The Kindle Conundrum

by SurferHorn257 on Jul 2, 2009 5:32 PM CDT Comment 29 comments

Hey, everybody. I'm a new member to the site, though I've been reading all your posts daily since I graduated from UT last year. First off, I'm incredibly impressed with all of the authors. Your insight, passion and professionalism truly make it a joy to read. Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in. Secondly, all the other contributors/commenters show a lot of knowledge and (on average) less immaturity than people on, say, the CBS message boards. Thanks for being classy fans. You've done UT proud.

Getting to the point, I was wondering what was going to happen to Kindle, following his adventure through the wall. Mack has a history of doling out suspensions for various lapses in judgment like this. Now, Kindle has his past with the DUIs. Admittedly, he wasn't drunk when he plowed through the wall (as far we know) but it still resulted in property damage. Should he be suspended for this? Well, that's Mack's decision. We obviously won't need him for the first two weeks against ULM and Wyoming. However, I don't see Mack dropping the hammer and taking him out three games. My best guess compares this to Benson thinking it a good idea to steal some electronics and his result of a one-game suspension. And to the best of my knowledge, that was only for the first half too. I could be mistaken. Anyway, your thoughts on a possible suspension and duration?

Additionally, to prove I've been paying attention, I would like to point out that my Texas degree afforded me an extensive comprehension of the English language, so I have a pretty good grasp of grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation. So, here's hoping I made a good first impression and won't get booted...

All comments, FanPosts, and FanShots are the views of the reader-authors who create them.

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Thanks for the post

and no worries about getting booted unless you show up on Crimson and Cream Machine talking about how much you love the Sooners and how badly the Longhorns suck.

Not sure about a suspension. As you mention, it was a lapse in judgment for Kindle to be out that late and texting while driving. I don’t think it merits anything more than a one-game suspension if anything at all, assuming that no charges are filed. If charges are filed, I guess that changes things, but I really don’t see that happening or how it really makes anything particularly worse. Eh. Whatever. As you say, we won’t need him until the third game of the season against Tech anyway.

by GhostofBigRoy on Jul 2, 2009 5:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

not a matter of whether we need him the first few games...

unless some new compelling evidence shows up, I think everyone is going to have to accept the cause as texting. And I don’t think that will merit any missed games/halves/quarters. He’ll probably get some extra-diligent practices or something… and some really strong ‘suggestions’ that he rethink his nocturnal scheduling…

On the one hand, he does have the prior incident, and is probably judged on a more stringent basis, but on the other hand, he did come back this year. Before Brown/Muschamp do anything which will hurt his draft status, I think they’re going to have to have incontrovertible evidence that he really messed up just beyond being out that late in the first place. In a sense, I think they owe that to him.

by Pflash on Jul 2, 2009 6:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My money is on nothing public but plenty behind the scenes

I doubt Coach Brown would do anything publicly because it would suggest that there was more to the story (dui). If being out that late is a team rule violation then maybe that would justify a suspension for the first half or not starting. But, I’m pretty sure that everytime Kindle puts his hands on his hips or takes a rest he will hear a coach in his ear saying … “you had enough energy to be out driving and texting until 2am—now get going”.

Does anybody know when or how they pick team captains? Maybe he will lose out on that honor for this transgression, but I am just guessing.

SurgerHorn 257, I agree that this is by far the best site for news on the Horns.

by jkovach on Jul 2, 2009 6:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

this is a tough thing

This is really tough because Kindle had talked openly about taking up the role of defensive leader now that Orakpo is playing on Sundays. Not a good start at all for him. I hope he does a better job during the season.

by TexasGarcia37 on Jul 2, 2009 6:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bottom Line - You Can't Count on Kindle

Sergio is tremendous physical talent but a liability from the shoulders up. He is not a team leader in the mold of Orakpo, Obagyana (sic), Cosby, McCoy etc. He never will be. Why would we think he was texting and not drunk again? Why would we have confidence that he won’t violate his probation and get some stir time? If I was Boom – I would have a backup plan.

by realmccoy on Jul 2, 2009 6:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I generally try to presume people innocent until proven guilty...

So that would be why I would not assume he was not drunk and texting. Until something proves that he was drunk, I’ll chalk it up as a stupid mistake. I think he’s ready to lead the defense. We’ll just have to wait and see.

by SneezyBeltran on Jul 3, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

First Post Win

I’d just like to say that this is an excellent example of a fanpost for anyone who has been scared off by the harsh responses to some of the other attempts. The community here will instantly accept you so long as you take the time to organize your thoughts and questions into a readable format, and start off the conversation with your own analysis of the topic. It doesn’t take a thesis-level discourse on philosophy and ethics to make a good post, just a quick thought or question and a conversation starter.

SH257 gets two pats on the back and a cocktail.

As far as Kindle: He didn’t do anything illegal, so I wouldn’t expect anything public to be done to punish him. He definitely should get beaten about the ears for whatever the hell he was doing, but no suspensions or press conferences are in order if the facts remain as they are. Definitely wouldn’t want to be him for the first few days of practice, though.

by Horn Brain on Jul 2, 2009 6:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Instead of a cocktail

maybe you should give him a Blackberry…

by jkovach on Jul 2, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I appreciate the kind words. I guess that means I did fairly well. I figured that, if anything, Kindle would have nothing public happen, seeing as how criminal charges being filed would be the main catalyst for suspension. I meant this more as a cautionary warning, since apparently if the girl had been at her apartment, she may have been seriously injured. Obviously, this is a disturbing parallel with drunk driving. Mack being a character guy and this being Kindle’s 2nd strike (so to speak), I was wondering if he would put his foot down to get this kind of point across.

Also, I’m going to assume the Blackberry is because you are all so impressed that you would like access to my insights 24/7. Thanks for humoring me, though I could use a new phone…. However, I’ll trade that cocktail for a beer on 6th St. on an early January night after the Horns humble the Gators for their/our 5th National Championship.

by SurferHorn257 on Jul 3, 2009 2:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude, I'd buy you that beer in a heartbeat

And “conundrum” is a perfect description for this Kindle situation. This year was about him stepping up as the defensive team leader as much as showcasing his talent for NFL scouts. If Coach Brown punishes him, you have to think his leadership role is gone. If Coach Brown doesn’t, will the rest of the defense and younger guys lose respect.
(Kindle DUI/Texting)-(Buy u a Cocktail/Blackberry). I think I’m witty….but sometimes I may be the only one laughing at myself. I actully just got the new iphone, and I was wondering how someone with mitts like Kindle can even text. I bet it actually is hard for someone with huge hands.

Bottom line, Kindle is just really, really lucky. And, yes, that girl could have been killed and he would have to live with that the rest of his life. You have to hope this was his wake up call.

by jkovach on Jul 3, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I aw him this morning on the way to class

He looked hungover as hell on that Forty Acres bus. I hope he doesn’t pose a threat to a championship run- after all, I’ve already bought 6 OU tickets

by boommotherfcker on Jul 2, 2009 7:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If he was not driving that is a good thing

And if he was going to class…well…that is even a better thing. He is so close to the payday-let’s just hope that he doesn’t blow it. bUT (on purpose for those capitalization nazis), it is really all in his hands. I don’t understand the other posts that blame Ruckers or anyone else. It is all in SK’s hands. He can either hit it hard and get the payday, or party it away. Nothing we can do but watch and see what he does with his talent. I am really hoping that he earns that first round pick.

by jkovach on Jul 2, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good post. You're off to a flying start. As to Sergio . . .

If Augie Garrido got a 4-game suspension as one of the ROLE MODELS of the university for doing something illegal . . . well, I think Kindle gets a royal chewing out, maybe some early-morning sessions, no suspension. (This assumes nothing more than we already know comes to light, and no charges are filed.)

Whatever Mack does will be based on what HIS INVESTIGATION reveals. If there’s a suspension, it will be because Sergio confessed or somebody with knowledge comes forward.

by edsp on Jul 2, 2009 8:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

booze vs text

Boozing versus texting. Same degree of distraction if you ask me.

by hunghorn on Jul 2, 2009 9:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but one is illegal and one is legal

by jkovach on Jul 2, 2009 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I asked this in another thread: is texting while driving still legal in Texas? It’s not in many states now.

by burntorangehorn on Jul 3, 2009 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

But even if it was illegal, it would be a slap on the wrist compared to a 2nd dwi.

by JohnsonUT on Jul 3, 2009 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm..

Here in Ga, they are trying to pass it to be illegal, but it’s not as of right now.

by mccoy12 on Jul 3, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still legal but probably not for long

Talking on cell phones/testing is still legal but some cities have started passing bans. I suspect that Texas will eventually pass a law, but they were so messed up this legislative session they didn’t get squat accomplished. Unfortunately, when enough people finally get injured we will probably see a group like M..A.D.D. form and really push the matter.

by jkovach on Jul 3, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cell/text operation while driving is being treated with the same severity as DUI in some places around here, but at the state level I think it’s still a lesser violation. It should be punished just as severely if indeed the facts indicate that it’s every bit as serious a cause of driving “accidents.”

by burntorangehorn on Jul 3, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Kindle Konundrum

Would have been a much better title… I understand your trepidation though in not wanting to have a jacked up first post. RIP, RL96.

In conclusion, nothing is going to happen to Kindle, nor should anything happen. Traffic accidents are an unfortunate part of life, and 90 or so college kids are going to be involved in more than a few of them over the course of four or five years.

He did mostly the right stuff and there are no legal charges- therefore no suspension. Granted, there could have been some clandestine junk going on where he was actually drunk and someone spirited him away, and if that’s the case then I’m sure he’s probably somewhere right now running laps and holding a 45 pound weight over his head.

This will just go down in history as another non-event….

by Tackchevy on Jul 3, 2009 9:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sucks...

because if he misses some of those first games it will come back to haunt him. He likely won’t be a finalist for any national awards and may have cost himself some draft slots.

Could he end up in the 2nd round now?

by Hippie Killer on Jul 3, 2009 9:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

A bonus....

…..to the coach who told him to get the heck away from that car!

--- All roads to the Big-XII Championship lead through OU/RRS. It's not just another game! We're all about championships here. ---

by HornChamps on Jul 3, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Well done, rollleft

You are now famous at BON, even being referenced by first-time posters. He’s still going around SB Nation posting like a bonehead.

by TheElusiveShadow on Jul 3, 2009 11:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I had a sighting on RollBamaRoll

by Longhorn@Berkeley on Jul 3, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

does not approve of this name

"From the waist down, Earl Campbell has the biggest legs I have ever seen on a running back." -John Madden

by run Bevo run on Jul 4, 2009 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Maybe a dumb opinion...

If a friend of mine crashed into a building because he was texting I would simply laugh about it and give the guy a hard time. So I personally think of the whole situation as humurous and don’t think it deserves punishment. Yeah someone could have gotten hurt, but how often do we say that when we do stupid things?

Also, I think that Sergio has serious potential to surpass Orakpo in terms of stats. Maybe not greatness because Orakpo had off the field qualities that Sergio lacks. So I’d hate to see Sergio miss any game, regardless of who Texas is playing. I want to see records broken…

by Make em' eat Chet! on Jul 3, 2009 12:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Because Orakpo left the Tech game early

And missed the Baylor game (unfortunately depriving us of seeing him against Baylor’s monster OT Jason Smith), Kindle could definitely surpass Orakpo’s 11.5 sacks if he doesn’t miss a game.

by TheElusiveShadow on Jul 3, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s less than a sack per game, so it’s definitely within reach. I think the bigger issue is if he were to miss any time against the non-conference opponents, where he’d normally be able to feast on the flesh of ULM, Wyoming, and UTEP linemen. Of course, he’d better feast on the flesh of Tech’s new tackles.

by burntorangehorn on Jul 3, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs