It is great news, GK is back on the team, regardless of his role/position. My hope is he stays healthy, and a major contributor in the offense. I would love to see him in similar role to how Villanova used Szczur (sp?), or Sam Houston used their most athletic player, last year.
Had Kemp not messed up his shoulder, it looked to me the offense was gradually adding to Kemp's role, in many aspects. I hope the coaches continue the trend with GK this year. Seriously, some people need to know a little about coaching, regardless of sport. There are some personalities that need challenged, and pushed, to find their best level.
Here is the good, and bad of what happened this summer, with Kemp. He got disciplined for how he went about his frustrations, and concerns. The door was left open for his return, because of him being concerned enough to talk to the coaches about whatever it was. Some coaches need to know, and find out, how much a player cares. What they do not want in a veteran player, is someone just going with the flow. They want someone who cares enough about the team, willing to sacrifice, and even at times ask what he/she needs to do for more time, or to help the team. This is what Kemp did, unfortunately, I am guessing Gerald got more frustrated, when the coaches could not give him a straight answer in his role. A lot of which likely had to do with JJ's status. I think GK took that as being given the runaround, which was not intended. Kemp's frustration turned to a little attitude, and some words were said that came out wrong. After calmer heads prevailed, Mick told him, he was heard, and here is what the coaches know now. Think about these things Gerald, we understand your frustration, here is what we expect from you, here is what we need from you, etc. The door is "open" , and you are welcome to be a GRIZ. We need your answer by the time camp begins.
I am sure what happened this summer, is very close to how it played out. The parties have moved on, and I sure wish some of our fans would do the same.
Speaking of fans, honestly to GOD, how is GK a "thug"? He has one questionable run in with police, from a party that was too loud. He then comes forward to talk to his coaches about what areas he can focus on in the off season. Due to circumstances, was not given an honest specific answer, got frustrated, and things came out wrong.
Christ sakes, if those things are reasons to term someone a thug, we have a lot more thugs in this world than anyone knows. So, let me ask, if anyone gets warned by the police about a party being too loud, a cop has some misjudgement, and things happen. I know many people who have questioned a cop's opinion of things.
Example, several years ago, I am heading west on I 90. In my rearview mirror, I see cop lights about 1/4 mile back. I am in the left lane, a semi is in the right lane. I speed up to get ahead of the semi, with my turn signal on. The semi driver flashes his lights, and blows his horn okaying me to get in the right lane, to let the cop by. Just after that, the same cop gets right behind me, and pulls me over. The cop comes to my car, I rolled down the window, and asked the cop, "what is wrong, what did I do?" He told me, "you were speeding and cut off that semi." I told the cop, "Sorry officer, you are mistaken. I thought you were on your way to something else, I sped up to let you by, and the semi driver flashed me, I was clear to get in his lane." The cop tells me, "you are right, I was on my way to a reported incident, but another cop responded." Without any intentional offense to the officer, I said something like, "So, instead you decide to pull me over to get out a cops way in responding, that is wrong."
Anyway the cop did not care, he issued me a ticket for speeding, careless driving, and some other bogus charge regarding my attitude with the cop. I was very pissed, after he gave me tickets, and court information, I told him "You can bet on me challenging these charges, you will see me in court." He gave me some rude as remark too. I remembered which Trucking company (Jones) truck I passed. I called them, they verified who the driver likely was at the around that time, and date. I called Prepaid Legal about this. A week later, everything was thrown out.
If I had been a GRIZ athlete, under the same circumstances, some of you would think I am a thug, yet no criminal record, ever? So, is everyone who has been to a loud party when in our late teens to early 20's, are we all thugs?
I do not expect everyone to like Gerald Kemp, or even give him the benefit of the doubt. Using the "thug" term is crossing the line, and not right. Ironic enough, if he has a good, or better Senior year, how many will be praising him? Would it not be easier to just wish him the best? Then again, that is asking too much for some here.