Griz scholarships

[grizfan47]

So I guess the logic around here is really simple:

If the player is wronged, then it must be Delaney's fault.

We all know more than Delaney, that is apparent.

Just as it has been in the past, and will always be in the future, there is always more to the story. So vilify Delaney if you must, but at least second hand from a couple of different places, most of the kids were put on alert when the scholarship reductions came down that certain promises may not be kept but they would do their best to honor what they could.

Good or bad, we seem to have this obsession with the potential of the kid (ie McKinney, Kemp) versus what they actually can or will produce on the field. When their talent appears to be 'wasted' therefore it must be the coaches fault.

As much as I was rooting for Worst to win the job out of spring, obviously he didn't do enough to convince coaches that it was worth a scholarship. That being said, his leaving was a mystery to a few people I knew here in south central Idaho. That isn't to say he hadn't made up his mind to leave and it hadn't made the rounds down here either. The last word I heard on the matter is that he still thought he could win the kicking job. Things do change in a short time.

In any case, as it was at Idaho State when scholarship reductions came down for APR, I think the staff had to make or may have to make some really tough decisions regarding current kids on scholarship. I wouldn't say for certain that would happen or has happened, but it wouldn't surprise me either. We might see some voluntary and involuntary migration this summer, good and bad.

GrizFan24

No-where did I point blame towards anyone as to the kids leaving the team, I simply stated, "I would ask Mick what is going on." Last year, Jordan Harper was nice target for JJ, I assumed he would fill that role again this year. After Jordan harper came home from his Morman Mission, I kind of figured he had commited to UM for the duration of his education. Apparently not.

Totally with reinell. I thought Harper would be a big part of the offense this season. I guess it bodes well for the Griz if he was not good enough to make the two deep roster. I am not laying blame exclusively on Mick. However, as I posted; this season is going to tell the tale, one way or the other. For me, the jury is still out on Mick's coaching ability but this season should answer the question. I just wish I felt more optimistic about the season.

 

[nzone]

So what happened to the "United" theme this team had last year? Is moral suffering to the point where the team isn't buying in any longer? Where is the senior leadership coming from? On defense last year we had Coyle, Bienneman, and Tripp. On offense Oiland, Kistler, and Pohles. Losing Harper will end up being a huge deal IMO. He had savey and was the best pass catching TE we had. Will this team band together or splinter? Up to the coaches and more importantly the players to deal with the administrations screw up. Pretty disappointing

 

[Grizfan-24]

Reinell,

I don't think you did point fingers. My response really was to several conversations over the past few days in regards to the specter of scholarship reductions.

No doubt it will hurt to lose Harper. I liked the kid as a Slot TE because he did pose matchup problems.

Would never argue that losing these kids won't hurt, but I guess I am a little too pragmatic about what is going on. Not gonna apologize for Delaney but at the same time I am not going to throw him in a boiling pit of tar either.

I guess the issue to find out is how much robbing peter to pay paul went on. There were all sorts of rumors flying around about kids getting scholarships pulled or reduced, in order to fill short term and long term demand for schollies. I don't know what to believe anymore.

Like you I hate to see kids with potential leave.

FWIW, Harper and McKinney not on the roster. Worst still there.

 

[grizatwork]

I feel for McKinney, but he was a dual threat quarterback who was really only one threat. He was not accurate enough to be a threat throwing the ball. Being a great athlete as a quarterback does not necessarily translate into being athletic enough to be a safety. There is a mindset for a safety that I doubt McKinney had.

Loss of Harper is huge. He was good as a freshman coming off 2 years off and his upside was huge in my opinion. I don't know what to think of Worst. I had hoped he would win the job straight up and improve like McKnight did and be a solid kicker for us. I guess time will tell if he stays.

I agree that we don't know what was told to the kids and when it was told. I don't envy the position that Mick is in. My biggest concern is the moral of this team.

