Would you want AJ Barker back on the Gophers team in 2013?

Would you want AJ Barker on the Gophers team in 2013?

  • Yes, I believe in second chances and AJ deserves a second chance.

    Votes: 53 40.2%

  • No, AJ burned too many bridges.

    Votes: 79 59.8%
  • Total voters
    132
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El Amin Fan

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Would you want AJ Barker on the Gophers team in 2013?
 



Not sure this one is as easy as yes or no but from a football standpoint I would take him back in a heart beat because he was the only real bright spot at WR last season.

Yes
 

I personally dont want him back but at the same time I wasnt at practice when he blew up or any of the ones before that. I trust Kill and his staff to make the right move.
 


Its not that he quit, its how he quit. Sorry but move on AJ.

I hope Coach Kill demands a complete psych eval before making a decision.
 

I'm leaning towards no, but I fully trust Kill's judgement. If Kill wants to take him back, then I'm fine with it. I'd hope it would be as a walk-on though.
 


I say no.

But if Kill says yes, I'll roll with it.
 



I can't believe his is a question. It wouldnt be a second chance it would be a 4th. The kid quit strike #1. He put in print a bridge burning letter like no other strike #2. He was arrested strike #3. If you are part of a team the team comes first and he put himself first and left his team high and dry. I hope he learns a great life lesson andgrows from his choices but he shouldn't be allowed back on this team. Maybe he can catch on at a D-II school.
 

If I were coach, seeing everything I have seen from the outside, I would say no. That being said, I'm not the Head Coach and if Coach Kill decides to let him come back into the football program, I have no problem with that and I will trust whatever decision he makes.
 

Yes

If Barker is accepted back on the team he will not be guaranteed anything, he would need to bust his butt and beat out other players to earn it. If he does that it shows he's a very good player. We need all the very good players we can get, especially at WR.

Before he was injured Barker and Nelson were establishing something special, they hooked up several times for scores, 3 TD's in one game and a great TD catch on the play he was hurt. This chemistry can be hard to find between QB and receiver. If Nelson and Kill would be on board, I'd be on board.

Plus just what if Barker is that rare player who could go on to the NFL? I know it's a long, long shot and the odds don't support it but just what if the kid was really talented enough to make it and never got the shot, that would be a tragedy. I know most of you will say it's his own fault and it would be, but what if he does really have enough talent and "want to" to bust his butt and get it done, that would look great for our program and great for Coach Kill for being the guy who gave him that chance. You have to admit that before the injury Barker showed great work effort and determination to work his way from walk-on to our best WR and top scorer, no?
 




e.bigelow said:
If I were coach, seeing everything I have seen from the outside, I would say no. That being said, I'm not the Head Coach and if Coach Kill decides to let him come back into the football program, I have no problem with that and I will trust whatever decision he makes.
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Great answer!
 

e.bigelow said:
If I were coach, seeing everything I have seen from the outside, I would say no. That being said, I'm not the Head Coach and if Coach Kill decides to let him come back into the football program, I have no problem with that and I will trust whatever decision he makes.
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This. I assume that it goes without saying that any return by AJ would be as a walk-on and not a scholarship player.
 

Depends on depth and genuiness of contrition, accountability and ability of teammates to accept him back.
 

Yes, but only after having him practice returning 4,000+ punts with only his mom’s bff blocking for him. Otherwise, forget it.
 

I would say team vote. If team takes him, I say its ok. He is the one who quit on the team, so the team decides.
 

Barker

El Amin Fan said:
Would you want AJ Barker on the Gophers team in 2013?
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Barker not only quit on his team and fans before the season ended, he publicly dissed the HC. That is unforgivable and I would emphatically not want him back on the team.
 

No way that I'd want him in the locker room.
 



RochesterGopher said:
This survey is a heck of a lot closer than I thought it would be.
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I agree with you. I thought AJ would be the clear winner. I guess I overestimated the capacity and maturity of GopherHolers to forgive a 20-year old kid who had a temper tantrum in response to his 50-year old coach's temper tantrum in front the entire team, training staff, and assorted onlookers.
 

I seem to remember JK saying that AJ was welcome back to the team if he wanted it, but that he would have to compete and work his way up to playing time just like everyone else. JK should honor this statement. I think it would cast him in a fairly righteous light. JK should stipulate that AJ apologize to his teammates, however.
 

e.bigelow said:
If I were coach, seeing everything I have seen from the outside, I would say no. That being said, I'm not the Head Coach and if Coach Kill decides to let him come back into the football program, I have no problem with that and I will trust whatever decision he makes.
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If Coach Kill wants him back on the team, I'm fine with that.
 

If getting him back means we have a shot at 8 wins, why not. But, not before acts of contrition and the team must vote to get him back.

It is tough because we had a shot at winning the bowl game against TTU. Throwing the team under the bus.
 

I would assume AJ would be on a short leash and would have to meet some guidelines in order to come back, make amends with his coach and teammates, if he does that and his former teammates want him back than I say yes, but he shouldn't be able to waltz back in
 

Go4Broke said:
I agree with you. I thought AJ would be the clear winner. I guess I overestimated the capacity and maturity of GopherHolers to forgive a 20-year old kid who had a temper tantrum in response to his 50-year old coach's temper tantrum in front the entire team, training staff, and assorted onlookers.
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After that tantrum he then took his act to the media and then to his new "destination" where he was a model student athlete, oops I guess he wasn't, he was arrested on a drug charge. No thanks!
 

I guess if coach Kill brought him back how could we be disappointed? Kill was the one this kid bashed in the media, so he would have to be a very forgiving man. I don't think being in need of a WR would matter in this situation.
 

Go4Broke said:
I agree with you. I thought AJ would be the clear winner. I guess I overestimated the capacity and maturity of GopherHolers to forgive a 20-year old kid who had a temper tantrum in response to his 50-year old coach's temper tantrum in front the entire team, training staff, and assorted onlookers.
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You're comparing a coach yelling an player to AJ's bipolar meltdown? D'ok.
 

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