Sports

Just earlier this week, the University of Georgia recieved the shocking news that already suspended (1 game) QB Zach Mettenberger would be dismissed from the team due to violation of team policy.  On another note, UGA rank last in the SEC in graduation.  But I have good news, we are first at somethings!  Team arrests and equestrian.  UGA reported over 37 arrests in the since 2007.  Maybe it is too easy to get in trouble in Athens: the women, the bars, the weather, etc.

However, our savior (as it appeared on G-Day), did not even get arrested in Athens, but over spring break in another Georgia town.  Should Coach Richt be more lenient because Mettenberger was arrested in another city or should he treat the QB with the same discipline?  Well, since action has already been taken, UGA fans can only discuss whether they agree or not with the punishment.

It is hard to disagree with any kind of punishment, because Mett absolutely deserves to be made an example out of; however, his punishment was too strict.  Should we really dismiss our future starting QB when the next 2 kids on the roster are yet to impress anyone.  Mett was the biggest and best out of the 3 QBs, and definitely to be considered for the starting job.  But this kid was too dumb to figure that out.  It is very difficult to get dismissed from the University of Georgia as the future starting QB.  I’d have to imagine this kid isn’t too bright, and he probably wouldn’t be smart enough to get a real job considering he was arrested and dismissed from the team, as I say again the future starting QB.  Now, I know all of us have had our troubles from time to time, but if I was to receive an MIP (minor in possession) right now, I would still be at the University of Georgia.  We should be preparing this young adult for the NFL, as it seems to me, his only really way of making a decent salary (considering he was kicked off the UGA football, which is not necessarily loaded with Foundation Fellows).  Zach Mettenberger needs to be better prepared by his coach.  They need to teach him the correct ways to deal with legal trouble if he wants to succeed at a higher level.

Lets talk about Ben Roethlisberger.  It is no coincidence that this man was charged twice for sexual assault.  People just don’t go around throwing sexual assault charges.  Roethlisberger has been a problem for the Pittsburgh Steelers since Day 1.  Yet, he still gets to run off and do whatever he likes; whether it’d be because of 2 Superbowls or just being an NFL QB.  There is no difference between the two but if Ben can get out of these charges, then why can’t Mettenberger slip away from some weak offenses.

We play football in the hardest conference in America, and the schools around us aren’t necessarily playing by the rules.  I’m not advocating that we break rules to win, but if we can keep Mettenberger rather than immediately dismissing him and letting him run off to Tennessee, is that a successful days work?  Carlos Dunlap gets a DUI and plays in the championship game.  Derrick Rose never took the SAT and played in the championship game.  2 coaches on opposite ends of the spectrum-Urban Meyer and John Calipari- but both winners.  Maybe it is time we take notes and bend the rules.

Johnathan Swift -A Modest Proposal