 

[Elkman]

Concern now at tightend position. Harper in limited time last year had 4 touchdowns ( number 3 on team), showed has speed to get seperation from linebackers. Reported as senior in high school ran 4.53 40 yd. Gave away 30-40 pounds to guys he had blocking assignment last year, but went from 205 to 227 at start of spring ball. Gave back 5 lbs during spring but potential to get stronger, gain 10-15lbs not a problem. Undeniably great hands, significant JJ option offensively. Saylor wil do well at position, but significant drop to next level at position. Others physically bigger but wil only fit role of blocking, not as athletic as harper and saylor.Agree dont envy Delaney position but dont agree with not negotiating with players who have proven ability, gambling on future prospects. BIG MISTAKE!

 

[BWahlberg]

Concern now at tightend position. Harper in limited time last year had 4 touchdowns ( number 3 on team), showed has speed to get seperation from linebackers. Reported as senior in high school ran 4.53 40 yd. Gave away 30-40 pounds to guys he had blocking assignment last year, but went from 205 to 227 at start of spring ball. Gave back 5 lbs during spring but potential to get stronger, gain 10-15lbs not a problem. Undeniably great hands, significant JJ option offensively. Saylor wil do well at position, but significant drop to next level at position. Others physically bigger but wil only fit role of blocking, not as athletic as harper and saylor.Agree dont envy Delaney position but dont agree with not negotiating with players who have proven ability, gambling on future prospects. BIG MISTAKE!

Agreed it's a big loss and I hate to see the kid go.

On the flip side the program made some sort of effort to try to help Harper out by getting a 1/3 schollie to try to off-set costs. He's an in-state student so costs are not as high as others. Without knowing the kid, his intentions, or the family he apparently chose self over team in this decision. Unless I'm reading you wrong, he was offered something to stay and rejected it, correct?

 

[tnt]

Concern now at tightend position. Harper in limited time last year had 4 touchdowns ( number 3 on team), showed has speed to get seperation from linebackers. Reported as senior in high school ran 4.53 40 yd. Gave away 30-40 pounds to guys he had blocking assignment last year, but went from 205 to 227 at start of spring ball. Gave back 5 lbs during spring but potential to get stronger, gain 10-15lbs not a problem. Undeniably great hands, significant JJ option offensively. Saylor wil do well at position, but significant drop to next level at position. Others physically bigger but wil only fit role of blocking, not as athletic as harper and saylor.Agree dont envy Delaney position but dont agree with not negotiating with players who have proven ability, gambling on future prospects. BIG MISTAKE!

Is this a portent of continued LACK of TE utilization? Saved our bacon more than once last year

 

[Brock Landers]

Do we know that Harper left because of a scholarship thing? Any facts involved in this situation or just speculation?

Who needs facts when you can have wild emotional swings

 

[bigkid]

Concern now at tightend position. Harper in limited time last year had 4 touchdowns ( number 3 on team), showed has speed to get seperation from linebackers. Reported as senior in high school ran 4.53 40 yd. Gave away 30-40 pounds to guys he had blocking assignment last year, but went from 205 to 227 at start of spring ball. Gave back 5 lbs during spring but potential to get stronger, gain 10-15lbs not a problem. Undeniably great hands, significant JJ option offensively. Saylor wil do well at position, but significant drop to next level at position. Others physically bigger but wil only fit role of blocking, not as athletic as harper and saylor.Agree dont envy Delaney position but dont agree with not negotiating with players who have proven ability, gambling on future prospects. BIG MISTAKE!

Totally agree with this...losing Harper is a HUGE MISTAKE. Frankly I'm shocked Delaney let him go

 

[CV Griz Fan]

Why am I not surprised? Can't wait for the Delaney apologists to try rationalize this one. Worst coach we've had here in recent memory. How much longer are we going to stand for this mediocrity and mismanagement? Yes, he came in during a period of upheaval and provided some stability, but what really has he accomplished besides that? Maybe our standards are getting lower, but its definite Delaney is being held to an entirely different standard than we're used to around here.

Who honestly believes that Delaney is the man to return Griz FB to consistent championship contender status? And if you do believe Delaney is capable of this, please explain what he has done previously to inspire such confidence.

