Big Play VA is transferring

[Cataholic]

http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... lden-bears

Man, the PAC might become a feeder conference for Notre Dame...

I wonder if Sonny Dykes, along with let's say Jim Mora Jr., will have a hissy fit over how unfair this is to Cal. I also wonder if Dykes will mock Brian Kelly for not having depth in the secondary.

Really Papa G?? Do you think Cal losing this kid is going to have the same impact as losing VA is to EWU? Additionally, this kid was a role player for Cal with only 6 starts in his career. You don't think that EWU (or any Big Sky) losing a Walter Payton candidate is going to impact the school more than at a PAC 12 school losing a part time player??

[91catAlum]

Here's an article that supports taking another look at the "graduate transfer" rule to make sure its being used as intended.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... 8_2015.htm

A couple quotes from the article:

The graduate transfer rule was created to allow a student-athlete to pursue a graduate degree that is not offered at his school. Too often, though, it has created an opportunity for free agency - a chance to jump to a better situation.

Oregon's coaches followed NCAA rules and gained permission from Eastern Washington before they made contact with Adams, so the process was legitimate. If it wasn't Oregon, other FBS programs also wanted Adams for next season. It's why Montana State football coach Rob Ash has questioned whether the rule allows FBS teams to treat the FCS as a "farm system or Triple-A."

[Cat Grad]

Riddick was a big deal that nobody paid any attention to last year. We've beat this thought to death and I personally wish this kid well. He gets to find out how he stacks up against the very best. I myself appreciate the fact that he's going to challenge himself and get out of the caste system podunk football has become. Doesn't everbody who ever competes at anything want to know how they would do if given the chance against the best?

[PapaG]

The graduate transfer rule was created to allow a student-athlete to pursue a graduate degree that is not offered at his school. Too often, though, it has created an opportunity for free agency - a chance to jump to a better situation.

So, the student-athlete fulfills the obligation of his "contract" by graduating in four years, and then gets the opportunity to try and improve their situation.

If only coaches were held to such standards when they jump to a better situation. Wasn't Coach Ash still under contract to Drake for he left of MSU? Funny how he gets to break his contract without fulfilling its terms, isn't it?

[TomCat88]

The graduate transfer rule was created to allow a student-athlete to pursue a graduate degree that is not offered at his school. Too often, though, it has created an opportunity for free agency - a chance to jump to a better situation.

So, the student-athlete fulfills the obligation of his "contract" by graduating in four years, and then gets the opportunity to try and improve their situation.

If only coaches were held to such standards when they jump to a better situation. Wasn't Coach Ash still under contract to Drake for he left of MSU? Funny how he gets to break his contract without fulfilling its terms, isn't it?

I can't tell: Do you think what Ash did to Drake (breaking his contract) was fair or unfair?

[marceag]

The graduate transfer rule was created to allow a student-athlete to pursue a graduate degree that is not offered at his school. Too often, though, it has created an opportunity for free agency - a chance to jump to a better situation.

So, the student-athlete fulfills the obligation of his "contract" by graduating in four years, and then gets the opportunity to try and improve their situation.

If only coaches were held to such standards when they jump to a better situation. Wasn't Coach Ash still under contract to Drake for he left of MSU? Funny how he gets to break his contract without fulfilling its terms, isn't it?

What are your thoughts with the fact that Adams changed his major so that he could graduate on time and attend Oregon to play football? You really think he is bettering himself with this rule now? He spent 90% of his time at EWU pursuing a rec degree, then Oregon comes along and offers him a scholarship to play football. The only real way he can make that happen is by changing his major...this is definitely exploiting the grad transfer rule, probably more so by VA, but Oregon has a part in it too.

[SonomaCat]

I'm pretty sure nobody sincerely believes that this transfer is motivated in any way by academics. So yeah, they are using this rule in ways other than for what it was intended ... but that's okay.

[kwcat]

The graduate transfer rule was created to allow a student-athlete to pursue a graduate degree that is not offered at his school. Too often, though, it has created an opportunity for free agency - a chance to jump to a better situation.

So, the student-athlete fulfills the obligation of his "contract" by graduating in four years, and then gets the opportunity to try and improve their situation.

If only coaches were held to such standards when they jump to a better situation. Wasn't Coach Ash still under contract to Drake for he left of MSU? Funny how he gets to break his contract without fulfilling its terms, isn't it?

What are your thoughts with the fact that Adams changed his major so that he could graduate on time and attend Oregon to play football? You really think he is bettering himself with this rule now? He spent 90% of his time at EWU pursuing a rec degree, then Oregon comes along and offers him a scholarship to play football. The only real way he can make that happen is by changing his major...this is definitely exploiting the grad transfer rule, probably more so by VA, but Oregon has a part in it too.

