Marcell Dareus Must Sit Two Games
by outsidethesidelines on Sep 2, 2010 7:15 PM CDT
in Football
Email
PrintIt's not exactly the end result we were looking for, but at least the uncertainty surrounding Marcell Dareus is now over. Per the Associated Press:
The NCAA has declared Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus ineligible for two games for accepting improper benefits.
The ruling Thursday also ordered Dareus to repay $1,787 dollars to a charity of his choice before regaining eligibility. The Crimson Tide opens Saturday night against San Jose State and then hosts No. 19 Penn State.
Dareus was ruled ineligible for receiving preferential treatment and agent benefits, including airfare, lodging, meals and transportation during two trips to Miami, Fla.
Notice that there were two trips in question here, where as previously we were aware of only one. Who knows the details surrounding the second trip, but almost assuredly that played a role in the suspension.
For what it's worth, Dareus apparently handled the situation as he should have. UA compliance director Mike Ward says that Dareus did not intentionally violate NCAA rules, and that he was truthful throughout the entire investigation. Gentry Estes reports, as a result of mitigating factors like those, the suspension of Dareus was reduced from four games to two. You hate to see him forced to miss games, but at least Dareus seemingly did what he was supposed to do.
Regardless, while it's disappointing that Dareus will miss the Penn State game, at least this does bring a close to it all. Furthermore, even without Dareus, we've still got a great deal of talent on the defensive line, and we should be able to take advantage of Penn state's uncertain offensive line and true freshman quarterback. There's no use whining like a bunch of Texas fans, you play with the ones you have and we don't have Dareus for our game with the Nittany Lions. Deal with it, move on, and we should still be able to beat Penn State. If we don't, no excuses, no whining about what could have been.
The good news, though, is that Dareus will return for conference schedule. Given what happened here, this could have easily turned into something much, much worse, and while the two-game suspension is disheartening, we will have Dareus back for the Arkansas game, which in all honesty carries far more importance in the grand scheme of things than the Penn State game.
Editor's Note: hat tip to BamaBrian for breaking the news first in his fanshot.
Update I: Click here to read the official release from the NCAA.
Update II: Nick Saban said on his radio show tonight that Alabama would appeal. Given that the suspension was reduced from four games to two, however, I wouldn't hold my breath, especially considering it would require an expedited review at a time when the NCAA is very, very busy with other eligibility matters. Perhaps it's worth a short, but don't expect to see him until we head north to play Duke.
Update III: Pete makes a great point in the comments, so keep this in mind as context when the urge to moan and groan about the severity of this penalty strikes:
If you had told me three weeks ago that Dareus got two trips instead of just one, I’d probably have guessed 4 games minimum, with even odds of being declared permanently ineligible.
Those must have been some pretty fierce mitigating circumstances.
83 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Just got a tweet from Andrew Bone
that Coach Saban said on a radio show that we are appealing the NCAA’s ruling. He wants the suspension reduced to 1 game.
The bad thing is, he sits on the bench until they rule on the appeal. Who knows how long that could take….just when we thought it was over!!
by BamaGirlinDallas on Sep 2, 2010 7:20 PM CDT reply actions
I want to know how they get off on
suspending him when they themselves said he didn’t intentionally break any rules!
It's hard to say what's been most impressive. The seamless jump from AA? The ability to hit for average? The ability to hit for power? The 18 walks in 111 trips to the plate? The flair for the dramatic? When you're trying to isolate the most impressive aspect of Jason Heyward's game, there's a lot to choose from, and it's only been a month and a half.
by Richie Grogan on Sep 2, 2010 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe he didnt intentionally break the rules, but
come on, how could he not know he was on thin ice? Two (not one as originally thought) free trips to Miami Beach to attend high profile parties. Doesn’t the old saying “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is” come in to play? I’m not supporting the NCAA because I think they are basically idiots but Marcell should have known better. Also, a lot of people have said he told the truth but did he? I seem to remember he said he reimbursed a friend for the expenses and got a receipt. If that’s the case, why does he have to repay (or contribute to a charity) almost $1,800? I think we are lucky it’s only a two game suspension. If we can get past PSU, we should have Mark and Marcell back and will have dodged a couple of bullets. I still think Marcell is a great guy but maybe a little too naive.
And like a lot of 20 year olds
he doesn’t think about worst case scenarios, unintended consequences, and reaping what you sow. He is just thinking about what sounds like fun.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
Simple...
It’s simple… you appeal, sit him the SJSU game, and if there hasn’t been a ruling on the appeal by the NCAA before the Penn State game, you drop the appeal and he pays.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Sep 2, 2010 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey, if we can do
that and possibly get him back for PSU, then I’m all for it. I just don’t want to chance us loosing him for longer. Can the NCAA say “ok, fine, you want to do that, now it’s a 4 game suspension”?
by BamaGirlinDallas on Sep 2, 2010 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions
This is the NCAA
we are talking about….they make their rules up as they go along.
by BamaGirlinDallas on Sep 2, 2010 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions
As busy as the NCAA has been with the scope of agent-gate
And as long as the initial ruling took, I’ve got to think our chances of an appeal completing in about a week and getting us some relief are pretty slim.
I’d guess that the University’s compliance staff already has the appeal 90% done and they’ll probably submit it at 8:00am on Tuesday morning.
I'm wrong all the time.
And if it takes a month...
Marcell will sit? Sounds pretty risky
Unity begins with the understanding that everyone is different and to accept them as such. - Confucius
Why would they let the appeal run for a month!?! If there’s no answer before the PS game then they sit Dareus for the PS game, drop the appeal, and he’s good to go for Duke.
They would if it’s a matter of the money. He’s suspended until he pays it to charity. I wouldn’t expect that to be an issue, but it would be a reason.
But then the appeal wouldn’t be risky then. Dareus would only sit as long as it took to get the $1700.
Just saying the appeal would not be risky. If Dareus has paid back the money and sat out two games and we still haven’t heard anything, we just drop the appeal and go on with business as usual.
Considering the bombs exploding in the Carolinas
two (for now) and restitution is about as rosy as the NCAA has been with us in quite a while. It could have been so much worse with just a smidge poorer judgment.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Sep 2, 2010 7:23 PM CDT reply actions
This.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Sep 2, 2010 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Hell, even without dareus and ingram
We should still beat Penn state.
I voted for Kleph and all I got was this lousy t-shirt
by BamaReturns07 on Sep 2, 2010 7:24 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
ISN'T THAT AMAZING?
i am most amazed that we are without #1 offense guy and #1 defense guy and we are not in meltdown. what a difference 3 years makes! Thank you Nick Saban and Scott Cochran!
"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban
and Jesus
I voted for Kleph and all I got was this lousy t-shirt
by BamaReturns07 on Sep 4, 2010 1:41 AM CDT up reply actions
I for one
am happy about the decision for one gleaming aspect of this whole ordeal. Dareus told the truth and the NCAA saw that he was telling the truth. Hence the light punishment. I’m proud of him for doing that. He could have told a bunch of BS and got the 4 game suspension.
" I should keep my words soft and sweet in case I have to eat them."
Nah...
If he wouldn’t have told the truth, he would have been done for the year. Ask Dez Bryant.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Sep 2, 2010 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I still think
honesty has the upper hand in this matter.
" I should keep my words soft and sweet in case I have to eat them."
Obviously...
…it’s time for another Ole Miss meltdown thread….
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Sep 2, 2010 7:26 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah
I can’t wait to hear the crazy reasoning they give that Masoli should be allowed eligibility and Dareus shouldn’t.
by BamaGirlinDallas on Sep 2, 2010 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Heard Brando yesterday going bat-ish crazy on his show about that...
…seriously, I hate it for Masoli, but he tried to duck a suspension. He wasn’t playing at Oregon this year, but he still had a year left there if he took the redshirt. It would set a dangerous precedent if they let him play. He pled guilty to a pleaded down felony and was suspended. Take the punishment and come back in 2011.
'Bama fan since birth, NIners & Hawks fan since '86, Braves fan since '90
Championships: 'Bama - check. Braves - work in progress. Niners - playoff berth is hoped for. Hawks....maybe in my lifetime
Well, despite what you want to think,
we’re mostly over it all now. I will say though, it was clear that the “spirit” and “intent” of this NCAA rule was to not keep Alabama football players out of SEC contests.
Joking aside, I think they dragged their feet here because they were willing to hand down a swift, harsh punishment to UNC but knew that, if they had done that, they’d have to do the same to Alabama which, despite what y’all think about the NCAA, is something they’re not willing to do right now.
Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Take a picture, trick.
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Sep 3, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I wouldn't even appeal it...
…just take the two games and keep it moving…as long as the NCAA wants to close the door and leave us alone, let them do it. They might get itchy and fake some more stuff to screw us over with
'Bama fan since birth, NIners & Hawks fan since '86, Braves fan since '90
Championships: 'Bama - check. Braves - work in progress. Niners - playoff berth is hoped for. Hawks....maybe in my lifetime
At least it's over ...
We will miss Dareus in those 2 games, but you win with the guys you have.
But who would of thought that we would be without our best offensive and defensive
players?
Believe in the process and CNS … Roll Tide Roll !!!
$1700 is a lot of money
my question is how does Dareus, a kid who wasn’t born w/ a silver spoon in his mouth to say the least, pay the money back? he can’t work can he? i just don’t want to get in any trouble for some booster or somebody sliding him the money under the table in order to pay it. the NCAA is one of the most dysfunctional institutions in the world.
but anyway, if someone can give me some insight on this it would be appreciated.
If his family has any collateral at all to secure a loan,
they shouldn’t have any worries about spending money on him over the next year. It’ll be repaid to them 1000-fold after next year’s draft.
Is that a sarcastic way of saying that a booster should give him money?
There are legitimate ways for his family to get money. Please don’t even imply that anyone at Bama should be violating NCAA rules.
chill out
just ment that if any bank would cooperate w/ loaning the money, it’d be bryant. i’m an alumnus and is as big a fan as anyone here. i certainly don’t want the program under sanctions again.
Oh, sorry. I didn't know Bryant Bank was an actual bank. LOL
I googled just now to find out. I thought “Bryant Bank” was a euphemism for a booster.
If I'm wearing a turban, it means Auburn is playing Iraq.
I’m pretty sure that he can get a signature loan at just about any bank even with credit being so tight right now.
Unless, of course, getting an unsecured loan is some sorta rule violation. Who knows what is/is not allowed by the NCAA.
He would not be able to get a loan based on his future earnings (or athletic reputation),
by NCAA rule. That would be an extra benefit.
If I'm wearing a turban, it means Auburn is playing Iraq.
Could be worse...
Fortunately Bama’s remaining D-Lineman should be plenty good enough to handle the “speed” of the Big 10. Inexperienced O-Line, new QB, game in Bryant-Denny…all in all it could be much much worse. Marcell can tune up by violating Duke’s QB and be ready to dine on pork BBQ against the hogs and Mallett. Hopefully we’ll see lots of 6 and 7 minute drives with Trent, Eddie and Maybe Mark grinding PSU brutally and methodically.
Stupid Is As Auburn Does
Run Forrest! Roll Tide!
OTS/Pete
Do the games have to be consecutive?
"It's not the size of the cat in the fight, it's size of the fight in the cat"
that's what i was thinking
sit him for sjsu and gsu. that’s what urban cryer would do.
it probably has to be consecutive
because he has to serve the suspension and pay the money to regain eligibility.
Yes...
… otherwise, what would prevent schools from cherry-picking the biggest cupcake games for the suspension to be served?
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Sep 2, 2010 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Glad it is over.
I heard Saban wanted to appeal but don’t hiold your breath.
Dareus out vs PSU, Ingram out vs PSU (likely) it is now very ver yimportant we suffer not one injury agaisnt SJS or in practice the next 2 weeks.
Everybody seems pretty confident like “Oh Penn St. no problem, new qb, slow team etc.” I’m not ready to count that one in the bag. Let’s wait and see what this qb of theirs is really like.
However, if Dareus had gotten a 4 game suspension that would have been a big hurt with Arky sitting at game 4.
There are 2 games we can lose this year and still win the NC. Not lose both of them, lose one of them. Those 2 games are PSU & UF. a loss to either but not both of those would not be the end of the dream.
Likewise, there are 2 games, games which will be close, that are must wins for Bama if we want to get back to ATL. Those games are Arky & LSU. If we lose either of those 2 it is going to be hard to repeat as SEC Champs, a feat which has not been accomplished in 12 years.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
hard to repeat as SEC Champs, a feat which has not been accomplished in 12 years
by us or anyone?
"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban
Those games are Arky & LSU. If we lose either of those 2 it is going to be hard to repeat as SEC Champs, a feat which has not been accomplished in 12 years.
Assuming one of those as our only loss, it would not be THAT hard. Even if they beat us, I still feel confident that both of those teams are good for 2 losses this year.
If I'm wearing a turban, it means Auburn is playing Iraq.
I figured that would be the case,
but I didn’t read anything that was specific to which games. So, I was hoping it was left to our discretion and we could possibly mitigate the effect given that he handled the situation as he should have and there was no intent to violate NCAA rules.
