Ohio State Players Suspended...Again!

Ohio State is in trouble with the NCAA once again.  Just today it was announced that three players were suspended for taking too much cash for too little of work during their summer jobs.  Two of the players have already been suspended for the first five games of this season for accepting cash and free tattoos.  Running back Daniel Herron and wide receiver DeVier Posey, along with offensive lineman Marcus Hall, have been suspended for the Nebraska game. 

Nebraska is only one of the biggest games of the season since they are new in the Big Ten Conference and currently ranked No. 14 in the nation.  This could have been a huge game for the Buckeyes.  Daniel Herron and DeVier Posey were expected to return for this game.  They could have tremendously helped a struggling Ohio State offense.  Gene Smith made a statement about the recent suspensions.  He emphasized that there is no systematic problem within Ohio State, but this has strictly fallen on the faults of the players and the booster member responsible for paying them. 

My question is: When is enough, enough?  Since the beginning of Ohio State’s troubles, there has been no light at the end of the tunnel thus far.  Things and other issues keep surfacing to the public and media.  This last suspension, which was announced today, came out of no where.  No one saw this coming.  All Ohio State fans were excited to get these players back in action and help a struggling Buckeyes team.  With the second suspension of Herron and Posey, why do they deserve to come back at all?  They have let their team, coaches, university, and fans down over and over again.  They have contributed in destroying the reputation of Ohio State University, Ohio State football, their coaches, and the city itself.  They have given people more reason to hate Ohio State and say bad things about them.  The road just keeps getting bumpier and bumpier for Ohio State, their football program, and Athletic Department.  It will be interesting to see how they bounce back from this and deal with these new findings.  Eventually they have to understand that sometimes suspensions just aren’t enough.  If Posey and Herron come back and start or play over other players who have kept the integrity of the program alive, what does that tell us as the fans and the other players who have worked week after week to get their chance to shine.  I have no problem with Herron and Posey being reinstated, but I think at this point, I would have a problem with them jumping right in and playing.  I think they need to prove themselves and earn their spot, and I do not think that can happen in one week’s worth of practice.  I will be anxious to see how this all plays out.  First year head coach, Luke Fickle, not only has the tough job of trying to get the Buckeyes back on track, but he has to make decisions regarding suspended players.       

To see Gene Smith's Address on the Allegations click on the provided link: http://blip.tv/theozonedotnet/gene-smith-addresses-additional-allegations-5610680