May 2, 2007
Ex-player breaks DL's jaw in fistic encounter
Former LSU DB Troy Giddens has not had a good year. First he was arrested for breaking into an LSU female golfer's apartment and stealing her stuff. Then he -- along with Zhamal Thomas and Kyle Anderson -- were kicked off the team for incident.
Now Giddens has been arrested for the second time in three weeks, this time for hitting freshman DL Joseph Barksdale and breaking his jaw (all in the same apartment complex, mind you).
LSUPD arrested ex-University football player Troy Giddens on Sunday at 2:54 a.m. after he allegedly injured current football player Joseph Barksdale....
Giddens punched Barksdale, a freshman defensive lineman from Detroit, and broke his jaw.
...
Rogé said LSUPD thinks Barksdale did not attempt to retaliate against Giddens.
"He was hit, and he was hurt bad enough to where he was out of the fight at that point," Rogé said.
A couple of thoughts:
- a DB that can break a DL's jaw with just a punch is probably going to get a spot on some team, some where (I'm thinking Miami)....
- not even Melrose Place had this kind of drama in their apartment complex....
- why hasn't LSU kicked him out of school... or at least revoked his scholarship?!?!
- what in the hell is happening at LSU??!?! Has Les Miles lost this team???
Hat Tip: TigerEducated
Comments:
posted on May 2, 2007 12:53 PM — 65.0.111.247 — link — abuse?TigerEducated said:
Yeah, I e-mailed Kevin about this one a few minutes ago...My hat goes off to him for ripping this story off as fast as he did...
As for the story itself...He's still in school because scholarships for football last an entire semester. You cannot yank them until the end of the year.
In other words, he's on campus because he's still a student. Now that he's been arrested twice in three weeks, stolen from & punched out two other student athletes, I think that the Office of Student Life would be well within bounds to go ahead and expel him from school...
The West Campus Apartments are basically luxury dorms that the athletes have had built for them, as well as well-heeled and high paying students from all over the place. Usually a pretty quiet place, but obviously, there needs to be a tad more oversight out there.
As for Miles, let me say this. He's known as a player's coach. That's fine, and that's good. Hell, it's what we needed after Saban, because many said there would be a mass revolt after the '04 season had he not left (Led by two of our 1st round draft picks, no less) when he did. The players were beginning to chafe under the constant haranguings he put on them.
In other words, he's been a breath of fresh air. But, it's now time to put the fear of God in these kids. While I really don't think it's indicative of the entire team...Hell, one player's responsible for almost all of the trouble...I do think that it's time that Les Miles pulls the reigns in on this program.
The ride's getting a little too bumpy for this Tiger fan's liking...
gatorstud said:
posted on May 2, 2007 1:08 PM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
tigereducated....your right about installing fear......les is such a mild mannered coach......he is not a get in your face kinda coach...but that is what is needed here.....he needs to set a standard that if you screw up......you're done.....
but, let's remind ourselves that these are just kids.....some incidents shouldn't fall under the zero-tolerance policy.....we all make mistakes...and as adults it is easy for us to look down on those young student athletes and say.."i can't believe he did that, what the hell was he thinking"...perfect student athletes are hard to come by these days...especially in football...and we all know what happened to the last PERFECT individual that walked this earth.....he got nailed to a cross.....
so let's not crucify this guy until all the facts come out.....remember....innocent until proven guilty......unless your pac-man jones....lol
go gators and hokies....
posted on May 2, 2007 1:12 PM — 65.0.111.247 — link — abuse?
Well, we recruited some serious questionable characters in the past...
Tim Pope out of Daytona punched his HS coach out at halftime of one game. Saban wasn't scared to recruit him. Shawn Jordan got busted bringing 'roids back across the border from Mejico, and he was a Saban recruit as well.
Chase Pittman was also a Saban recruit, and he also punched some student out and broke his jaw in Bogie's one night in Tigerland...
So, it's not some recent development, but you're right, a statement needs to be made. Forget this kid's future in football. He's a bad citizen. He should be shown the door and summarily expelled from the University.
From the rumblings on our site, that move is already in the works.
tigger said:
posted on May 2, 2007 3:06 PM — 128.220.219.194 — link — abuse?
Given that one person has been responsible for a lot of the shenannigans, and given that that person was an ex-player at the time of the current bruhaha and that that player was kicked off the team after the first incident, I'd say it's a stretch to wonder if Les has lost control of the team.
There were a few problem players, one of which seems to have serious problems. Les kicked them all off at the first signs of trouble, which seems to me like "putting the fear of God" into the kids (i.e., the rest of those on the team...the person involved in this incident is no longer on the team). And, as someone else pointed out, these players are legally on schollie until the end of the semester and it's the university's responsibility to kick them out as students if they continue to cause trouble.