"It's not the size of the cat in the fight, it's size of the fight in the cat"
Well, like everyone
I’m a bit disappointed in the two game suspension……I had about convinced myself that because of Marcel’s truthfulness and the fact that he was brought to miami under false pretenses that it would result in a one game suspension at most……the restitution thing was a foregone conclusion…..it seems to me that this second trip that OTS mentioned must have been the deciding factor in the NCAA’s decision given what we know about the first trip and the timing with the death of Marcel’s mother…..as far as the appeal is concerned I think yeah you take a shot on the off chance the appeal works, but two games is not all that bad, and as long as he is back by Arkansas I’ll be happy…….Roll Tide Marcel we’re with you pay your penalty and come back strong….
I'd hate to be Dukes QB
if it is Marcel’s 1st game back.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
This may be bigger than folks think.
What isprobably Bama’s two best players out for Penn State. I just recall watching Penn State take the Tide down once at Bryant-Denny. They’ve still got the same coach, and I bet still have a bunch of 5th year seniors. These guys were well coached when I saw them. Enough that it gives me shivers to this day. As a fan I am not going out there over confident. I hope no one else is. Listen, believe it, these guys play in the big leagues.
No doubt...
Penn State is a fine program, and we’ll have to play well to beat them. If we play poorly I can guarantee you that they will take it to us. In the end, though, I still think it’s a game that we should win.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Sep 3, 2010 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions
i'd say the loss of dareus
is worth their starting a green QB. ingram may play but the effect on this game is something of a wash due to the emergence of richardson. so we get back down to the questions of our defense versus the weaknesses of their offense which is where most people have evaluated this game in the first place and found us to be a favorite.
i don’t think this will be a walk in the park but i’m also not nearly as nervous as i am at the prospect of facing arkansas at the end of the month.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
If you had told me three weeks ago that Dareus got two trips instead of just one, I’d probably have guessed 4 games minimum, with even odds of being declared permanently ineligible.
Those must have been some pretty fierce mitigating circumstances.
I'm wrong all the time.
Yeah
I was a little pissed he got the 2 game suspension but I am pretty curious about the fact that there were 2 trips.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Sep 2, 2010 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Going back to a post OTS made when all of this broke
Where it was deduced that Dareus was in Miami on the weekend of the 15th, the last line may have to be revisited:
For all of the talk of the now infamous Memorial Day weekend party, was Dareus even in Florida when that took place? Based on what we now know, I think the answer is likely no.
Based on what we now know…
by zeke2029 on Sep 2, 2010 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
And based on what we now know, we didn’t know much of anything then.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Sep 2, 2010 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions
You're right...
That’s kind of my whole point on a lot things… no matter how much you think you know, you never really know.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Sep 2, 2010 11:45 PM CDT up reply actions
I know
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Sep 3, 2010 12:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I was just thinking about how bad the off-field distractions have been this last week
And then I remembered that last year at this time we were sweating out word from the NCAA on two star players, and our starting DE had just been shot.
this is actually a good point
think about how much worse this would have been had it occurred last year. the VT matchup was a massive challenge and we had so much more riding on that game that we even do against penn state next week. if there’s one thing i’m grateful out of this whole mess isn’t that “it could have been worse” but that “thank goodness this didn’t happen last year.”
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
absolutely`
i was thinking the same thing yesterday
"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban
The NCAA is a rogue organization . . .
That being said, I was afraid it was going to be worse. I would bet Saban would prefer not to play Penn State w/o our best offensive player and our best defensive player.
by Son of Roaring Dan on Sep 2, 2010 10:30 PM CDT reply actions
And this is why I love RBR
There’s no use whining like a bunch of Texas fans
Priceless.
"I'm no miracle man. I guarantee nothing but hard work." --Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant
Colt McCoy didn't get hurt while on our team.
Nothing we could whine about remotely compares to such a travesty.
"Let's go be champions, boys!" - Greg McElroy
(Formerly SugarBowl93)
by RememberTheRoseBowl on Sep 2, 2010 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions
So does this mean...
that the NCAA still loves Alabama?
I was wondering since the Red Cup Rebellion was saying that a couple days ago…
Roll Tide Roll
Look at that dude going all Dareus on that colt.
Obviously they do, since Dareus should have been declared ineligible for the season
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Sep 3, 2010 12:59 AM CDT up reply actions
the guys at red cup rebellion
wouldn’t say that. some of their commenters might but thats a whole different situation.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
