MEYER SUSPENDS WILSON FOR SEASON

by Orson on Jul 2, 2007 12:23 PM EDT

Urban Meyer finds suspensions very harsh, usually. That's what we're fond of typing, anyway, since there's been nary a peep out of Herr Meyer since the Ronnie Wilson AK-47 firing incident in downtown Gainesville, or since Brandon James was implicated in a reverse sting operation involving the purchase of weed from a Gainesville police officer and participated in an FnDC incident earlier this year, bringing drama and bustin' snitches like Terry Tate on a rampage through the cubicles.

Meyer has finally addressed both, according to Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun. (HT: The Sporting Orange.) Wilson will receive a year's suspension from the program, missing the 2007 season entirely, a firm but not final punishment made possible by the reduction of the charge in the case to a misdemeanor. (Viva la Liberal Gun Laws in Florida!) This suspension does not preclude the possibility of Wilson rejoining the team, the little extra wrinkle typical of most of Meyer's disciplinary decisions: there's almost always a chance for redemption or sliding, depending on your interpretation of things.

(He discharged an AK-47 in downtown Gainesville like he was at an Iraqi wedding. We lean toward "sliding.")

James' punishment seems closer to appropriate: the obligatory one game suspension against the mighty Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky is expected, but James may lose his scholarship for the semester, a nasty piece of discipline as any former student who's considered donating plasma for money can attest. (Advantages: post aphoresis, you can get positively housed off one beer.)

Meyer refused to comment, but we're guessing if he were to respond, he'd suggest the punishments were "harsh." They are also a start in the right direction. [/Economist snappy ending sentence voice.]

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Comments

Whilst I’m not familiar with Florida or the ways and means of Urban Meyer, I’d like to think that any college player firing an AK-47 in public is most definitely worthy of a season suspension. I agree with the implication that there shouldn’t be a “wrinkle” in the suspension should the charges be reduced or Meyer wants him back. The suspension should be final to go with it’s firmness.

by John F on Jul 2, 2007 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

Anything that makes that which I read sound more like The Economist is a good thing. Now Orson needs to start calling the blog a “newspaper”.

by Seven Years in Gainesville on Jul 2, 2007 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

Sir—

We concur. This newspaper agrees to strive towards that goal.

by Orson Swindle on Jul 2, 2007 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

Hey, Western made the move up to I-A this year (I mean bowl subdivision)….so you can feel better about the pummeling, I suppose.

by jakldawg on Jul 2, 2007 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

Pac Man Jones likes the cut of his jib.

by Orangeblood on Jul 2, 2007 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

EDSBS is a newspaper..!

>waits for the layoff of 20 percent of the staff and “refocus to concentrate on local news” in order to retain double digit profit margins

by kleph on Jul 2, 2007 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

It’s not like he hit anyone. This kid is losing one of the best year’s of his life. Ridiculous.
/Barry Switzer

by jebushchrist on Jul 2, 2007 1:09 PM EDT reply actions

Cory Boyd thinks it’s a little harsh for a gun incident. Violating team policy- well that’s another matter altogether.

by Out of Conference on Jul 2, 2007 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

Would his punishment be less if the weapon were a .270 Remington?

by War Eagle on Jul 2, 2007 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Per Ice Cube, Ronnie Wilson had a bad day.

by lanceharbor on Jul 2, 2007 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

(After hellacious blindside from Urban Meyer) “Your season was over fifteen minutes ago….RONNIE!”

by spartymike on Jul 2, 2007 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

Someone beat me to it, but the Economist’s writing is so fucking badass. And often damn funny. I like my humor arid.

by PeteJayhawk on Jul 2, 2007 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, and Kleph…your timing is impeccable.

by PeteJayhawk on Jul 2, 2007 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

Stadium steps are the proper remedy for this type of malfeasance by this boyah.

by Bobby Bowden on Jul 2, 2007 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

Operative word in the James punishment is “may”. But, even holding the possibility of losing his scholarship for a semester over his head has to be considered harsh.

by socalirish on Jul 2, 2007 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

Kleph – Your timing was impeccable last night too.
Thanks, man.
(call me!)

by jebushchrist on Jul 2, 2007 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

jebushchrist -

your last comment has all sorts of entendre in it, esp. the call me part.

by socalirish on Jul 2, 2007 2:19 PM EDT reply actions

Out of Conference…hey man, if nobody says nothin about CBoyd shooting or not shooting a gun, then cops can’t do anything can they? Stop snitchin at its finest.

by Robert on Jul 2, 2007 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

nah. he was referring to my tryout with the tarapoto tree skimmers.

by kleph on Jul 2, 2007 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

In-deed. You were amazing.

by jebushchrist on Jul 2, 2007 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

you should know. as folks are fond of pointing out – jesus saves.

by kleph on Jul 2, 2007 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

I have had deluge of gators hit my site today. All headed towards the top 10 gator arrests. Nasty cussers leaving bad words

by Jai Eugene on Jul 2, 2007 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

Jai, as a proud member of the Gator Nation, and without leaving any bad words, I reviewed your site and was impressed with the large level of chagrin we Gators have caused therein. It does a heart good to enjoy the enmity of our enemies and to have their thoughts and bile leveled in our omnipotent direction. I thank you and wish you many happy, hatred-filled hours imagining the demise of the excellence that has become Gatordom.

Bless you.

by sb on Jul 2, 2007 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

#21, I thought it was “jebus”.

by sb on Jul 2, 2007 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

same difference

by kleph on Jul 2, 2007 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

I thought it was jeb bush posting and he just forgot a b.

by Ahab on Jul 2, 2007 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

We’re 2 halves of the same man. I’m the bad side so watch yo ass.

by jebushchrist on Jul 2, 2007 7:14 PM EDT reply actions

Didn’t we establish that the weapon in question was not the ominous sounding “AK-47” but rather a run-of-the-mill semi-automatic. I have a thing about factual accuracy in the press – well maybe this blog isn’t the bastion of journalistic integrity but still..

by Cruzer on Jul 2, 2007 8:36 PM EDT reply actions