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ochoco · 05-27-2004, 02:14 PM

The real bummer in the end is that we the College Football Fans will be some of the biggest loosers of this deal. Mike is an outstanding player to watch and who knows how good he would of (will) gotten during the rest of his college career. I'm not a USC fan but I am a college football fan and I loved watching that guy play. Sure we will see him in the pros some day but its not the same. The heart the kids play with in College is unmatched any where else in my opinion.

bkrich83 · 05-27-2004, 03:55 PM

Quote:

No reason to bend the rules for a prima donna like Mike Williams.

How is Mike Williams a prima donna. You ever been around him?

Second of all, Williams was assured by people in the NFL and the Court system that he would be draft eligible, only a last second injunction saved the NFL from having them in the draft.

The NCAA will definitely consider this when talking re-instatement. Just like a 6th year of eligibilty for an injured player, or a player who's made restitution after getting nailed for taking free stuff from a dept. store. Happens all the time.

Greenevol · 05-27-2004, 05:10 PM

Quote:

How is Mike Williams a prima donna. You ever been around him?

According to Sports Illustrated college football reporter:

"Williams didn't exactly leave the program on good terms -- he made some critical comments about his teammates to the student newspaper, for one, and those close to the program say the bad blood runs deeper than that."

If Williams can prove the NFL welcomed him with open arms, which is highly doubtful, he may have a case. But he'd have a much stronger case vs the NFL than the NCAA.

Also, you still have the "6 hour" rule (apparently, Williams isnt taking summer classes), which will keep him ineligible.

Add on that Williams apparently made good use of his agent, which alone has taken away the eligibility of quite a few players.

Quote:

Just like a 6th year of eligibilty for an injured player, or a player who's made restitution after getting nailed for taking free stuff from a dept. store. Happens all the time.

This isnt an injury, or a discipline problem. Williams deliberately waived his remaining eligibilty by declaring for the draft, and then not attending school for the final semester.

Any way you look at it, the NCAA would be breaking a myriad of its own rules by re-instating Williams. I have no problem with USC or Williams, but if the Vols and 115 other teams have to abide by the rules, then so should they.

fpac · 05-27-2004, 05:24 PM

Quote:

I dont think the NFL ever told Williams that he would definately be eligible.

As best i remember, the NFL fought the Clarett ruling tooth and nail from the very beginning. They used everything they had to keep Clarett/Williams out of the draft.

If anyone assured Williams he would be eligible for the draft, it wasnt the NFL, it was his agent/lawyer. He may have even gotten assurances from team scouts, or team personnell people. But it wasnt hte NFL brass, else the NFL would have one huge lawsuit on its hands for breach of contract.

These are set NCAA rules that have been applied in the past to good kids. No reason to bend the rules for a prima donna like Mike Williams.

Exactly. Infact, I have read that the NFL told Williams they were going to try and overturn the ruling which allowed them to try and enter the draft in the first place. I think all the latest press releases have mentioned this as well.

bkrich83 · 05-27-2004, 05:43 PM

He left on terms that were fine. And he left school to workout for the draft.

Don't be surprised when the NCAA re-instates him. Everything I have heard is that USC should be able to make the case to re-instate him. Like I said having been involve in the process it happens all the time, the NCAA gives back eligibility on people who have mitigating circumstances all the time.

kodiak · 05-27-2004, 05:50 PM

The NFL told him he could enter after the ruling came down but also informed him that it could and most likely would get overturned meaning he would not be draft eligible. He went on to declare, and on top of that sign an agent. Had he not signed the agent that would have been one thing. This is not even taking into account the class hours issue. People that get the 6th year(rare at that) are still in school. People who get suspended for dept store discounts are still in school. He left. He knew the risks. If they reinstate him this is going to open up a whole new can of worms.

bkrich83 · 05-27-2004, 06:31 PM

Quote:

kodiak said:
The NFL told him he could enter after the ruling came down but also informed him that it could and most likely would get overturned meaning he would not be draft eligible. He went on to declare, and on top of that sign an agent. Had he not signed the agent that would have been one thing. This is not even taking into account the class hours issue. People that get the 6th year(rare at that) are still in school. People who get suspended for dept store discounts are still in school. He left. He knew the risks. If they reinstate him this is going to open up a whole new can of worms.

Thats a completely different issue. Your talking about an issue of academic eligibility. I agree, he would still need to find a way to make up the required credits to be eligible over the summer, ala Andy Katzenmoyer.

The original argument was whether he will be re-instated due to signing with an agent, since the courts ruled he was draft eligible chances are he will win that re-instatement. Or at least thats what the word is.

The academic issue is something else, and he basically has until the fall semester starts to complete his required credits.

bkrich83 · 05-27-2004, 06:34 PM

And I still don't see how it's going to open a can of worms. The NFL has pretty much quashed anyone else from attempting it, not to mention the 3 year rule will most likely be in the next NFL CBA, giving no lawsuit against the league legs.

There's really no way for this particular case to happen again.

05-27-2004, 02:14 PM	#25
ochoco Pac12fan OVR: 12 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Molalla, OR Posts: 2,179	Re: Mike Williams The real bummer in the end is that we the College Football Fans will be some of the biggest loosers of this deal. Mike is an outstanding player to watch and who knows how good he would of (will) gotten during the rest of his college career. I'm not a USC fan but I am a college football fan and I loved watching that guy play. Sure we will see him in the pros some day but its not the same. The heart the kids play with in College is unmatched any where else in my opinion.