I have certainly not been an apologist for Delaney but I do agree with those who say that he's in a bind with the scholarship losses. Delaney is having to make some difficult decisions to get thru this brutal period. I do agree with you gotgame75 that Delaney making the decisions on which players to keep will make some Griz fans a little nervous. His judgement will certainly be questioned. Let's not forget that Delaney also has some "skin in the game" with his grandson possibly looking to get some scholarship funds. It should be interesting.

 

[BWahlberg]

Concern now at tightend position. Harper in limited time last year had 4 touchdowns ( number 3 on team), showed has speed to get seperation from linebackers. Reported as senior in high school ran 4.53 40 yd. Gave away 30-40 pounds to guys he had blocking assignment last year, but went from 205 to 227 at start of spring ball. Gave back 5 lbs during spring but potential to get stronger, gain 10-15lbs not a problem. Undeniably great hands, significant JJ option offensively. Saylor wil do well at position, but significant drop to next level at position. Others physically bigger but wil only fit role of blocking, not as athletic as harper and saylor.Agree dont envy Delaney position but dont agree with not negotiating with players who have proven ability, gambling on future prospects. BIG MISTAKE!

Totally agree with this...losing Harper is a HUGE MISTAKE. Frankly I'm shocked Delaney let him go

But he didn't.

He didn't come through on the scholarship offer he made 2 years ago, but made a revised and much lower partial scholarship offer. Harper refused it and is leaving.

 

[grizatwork]

Concern now at tightend position. Harper in limited time last year had 4 touchdowns ( number 3 on team), showed has speed to get seperation from linebackers. Reported as senior in high school ran 4.53 40 yd. Gave away 30-40 pounds to guys he had blocking assignment last year, but went from 205 to 227 at start of spring ball. Gave back 5 lbs during spring but potential to get stronger, gain 10-15lbs not a problem. Undeniably great hands, significant JJ option offensively. Saylor wil do well at position, but significant drop to next level at position. Others physically bigger but wil only fit role of blocking, not as athletic as harper and saylor.Agree dont envy Delaney position but dont agree with not negotiating with players who have proven ability, gambling on future prospects. BIG MISTAKE!

Totally agree with this...losing Harper is a HUGE MISTAKE. Frankly I'm shocked Delaney let him go

But he didn't.

He didn't come through on the scholarship offer he made 2 years ago, but made a revised and much lower partial scholarship offer. Harper refused it and is leaving.

Maybe they need more funds than 1/3. I don't know the family situation. Maybe frontier school is offering more. I don't know. All speculation on all of our parts. This is fun!

 

[BWahlberg]

Concern now at tightend position. Harper in limited time last year had 4 touchdowns ( number 3 on team), showed has speed to get seperation from linebackers. Reported as senior in high school ran 4.53 40 yd. Gave away 30-40 pounds to guys he had blocking assignment last year, but went from 205 to 227 at start of spring ball. Gave back 5 lbs during spring but potential to get stronger, gain 10-15lbs not a problem. Undeniably great hands, significant JJ option offensively. Saylor wil do well at position, but significant drop to next level at position. Others physically bigger but wil only fit role of blocking, not as athletic as harper and saylor.Agree dont envy Delaney position but dont agree with not negotiating with players who have proven ability, gambling on future prospects. BIG MISTAKE!

Totally agree with this...losing Harper is a HUGE MISTAKE. Frankly I'm shocked Delaney let him go

But he didn't.

He didn't come through on the scholarship offer he made 2 years ago, but made a revised and much lower partial scholarship offer. Harper refused it and is leaving.

Maybe they need more funds than 1/3. I don't know the family situation. Maybe frontier school is offering more. I don't know. All speculation on all of our parts. This is fun!

Very good points, and you're right.

All I'm saying is that Delaney did not "let him go". Saying that Delaney couldn't hold up his initial offer to him is a more accurate statement.

 

[tnt]

Totally agree with this...losing Harper is a HUGE MISTAKE. Frankly I'm shocked Delaney let him go

But he didn't.

He didn't come through on the scholarship offer he made 2 years ago, but made a revised and much lower partial scholarship offer. Harper refused it and is leaving.