What did he change his major to? was it a major change? These answers would play a major part in how I would look at it.

[marceag]

The graduate transfer rule was created to allow a student-athlete to pursue a graduate degree that is not offered at his school. Too often, though, it has created an opportunity for free agency - a chance to jump to a better situation.

So, the student-athlete fulfills the obligation of his "contract" by graduating in four years, and then gets the opportunity to try and improve their situation.

If only coaches were held to such standards when they jump to a better situation. Wasn't Coach Ash still under contract to Drake for he left of MSU? Funny how he gets to break his contract without fulfilling its terms, isn't it?

What are your thoughts with the fact that Adams changed his major so that he could graduate on time and attend Oregon to play football? You really think he is bettering himself with this rule now? He spent 90% of his time at EWU pursuing a rec degree, then Oregon comes along and offers him a scholarship to play football. The only real way he can make that happen is by changing his major...this is definitely exploiting the grad transfer rule, probably more so by VA, but Oregon has a part in it too.

What did he change his major to? was it a major change? These answers would play a major part in how I would look at it.

He changed his major from Rec Management to Interdisciplinary Studies, basically a General ed degree.

[allcat]

The graduate transfer rule was created to allow a student-athlete to pursue a graduate degree that is not offered at his school. Too often, though, it has created an opportunity for free agency - a chance to jump to a better situation.

So, the student-athlete fulfills the obligation of his "contract" by graduating in four years, and then gets the opportunity to try and improve their situation.

If only coaches were held to such standards when they jump to a better situation. Wasn't Coach Ash still under contract to Drake for he left of MSU? Funny how he gets to break his contract without fulfilling its terms, isn't it?

What are your thoughts with the fact that Adams changed his major so that he could graduate on time and attend Oregon to play football? You really think he is bettering himself with this rule now? He spent 90% of his time at EWU pursuing a rec degree, then Oregon comes along and offers him a scholarship to play football. The only real way he can make that happen is by changing his major...this is definitely exploiting the grad transfer rule, probably more so by VA, but Oregon has a part in it too.

What did he change his major to? was it a major change? These answers would play a major part in how I would look at it.

He changed his major from Rec Management to Interdisciplinary Studies, basically a General ed degree.

You can actually get a degree like that? wow. I always thought General Studies was just something you started in till you found what you wanted to do.

[PapaG]

He changed his major from Rec Management to Interdisciplinary Studies, basically a General ed degree.

Be honest. He was majoring in football at EWU, and had a "job" offer that he couldn't refuse upon graduation. He won the FCS lottery by having an elite program like Oregon want him to be their QB. Baldwin even said he and Adams discussed his graduation as far back as December, which was long before Oregon got involved.

He's been on the radio here a few times saying he'd like to get into coaching someday. Being the starting QB at Oregon looks better on his resume' than being the starting QB at EWU, as well as the experience of playing big time football on national TV every week over playing on a red field with an on-line feed for viewing. I don't see how anyone can blame the guy, or blame Oregon, for following NCAA grad transfer rules. It's 100% sour grapes by EWU fans bashing Oregon for this. Oregon lost a special teams player to Portland State just last week due to this rule, and Duck fans and coaches aren't going crazy over it.

[allcat]

He changed his major from Rec Management to Interdisciplinary Studies, basically a General ed degree.

Be honest. He was majoring in football at EWU, and had a "job" offer that he couldn't refuse upon graduation. He won the FCS lottery by having an elite program like Oregon want him to be their QB. Baldwin even said he and Adams discussed his graduation as far back as December, which was long before Oregon got involved.

He's been on the radio here a few times saying he'd like to get into coaching someday. Being the starting QB at Oregon looks better on his resume' than being the starting QB at EWU, as well as the experience of playing big time football on national TV every week over playing on a red field with an on-line feed for viewing. I don't see how anyone can blame the guy, or blame Oregon, for following NCAA grad transfer rules. It's 100% sour grapes by EWU fans bashing Oregon for this. Oregon lost a special teams player to Portland State just last week due to this rule, and Duck fans and coaches aren't going crazy over it.

Being the starting quarterback at MSU worked out pretty well for Erickson.

[PapaG]

I can't tell: Do you think what Ash did to Drake (breaking his contract) was fair or unfair?

I think it's great for Coach Ash. Just as I think Adams using a rule to move to Oregon is great for Adams.

[PapaG]

Being the starting quarterback at MSU worked out pretty well for Erickson.

Yeah, great for Dennis. A cool guy and a great Bobcat. He's a textbook example of someone who climbed the coaching ladder. I believe his first job was at Billings Central, and he moved up in pay and prestige when opportunities were presented to him.

