Would You Take A Chance?

[Aggie One]

You can expect these 2 guys to start calling all the major HBCUs in the state looking for a new home and most likely we are first on their list. Would you take a chance on them if you were George Small and the call came? You know Bill Hayes would and will.

Give me your opinion.

Pair off UNC team
Heels dismiss Thomas, Bowman

By A.J. CARR, Staff Writer


CHAPEL HILL -- Last month, suspended North Carolina football player Isaiah "Puff" Thomas said he expected to rejoin the team for spring practice.
UNC's spring practice, however, began Friday without both the defensive tackle and wide receiver Adarius Bowman, two of three players suspended last fall after being charged with possession of marijuana. The university's athletics communications office issued a terse release Friday stating that Thomas and Bowman would not return to the team.

Citing the Federal Education Right to Privacy Act, the statement offered no explanation for the sophomore players' dismissal.

Sophomore linebacker Fred Sparkman, the third player suspended last fall, said in December that he had been told he wouldn't be allowed to return to the team. He has said he planned to transfer.

Neither Thomas nor Bowman could be reached for comment Friday. UNC spokesman Kevin Best said both are still enrolled at the school.

Coach John Bunting wouldn't say why they no longer were with the team or even how big a role they would have been expected to play on the 2005 team.

Thomas, Bowman and Sparkman were suspended indefinitely in October after being cited by campus police with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. The charge against Bowman was dismissed Nov. 22. The case involving Thomas was rescheduled for March 7, and, according to court records, the charge against Sparkman is still pending.

At the time they were suspended, Sparkman led the Tar Heels in tackles and Bowman in receiving yards. Thomas, who had been a SuperPrep All-America player at Carver High School in Winston-Salem and started the last five games of his freshman season, was playing as a backup at defensive tackle.

Freshman Terry Hunter then moved into Thomas' spot on the depth chart. Earlier this month, Hunter was charged with driving with a revoked license -- in a car belonging to Thomas -- and misdemeanor marijuana possession, prompting Bunting to suspend Hunter indefinitely and declare that he might have played his last game for UNC.

On Friday, Bunting said Hunter's status had not changed. Bunting refused to comment when asked whether Hunter's recent charges had influenced the decisions regarding Thomas and Bowman.

Given the drug-related football suspensions, athletics director Dick Baddour asked the UNC faculty athletics committee this month to review his department's drug policies.

[DECKS]

Ordinarily I'd say no, but Small is in a situation where he has to show major improvement this season. Thomas and Sparkman could be difference makers but Small would look like a hypocrite about marijuana if he signed em. It may better for him to sit this one out.

Of course if they did transfer in I wouldn't be mad at him.

[Aggie77]

I say yes depending on the history of these kids. The article doesn't address past troubles. If these kids are getting good grades, this is first mistake, then you make a judgment call on individual character. The last thing Coach Small or we need is more controllable youth. With that said, they would have to initiate contact, I don’t think Coach Small should make first contact unless he has previously recruited them.

[da heretic]

Like what Dex said, it'd smack of hypocrisy.

[SixtiesAggie]

Plus it would have to be approved by the administration.

[AggieGroove]

I think the administration is trying to clean up the program a la Hampton and don't want the same kind of problems as in the past. Plus it does no good to recruit athletes who can't win at the next level and more importantly who behave like jack.......sss in the end.

the utltimate goal is to win consistently in the IAA playoffs and we yet to acheive this goal with any consistently.....

my thoughts only...

[Striktly]

I think it would be a case by case situation based on the players prior history in college as well as high school. Some players, but not every player, deserves a second chance. Somebody like Jason Horton who for the most part was a good kid but made a bad decision however when he got to A&T he did what he had to do.

Just my thoughts.

[DOOMS]

I'd take a chance. I'd test that pee and throw 'em out at the first hint of trouble and I'd let them know that's what they'd be in for if they played for me.

We used to be the refuge for ECU's problem children and I think all of them graduated problem free.