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*).

New Stadium for the Falcons?

House Bill 903 details taxes to be levied on hotels and motels in an unspecified county in Georgia to help fund a brand new “multi purpose domed facility”, i.e. a new stadium for the Falcons.

The bill was introduced in January by Rep. Mark Burkhalter. Burkhalter is the District 50 representative from Johns Creek, Ga., a district that happens to include parts of Fulton County. Needless to say, his district has a lot to gain if a new structure is built – Fulton County would most likely be the home of the new facility, meaning a substantial portion of the hotel and motel tax money would be generated through the Red Roofs and Super 8′s of Fulton County.

But the rest of Georgia loses. We all get caught up in the hoopla of “new, state of the art” stadiums. Retractable roofs, super mega jumbotrons, and ergonomic seating seem on the surface to be a major upgrade from what is now, apparently in some eyes, relic of a stadium in the Georgia Dome. We, the Georgia tax payer, will be footing the bill for what would range anywhere from a quarter billion dollars to possibly $1 1/2 billion. The Georgia Dome cost a shade under $250 billion when you factor in the improvements from the past few years.  If you compare that to the newest two football homes in the NFL, it is but a drop in the bucket.

The Dallas Cowboys new facility opened in 2009 sporting a cost of $1.3 BILLION. That pales in comparison to the new Meadowlands, with a price tag of a whopping $1.6 BILLION!

You could build a new Georgia Dome inside Cowboys Stadium, and still have $50 million in the bank before you matched the Meadlowlands cost!

Suprisingly, the bill was met with very little opposition in either the House or the Senate, garnering over 70% at each read through. These men and women who respresent us must see the Georgia Dome every once in a while during their trips to A-town for legislative sessions. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT! In fact, in the few times I’ve seen games inside the Dome, from lower level to up in the rafters, I haven’t had a bad seat.

The Georgia Dome is fine. It works. It still looks good. It’s hard to believe it’s almost 20 years old – a testament to the fact that a new facility is NOT needed!

“If you build it they will come”. Thanks Kevin Costner. That line of thought has deterred Georgia Legislators from figuring out a way to lower the unemployment rate or improve education, cut down crime or feed the hungry. Instead, taxing Georgians (the base of the Falcon’s fans), and building a new Dome that is nowhere near needed.

That is, unless they write a bill stating the Georgia Dome be turned into an unemployment office/charter school/jail house/soup kitchen.

Read the bill HERE

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!

4 – 6 Games for B. Roth…Just Punishment?

I guess now we know why the Pittsburgh Steelers picked up Byron Leftwich yesterday. The front office must have been preparing for Ben Roethlisberger’s impending suspension.

Big Ben will miss the Steeler’s  first 4 to 6 games while serving his suspension for a crime he was never charged for. That’s the fact, whether you believe there was any wrongdoing or not. Roethlisberger will miss the 1st month and a half of the season for NOT committing a crime in the eyes of the law.

The alleged rape was investigated by the G.B.I. The District Attorney decided there wasn’t enough evidence to arrest the QB. Why does Roger

Goodell and the NFL think he should be suspended? Is his presumed innocence until proven guilty (which will never happen now, because of not being charged) tarnishing the reputation of the league that has let other proven egregious behavior continue in front of blind eyes.

Everyone knows Michael Vick fought dogs. He was arrested, tried, and convicted. He served his time, and has returned to the game after serving his suspension from the league. He was rightfully suspended for that. But what about his other transgressions? Remember water bottlegate? Vick at the airport with the secret compartment in his water bottle. We all know what the compartment was for, just like we “know” Rothleisberger must have done something wrong. What was his punishment? Suspension? No, it wasn’t.

That slid by. Just as his giving the fans the finger fiasco and who could forget the Ron Mexico incident?

I’m simply using Vick as an example, not to make this a Mike vs. Ben thing. My point is, the punishment should fit the crime, and said punishment should be just – BUT FAIR. In the case of Big Ben, it’s neither.

I could see the NFL levying a fine for causing such a media stir, but he shouldn’t miss games. There’s no actual proof he did anything wrong. We all have our opinions about the case. I, in fact, think he’s guilty as hell; of something, just not sure what.

Apparently all it takes now is an accusation, and you will miss up to a quarter of a season. I think the league is setting a bad precedent with this one.

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.

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.

It’s Spring Break, do you know where your backup quarterback is?

One spring practice. One play from being “the man” on campus. One big mistake.

                            Aramis Hillary                                             Zach Mettenberger

These are a few things UGA’s Zach Mettenberger and USC’s Aramis Hillary have in common. Both a top backup QB for their respective school; both with a shot to win some playing time this spring. That golden opportunity took a huge blow this week for these two players.

Early in the week, Mettenberger decided to get his spring break started right – in Remerton, Ga. He partied a little hard at a bar called “Flip Flops”, and felt it ok to cause a scene. Cops were called, and “Mett” was arrested for disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice, underage possession and consumption of alcohol, and possessing fake identification. Not only that, he was carrying TWO fake ids! Good thinking Zach – always need a backup plan!

Mettenberger’s arrest really clears up any QB controversary at Georgia before it had a chance to develop. Not only was he predicted to challenge for playing time, he was expected to make a push at the starting job for 2010. Now, it looks as though fellow redshirt Freshman Aaron Murray will be the Dawgs signal caller this season.

Hillary, on the other hand, was attempting to earn some playing time in Steve Spurrier’s “cock ‘n fire” offense. Stephen Garcia is the unquestioned QB and leader for the Gamecocks, so Hillary’s goal this spring was to position himself for significant playing time this fall. Those hopes took a big hit Thursday when Hillary was booked for possessing and purchasing alcohol as a minor, as well as drunkenness, when the car he was travelling in was pulled over for doing 10 mph over the speed limit. Hillary didn’t cause any extra problems for the officers, and was released on his own recognizance later that morning.

Most college kids make mistakes such as these. Unfortunately for Mettenberger and Hillary, they are placed under a microscope due to their status on their respective football teams. While both broke the law, both made mistakes many kids make, and they will be punished. A game or two suspension surely awaits them both at the start of the upcoming season. More than likely, both have greatly hurt their chances at making a big splash on the field in 2010.

But also keep in mind, these offenses are forgivable. Thankfully, neither UGA nor USC is dealing with anything remotely as terrible as the University of Oregon, and their starting quarterback.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/11/jeremiah-masoli-charged-w_n_494482.html