New Philon Thread...

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TIDE-HSV

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This was closed before because several members seemed very determined that Saban/staff had done something wrong, but had no special knowledge, other than going off on. Now, some things have become public which I couldn't make public, so we'll try again. The injury appears to be much worse than thought, and, in fact, mysteriously, a scope hasn't been done to ascertain the extent of it. Also, there's doubt that he will be academically eligible, because he has only passed one part of the exit exam. (He has two more tries, but history seems to indicate a high failure rate.) If he doesn't pass, then he can only play out of state. When his dilemma became public, AU still had slots open, but they didn't re-offer. Wonder why. I thought it was remarkable under the circumstances that Saban made the grayshirt offer, since, if DP were physically unable to play or couldn't qualify, that slot was gone forever, under the new rule. Auburn decided not to take that risk. OK, have at it, but keep it within TF rules. Also, don't speculate about what you don't know and post it as fact...
 
This was closed before because several members seemed very determined that Saban/staff had done something wrong, but had no special knowledge, other than going off on. Now, some things have become public which I couldn't make public, so we'll try again. The injury appears to be much worse than thought, and, in fact, mysteriously, a scope hasn't been done to ascertain the extent of it. Also, there's doubt that he will be academically eligible, because he has only passed one part of the exit exam. (He has two more tries, but history seems to indicate a high failure rate.) If he doesn't pass, then he can only play out of state. When his dilemma became public, AU still had slots open, but they didn't re-offer. Wonder why. I thought it was remarkable under the circumstances that Saban made the grayshirt offer, since, if DP were physically unable to play or couldn't qualify, that slot was gone forever, under the new rule. Auburn decided not to take that risk. OK, have at it, but keep it within TF rules. Also, don't speculate about what you don't know and post it as fact...

Let the church say A-mend!!! But seriously you are spot on!! Let the talking heads in the media and our rivals make themselves look foolish by speaking on issues to which they have no inside knowledge. Let the Tide Nation support the man who has brought out program back to where it belongs and has done it with class, integrity, and character. Roll Tide!!
 
Thanks for the article. I still find it amazing people think Saban would back stab a kid knowing the ramifications that could have on future recruiting classes. All the early enrollees praised him for his honesty with them, yet we think he would deal shadily with another recruit.

Wish the best for the kid either way.
 
Something else to think about. Say he was fully healthy and academically eligible. What is wrong with a coach asking a player to delay enrollment if too many people commit or they think he would redshirt anyway. My first question is can a potential player work out on his own and get a job during the down time to get stronger and some money in his pocket? This whole notion of fair and unfair is rediculous. Where is the outcry when a coach makes a player change positions from a glory position to a less recognizable position (say from lb to fullback)? Coaches do things all the time that is in the best interest of the team first and the players second. Moving players to better depth is commonplace. Plus, how bout we start fully educating high schoolers on all their options. Signing day is the first day a player can sign not the last day. I hate if for Philon but he could have easily taken a step back and took more visits. He then could have found a situation that drastically matched his wants and needs. If Alabama is truly your only heart, then greyshirting a year is not that big a deal.
 
This was closed before because several members seemed very determined that Saban/staff had done something wrong, but had no special knowledge, other than going off on. Now, some things have become public which I couldn't make public, so we'll try again. The injury appears to be much worse than thought, and, in fact, mysteriously, a scope hasn't been done to ascertain the extent of it. Also, there's doubt that he will be academically eligible, because he has only passed one part of the exit exam. (He has two more tries, but history seems to indicate a high failure rate.) If he doesn't pass, then he can only play out of state. When his dilemma became public, AU still had slots open, but they didn't re-offer. Wonder why. I thought it was remarkable under the circumstances that Saban made the grayshirt offer, since, if DP were physically unable to play or couldn't qualify, that slot was gone forever, under the new rule. Auburn decided not to take that risk. OK, have at it, but keep it within TF rules. Also, don't speculate about what you don't know and post it as fact...

Because Nick is a man of his word. I'm glad we have him.
 
But the Josh Moons of the world don't care about no frigging facts. Here is a FACT: EVERY article Moon has written about Bama or Saban for past five years has been ONLY negative and/or a flat out hit piece. To show you how blatantly prejudiced he is against Bama/Saban, consider this verbatim quote of his about three years ago in the Mtgy. Advtsr: "Bama fans are by far the most obnoxious."

Folks, Moon is a different cat than a Scarbinsky. Plenty of times I don't like what Scab has written, but I never get the feeling that he literally hates Bama like Moon appears to.
 
The 247 article linked earlier indicates that the knee injury has not been addressed to date (surgery not performed) while the article on AL.com (Mike Herndon - http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/02/nick_sabans_actions_show_commi.html) tells a different story. Per the AL.com story, the surgery took place in December (per Philon's HS head coach).

Neither story offers enough to form any conclusions, IMO. Was it grades, injury, numbers, or something else completely? We don't know - and we shouldn't know. It is none of our business.

I should also add that the 247 story made another mistake in their report - they say that Vigor won the championship game, while they lost. These writers make too many mistakes and are too quick to publish unsubstantiated information. They cite unnamed "sources" and offer up these sources' opinions as facts.

I trust Saban but can't help feel for guys like Philon.
 
The 247 article linked earlier indicates that the knee injury has not been addressed to date (surgery not performed) while the article on AL.com (Mike Herndon - http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/02/nick_sabans_actions_show_commi.html) tells a different story. Per the AL.com story, the surgery took place in December (per Philon's HS head coach).

