http://www.emueagles.com/news/2009/8/27/...h=football

Okay I'm fine with giving kids second chances, but there was alot of press about English making an example of Derrick Hunter with drugs and firearms and being kicked off the team.

This is the second guy with a drug history with intent to distribute outside of the former U of M guy who also had a drug possession and purported non payment of rent and is now on the team.

Hm. Mixed messages perhaps?

(08-27-2009 03:08 PM)emu79 Wrote:  http://www.emueagles.com/news/2009/8/27/...h=football

Okay I'm fine with giving kids second chances, but there was alot of press about English making an example of Derrick Hunter with drugs and firearms and being kicked off the team.

This is the second guy with a drug history with intent to distribute outside of the former U of M guy who also had a drug possession and purported non payment of rent and is now on the team.

Hm. Mixed messages perhaps?

I've got a feeling that there was a lot more to the Hunter story than what was reported.

I'm all for giving a kid like this a second chance as long as he is given a short leash. If you give him a good structure and surround him with the right people he should be fine. If, not...bye, bye!

I question the decision to put this announcement on the website.

I've talked to a lot of parents and players regarding RE. Bottom line... he absolutely appears to be a man of very high character. I trust his judgement regarding the kids he is bringing in to represent Eastern Michigan University on the football field. I too am in favor if giving these young men a second chance if they meet academic standards for playing D1 college football. Look around the country at other programs...there are plenty of players that have done a lot worse - especially in regards to more violent crimes (assaults, domestic violence, etc.), yet have been deemed worthy of a second chance. Give these kids a chance and, if they slip again, they're done...IMO.

I give them credit for posting on the website. I think it shows the kid, and everyone else, that they really believe in him....

as a side note, I believe RE is really pointing to the '10 season.

'09 might be the big year for fans, but RE is really trying to beef up the '10 roster with some kids who can really play.

Axon, L. Thomas, etc. are not normally the caliber of athlete who wend their way to Ypsilanti.

He is trying to score some real blue chippers.

Comment: I believe Ron English wants to win now and is willing to roll the dice on some questionable players. The way I see there is no downside for English. If they pay off he's off to U of M or another Div I program for bigger $$$$. If the crap hits the fan and the program gets a black eye in the process and EMU wins there will enough people to close their eyes and the next coach will clean up the mess. We all know what happens if English doesn't win.

Attack, alot of Div I coaches liked this kid's talent but decided to pass because of the baggage for their programs and they get paid to win games as well. Kudos to them.

There have been other EMU coaches who rolled the dice on kids with character issues hoping to win and the gamble didn't work out and they lost their jobs.

Outside the world of college sports, ie the real working world one can lose their job for possession of drugs.

I was fine with expelling Hunter. I'm concerned about inviting persons with some of the same infractions into the program.

But after reading the article again I think English has put enough safeguards in to protect himself and the program. We do need a RB next year since we didn't recruit one this year.

The law is 3 strikes and you are out. Many people who have done questionable things have realized that they did something wrong and made the correction myself included. So if it didn't do any long lasting harm giving second chances is good. I even support Vicks return to football but he needs to better than your average player and show true change.

From the EMU press release:

Quote:Axon entered a pre-trial intervention program that required him to complete 50 hours of community service and submit to random drug tests. Axon completed his community service in five days and all of the drug tests issued came back negative. Axon is on probation until Oct. 18, 2009, at which time, if all terms of the probation are satisfied, the charge will be dropped.

It looks like Axon could have a clean slate, criminal justice-wise, very soon so I don't blame English giving him a chance at D-I football. I agree, though, that Axon comes in "on probation" with the program.

I don't want to quibble, but the post thread is "Another Transfer with a History".

Axon is, I believe, and others seem to agree, the TYPE OF KID who deserves a 2nd chance (NOT all do).

Did RE bring in any other kids with 'issues'?

(I'm trying to 'fast backward' to Feb. kind of a 'replay' - were there any kids with big issues who signed back then????).

That said, the DE JUCO kid from CA did have 'issues' and won't be at EMU this year. I don't know if RE knew of the issues or not when he signed.

Anyone else?????

Good Question and how about the 5-6 late additions to the roster? Does anyone have any info on the Florida ereceiver, DE, others???? RE: MHEISEN , DL, BOYLE, WR, VAUGHN, DB, BROWE, LB, GOURDINE, WR , FLA, CORDICK, LB/DE SACRAMENTO CC, SINAWE, DL

(08-28-2009 04:38 PM)Dennis D. Rachwal Wrote:  Good Question and how about the 5-6 late additions to the roster? Does anyone have any info on the Florida ereceiver, DE, others???? RE: MHEISEN , DL, BOYLE, WR, VAUGHN, DB, BROWE, LB, GOURDINE, WR , FLA, CORDICK, LB/DE SACRAMENTO CC, SINAWE, DL

I know that Boyle is a walk-on from Lincoln. Only played 3 games as a senior because of an injury. Very fast.

What's with Gourdine (WR) from FL? How did he land at EMU?

I believe the other transfer the orignial poster is probably referring to is Johnny Sears...now starting EMU CB, and former UM starter....theres more info regarding him on other threads...

(08-29-2009 06:15 AM)EagleAttack Wrote:  I believe the other transfer the orignial poster is probably referring to is Johnny Sears...now starting EMU CB, and former UM starter....theres more info regarding him on other threads...

Thanks,

I did think of him after I posted.

One has to be careful not to lump say Sears or Axon with a holdover with issues, such as Hunter.