Thoughts on Bethel. I refrained from making any commentary, as much as possible, last night in the story regarding the Lubbock grand jury clearing Nigel Bethel, II, of any crime.
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Also last night, Texas Tech spokesman, Blayne Beal, said that Texas Tech will stand by their initial stance of zero tolerance of violence against women. I suppose this is that slippery slope that I'm not sure there is a right or wrong. I saw in the comments last night that depending on the circumstances, Kingsbury or Hocutt should resign, and I just don't understand that at all. I have no idea how things played out, but if the stance is, Texas Tech does not condone violence against women, then the response was proper, regardless of what Battle did or didn't do. There's really nothing right or wrong about this situation other than having your opinion, which is neither right or wrong. You just get to have an opinion and that's it.
I keep going back to that Dorial Green-Beckham situation with Oklahoma, as the troubled receiver pushed his way into an apartment and pushed a woman down a flight of stairs. The woman didn't press charges and so Oklahoma felt that this was a window to say that they're giving a second chance to Green-Beckham. Yes, the world is full of second chances and I truly hope that Bethel receives a second chance, but I won't fault or blame Hocutt or Kingsbury for not giving Bethel a second chance at Texas Tech. I also wouldn't have given Green-Beckham a second chance. Neither situation is one that makes me morally comfortable, so I don't know what that says about me. If the difference between the two is that Bethel didn't know that he was hitting a girl, he just turned and swung, that still bothers me that he was willing to let a fist fly regardless who could have been the target.
Again, I think this is a situation where there isn't a right or wrong answer.
Grant named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List. Congrats to IR Jakeem Grant for being named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, which is awarded to the best receiver in college football!
Marquez Named to AFCA Good Works Team. Congrats to IR Bradley Marquez for being named to the AFCA Good Works Team, which goes to a football player that is involved in charitable involvement and community service!
Storylines! Storylines feels like a made up word, but I use it every week during the football season. Anyway, the DMN has the top five storylines of the offseason.
Fehoko Solid. Texas Tech commit DT Brieden Fehoko says through Scout that he is as solid as ever:
"I'm still as solid as ever," Fehoko said. "I'm an early grad too so my goal is to get in there for spring ball, make an early impression and get on the field next year. I thought about taking trips at one point but I'm not going to do that any more. I'm rock solid and don't want to waste time with that.
"I'm going to focus on my senior season and have the best year I can. Then it's off to the UA Game and I'm looking forward to that and then I'll get home and get ready to leave for school. It's going to be happen fast for me but I knew that, that's why I committed so early. It's a huge blessing, I'm so thankful for all of this and I'm just soaking it all in."
Stephens Teaching/Coaching. Hey! Really cool to catch up with RB Eric Stephens, who is coaching running backs at Killeen Ellison. Stephens' head coach at Ellison says that Stephens is a terrific role model:
"Our hallmarks are discipline, effort, toughness and honor and all about trust, and that's exactly what he is," Gregory said. "He's a man of honor that loves kids and cares about kids and the best interests of what's going on in their lives."
Recruiting Stuff. RP caught up with Conner Dyer, who recently visited Texas Tech for the third time, likes the Red Raiders . . . Texas Tech has offered 2016 QB Shane Buchele and SB Nation caught up with him (yes, he is the son of former Ranger great, Steve Buchele) . . . Texas Tech is in the mix for receiver K.J. Hill . . .
Miscellaneous. Yesterday, I linked to the article about how an agent bragged about taking four Texas Longhorns players out to dinner and this could jeopardize their eligibility. The players were allegedly, Jordan Hicks, Cedric Reed, Steve Edmund, and Desmond Jackson. This would be significant if they were suspended for any length of time . . .