I guess it depends. I've learned that Sid's position on these matters is spot on. At the same time, if Daniels' father is really upset because he feels his child is unjustly accused, then I can see where he's in the right to want to know. Just speculating, but I have to believe that the longer this goes on, the more likely it is that the players are either innocent, or will be suspended and considered time served. If the matter really stops and ends at submitting papers for review checking punctuation and grammar, then these guys have to be innocent. That's a service that most universities offer students these days as part of the tutoring program.
LOL..the voters in polls always have some grudges and axes to grind. Whether it's Steve Spurrier who routinely votes the Irish significantly lower than their position in the coaches poll to Drew Sharp of the FREEP who left the Irish completely out of the poll this past week when we finally nudged our way into the top 10. http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll-voter/drew-sharp
ND <t>Ref: Drew Sharp. How obvious can you make your hatred of ND? That someone actually pays this guy to work for them is amazing.</t>
I guarantee you Drew Sharp has some axe to grind, it's probably that we are independent and therefore don't play a "real" conference schedule so to him we shouldn't be eligible for polls, bowls, trophy's. There are probably other guys out there who also have an axe to grind with some other team and make some statement with their vote.
Actually, there must be some writers out there who have ND higher than #9. I say this because I checked Eric Hansen's vote (South Bend Tribune), which you might expect would be pretty high. He had us #11. Re: Drew Sharp. I'm sure the ND fans in the Detroit area are giving him what-for, deservedly so. Our revenge is that he can't justify voting for Michigan, which must eat away at him. :twisted:
I read somewhere that in week 1 he had the Irish ranked 17 and in week 2 16. After we beat Michigan 31-0 we dropped out of the top 25. (Apparently he was ranking ND so that if Michigan won it would have some significance.) I thought that last week could possibly been an oversight but now it's obvious we have another one of those you-know-whats we have to deal with.
Sharp is not a Wolverine booster even though he did go to U of M. His columns about the school are one of the reasons many M fans quit subscribing to the Free Press. He is similarly strongly disliked by MSU fans. http://michiganzone.blogspot.com/2007/09/when-facts-get-in-way-of-annoyance.html His act is to playing the role of the contrarian and basher. Detroit newspapers used to have some quality sportswriters. Now, like the city, they are bankrupt of talent. If you really look closely at his voting and compare it with the national AP poll, his latest target is Midwestern football in general. The AP has four B10 teams in the top 25- MSU, Nebraska, OSU, and W - with MSU being the highest ranked at 11. Sharp only has 1 B10 team in the top 25 that being MSU at 17.
Interesting assessment, Bobda. Wasn't Mitch Albom a writer for the Free Press before his star rose to amazing heights? A Detroit sportswriter who is disliked by Michigan and MSU fans probably should find a new employer.
Sid, Albom still writes for the Free Press. The link is to an interesting article about his ethics: http://sportsjournalism.org/sports-media-news/raising-a-little-hell-about-this-years-red-smith-award-winner/
I see that Dan Fox has been promoted by the NY Giants from the practice squad to the regular roster. Good for him.
ND <t>The lack of action by ND on the part of the five ND football players who have been part of the academic misconduct issue has gone on long enough.<br/> <br/> From my understanding, the "investigation" into this alleged conduct has been finished for weeks and we are now waiting on "hearings"? What indeed are we waiting on? Everyone is at the school who would be involved in this. Why can't they get this done. I was patient in the beginning but this is gone on too long. Somebody make a decision here. <br/> <br/> I know it's an academic issue but this effects the football players more than the other students immensely. In the case of a couple of these players you are talking about their future in football and life after school. <br/> <br/> No matter the outcome, this needs to be over so those involved can get on with their lives.</t>
Well I certainly don't exactly understand the reason for the delay, and I'm not one of those who think the football players deserve special consideration and fast track consideration. That ND goes out of it's way to make sure that football players are treated like regular students, as much as possible, is one of our strengths. But as a fan of course I'd like to know. Since these players haven't been able to practice for a month now, even if they are reinstated they won't be much help to the team for awhile, no matter how hard they are working out there is a big difference in being in shape for the gym and being in football shape. Plus they have missed valuable time learning the changes in the defense for this season and in Daniels case he hasn't had much opportunity to get used to Golson. If they are all expelled or suspended, but allowed to return after a semester like Golson and Daniels, then I expect that Daniels will not return and go to the NFL, the rest of those guys all would benefit from comming back to play in 2015 if they can.
Maybe you guys have already seen this story but it's a good story..written by a '77 ND grad about an incident after the Rice/ND game. http://magazine.nd.edu/news/50492-an-unexpected-visit/ I thought it was inspiring.
I have no first hand knowledge but I am assuming that the longer this drags out, the more the likelihood that they found something disqualifying.. If these guys are innocent and the school is simply dragging its heels. I would think the parents and the coaches would be livid.