SBNation Article On Joe Craig

[CLE802A]

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/6/3/2205474/joe-craig-suspended-clemson-track-marlena-wesh-tigers-football

Read it and enjoy.....

Apparently Craig got into a physical altercation with a female student-athlete on Clemson's Track and Field team. A police report of the altercation described “assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature”, and yet somehow charges weren't placed on either or both student-athletes, regardless if either wanted to charge the other themselves.

From the police report, it appears that Craig pursued the female member of the track team, one Miss Marlena Wesh, to her apartment wielding a metal pipe or bar, and was banging aggressively on her door. Wesh came to the door “fearful for her safety”, but opened the door and cut him with what was called an eyebrow razor, but also described in the police report as a “lethal cutting weapon.” Craig then “hit her in the forehead" with the metal pipe or bar, "and continued hitting her when she was on the ground.”

Now, this is certainly nothing like public drunkeness by a college student-athlete, or getting into a heated verbal confrontation at a leadership seminar. This is merely the kind of petty delinquency - such as choking a young female and throwing her down a flight of stairs, or beating a female on the head with a metal pipe or bar until she needs stitching - that the Clemson football program can easily look away from and let the passage of time wipe from memory.

The mere fact that Swinney has not taken any action whatsoever, while the coaches of the track team have already suspended both participants from their program, speaks eardrum-shattering volumes as to the discipline of the football coaching staffs.

That the local police - despite the very strong words and charges they made in their incident reports, and the fact that SC law provides police to proceed with placing formal charges against either or both Craig and Wesh, WITHOUT the necessity of either pressing charges and especially since both required medical attention at the hospital for their wounds - STILL chose to not press formal charges against either also speaks volumes. The incident occurred on the 22nd, nearly 2 weeks before any media reports of it taking place.

Someone like a Stephen Garcia gets arrested for underage drinking of beer a month shy of his 21st birthday, and within 2 hours the news is on all the media outlets. A Clemson football player lays open the head of a 5-6 girl with a metal pipe, and we only learn about it thanks to some diligent snooping from The Journal Online (UpstateToday.com). They didn't get this news from the football program....they got it from the Clemson Track and Field program.

Most likely what will happen will be similar to what took place with DeAndre McDaniel, the last Clemson FB athlete to have a run-in with a female, that the news of which was somehow able to slip past the CU propaganda machine: the principle party (victim) was persuaded to drop all charges, keep quiet, and therefore with no official arrest or charges being placed, a weak and lenient "deferred suspension" is handed down.

But Tiger fans will come on here and laugh at USC and Spurrier for giving Garcia another chance for his totally non-violent, verbal spectacle with a seminar speaker, as disappointing as that was.....they will also at the same time defend and support a CU Tiger who went upside the head of a little sophomore 5-6 girl with a metal pipe, and continued to hit that girl even as she was down on the ground. Simply pathetic.....

:)

[Mpeay]

Good thing most of this article is BS. Really stretching hard there tard.

[cubarb1991]

BOTH should be dismissed...period end of story. still doesnt make what garcia has done acceptable either

[Tiger80]

It would be interesting to know who was the aggressor. If he pursued her to her room, then he should be suspended from the team pending an investigation (presumption of innocense).

[Mpeay]

I wonder how many people could show up to work drunk or a work meeting drunk and still keep their job?

IDK about you guys but if I should up that way and was belligerent I would be fired on the spot.

[CLE802A]

Good thing most of this article is BS. Really stretching hard there tard.

So you're saying the local police are corrupt liars? Because they have it all in their official police report of the incident. You sound like a Gamecock fan. Hmmm......

[Mpeay]

Well I have seen three other reports and those matched that one didnt so you tell me coot.

[CLE802A]

It would be interesting to know who was the aggressor. If he pursued her to her room, then he should be suspended from the team pending an investigation (presumption of innocense).

