Out of Bounds

List is Growing of Colleges Where Mettenberger WON’T be Playing Football

Of course UGA was the first. Coach Mark Richt felt he had no choice. The trust had been broken, Zach Mettenberger had to go. Now the question is, where will Mett continue, rather begin, his football career?

Looks like Valdosta State may be out of the question. It’s not that Mettenberger wouldn’t consider the Blazers or the Blazers wouldn’t consider Mettenberger. But the 18 year old may not have the option to continue his education there. He’s been banished from the town of Valdosta for a year.

Banished?  Banishment is still a punishment? From the entire town? Considering he was arrested by the REMERTON Police Department in REMERTON, Ga, makes the punishment seem even a little more strange.

But alas, it’s part of a plea bargain. The charges of  underage possession, disorderly conduct, obstruction and two counts of having a fake ID were dismissed due to the deal after the more serious sexual battery charges surfaced. Mett will serve 12 months of probation and pay a $2000 fine, and of course, stay the hell away from Valdosta!

Oh, and he’s not allowed to contact either directly or indirectly the victim. Who, by the way, Mettenberger apologized to in a statement after his sentencing. He must either get a mulligan on that one, or apologies don’t count as contact.

He is also not allowed during the term of his probation to visit ANY establishment that serves alcohol. Party’s over for you Mett; no more bars, significantly less choices of resturants, and, worst of all, no more Chuck E. Cheese!

Zach Mettenberger was  a few weeks away from potentially being named the starting quarterback at a major university, and couldn’t contain his ego and feelings of being above the law.  I do hope the fine, the 80 hours of community service, and the banishment (still sounds weird) teach him that he’s not, and keeps him from becoming one of those guys who consistently get their name in the news for these types of situations (*cough* Roethlisberger *cough*).

Has Talent in the Big 12 Surpassed That of the SEC?

If you watched the 1st round of the NFL draft, or even just read about it, you’ve heard several Big 12 draftees talk confidently how it means the conference is vastly underrated, and should be considered the best in college football. Five of the first six selected yesterday were from the conference, with two of the 1st three coming from Oklahoma. That must mean their conference is the best right?

Absolutely NOT!

“I know the Big 12 has been getting a lot of slack lately,” Number 1 overall pick Sam Bradford said. “People for some reason didn’t think that we played much football in the Big 12 and sure didn’t think we played much defense, so for two defensive tackles to go in the first three picks is a credit to the Big 12.”

Sorry Sammy, it’s a credit to those players. Said two defensive tackles came from OU and Nebraska, teams which were a combined 18-11 last season.

“It’s insane isn’t it?” Gerald McCoy said with a huge smile. “We can’t play football in the Big 12, but the first four picks went out the Big 12? Mmmmm — three of ‘em from Oklahoma, by the way.”

Yeah, Ger, crazy. Oh yeah, and Oklahoma went 8 and 5 last year. Great players, but not a great team.

Nebraska’s out of conference games last year featured powerhouses FAU and Arkansas St. Their lone out of conference game during the regular season against another BCS conference school was against Virginia Tech. Anyone remember who won that game?

Oklahoma split their out of conference games, 2 wins to 2 losses. The wins came against Idaho St. and Tulsa. The losses? ACC team Miami, and BYU. So, once again, winless against BCS conference schools.

The point is, this was a great draft year for individual players from the Big 12. It’s not indicative of the overall team play of the conference. Three other Big 12 teams with players drafted in the 1st frame -  Oklahoma State, Missouri, and Texas. The Longhorns were conference champs last year, and only had one (1) player drafted in the first round.

More proof that there were some great football players in the Big 12, but not necessarily great football.

Just a Few Amusing Videos from the Week

From the amazing to the funny to the just plain entertaining, here are a few videos from around the web for you to enjoy this morning.

I know it’s not sports related, but this is unusal so I have to share.  Behold! The Sheeppig!

Now on to the sports -

Baserunner goes airborne…Willie Mays Hays style! 

“I’ll take fun things to do during a rain delay, Alex”

And the Braves won in walk off fashion 2 games in a row. On Sunday, Jason Heyward was mobbed by teammates after he singled in the winning run in Atlanta’s win over Colorado. Tuesday, the dugout had a slightly different response to Nate McClouth’s walk off winner

Enjoy your Thursday. Don’t forget the NFL draft starts tonight!

