I'm sure he was somewhat aware of the father. But I doubt he cared. Young guys like that usually don't care about what someone else might do. After all, this guy feels that he is better than Randle. As far as he knew, LSU wanted him. Randle would have had to worry about visiting other schools if he didn't want to face the competition at LSU. Benton was never concerned about the competition. I think that if this guy would have said that he was absolutely going to LSU five days before signing day it would have been much harder to tell this guy he was pulling a scholarship the night before (and it might not have happened...who knows). Instead, Benton finally decides the night before that he doesn't want to toy around anymore with a great school that's been committed to him for about three years. Then Les decides at the same time that it's not worth it. And yes, I know that Les knew he was checking out Auburn and didn't say anything. But I can guarantee you he was not likely happy about it. It still doesn't make it right to pull a scholarship like they did right before signing day. But the guy should have been thankful that LSU was still around after two years of disappointment already. Instead, he's toying with Auburn five days before. Randle's dad wouldn't have been on the radio saying, "If Benton goes to LSU..." and all this garbage because it would have been a given at that point. He would have had to deal with it or send his kid somewhere else. The blame is on a few people in this situation. Randle's father looks the worst, but Les is not far behind. He is human though and I wasn't there...
I think we would have been in the top 5 with or without this guy. I know you're saying that generally speaking coaches who acted like this wouldn't be in the top 5, but I disagree. Because there's only a few players (or players' parents actually) that will act like that every year. Never did I say for the coach to say that we don't want you as much as this other guy. In fact, you tell them that you want them just as much as any other player, but that they will not be influencing who YOU choose to put on YOUR TEAM. And if they walk because they're offended, then F 'em. I wouldn't give a big $hit what Randle and his dad said or where they went if they couldn't respect that or thought that they were bigger than the team (and that they were the real decision makers). If Benton failed we still have guys that can step up. Hell, we can put Shep at WR until he's ready for more playing time at QB. He obviously capable of being an unbelievable WR. Coaches get paid to come up with solutions when things go wrong. And true, no one will think about Benton next year if we win 10. But that doesn't make it right. Finally, let me say this: If you're winning big every year, you can almost rub a players face in dog $hit and he'll still choose your team. Why? Because everybody wants to be part of a winner and even more want their best shot at getting to the Pros. Sad to say, but it's true. I like a recruiter who respectfully stands his ground and I believe the all- around great players respect and like that as well.
i think you missed my point. Im certain word of Randle's dad was no secret about it being his kid or benton and not both. DB had to hedge his LSU bet and luckily he did.
i almost said the same. I understand it. just dont agree with it. And yes, I thought before reading your reply, the hell Miles would have to endure if he let randle get away. that would suck and the media and fanbase would be 1000x worse. But I would have respected him more for honoring his word. not really. mistakes, yes but doing whats honorable is most often the path with most resistance and is usually how you can differentiate one from the other. killing a few women and kids from collateral damage for the good of many is a tough decision. Choosing to do right by one kid and his future is not. And most of the people justifying Les' decision are the same people blaming JJ for hanging LSU out to dry. And make no mistake, thats the consensus and theres very little difference in the two. turnabout is apparently not fair play. hypocrisy at its finest. of course not. hes likely a much better man than I but he's the one preaching character, honor and family above football. if giving someone your word and simply honoring it is idealistic, ill proudly wear that label.
This thread tells us where we are as a program. We are very torn and upset about the possibility of Miles doing something unethical (we do not know) in the recruitment of one player. Tennessee fans, on the other hand, are ecstatic over Kiffin mouthing off, publicly reprimanding, and taunting other SEC coaches about the shady recruitment of his signees.
OK tirk, you can step down now. I am neither glorifying nor condemning Miles. Neither am I ignoring what happened. As someone said, I wasn't there. You are mighty quick to toss Les, and anyone who doesn't agree with your outrage, under the bus. There's a lot more to this story that isn't out there and I would like to lay back and let it come to light. "Poor" Benton wasn't sleeping on a clean white sheet when it suddenly got pulled out from under him. Save your bloviating for later when all of the facts are in.
I have a couple of questions: 1) Why is Reuban (or Reuban's dad) insecure to the point of trying to eliminate the competition rather than competing against it? 2) What if we did not rescind Benton's scholly, Reuban commits elsewhere, then Benton still goes to Auburn? (probably mute since Reuban waited till the very last minute yesterday to send in his contract). And the reverse question is what happened: We withdrew Benton's scholly and hoped Reuban would come. What if he still went elswhere? We played with fire on that one.
That is so f***kin funny to me because I always wondered the same thing, so I asked him. And it's not.
not so much an outrage as it is a disappointment. what I said was not in question. you can choose to be an obama apologist if you want. I simply choose not to. theres plenty light. its whether you care to see it or not. suddenly you need WMD's to realize what went down? :lol::lol: same here-- only not well enough against us to win.
