Ed Oliver & Houston

[Matt3467]

Anyone see Oliver blow his lid at his coach because he was told he couldn't wear a black jacket since those were reserved for active players? Oliver has been out the past several games for a knee contusion and it looks as though he's not going to come back at all. Appears he's going the Joey Bosa route. I don't know this for sure, but I think Coach Applewhite at Houston knows Oliver isn't going to play another snap and feels that Oliver is being selfish and disrespectful towards the team which is why he was so adamant about the jacket. Seems more and more players are forgoing bowl games and lately seasons to stay healthy for the draft. I can see the reasoning here $$$, but it's a very selfish thing to do and I don't believe players should be able to do that. It reminds me of the one and dones in college basketball. There has to be something in place to prevent that. These players are given full ride scholorships and should therefore play if able to do so. Anyway, just my thoughts. Would love to hear others opinion on the matter.

Btw, Oliver, a once sure fire top 2 pick, has been dropping in the mocks lately and this latest antic may drop him out of the top 15 entirely.

[Tbonewannabe]

It does seem like he is using an injury that he would normally play through to shut it down for the season. At least Bosa had a legitimate injury that required surgery. I understand Bosa getting the surgery so he would be recovered by the NFL combine, otherwise he has to sit it out of the combine testing if he plays through it this year at Ohio State. Fournette was similar in my opinion. I didn't think as much about him skipping the bowl to start recovering. Didn't McCaffrey just sit out just in case of injury? I can't remember if he was actually injured when he skipped the bowl.

[Matt3467]

It does seem like he is using an injury that he would normally play through to shut it down for the season. At least Bosa had a legitimate injury that required surgery. I understand Bosa getting the surgery so he would be recovered by the NFL combine, otherwise he has to sit it out of the combine testing if he plays through it this year at Ohio State. Fournette was similar in my opinion. I didn't think as much about him skipping the bowl to start recovering. Didn't McCaffrey just sit out just in case of injury? I can't remember if he was actually injured when he skipped the bowl.

McCaffrey sat out to not risk injury. I think there was another half a dozen or so that did the same thing last bowl season. Games aren't as interesting when star players are sitting out. Imagine if Simmons and Sweat decided to sit out for ours.

[parabrave]

McCaffrey sat out to not risk injury. I think there was another half a dozen or so that did the same thing last bowl season. Games aren't as interesting when star players are sitting out. Imagine if Simmons and Sweat decided to sit out for ours.

I for one wouldn't blame Simmons, Sweat and even Mclaurin one bit if they sit out the bowl game. No use getting hurt in the fing music city bowl and bowing millions of dollars.

[HoopsDawg]

My take is that I lost a good deal of respect for Applewhite.

[Tbonewannabe]

McCaffrey sat out to not risk injury. I think there was another half a dozen or so that did the same thing last bowl season. Games aren't as interesting when star players are sitting out. Imagine if Simmons and Sweat decided to sit out for ours.

I completely understand because none of those guys were playing for anything. If you aren't in the Playoff then there really isn't that big of a reason to risk it. It was great to beat Michigan in the Gator Bowl but would it have been that big of a deal if Fletcher Cox sat out the Music City against Wake Forest?

[ShotgunDawg]

My biggest question about this entire Oliver situation is: why doesn't Houston have enough coats for everyone?

Are they that poor?

I'm on Major's side, if there are limited coats, why are there limited coats?

[ShotgunDawg]

My take is that I lost a good deal of respect for Applewhite.

Completely disagree. He has a team rule that everyone must follow. I don't at all understand losing respect for Applewhite

[Tbonewannabe]

My biggest question about this entire Oliver situation is: why doesn't Houston have enough coats for everyone?

Are they that poor?

I'm on Major's side, if there are limited coats, why are there limited coats?

That seems to be the biggest question.

[fader2103]

I agree with Shotgun. If it was a team rule then everyone should follow it. You don't get special privileges for being a top draft pick. If you don't want to play then pack your sh*t up and get out of the athletic facility.

[Dawg61]

My biggest question about this entire Oliver situation is: why doesn't Houston have enough coats for everyone?

Are they that poor?

I'm on Major's side, if there are limited coats, why are there limited coats?

The coats are for active players and I believe it's a NCAA rule not just a team rule but not positive on that. It's dumb and Applewhite should of just let him wear the coat. He wasn't harming anyone, it's cold and he was cheering on his team. Gotta think Oliver could be a potential big donor to the program down the line. No sense burning a bridge with him over a damn coat.

[Jarius]

I completely agree with Oliver for sitting out. He made an ass out of himself last night though. If you do not want to
Play, that is fine. Completely understand. If you do not want to follow simple team rules, get your ass off the sideline.

[msudawglb]

I completely agree with Oliver for sitting out. He made an ass out of himself last night though. If you do not want to
Play, that is fine. Completely understand. If you do not want to follow simple team rules, get your ass off the sideline.

Houston has lost 2 of their last 3, all games that Oliver has sat out. I'm betting Applewhite is frustrated at his best player for sitting during those losses to "get well". I agree with Applewhite for enforcing a rule that applies to all. I'm betting he's a little tired of Oliver putting himself above the team.

[ShotgunDawg]

The coats are for active players and I believe it's a NCAA rule not just a team rule but not positive on that. It's dumb and Applewhite should of just let him wear the coat. He wasn't harming anyone, it's cold and he was cheering on his team. Gotta think Oliver could be a potential big donor to the program down the line. No sense burning a bridge with him over a damn coat.

But it's a team rule. How many other guys were sitting out and not wearing a coat?

[Lord McBuckethead]

Houston has lost 2 of their last 3, all games that Oliver has sat out. I'm betting Applewhite is frustrated at his best player for sitting during those losses to "get well". I agree with Applewhite for enforcing a rule that applies to all. I'm betting he's a little tired of Oliver putting himself above the team.

I didn't see it, but I am going to agree with the players here, unless you are in the playoff. Why risk it. Every bowl game is an exhibition, except for the 3 games of the playoffs. Its a great time to get your younger players PT as well.

[HoopsDawg]

But it's a team rule. How many other guys were sitting out and not wearing a coat?

Applewhite tried to take the coat off of him in front of everyone. That's absurd.

[LC Dawg]

Applewhite's job is to coach Houston not coddle stars so I don't blame him. Oliver is trying to become a millionaire so I don't blame him.
This is going to get worse unless they expand the playoffs. If I were advising Sweat and Simmons and State plays in the Music City or similar bowl I would advise them to skip it. It will eventually start affecting end of year rivalry games as well.
The NCAA needs to expand the playoffs and also get phenomenal insurance policies for their stars.

[Tbonewannabe]

Applewhite tried to take the coat off of him in front of everyone. That's absurd.

It definitely looked petty on Applewhite's part.

[Jarius]

Applewhite tried to take the coat off of him in front of everyone. That's absurd.

Because the trainer had already tried to get him to take it off and he would not listen. The guy is not playing. The coats are for starting players and he had already been asked to take it off. Follow instructions like everyone else did. It is not hard. The rest of the bench warmers were probably cold too. You know what they did not do? They did not try to fight the coach. They did not put the jacket on, because the jackets are for people playing, per the head coach.

[fader2103]

I didn't see it, but I am going to agree with the players here, unless you are in the playoff. Why risk it. Every bowl game is an exhibition, except for the 3 games of the playoffs. Its a great time to get your younger players PT as well.

How is every game an exhibition? If you don't win a game in September that could cost you for playing in the playoffs. Pretty much every game outside of bowl games are not exhibition games, they are must wins and also they are tryouts if you are good enough to play at a higher level. I totally disagree with your statement.