Its Official

[gostangs]

If you are a player and afraid you are getting pushed too far down the depth chart - do you say you are leaving because of that or because of some other cloaked reason - this is the normal thing you get when someone leaves for playing time reasons.

As fans, and even as people who may be close to the players - we just don't ever really know - you put faith in the staff if they have earned it and go from there. You can argue that the staff has not earned it yet - but on recruiting they have, in my book, given what they have had to work with so far.

[KnuckleStang]

Well put, gostangs. Meeks is indeed a substantial loss, but not totally unexpected. And the most important thing to remember here is, no matter who our OC is and whatever kind of "new offense" we're running next year, make no mistake: our starting QB (whoever it turns out to be) will likely be running for his LIFE a good percentage of the time. Again. And who do we have on this team that's better at running for his life than Chris Phillips? If that makes me card carrying member of ChrisPhillipsIsTheGreatestThingSinceSlicedBread.com, then, guilty as charged. He's not the greatest thing, but he might be currently the best thing, for a team that hasn't shown the ability to protect its quarterback in a while.

[Charleston Pony]

how does the song go..."players only love you when they're playing"? Has there been a QB yet who bailed out without having family and friends come on this board and suggest the coaches were poor judges of talent or that there is something very wrong with the program? Let's move on with the guys who are here and want to contribute to this TEAM.

[Meeks]

First off, by the name you prob can figure out who this is, next there is not a coach on the staff that i dont love or wouldnt do anything is this world for. I hate to get on here and ag this on because im not that kind of person. I love this team and im not leaving SMU, im going to play football somewhere else, I have made more personal friends and connections and I could have ever asked for. I will always Love everyone there. Also for you to think i would have family and friends of mine on this website saying I should be playing or the coaches are making bad decisions is absolutely wrong. Im not that kind of person and would never ask someone to do that. Finally this isnt about playing time and never has been. All yall know is what is said on here and very seldom see the behind the scene meetings and actions. There is more to situations than anyone on here knows about. I love the coaches, players and all the support staff of smu and would do anything anytime of day for all of them. And most of all the other QB's are closer to me than a brother would be, and chris and tony are the two guys right now and leave it at that. dont dog them and say this and that. Good luck to the ponies next year, and i will always be supporting them and wish them the best. And charleston pony if that post was toward me, you can take it and put it somewhere else, cause u dont have a clue what all is going on. Best of Luck Next Year !!

[Mickey]

Meeks, Your post is right out of the Pat Tillman play book. You are both better men than me. I always thought that when you got your chance, which would have happened, you would have shined.

Your parents have got to be damn proud! Good luck in the future!

PS- Good response to Charleston Pony. That should disarm him.

[Corso]

Meeks, you are a tribute to SMU, and to whatever school you end up playing at. Your post speaks volumes about your character, and your continued support of your coaches and teammates is admirable.
Best of luck, Ricky Joe, wherever you end up.

[Charleston Pony]

Meeks: my post wasn't meant as a shot towards you personally. I'm sure you have your reasons for leaving and that's your business. All those posters that jump on news like this and start suggesting something is very wrong inside the program anytime anyone leaves is who I'm taking a shot at. This thread was taking on an "air" of you're leaving because you might not want to compete for playing time or that someone else who might be pencilled in at the moment for playing time who might not be deserving. Before your time here, there have been plenty of posters who have identified themselves as family or friends of someone who is leaving and they can't wait to stir up controversy.

As for the "players only love you" quote...I can only assume that ANYONE who has a competitive bone in his body is obviously going to be happier if he is starting or seeing a lot of playing time. My point was that we need to bury this thread because what's done is done. Good luck in whatever your future plans might be and thank you for choosing SMU and having been one of this coaching staff's 1st high profile signees. From where I sit, your early commitment to the program was very helpful in SMU's gaining a little positive momentum in recruiting.

[RGV Pony]

So Meeks, where ya going? SFA? A$M-Commerce? I hate to see you go...I kept thinking B.J. Symons...waited all three years, then by the 4th he was the man. By four years from now, whoever is the man could & should be manning the helm of something akin to what went on up in Manhattan, KS a decade or so ago (let's hope).

[Ponymon]

DMN says that Ricky Joe has decided to transfer to Northwestern State. I have no clue where that is located, but want to wish him well. I really thought he had a future as a Pony and am very disappointed that he is leaving after only one year. I do think he will look back fondly on his first year at SMU and may later regret this decision unless he is being forced out. The grass may be greener on the other side, but it can be quickly devoured because there isn't much of it. I know he would have started at least one year, which is more than most potential quarterbacks can do given the competition at this position. Good Luck Ricky Joe! If it doesn't work out you can always transfer back!!!

[LA_Mustang]

Northwestern State is in Louisiana. They play in the Southland Conference with Sam Houston, SFA, and Texas State (SW Texas).

[PG]

Ricky Joe will see at least one familiar face at NW Louisiana as former SMU student assistant C.B. Williams is now the offensive GA there.

[RGV Pony]

NW St. has posted a victory over TCU more recently than our beloved Ponies.

[RedRiverPony]

Really? Are you sure that wasn't Northwestern?

And Ponymon is right - if for whatever reason NWSt doesn't work out, come back to the Hilltop, Ricky Joe. Once a Mustang, ALWAYS a Mustang!

[RGV Pony]

Positive. NW'ern may have also beaten the Froggies, but NW State won in Ft. Worth 27-24 in September 2001.

[White Helmet]

Bump for Pledge Flounder