Mike Taylor skates -- for now

isuno1fan · 06-22-2007, 10:31 AM

No point in even debating the issue. What's done is done and what will be will be. Let's move on and hope it works out in the end.

joepublic · 06-22-2007, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Now, G-Mac knows Mike far better than any of us (with exception to one or two people here). He feels Mike is worthy of one last shot. While I won't question that, I also won't sit here and not refute some of the silly claims being made.

Whether or not we attack other posters' thoughts as "silly," player behavior problems are too complicated to be treated as a black/white issue, which is something message boards are very good at.

SlyCy · 06-22-2007, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by bmuff

Really, what did the kid do that was so bad? Messed with a fire extinguisher in the dorms and stole some cough medicine? Sorry, but I did worse things in college and didn't get caught. I'm sure a lot of people did. Those things aren't worthy of getting booted. Taylor has been punished already and will have a suspension (I'm betting the 6 or so that Hubalik had last year). And if he screws up again, no matter when it is, he's gone.

I'm sorry, but we've come a long way since Vroman was getting pulled over with weed or Kenny Pratt was trying to get out of a DUI claiming he drank cough syrup. Hell, Sam Mack was cleared to play before he transferred. Now people get upset because a player isn't booted for stealing $10 worth of stuff and some minor vandalism? Please. Let GMac run his program.

You're right there are crimes that are a lot worse.

I'm all about giving second chances, I have no problem with that but it's the second and third chance he's been given I have a problem with. Think about it, if you have a fantastic college career ahead of you, and maybe a pro career ahead of you and a guy like McDermott on your case and you still can't stay out of trouble then that is a huge problem. The other 99% of college athletes can...

MT is a liability at this point. He is a risk not worth taking IMO.

ISUFan22 · 06-22-2007, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by joepublic

Whether or not we attack other posters' thoughts as "silly," player behavior problems are too complicated to be treated as a black/white issue, which is something message boards are very good at.

Hence why I stated in 2 posts now I understand why G-Mac has allowed Mike to stay. Try reading the words on the screen.

As for this "attack" claim, methinks you, sir - have zero room to talk. If bmuff is offended, I'll apologize to him.

Bobber · 06-22-2007, 10:49 AM

If the program wasn't on such thin ice academically, I'm not sure GMac would have done this normally. He ususally doesn't have a lot of tolerance for trouble makers. It is a good move from that standpoint and should help us with the NCAA.

As a teacher, Gmac has a lot of responsibility and these kids are clay in his hand to be molded. Yeah he could have cut Mike loose and perhaps he would have spiraled downward the rest of his life. Maybe Gmac sees more potential there? He knows Mike better than any of us. The rules for Mike are very clear. Let's hope he follows them.

bmuff · 06-22-2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by SlyCy

You're right there are crimes that are a lot worse.

I'm all about giving second chances, I have no problem with that but it's the second and third chance he's been given I have a problem with. Think about it, if you have a fantastic college career ahead of you, and maybe a pro career ahead of you and a guy like McDermott on your case and you still can't stay out of trouble then that is a huge problem. The other 99% of college athletes can...

MT is a liability at this point. He is a risk not worth taking IMO.

What real "risk" is there? Will MT jaywalk? Get a public intox? Maybe he forgets to pay for a pack of gum at HyVee? I mean, really, the guy has made some stupid decisions, but I don't think he's a sociopath. GMac has said that MT is a good kid, but he hasn't had a male role model his whole life. He knows MT MUCH better than any of us, so I respect his decision.

Personally, I think that having MT play is worth at least five wins (rather than spending the year with an all freshman backcourt). If the downside is having a convicted cough syrup-stealer on our team, I think I can deal with the ridicule. And if he screws up again, he's gone.

ISUFan22 · 06-22-2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by bmuff

And if he screws up again, he's gone.

That's my biggest concern. For the team, G-Mac and ISU. We'd have another Berryman all over again. Talk about a black eye just when we're getting out from under these issues.

I don't expect Mike to mess up again, yet the risk is certainly there - he's proven that. Hopefully this "no more chances" policy has woke him up.

ISUonthemove · 06-22-2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Whitey

I have a feeling that there will be some games missed by Taylor. I don't think he's getting a free pass from McDermott. I wouldn't be surprised if it's as many, or a couple more, than Hubalek missed last year.

I would like to see it doubled. 12 games sounds about right to me. Actually I wouldn't mind seeing him ride the bench all season just to keep a scholarship for next year.

jparker22 · 06-22-2007, 11:15 AM

"I think he really wants to be a valuable member of this team."
That is the last quote in the article. It may be nit picking on my part but I would like to hear something about Mike wanting to be a valuable member of the Ames community, or society in general. I take issue with people who steal. If you steal when you are a kid fine, you learn your lesson, but as an adult it is inexcusable. The punishment is what it is and I won't debate our coaches decision, he gets paid a little to take care of that part of the equation.

I won't be a MT supporter unless I hear that he is doing something to give back to the community that he denigrated.

isuno1fan · 06-22-2007, 11:20 AM

It won't be anywhere close to 12 games...I can pretty much guarantee that. It will be between 1-6...book it danno!

ajk4st8 · 06-22-2007, 11:23 AM

have all the trust in the world in GMacs character judgement.

RedStorm · 06-22-2007, 11:35 AM

I guess I do not see this as skateing, nor have I lost any respect for McD. I have faith in whatever decision McD makes. I am guessing that MT is not going to have it easy from now on and the slightest transgression will have him off the team. MT did not do anything major...just a few small, stupid, things. I am glad McD is not giving up on the kid as a person. Mike Taylors future is now completeley up to him. I don't think MT is a bad person...just has not been a good decision maker.

RedStorm · 06-22-2007, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

That's my biggest concern. For the team, G-Mac and ISU. We'd have another Berryman all over again. Talk about a black eye just when we're getting out from under these issues.

I don't expect Mike to mess up again, yet the risk is certainly there - he's proven that. Hopefully this "no more chances" policy has woke him up.

The differnce being...Berryman was a Felon, Violated his probation to comiit a felony, and spent a year in jail. And even after that he could not make a good decision to save his life. Now I am not defending MT but he has had a handfull of "minor" offenses....like a lot of some of my friends had when the were younger. And I am sure everyone on this board has some friends who used to do things. I would not have been surprised to see GMac boot him, but I have no issue with MT getting another cahnce. MT needs ISU more that ISU needs MT, so I hope he uses this opportunity to "straighten up and fly right."

rd4isu · 06-22-2007, 01:04 PM

Gotta drop the hammer on him. Heck, I just tossed my 2 year old out on the street for spilling his milk on the floor. He's obviously a repeat offender since it's the second time in as many days. I'm worried what my neighbor might think if I don't set a precedent now. In my house of moral superiority, there's no room for interpretation, you're either right or wrong.

CTTB78 · 06-22-2007, 03:22 PM

Just curious for those who thinK he should be shown the street. Just kick him off the team or out of ISU too?

For the record, I agree with McD's decision and was not surprised at all on the short leash comments. It will be a three game bench warming, max.