Manti T'eo's girlfriend

[JackBauer]

Cliff's Notes: she never existed.

Manti Te'o's Dead Girlfriend, The Most Heartbreaking And Inspirational Story Of The College Football Season, Is A Hoax

 

[EwanSellars]

very strange story i have no clue what to say at all. Could this cause his stock to drop at all

 

[Snake Eyes]

very strange story i have no clue what to say at all. Could this cause his stock to drop at all

Oh yeah, who would want to take a high risk on a dishonest crackpot on someone who'd pull a hoax like that?

 

[jsull87]

Oh yeah, who would want to take a high risk on a dishonest crackpot on someone who'd pull a hoax like that?

Honestly... i don't think you can say with 100% certainty he knew from how that article reads.

Either he did and it's just a really weird weird story which makes no sense or he was duped by some online flirting which i guess in my mind is more believable.

I guess we will wait and see

 

[Wilfork#75]

I think this is going to have a huge impact on his draft stock, and I don't see him going in the 1st round anymore (he could fall a lot further than that too). I don't know if he was part of it or a victim of it, but there are some things we do know. At some point he has lied. Its either lying about the extent of the relationship, saying he has met her numerous times before. I believe they were suppose to have met after a Stanford game and she gave him her number in person. Then there is the reported trip she took to Hawaii with the family that his father confirmed. Even if he is a victim of this hoax, he has definitely lied significantly about this relationship which will give him character red flags.

The other thing teams need to take into consideration is the way he would be welcomed into the locker room if he is proven to be the victim. This would be a tough thing to live down at the best of times, but an NFL locker room is certainly a harsh environment and one that can be very difficult to gain acceptance. Remember Tony Washington from Abilene Christian a few years ago. He was a 2nd round talent that went undrafted and had no interests from NFL teams. I don't think that was because of character issues and fears of him doing anything wrong. I think that was purely because teams knew he would not be accepted into and NFL locker room and would be tormented because of his situation. I think Te'o could face a similar sort of thing, although not quite to the same extent.

However, if it comes out that he was part of this hoax then I think he would be undraftable by a large number of NFL teams. This is a despicable act and I certainly wouldn't want anyone who was a part of this in my organization. While I really liked him as a player and a leader before all this happened, I can't help but think he had to play some part in this. There are too many things that don't make sense with his story for me to believe it. So I would have him off my draft board now until he can prove otherwise.

 

[mayoclinic]

Honestly... i don't think you can say with 100% certainty he knew from how that article reads.

Either he did and it's just a really weird weird story which makes no sense or he was duped by some online flirting which i guess in my mind is more believable.

I guess we will wait and see

Does it matter? Either (A) he lied and is a publicity seeking, manipulative, liar, or (B) he was duped and he's got to be incredibly stupid. I mean "my girlfriend died, but she it turnx out she didn't exist"? I'm not sure which option makes him look worse. If I'm an NFL team, I might rather draft a lying cheater than a guy who is that gullible.

 

[everlong]

The entire story disgusts me no matter if he was complicit or scammed. Some people are just sick.

 

[kennyb]

Does it matter? Either (A) he lied and is a publicity seeking, manipulative, liar, or (B) he was duped and he's got to be incredibly stupid. I mean "my girlfriend died, but she it turnx out she didn't exist"? I'm not sure which option makes him look worse. If I'm an NFL team, I might rather draft a lying cheater than a guy who is that gullible.

If you read the deadspin article, it makes him sound complicit. "Her" twitter account was set up by Teo's good friend and the picture is of one of his acquaintances (the friend's). The friends name is Reniah Tuiasasopo or something like that.

Anyway, the "love of his life", but as she lays dying he doesn't visit her once. Doesn't go to the funeral. Has never met her in person (although he certainly implied he had before, now he says he never actually met her).

Doesn't pass the smell test.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Does it matter? Either (A) he lied and is a publicity seeking, manipulative, liar, or (B) he was duped and he's got to be incredibly stupid. I mean "my girlfriend died, but she it turnx out she didn't exist"? I'm not sure which option makes him look worse. If I'm an NFL team, I might rather draft a lying cheater than a guy who is that gullible.

Unfortunately, given that he's a football player, you also have to ask if there's some sort of organic(*) brain injury that's playing a role.