Neither story offers enough to form any conclusions, IMO. Was it grades, injury, numbers, or something else completely? We don't know - and we shouldn't know. It is none of our business.

I should also add that the 247 story made another mistake in their report - they say that Vigor won the championship game, while they lost. These writers make too many mistakes and are too quick to publish unsubstantiated information. They cite unnamed "sources" and offer up these sources' opinions as facts.

I trust Saban but can't help feel for guys like Philon.

I feel bad for the young man, too. But it's as soon as the word went out about the greyshirt, he (and his coaches, counselors, etc.) should have begun to explore other options just in case. The fact that he didn't and Arkansas essentially swooped in at the end is in part his own fault. As I said, I do feel bad for him, but he and his coaches are not without some blame.
 
I'm sorry but I just don't feel bad for the kid. He has got a scholarship to play football at the University of Arkansas, not a bad place or team to play for if you ask me. Do we feel bad for every kid that would have loved to play for the University of Alabama? And he could have still played if he would have accepted what was offered! Nope, don't feel a bit bad for him.
 
The 247 article linked earlier indicates that the knee injury has not been addressed to date (surgery not performed) while the article on AL.com (Mike Herndon - http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/02/nick_sabans_actions_show_commi.html) tells a different story. Per the AL.com story, the surgery took place in December (per Philon's HS head coach).

Neither story offers enough to form any conclusions, IMO. Was it grades, injury, numbers, or something else completely? We don't know - and we shouldn't know. It is none of our business.

I should also add that the 247 story made another mistake in their report - they say that Vigor won the championship game, while they lost. These writers make too many mistakes and are too quick to publish unsubstantiated information. They cite unnamed "sources" and offer up these sources' opinions as facts.

I trust Saban but can't help feel for guys like Philon.
Auburn was on the cusp of desperation on NSD and yet they didn't re-offer. It wasn't pride that got in the way. If they thought he had a real chance to play, they'd have offered. It may be that Saban made the grayshirt offer in order not to damage our recruiting position at Vigor. There's yet more to the story, but I don't know if it'll come out or not...
 
I read the entire closed thread, this thread, the various links and articles, and a lot of articles not linked on this site. I feel bad for Mr. Philon. I could tell he was torn about his decision and did not seem happy about it. But for those who think CNS was unethical or even outright lied to this young man, I listed a few facts below that I think should be considered before criticizing CNS. I am not alumni, insider, or "connected" at UA, just a lifelong fan with a kid that will be enrolling in a couple of years.

2 National Championships in 3 years. A top 10 recruiting class every year he has been at Alabama, and 3 of those (arguably 4) considered #1 classes. A pipeline to the NFL, and players that rave about him after leaving the program. Given these facts, should we be terribly concerned about biased media perception of CNS and UA? It seems the players that commit to being a member of the UA football team, and I don't mean just signing a letter on NSD, enjoy and appreciate their experience and are proud to be part of the program.

I do not honestly think CNS or UA would have had the success we have enjoyed or be in position to continue and maintain that success if CNS or UA were misleading or lying to recruits. Just my 2 cents. RTR!!!
 
Wait... Josh Moon told us that Gene Chizik was classier than CNS. Wouldn't the classier coach pick up the phone and offer Philon a scholarship? Guess CNS keeping the scholarship offer (grayshirt or no grayshirt) was less classy than Chizik not calling him again.

Earle, I know the AHSGE rules have changed. Right after I graduated the rules changed. Does he still have to pass all parts in order to graduate from an Alabama public high school? If so, how could he play at Arky if he hasn't officially graduated? If that is the case, I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a transfer to a private school shortly. I know several people that did that when I was in school.

The Arky 247 guy seems very objective. I was surprised to see him openly question Petrino's decision on Philon and his recruiting philosophy in general.
 
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Moon was just following that one of these two old journalistic creedos: "never let the facts get in the way of a story," or "don't confuse with with the facts, my minds made up." :rolleyes:

Here's one thing I'll never live to see, Moonbeam retract that crap he wrote after NSD, not that you'd expect him to.
 
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This was closed before because several members seemed very determined that Saban/staff had done something wrong, but had no special knowledge, other than going off on. Also, don't speculate about what you don't know and post it as fact...

totally agree. There was way too much "should" "would" "could" "99%" ...etc
I'm happy to know more now and say I support our staff's decision.
 
Wait... Josh Moon told us that Gene Chizik was classier than CNS. Wouldn't the classier coach pick up the phone and offer Philon a scholarship? Guess CNS keeping the scholarship offer (grayshirt or no grayshirt) was less classy than Chizik not calling him again.

Earle, I know the AHSGE rules have changed. Right after I graduated the rules changed. Does he still have to pass all parts in order to graduate from an Alabama public high school? If so, how could he play at Arky if he hasn't officially graduated? If that is the case, I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a transfer to a private school shortly. I know several people that did that when I was in school.

The Arky 247 guy seems very objective. I was surprised to see him openly question Petrino's decision on Philon and his recruiting philosophy in general.

He cannot play in Alabama unless he passes the exit exam. Vigor and Johnson, here in HSV, compete yearly for the lowest scores. Yes, he can play for the Hogs. Boo Moore, from Johnson, back some 8-10 years, couldn't pass the EE and ended up playing for UTe. Private school wouldn't help him. He would still have to pass the exam to play in this state...
 
I have no first hand knowledge of his rehab or anything else, but its obvious that he has put on a lot weight (not muscle weight) since the first 2 pics were taken.

10507370-large.jpg


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Signing day

images
 
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