Honestly, I can't believe that some are questioning how this player has been handled by the football program. If he were at Florida, he'd serve a half-game suspension at most, not kicked off the team.
posted on May 2, 2007 4:45 PM — 65.0.111.247 — link — abuse?
Sean...Please...You're reaching...and it looks worse than Chris Farley in David Spade's coat...
posted on May 2, 2007 7:57 PM — link — abuse?
Perhaps if UM players weren't involved in four off-campus apartment incidents last year....
C-DOGG said:
posted on May 2, 2007 9:26 PM — 76.188.146.29 — link — abuse?
Hey Kev,
I thought that you were "neutral" in a lot of your comments (Miami hater). I guess that you turned over a new leaf in 07'...oh well. If I recall, you are a Seminole fan. By the way, how did they do in the first round of the draft??? I believe UNO drafted. Well, Miami with their 6-6 record got THREE in the first round. That included the "thug" Merriweather to New England. I guess that the Patriots didn't mind that. Yes Miami still owns the draft...always has, always will.
Gatory Boys said:
posted on May 2, 2007 10:46 PM — 66.231.138.222 — link — abuse?
I'm not an adult, I'm a sophomore in college and I wouldnt steal from anybody or break a guys jaw. He was so lucky to be able to play football for LSU. I wouldnt do anything to mess that up. He had a chance to go to the NFL! idiot
posted on May 2, 2007 11:15 PM — link — abuse?
@C-Dogg - I'm an equal opportunity offender. C'mon - you know that.
Tampa Hurricane said:
posted on May 3, 2007 8:37 AM — 24.96.199.254 — link — abuse?
Kevin, wouldn't expect anything better from an FSU fan that is jealous of the Miami program. Your team historically can't beat them, so in your lame writing you have to take cheap shots at them.
A better writer wanting to take a cheap shot at a program would have considered that he should transfer to PSU (with their 6 players being arrested recently for fighting).
posted on May 3, 2007 8:59 AM — link — abuse?
@ TampaHurricane - You're probably right. They should get their own site and do that. ;)
Zac said:
posted on May 3, 2007 10:07 AM — 65.31.230.72 — link — abuse?
I see this as just another example of fame resulting in an individual garnering unwarranted attention, not to mention his organization falling under undue scrutiny. On one hand you have this "kid" (Many of you have read what I've had to say about these young men on football teams being kids.) who's been arrested twice and gets involved in fight. On the other hand, you have the team and school with which he's associated. Just like that, the coach is accused of loosing control of his team, and the school is accused of tolerating thugs.
Why? The recent success of the football team, its recent national championship, its recent 1st round draft choices, etc., etc., etc. If this had happened at Shepherd College or SUNY - Cobleskill, or W CT St (for example) we wouldn't be reading about it. In fact, we might not even be reading about it had this happened at Utah, or NM St, let's say. But, if it happens at AL, BYU, FL, FL ST, MI, Miami, OK, TX, UCLA, WVU (to name a few), it's not only big news with regards to the individual, but with regards to the coaching staff, the school, and sometimes even the state.
Quite honestly, it's unfair. I think it brings about the wrong impressions, and it over sensationalizes the circumstances. In my opinion, the authorities should jump on something like this fast, and keep it as quiet as possible. Why? In my opinion, news like this doesn't deserve the hype. Case in point: Consider Miami. They've had a down year, and suddenly that's a big deal. If Utah has a down year, nobody cares. Why? Miami is in the spotlight. Why? Their success over the past 25 years. The bad news: Every rough and tumble involving a Miami player off the field of play now gets sensationalized, and with each incident the coaching staff and the school falls under scrutiny. That's just plain silly!!!
I'm far from the 1st individual to point out the injustice of the "bad apple" syndrome in any of Kevin's threads. And, time and time again, many of you fall into that trap. An LSU college football player getting arrested or getting into a fight is no more about college football or LSU, than a United Airlines pilot getting arrested or getting into a fight in a bar somewhere, is about United Airlines. The city of Bridgeport, CT was once labeled the "Murder Capital of the World". That doesn't mean its population of 140,000 people consists of murderers.
Instead of seeing this incident for what it is not, let's see it for what it really is: One kid who's recently gotten HIMSELF into a lot of trouble.