(*)FYI, in this case organic means, roughly, "of the organ" (i.e., physical changes).

 

[manxman2601]

Whilst people will be condemning Te'o for whatever he's done, on Sunday everyone will hopefully be celebrating the end of Ray Lewis' career. That's some irony. What Te'o had done comes nowhere near to what Ray Lewis allegedly did, Te'o hasn't harmed anyone. I think some perspective is in order.

In the NFL, no-one cares what you do so long as you are good at football.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Whilst people will be condemning Te'o for whatever he's done, on Sunday everyone will hopefully be celebrating the end of Ray Lewis' career. That's some irony. What Te'o had done comes nowhere near to what Ray Lewis allegedly did, Te'o hasn't harmed anyone. I think some perspective is in order.

In the NFL, no-one cares what you do so long as you are good at football.

As noted above, that's not entirely true.

In any case, no one's arguing that what Te'o did is worse than what Lewis did. What people are arguing is that what he's done casts grave doubts on whether or not coaches and other players can actually trust him.

 

[manxman2601]

As noted above, that's not entirely true.

In any case, no one's arguing that what Te'o did is worse than what Lewis did. What people are arguing is that what he's done casts grave doubts on whether or not coaches and other players can actually trust him.

Well considering he was THE leader of that Notre Dame team, being able to trust him to be a force on the team looks like a banker to me. And it's not like the team performed badly either.


I'm not saying that what he did wasn't bad, just that the reaction is a bit overblown in my view.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Manti T'eo:

99 problems but a b**** ain't one.

Regards,
Chris

 

[mayoclinic]

In the NFL, no-one cares what you do so long as you are good at football.

True, and if Te'o goes on to have a Lewis-like career no one will care about this. But in the next few months, it will probably have an impact on where he is drafted.

Gil Brandt's take, FWIW:

Brandt: Manti Te'o's draft stock could plummet - Yahoo! Sports

Whatever else, it's a lesson in how unpredictable the draft can be. Te'o was considered one of the "safer" and more reliable picks in the draft - a "high floor" guy with no major issues. This is one of the more bizarre "character issues" to come along in a long, long time.

 

[manxman2601]

True, and if Te'o goes on to have a Lewis-like career no one will care about this. But in the next few months, it will probably have an impact on where he is drafted.

Gil Brandt's take, FWIW:

Brandt: Manti Te'o's draft stock could plummet - Yahoo! Sports

Whatever else, it's a lesson in how unpredictable the draft can be. Te'o was considered one of the "safer" and more reliable picks in the draft - a "high floor" guy with no major issues. This is one of the more bizarre "character issues" to come along in a long, long time.

My view is that by the time the draft comes around, this issue will be on the backburner to a degree. He might slip to the 2nd round, but I suspect his value will be too great for a team picking mid-late first or at worst top of the second.

Here's two thoughts which admittedly are a little off the top of my head and hypothetical, so no-one flame me:

1. At what stage does Te'o have BB like value? At the end of the first, following a trade back into the second? At the end of the 2nd? It's possible that Spikes is gone at the end of next year and Te'o will probably be the best zone coverage backer we have if he was on the roster whilst also possessing prototypical Patriot size (6'2", 255).


2. Mad Madden like trade idea. Trade Mallett and Spikes to the Chiefs for #33 and 2014 2nd rounder. QB and ILB are probably the Chiefs two biggest holes right now and BB and Andy Reid have a trade undestanding. We draft whoever we were going to with our first rounder and Te'o with the Chiefs pick.

It's not that I'm particularly invested in getting Te'o on the Patriots, but if any team has the maturity in the clubhouse to manage Te'o it's us, and whilst he might not be the second coming of Ray Lewis, he's a damn fine player who, despite all that's happened, was the leader on a team that surprised everyone by going unbeaten and to the Championship Game.

 

[mayoclinic]

My view is that by the time the draft comes around, this issue will be on the backburner to a degree. He might slip to the 2nd round, but I suspect his value will be too great for a team picking mid-late first or at worst top of the second.

Here's two thoughts which admittedly are a little off the top of my head and hypothetical, so no-one flame me:

1. At what stage does Te'o have BB like value? At the end of the first, following a trade back into the second? At the end of the 2nd? It's possible that Spikes is gone at the end of next year and Te'o will probably be the best zone coverage backer we have if he was on the roster whilst also possessing prototypical Patriot size (6'2", 255).


