spell “incedent”.
Newnan Jacket
November 5th, 2009
8:25 am
Tom S – I’ve been thinking that as well. Lately, I’ve been of a mind that, to newspapers, Losers are much more interesting than Winners. Me, I’d rather involve myself in how a program builds itself up rather than this incessent rehashing of every action and reaction of a programs demise. Its a sad state we’re in, is it not?
Ole Ball Coach
November 5th, 2009
8:26 am
If they like you too much they must be beating you. Not too many people like the gators these days since nobody can beat them. Keep writing about us Tony. Keeps us motivated.
Gator Al
November 5th, 2009
8:26 am
Thank you Dogs for blowing this way out of proportion. Brandon is a stand up guy that gout caught up by the way your Dogs were cheap shotting the Gators. Get over it and get a real team.
m
November 5th, 2009
8:27 am
Thanks to Newnan Jacket for reminding me…..
Thanks to God and Greyhound (and DRAD), chan gomrer gailey is gone forever. You dawgs are already missing him. And any Tech fan that ever supported him or defended him in any way…you suck as bad as the dogs.
m
November 5th, 2009
8:28 am
Tony,
Thanks to God and Greyhound we don’t play William & Mary or any more teams grom the Colonial, they’re kicking our butts!
Ohio State fan
November 5th, 2009
8:29 am
So now Tony Barnhart and all of the AJC flunkies are on the University of Georgia’s payroll?
What a sad commentary on the state of sports media in the 21st century – no wonder the newspaper business will be a thing of the past in the not too distant future.
JB
November 5th, 2009
8:30 am
“Thank you Dogs for blowing this way out of proportion.”
Yeah Al, its us Dawgs that have blown this out of proportion. I gather you don’t read or watch anything national. For you to say that, it’s patently obvious.
More brainiacs!
HBTD!!!
Brad
November 5th, 2009
8:32 am
Tony…
I read your articles every week because I typically concur with your opinions and predictions. And before I say what I want to say, I think it’s only fair that I tell you that I am a Gator fan. However, I think you’re dead wrong about the media letting this go if Urban Meyer handles this situation the ‘right way.’ This is due in large part to the fact that once the suspension was handed down by UF, the SEC approved of the punishment’s severity. Moreover, the ‘victim’ in this case, Washaun Ealey, stated publicly that this wasn’t a big deal and he thought that Spikes shouldn’t even be suspended. But because of the unrelenting media backlash, Coach Meyer, Spikes, Charlie Strong, and Jeremy Foley all felt that something more had to be done in order to keep this from being an even bigger distraction. Why? Because you media types will not stop talking about it. This issue has had opportunities to go away, but people like Mike Golic, Jeff Schultz, and yourself are all standing on your moral high ground, spewing bitterness toward a UF program who proposed a punishment that was accepted by the authority (the SEC) to which they answer.
Steve Orl
November 5th, 2009
8:36 am
How do you or anyone know he wasn’t just playing with Ealey? He could have been messing with him saying I’m gonna get you freshman and stuck his fingers in there just messing with him. Ealey even said as much. You need the facts of what happened before going all emotional. Dawg nation have always been insecure emotional people. Guess it has to do with how long they’ve won it all.
Steve
November 5th, 2009
8:38 am
More crap and jealousy from the leg humping crotch sniffers. Get over it. GA sucks and Florida owns your butt. I love it. There was a reason that Ealey made the statement that he did. He spit on the guy. I would have punched his lights out. Dawgs SUCK.
Jeff Dahmer
November 5th, 2009
8:39 am
The SEC sure is one fine organization. Full of nothing but upstanding dignified men and women at all levels, from the wise commissioner to the refreshing scholar athletes. Any of them can sit at the head of my table any time.
merculf
November 5th, 2009
8:39 am
I’m an Auburn man so enough already! Is the kid blind in one eye now? NO. Was he hurt? No. Did he even complain about it when it happened to him? NO. It’s part of the game and has been going on for decades right or wrong. Let’s move on and talk about how LSU is going to beat Bama on this weekend! WDE!
JB
November 5th, 2009
8:39 am
Sticking ones fingers in another person eyes is, “messing with them”??? Wow!