One more thing before I get off my soap box. Every spring & summer practice at WVU, the coaching staff admits to a number of fist-fights among players. No doubt this happens at other schools. "It happens", they say. "It's just a part of trying to play hard and be aggressive." All well and good. In recent years, however, WVU has led or been near the top of teams penalized in the Big East. Coach Rodriguez recognizes this as a challenge and tries to coach "controlled aggression". Showing you have fists fast enough and hard enough to break a lineman's jaw is not what I would consider "controlled aggression", and it's certainly not the thing you want to see on the field of play. Being strong, being fast, being tenacious, being relentless, is all well and good, but without discipline, you're just out of control.
geauxtigers0107 said:
posted on May 3, 2007 12:15 PM — 69.1.170.58 — link — abuse?
Latest report is that Barksdale's jaw isn't broke, as initially reported. It's bruised...according to Dandy Don. All the Tiger fans know who he is. The nature of the injury is irrelevant (unless you're Barksdale..lol). What is relevant is the fact that this genius is still in school after numerous run ins with Camp PD. I'm sure once the semester's up, they're gonna jam a rocket up his ass and launch him outta here.
@C-Dogg - Check the Tigers draft numbers before you claim to own the draft this year. 4-1st rounders, and 12 total with NFL contracts (counting free agents).
Geaux Tigers
VTBobb said:
posted on May 3, 2007 3:41 PM — 71.200.105.248 — link — abuse?
C-DOGG,
The last time I checked, The Seminoles, or the Canes, or the Hokies for that matter, don't do anything in the draft. Their former players do.The fact that Miami went 6-6 last year but had 3 first rounders just tells me they are underachievers that may have individual talent, but lack "team talent". Plus, it also tells potential recruits that they will be competing for playing time against very talented players, but even so, the team may just be mediocre.
So, C-DOGG, PLEASE keep quoting those statistics. Hopefully ever potential Miami recruit will read them.
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on May 3, 2007 6:41 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
C-DOGG # 15:
UM owns the draft? Write this down...
The past two NFL drafts FSU has had FIVE players taken in the TOP TWENTY overall picks.
The past two NFL drafts UM has had FOUR players taken in the BOTTOM 9 picks of the first around.
So, FSU had had one more player taken AND FSU's LOWEST person taken in the first round the past two years has STILL been taken HIGHER then UM's HIGHEST player drafted in the first round. How's that for "owning" the draft?
C-DOGG said:
posted on May 3, 2007 10:16 PM — 76.188.146.29 — link — abuse?
@Geauxtigers0107 (#24),
Yes I knew that LSU beat out Miami for in the draft (4-3). As a matter of fact I counted all of the teams before I posted. Including Florida, Texas, Tennessee and Ohio State (all with 2). My point was not really the 07' draft as much as it was the last 20 YEARS. Want to look that up for me and compare??
@ VTBobb....out of respect for the V.Tech tragedy, I'll hold off on the smack until football season. God Bless V.Tech!
@Seminole_Nation.....Wide Right, Wide right, Wide Left.
Tampa Hurricane said:
posted on May 4, 2007 8:06 AM — 24.96.199.254 — link — abuse?
SEMINOLE_NATION just remember UM has the record with 13 consecutive years with a player selected in the first round. There is no other team that has come close to that current mark.
Cane_Nation said:
posted on May 4, 2007 8:26 AM — 205.166.218.35 — link — abuse?
Any of these names sound familiar?
Brandon Meriweather (2007)
Jon Beason (2007)
Greg Olsen (2007)
Kelly Jennings (2006)
Antrel Rolle (2005)
Sean Taylor (2004)
Kellen Winslow II (2004)
Jon Vilma (2004)
D.J. Williams (2004)
Vernon Carey (2004)
Vince Wilfork (2004)
Andre Johnson (2003)
Jerome McDougle (2003)
Willis McGahee (2003)
William Joseph (2003)
Bryant McKinnie (2002)
Jeremy Shockey (2002)
Philip Buchanon (2002)
Ed Reed (2002)
Mike Rumph (2002)
Dan Morgan (2001)
Damione Lewis (2001)
Santana Moss (2001)
Reggie Wayne (2001)
Bubba Franks (2000)Since 2000 that is our first round picks. Out of the 59 players we've had drafted, I dare anyone to put their teams list next to that.
BayouBengals said:
posted on May 4, 2007 10:44 AM — 72.149.254.106 — link — abuse?
tiger0701 that is correct, Barksdale's jaw is not broken it was just a rumor. and... whats this.... the U penitentary thinks there bad ass with all there first round draft picks. Well when was the last time they had the #1 overall pick in the draft, you would figure with so many 1st rounders they could squeeze off the #1 pick. I believe last time that happened it was Vinnie Testaverde, who by the way looks like a down sendrome Pete Samprass. My point is, The U is on its way down in terms of winning championships, but on its way up in terms of recruiting gun toating underacheivers who are only going to spend more money in fines at the NFL level then they will earning money. Ya'll should get John Singeltary to coach the Canes b/c there a Menace II Society. Have fun on the bottom this season b/c Jimbo Fisher (former LSU O-cord) and FSU are going to lay down the law on your canes this year, you can believe that!!!
