By Shane from Centerpoint
When Auburn head football coach Gene Chizik took the job he said he was prepared to step up and do whatever it took to establish authority and gain complete control over the football program. Chizik promised an almost militaristic (drawn from years spent as military brat) approach to team discipline, vowing that Auburn players were going to do things the right way.
Apparently sophomore tailback Eric Smith forgot everything Coach Chizik taught him on that fateful night when he decided to use the “classless†tactic of a blind assault to disable an individual before allegedly kicking the man after he downed him.
This incident was nothing more than a brutal result of Chizik’s allowing a thug to play for his team in spite of the risk involved.
Talk about going off the rails – Smith committed the assault directly in front of police officers. Eric’s blatant display of cheap aggression and lack of concern that the authorities were present not only cast a dark cloud over the Auburn program, but his actions served notice that many tough decisions await Chizik in the future.
Before we go any further, let me state that this early–morning episode had several questionable subplots surrounding it that give rise to a legitimate inquiry.
Why did the Auburn police department only charge Smith with disorderly conduct in the original arrest? If they witnessed the ambush first-hand, why didn’t they immediately apply the assault charges they later filed? This type of activity (actually inactivity) gives credence to long-held beliefs that football players receive special treatment from the local authorities.
At least two other football players were allegedly involved. Ironically, like Smith, they are sophomores. I point out their class because the players involved with the assault situation are alleged to be members of an internal gang (or group) of sophomores who call themselves the “Swag Teamâ€.
According to a lawsuit centered on the case, Smith and/or two others knocked one man unconscious (inside the building) prior to Eric’s blind-siding the young man outside.
Truthfully, we may never know the complete story about the entire incident. I don’t think a police report was even written on the guy inside who was knocked unconscious. And, judging by the fact that Smith was only arrested for “minor†charges originally, one could easily believe that solving the inside issue was not a priority for the police.
Nevertheless, there are no “campus police†at Auburn. The city police department covers the school. That alone could present perception problems when combined with perceived procedural blunders like those associated with the Smith attack.
To his credit, Coach Chizik initially suspended Smith after his arrest. However, he never mentioned any other players being involved. In fact, the Auburn coach has failed to acknowledge anybody else as taking part in the beating of the guy upstairs, even though two of Smith’s teammates could possibly be added to the lawsuit at any time.
It is fairly clear to me that Chizik couldn’t afford to lose the other two individuals. They are starters. Auburn’s depth problems are well-known and the loss of these two “key†players could’ve spelled disaster this year.
The depth issue – although it’s not a valid excuse – may also serve to explain Chizik’s reasoning when he decided to allow Smith back into the line-up, especially after only a one-–game suspension! After all, Ben Tate has been the only healthy running–back available on a consistent basis. Chizik needed a body.
I find it uncharacteristic for a man of Chizik’s caliber (if you don’t believe me, just ask Pat Dye) to allow Smith to continue to be part of the team. The way Gene handled this deal almost gives the appearance that he was willing to forget the vicious nature of Smith’s attack, mainly because Eric catches passes well and is an excellent third–down back.
Actually, Coach Chizik might’ve already played his last card when he put Smith on the field. His actions didn’t send a resounding message to the team stating that, if you go too far, you’re off the team. Instead, Smith’s teammates might be thinking that their head coach is soft, or even worse, a sell-out.
In direct contrast to his public claims of transparency, I’m of the opinion that Gene Chizik’s handling of the entire Eric Smith (and others) case has been disingenuous at best.
Just the idea that three (maybe more) of his players were ignoring curfew, partying at some motel, and jumping civilians in late-night brawls should indicate to Chizik that his disciplinary system has failed.
Auburn fans might need to start thinking about whether the current Tiger commander has the capacity to realize that his team’s apparent lack of discipline off the field may be transferring over to game-day.
In fact, Auburn’s inability to stop committing crucial penalties and turnovers has cost them two or three games this year. It’s ironic that both errors are a result of lack of discipline.
Alarming evidence is beginning to stack up against Chizik’s reputation as a tough disciplinarian, and his actions pertaining to Eric Smith did nothing to help his case.
