This is simply a copy/paste job from the comment area of the main thread on Olander, but it so poignantly showcases the viewpoint of Beaver fans and the conflict it’s creating within myself that I thought it would make for good discussion.

Mckalk, a reader whom I respect based on his past insights, had this viewpoint, which having perused the blogs and forums, seems to summarize the majority opinion:

I am ok with James…one game suspension. Somewhat unclear circmunstances, right? Domestic dispute gone out of control? Masoli was kind of premeditated theft. Went into someone’s house and stole a couple of thousand dollars worth of stuff, that is a true felony. Then he lied to his head coach if I understand it correctly. I can see why he got suspended for a season. I don’t know what Riley has said to Olander in the past…maybe it is a three strike situation. I am just saying ( and I could have my head up my) that if you look at the misdemeanor he committed, it is not a career ender in my book. I am disturbed that Riley seems to have his head buried in the sand with all of this going on and really in hindsight there should have been more debate about the Al Alfalava situation…drunk driving is a serious offense. Third wheel on a golfcart joyride..not so much.

My response is as follows:

It’s not a career ender in my book, either, but when you add it to the body of work it should be.

My argument is one of a slippery slope, I realize. To say that because he did x in the past he will do z in the future. But there’s a point where the “slope” dries up a little, a pattern emerges, and you can begin to confidently predict based on that pattern. For me two of these events would be enough, but to someone more lenient I’d hope four is plenty.

My question would be this: how many more “minor” offenses are acceptable to you?

The main issue for me and Beaver fan is the incongruity in their rationalization:

1. Beaver fans who wanted James’ head for a misdemeanor are much more forgiving of Olander.

They act as if the behavior is perfectly normal for college kids, when in fact I’ve never seen a college kid in my entire life driving a golf cart around while drunk and likely neither have they. Further, they completely ignore the danger it could have caused to citizens or (potential) innocent victims. For example, what if they drove this golf cart into the road and caused a vehicular manslaughter? It’s for these very reasons the severity of the law exists.

2. Beaver fans are justifying and rationalizing Oldander’s behavior because it’s a position (DT) of need.

If this were a 6th string safety there would be little justification or care. Think back to Ashton Jefferson or Reggie Jefferson, how minor their FIRST infraction was, and how little anybody cared when they were booted. Further, Riley becomes inconsistent and preferential–the two things with which Beaver fan loaded his quiver while riding his high horse in the Eugene disciplines–if he lets Olander remain on the team.

Consider this quote from Cliff Kirkpatrick after the Jefferson/Williams incident:

“Riley has a near zero tolerance policy for alcohol/drugs. That could have done it. Near-zero because if someone has a long history of being good, he takes that into consideration. (Al Afalava)”

Oldander was drunk, illegally using a vehicle, had a past marijuana charge, and two thefts.

Just think about this for a while before responding.

Which of these viewpoints most reflects what you think, and more importantly, why?

I don’t have much to say about the Lalich situation. The short of it is that this is a blessing in disguise. Last time I wrote a piece like this Keith Pankey’s mom showed up, and she did not share the same sentiment!

My opinion of Lalich is that he’s been both a ticking time bomb and wallflower since his arrival and was getting 2nd string reps based on pedigree (i.e. 4-star and “all the tools”) alone. Vaz has been better since day one and is a rich man’s Jonathan Smith. Additionally, it was likely that Vaz would transfer if the log jam at QB didn’t free up, so that is an added benefit. Finally, Lalich’s departure will give the much deserving bump up the depth chart to Jack Lomax. So there you have it, divine intervention did the job the coaches couldn’t do an aligned the depth chart properly.

This is, of course, assuming Riley kicks Lalich off the team. He definitely, 100% should. It’s a no-brainer. Anything less and this blog is about to blow up. Not only is Riley’s mailbox going to get flooded but the AD as well. In fact, the fact that he hasn’t been kicked off the team yet is igniting sparks of rage.

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Extra Extra!

Does anyone care to discuss how this DUI further tarnishes our image and tightens the muzzle around annoying Beaver fans’ granola eating mouth? I covered both in the Olander article, but annoying Beaver fan needs to be reminded of how flawed the program is once a minute or his pupils begin to dilate orange. It’s nice to be an objective, non-annoying Beaver fan, isn’t it?

Oh, and speaking of the annoying Beaver fan, I found this quote from Oregon head coach George Horton to be everything annoying Beaver fan claims to be but precisely lacks. That is, class and respect. From Oregonlive:

Horton was not impressed with the OSU fans sitting behind the Oregon dugout on the first base side and some unsavory comments that they made when Ducks third baseman J.J. Altobelli turned his right ankle while pursuing a ground ball in the eighth inning and had to leave the game. “A couple things came out when J.J. got hurt that I didn’t like very much,” Horton said. “(Losing the series) is a tough pill to swallow, because of the energy here and some of the stuff that’s coming out of the stands, but I don’t have any animosity towards Coach Casey or their athletes. Like I’ve said before, there’s room for both of us in Omaha.”

Way to show your true colors and cheer on an injury. Godspeed, ever-classy, annoying Beaver fan.

Something tells me Brennan Olander is a Jane’s Addiction fan, or at the least a fan of this song:

I’ve been caught stealing;
once when I was 5…
I enjoy stealing.
It’s just as simple as that.
Well, it’s just a simple fact.
When I want something,
I don’t want to pay for it.

I walk right through the door.
Walk right through the door.
Hey all right! If I get by, it’s mine.
Mine all mine!

Strike two, Brennan. Notice it says “when I was 5”, Brennan. Let me repeat, 5. Dude steals a golf cart from an athletic department 5 mil in the red, crashes it, and tacks on $300 more in damages. Good job, guy. Class act. The only thing worse than stealing a golf cart is stealing a gay sheep. Way to publicly embarrass your university. Way to learn your lesson from the debacle in Eugene. Oh, and way to shut up all the high-horse Beaver fans. Coy Francies, Ashton Jefferson, the other kid in Nevada, Kristick, Moevao, Oldander…a few felonies in there. I won’t even go back to the gay sheep incident. Oregon State is accumulating quite the rap sheet over the past five years.

No more can Beaver fans act high and mighty. Those days are gone. Nobody should have been taking that stance when James and Masoli were in shackles. You won’t see a single word in this blog with that sentiment. Why? Because it always comes around. Riley runs a tight, clean ship? Riley is in control of the program? Family atmosphere? Er…

All of it is Beaver-fan delusion, clinging to every puny positive until it’s ripped away from them by one of their own. Olander and his merry pranksters saw to that. In a way this is a blessing in disguise. I’ll sacrifice a DT so we don’t have to hear Beaver fan delusion anymore. That is a trade I’m willing to make. Oh, and if Olander isn’t kicked off the team Mike Riley is just as bad as ol’ herpe lip down south.