Stay classy, Patterson

[LakeHighlandsPony]

Miami Hurritoads

[CenTXpony]

Lack of institutional control!

[StallionsModelT]

No it sounds like Patterson is in total control. He doesn't care what his kids do as long as they produce on the field.

[CenTXpony]

Haha therefore it would be a lack of institutional control... Honestly, I was waiting to see if he'd hold Pachall out, and then put him in when they were losing or something like that!

[ghost]

I think the first priority should be getting this young man help. Forget about football for now and even school...lets see if we as a society can save his life and the lives he may endanger rather than putting wins and losses and the reputation of the university at the forefront. Secondly are you really dealing with the problem if he is kicked off the team and university and then shows up at another university to play football? I have never understood how that works where one school suspends a player for all these violations whether it be drugs or criminal offenses and then this savior coach at another university fills an athletic need with this player and all the problems and acts like he has the players interests at heart. It goes all the way down to the high school level too and recruiting. WE have to get these kids turned around at an early age rather than just looking the other way because they have an athletic talent. On the other hand and as Patterson states, this is a societal problem and one that affects many students not just athletes so until we address it as a society should athletes be singled out? Of the people on the blvd on a given Saturday how many are too drunk to drive....but how many do?

[StallionsModelT]

This kid looks like a definite candidate to be on "Intervention" in a couple years.

[CenTXpony]

Rehab with Dr. Drew college athlete edition...

[PSCA]

Letting him dress out and letting him play are two different things. Although, you would think if he was suspended and/or if the HC was trying to set the correct tone for all, he would not be on the sideline. Is everyone one sure he is not suspended? So far what I’ve seen and read even within the last 5hrs, states Paterson has suspended him (no timeline defined) etc. Then again, TCU’s definition of suspension might be , suit up, go through pre-game, be on the sideline and get the games day experience … but don’t play. Sort of like disciplining your kids and taking TV privileges away, but allowing them to be in the room with you watching, they just can’t choose the show or have the controller. Where was that discipline philosophy when I was young.

Anyway, the kid needs help, whether he wants it or realizes it … and may be the help he needs right now is someone(s) to show/convince him he needs help. I hope he gets it. TCU has the chance to do the right thing for him, and life is bigger than W’s for everyone to see ... your/our actions come with real consequences. Lets hope they do it.

[FroggieFever]

He's following University/Team policy, FYI:

1st Offense: counseling, 2nd Offense: suspension, 3rd offense - removal from the team

Not suggesting he should/shouldn't be kicked off, but wanted to address.

[LHS81]

I have no problem with Casey being on the sideline. However, Casey should be in street clothes, and not in uniform.

[CalallenStang]

He's following University/Team policy, FYI:

1st Offense: counseling, 2nd Offense: suspension, 3rd offense - removal from the team

Not suggesting he should/shouldn't be kicked off, but wanted to address.

Fever, I think you know what I will say to that, so I won't say it. But I wanted to ask you - what's your opinion on what should be done? Do you think that TCU should be taking stronger action to curb this problem?

FWIW (as a restatement of what I've said on this board before), I believe that the problem is not a TCU problem but a nationwide issue and that all universities should take stronger action.

[Pony in SA]

He's following University/Team policy, FYI:

1st Offense: counseling, 2nd Offense: suspension, 3rd offense - removal from the team

Not suggesting he should/shouldn't be kicked off, but wanted to address.

Might be University/Team policy, but as I posted elsewhere if 2nd offense violation and criminal offense DA normally would look harsher on a penalty and even if probation was an option. But Stallion advises the local DA up there has his own DUI issues so doubt he will be as agressive as some others. Plus the fact he will be under pressure since the kid is TCU's QB.

[Bergermeister]

I think everything will be okay once he says he "won't do it again", again. He's a 21 year old thug, not a "kid". As much as everyone wants to "help" him, he needs to help himself - and I don't mean help himself to more drugs and alcohol. I'm all for this person getting on the right track but the head coach has established an "anything goes" policy in regard to player behavior and has been shown to be pretty selective in doling out punishment.

[Junior]

i guess we'll never know if this was the first or second offense. he may/may not have failed an earlier drug test. the whole "police report" thing was stupid on his part, but I don't know that he HAD to be suspended for that. it would have made sense, but there was no policy calling for it specifically.

it really comes down to a perception issue with all of us. most of us would have assumed that he would have been suspended earlier, but that doesn't appear to be the case. nor is there any requirement that everything be made public knowledge.

fatterson just doesn't have good judgment in these instances it seems.

[FroggieFever]

He's following University/Team policy, FYI:

1st Offense: counseling, 2nd Offense: suspension, 3rd offense - removal from the team

Not suggesting he should/shouldn't be kicked off, but wanted to address.

Fever, I think you know what I will say to that, so I won't say it. But I wanted to ask you - what's your opinion on what should be done? Do you think that TCU should be taking stronger action to curb this problem?

FWIW (as a restatement of what I've said on this board before), I believe that the problem is not a TCU problem but a nationwide issue and that all universities should take stronger action.

I do know what you would say, ha.

I'm not the kid's biggest fan, but I also respect that there is a process for this: three strikes, you're out. Looking at the facts: earlier this year he failed a drug test (positive for THC) / admitted to officers who were raiding his roommate's room that he had used hard drugs in the past. Strike one. Thursday morning he was arrested for DUI, a Class B misdemeanor. Strike two.

Casey's o-fer two. One more incident, he's done. Coach Patterson is following University policy, there's nothing shady here.

Would I kick him off the team? I'm not privy to all the facts. Those are between Coach Patterson, Casey and his family, and Student Affairs. That said, if I were running this team like my business, it would be hard for me not to cut him loose, especially if he broke promises / didn't put in a conscious effort to kick it in gear. That, and he just doesn't seem to get it.

I know CGP doesn't have the best reputation on this board, but for what it's worth he's one of the most humble and compassionate individuals you'll ever meet. He genuinely cares about his kids. It's instances like this I honestly think he feels he can make a difference in their life. His influence on a few current players and many former ones in situations like this undoubtedly contributed significantly to the opportunities they have today.

Casey obviously has a problem, and it needs attention. If I were him, I would fix it immediately (remove ALL vices), or seek help.

Now, had Casey stomped someone in the head in a bar fight and be allowed to toss the pigskin in time for conference-play, I would have a serious problem.

Lastly, I think the University is taking a strong enough approach to curb these issues. As soon as they were made aware of a drug problem on campus, they nipped it in the bud. They proactively reached out to the Fort Worth PD for assistance. Look no further than this. Twenty-something individuals arrested with a combined weight of less than a pound of marijuana. Only a handful were convicted. And they held a press conference. One could make the case they overreacted.

Now, prevention, well...