Lost in the "he is qualified but not admitted" chaos of this week was the much more important news about the USC football sanctions. The Trojan football program has finally been held accountable for their transgressions during the Reggie Bush era. Yes, I know it only took 6 years, but a decision and punishment have been handed down. In a nut shell, USC is not allowed to play in a bowl game for 2 years, they will lose a total of 30 scholarships, 14 wins from that time period are vacated from the record books, AND most importantly the current juniors and seniors on the team are eligible to transfer to any other school without penalty. None of the Trojan upper class men will be required to get a waiver from USC or sit out a year after transferring. It is the college football equivalent of a fantasy draft - and we need to get in on the action.There are plenty of players on this list that could immediately help the 2010 Michigan Wolverines. Off the top of my head, snagging one or two of their defensive backs or linebackers would be a dream scenario. However, emotionally, the most important player on the list for me is Ronald Johnson.
You all remember Ronald Johnson... right? He was a highly recruited defensive back/wide receiver from Muskegon High School. He was on almost every High School All American list. Everyone around here prayed he would choose the winged helmet and be the next great cornerback for Michigan. But, instead he chose Pete Carroll and the USC song girls. It was just one of many straws that led to broken back situation we are faced with today.
At USC, RoJo has been a solid contributor an a team filled with All Americans. He has been used primarily as a WR and kick returner. He has caught 74 passes, for 315 yards, and 12 touchdown passes. His most memorable performance was during the 2009 Rose Bowl when he delivered 2 touchdowns against an overmatched Penn State bunch. There is no doubt in my mind he would become an immediate impact player for us today.
In case you are reading this Ronald:Please come home and play for the Wolverines! We want you. We need you. I am sure we can convince Terrance Robinson to give up his #8 for you. Heck, if is important to you, I'll even talk to Braylon Edwards about approving you for the #1. What ever it takes. We just want you back home where you belong. Also, feel free to bring along some of your new California friends. There is plenty of room for you all in the Big House.
Fight on and Go Blue.
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3 comments:
Et tu, Michigan?
-Sigh-
I really admired the old M-Zone and while 'Spawn of Mzone' is still good enough to visit, there's so much that's wrong with this post. Let's begin with the prime issue-Ronald Johnson's status at SC. I'll be very, very, very surprised if RoJo transfers because it makes little sense. Firstly, he'll be a senior this year so even with the exemption allowing him to not sit out for one year upon transferring, learning a new system, new playbook, a new QB, new coach, and new teammates isn't the best way to showcase your skills for the NFL. Secondly, USC has already stated they'll appeal this ruling which in all likelihood will make the appeals process conclude well after the 2010-11 season-well after RoJo's gone. That means USC would still be bowl eligible for this year. Thirdly, and I realize I've got some bias here, but have y'all actually looked at the NCAA's conclusions against the facts of the case? I have and frankly, there are pretty big holes in their findings not to mention some really unethical procedural conduct.
Here's the NCAA 69 page report; http://ncaa.pr-optout.com/ViewAttachment.aspx?EID=IHepzZCQPdH1AR50%2boeR8d6e%2fhIfTVcpMlzU0JhqOeU%3d
Here's USC's 170 page report from December, 2009; https://webster.usc.edu/cms/sites/usc_president_/final/president/private/pdfs/NCAA_Response_REDACTED.pdf
Note, this doesn't include the upcoming report responding to the recent NCAA findings. Now, I'm no lawyer, but considering what's stake-more money than most here will ever see in their lifetimes-I'm willing to wager that even if the NCAA appeals process goes against USC-it may, it may not-USC will almost assuredly take this to litigation. California state court then Federal if needed.
I'm not arguing that NCAA rules were not broken and that USC is sinless, I'm merely arguing that its very probable that we've just seen the beginning of litigation and these issues won't be resolved for a few more years.
At least.
James - Thanks for the comments. I agree this is a cheap imitation for old M-Zone. We keep hoping someday Yost will return to the keyboard and all will be right with the interwebs.
While I would love to see RoJo return to the great state of Michigan, I realize it is a video game fueled dream more than anything. My post was mostly in jest. However, your logic on why he would stay needs to be reexamined. Just in case you forgot, Pete Carroll is hiding under an umbrella in Seattle. By staying in LA and playing for Lane Kiffin, Ronald Johnson still needs to learn a new system, new playbook, new coach, and likely a lot of replacement level teammates. About the only thing that will be the same for him is the stadium, uniforms, and Matt Barkley.
Regarding the USC v NCAA case... I have to admit, as with the case with most college football fans and the NCAA issues Michigan has recently faced -- I only have worked to understand the situation at a headline level.
I am sure there is a lot of legal maneuvering happening, but to an outsider looking in, it looks like a case closed conviction. I do find it interesting to compare and contrast the response of the two schools when it comes to dealing with the NCAA. I am not sure making a public statement like "there was nothing but a lot of envy, and they wish they all were Trojans" is going to make the NCAA very willing to listen to an appeal.
Hi Andy,
thanks for the kind response. Don't misunderstand me, Spawn of Mzone still rocks and is one of the better CFB blogs out there. It's one of the few I take time to seek out and read. I completely agree on one point-it was wildly inappropriate, if not insane for our AD, Mike Garrett to publically taunt the NCAA by declaring, ""As I read the decision by the NCAA," he told the group, "… I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans." Trust me, there was a collective groan from SC fans upon hearing that statement.
The other thing to remember is that there's been alot of tension between Garrett and alumni for a long time. He never quite recovered from the way he fired John Robinson in 1997, allegedly in classless fashion leaving a phone message instead of doing it face to face. In fact, it's arguable that the hiring of Pete Carroll saved him from being fired eight years ago. I'll be surprised if he isn't removed from the AD position...soon and replaced with Rich McKay or even Pat Haden.
As for Rojo fitting in with Kiffin, Kiffin was an assistant coach under Carroll from 2001-2006 and most of the playbook and system will remain in place, so will his receivers coach John Morton. The big issue for RoJo will be his ability to stay healthy. He's fought the injury bug for most of his career so let's hope he an put together a complete season.
The legal stuff will play out on its own. I simply believe it will be years before there's any real resolution of it all and whether the penalties remain or get reduced is anyone's guess. Just do your part and help beat Notre Dame and tOSU.
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