Quarterquack: Right decision but wrong way

Matt’s Take:

On Tuesday, the NCAA denied troubled ex-Oregon Duck quarterback Jeremiah Masoli the opportunity to play for Ole Miss in the 2010 season.

And I applaud them.

Masoli transferred to Mississippi after a few run-ins with the law. In January, he pleaded guilty to theft at a fraternity house and was suspended for the 2010 season by Ducks head coach Chip Kelley. Then he was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession in June, which ultimately led to him being kicked off of the team.

While it may not always be a given, the NCAA will allow some students to waive the one-year residency requirement if an athlete is transferring and enrolling into a program not offered at their previous school.

Well, they decided Masoli’s request “violated the intent of the waiver.” The NCAA said in a press release "the waiver exists to provide relief to student-athletes who transfer for academic reasons to pursue graduate studies, not to avoid disciplinary measures at the previous university."

Now that you understand the situation, you may see why I agree with the NCAA. Not only is playing college football a privilege, but so are the other perks that come along with it — like the free books, room, food and not to mention the education and opportunity to play in the NFL and make millions of dollars.

In no way, shape or form, should someone who cannot even make the right choices in life be afforded all of these luxuries. It’s just absurd. By no means am I saying that I don’t believe in second chances, but I think that Masoli is beyond his second chance.

He needs to sit out the football season, get his head together and concentrate on becoming a productive member of society.

Andrew’s Take:

Let’s face it, “the right thing” rarely occurs when a matter is in the hands of the NCAA.

But if there is one thing I hate, it’s thievery. And that’s the first word that comes to mind when I hear “Jeremiah Masoli.”

Sure, half the trouble this guy has gotten into was because of marijuana use, but stealing from one of Oregon’s fraternities is where he crossed the line.

The NCAA should distinguish between behavior that is only self-destructive and actions that have an effect on others — like theft.

But, the collegiate administrators do not prize such practices, and after a punishment from the University of Oregon that came in the form of dismissal from the team he quarterbacked for two years, Masoli has done everything needed to become a scholarship athlete at the University of Mississippi.

But this week the NCAA denied his request that would allow immediate participation.

I like that Masoli can’t play, but I would rather the decision come as a result of a firm rule that was already in place.

The NCAA should have taken this as an opportunity to change their rules, and when another undisciplined student inevitably steals, he or she will receive the right kind of punishment.

But all they’ve seemed to accomplish was the further surrendering of legitimacy of all their future decisions.

As hard as is it for me to say it, Jeremiah Masoli should be the quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels this season.