Accounting for Thomas and Harrison
The Cowboys will miss Thomas' ball-hawking on defense.
By John Helsley
follow on twitter @jjhelsley
The realization of Texas A&M’s long-running Big 12 exit strategy dominated the news Wednesday.
Overshadowed: the Tuesday news that OSU would be without starting safety Johnny Thomas and seemingly emerging wideout Mike Harrison for the opener, and likely beyond.
Quickly, my thoughts on the A&M fallout:
* There is no saving the Big 12. Without a doubt, others among the remaining nine are looking for a more secure place to live.
* OSU should move quickly and aggressively in securing a conference for the future. Don’t risk being left standing without a chair when the music stops.
* Never, EVER, schedule A&M in anything again. The Aggies took their ball and left. Let them go.
Now, on to the fallout of Thomas and Harrison.
The Cowboys weren’t trying to hide anything on the news front with these two, everyone in the program was shocked by this development. Purely speculation, but the problem may not be with failing, but rather progress toward a degree. Players, like all students, change majors. Athletes are required to make degrees of progress toward their major and changing course can mess things up. It’s one of the hardest things for academic services to monitor.
Thomas is the big loss here, obviously as a starter, but also because he’s a ball-hawking defender on the side of the ball that carries the question marks of the season. And he’ll have to be replaced on special teams, as one of the Cowboys’ two scheduled kickoff return men.
Glass Half-Full: Daytawion Lowe, who steps in for Thomas, returns healthy this season and gives the Cowboys a solid option at the position. Deion Imade came through with a strong preseason, maintaining depth at the position. On kick returns, Josh Stewart likely gets a chance to show what he can do. Stewart was already due a piece of the punt return pie and he’s an exciting option.
Glass Half-Empty: Thomas was an underrated piece of this team, overshadowed by the guys on offense and Markelle Martin on defense. There is no substitute for experience. If he isn’t cleared for a return, it’s a blow.
Long-Range Hope: Thomas has yet to redshirt at OSU, so if the worst-case scenario plays out for this season, he can always get himself squared away for a return in 2012. Think Orie Lemon, who suffered what appeared to be a devastating knee injury on the eve of the 2009 season, only to come back and make a major impact last season.
Michael Harrison seemed to be on the verge of a breakout.
Harrison offered the Cowboys a big and physical wide receiver. His preseason was up and down at times, but when motivated, he can be a hoss. There are some in the program who believe he can have the same kind of career breakout Justin Blackmon produced. Now that will have to wait.
Glass Half-Full: The Cowboys are loaded at wide receiver. Hubert Anyiam is healthy and is set up to be that guy opposite Blackmon to keep defenses honest. Isaiah Anderson used his best camp yet at OSU to put himself into play for a larger role. Brandon Weeden has options.
Glass Half-Empty: If Harrison’s breakout was going to occur this year, now what, if his season’s over? Will he commit to working hard, even though he knows he won’t be playing?
Long-Range Hope: Harrison has already redshirted, so a year of eligibility is at stake here. He’s still just a sophomore, so he should get committed to regaining his status with the team and remaining a key part of the future.
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Comments
[...] Article source: http://blog.newsok.com/osu/2011/09/01/accounting-for-thomas-and-harrison/ [...]
This seems ridiculous. This should be something they can make up for in coming semester. I would think NCAA would allow for changing majors etc, adjustment as long as player makes it up. Especially for Harrison who is a sophomore. Hope they both are eligible. I understand Ronnell Lewis wouldn’t have been eligible but got waiver due to extenuating circumstances.
Thanks osucowboys for this great site. Seems like there\’s always something new I learn even after being in the field for 10 years.
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I am afraid that this writer has been a little speculatinve on what the problem actually is with why their eligiblilty is in question. Hopefully it will be resolved quickly and these two players can return. We do not need them so much the next two games but certainly they would contribute this year especially in the tougher games.