2. Mad Madden like trade idea. Trade Mallett and Spikes to the Chiefs for #33 and 2014 2nd rounder. QB and ILB are probably the Chiefs two biggest holes right now and BB and Andy Reid have a trade undestanding. We draft whoever we were going to with our first rounder and Te'o with the Chiefs pick.

It's not that I'm particularly invested in getting Te'o on the Patriots, but if any team has the maturity in the clubhouse to manage Te'o it's us, and whilst he might not be the second coming of Ray Lewis, he's a damn fine player who, despite all that's happened, was the leader on a team that surprised everyone by going unbeaten and to the Championship Game.

I doubt he'll slip to the 2nd, personally. He didn't commit any crime as far as I'm aware, he didn't hurt anyone, and he didn't actually fraudulently obtain anything, no matter what the scenario. Like Rex Ryan's foot fetish and Brand Spikes' videotape, the novelty will wear off.

I personally never saw Te'o as an elite prospect and thought he was way overhyped. Now he could get undervalued. He's certainly better as a prospect than DeMeco Ryans was, who went #33 overall and was a steal.

I hope the Bears or Ravens take him, and help Alec Ogletree slip a bit.

 

[patsfaninpa]

My view is that by the time the draft comes around, this issue will be on the backburner to a degree. He might slip to the 2nd round, but I suspect his value will be too great for a team picking mid-late first or at worst top of the second.

Here's two thoughts which admittedly are a little off the top of my head and hypothetical, so no-one flame me:

1. At what stage does Te'o have BB like value? At the end of the first, following a trade back into the second? At the end of the 2nd? It's possible that Spikes is gone at the end of next year and Te'o will probably be the best zone coverage backer we have if he was on the roster whilst also possessing prototypical Patriot size (6'2", 255).


2. Mad Madden like trade idea. Trade Mallett and Spikes to the Chiefs for #33 and 2014 2nd rounder. QB and ILB are probably the Chiefs two biggest holes right now and BB and Andy Reid have a trade undestanding. We draft whoever we were going to with our first rounder and Te'o with the Chiefs pick.

It's not that I'm particularly invested in getting Te'o on the Patriots, but if any team has the maturity in the clubhouse to manage Te'o it's us, and whilst he might not be the second coming of Ray Lewis, he's a damn fine player who, despite all that's happened, was the leader on a team that surprised everyone by going unbeaten and to the Championship Game.

I'm guessing Reid would like a little more mobile qb. Has had McNabb and went all in on Vick. I think Arizona might be a better trade partner. They need a qb to get the ball downfield to Fitzy and Floyd. Arians knowing he's on a short leash might want a ready to go qb instead of a developing one. Can use their first on OL. Joeckel or Warmack.

If Spikes leaves, I'd rather slide Mayo back to middle with Hightower as the SAM. Get a weakside olb who can run and cover a back or te. Still terrified of what Rice/Pitta can do on Sunday or Gore/Davis in Super Bowl.

 

[Snake Eyes]

2. Mad Madden like trade idea. Trade Mallett and Spikes to the Chiefs for #33 and 2014 2nd rounder. QB and ILB are probably the Chiefs two biggest holes right now and BB and Andy Reid have a trade undestanding. We draft whoever we were going to with our first rounder and Te'o with the Chiefs pick.

LOVE IT!

Spikes makes some great plays against the run but is horrible in coverage, I'd much rather have someone more well rounded.

 

[kennyb]

I bet he falls quite a bit. He's a crazy drama queen if you read the SI interview. Even if he was somewhat fooled, he embellished it (he never actually met this girl yet she was "the love of his life") to such a ridiculous degree that it took over Notre Dame's season to some extent.

I don't think BB wants an attention whore like that. Plus he's not really fast or quick.

 

[SeymourTrophies]

Does it matter? Either (A) he lied and is a publicity seeking, manipulative, liar, or (B) he was duped and he's got to be incredibly stupid. I mean "my girlfriend died, but she it turnx out she didn't exist"? I'm not sure which option makes him look worse. If I'm an NFL team, I might rather draft a lying cheater than a guy who is that gullible.

Yeah, if he believed that, I don't wanna know how hard he'd bite on a play fake.