Maybe they need more funds than 1/3. I don't know the family situation. Maybe frontier school is offering more. I don't know. All speculation on all of our parts. This is fun!

Very good points, and you're right.

All I'm saying is that Delaney did not "let him go". Saying that Delaney couldn't hold up his initial offer to him is a more accurate statement.

So you list a house for 63,000.00 and you get the seller gets an offer for 59,000 and takes it. The deal closes and you ask the seller for your commission, he says sorry The house sold for less, I bought a Cadillac, and even though you did what we agreed to do, I can only offer you a third of your commission.

So do you say oh okay, I get it no problem, or do you ask what the hell were you doing buying a Damn Cadillac before you met the commitments you already made???

If the kid was offered a scholie based for meeting certain goal and he makes it. Then he by god had better get the scholie or we need some changes. If he fell slightly short and was offered a second chance but with a reduced scholie, he should be thankful. Doesn't have to take the deal, but he better not bitch about it. I have no clue which happened nor has anyone made it clear. From the story form a guy who knows a guy that knows the family (always anegriz favorite) it sounds like the kid was not clearly #1 or #2 at the end of spring ball.

 

[Raider]

If you guys are this panicked about Harper leaving then I would suggest buckling your seatbelts.

 

[grizatwork]

If you guys are this panicked about Harper leaving then I would suggest buckling your seatbelts.

Yep. Doesn't sound good.

 

[BWahlberg]

But he didn't.

He didn't come through on the scholarship offer he made 2 years ago, but made a revised and much lower partial scholarship offer. Harper refused it and is leaving.

Maybe they need more funds than 1/3. I don't know the family situation. Maybe frontier school is offering more. I don't know. All speculation on all of our parts. This is fun!

Very good points, and you're right.

All I'm saying is that Delaney did not "let him go". Saying that Delaney couldn't hold up his initial offer to him is a more accurate statement.

So you list a house for 63,000.00 and you get the seller gets an offer for 59,000 and takes it. The deal closes and you ask the seller for your commission, he says sorry The house sold for less, I bought a Cadillac, and even though you did what we agreed to do, I can only offer you a third of your commission.

So do you say oh okay, I get it no problem, or do you ask what the hell were you doing buying a Damn Cadillac before you met the commitments you already made???

If the kid was offered a scholie based for meeting certain goal and he makes it. Then he by god had better get the scholie or we need some changes. If he fell slightly short and was offered a second chance but with a reduced scholie, he should be thankful. Doesn't have to take the deal, but he better not bitch about it. I have no clue which happened nor has anyone made it clear. From the story form a guy who knows a guy that knows the family (always anegriz favorite) it sounds like the kid was not clearly #1 or #2 at the end of spring ball.

Hard to compare because a sales transaction is a contractual agreement where this sounds like a promise made years ago. Like I said I'm bummed the guy is gone, I'll leave it at that.

 

[garizzalies]

Also I don't think all is lost at TE, a healthy. Mitch Saylor will also be a matchup nightmare.

A nightmare for who? Compared to Harper, Saylor can't catch a cold. Hell, Aschan might have better hands [read: "bricks"] than Saylor. Also, Harper was a better blocker than Saylor as Saylor was not a TE until recently. You'll never convince me Harper was not in the top 2.

All I'm saying is that Delaney did not "let him go". Saying that Delaney couldn't hold up his initial offer to him is a more accurate statement.

HA! You sound like one of those managers that forces an employee to leave but, to cover his ass, he claims the employee quit. MickyD failed to honor his promise and then did not do enough to "keep" Harper on the team. If that's true, its is the same as letting him go. Think of it this way: you did not keep up with your diet therefore you let yourself go. [i kid, i kid].

 

[snap]

I fail to see what the loss of Jordan Harper has to do with Brint's big meaty thighs, soft, round mid-section, large milky (white) moobs and his chins that go on for days. No sense turning this thread into a personal attack on Brint.

 

[PlayerRep]

From Harper's bio: "His parents are Robert and Denise Harper of Great Falls."

"Dr. Robert Harper specializes in emergency medicine in Great Falls, Montana."

http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/drs/robert_t_harper/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;