Video of the All Americans

The ASU disc golf team captured the national championship over the weekend by a Tiger Woods-esque 16 shots. I was there with a video camera on Saturday to record the record setting performance by the three Jags named All Americans – Lee Jones, Patrick May, and Out of Bounds’ own Jason Lynn.

Mettenberger Gone

I’ve said ever since it was announced that Zach Mettenberger would be suspended the first game of the season for his arrest on spring break. Looks like I’m right, although not how I predicted. Coach Mark Richt dismissed Mett from the team earlier today.

Apparently, there is more to the story from Remerton, Ga., the town Mettenberger was arrested in last month. He was cited for underage drinking, and possession of two fake id’s.

Something happened that night that brought the attention to Mettenberger, although that something hasn’t been made public yet.

Georgia’s quarterback race now consists of only Logan Gray and Aaron Murray. Incoming Freshman Hutson Mason will have his chance to impress coaches in August.

Richt has now dismissed two players this offseason. Defensive End Montez Robinson was let  go just a couple of weeks ago.

Brace yourself Bulldog fans. This offseason is starting to feel a lot like the one before the 2008 season.

Decision Time for Thompkins

The time is finally here when Georgia basketball fans will be able to let out a collective sigh of relief…or groan of disappointment.

Trey Thompkins is close to making his announcement on whether he’s decided to hang around Athens for another year, or bolt early  for the NBA draft. Thompkins is reportedly making his announcement Friday. I don’t expect anything flashy, just a “here’s what I’ve decided”.  Will his decision be a wise one?

I have no doubt that whatever he decides, he will be successful. There are a few factors I do hope he’s considering though throughout this process. No doubt he’s an NBA talent, but no doubt, there are several others with more NBA talent.

I’m no draft expert, but at this point, I would have Thompkins going somewhere in 2nd round, which is quite an accomplishment. If he decides to stay in college for another year, I could see him moving into the 1st, possibly as high as a lottery pick, which will mean millions more on his contract.

I think there are just too many players as talented, or moreso, in this years draft. With other early defections such as DeMarcus Cousins from Kentucky and Derrick Favors from Georgia Tech are sure to be more coveted than Thompkins. More underclassmen who will rate around or above Thompkins include Wesley Johnson from Syracuse, Al-Farouq Aminu from Wake Forest, and Patrick Patterson from Kentucky. That’s FIVE players at the same position that could go ahead of Thompkins in the draft. There are probably more.

On top of that, he must also consider the other players in the draft that are just too good to pass up if available. John Wall and Evan Turner would almost assuredly be picked before Trey Thompkins if he were to decide to jump ship early.

It’s a story similar to former UGA safety Rashad Jones – lots of talent, but not the most talented. Jones opted out of his senior year of football for the NFL draft. He will be drafted in a couple of weeks, but not as high as he could have been if he stayed in school another year. And that’s simply because of more talented players leaving college early.

Thomkins is in the same situation. He’ll do himself a huge favor by staying for his Junior year at Georgia.

He’ll be doing the Dawgs a favor as well.

Who Will Be Your QB? – CU Edition

After watching and reading and listening to three different spring football games this weekend, I’ve got more questions than answers regarding who will open the 2010 season at quarterback for Clemson, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Clemson’s QB situation shouldn’t even qualify as a situation. But, when you are as good of an athlete as Kyle Parker, these kinds of things happen.

Not only does Parker take snaps for the Tigers on fall Saturdays, he also fields fly balls in the Clemson outfield in the Spring. And he’s good. Really good.

Good enough to be mentioned as a high round draft pick in the upcoming June Major League Baseball draft. That’s where the questions begin.

Will Parker stick around for football, or take the money and run towards the dream of playing in the majors? That’s a question we don’t know the answer to. And, we probably won’t know the answer to that until we find exactly how high Kyle Parker is drafted.

So, let’s get plan B ready, just in case. There’s Willy Korn…no, not anymore. Korn transferred out of Clemson in the winter. I’m sure he’s kicking himself for that one right now.

Like their arch rival in Columbia, Clemson doesn’t have any proven depth on their roster at the most important position on the field. That’s why it is paramount the Tigers know at least which way Parker is leaning from moment to moment. Literally, if KP decides one morning over breakfast he wants to play football, then change his mind after lunch, he should call Dabo at the second he has those feelings.

Unfortunately, though, for the Tigers, they won’t know anything for sure until Parker takes the first snap this fall. It is also unfortunate for Clemson that Parker won’t have to make a decision immediately regarding baseball. Contract negotiations could buy him weeks to hash out what he wants to do.