Why would that be interesting to know? Unless you're someone who justifies beating a young woman with a metal bar, for which there are no justifications. The blade the girl used is something that is totally harmless, if Craig chose to simply walk away. Come on.....beating a young woman - a girl, really - with a metal rod or bar? Lets rationalize this out, Clemson fanbase....

:rolleyes:

[CLE802A]

I wonder how many people could show up to work drunk or a work meeting drunk and still keep their job?

IDK about you guys but if I should up that way and was belligerent I would be fired on the spot.

See, this is what is so pathetic about the Clemson fanbase.....they base their opinions off of subjective rumor that has no factual bearing. Garcia was not drunk, and showed no indications of being drunk, at the seminar. He was provoked into a heated verbal argument with the presenter, and the only reports were that there was alcohol on his breath. Garcia did admit to having some beer at a birthday party for a fellow football player earlier that day. Clemson fans equate that into being drunk.

I also am not defending Garcia for his actions at the seminar, no more than I defend him for his actions during the bowl week. From all verifiable reports concerning THAT incident, he was drunk....very drunk. It is very disappointing considering that until the very last week of his 4th-year junior season, Garcia had been squeeky clean since the offseason before his redshirt freshman season. Almost 3 full years. Now because of this he's being labeled as a constant trouble maker, when the reality has been he's been a non-issue for most of his career here as far as off-the-field issues are concerned...

I just wanted to point out the hypocrisy of the CU fanbase, regarding this Craig situation. IMO, the criticism will force Swinney to do something other than just act like nothing happened. But probably because no offical arrest was made, he will simply say that it doesn't warrant more than the minimalist punishment. Which is pathetic. Even if Craig and Wesh only hit each other with fists, that's enough for police in this state to issue their own arrest and put both in jail for the night. And both used weapons that can cause serious injury, as each required stitches afterwards??? And nothing was done by the police???

Again....pathetic.....

[CLE802A]

Well I have seen three other reports and those matched that one didnt so you tell me coot.

LMAO...interesting....

:rolleyes:

Amazing isn't it that there's a thread about this in the Rock forum - a forum for just biased and totally subjective all-for-Clemson topics, and yet you can't seem to find it inside yourself to post these differing reports there? Do you not want to defend a wronged Tiger? The only reports I have seen that are more than msg board hearsay all say what I've posted here. Back up your talk, or just back away.....

:)

[icmcumin]

P, S or E?

[CLE802A]

So now the great William Swinney has spoken regarding this situation....

"Joe Craig (http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/craig_joe01.html) has been suspended from the football team for the summer workout period," Swinney said. "Because this is a serious on-campus student issue, there is a process that he will have to go through from a university standpoint. I respect the process and will fully support whatever the university decides to do. We will react from a football standpoint after that process has run its course, but I cannot comment any further at this time on the details of this specific issue."

So the punishment handed down by the FB program is to suspend Craig from the voluntary workout period? The period where the team is separated from the coaches in the first place? Where they are relied upon to work themselves out, and to work on fundamentals and play situations themselves?

So what will Craig do: go somewhere and.....work out by himself? Work on fundamentals and plays by....himself? LMAO.....Evil, that is...

So let's recap here:

USC's Stephen Garcia is arrested on two separate occasions in early 2007, first for public drunkeness, underage drinking, and failure to stop on command (the last two charges were dropped), and second for malicious injury to personal property.

His punishment: suspension from all team activities for the spring camp. This includes missing all spring camp practices, scrimmages, film and playbook study, as well as strength and conditioning. These are all team activities which involve working out and practicing with the team in team-type situations on the field as well as off of it. Garcia was an Early Enrollee who would have benefited greatly from the spring camp, which is more often used to work with underclassmen and players further back on the depth charts to give them work on fundamentals, strategies, etc. The coaching staff works directly with the players and gives them advice on what to focus on during the voluntary summer period, when the coaches cannot participate. It's very vital for the development of the younger players. Garcia missed all this.....

Garcia also applied for Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI), which is a diversion program for first-time nonviolent offenders, who have the charges dropped upon completion of a program that includes counseling, community service or other requirements.

Garcia was cited and charged again in early 2008 for underage drinking along with teammates Heath Batchelor and Zac Brindise.

His punishment: he was banned from spring camp (this incident took place during the first week of spring camp practice), summer voluntary workouts, and was banned from campus housing until August 15th. Garcia moved back to Florida and lived at home with his parents during this time. He was also required to undergo additional counseling as part of the requirements set down by USC AD Eric Hyman. The suspension was moved up 2 weeks to allow for Garcia to rejoin the team at the start of fall camp on August 1st....

Finally, Garcia committed two team violations.....the first being drunk and disorderly in his hotel room during the bowl week in late December, the second creating a disturbance at a mandatory life skills event.

His punishment: indefinite suspension from all team activities...this ultimately involved missing spring camp. Garcia was re-instated to the team on a probationary condition, and will participate in the summer program, fall camp and all other team-relative activities.

So, in conclusion: Garcia has missed 3 of 5 possible spring camps plus 1 voluntary summer work-out period. This has caused him to fall behind in his development as a freshman QB, and caused him to not factor in the depth chart equation for the 2008 season. There's no telling where he could be today as a starting QB for us had he not chosen to make these poor decisions...the worst being public drunkeness and keying a car that took place over 4 years ago.

Now Clemson:

DeAndre McDaniel is arrested in the summer of 2008 and charged with "assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature" of his then girlfriend, Abra Weeks. According to reports, McDaniel "tossed a comforter over his girlfriend’s head and began choking her after a heated argument between the two. McDaniel then punched her in the head and threatened to break her neck. Afterward, he pushed her down some stairs and punched her in the chest as she tried to flee. The female was treated at Oconee Memorial Hospital for serious bodily injury, including a cervical sprain, soft tissue contusion, facial and chest wall contusions".

His punishment:

Weeks, who was also a Clemson student, chose not to press charges, so he was released by Central police. She was persuaded to not attend his appearance before the school's judiciary review board, so no punishment was handed down, and he missed no games.

McDaniel agreed to participate in a Pre-Trial Prevention (PTI) program (this is interesting because Garcia's PTI program supported by USC is specifically for NON-VIOLENT offenders, which McDaniel certainly does not fall into this category. The PTI for Garcia would NOT have been available for him had he been involved in any fistfight or other violent assault situation such as McDaniel's). Week's attorney agreed to the PTI, as long as McDaniel agreed to pay for Week's hospital bills, which he did. Week's attorney made this comment about the PTI program:

"He ought to be going into anger management and learning to deal with his frustration without pounding somebody," Young said. "And PTI takes time to complete, so he might not successfully complete the program. If he doesn't, he's back on the trial level."Later after his college career was concluded, and questions about his character were brought up by NFL scouts, McDaniel admitted to some of the charges: “I did put my hands on her”. He went un-drafted by the NFL, which was a surprise to many.

And now Joe Craig: was arrested for “assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature”. We all know the particulars concerning this. Swinney essentially considers physical assault of a young woman subject to similar punishment that USC would hand down for underage or public drinking, or perhaps for simply making a public fool of oneself at a school-sponsored event. But then again, the punishment hasn't been similar, has it? Craig was able to participate in the Clemson spring camp, so he should be fine executing his own personal voluntary workouts over the summer. He just won't be able to do it with teammates. He probably will be able to use the weight room facilities, just not with other teammates, and most likely not with the help of the S&C staff. But big woo there, right?

He probably will go through the same weak judiciary review that McDaniel went through. Problem here though is that the victim is also herself a student-athlete, and she will also be a part of the review. Her own future as a member of the CU track team will be up in the air, so I highly doubt she will refuse to offer her own side of the story, as Miss Weeks was forced to do. Miss Mesh is NOT Craig's girlfriend, so she will most probably not give a care about hurting Craig's career. But we will see....

Either way, this will be out of Swinney's control, probably. But we will see....


:)

[AlabamaTigerfan]

Quote from CLE802A

"There's no telling where he could be today as a starting QB for us had he not chosen to make these poor decisions...the worst being public drunkeness and keying a car that took place over 4 years ago.
You guy's worry way too much about what Clemson is doing! It only proves you still believe we are your superior!

Stupid coot, get off our board!!

[CLE802A]

Quote from CLE802A

"There's no telling where he could be today as a starting QB for us had he not chosen to make these poor decisions...the worst being public drunkeness and keying a car that took place over 4 years ago.
You guy's worry way too much about what Clemson is doing! It only proves you still believe we are your superior!

Stupid coot, get off our board!!

Not sure how my comments you quoted show I worry too much what Clemson is doing......not worry so much as disappointment, and yet at the same time resignation to what is apparently typical for your program. USC is easily expected to win 3 in a row versus your team, so how would that worry me?

[AlabamaTigerfan]

Not sure how my comments you quoted show I worry too much what Clemson is doing......not worry so much as disappointment, and yet at the same time resignation to what is apparently typical for your program. USC is easily expected to win 3 in a row versus your team, so how would that worry me?


It's typical you can only count to two.

Here's my recollection of the past years:

Clemson won 6 of last 10
Clemson won 13 of last 20
Clemson won 20 of last 30 with 1 tie
Clemson won all time 65, lost 39 with 4 ties

We were beat the past 2 years. I give you that. Don't count on your streak to continue. The past 100 plus years don't lie! The record speaks for itself!

Can't you spend your time on your own board?

[jlcu91]

If craig went to her apartment trying to beat her with a bar, the beat her continuously even when she was on the ground and the police knew about it he would not just be let free and no charges be filed. It was obviously not too big of a deal if there is nothing going on legally. The cock lovers are just trying to jump on anything they can with all thats been going on with their qb and his 10 page rap sheet.

[CLE802A]

If craig went to her apartment trying to beat her with a bar, the beat her continuously even when she was on the ground and the police knew about it he would not just be let free and no charges be filed. It was obviously not too big of a deal if there is nothing going on legally. The cock lovers are just trying to jump on anything they can with all thats been going on with their qb and his 10 page rap sheet.

Actually I am asking this question in this thread right here.........look, it's right here....I can only go by the media reports, as I don't feel like filing a FOIA application regarding this, but those media reports are all going by what THEY claim are the Clemson University Campus Police incident report. So, in order: if what they publicly report is to be believed, and if the police incident report does say these things, then YES: why weren't the players arrested?

I actually ask why BOTH weren't arrested....although I consider any young man physically assaulting any young woman for ANY reason to be wrong, I do not discount Miss Wesh as being a total victim here. IMO, she deserved some accountability as well...if she injured Craig first, then he should have walked away, and contacted the police, and they should have arrested Miss Wesh, and then the Track Team staff would handle it the way they did. But obviously according to eye-witnesses as according to the police report, and according to the police report itself, that's not what happened: Craig took it to Miss Wesh's apartment. Boom.....

[CLE802A]

It's typical you can only count to two.

Here's my recollection of the past years:



You stick to your memories, grandpa....I'll focus on today and tomorrow, both of which we can directly affect....

[CLE802A]

SO apparently all Craig will get out of his incident is a 1 game suspension. It's truly apparent that Clemson student-athletes are allowed to do whatever they wish, with very little if any real repercussions. For shame.....

:rolleyes:

[cubarb1991]

SO apparently all Craig will get out of his incident is a 1 game suspension. It's truly apparent that Clemson student-athletes are allowed to do whatever they wish, with very little if any real repercussions. For shame.....

:rolleyes:

Nope Cleo...3 games

[CLE802A]

Nope Cleo...3 games

Well I must say that that is more appropriate than the 1 game....although had he been at USC I guarantee you he'd no longer be in the program. Spurrier simply will not put up with anyone that abuses women in his program. He never has.....

