DB Eugene Clifford - transfer to Tenn. St. (official thread)

[Wells4Heisman]

Great talent wasted.....

Good luck Eugene and hopefully you pull your life together before its too late.

[jazzman]

Oddly enough, I think the coaching staff saw this one coming from a mile away when handing out scholarship offers.

It's pretty much a done deal at this point.....it's goodbye Eugene. I wish him all the best.

[Tjocelyn09]

Before we convict a kid we should first let the court do its job. We should not compare every kid that gets in trouble to Maurice Clarett. Sometimes it takes students time to adjust to new enviroments. Tressel allowed Troy Smith to go through growing pains and look at the return he got on his investment. A Heisman Trophy winner that trys to lead by example, and a man that is praised for his leadership by his teammates.

[MUBuck]

Originally Posted by Tjocelyn09

Before we convict a kid we should first let the court do its job. We should not compare every kid that gets in trouble to Maurice Clarett. Sometimes it takes students time to adjust to new enviroments. Tressel allowed Troy Smith to go through growing pains and look at the return he got on his investment. A Heisman Trophy winner that trys to lead by example, and a man that is praised for his leadership by his teammates.

Pretty different situation. Gene has had multiple offenses and multiple chances that he has blown in a matter of 2 years. Not to mention he seems to have trouble getting rid of a certain demon (weed). Got caught before entering OSU and at least once at OSU. Time to let go.

[ysubuck]

It's a little different here, don't you think? I mean, Gene has been given the opportunity to learn from his mistakes and he seems to just keep making new ones.

MUBuck beat me to it!!

[Bleed S & G]

Blah...

Goodluck Eugene

[SEREbuckeye]

Story has hit the Dispatch writers:

Cliff(ord)-hanger?

Unless the charges against Ohio State defensive back Eugene Clifford are thrown out, I would be surprised if he plays another down for the Buckeyes.
Clifford was arrested Friday in Cincinnati and faces two misdemeanor assault charges for allegedly punching two employees of the Holy Grail sports bar while the employees were trying to break up a fight (this, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, which cited police reports).
Late tonight, I could not get coach Jim Tressel or anyone from OSU to return messages.


But consider that Clifford so far has been more trouble than he's worth, to say the least. The guy has nearly as many incidents (three) as career games played (four). That's not a good ratio.


The marijuana possession citation while still in high school was minor, but troubling. Then Clifford was suspended from the national-title game. Clearly, he was already a strike or two behind before he, Donald Washington and Jamario O'Neal all were held out of some spring ball practices for unspecified reasons.


At the time, Tressel sounded like a stern parent when he spoke of seeing how the trio acted in the summer before deciding their fates for the fall.
Well.....even a whiff of being involved in a bar fight is certainly not a good sign. As much as Tressel wants to avoid kicking guys off the team, he may not have a choice if these charges stick.





Posted by Ken Gordon on July 6, 2008 10:49 PM | Permalink

[schultgb]

Good to see Holy Grail is still OK with the underage crowd.

[Steve19]

One could argue that fans should wait until the charges are heard in court before screaming for the coaching staff to throw this kid off the team, but the fact that he is underage and in a tavern when he is on such thin ice anyway probably will be enough for the coaching staff.

It is a shame that a kid with so much talent has so much difficulty directing it positively. Perhaps the best lesson he could learn, at this point in his young life, would be that great athletic talent does not shield one from the consequences of inappropriate behavior.

Ohio State doesn't need the distraction during a national championship run. Guys gave up a lot of bucks to play for the Bucks one more time. Clifford doesn't need everyone watching his every step waiting for the next small incident.

It is a real shame, but whether he is convicted of these charges or not, it probably is time to wish Clifford well as he finds another university at which he can ply his skills and try to get a university degree.

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Ohio State football: Clifford faces two misdemeanor assault charges

Monday, July 7, 2008 3:01 AM
By Ken Gordon


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Ohio State defensive back Eugene Clifford will be arraigned this morning in Hamilton County Municipal Court on two misdemeanor assault charges, court records show. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, which cited police reports, Clifford on Friday punched two employees of the Holy Grail sports bar in the face while the employees were trying to break up a fight.
Court records show Clifford was arrested, posted $248 bond and was released later Friday. The charges are both first-degree misdemeanors, each punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
This is not the first time Clifford has been in trouble. He was cited for marijuana possession in March 2007, while still at Cincinnati Colerain High School, and paid a $105 fine.
Cont...

[BB73]

Originally Posted by Steve19

One could argue that fans should wait until the charges are heard in court before screaming for the coaching staff to throw this kid off the team, but the fact that he is underage and in a tavern when he is on such thin ice anyway probably will be enough for the coaching staff.

It is a shame that a kid with so much talent has so much difficulty directing it positively. Perhaps the best lesson he could learn, at this point in his young life, would be that great athletic talent does not shield one from the consequences of inappropriate behavior.

Ohio State doesn't need the distraction during a national championship run. Guys gave up a lot of bucks to play for the Bucks one more time. Clifford doesn't need everyone watching his every step waiting for the next small incident.

It is a real shame, but whether he is convicted of these charges or not, it probably is time to wish Clifford well as he finds another university at which he can ply his skills and try to get a university degree.

This pretty well sums it up for me. Although the possibililty that the Holy Grail allows 18-20 year olds inside and only serves those with a hand-stamp (as mentioned by generaladm), should be kept in mind until that is clarified.

But just based on the fighting charges, assuming they're not dropped, I'll be surprised if JT doesn't let Clifford know that he's lost his privilege of ever playing football again for tOSU.

I believe it's important that other members of the team see consequences for those that are committing transgressions.

[craigblitz]

Great summary Steve!

[mooktarr]

I agree that it's time to give someone else a chance. Too bad.

[Tjocelyn09]

Originally Posted by MUBuck

Pretty different situation. Gene has had multiple offenses and multiple chances that he has blown in a matter of 2 years. Not to mention he seems to have trouble getting rid of a certain demon (weed). Got caught before entering OSU and at least once at OSU. Time to let go.

Not really. Troy Smith got into a few fights his Freshman Year. Then he took money from a booster. However, he grew up and became a better man and player because of it. Let Gene become a Sophomore, and give college a second effort. Most of these college towns allow 18 and 19-years olds into bars, that is probably why he was in the tavern.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Tjocelyn09

Not really. Troy Smith got into a few fights his Freshman Year. Then he took money from a booster. However, he grew up and became a better man and player because of it. Let Gene become a Sophomore, and give college a second effort. Most of these college towns allow 18 and 19-years olds into bars, that is probably why he was in the tavern.

When was Troy Smith ever arrested?