Go tigers....
C-DOGG said:
posted on May 4, 2007 7:38 PM — 76.188.187.37 — link — abuse?
Zac, (Re: post#33)
I'm not going to take the time to go to NFL.com and check how many from the list are still in the league. However, from the naked eye it appears as if 98% are still pulling an NFL paycheck. Not too sure about Damione Lewis.
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on May 4, 2007 11:33 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
C-DOGG:
I'm talking about NFL draft picks and you have nothing to retort with so you say "wide right, wide right, wide left"??? Thats lame, as if has anything to do with the draft, get real.
You want to talk NFL Draft? Fine. How about, since 1994 NO team has put more players in the NFL then FSU.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/042107/col_9378686.shtml
That's the bottom line.
C-DOGG said:
posted on May 5, 2007 1:15 PM — 76.188.187.37 — link — abuse?
SeminoleNation (Re:#38),
You claim that FSU has put more in since 1994.....Somehow that doesn't compare to the last 20 YEARS. Who cares how many Seminoles were drafted in the 5TH OR 6TH ROUND. Did they stick? or were they cut? If that's the case then LSU fans can say that "no one has put more in since 2007" sounds kind of lame.
C-DOGG said:
posted on May 5, 2007 1:50 PM — 76.188.187.37 — link — abuse?
VTBobb, (Re:#25)
I agree with everything you said (except the mediocre part). That is why most of the staff was fired. Even with a 6-6 record, good recruits are still signing. Just ask the Florida Gators who lost one of their best recruits to Miami.
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on May 5, 2007 5:31 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
C-DOGG #39:
Sounds kinda lame? Well, I was talking RECENT history with the last TWO NFL drafts. You have a desire to bring up the far past talking about wide rights and the past 20 years. That's great man, congrats to UM for their NFL production the past twenty year. What about the last couple though? Recent is more important then twenty years ago. I guess we wont get into the future cause that may not look good compared to 20 years ago.
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on May 5, 2007 11:26 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
I dunno C-DOGG. I used the past two nfl drafts because thats relative to UM being in the ACC and playing ACC competition which I think makes teams and players better (an advantage for UM). You used the past twenty years to make your argument better. It's all pointless though really. How many guys a school puts into the NFL means nothing. Just something to talk about. If UM won 4 straight NC's and none of the players from those titles were drafted - would you care? Probably not. Performance on the field is the only thing valid for CF and it's fans.
C-DOGG said:
posted on May 7, 2007 2:32 AM — 76.188.187.37 — link — abuse?
Seminole_Nation,(#43)
Point well taken. By the way...there is a pretty cool NFL/Hurricanes logo @ www.allcanes.com/blog
Well, at least Miami fans think its cool ;o)Also, I have always respected FSU. That rivalry made college football for several years. Hopefully it can be that way again. I finally got a chance to meet a former FSU player (Derrick Alexander) when he joined my church. It was interesting to finally get a player's perspective about how intense it was. No rivalry compared to it.....none!
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on May 7, 2007 6:11 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
I completely agree. I've always respected what UM has been able to do as a small private school. I love the FSU - UM rivalry, you're our biggest rival and it's one of the top 3 rivalries in CF. I'll be at the game this coming year and with both teams changing up the staffs, it should be an awesome game. Best of luck next year - except for one game and maybe two ;)
Charlie said:
posted on May 23, 2007 1:39 AM — 72.187.122.192 — link — abuse?
Hey there, cheap-shot Kevin....Nobody, that's NOBODY...is equal to FSU when it comes to thugs. Especially thugs who like to beat up on women. But then, a guy like you is probably proud of thug trash like Ernie Sims and AL Nicholson, right? And Sims's brother, Michael Gibson, another former Bowden player, is currently serving six life sentences for serial rape and attempted murder. Great program up there in Tallahassee.
posted on May 23, 2007 8:48 AM — link — abuse?
Let the record show that I've blogged many of the FSU misadventures during the last four years, too. I don't want fanblogs to become Bad Jocks Light, because their site does a much MUCH better job than I ever could.
I've always said, I'm an equal opportunity offender.
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
gatorstud said:
posted on May 2, 2007 12:37 PM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?c'mon kev....let's get all the facts in before judging.....everyone out there should have learned that after the duke incident.....but if it went down the way you said.....then he will be gone......i don't think les has LOST the team.....as long as he gets rid of the bad seeds....he will be allright....
go gators and hokies