OT: Urban Meyer Says: "Cardale Jones STILL didn't come to play School" (paraphrased)

Submitted by boliver46 on

Oh, those pesky college class requirements for COLLEGE athletes.  They apparently get in the way of player development, especially in the case of Cardale Jones.

Jones infamously stated that he "ain't come to play SCHOOL", and his coach Urban Meyer backs up why this was such a concern to Mr. Jones:

“A really good skill set, intellectual, very smart, wasn’t necessarily very good at school. I wonder if that kind of set him back a little bit. That’s one difference between pro and college — now he doesn’t have to worry about classes and going to school and all that stuff. He can focus completely on football.”

I am sure Mr. Jones is much relieved that the burden of getting an education no longer stands in the way of football.  We can also all breathe a sigh of relief for this heavily burdened young man. /s

Link

Ohio State's Third-String Quarterback "Ain't Come To Play SCHOOL"

MGoBoard
Football
Cardale Jones
didnt come to osu to play school
Urban Meyer - Leader of Men

JC06Z33

April 18th, 2016 at 10:37 AM ^

In many underprivileged neighborhoods, crab mentality is prevelent.  If everyone is doing poorly in the classroom, then the few that do well (or even try to do well) are often pulled down by the others who are jealous.  Physical, verbal, and emotional bullying can ensure that the "over-achievers" are not easily allowed to succeed. 

 

Joined: 12/06/2014

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PopeLando

April 18th, 2016 at 10:00 AM ^

Sometimes people have test-taking anxiety, so despite being very smart, their grades suck. This is not likely to be the case with Cardale. He doesn't want to go to school. He does poorly at school. That's pretty much the whole story. IIRC, Tate Forcier had a similar attitude. Difference is, you can't play football at Michigan if you don't go to class. Urban will do just about anything to keep a talented player on his team...

Joined: 08/01/2015

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Everyone Murders

April 18th, 2016 at 9:53 AM ^

While it's funny to read that Jones is among those leopards with unchanging spots, this is really a dick move by Urban Meyer.  Why on earth would you put that negativity out about a former player?  In a public forum, it's totally inappropriate for a coach to say that about a player.  (In private conversation, it might be OK - a way of telling potential teams "don't read too much into Cardale's shitty GPA - instead look at his on-field performance" or some such.)

I hope recruits are paying attention. 

Joined: 12/14/2010

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The Mad Hatter

April 18th, 2016 at 9:54 AM ^

I'm sure there are a lot of excellent football players out there that are just taking up space in college.  Some people are just stupid or lazy when it comes to academics and I don't see what benefit going to college has for people like that.  If Cardale wasn't good at football he'd be working in a factory (if he was lucky).

Joined: 02/17/2015

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PopeLando

April 18th, 2016 at 10:05 AM ^

I worked in a factory once. Believe me when I say there are people who are just too stupid to work in factories. It actually has more to do with attitude: even though it's not the most honorable of work, you still need to take it seriously and keep your head in the game. Which is why Cardale might not be suited for factory work either.

Joined: 08/01/2015

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Everyone Murders

April 18th, 2016 at 10:26 AM ^

I worked in a factory for a bit, and it was Dickensesque in some ways.  Certainly it requires a certain "get through it" mindset, and it motivated me to not work in factories my whole life.

That stated, what is "dishonorable" about working in a factory?  I mean, I know it won't get you much play poolside at the country club.  So it's not glamorous.  But "not the most honorable of work"?  There is nothing wrong with putting in an honest day's work at a factory, and a lot of inherent honor in the job.

Just trying to figure out where you're coming from on that, PopeLando.

Joined: 12/14/2010

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The Mad Hatter

April 18th, 2016 at 12:27 PM ^

I've been at the same company for my entire career.  Which is probably why I don't make more than I do.  Having a family fucks everything up.  It makes you value stability more than you should.

I could have left for higher paying jobs several times, but that voice in the back of my head goes "what if there's a recession and you're the one with the least seniority?"

Now I'm just rambling.

Joined: 02/17/2015

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1VaBlue1

April 18th, 2016 at 11:19 AM ^

I've never thought factory work was dishonarable, but the thought of it pushed me out of Michigan.  Unlike you other smart guys, I was too stoopid to realize the benefit of college until after the fact.  So, not being stoopid, I chose the Navy route to avoid the UAW - which I seemed destined for.  While that route happily worked for me, it's not for everyone.  We all take different routes, so long as we're (legally) putting food on the table and taking care of the things important to us, there is no dishonor in a hard days work.