HBTD!!!
gatorhater
November 5th, 2009
8:40 am
Lucky for FLA they had Vanderbilt next so they could impose a one game suspension. If Bama was next their hypocrisy would have been exposed even more.
Steve
November 5th, 2009
8:41 am
This is the Dawgs way of trying to take the spotlight off the fact that they suck. These so called reporters suck as bad.
Nate
November 5th, 2009
8:41 am
So you only look at video’s that affect Ga players? How could you not see that video? Isn’t it your job as Mr College football (joke) to have already looked at something like that? Isn’t that part of your job description? It’s like a stock broker commenting on a stocks move and saying well i didn’t even see what the dow and nasdaq did this week. Tony you’re becoming a joke. Move out of Ga and base your “operations” somewhere else to save any cred you have left.
Steve
November 5th, 2009
8:41 am
“Florida made the classic political mistake.”
Regardless of what Florida did, we would still be talking about this because tabloid hacks, and please include yourself mr. drama queen cfb, have their own prejudices and agendas.
Can’t wait to see your next article in the supermarket checkout line.
m
November 5th, 2009
8:43 am
To the m-poster at 8:28 AM…
Yeah…it is a lot more furn kicking the sec’s arse than losing to the Colonial.
Lane Kiffin
November 5th, 2009
8:43 am
I’ve never seen Barnhardt’s passion for THUGA come out so strong before. You know the pups must be in a world of hurt now if Tony is devoting every blog now to bashing UF because they are the number one program in the SEC….the spot he’d die to see his beloved mutts in!!
Ohio State fan
November 5th, 2009
8:44 am
Of course, he won’t answer any of the criticism – he can’t, what would he say? I know?
Short and Sweet
November 5th, 2009
8:44 am
To remain consistent in its level of punishments, the SEC Commissioners have instructed Coach Meyer to sit out the entire halftime show in this Saturday’s game.
Mutt Nonsense
November 5th, 2009
8:44 am
Let’s try this again.
Washaun Ealey, THE GUY DIRECTLY INVOLVED, didn’t care and thought this was all getting blown out of proportion. Why is there no commentary on that? Where are you Dawg fans?
The only people that care are sidewalk alumni and lazy reporters who don’t want to think about the drivel they hand in. It’s funny that after the LSU game, Tony watched all the video he could, called Redding, and did everything but have an expose. Somehow magically, however, he hasn’t seen the Nick Williams tape. Apparently he wasn’t watching the CBS game/broadcast he was a part of because even dumb Vern and Gary commented on the replay that was shown a couple times. Of course, after listening to his halftime commentary, it’s totally plausible that Tony didn’t watch that game.
Steve
November 5th, 2009
8:45 am
HB
Ealey said he didn’t touch his eyes moron. You’ve never joked around with someone before. It’s what seniors to do freshman. Could have easily been a taunt gone bad by everyone thinking he was attempting a malicious act. He could have been saying I’m gonna poke you fresman with no intention of even trying to touch his eyes.
UGASlobberknocker
November 5th, 2009
8:45 am
When I saw the Spikes video I was outraged, called for suspension, etc. With their actions this week, Brandon Spikes and Washaun Ealey have shown more class than me, then anybody on this board who posted similarly to me, and for sure Coach Meyer. I am proud of Ealey and I have new huge respect for Spikes. I have learned something here..I hope others have too..that we sometimes get carried away in our zeal. Thanks guys for the lesson.
collegeballfan
November 5th, 2009
8:47 am
In any kind of politics perception is just as important as reality.
This “rule” can never be ignored.
gatorhead1013
November 5th, 2009
8:48 am
Spikes did stand up and say essentially the same “I am sorry” quote you are calling for TONY. It was Monday. Sorry you missed.
Worry about being 4-4, poodles.
trailer trash SEC
November 5th, 2009
8:48 am
like their fathers before them……you can take the boy out of the trailer park, but you can not take the trailer park out of the punk a$$ boy…..
Mutt Nonsense
November 5th, 2009
8:48 am
JB,
So mean ol’ Spikes gouged Ealey and rammed all his fingers into both eyeballs, yet Ealey shows no ill effects, doesn’t come out of the game or so much as stop to rub anything in his general face area, and then personally says it was no big deal. You’re the only one offended or appalled.
Give it a rest. You’re a bitter mutt resigned to the fact that your season was over when you got blasted by Mr. Kiffin and friends.
longtimesecfan
November 5th, 2009
8:51 am
I hate that it happened too. But it was best summerized by
Wash.Ealey: all teams do it incl dawgs. Wrong to do it but
19-22 year olds unfortunately do lots of bad things mostly
not on TV. Get over it Homer Tony.
CharlotteGator
November 5th, 2009
8:51 am
UGASlobberknocker,
Thanks for your thoughts. That is by far the post of the day. I feel the exact same way, except that I now have even more respect for Ealey than I do for Spikes. Not to mention the fact that the kid (Ealey) is down right scary and will be a tremendous talent for years to come.
Secondguesser
November 5th, 2009
8:53 am
You’re right Tony, Urban Myer didn’t handle it the right way. What he should have said was “Yeah I saw the tape, so what? This kind of thing has and does go on throughout the game down to little league. After watching uga players come out with their idea of intimidation, (late hits, tackling out of bounds, intentional face masks, ripping off helmets, and all the other SH!T you didn’t see) I don’t blame Brandon for his actions.” This is what happens when a much lesser opponent (evidenced by the score) comes out trying to intimidate a champion! Brandon, Timmy, and the gang decided to hand their azzes to them!
The pups aren’t good enough to intimidate anyone! For crying out loud, when will the leghumpers quit the crying?!!!!!!!
Bow Wow
November 5th, 2009
8:54 am
Why was this incident any different from the Oregon player who punched the other guy?
Steve
November 5th, 2009
8:56 am
Hey Tony, are you wearing your UGA logo shorts today or just red and black?
Florida Dawg
November 5th, 2009
8:56 am
Tony, I agree with everything you say on Spikes.
UF needs to hire a good PR person…of course, UGA could use one too.
Head in the sand...
November 5th, 2009
8:59 am
Bow wow,
the difference is that the Boise st fanbase and alumni reporters aren’t a bunch of whiners looking for a way to ignore that their team and program is on the decline.
Sanctimonious BS
November 5th, 2009
8:59 am
Hey JB and everyone else who feigns outrage over “sticking one fingers in one’s eyes” and my favoritie “he could have blinded him by gouging his eyes out”? What part of Ealey’s comments stating as fact that “he didn’t come anywhere near my eyes” do you NOT understand? Why must people fabricate lies to make their point? No one knows what Spikes was doing because nothing EVER happened! Save the moral outrage for REAL tragedies that go on every day.
martin
November 5th, 2009
9:01 am
tech fans are mad because they are second fiddle to UGA or any story related to UGA. m, tech couldn’t beat florida on their best day. ya’ll may be better than us this year but you are not better than florida. if spikes was suspended one full game to start with we wouldn’t be talking about this issue today.
4 and 4
November 5th, 2009
9:01 am
welcome to mediocrity dawg fans!
Once again PENALTIES are KILLING this program. Lack of DISCIPLINE and OVERAGGRESSIVE playing by UGA are stalling drives, providing fuel for competitors, and LOSING games.
change the subject all you like. blame meyers, the refs, slive, helmet color, whatever. enjoy the music city bowl, if you ever get to be bowl-eligible.
Lilburn Dawg
November 5th, 2009
9:03 am
I can’t help but think that Spikes offered to sit the whole game only because it’s against a lesser opponent. Do you think for one second that if Florida were playing Alabama in the SEC championship game on Saturday that Spikes and Meyer would offer to sit him out??? Not on your life!!! So then how would they haven’t chosen to handle the negative publicity??
Buzz Belle
November 5th, 2009
9:03 am
Why are we still talking about this? We have serious games in two days that can shake up the BCS picture and the story is about a guy who stuck his hand in a helmet, (which happens all the time according to all players)did NOT gouge anybodies eye (according to Ealey, he never even touched them), and gives himself a stronger punishment than his coach. Is it because things didn’t happen like you wanted it to? You wanted Spikes to crawl on the floor and beg for forgiveness? Grow up and put your big girl panties on people. Everybody is so sick of the SEC constantly whining when they lose. Geeze!!
mark
November 5th, 2009
9:05 am
Tony,
Florida and Spikes did exactly what you suggested….suspension announced quickly, Spikes apologized using much the same words that you suggested. Problem was that all the media were too busy being outraged to notice.
and if he had been suspended for 1 game to start with, the outrage woul dhav been why not 2 games. If he had said 2 games, it would have been why not the rest of the season.
