Contending team trying to 'save' wayward player? Spare us

The first thing that came to mind was Lawrence Phillips.

There's not much separating the situation at Nebraska 14 years ago and the startling announcement Friday that Oregon's LeGarrette Blount could be reinstated.

Both were/are star tailbacks. Both committed criminal acts outside of the realm of football. Both of their coaches indicated football would help clear a path to salvation -- essentially rehab their character -- after their dastardly acts. Both were given an opportunity to rejoin teams with championships aspirations.

The year Phillips dragged a female acquaintance down a set of stairs by her hair, he eventually helped Nebraska win the 1995 national championship. He even became a first-round draft choice (sixth choice overall) of the St. Louis Rams.

But football didn't save Lawrence Phillips. In fact, he went on to fail miserably as a person and a player in the NFL. Today, he sits in prison.

Which way you headed, LeGarrette?

(Before you decry the comparison of the two players' situations, let's get this straight: Phillips assaulted a woman. Blount assaulted an opponent in a violent postgame act unprecedented in college football. Both were essentially crimes. Phillips got probation. Blount got suspended.)

The problems I have with Blount's possible reinstatement, though, go beyond Lawrence Phillips.

No. 1: This is real life. The message sent Sept. 4 was that Blount was done, through with college football. Coach Chip Kelly suspended the senior for the remainder of the season/his career. The message was that Blount's actions wouldn't be tolerated. Oregon would support him in any way possible to the point of even allowing him to stay on scholarship and practice, but he could not represent Oregon as a player. Even though the player was contrite, it was clear Oregon thought there were some lines you do not cross.

That seemed fair and just. Blount had his fourth down when he punched a Boise State player, a teammate and nearly incited a riot on Sept. 3. Blount found out what those of us without breakaway speed already know: There are no painless do-overs in real life.

No. 2: Chip Kelly and the Oregon administration looked decisive and forthright in suspending Blount for the season. What exactly occurred in the last month that allowed him to get a second chance? From this angle, it looks like a 3-1 record and a chance at a Rose Bowl for Oregon.

No. 3: Leaving a door open to a possible reinstatement didn't have to happen. Oregon has healed both on and off the field without Blount. It's a giant and misguided leap of faith to suggest that football is going to save the player. (See: Phillips.)

Using football as a vehicle for social healing only goes so far. Someday soon, Blount is going to have to make his way in the world without football. When things go wrong in his life, how much will he rely on a final fall spent on the field in Eugene?

Does Blount's possible reinstatement necessarily make the Oregon locker room a better place? That's where the barb is the sharpest weapon. Teammates had better think twice before needling Blount about ... anything. Knowing he has punched a teammate, is he a bomb waiting to go off again?

No. 4: I want to see anger management counseling. I want to see signed documents from mental health professionals that this kid has made noticeable progress, that one month away from the field is enough, that he is, well, cured.

If Oregon gives LeGarrette Blount another chance, what will he do with it? (AP)

I want to see that, not the quasi-celebrity names that have popped up -- Harry Edwards, Tony Dungy, etc. They are great men with good intentions, but if Blount regresses, some of this is on them. The same goes for Kelly, who is putting his reputation and career on the line. They all face the risk of being labeled as enablers.

Tom Osborne admitted as much a couple of years ago when I interviewed him about Phillips, saying it was a "mistake" to let his star tailback back on the team.

At least Phillips spent six weeks at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kan., undergoing psychiatric evaluation. As we have seen, though, even that didn't make a long-term difference.

I am not one of those mental health professionals, but I know this: What Blount has gone is through is way, way beyond football. While his return might help the Ducks win and land him a good draft position, there is no tangible way to know how participating in a sport can help this kid outside the lines. In fact, it's quite naïve to make that assumption.

Apologies aren't enough and at this point seem manipulative. There was another one Thursday from Blount in the Oregon student newspaper, in what seemed like a pre-emptive P.R. strike before Friday's announcement. What was new? The player apologized profusely in front of media the night of the assault.

That almost freaked me out as much as the punch. How could a physical specimen like Blount go nuts one minute and then be so contrite the next. That was a dramatic and scary mood swing.

LeGarrette Blount came away from opening night with his scholarship and his freedom intact. No charges were filed. Now upon further review he might have his career back, too. Let's hope this is a good sign for someone -- the player, the school, his coaches.

Meanwhile, the best comparison we have is Lawrence Phillips. Look what a return to football did for him. It was merely a well-blocked footnote to run through on his way to the big house.

Which way you headed, LeGarrette?