$30,000 and no Brandon Spikes

by mlmintampa on Nov 6, 2009 3:06 PM EST in Florida Football

That's the final damage tally for the Gators following the Georgia game. While the Bulldogs lost 41-17, the SEC picked up $30k by fining Urban Meyer for saying Tim Tebow should have been protected better by officials after a late hit by UGA's Nick Williams. And the media picked up a scalp after forcing Brandon Spikes into suspending himself.

It is interesting to note that the SEC is coming down hard on coaches for critical comments, but they did not come down hard on Spikes or previous athletes. Contrast this to the SEC Baseball policy of two ejections equaling a one game suspension. It's like the SEC just randomly sets punishment, but doesn't that sound about right for a conference with such a proud history of bending the rules?

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I was disgusted when I heard this.

There’s a difference when a coach complains that existing rules were not enforced (Meyer) and a coach that complains about enforcing non-existent rules (Kiffin). Very bad move by the SEC here; this sets a terrible precedent.

by squinky86 on Nov 6, 2009 4:42 PM EST reply actions

Wow, a rational tide fan

I’m curious though I read on the tides blog that someone didn’t think meyer was right, i.e. that it was not a late hit. How can anyone think that?

This fine was expected, but not warranted.

Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones

by silverstreak3k on Nov 6, 2009 7:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah, there’s a minority of Bama fans that just want to see Florida lose. The majority want to see a rematch of last year; by far, the SEC CG last year was the best game of the year. Both teams came out firing on all cylinders.

At least they didn’t make you vacate wins and face four-game suspensions for returning stolen textbooks…

by squinky86 on Nov 7, 2009 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

Then again, “stolen” makes it sound like “illegally obtained.” They used a loophole in the rules to obtain the books legally, then returned the books or paid full price for them…

Maybe “unethically obtained” would be a better word to use there.

by squinky86 on Nov 7, 2009 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

Squnky, political correctness is for weenies.

And I agree with silverstreak – that fine on Coach Meyer was bullshit.

by O-town Gator on Nov 7, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

There is a difference,

but Slive has left himself no other option with his “zero tolerance” policy, which grew out of the SEC’s insistence on hanging the refs out to dry in the media with post-game press releases correcting calls.

It’s a natural progression, really. Once you start letting media OUTRAGE drive your policy decisions, the descent into absurdity can’t be far behind.

by wangalusa on Nov 6, 2009 4:48 PM EST reply actions

He was just made an example out of

he made a mistake, it wont happen again, lets move on. Lets not be Vol fans and defend the mistakes our coach makes no matter what he says.

by Hook85 on Nov 6, 2009 11:28 PM EST reply actions

Kiffin

Who wants to bet that Kiffin gets a fine or suspension within the next 2 games for UT? He can’t go a week without complaining. In fact how Meyer gets fined for one comment, and Kiffin gets away with like 4 comments and only gets a reprimand come on SEC, I’m not trying to say that Meyer is above the rules, im just saying kiffin gets away with comment after comment on officiating and gets a reprimand then meyer doesn’t even complain just says hey that should’ve been called and he gets a fine, doesnt add up to me

by bengatorfan on Nov 7, 2009 3:11 PM EST reply actions