The hypocrisy is amazing. Mike Golic spends most of a 4 hour radio show trashing Spikes…the same Mike Golic who said in an interview several years ago that as a player, he once chocked a guy in the bottom of the pile and that “it is part of the game” and “I was just getting his attention”. Are you serious.
None of that makes what Spikes did right or acceptable but please get all of you get off your high horse and judge, jury and executioner. Someone please tell me the last time a coach in the SEC suspended a player for any game time for a personal foul/unnecessary roughness that took place on the field. Just one….please tell me one who has done it.
Gen Neyland
November 5th, 2009
9:06 am
(A) With the ‘QB must be protected’ rule, it appeared to be a late hit. But by golly, Zebras gotta blink, too..!(B) Good to hear Meyer has something to complain about. CLK wondered aloud yesterday if Meyer had received the Thy Shall Not Complain memo from the head office…(C) ‘Resting’ Spikes during Vandy won’t put a dent in the Gators season. If Slive-O had wanted to impose a real penalty, he would have forced the Gators to play Vandy with a 10 man defense. Even then…
SSmith
November 5th, 2009
9:07 am
How come no one has mentioned the GA jerk who ripped off Spike’s helmet and was pulling his hair (of course it does need to be cut)at the same time?? FL always gets the bad rap, GA never does anything wrong. Same ole crap, different year!!
Urban CRYER
November 5th, 2009
9:08 am
Last I checked you are supposed to try and hit the QB, sometimes you get there a second late, a penalty perhaps, but intended perhaps not. I’ve never heard of asaulting a player being part of football. You need a Wah-mburger with them french cries Urban?
Knuckle Sandwich
November 5th, 2009
9:09 am
Coming from a UGA fan and a former football player, the Spikes eye gouge has been blown way out of proportion. Things like this happen on virtually every down in a football game. If there is a pile on the field, you can bet your 401k that there will be some biting, punching, kicking and yes, gouging going on. That’s the nature of a nasty, war-like game. Spikes shouldn’t be suspended at all for what he did. If Washun doesn’t want to have his eyes poked, stop talking garbage on the field and wear a visor.
dawgster
November 5th, 2009
9:09 am
Ok, lets get this right, especially for the Gatorbait and other gators…what Mr. Spikes did was not a late hit or being too agressive and making a silly penalty, what he did could have ended a playing career of another opponent, yes he has apologized and should be forgiven for that if he is sincer and i believe he is…Ealey has accepted his apology and that does matter, i also feel better about Mr. Spikes remorse for this incident, but i do think that Coach Meyer did not feel that this was a big issue based on the original punishment, I still think, based on his actions that winning, as important as it is, will be what guides him, not what is the right thing to do…As i said previously, if my son would have done that, i would have been on the first plane to his school and would have dealt with i can promise you…but with all this being said, Mr. Spikes is still a kid and this should not follow him forever, we have all made mistakes that we wish we could take back, we should be thankful as should Mr. Spikes, that no damage was done to this young man…
PMC
November 5th, 2009
9:10 am
I’m not sure Meyer violated the edict. He said essentially that they disagree with the no call and he sent the tape to the league… that’s what all coaches should do. He did not say… I think they are letting Georgia get away with murder on our QB’s… that would be a violation.
He will not be suspended.
SSmith
November 5th, 2009
9:12 am
Secondguesser-I agree totally with everything you said.
Jambi
November 5th, 2009
9:12 am
Tony:
Any comment on the Nick Williams hit?
GatorKim
November 5th, 2009
9:13 am
Funny how the Nick Williams cheap shot on Tebow is garnering NO press. Flagrant late hit to a guy who just healed from a concussion?
The dogs are just happy the “news” isn’t the 41-17 score.
