Da'Rick Rogers has escaped any real punishment, for now, but the reputation of the University of Tennessee football program continues to be tarnished by his, and others, bad behavior.
As the new fearless leader of the Vols' football program, head coach Derek Dooley has already laid down his version of the law in stating that he won't continue to allow this kind of behavior to proliferate his program,
"It is a privilege, not a right, to be a member of the University of Tennesseefootball team," Dooley said in a statement. "The most important responsibility of that privilege is to properly represent this institution and our supporters on and off the field.
"I am disappointed and in many ways embarrassed by the poor judgment displayed on many fronts by several members of our football team last night," Dooley said. (CNN Wire, 7/9/10).Not for nothing, but, talk is cheap. So far, all Dooley has done is show defensive back Darren Myles the door—this was his second arrest this offseason. Myles could see more jail time if he is found guilty of taking part in the assault on officer Robert Capouellez.
Even more, his decision to flee his arresting officer, purposely hitting him in the process, left little doubt that he would need to be dismissed from the program—that was a given.
The actions of Denarious Moore and Matt Milton, both of whom are wide receivers, could result in a lengthy suspension as well. Moore was Tennessee's second leading receiver last season and is entering his senior year for the Vols.Matt Milton is a 2010 signee who many feel will be a future star at Tennessee. He was rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals last season.
However, the real question is, how will Dooley handle the punishment of Da'Rick Rogers?
If he manages to get off without so much as a slap on the wrist, then there will be conversations about where Dooley's disciplinary philosophy truly ends—he's not at Louisiana Tech anymore—these are big boy decisions that Dooley is expected to make without prejudice.
Good luck.
As of now, charges are still pending and it is unclear the level of involvement of each player charged thus far. What is known is that Bar Knoxville may become no-man's land for UT football players from this point on. The whole "VIP" thing just screams of a scandal and I don't suspect that Dooley wants any part of it given the sensitive spot he's already been placed.
Perhaps he needs to speak to Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl. According to Sandra Morton, the basketball players have never given them any trouble and are just "good boys." As for those football players, they seem to have a little trouble with authority and following the proper dress code—a claim I believe considering how much Mr. Rogers loves to take his shirt off—just saying.
Interview with Bar Knoxville co-owner, Sandra Morton:
Footage of both Darren Myles and Da'Rick Rogers leaving the Knox County jail—that Rogers, boy, he sure is fast, ain't he? That might be the first time I've ever seen him try to AVOID the spotlight.
Oh, let me stop.
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