This is a joke. Leave it to Fulmer.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Tennessee tailback LaMarcus Coker, the team's leading rusher last season who was indefinitely suspended two weeks ago, will rejoin the team.

Coach Phillip Fulmer said Friday that Coker "has fulfilled his obligations'' to return to the team starting with practice Saturday. He also said that the decision came "at the recommendation of (Coker's) medical advisers.''

"He's worked out some, I don't know how much,'' Fulmer said. "Really, he's been quite busy doing other things.''

Fulmer also said that the troubled tailback's attitude through the entire ordeal has been exceptional.

Though he will be back, Coker will not make the trip to California for the Tennessee's season opener Sept. 1, but could make the home opener the following week.

"I do expect him to return against Southern Miss if he continues on a positive track,'' Fulmer said.

The sophomore led the Volunteers with 696 rushing yards his freshman year, even though he was sidelined for two games by an injured knee. He was competing for time with junior Arian Foster and sophomore Montario Hardesty.

Coker, who had a pair of touchdown runs for more than 80 yards each last season, was suspended for several practices last December for undisclosed reasons.

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

This was just posted on a UGA site...

"UT had to change their policy
from 3 drug offenses to 4 before you're expelled from school
just to accommodate this football player".

 

I would like to hear some details from Tom on this.

 

We need to remember these kids are in school to play football. Nothing else really matters in the scheme of things. Winning by any means is what matters most and we know Fulmer hates losing more than anyone. I do find it surprising the kid won't play against Cal.

 

What did he do?

 

First things first...

I want to hear from Tailback exactly what he KNOWS to be the truth about what LaMarcus did! Surely he knows EXACTLY what happened to be criticizing Fulmer for doing what he has done. Remember, Fulmer knows the truth. Does Tailback know any more than the UGA truth written on a UGA board?

 

Unless there is some information to back up the drug charge I don't see a one game suspension any different than what the Dawgs, Gators and many other programs handle suspensions.

And it's a game that Tennessee could sure lose.

 

3 drug offenses, right? He would get kicked off the team at UGA under Richt for atleast a year. Look what Richt did to Odell Thurman. Richt didn't play those games. Needless to say odell didn't learn his lesson.

Notice the word "multiple".

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=52288#bio

 

Where is the substantiation? Show me where UT changed a policy!

 

Well I have no idea if it's true. I also have no reason to believe it's false. That's beside the point to me any way. Fact is the kid has "multiple" violations of Tennessee's substance abuse policy. He would be gone for the year under Richt. Fulmer is very easy on discipline.

 

I am still not sure if the 2nd drug test was a result of the first offense but any event both came in the offseason and then Meyer gave Thomas a 2nd chance to come back and then he blew it by missing a rehab meeting.

http://www.nbcsports.com/portal/site/nbcsports/menuitem.6f806e473b4cb158fb00ec22493c2d04/?vgnextoid=e1aeed44b3214110VgnVCM10000075c1d240RCRD

http://florida.scout.com/2/587592.html

To me Thomas was dealt with pretty seriously by Meyer.

I am not sure what Coker did at all or how many times and as result I can't form an opinion here until details come out.

 

TB wrote:

Where does your link deal with your accusation?

What you have done here is spread unsubstantiated rumors simply because it supports your hatred for Fulmer and anything Tennessee. If a Dawg said it on a BBS, it has to be true. Right Tailback?

I do not deny that this kid has had a substance abuse problem. This could be anything from alcohol to prescription drugs to heroin. I’m sure that has never happened at the Saints of Christ institution in Athens. Fulmer knows what substance has been abused. Certain members within the UT family know and can say nothing due to HIPAA Privacy Laws under penalty of losing medical license. All I can say here, and all that HIPAA allows is that this was reported as a MEDICAL CONDITION. Draw from that what you can.

What I CAN say here is about myself. I know from personal experience that it would be very easy to become addicted to, oh let’s say, hydrocodone that is so commonly prescribed for pain relief. Because of 104 kidney stones in my 49 years and a back condition, I have this medication at my disposal on a daily basis. I can not stand the feeling of being out of control that medication gives me. I don’t take it until I absolutely have to. Some people, especially teenagers, want that “high” feeling and could become addicted very easily.

I am NOT saying that this is the case. Whether I know or not, I could not say this as a fact. The difference between us is that you state information as fact when you have no idea and don’t care if it is true or not, “…beside the point…” as long as it is against Fulmer and Tennessee.