Joined: 01/31/2016

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PopeLando

April 18th, 2016 at 11:13 AM ^

I'll respectfully disagree. There are nuances to every job. For example, in a cosmetics factory, you sometimes have to pre-load caps into bottles. It's mind-numbingly boring, but it requires dexterity, planning, and decisiveness. And most factories have dedicated trainers, but your success - success in putting caps on bottles, remember - is dependent upon your ability to take coaching, multi-task, plan ahead, and above all recognize an impending snafu (of which there are many). For an auto factory, take all of those skills and add in multi-ton presses, overhead conveyors, and razor sharp shearing machines. TL/Dr: people who refuse to focus on the task at hand, or can't learn, aren't suited for factory work.

Joined: 08/01/2015

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jblaze

April 18th, 2016 at 9:55 AM ^

Urban's honesty is pretty refreshing in College Football.

Shot me now (or negbang away, which I'm into!), but I like Urban Meyer.

Joined: 08/29/2008

MGoPoints: 19411

74polSKA

April 18th, 2016 at 10:17 AM ^

Jones wasn't smart enough to leave for the NFL after they won the championship. I wonder how much money he left on the table by coming back to school. There's a life lesson here kids, strike while the iron is hot. I know we'd all like our favorite players to come back to school, especially when they need further development (as Jones clearly still does), but sometimes a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I'm out of applicable cliches, so I'll just stop typing now.

Joined: 05/25/2011

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LSAClassOf2000

April 18th, 2016 at 9:59 AM ^

Meyer did make an interesting point, and it shouldn’t be taken as a shot on Jones. It’s common for someone to be intelligent and struggle with school. Jones has been outspoken in his criticism of the NCAA, and there was his infamous tweet about school.

While it is certainly true and we probably all know at least one person who is intelligent but perhaps not good in structured settings per se, it's still probably not the best look for a coach to say it - in quite that way - at the college level, especially about someone that you coached on your current team. Whatever his assessment of Jones' relative intelligence, this is definitely not something you want to throw out there as a quote because....yeah....it may not sound quite like you meant it, not to everyone. 

 

Joined: 01/07/2011

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go16blue

April 18th, 2016 at 10:04 AM ^

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Dude went to OSU to play football, was really good at it, and will now make millions of dollars doing it. I can't really fault the guy for not being "good at school."

Joined: 04/28/2010

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UMgradMSUdad

April 18th, 2016 at 10:36 AM ^

Meyer's comments sound like a warning to NFL coaches to not expect too much from Cardale unless he has the perfect environment with no distractions then in 3-4 years he might turn into a decent QB. Another possibility is maybe Cardale's Wonderlic score is really low and Meyer is trying to help explain that.

Joined: 07/02/2011

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ElBictors

April 18th, 2016 at 11:42 AM ^

And what does it say about the QBs like Ryan Fitzpatrick with his Ivy League degree or Andrew Luck's ability to graduate from Stanford while achieving equal acclaim on the national level?

From what I've read and heard, it's hardly EASIER in the NFL than it is in college and dudes like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are the epitome - both are notorious for their work ethic and prep.

The guys who don't do well in the NFL?  Guys who rely on their athletic ability the way they did in college and those who assume being in the NFL means no more practicing no school anymore ...

especially at QB.

 

Maybe Cardale gets on with the Pats who move him to TE..?  who knows.

 

Joined: 03/27/2015

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Ghost of Fritz…

April 18th, 2016 at 10:09 AM ^

If you click though to the article with more of Meyer's quotes on Cardale Jones, it basically amounts to Meyer giving a very guarded and limited endorsement of Jones as a QB in the NFL.  In fact, it reads as much like a warning than a guarded endorsement on Jones.

Meyer is basically saying that Jones can succeed in the NFL only under some very particular and narrow cirumstances, and that even then it will take a lot of time and "patience."  The gist of the comments seem to suggest that the things that will limit Jones are more about Jones'  attitude and interpersonal relationship approach than his physical skill set. 

Given that NFL scouts already know that Jones is not the the pinpoint passer that the NFL wants, this boils down to Meyer saying: 'You already know that Jones is not going to be a great NFL-style passer, but he's also a bit of a head case, so beware.'

I honestly cannot see why Meyer would make these comments in public.  I just can't see the upside for Jones or for OSU.  A very bad look for Meyer.  Harbaugh to future recruits: "Look at these quotes from Meyer.  He is a guy that will throw his own QB under the bus."

That part about Jones' not bening very good at school?  That is the least of it.  Jones is not the first or last CFB player that does not take school very seriously. 

 

Joined: 10/04/2014

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Coldwater

April 18th, 2016 at 10:13 AM ^

How could a GM possibly draft this guy knowing he doesn't like to study and could care a less about learning?? Huge Red Flags. You can't survive in the NFL with just a big arm.

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