🏈 BREAKING: Alabama grants release to DB Marcus Smith, pending SEC waiver ruling.

[OldPlayer]

Because if im sure if Bama agreed to release him there would be some kind of non-disclose or gag clause.

It wouldn't be legal. You can't enforce "an agreement" that covers an "illegal" activity.

 

[rick4bama]

Like someone said back to the QB's!

 

[BamaFan334]

Not to get this shit kicked up, but I was told the SEC approved his transfer to Georgia.

 

[OldPlayer]

Not to get this **** kicked up, but I was told the SEC approved his transfer to Georgia.

Yup. The SEC has given its okie-dokie, but with stipulations.
https://www.dawgnation.com/football/maurice-smith-granted-a-waiver-by-sec-headed-to-georgia

 

[rammerjammer]

Something I find interesting while reading through that article. Smith has already played 3 years. (played sparingly on special teams) He has one year of eligibility left.

"This fall semester, the SEC rules say, Smith must take nine credits towards his stated degree – Public Health – or he would not be eligible to play in the postseason. Long-term, Smith must receive his graduate degree within two years – the 2018-19 academic year – or Georgia cannot request similar waivers for three years, or until Smith graduates"

If I'm reading this right. If Smith doesn't graduate, then Georgia can't do this again for 3 years.........

After all the hoopla over this transfer rule, it is almost a given that the rule will be changed next year at the Destin Spring meetings. Will Georgia have screwed themselves for the next 3 year over a short term fix for depth to their secondary? I know that grad school is not as time consuming as undergrad, but he will want to focus his efforts on the NFL after this fall (when football season ends). He may leave Georgia in a crappy way if he doesn't finish his degree .

 

[planomateo]

Good wording in his tweet.

 

[BamaFan334]

Something I find interesting while reading through that article. Smith has already played 3 years. (played sparingly on special teams) He has one year of eligibility left.

"This fall semester, the SEC rules say, Smith must take nine credits towards his stated degree – Public Health – or he would not be eligible to play in the postseason. Long-term, Smith must receive his graduate degree within two years – the 2018-19 academic year – or Georgia cannot request similar waivers for three years, or until Smith graduates"

If I'm reading this right. If Smith doesn't graduate, then Georgia can't do this again for 3 years.........

After all the hoopla over this transfer rule, it is almost a given that the rule will be changed next year at the Destin Spring meetings. Will Georgia have screwed themselves for the next 3 year over a short term fix for depth to their secondary? I know that grad school is not as time consuming as undergrad, but he will want to focus his efforts on the NFL after this fall (when football season ends). He may leave Georgia in a crappy way if he doesn't finish his degree .

You're exactly right. How pissed are you if you're the Georgia player replaced by the guy that missed a week and a half of camp and back doored his way into the team and starting position? A guy that wanted to rip your head from it's shoulders less than a year ago in Athens.

 

[OldPlayer]

You're exactly right. How pissed are you if you're the Georgia player replaced by the guy that missed a week and a half of camp and back doored his way into the team and starting position? A guy that wanted to rip your head from it's shoulders less than a year ago in Athens.

The same thing could have happened with a freshman or another graduate transfer that came in over the summer. He will have to start with the mandatory acclimation period. He's not being given anything. Good luck Maurice and thank you for what you did at Alabama.

If the SEC can't enforce their own rules, expect it to change.

 

[BamaFan334]

The same thing could have happened with a freshman or another graduate transfer that came in over the summer. He will have to start with the mandatory acclimation period. He's not being given anything. Good luck Maurice and thank you for what you did at Alabama.

If the SEC can't enforce their own rules, expect it to change.

Understandable, but those guys would have been there weeks ago, pledged back in February recruit wise and latest in June transfer wise, not two weeks before the season starts. I'm all for the best man playing, but I'm also partial to those that have paid their dues and have done it the right way. Mullaney for instance. That goes without saying I'm proud of Smith for graduating, big time step, and I wish him the best on the field.

 

[OldPlayer]

Understandable, but those guys would have been there weeks ago, pledged back in February recruit wise and latest in June transfer wise, not two weeks before the season starts. I'm all for the best man playing, but I'm also partial to those that have paid their dues and have done it the right way. Mullaney for instance. That goes without saying I'm proud of Smith for graduating, big time step, and I wish him the best on the field.

He was trying to get there. Things beyond his control were preventing it. The earliest practice he could have participated in was Monday (graduated on Saturday, drive to Athens on Sunday). The rules are the rules. Until he graduated, he couldn't go anywhere.

 

[Tidestalker]

Good wording in his tweet.