 

One more thing...

Care to comment on how this relates to Fulmer stating that Coker will not even make the trip to Cal and how he may not even play in the home opener? How does that relate to your "win at any cost" theory Tailback?

 

Tom, He's been busted 3 times. Winning at any cost by Fulmer allows the kid to still be on the team. Judging by Richts past the kid would be off the team at UGA. Maybe UT didn't change their policy? I have no idea. I posted that to get a reply from you to see if it were true? It's something I read on another board and it had me wondering? Anyway, I've seen fulmer over the years. Remember Respert? Fulmer is willing to win at any cost. With Respert it was a let's take him now and ask questions later. I still believe he attempted to rape that girl. And I'm no huge fan of Richt. UGA players still find a lot of ways to get into trouble. I do give Richt credit for being tough on discipline. If you produce for Fulmer, You can get away with anything. Why be so uptight about it? I'm just pointing out how most college football fans in the SEC look at Fulmer. We can only judge him by his actions, or lack there of. You're a great fan of UT. You remind me of a Mother who refuses to admit her Son will do anything wrong. Relax Tom, It's just a game. It really has no effect on our lives one way or the other.

 

Who cares if the guys' been smokin' a little weed? And, if LR's really failed multiple tests, for all we know some of the test results were false positives.

AFA I'm concerned, if a player can party and do everything to earn and hold a position, even #1, the more power to him.

Does anyone know if the NCAA has a formal position or policy and drug use and alcohol use (by minors) for Div 1 football? What about the SEC, beyond delegating that policy making to each university.

 

Gaterz,

Re: a little weed I completely agree for most college students but these football players get such scrutiny and any transgression at all usually means some harsh consequences....like Marcus Thomas as illustrated above.

There is no room for error for these guys or at least repetitive errors like Thomas made by not showing up for his rehab meeting.

 

I know I'm getting old but I only remember this being the 2nd time being in trouble for "Undisclosed team violations". I don’t remember him being “busted” even once. Busted is a term I reserve for police action. There is a lot of speculation by people that have no idea what they are talking about.

If it is brought out that he was involved in illegal narcotics, then I would even be in favor of legal prosecution. Until that time, I would caution you, TB, about “bearing false witness against your neighbor.” You are spreading accusations against a university and an individual that you can not back up. Doesn’t sound very Christian like to me.

Yes, I have spoken out against drugs here on this board. I will continue to do so. If a UT player/student is caught in possession of illegal narcotics, I would call them out just like any other person.

 

When you do find out details Tom it will be interesting to see when you post them here as I know you will.

Seems like Fulmer would want it known that he is not being lax or playing strategic forgiveness games for a key starter so I assume details will become available sooner than later.

 

Wow, I've read this and have some thoughts that I hope I can express clearly.

First it's Bull hockey plain and simple to say that at Georgia this kid would be gone. Why? Because you don't know enough details. It sure sounds to me like it may be some other medical condition involved other than illegal drugs.

Also with some things that happened to an ex Gator football player this summer who is now dead from a drug overdose and the criticism I saw Urban Meyer take from some people when he was trying to salvage the kid has made me rethink some thoughts I have had in the past.

Obviously Fulmer isn't just trying to win with this player or he would be taking him to California.

It's way to easy, simplistic and just plain bull hockey when we get so superior about our own program and have a mind set that the other guy is terrible because he may not do something as we perceive we would do it or how our perfect coach does things.

As to Fulmer needing to announce what happens here as Tom explained there are privacy rules and common sense rules that apply here and I hardly think Fulmer or Tom owes needs to explain further here. Especially to some folks who delight in finding fault with Tennessee.

As to it's fine to smoke a little weed and play football, that is even worse. It's not fine, and I would think Gaterz that after what happened to Avery Atkins, the ex Gator player who died of an over dose this summer, you should rethink that position.

Tom, you do not have any obligation to explain further but I don't blame you one bit for defending your program and coach.

 

You know with what I said above and then reading the comments about Moody likely transferring to Florida I find myself more than just a bit irritated.

To bad we can learn the respect that the Skybox motto states!

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I'm locking this one also.

I did this on my own and will let both Tom and Terry know I locked them both.

A little mutual respect isn't a lot to ask and Tom certainly didn't get any here.