Two Daily Wildcat beat writers shared their views on whether star UA running back Ka’Deem Carey’s one game suspension was enough consequence for his problems with the law in the offseason.

Derek Evans

Rich Rodriguez’s decision to suspend junior running back Ka’Deem Carey for just one game was justified and appropriate.

Before Friday’s season opener against NAU, Rodriguez decided star running back Carey would be suspended for his legal trouble off the field. He was charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct as a result of an incident with his pregnant ex-girlfriend back in December, but all the charges were dropped this summer.

Back in 2010, then-Oregon head coach Chip Kelly suspended running back LaMichael James for one game for a very similar situation, the big difference being that James actually pled guilty to a physical harassment charge against his former girlfriend. It is important to remember that Carey wasn’t found guilty of anything, and that all his charges were dropped.

Then in January, Carey was kicked out of the Arizona-UCLA men’s basketball game. Again, he wasn’t charged with anything, so that shouldn’t have played a factor in how much time he would be suspended.

Additionally, Carey didn’t do anything that put his eligibility in question. Had he done something like Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, who was under investigation for making money off signing autographs, then it might have made sense to suspend Carey for longer. After all, then Rodriguez would be risking wins if Carey had done something to damage his eligibility.

Interestingly, the NCAA suspended Manziel for only a half.

Carey will look to start his season and possible Heisman quest on Saturday when the Wildcats take on UNLV. If the passing game keeps playing like it did versus NAU, in which senior quarterback B.J. Denker only threw for 87 yards, then Carey may have to do even more than he did last year.

—Follow Derek Evans @DerekEvans20

Evan Rosenfeld

Before Arizona football kicked off its season opener against NAU last Friday, the Wildcats’ starting lineup was released with All-American running back Ka’Deem Carey scratched out.

While not publicly stated, it is widely believed that the suspension is a result of Carey’s misdemeanor assault charges and disorderly conduct accusations.

Last fall as a sophomore, Carey rushed for an NCAA-leading 1,929 yards and so setting all time school records in career rushing yards and touchdowns became possible.

Nonetheless, head coach Rich Rodriguez suspended the junior Heisman Trophy hopeful for the squad’s first game due to violations of team rules.

Carey should have been punished more severely and shown more clearly that bad decisions have major consequences. He seems to be under the impression that he can do whatever he pleases and get away with anything because of who he is.

During a Wildcat basketball game in late January, a verbal dispute with athletics event staff and UAPD resulted in Carey’s ejection from McKale Center, which garnered him even more negative publicity.

This followed assault allegations from last December, when the Tucson native was arrested and charged in a domestic violence incident involving his pregnant girlfriend.

Then in June, the charges against him were dropped before he reconciled with his girlfriend and became a father in July.

He was let off too easyy. The suspension that Carey received won’t make any impact on him in regards to the importance of understanding, admitting and taking responsibility for his actions. He has taken advantage of the privilege of being a student athlete and a Wildcat celebrity.

—Follow Evan Rosenfeld @EvanRosenfeld17