A Wide Receiver Addendum: Chris Vaughn

what problems did payton have with meachum?

Chris Vaughn signed at ND after being offered 12 scholarships at other D-1 programs throughout the country. In March of his freshman year he was placed on probation by the Office of Residence Life for violating curfew—(he was in a female friends dorm room after hours and he and the young lady were kicked off campus and placed on probation for the rest of the semester). While on probation you can’t violate any rules no matter how minor—-if you are found in violation your offense will be escalated to a major offense and you will face suspension or explusion. Chris found another students (student account card) on the floor in the cafe and used it—was charged w/ identity theft and disiplined again by the Office of Residence Life w/ a 1 semester (fall) suspension. He elected not to return to ND and sought his release from their scholarship and gained permission to speak to U of L. He was a fall walk on and put on scholarship in the spring by B. Petrino. His red-shirt soph. year was derailed by an injury suffered in camp about 2 weeks before the start of the season and he missed the 1st couple of games finally appearing in the Miami game. He began to work his way back into the rotation until a frustrating game at Syracuse and the subsequent paintball prank that landed him in jail and in Petrinos’ dog-house for the remainder of a season in which U of L went to the Orange Bowl. He made 1 appearance in that game,—Brohm (QB) was sacked on the play and no pass attempt was the result. Petrino leaves to Atlanta—-Kragthrope enters w/ a new coaching staff and he starts over again. In the Spring game he establishes himself as a go to receiver having 6-7 receipts in the 1st half. Just before the half ended he snags a high pass w/ a DB drapped on his back —lands awkwardly and heads to the sideline-MRI the next day reveals a partially torn PCL and MCL. He has surgurey a week later and rehabs coming back ready for camp. He indures a very frustrating season from the sidelines being rarely used behind Douglas and Uriteia for the entire 07-08 season. Kragthrope makes coaching changes at the end of the season and promotes Greg Brohm to offensive coordinator and he takes over the responsibilities of receiver coach and hires an Asst. Head Coach (Lewis) who also has receiver coach responsibilities. Chris has a great camp and then gets derailed once again by the injury bug 2 weeks before the season opener (Kentuck) w/ a high ankle sprain—-tries to play in the game but is ineffective—-goes into a boot for the next 2 games and finds himself available to play but on the sidelines and is used primarily for blocking until the W. Virginia game when he was thrown to and had a great game in spite of the personnal foul he received—-which by the way was just the release of a lot of pent up emotions and frustration from not playing in a losing season when he felt he could have made a significant contribution to the team. Chris loves football, is dedicated to his craft, has a strong work ethic, has good character (no drugs, alcohol, steroids, ect) and respects the game. Having had 4 head coaches, 4 offensive coordinators, and 5 position coaches in his college carreer, the 3 things lacking has been stability, continuity, and a bit of luck (avoiding injury)—-however no one has the same luck all the time and his fortunes are about to change—-GOD rewards hard work. Through it all, if you were to canvas any coaches who coached him (including defensive coaches who had to set schemes to stop him) and opponent team coaches, you will find that he was a threat and few had answers on how to stop him. He remained coachable and a team player in the face of disappointment and a perceived slight by his lack of use and playing time—-but never stopped working and honing his skills. The Saints organization and its fan base is going to find out that they got a diamond in the rough and a steal at that. There is no way that he should have been an undrafted free agent—-he’s just to talented and no one drafted—-repeat—NO ONE drafted has his rare combination of SSS—-size, strength and speed—(just check the Pro Day/Combine stats)—-this doesn’t mean you can play the game of football but it is a small measuring tool——this kid can play and more over God willing, will be playing on Sunday—KUDOS to the scout who found him for the Saints—-you deserve a raise—-just watch>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>^