05-27-2004, 03:55 PM	#26
bkrich83 Need A Life OVR: 64 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: So. Cal Posts: 70,885 Blog Entries: 125	Re: Mike Williams Quote: No reason to bend the rules for a prima donna like Mike Williams. How is Mike Williams a prima donna. You ever been around him? Second of all, Williams was assured by people in the NFL and the Court system that he would be draft eligible, only a last second injunction saved the NFL from having them in the draft. The NCAA will definitely consider this when talking re-instatement. Just like a 6th year of eligibilty for an injured player, or a player who's made restitution after getting nailed for taking free stuff from a dept. store. Happens all the time.

05-27-2004, 05:10 PM	#27
Greenevol Pro OVR: 7 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chattanooga, TN	Re: Mike Williams Quote: How is Mike Williams a prima donna. You ever been around him? According to Sports Illustrated college football reporter: "Williams didn't exactly leave the program on good terms -- he made some critical comments about his teammates to the student newspaper, for one, and those close to the program say the bad blood runs deeper than that." If Williams can prove the NFL welcomed him with open arms, which is highly doubtful, he may have a case. But he'd have a much stronger case vs the NFL than the NCAA. Also, you still have the "6 hour" rule (apparently, Williams isnt taking summer classes), which will keep him ineligible. Add on that Williams apparently made good use of his agent, which alone has taken away the eligibility of quite a few players. Quote: Just like a 6th year of eligibilty for an injured player, or a player who's made restitution after getting nailed for taking free stuff from a dept. store. Happens all the time. This isnt an injury, or a discipline problem. Williams deliberately waived his remaining eligibilty by declaring for the draft, and then not attending school for the final semester. Any way you look at it, the NCAA would be breaking a myriad of its own rules by re-instating Williams. I have no problem with USC or Williams, but if the Vols and 115 other teams have to abide by the rules, then so should they.

05-27-2004, 05:24 PM	#28
fpac MVP OVR: 15 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 3,830	Re: Mike Williams Quote: I dont think the NFL ever told Williams that he would definately be eligible. As best i remember, the NFL fought the Clarett ruling tooth and nail from the very beginning. They used everything they had to keep Clarett/Williams out of the draft. If anyone assured Williams he would be eligible for the draft, it wasnt the NFL, it was his agent/lawyer. He may have even gotten assurances from team scouts, or team personnell people. But it wasnt hte NFL brass, else the NFL would have one huge lawsuit on its hands for breach of contract. These are set NCAA rules that have been applied in the past to good kids. No reason to bend the rules for a prima donna like Mike Williams. Exactly. Infact, I have read that the NFL told Williams they were going to try and overturn the ruling which allowed them to try and enter the draft in the first place. I think all the latest press releases have mentioned this as well.

05-27-2004, 05:43 PM	#29
bkrich83 Need A Life OVR: 64 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: So. Cal Posts: 70,885 Blog Entries: 125	Re: Mike Williams He left on terms that were fine. And he left school to workout for the draft. Don't be surprised when the NCAA re-instates him. Everything I have heard is that USC should be able to make the case to re-instate him. Like I said having been involve in the process it happens all the time, the NCAA gives back eligibility on people who have mitigating circumstances all the time.

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05-27-2004, 05:50 PM	#30
kodiak Itsy Bitsy Spider OVR: 18 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: STL Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 23	Re: Mike Williams The NFL told him he could enter after the ruling came down but also informed him that it could and most likely would get overturned meaning he would not be draft eligible. He went on to declare, and on top of that sign an agent. Had he not signed the agent that would have been one thing. This is not even taking into account the class hours issue. People that get the 6th year(rare at that) are still in school. People who get suspended for dept store discounts are still in school. He left. He knew the risks. If they reinstate him this is going to open up a whole new can of worms.

05-27-2004, 06:31 PM	#31
bkrich83 Need A Life OVR: 64 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: So. Cal Posts: 70,885 Blog Entries: 125	Re: Mike Williams Quote: *kodiak said:* The NFL told him he could enter after the ruling came down but also informed him that it could and most likely would get overturned meaning he would not be draft eligible. He went on to declare, and on top of that sign an agent. Had he not signed the agent that would have been one thing. This is not even taking into account the class hours issue. People that get the 6th year(rare at that) are still in school. People who get suspended for dept store discounts are still in school. He left. He knew the risks. If they reinstate him this is going to open up a whole new can of worms. Thats a completely different issue. Your talking about an issue of academic eligibility. I agree, he would still need to find a way to make up the required credits to be eligible over the summer, ala Andy Katzenmoyer. The original argument was whether he will be re-instated due to signing with an agent, since the courts ruled he was draft eligible chances are he will win that re-instatement. Or at least thats what the word is. The academic issue is something else, and he basically has until the fall semester starts to complete his required credits.

05-27-2004, 06:34 PM	#32
bkrich83 Need A Life OVR: 64 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: So. Cal Posts: 70,885 Blog Entries: 125	Re: Mike Williams And I still don't see how it's going to open a can of worms. The NFL has pretty much quashed anyone else from attempting it, not to mention the 3 year rule will most likely be in the next NFL CBA, giving no lawsuit against the league legs. There's really no way for this particular case to happen again.