Fony Barnfart
November 5th, 2009
9:17 am
Tony is a SEC/UGA homer and a fraud (Mr. College Football — are you kidding me). The AJC is second rate journalism and I really doubt that 10 years from now will even be around. That pretty bad for a metro area of over 4 million people. Tony’s work is far more appropriate for a paper like the Red and Black, or providing commentary on some SEC cable broadcast.
Note to AJC — you are doomed.
GatorG
November 5th, 2009
9:20 am
Tony,
I’ve always respected your opinions, but I’m losing that respect this year. Here are my issues with you on the Spikes situation:
1) You say you didn’t see the late-hit-on-Tebow video. Come on, Tony. What exactly IS your profession?! You’ve been harping on this Spikes issue all week, and people in turn have been bringing up bad things that Georgia players did to Florida. AND YOU NEVER WENT BACK TO SEE WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT?! You need to give yourself a one week suspension for failing to do your research!
2) You say Meyer should have suspended him for one full game, and that would have been ok. Now, I can’t read your mind, but I have absolutely no doubt that if Meyer had suspended Spikes for the whole game on Monday, you (and all of your fellow Georgia homers) would have written the EXACT SAME WORDS, except you’d substitute “he only suspended Spikes for the Vandy game” for “he only suspended Spikes for half a game.” You were going to moan and whine no matter what Meyer did.
3) People all over sports whose opinions aren’t clouded by fan-based emotions (and I lump YOU in with all of those fan posters because that’s how you’re acting) have said this wasn’t such a big deal – it’s unusual only because there’s video of it. Heck, even Ealey has said Spikes shouldn’t be suspended.
The bottom line is that you need to put your Dawg emotions by the side and move on. Yes, your alma mater has lost 17 out of the last 20 games, and I know that must hurt, but you have a job to do, and you need to do it without emotion and prejustice.
Ed
November 5th, 2009
9:21 am
I’m sure Spikes’ is a wonderful kid who’ll make many friends at Alachua County Correctional once he is no longer useful to the University of Florida.
FLORIDA'S BEACHES
November 5th, 2009
9:25 am
YOU TELL’EM NACHOS & MUTT NONSENSE!! THIS ISN’T REPORTING T.B, THIS IS THE UNADULTERATED BEATING OF A DEAD HORSE!!! LET THIS B.S. GO & LET’S TALK SOME FOOTBALL!!!
Hayseed Dixie
November 5th, 2009
9:29 am
Anyone else feel like Lane Kiffin will drag the SEC down a notch?
There is a fine line that Kiffin is consistently crossing, and I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it doesn’t bode well for the integrity of the SEC (which is still the best football, period).
EDSBS » Archive » CURIOUS INDEX, 11/4/09
November 5th, 2009
9:29 am
[...] SCOTT JURGENSEN I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT! I AM ACTUALLY GONNA MURDER YOU. Urban Meyer, a real stickler, could face some kind of real live disciplinary action from the SEC for his complaints about officiating, though we can’t imagine it coming in the [...]
G8R GRAD
November 5th, 2009
9:30 am
Gary:
Have you seen the Williams video?
It is a staright ahead hand-off (not an option play) and it is long after Tebow has handed the ball of that Williams decides to pull the trigger. He (Williams) even has an angle to know that Tim no longer has the ball.
Not a clean hit by any stretch.
UGASlobberknocker:
Great post.
Kudos to you, sir!
CharlotteGator:
HE LIVES!
Where ya been?
Gen Neyland
November 5th, 2009
9:31 am
GatorG : I saw the replay. It was a well thought out intentional hit. It wasn’t jaw breaking stuff, more itimdation than anything else. I’m surprised the UGA defensive player didn’t crumble to dust from the impact though.
gator dawgpounder
November 5th, 2009
9:32 am
He learned his evil ways by watching Hines Ward:
Hines Ward, the Steelers’ all-time leading receiver and a former Georgia Bulldog, received the dubious distinction in a Sports Illustrated poll of 296 players released this week. Ward drew 11.6 percent of the vote, followed by Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (6.0), Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter (6.0) and Bengals safety Roy Williams (5.1).
