Blount Suspended from Ducks

Blount, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound transfer from East Mississippi CC, declined to comment on the matter. He burst onto the scene in Eugene last fall, combining a bruising running style that earned him the nickname "Blount Force Trauma" with a knack for hurdling smaller defenders on his way to a school-record 17 rushing touchdowns. Blount has had trouble adjusting to the rigors of a major college football program. Although Bellotti would not elaborate on Blount's transgressions, the running back has been a no-show at various team meetings in the offseason. A sociology major, Blount is enrolled in school this quarter.

Regardless of Blount's status, the Ducks expect to return redshirt freshman LaMichael James, a much smaller, quicker back who was rated No. 12 nationally among all-purpose backs by Rivals in 2008 (Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers was No. 26), along with senior Andre Crenshaw and junior Remene Alston. Last season, Blount and Johnson gave the Ducks their second pair of 1,000-yard rushers (after Onterrio Smith and Maurice Morris in 2001), and Blount's average of 7.3 yards per carry was the most by any 1,000-yard rusher at Oregon. Blount had five rushes of 40 yards or more and one in each of the final three games of the season.

A ploy to make roster room in a recruit's mind? A feint. A mis-direction play. Suspend Blount with every intention to bring him back into the fold, and in the meantime, have that spot unfilled to add allure to the undecided 5 star recruit out there? hmmmm. It is UofO, and nothing is off that table when it comes to ethics and fair play. When the outgoing University President, the mega booster, and the degreeless AD can finesse whoever the incoming President will be in athletic department hires and choices, I can see Blount being the unwitting pawn in a greater gaming of the system.