Hopefully Dabo is being proactive and getting someone ready to fill Kyle Parker’s cleats (the football ones). If not, it could be a long season in Tiger Town.

Who Will Be Your QB? – USC Edition

After watching and reading and listening to three different spring football games this weekend, I’ve got more questions than answers regarding who will open the 2010 season at quarterback for Clemson, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Actually, South Carolina should be the easiest to peg. Stephen Garcia is the only QB returning in the SEC East that started last year. He’s entering his 4th year in Steve Spurrier’s “Cock ‘N Fire” offense. Two potential players thought to at least make somewhat of a push are no longer with the team.

So why is there a question mark regarding who starts for the Cocks in September? Steve Spurrier.

Spurrier has been known in the past to use the media to motivate his stars or potential stars. He’s tried this tactic on Garcia in the past, which makes me wonder why he would resort to this method again. Is there no other way Garcia will get the message? Does Spurrier really think Garcia can be “a great quarterback”? Does all the Evil Genius mean when he says “he just doesn’t do anything extra” that he simply wants Garcia to do something extra?

Or, is there someone on his heels, pushing for playing time? I think this could have something to do with it.

Many reports out of winter workouts and spring practice have noted the quality play of freshman Connor Shaw.

Shaw has impressed teammates and coaches alike with his work ethic, mechanics, and understanding of what is going on with the offense. While it is unlikely for a rookie to come in and unseat a 4th year player, it is possible for said rookie to push the veteran to play better.

Whatever the case may be, Stephen Garcia does need an extra push to improve. I have no doubt #5 will be lined up behind center the first weekend in September.

 His will to be great, and a hot shot freshmen itching to play will determine how long he stays there.

Who Will Be Your QB? – UGA Edition

It’s another year, another debate amongst fans as to who should be the starting qb at UGA. Logan Gray has the most experience, albeit limited. Zach Mettenberger has the best measurables, although his skills aren’t polished. Aaron Murray delivers the leadership and moxy desired in a Southeastern Conference signal caller, but is nowhere near the prototypical size.

Before Saturday, everyone had their favorite. After Saturday’s annual G-day game, fans vehemently defend their choice.

Each QB had their moments of greatness. Each delivered a head scratcher or two. Most Dawg fans have been on either the Mett or Murray bandwagon, with Gray being an afterthought. After watching all three play, I would say one of those two would be a safe wagon to hitch a ride on.

Mettenberger came away from G-day as the star of the show. He connected on two touchdown passes against the Bulldog defense. He looked poised in the pocket, calmly making razor sharp accurate throws amid the surrounding chaos.                                     

Unfortunately for Mett, he may have reserved himself a spot on the bench (or standing room next to the coach with a clipboard) before he even had a chance. When Louisiana-Lafayette rolls into Athens in September, Mettenberger will have watch the game from the sidelines due to a discipline issue. It is hard to imagine Coach Mark Richt giving a Freshman his first action of the season on the road in Columbia, therefore, who know if, or when, Zach Mettenberger will have a chance to display his talent when the game actually counts.

So this leaves the battle between Murray and Gray. I don’t think there’s much question that Murray leads in the talent category. But Gray is talented in his own right, plus he’s the only one with game experience. Coach Richt values that experience – see Joe T. III. But, I think Richt will make the right call between these two signal callers and announce Aaron Murray will be the starter come opening day.

From that point on, unless Murray forgets how to throw a football, he will be the Dawgs’ quarterback until he graduates in 2013.

NCAA Rules on Archie

It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t unusual. It wasn’t uncalled for.

But it effectively ended Dominique Archie’s playing career at South Carolina.

Archie injured his knee the 5th game into his senior season by landing awkwardly after a dunk. The school petitioned for a 6th year of eligibility, but the appeal was denied by the NCAA. It was deemed the former Josey standout redshirted his freshman year due to roster depth, not injuries, therefore he will not be allowed to play an extra year.

It’s not terribly shocking that he was denied, but it is unfortunate. Archie was moving his way up several of the school’s career leaders lists. He finishes his career with 1013 points, 562 rebounds, and 90 blocked shots. His value on the court was evident – the Gamecocks only won 11 of 27 games after Archie’s injury.

It’s unknown at this point what Archie’s next move will be. He still isn’t fully recovered from the knee injury, so he can’t fully train to further his basketball career. 

However, he is on schedule to graduate from USC next month…so not all is lost for Archie.