KC
November 5th, 2009
9:32 am
If he would not have been suspended at all, people would complain. He was suspended for a half, not good enough. Increased to full game, not good enough. If he was suspended for the season, it would not have been good enough. If he was put in jail, not good enough. Wha, wha, wha, You all would probably be the ones defending him if he was your child. Go Gators!
Not a UGA fan
November 5th, 2009
9:33 am
Did anyone ask Ealey if Spikes actually tried to gouge his eyes? Or is that jsut the assumption everyone made? Big difference!
Wolfman
November 5th, 2009
9:33 am
Remember when Pat Dye suspended Fullwood for ONE PLAY after it came to light that he hadn’t attended classes for two months? What a joke…..
bull-gator
November 5th, 2009
9:35 am
Whatever. Next crisis, please…
gator dawgpounder
November 5th, 2009
9:39 am
Tony, I never thought you to be a Homer, here is the video that Meyer sent to the Commish’s office:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_QC_HEwtpk
Rick
November 5th, 2009
9:41 am
Tony,
If these are the only two “burning” questions you could come up with, you probably should have just skipped the column this week.
What Ever - FLorida still won
November 5th, 2009
9:44 am
Gosh Tony – I can’t believe you continue to cry over Spikes. Yea – Urban should set-out ONLY when CMR and linebacker Nick Williams sets-out for that late hit against Tebow. I can’t believe all the UGA wusses out there who continues to boo-whoo over Spikes. You guys have find SOMETHING or SOMEONE to blame every game. And if you don’t think MOST UGA players play dirty then you are just blind.
Ga boy
November 5th, 2009
9:46 am
By all means say the Gator fans- let’s stop talking about this. No harm no foul. And so’s your mother, etc. You just can’t teach class. You either have it or you don’t. Florida has never had it- and will never have it. BUT- they have had 24 players arrested over the past 4 years. Lots of activity evidently at the Gainesville penintentiary school.
Atlanta Gator
November 5th, 2009
9:48 am
Several points—-
1. The Dawgs played as dirty or dirtier than the Gators did in this year’s Florida-Georgia game. No excuses should be made for the unsportsmanlike conduct of either team, including intentional late hits on the Gators’ previously injured quarterback. Period.
2. Brandon Spikes got caught on video doing something egregious, and his conduct would have constituted a blatant personal foul if any of the refs has seen it and called it.
3. Urban Meyer was late to acknowledge Brandon Spikes’ conduct as a problem, probably as much because he was angry about any number of unsportsmanlike actions by the Dawgs as because he had not yet seen the tape of Spikes. If Meyer is to be believed, he did not understand the gravity of the issue until both Meyer’s wife and DC Charlie Strong viewed it and raised the issue with Meyer on Sunday.
4. Brandon Spikes, who contrary to most of the opposing fans’ characterizations of him, is a good kid and has been a role model and team leader for the Gators the past two seasons. Spikes does not have any recent history of being a discipline problem on or off the field, despite coming from a very shaky family background. Football, in many ways, has been his personal redemption. This is a kid who passed on a NFL millions this year to return for his senior season to try to win another MNC with his senior class and team.
5. Football is a game of emotion, but penalties are given for fouls committed during the game (if caught). Egregious conduct may be sanctioned after the game is over (even if overlooked during the game). Spikes’ conduct was egregious, regardless of any prior provocation by UGA players. No excuses.
6. Spikes sincerely apologized for his conduct on Monday, without equivocation, prevarication or attempted justification. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa. That’s what stand-up people do when they screw up and they know it.
7. After reviewing the video and speaking with his player and defensive coordinator, Urban Meyer imposed a half-game suspension for Spikes’ conduct, the same penalty as would be handed out by the SEC Commissioner’s office if forced to act.
8. With the counsel and advice of his coaches, Spikes has decided to give himself an additional “time-out” of the balance of the Gators next game, effectively suspending himself for an entire game.
So, where are we now? The sin has been acknowledged by the sinner and his mentors. The sinner has sought forgiveness, and the injured party has given it. Punishment has been approved and imposed by authority, and the sinner has accepted his punishment and will attone for his sins So, let’s quit trying to milk this controversy for more than it’s worth. To any objective observer who does not have an anti-Gator, anti-Meyer agenda, this controversy is and should be over.
He who is without sin, may cast the first stone. Now, go and sin no more.