—Shane writes a weekly column for the Call News and the Capstone Report.
Aubie…you need to be focusing on the PIZZA BOWL, which is a good bowl for au. I here there will be free samples of Pj’s pizza at the game…so go and enjoy. Be sure to watch the SEC TITLE game as your tv will be as close as auburn will ever get to being in a title game! The streak begins…beware of next year’s ring finger!!!!
Are y’all bragging…..seriously? Bama and the Heisman pretender have NOTHING to brag about after that one.
UAROX (nice name) you make a semi-decent point. Auburn is behind the eight ball in players, and they have no one to blame but themselves. But that’s changing real quick, like in about one year. You see we want be wandering aimlessly for 10 years like your program did. Oh, and another difference, as bad as the depth situation is, we are still competing with the best of the SEC. The playing field is not even yet, and y’all were REAL lucky it wasn’t!
>>>Are y’all bragging…..seriously? Bama and the Heisman pretender have NOTHING to brag about after that one. <<<
Except being 12-0. Winning the SEC West Division crown. Playing in the SEC Championship game and the winner of that game playing for the national title.
Nothing to brag about except doing something Auburn hasn’t ever done…back-to-back 12-win seasons. And this season isn’t over yet.
I’m wondering how many games FG would have lost in the last few years without Tebow,,,,I wonder if Meyer has considered it. With so many hungry coachs now in the SEC things seem to be heating up again and I’m just wondering if Meyer has considered that. Maybe its time for him to get out, If he waits to long Stoops is going to grab his dream job…and soon he’s going to start getting his ass handed to him by the competition,,,,I’m just saying,,,RTR
Capstone…..I ain’t knocking the season, just the game. 12-0 ROX! Back to back 12-0 ROX double. If anybody can beat Florida, it’s bama. 3 weeks ago, I would have probably taken Bama against Florida in Atlanta, but now, I’m afraid Florida is peaking at the right time. And Bama, on the other hand, struggled mightily against a 5-19 coach with a “gimmick” offense! Them’s the facts.
SEC STOCK REPORT
Bammer……hold
Florida……sell!
Tennessee……sell quick! The NCAA hammer is coming….more on that later.
Georgia….hold
Ole Miss…..sell
Miss State…..buy, not much, high risk investment
Arkansas…..buy, buy, buy.
LSU……sell
Kentucky….hold
South Carolina….sell
Vanderbilt….hold
Auburn….BUY!
I like the stock report you did. I’ve done that in the past, and have already gotten mine ready for 2010. It’ll go up probably next week.
I think people should buy Georgia and Arkansas.
I will probably hold Florida since I’ll pick them to win the SEC East next season. (likely anyway).
I’m still not sure about Auburn. Part of me wants to say buy, but I don’t see the Tigers finishing above 3 or 4th in the West for at least the next three seasons. if I were actually trading the stock, I would probably short it between now and next season. The cover that position during the next season as the price would fall.
did any of you sidewalk bammers earn a mythical degree from UAT after the win friday? just wondering..
and Alex you have no clue what you’re talking about regarding test scores..recruit more students than just those who play ball?? what?? athletes make up about the same percentage at auburn as it does at alabama. that comment was just dumb.and you do know that average incoming gpa means just that, average. so the fact that you have maybe 3-4 thousand more students means nothing, except that those 3-4 thousand must not be as smart, or at least arent working as hard as incoming au freshmen. The comment that our ballers are smarter than your ballers is laughable. ha. Do you really think any athlete (i’m talkinb big sports: football, basketball, baseball) is doing their OWN work 100% of the time? When athletes major in something other in PE, general studies, exercise science, etc. maybe we can argue which players are smarter.
oh and i wouldnt have a clue about KA or any greek for that matter. I dont buy friends or future job opportunities. I like to earn it on my own instead of having Mr. CEO alumni hand it to me because i was a member of a greek system. It seems like you’re knowlegeable in that subject though.
Well Ken then you are an idiot. I like having things given to me. Earning stuff is way overrated.
Yeah Shane. Maybe he should handle it more like Saban handled Courtney Upshaw when he was beating the hell out of his girlfriend. You are a JOKE.