This is such BS. The kid cannot even go to the NCAA with this particular transfer request without the release from Coach Saban.

It was a combination of bad timing, bad luck, and Saban's inconsistency on the issue that made him look like the villan. He could've avoided that role 3 different times (1. Not allowing Chris Black to transfer 2. Granting smith the release initially 3. Don't do a 180 after strongly denouncing it)

Why people expected the SEC to bail Saban out on this I have no idea. But finally it's put to rest

 

[OldPlayer]

This is such BS. The kid cannot even go to the NCAA with this particular transfer request without the release from Coach Saban.

It was a combination of bad timing, bad luck, and Saban's inconsistency on the issue that made him look like the villan. He could've avoided that role 3 different times (1. Not allowing Chris Black to transfer 2. Granting smith the release initially 3. Don't do a 180 after strongly denouncing it)

Why people expected the SEC to bail Saban out on this I have no idea. But finally it's put to rest

But...

Saban can't overrule an SEC rule. A clerical error allowed Black to go to Mizzou, not Saban. IMO, I think Saban thought that the conference would back him up and enforce their rule.

 

[Tidestalker]

But...

Saban can't overrule an SEC rule. A clerical error allowed Black to go to Mizzou, not Saban. IMO, I think Saban thought that the conference would back him up and enforce their rule.

Wrong. And wrong again.

The SEC has this thing called a "waiver". It was designed for "special cases" that fall under certain stipulations that they defined for this rule. This "waiver" is actually a part of the rule itself. If there was never a reason for a "waiver", it would not exist.

The clerical error is his responsibility. He is the leader of the organization that handles the paperwork, isn't he? I know it's hard to imagine Saban making a mistake... But just ask yourself this - If it was Bo Scarbrough or Jon Allen asking for an inter-league transfer, do you think this simple "clerical error" would have happened? I doubt it.

Just please understand this - The SEC would not/could not make a ruling on this unless Saban released him fully. That was always the Smith's complaint. Until then, the stipulations of this waiver would not be met. The SEC is not going changing it's rule... They're following the guidelines of a waiver they created for situations like this... And this only comes after giving the coaches power to deny the player these opportunities... In which Saban went from denial to understanding, apparently, when he flip flopped on his decision.

 

[OldPlayer]

Not wrong.

A waiver is for "special" circumstances. Please tell me what the special circumstances are.

Saban takes responsibility for the clerical error, but he didn't do it. Someone on his staff screwed up. I don't think you'll see this error again while Saban is around.

 

[Tidestalker]

Not wrong.

A waiver is for "special" circumstances. Please tell me what the special circumstances are.

Saban takes responsibility for the clerical error, but he didn't do it. Someone on his staff screwed up. I don't think you'll see this error again while Saban is around.

Commissioner says:

"I found, among other contributing factors, that a student-athlete who graduates in three years and exhibits a strong commitment to his or her academic future provides compelling motivation to help them achieve their goals on and off the field," Sankey said in the SEC statement announcing his decision.

"An institution has an obligation to provide opportunities for graduate student-athletes to earn a graduate degree. Similarly, student-athletes have accountability to the universities that are providing the educational opportunities they enjoy. Maurice has clearly and passionately stated his desire for a graduate degree in Public Health. The conditions of the waiver allow him to achieve that goal

Greg Sankey gets it right on Maurice Smith to Georgia but there's still work to do

Saying the SEC hung Saban out to dry or the SEC isn't following the rules is a blind take. The SEC was following it's rules by allowing Saban to make his own decision first. In fact, it would have been more disrespectful for them to take his decision from him. So if you don't agree with the reasoning, feel free to blame Saban along with the SEC for agreeing to the full release.

 

[UAgrad93]

You're exactly right. How pissed are you if you're the Georgia player replaced by the guy that missed a week and a half of camp and back doored his way into the team and starting position? A guy that wanted to rip your head from it's shoulders less than a year ago in Athens.

I think that player may have been senior LB Tim Kimbrough, who announced he was leaving just yesterday.

 

[planomateo]

I don't think this has anything to do with getting a graduate degree from UGA, but that's the story that's being told. Perhaps he'll get more playing time at UGA with the same coaching staff he had at Alabama. There is a reason Sankey put requirements on the waiver.

Why you still banging the drum on this @Tidestalker? At this point, it's water under the bridge.

 

[BamaFan334]

I think that player may have been senior LB Tim Kimbrough, who announced he was leaving just yesterday.

Wow, he was a player, actually one that had a good game against us. Figured he would have a breakout year. He leaving over this situation?

 

[rick4bama]

He got it so let get back to what count on here!! Bama FOOTBALL!!

 

[mrchase]