Imagine had he been locked in at Billings Central for his entire coaching career. He had opportunities and moved to them to increase his exposure, which is within the rules. Similar to what Adams is doing by going to the Ducks, IMO.

[SonomaCat]

Oregon lost a special teams player to Portland State just last week due to this rule, and Duck fans and coaches aren't going crazy over it.

Well, yeah ... because he wasn't very good ....

If the best player for Oregon bailed to play for, say, USC, I am positive many Ducks fans and coaches would be going crazy over it.

[PapaG]

Oregon lost a special teams player to Portland State just last week due to this rule, and Duck fans and coaches aren't going crazy over it.

Well, yeah ... because he wasn't very good ....

If the best player for Oregon bailed to play for, say, USC, I am positive many Ducks fans and coaches would be going crazy over it.

That would be a parallel move, and conference rules prohibit it, so I dont think it's at all similar as Adams moving from EWU to Oregon.

More accurate is a Duck player moving to the NFL after getting their degree. Mariota did just that this year, and Duck fans seem to be happy for him, even though he could have played one more season.

[Cat Grad]

Oregon lost a special teams player to Portland State just last week due to this rule, and Duck fans and coaches aren't going crazy over it.

Well, yeah ... because he wasn't very good ....

If the best player for Oregon bailed to play for, say, USC, I am positive many Ducks fans and coaches would be going crazy over it.

That would be a parallel move. More accurate is a Duck player moving to the NFL after getting their degree.

Only if they graduate early... Actually, the entire redshirt, greyshirt and LOI needs further review instead of freshman ineligibility.

[PapaG]

Oregon lost a special teams player to Portland State just last week due to this rule, and Duck fans and coaches aren't going crazy over it.

Well, yeah ... because he wasn't very good ....

If the best player for Oregon bailed to play for, say, USC, I am positive many Ducks fans and coaches would be going crazy over it.

That would be a parallel move. More accurate is a Duck player moving to the NFL after getting their degree.

Only if they graduate early...

Correct. It's exactly what Mariota just did. He moved to a better opportunity after getting his degree. Very similar as VA moving to a better opportunity after getting his degree.

Best of luck to both of them! If Marcus has stayed at UO, Adams would likely be at UCLA or Texas next season.

[SonomaCat]

Oregon lost a special teams player to Portland State just last week due to this rule, and Duck fans and coaches aren't going crazy over it.

Well, yeah ... because he wasn't very good ....

If the best player for Oregon bailed to play for, say, USC, I am positive many Ducks fans and coaches would be going crazy over it.

That would be a parallel move, and conference rules prohibit it, so I dont think it's at all similar as Adams moving from EWU to Oregon.

More accurate is a Duck player moving to the NFL after getting their degree. Mariota did just that this year, and Duck fans seem to be happy for him, even though he could have played one more season.

If VA was going to the NFL, I'm pretty sure EWU fans would seem to be happy for him as well.

Again, if Marcus Mariota had left Oregon to go to a stronger program out of the conference (let's say Ohio State), we should all be able to agree that many Ducks fans and coaches would be going crazy over it. Oregon isn't any more or less noble in any of this than EWU -- they just happen to be getting bailed out for their lack of QB depth by EWU's 2014 roster in this particular case (so all of those with loyalties to the two schools are reacting in ways that reflect their own self-interests).

I agree that, from a player's standpoint, this is perfectly fine. I'm totally in favor of players having the right to play wherever they want -- they shouldn't be treated like the property of any school.

[PapaG]

If VA was going to the NFL, I'm pretty sure EWU fans would seem to be happy for him as well.

Again, if Marcus Mariota had left Oregon to go to a stronger program out of the conference (let's say Ohio State), we should all be able to agree that many Ducks fans and coaches would be going crazy over it. Oregon isn't any more or less noble in any of this than EWU -- they just happen to be getting bailed out for their lack of QB depth by EWU's 2014 roster in this particular case (so all of those with loyalties to the two schools are reacting in ways that reflect their own self-interests).

I agree that, from a player's standpoint, this is perfectly fine. I'm totally in favor of players having the right to play wherever they want -- they shouldn't be treated like the property of any school.

That's a strawman, though. It's not at all applicable, since it's not like tOSU is at a much higher level than Oregon. Mariota didn't make that type of move because he didn't need to make that type of move to increase his exposure. He had other options, and exercised them after earning his degree. Adams didn't have the option of sure-fire first-round NFL pick, so it makes sense that he'd want to move to a much higher profile situation than playing on a red field in the middle of nowhere, with most weeks the only way to view their games on a very inconsistent on-line feed.

It's 100% sour graps from EWU fans, imaginary Mariota transfer aside.