[cubarb1991]

Well I must say that that is more appropriate than the 1 game....although had he been at USC I guarantee you he'd no longer be in the program. Spurrier simply will not put up with anyone that abuses women in his program. He never has.....


hahaha....cause everything coming out of peecock country is a BEACON of integrity:rolleyes:

[CLE802A]

If you say so......it's still a sad testimony however, that two 19 yr olds can consume alcohol illegally, then get into a violent fight with each other where serious wounds are inflicted and stitches are required.....and the so-called "police" the CU campus has does absolutely nothing but call their coaches. That wouldn't happen anywhere else in the real world, with real-world police participating. Even CU FB player Brandon Thomas understands this, as he had the shiny silver bracelets slapped on and was thrown into the hoosegow for nothing more than making a public moron out of himself:

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/3849/brandonthomasmugshot.jpg


He didn't drink under-aged, and he didn't hit anyone. The big difference here is, he didn't do it in Clemson, but in Spartanburg. Like everywhere else other than CU, Spartanburg has real-world police. CU police probably would have just driven him home...after first stopping by Burger King for a Bacon Whopper meal....and let him off by his doorstep gently as you please....

And Thomas also didn't receive any punishment at all from CU, that was ever disclosed at least....

By comparison, perhaps Columbia IS a beacon of integrity...

;)

[jlcu91]

Wonder who would win a old fashioned drinking contest garcia or mangus? And lets see who can go the longest without peein too. Picks everybody. I got garcia I hear mangus has a weak bladder.

[CLE802A]

Wonder who would win a old fashioned drinking contest garcia or mangus? And lets see who can go the longest without peein too. Picks everybody. I got garcia I hear mangus has a weak bladder.

Yep. At least Garcia knows how to treat his women, unlike Clemson's players who throw theirs down stairs or beat them to the ground with metal rods. But I'll pass on that contest....I'm sure the place would be packed with Clemson fans.....


:rolleyes:

[jlcu91]

Yep. At least Garcia knows how to treat his women, unlike Clemson's players who throw theirs down stairs or beat them to the ground with metal rods. But I'll pass on that contest....I'm sure the place would be packed with Clemson fans.....


:rolleyes:

He sure knows the right price for the girls in atlanta. I think ed muldrow and vic hampton would want to come too(they'll be a lil underage but nobodys gotta know). It's all starting to come together for the contest too, we'll have clifton geathers there to hold off security guards and police if they come, and then devonte holloman can give us all a ride home when were done(barring any road checks).

[howieblack85]

it's like reading a Book.. I can't believe this guy.. ohh yeah I get it now.. he's prolly a graduate of Cooterville.. so he sits at home all day writing on a Clemson board either out of envy or just plain ignorance. Being that he likely does not have a Job with his so called "degree" so Cleo. what exacly is your obsession with Clemson.

[cubarb1991]

Yep. At least Garcia knows how to treat his women,
:rolleyes:


That about the funniest and saddest thing anyone has ever said on this board rolled into one. Maybe we should ask Mrs. Spurrier...I've heard she's taking extra special care of him.

I sure hope you don't have a duaghter Cleo

[CLE802A]

That about the funniest and saddest thing anyone has ever said on this board rolled into one. Maybe we should ask Mrs. Spurrier...I've heard she's taking extra special care of him.

I sure hope you don't have a duaghter Cleo

That comment of yours was sounding good, until you then chose to add to it with your own about Mrs. Spurrier. Trying to stay above it all? Try harder next time.....

http://palmettostaterivals.com/forums/images/smilies/angry/no.gif

[cubarb1991]

That comment of yours was sounding good, until you then chose to add to it with your own about Mrs. Spurrier. Trying to stay above it all? Try harder next time.....

http://palmettostaterivals.com/forums/images/smilies/angry/no.gif


boofrickinhoo. As you have said time and time again Cleo, "this is a smack talk forum". Don't like when the table is turned? Then go back to cootville and pee out the letters USC on the road:rolleyes: