Oregon RB: World Class Idiot

[JohnnyHopkins]

What an idiot, this could cost him millions.

Sucker punch will sink out-of-shape Blount

Friday, September 4, 2009 | Print Entry


Posted by Todd McShay and Kevin Weidl

Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount began the season carrying some character baggage thanks to a suspension last season for failing to live up to team obligations and the fact he came into spring practice overweight and out of shape, and his sucker punch of Boise State LB Byron Hout on Thursday night took those minor concerns and made them massive.

We talked last night to a college scouting director from an NFL team who said, "In the matter of five minutes, Blount just went from second- or third-rounder to completely undraftable." Yes, he was egged on a bit by Hout, but big-name players deal with that kind of trash talk all the time without throwing punches in return.

In an NFL climate in which commissioner Roger Goodell has placed a huge emphasis on behavior and accountability, teams are simply not willing to invest money in players who behave like this, unless you're talking about a Michael Vick or some other player with similarly freakish talents. Blount does not have that kind of skill set and has effectively cost himself a serious shot at the NFL.

We had given Blount a late-second or early third-round grade after his strong finish last season -- when he rushed for more than 1,000 yards while sharing carries -- with the hope he would come into this season, carry the full load and capitalize on that momentum. He entered the season as our second-ranked senior running back behind Clemson's C.J. Spiller but has done absolutely nothing to help himself. He had a great opportunity to get to the next level, but has now totally blown it.

And even if he hadn't lost his cool after the game, Blount's stock still would have taken a hit. Another scout we talked to said Blount appeared slow -- likely due to his weight gain and questionable work ethic -- and questioned his lateral mobility and ability to make people miss. He carried eight times for minus-5 yards, caught two passes for 13 yards and was not the same player we saw last season.

Who knows where Blount goes from here -- a long suspension is likely -- but at this point he is untouchable from an NFL standpoint.

 

[joseephuss]

I just heard on the radio that Oregon has suspended him the remainder of the season including any bowl game appearance they may make.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Ahhh well. That's how it goes when you're too stupid to control yourself.

 

[Chief]

This story is blowing up.

It's turning into a big racial thing (on facebook, twitter, etc).

A lot of people are saying the season-long suspension is way too harsh and is only because Blount is a black player punching a white player. Jemele Hill of ESPN wrote that 4 games would have been enough and she already has over 100 responses, with her "friends" really going at it.

This isn't going away for awhile.

 

[joseephuss]

This story is blowing up.

It's turning into a big racial thing (on facebook, twitter, etc).

A lot of people are saying the season-long suspension is way too harsh and is only because Blount is a black player punching a white player. Jemele Hill of ESPN wrote that 4 games would have been enough and she already has over 100 responses, with her "friends" really going at it.

This isn't going away for awhile.

I wonder why they can't see that it was more than just the punch. Had he just punched the Boise St. player I bet he would have only been suspended 4 games. He kept on acting like an idiot after the punch. He shoved his own team mates, he made somewhat of an attempt to go into the stands and yelled and acted a fool at the Boise St fans. He had to be restrained by a few people. It was more than the punch that has landed him this suspension.

Plus this was his second chance. If he had never been in trouble prior to this incident then maybe he doesn't miss the rest of the season. How can someone look at this incident and only see a black player punching a white player? There is much more to see and I don't think racism is one of the things in sight.

 

[Big Dakota]

Act like a criminal don't be surprised when you get treated like a criminal. If he played well this year he may have been an early round pick, now it wouldn't surprise me if he didn't get drafted at all.

 

[Hoofbite]

This story is blowing up.

It's turning into a big racial thing (on facebook, twitter, etc).

A lot of people are saying the season-long suspension is way too harsh and is only because Blount is a black player punching a white player. Jemele Hill of ESPN wrote that 4 games would have been enough and she already has over 100 responses, with her "friends" really going at it.

This isn't going away for awhile.

I honestly didn't think it would be season long but I'm not gonna say it was out of line and excessive. Playin the race card in this scenario is weak.

 

[CowboyWay]

I hate to see a guy lose the whole season, but act like a fool, and you get what you get. he was suspended by his coach earlier before the season for acting the fool.

You just HAVE to control yourself. I'm sure the kid you popped deserved it, but you just have to control yourself.