The Importance of How Chizik Handles the Eric Smith Situation

[Sensi]

Eric Smith isn't a criminal. He's not planning a heist or even organizing an illegal front to move products. He got in a fight, late at night/early in the morning in a public place and was promptly arrested for it. What becomes of this legally is probably not going to require trial or anything along those lines.

The real trial is in how Gene Chizik handles this situation. It is the first "off-the-field incident" in his time at the helm for Auburn. If recent history is any indication (the players dismissed this summer for disruptive behavior in a classroom), he will not take it lightly. All of that is speculation until he makes an announcement one way or another.

The fact remains that he needs to make a firm stand about this to demonstrate his authority to his players and to an already divided fan base. On one hand, he must realize Eric Smith faces some further fines and perhaps probation, so more punishment could be construed as piling on with the legal system. On the other hand, if he gives an inch someone will take the mile and Chizik can't afford the public backlash or the internal conflict from the team if he appears "soft" with discipline.

However he plays it, Chizik must realize this incident can either become an afterthought or a footnote on his first season as head man on the Plains.

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

Good read, but I have to ask. What would be considered "soft", "hard", or "too harsh" to the many many different opinions about Chizik and how he handles things?

I have a feeling regardless, it'll be scrutinzed with ANY conclusion he brings this to.

[AUChizad]

Good read, but I have to ask. What would be considered "soft", "hard", or "too harsh" to the many many different opinions about Chizik and how he handles things?

I have a feeling regardless, it'll be scrutinzed with ANY conclusion he brings this to.

If you want my actual opinion, too soft is anything less than some kind of suspension. It can be as light as as one quarter, as long as he's clearly being punished for his actions. Too harsh would be anything beyond three games.

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

If you want my actual opinion, too soft is anything less than some kind of suspension. It can be as light as as one quarter, as long as he's clearly being punished for his actions. Too harsh would be anything beyond three games.

I can agree with this.  I hope that if we hear he's suspended for a "game" that he doesn't magically appear in the second half of said game.

[AUChizad]

I can agree with this.  I hope that if we hear he's suspended for a "game" that he doesn't magically appear in the second half of said game.

Agreed.

[Snaggletiger]

First off, I expect Chizik to be tight lipped about the whole thing.  He's been that way on most everything to date from practice, to injuries all the way to booting the players this summer.  My guess (Definitely a guess) is there are set rules in place about staying out of trouble and out of the papers away from the football field and classroom.  It would appear Smith crossed the line and I imagine a suspension of some sort...game(s) will be in order.  

Like RWS and others have said about Upshaw...right or wrong, you've got to know better than to put yourself in that situation.  Unless it turns out that this is all a misunderstanding and Smith is not guilty of what is alleged, I'll be disappointed in Chizik if some type of discipline is not enforced.

[Kaos]

I think he should suspend him.  Unless we're behind and need him to play or his parents are in the stands. 

And then he should make some drama queen statements about football being the equivalent of nuclear war and that he considers his men soldiers.  Expendable soldiers who should be soaked in gasoline, set on fire and sent running toward the opposing sideline. 

Then I think he should scour the back alleys and mean streets of Mobile -- or at least the courthouses -- and find some guys who were at a drug-related shooting but didn't actually fire the weapon, allegedly.  Measure their vertical jump, make sure they get a nice car with some blingy rims and bring them on to campus for an "education".

Then he should go out and give Rivals $400 so Auburn could be named the "recruiting national champion."   

Then I think he should bitch the media out for asking questions and slap a secretary for putting too much ice in his Mountain Dew. 

Or not.

[Buzz Killington]

I think he should suspend him.  Unless we're behind and need him to play or his parents are in the stands. 

And then he should make some drama queen statements about football being the equivalent of nuclear war and that he considers his men soldiers.  Expendable soldiers who should be soaked in gasoline, set on fire and sent running toward the opposing sideline. 

Then I think he should scour the back alleys and mean streets of Mobile -- or at least the courthouses -- and find some guys who were at a drug-related shooting but didn't actually fire the weapon, allegedly.  Measure their vertical jump, make sure they get a nice car with some blingy rims and bring them on to campus for an "education".

Then he should go out and give Rivals $400 so Auburn could be named the "recruiting national champion."   

Then I think he should bitch the media out for asking questions and slap a secretary for putting too much ice in his Mountain Dew. 

Or not.

Alright buddy...Behavior Probation for you!

[Wishbone]

The teams in the worst scholarship-player situation are Miss St. and Auburn with 75 each at the beginning of Fall camp.  ( I know we just awarded 3 walk-ons bringing us to 78.)  Both these programs were run by disciplinarians (Croom and CTT).  I don't think a draconian approach is what you want to do if you want to win football games.  You don't want to drive players away especially when you can only sign 28 a year.  

[AUChizad]

I think he should suspend him.  Unless we're behind and need him to play or his parents are in the stands. 

And then he should make some drama queen statements about football being the equivalent of nuclear war and that he considers his men soldiers.  Expendable soldiers who should be soaked in gasoline, set on fire and sent running toward the opposing sideline. 

Then I think he should scour the back alleys and mean streets of Mobile -- or at least the courthouses -- and find some guys who were at a drug-related shooting but didn't actually fire the weapon, allegedly.  Measure their vertical jump, make sure they get a nice car with some blingy rims and bring them on to campus for an "education".

Then he should go out and give Rivals $400 so Auburn could be named the "recruiting national champion."   

Then I think he should bitch the media out for asking questions and slap a secretary for putting too much ice in his Mountain Dew. 

Or not.

Proof that the old Kevin is under there somewhere...

[Kaos]

Alright buddy...Behavior Probation for you!

Can we handle it "in house"?

[Buzz Killington]

Can we handle it "in house"?

Sure.  Just don't ask me about any fucking depth charts.

[RWS]

I highly doubt most of you care that Smith even got arrested, judging from some of the replies I've seen in both threads. Its amusing, let an Alabama player get arrested for nearly the same thing (except it happened with a female), and its a Greek tragedy and heads should roll.

How many will genuinely frown upon anything short of a suspension? 

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

I highly doubt most of you care that Smith even got arrested, judging from some of the replies I've seen in both threads. Its amusing, let an Alabama player get arrested for nearly the same thing (except it happened with a female), and its a Greek tragedy and heads should roll.

How many will genuinely frown upon anything short of a suspension? 

I guess you've just had a lot more opportunities to learn how to handle this type of situation.   :eyeroll:

[Buzz Killington]

I highly doubt most of you care that Smith even got arrested, judging from some of the replies I've seen in both threads. Its amusing, let an Alabama player get arrested for nearly the same thing (except it happened with a female), and its a Greek tragedy and heads should roll.

How many will genuinely frown upon anything short of a suspension? 

<raises hand>  I think he did something very stupid and it warrants a suspension.  I also think the idea of "Behavior Probation" reeks of arrogance.

[Kaos]

I highly doubt most of you care that Smith even got arrested, judging from some of the replies I've seen in both threads. Its amusing, let an Alabama player get arrested for nearly the same thing (except it happened with a female), and its a Greek tragedy and heads should roll.

How many will genuinely frown upon anything short of a suspension? 

You are assuming many facts not in evidence.  Let me recap for you:

1) Most of us are genuinely concerned with the situation and intently interested in how our coaching staff handles the first off-field incident we can remember since Mike Price was briefly your head coach.

2) Most of us would ridicule a dead grandmother if she were wearing Bama attire. It's just a source of amusement for us.  We make fun of you because it's easy. 

3) There's a whole lot of difference between a guy punching a girl and a guy punching a guy.  If you don't believe me, bring your girlfriend on over and let me punch both of you.  If she's really, really hot I'll punch you first.  In the temple. 

4) 90% of what we say is intended to be humorous or to, again, make fun of you (bama fans collectively).  But if your girlfriend is, like, really super hot?  I might not have been kidding about the punching thing.  Send me a photo so I can decide if it fits in the 10% or not. 

5) On a serious note? If Smith is not suspended, providing that an investigation into his behavior shows wrongdoing on his part, the vast majority of us will be greatly disappointed and I dare say what  confidence we have in Chizik would wane.  In that respect we are not like you.

[El Guapo]

I look at it like this... We have two weeks before the season. You can work the players ass off running extra drills, community service, etc. and never need to have the player miss a snap.

I just see it as the season is still far enough away that you can come up with something other than missing a game.

Naturally this all depends on what each person does to get into trouble.

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

I look at it like this... We have two weeks before the season. You can work the players ass off running extra drills, community service, etc. and never need to have the player miss a snap.

I just see it as the season is still far enough away that you can come up with something other than missing a game.

Naturally this all depends on what each person does to get into trouble.

I'm sure that having to pick up trash on campus, or having to run a few extra laps might suck, but missing games is what gets their attention.  Take away their "glory time".  The games are what they are there for.

Practice??  We're talking about....Practice?  Really... I mean ... Practice??

[Pell City Tiger]

I wonder if Mayfield Ice Cream would be interested in picking up Colonial Bank's slack as a sponsor of Auburn athletics?

Kaos nailed it on the head - there's a HUGE difference in fighting a dude as compared to choking out a chick. I would sit his ass for 2 games if I were the head ball corch. Bama set their precedent with Wimp Sanderson, and repeated it with Dubose - anything goes as long as you win.

[The Prowler]

I say cut him......take a Damn stand!!!!  Or...just suspend him for a few games and say that "we will not tolerate this kind of behavior, it's completely unacceptable...Eric Smith might as well as have choke slammed a lot lizard, PERIOD!!!"  Then add, "this incident, or any similar to it, will not be swept under the rug like they do over in East Mississippi."