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Joiner No Longer A Captain, May Not Play Against LSU

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By ANDY STAPLES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 4, 2007

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida coach Urban Meyer has stripped senior safety Tony Joiner of his captaincy, and Meyer said Wednesday night that Joiner will not play Saturday against top-ranked LSU as long as he remains accused of a felony.

Joiner is facing a felony burglary charge after his arrest Tuesday morning. He is accused of breaking into a towing company impound lot and attempting to retrieve his girlfriend's car.

Joiner, who did not speak to the media, apologized to his teammates before Wednesday's practice. Though Joiner practiced, he may not make the trip to Baton Rouge, La.

'The word felony is out there,' Meyer said. 'Certainly if he's charged with a felony, absolutely he won't play. We have a set of core values at the University of Florida football team, and if you break a core value, in the last three years, you've seen that people don't play.

'If you make a mistake, you correct the mistake and you move on. So that's what I'm waiting to find out.'

If Joiner can't play, Meyer said sophomore Dorian Munroe would start at strong safety. Munroe replaced Joiner and played well after Joiner sprained an ankle during last season's Southeastern Conference title game. Munroe has served this season as the fifth defensive back in the Gators' nickel package.

Meyer may have to wait a while to determine if Joiner will be prosecuted on a felony charge. The State Attorney's Office will decide whether to pursue the charge, drop it or prosecute Joiner for a lesser offense, but that process could take several weeks. As of Wednesday morning, the office had yet to receive the investigative materials from the Gainesville Police Department.

Of the last four Florida football players arrested, the shortest time between arrest and a decision by the State Attorney's Office was 27 days. Tailback Brandon James was arrested in a June 12 marijuana sting. Police charged James with a felony count of purchasing a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession. On July 9, the State Attorney's Office decided to drop the felony charge and prosecute James for the misdemeanor.

Stan Forron, the owner of the tow yard, told multiple media outlets Tuesday that the incident was 'a miscommunication' and that he does not wish to press charges. Still, State Attorney Bill Cervone told The Gainesville Sun that while Forron's wishes will be considered, Joiner still would face a charge if the prosecutor believes a crime was committed.

Gainesville police contend that neither of the tow lot employees present Tuesday morning mentioned a misunderstanding when an officer arrived. Wednesday, The Tampa Tribune obtained audio of two phone calls between a man who identified himself as Watson's Towing employee Travis Watkins and police dispatchers.

In the second call, Watkins - who identified Joiner by name in his first phone call - requested that the officer 'step it up' because Joiner and teammate Kyle Jackson were 'getting up in our face and expletive.'

'They've already broken into the yard and tried to take the car, and I blocked them in,' Watkins told the dispatcher.

Reporter Andy Staples can be reached at (352) 262-3719 or astaples@tampatrib.com.

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