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[Globetrotter]

Having 15 guys around who feel betrayed might poison the environment. I certainly see what you guys are saying but I don't see a precedence for this anywhere and I assume it is because of what I mentioned. Seems like a good way to lose a team. I'm all for loyalty. Even if they weren't his guys they are still falcons.

[TG1996]

I heard that Clawson is only serving peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to the team on the third Thursday of even-numbered months.

[Class of 61]

I would hope this "rumor" is exactly that... somehow Clawson doesn't seem the type to do this to a group of kids, whether he recruited them or not... Have they as a group not performed well? Probably...but telling a kid NOW that he won't get his 5th yr. is not the way to build a program, unless the kid is truly contributing nothing to the program i.e. work ethic etc.
No matter what is the "truth", I fully expect to see at least a couple of kids looking to go to a D-1-AA or D-2 school, to get a chance to play. If I'm a 3rd string QB in my Sr. year, why stay? For that matter, didn't we just lose a QB from Cal. JC 2 yrs. ago. (Went to Findlay I believe).

[FalconTurf]

The reason some of these kids stay despite limited playing time is they have a scholarship and are midway through an academic program. Maybe some won't get a 5th year - the positive spin is they got 4 years of education paid for being a football player.

Someone refresh my memory but I believe Urban attempted to run off some of the older guys in the program when he arrived. They started working harder, became contributors and made him a wealthy man. I think it is possibly motivation for players - you want 5 years then start working or leave.

Sorry fellas but if you don't get the pizza delivered on time, the cafeteria tables clean or make enough marketing calls your education money disappears a whole lot quicker than after next football season. I hope they all remain Falcons but you must be held to academic, social and athletic standards to be in this elite group we follow.

[Siborg]

From what I can read, there isn't much fact based analysis being done here so I'll add my personal assumption to the mix.

"Clawson is speaking to his players and giving them an honest assessment of their potential future with the program".

That is not uncommon and should be expected. Whether he is pulling schollies or not, I won't even venture a guess. But, if he is, I'll say this. A scholarship is not awarded based on HS accomplishments, it is based on extending those acomplishments and hard work into your college career, every year. If you are not doing that, then what makes anyone think they deserve that scholarship. I'm not suggesting they must be a star or even a starter. I am suggesting that they must be a positive asset to the team, the program and the university to retain that scholarship. I imagine most of these kids are assets and will be here next year. Some will transfer and some will leave for other reasons, good or bad. Some may even learn a difficult life lesson in the process.

[Drago]

I've heard the same about the 5th year situation. It was from someone who would know.

[Globetrotter]

From what I can read, there isn't much fact based analysis being done here so I'll add my personal assumption to the mix.

"Clawson is speaking to his players and giving them an honest assessment of their potential future with the program".

That is not uncommon and should be expected. Whether he is pulling schollies or not, I won't even venture a guess. But, if he is, I'll say this. A scholarship is not awarded based on HS accomplishments, it is based on extending those acomplishments and hard work into your college career, every year. If you are not doing that, then what makes anyone think they deserve that scholarship. I'm not suggesting they must be a star or even a starter. I am suggesting that they must be a positive asset to the team, the program and the university to retain that scholarship. I imagine most of these kids are assets and will be here next year. Some will transfer and some will leave for other reasons, good or bad. Some may even learn a difficult life lesson in the process.

And that's fine. But if they know they are not coming back when they thought they were going to get 5 years then I expect them to be a bit disenchanted with the program.

[1987alum]

I hope they all remain Falcons but you must be held to academic, social and athletic standards to be in this elite group we follow.

And that's the key, I think. If they follow the rules, they should get their fifth year. Hit the books hard, do your best on the field and act like a gentleman and you're fine. Misfire on any of those three and why should you deserve a fifth year?

[factman]

No one should be "guaranteed" a fifth year, and especially those who are not going to help the team. There are plenty of athletes that graduate in four years and unless you were ask to redshirt to benefit the team, there should be no guarantee. Very few of the "borderline" athletes were ask to redshirt, but once they got here, were not good enough to play right away, and ended up not good enough to play much at all. In my opinion, those athletes do not deserve a fifth year.

[Redwingtom]

I can easily see Clawson telling all these players that their spot is not guaranteed and this might be what is going on. The marginal players will take it the wrong way and piss and moan and we don't want them around anyway. The better players will work harder and earn their fifth year.

If this is the case, I am 100% behind the coach on the matter.

[Flipper]

To add to what others have said, if you return for a fourth year knowing that you might not or just flat out won't get a fifth year...your conduct is entirely on you. The coaches are spelling out the situation for you at a time when you have ample opportunity to find a place that better suits your needs (be it FBS, FCS or lower). If you choose to return knowing what the deal is, you damned well better not be giving it anything less than 100%.

[jg4242]

I just finished a music degree at the University, for which I was receiving a scholarship. If I didn't maintain my GPA, or I didn't pass my juries or other evaluations, I would have lost my scholarship. If you're a football player who doesn't put in the effort or make the grade, why should you get to keep your scholarship? To keep them from becoming "disenchanted with the program"? Give me a break! That's not how the real world works. If you don't do the work, you lose. Why should we treat our athletes any differently than our other students?

[transfer2BGSU]

Remember: A grant-in-aid is for ONE year and may be renewed. It does not have to be renewed.

[Siborg]

t2BGSU, that was my real point earlier. Its not a gift that keeps on giving for 4-5 years. I think its good that Clawson is speaking to these young men and being honest with them. The best available should have the scholarships. That is easier said than done and I'm sure this is not a fun process for the coaches. Its never fun to tell someone they are not measuring up and it may cost them their job/schollie.

[kdog27]

I heard that Clawson is only serving peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to the team on the third Thursday of even-numbered months.

My friend's tweet confirms this.