Dorial Green-Beckham: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

It was reported yesterday Dorial Green-Beckham visited the University of Oklahoma. It also was reported a short time later, that Dorial Green-Beckham has officially joined the University of Oklahoma football program. As a football player, Green-Beckham at this point, has to sit out for the 2014 season. Unless, he is successful in receiving a waiver on the basis of the “run off” rule. A year that with or without Green-Beckham, the Sooners have a very strong chance to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff, and National Title game.

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Digging a little bit deeper into this player, he has a troubled past. He has been arrested twice on possession of marijuana since 2012, and the most recent off the field issue involved a domestic violence dispute where he pushed a female Mizzou student down at least four stairs. During his arrest, it was reported that Green-Beckham attempted to force himself into the apartment:

"Columbia police said Thursday they wouldn’t proceed with a case that began early Sunday when an 18-year-old Missouri student said Green-Beckham forced open her apartment door at 2:30 a.m. while trying to see his girlfriend, a friend of the victim.The woman said Green-Beckham pushed her down at least four stairs. Another roommate told police the 225-pound athlete pushed the first woman with two hands to the chest. Later that night, the two told a detective they didn’t want to press charges. (via the Associated Press/USA Today)"

Charges weren’t ever filed in the case. It was also reported in the same story that the arresting officer, applied a first degree burglary warrant when they responded to this domestic violence incident.

As you can see. A very checkered past. Green-Beckham has been in counseling since his dismissal from Missouri’s football program. For this new start for him, and Oklahoma taking a risk on this, here are the possible scenarios:

The Good: There is no doubting that Dorial Green-Beckham is an exceptional talent. Most importantly, I hope that he is able to keep his nose clean, and continue his counseling to become a better person. That is the most important thing.

The University of Oklahoma did their homework before approving this transfer. There have been no further reports of issues with law enforcement since he was dismissed from the Missouri Tigers. If Oklahoma can aid in DGB in becoming a better person, then that is something that should be praised and applauded. Him learning from his mistakes, accepting the consequences of the mistakes he has made, and make an effort to do better. That is the important thing here. That supersedes football.

When he was being recruited, Oklahoma attempted to bring him to Norman before he chose to go to stay instate and go to Mizzou. Should he not be allowed to play in 2014, the Sooners have one hell of a scouting team. If Baker Mayfield also does not win his bid to play in 2014, the practices for Mike Stoops should be nothing short of intense. Should he win his waiver, this gives the wide receiving core a boost.

There are good receivers on the team, but we do not know who the next guy will be yet. Lot of the receivers have had good springs. Adding Green-Beckham gives Trevor Knight another very talented and productive target to pair with junior Sterling Shepard. During Mizzou’s march last season, being the second former Big 12 team to take it to those SEC defenses, he was able to accumulate 59 receptions, 883 yards, and 12 touchdowns. He also averaged 15 yards per reception. That is a weapon.

The Bad: Given the checkered past, there is the potential that he will make another mistake. Should that happen, he has to be on very thin ice at Oklahoma. The compliance department definitely has a heavy hand in how Green-Beckham conducts himself, both off the field, and on it should he get the waiver. This is the same bunch that nailed Gabe Ikard and Austin Woods for eating too much pasta. Coach Stoops has a history of kicking players off his team that do not follow the rules. Oklahoma has given him his chance. Should he have additional off the field issues, expect Coach Stoops to act, and act quickly.

Another potential scenario playing out, is he never plays a down for Oklahoma. He sits out this year, keeps out of trouble, and then bolts to the NFL Draft. If either of those things were to happen, it would be a failed gamble by Oklahoma. As I said above, at least the defense will get some quality reps in practice.

The Ugly: Sooner fans have had mixed reactions to this. Some saying that this is a bad move for Oklahoma. The distractions would be too great. Others are saying give the kid a second chance. Reaction in media outlets has also been mixed. There have been nearly no reports of other coaches criticizing or praising Oklahoma for attempting to help him. Nearly.

Our favorite Boss Hawg Bret Bielema, is back at it again. He was on with Bo Mattingly, host of Sports Talk with Bo, and Ultimate Razorback Fan Boy, had this to say:

He has criticized teams, like Oklahoma, for utilizing the up-tempo offense basically saying that up-tempo is fatal. Since joining Arkansas, Bielema has had some interesting takes on Arkansas, and college football as a whole. Given the wackiness that comes out of Fayetteville, the last thing that needs to happen is to give Bielema validity for his criticism. To give him credit, he has run a clean ship at Arkansas so far, with no off the field issues going into his second year.

There are a ton of ways for this signing of DGB to play out. I am a believer of second chances, but I also know, that things can bite you and bite you hard. That’s why I am about 60/40 leaning towards the fact this may end up not working out for him or Oklahoma. He has a lot of work ahead of him, showing a lot of people he has changed. I am very hopeful that being kicked off the Missouri Football team was an eye opener for him and he gets on the straight and narrow. For Oklahoma to give him a second chance, is a generous thing to do. We all are hopeful, it pans out for this young man.