Neuheisel Enforces Discipline At UCLA, Suspends 4 Players For KSU Game

by Nestor on Sep 15, 2009 4:47 PM PDT in Football Comment 34 comments

Here is another reminder why we can't take any opponent for granted. Per Jon Gold at the Daily News Neuheisel has suspended sophomore cornerback Courtney Viney, freshman running back Milton Knox and freshman wide receivers Morrell Presley and Randall Carroll for the KSU game "due to a violation of team rules". Here was his official statement:

"When you are a member of a team, you have a special commitment to the entities that make up that unit and to those that you represent," said coach Neuheisel. "When someone falls short in that regard, there have to be consequences, and then, we move on."

Until facts come out (with citations to credible sources) please keep the rumor mongering on other boards. Meanwhile, whatever these guys did I hope they are learning a fast lesson. They cannot take anything granted at UCLA. They will always be hold accountable for their actions as they will not be able to get away with running some practice laps.

This is also a clear message on the part of Coach Rick Neuheisel that he is not going to hesitate to come down hard on our players if they deviate from team rules. For these young kids, this might represent a short term set back, however for the long term this will have positive impact for them and for the entire team. Not to mention this will also undercut all the usual BS about how Neuheisel has problem with enforcing discipline in his program. More after the jump.

In terms of roster moves, the key thing to keep an eye on will be who will step in place of Vinney, a position that was already thin due to injury to Hester. My money is on the coaches starting walkon Andrew Abbott from Mater Dei who is often used as a nickle back. He has been solid at practices even though he had a tough moment against SDSU when he got burned on the long bomb. Not sure if the coaches will burn the redshirt seasons of freshmen (Sheldon Price, Marlon Pollard, and Brandon Sermons) who were backing them up. Guess we will find out.

Meanwhile, remember no moping around here. No whining. We just have to cowboy up. Obviously we will have more notes on this as the story develops.

GO BRUINS.

UPDATE (N): Rye has insta analysis in terms of potential roster moves. He thinks at least one freshman will have to burn his redshirt season:

If Abbott does indeed start at one corner, then you need a nickel back, which one of the freshmen will take. The only other option is putting Love in at safety in nickel and letting Dye play nickel back, but I don’t see that happened. Two may lose their redshirts if we go to dime at any point, which is possible because I saw K-State spread the field a little in their opener.

On the offensive end, I wonder if Knox and Carroll's suspension means, we might see more of Thigpen in this week's game plan. Chow and Neuheisel love speed. Thingpend has it.

UPDATE II (N): To no one's surprise The Trojan Times is on breathless rapid posting mode on this story. Like Pavlov's dog. GO BRUINS.

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Will they burn a freshmen's redshirt?

Pollard, Price, or Sermons could presumably play. Hopefully the seniors have given the young kids a lesson as well

by dhuang90 on Sep 15, 2009 4:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One of the freshmen will have their redshirts burnt

If Abbott does indeed start at one corner, then you need a nickel back, which one of the freshmen will take. The only other option is putting Love in at safety in nickel and letting Dye play nickel back, but I don’t see that happened. Two may lose their redshirts if we go to dime at any point, which is possible because I saw K-State spread the field a little in their opener.

by Ryan Rosenblatt on Sep 15, 2009 4:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If I'm K-State

my game plan just changed again. Time to sling the rock! Seriously it’s a disappointment that some of these kids are letting their focus wander like that. I’m glad CRN is acting promptly and forcefully.

by BruinAl on Sep 15, 2009 5:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Their QB is horrible

He’s only completed 51% of his passes this year against the likes of UMass and Louisiana-Lafeyette. Their best chance on offense is still running the ball regardless of who we have playing the 2nd corner and their only real chance in this game is their defense playing lights out (and/or hoping that our guys don’t show up to play after the big win last week)

by BruinJD on Sep 15, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course the SUC Times is on this

To be fair to them, enforcing rules and discipline is big news here in LA.

by Tydides on Sep 15, 2009 5:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if they will you know uhm provide context

about how their Lord Petey has a history of not taking any kind of disciplinary action even after incidents such as their star LB being arrested for investigation of misdemeanor battery after punching a man at an off-campus Halloween party (twice, without provocation) and then reportedly yelling “I own the police.”

Instead I’d bet they are going to include standard lines about Neuehisel’s “previous history” (without context of course) written up by lazy hacks.

by Nestor on Sep 15, 2009 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"They did WHAT!?"

“Why would anyone suspend a player that isn’t ineligible!? That’s crazy talk!”

/SUC Times Editorial Staff Reaction

by Tydides on Sep 15, 2009 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To be more fair to the LA Times here...

… this brief is not a whole lot different than what any of the other news outlets have been reporting. It’s pretty much the facts and one quote from RN. Not defending them, just that calling them “Pavlov’s Dog” might be a little harsh considering Gold at the Daily News broke it before them.

by uclaike on Sep 15, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

The rapid pace with which they blogged about it is rather remarkable given how much they enjoyed siting on their hands when scandal after scandal (with no disciplinary measures) were breaking out across town.

I am not going to give them the benefit of the doubt for doing a short blogpost when they wrote nothing, missing obvious storylines one incident after another.

by Nestor on Sep 15, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Point...

… although part of the problem is that SUC doesn’t actually discipline players so there are no “facts” to report.

These are all young guys so hopefully they can learn from this suspension and move forward with the solid careers we all expect of them. It also puts the other players on notice.

by uclaike on Sep 15, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the mainstream media

knows of the shenanigans and illegal stuff that goes on Figueroa Tech. How many times did we hear that Mark Sanchez was taking a pay cut by playing in the NFL (e.g. ESPY speech by Samuel L. Jackson). Remember the Times article that said their MVP was their defense attorney.

I’m looking forward to the day that I can throw a SUC probation party. I might be waiting for a long time.

by UCLA Championships Made Here on Sep 15, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yahoo...

… is still the only “media” outlet that has done anything close to investigative journalism on the Trojans. Pretty sad…

… by the way, has anyone else noticed the commercial of the Gameday crew and Mack Brown in front of Royce Hall? At best, it was neat to see Royce Hall, at worst, it was really tacky that they couldn’t bring a crew to UT. Hopefully we’re going to have a chance to have those guys out to see UCLA FOOTBALL very soon.

by uclaike on Sep 15, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Focus

It is interesting that school hasn’t even begun, so it has nothing to do with academics, etc.
I’m glad that CRN is seeing the bigger picture, “Team Unity and Integrity”. He had to lay down punishment to the guys.

Hopefully, there some light from this situation; more focus and determination from the rest of the team for a possible trap game. I think we have a classy and hard working group of seniors who elevate the program to greater heights.

Go Bruins!

by UCLA Championships Made Here on Sep 15, 2009 6:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Suspensions

Saw you deleted my post re. suspensions of UCLA players. I was just trying to alert your site and add my 2 cents. Maybe you don’t want the opinion of 55+ years bruin mom?

by bruinmom on Sep 15, 2009 7:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No it's not that

We deleted that post because there was already a fan shot about this and I had this up on the hompage. Putting up posts that are repetitive are deleted according to our rules. That way we make sure there is a continuity to our discussions. That is all.

by Nestor on Sep 15, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

to clarify

At the time I posted, you actually did not have the info up yet. Doesn’t matter, really—just an older fan who is trying to be a part of your site. I now live in N.M. and get more info from BN than anywhere. Thanks for all you do, and I have been so touched by all the coverage from those fans who traveled to Tennessee.

by bruinmom on Sep 15, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also once a story is up on the home page or in the fanshots/posts

You are more than welcome to add your 2 cents in the threats. We just don’t want to see the same news cluttering the blog. Thank you.

by Nestor on Sep 15, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

um, threads.

Threats are what they do in South Central. ;)

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Sep 15, 2009 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops

Well, that definitely sucks and we’re sure going to miss those guys, but great work by CRN to lay down the law. Definitely not the kind of discipline we’d expect from that little JC over in the ghetto. Hopefully the kids learn their lesson and it doesn’t bite us in the ass.

by TempletonPeck on Sep 15, 2009 7:37 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Reminds me of something that happened a long time ago.

There was this basketball team which had a really old fashioned guy as the coach. He happened to have the best player in the country as his center (and in fact this guy was somewhere in the top three or four college basketball players ever. This old fashioned coach had a rule about how long a player’s hair could be. When the star showed up with hair too long, the Coach told him that his team mates would really miss him. The star made it back from the barbership with a minute to spare and was not booted off the team.

It’s nice to see our head football coach emulate something that our former head basketball coach would surely have done under the circumstances.

by Fox 71 on Sep 15, 2009 7:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

thoughts

We need to remember that college athletics, depsite the money, pres coverage, blogs, etc., its still a part of the student-athletes education and discipline needs to be employed with no regard for wins or losses. Honestly, I doubt that many in the Bruin community believe much else. This isnt disappointing to me in the least since its all young guys. If seniors and junior are breaking rules, then you have a serious problem, but young kids will make mistakes everywhere and its up to the leaders to teach them what it takes to succeed with integrity.

But since this is a fan site, i assume we’re all here for the football angle. Honestly, in the same way Prince going down could pay dividends later, this obviously could be a positive in many ways. I think Viney is the biggest loss given how well Franklin and COleman have played but it just opens the door for the next corner to step up. Ultimately, I doubt this impacts the game much at all.

by bruinforlife on Sep 15, 2009 7:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

on point

Viney is a big loss, but I think we would have had to burn Sheldon Price’s RS eventually. We just don’t have the depth at CB. In a way, it might work out for the best. I would have liked to see Presley and Carroll take some steps this week, but there is no doubt that this lesson will teach them more in the long run. Glad to see CRN showing control of the program.

by hicalliber on Sep 15, 2009 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sheldon Price played in the SDSU game

So the redshirt isn’t a concern. Lack of experience still is though. Let’s just hope whoever gets to play steps up their game.

by pxcasey on Sep 16, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coach Rick Neuheisel

You have our full support!

Viney, Knox, Presley, and Carroll: Don’t pout. Learn the lesson and do the time. When you return to regular status on the team you have our full support. (Just don’t screw up again)

by Telemachus on Sep 15, 2009 7:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Daily Bruin has a couple quotes from Viney

“We violated a team rule and it’s a fair decision,” Viney said. “You’ve just got to take it and move forward from here.”
..
Viney recorded a career-high eight tackles and broke up a pass while filling in for the injured Aaron Hester.
…
“I don’t think (my suspension) is a setback at all,” Viney added. “Like I said, I take full responsibility.”

It was dumb of them to do whatever they did, but I have to say that it’s refreshing to actually hear an athlete actually take responsibility for their actions.

Source

by insomniacslounge on Sep 15, 2009 8:08 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I'm loving the quotes

No excuses, just pick yourself and go forward. That’s the attitude I want to see out of something like this.

by Tydides on Sep 15, 2009 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ted Miller's blog

I have no idea how to post a link but someone’s gotta post the Tennessee president’s comments re. UCLA and the PAC-10 in general

by bruinforlife on Sep 15, 2009 8:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

it’s already up

by insomniacslounge on Sep 15, 2009 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm

A bit disappointed but gotta remember that they’re still kids. We’ve all made stupid decisions we could all take back.

Really love CRN laying down the law and he has my full support. Also encouraged to see Viney’s comments. Hopefully, the team understands that CRN means business and we are on a mission to redeem UCLA.

by BlueReign on Sep 15, 2009 8:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The sign of a program on the mend, and on its way back...

Kudos to Coach N for making such a bold decision. Unlike that prick over at SC, Coach Neuheisel isn’t going to mess around here. He has made it crystal clear — evidently — that he means business and that his players are PRIVILEGED to be playing for our program. No ifs ands or buts… it should be considered an absolute privilege. This sort of message to the kids — and that’s indeed what they are, kids — will go a long way. That stupid parking decal scandal under Toledo ultimately derailed the program… these things start small, very small sometimes (remember Watergate?) and if you don’t nip it quickly, it grows. Neuheisel did the right thing. If anything we’re lucky it came at this point in the year and not before the Cal or the SUC game.
All four of them are young and they’ll learn from this — you can almost guarantee none of them will do something like this (whatever it is they did) again. Hopefully the rest of the team learns from this as well.

Not to even remotely sound overconfident, but if we come to the game with a solid gameplan, and play the game methodically, we SHOULD be all right.

As many of you have pointed out, there is no way Carroll would have taken this type of action…no way in hell. This also shows how much Coach N. learned from some past minor (in comparison to Carroll) mistakes and made every effort to take the situation by the horns.

Go Bruins.

W.S. Montano Class of 1994

by wsmontano1994 on Sep 15, 2009 9:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I suppose an insider's info to the nature of the violation...

is more of a distraction than anything. I am not saying I have the info…but still :)

by UCLAngels on Sep 15, 2009 9:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Neuheisel Setting The Tone

Kudos to CRN for taking bold and decisive action. Hate to see this happen but under the circumstances he did absolutely the right thing. The four players in question will learn from this and be able to move forwar. Just good to see that CRN is setting the tone that team rules will be enforced; unlike that renegade program on the other side of town where apparently anything and everything goes.

Wanted to hurl my bowl of cereal at my flat-screen TV earlier this A.M. when the TrOJan-loving Network (a.k.a. WWL, a.k.a. ESPN) had yet ANOTHER piece on Matt Barkley and how he is apparently still “hurting” after the Ohio St. game. Of course, the wonderful Trojan-loving Network had no mention of Kevin Prince and the surgery he underwent for his broken jaw suffered in the Tennessee game. Jeez.

Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!

by Minnesota Bruinfan on Sep 16, 2009 4:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I was surprised to see the utter lack of any highlights from the TN game on WWL after we played on Saturday. The game was televised on their own network…you’d think they’d have one or two they wouldn’t mind putting up somewhere in between the 800 highlights from Mich-ND. I guess since they have a deal with the SEC it works in their interest to downplay out-of-conference SEC losses.

by gradstudentbruin on Sep 16, 2009 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

suspensions

Now that Miles Brand is dead maybe the NCAA will come back to life and get on with Bush, Mayo ad nuseum investigations. Amazing how quick thay can get Memphis on Academic Fraud-remember Winston Justice?

by john4justice on Sep 16, 2009 4:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs