ASU Football: Graham speaks on how to prevent off field issues similar to current NFL situation

The NFL has had their hands full recently. The long list of issues includes a domestic abuse case involving Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, a child abuse case against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the arrest Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer on aggravated assault charges and the conviction of Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy in another domestic violence case.

Todd Graham mentioned Thursday that the Sun Devils do everything they can to make sure the players don't end up in those kinds of situations.

"One of the things we try and pride ourselves in is being proactive," Graham said. "It's a minimum expectation that you're not going to get arrested or you're not going to do something to embarrass your team."

Graham  talks with the team about their faith and character everyday, but admitted their could be times where that simply isn't enough.

"That doesn't mean we're immune to somebody making a mistake or getting in trouble," Graham said. "But we constantly talk about that because that has everything to do with being a great team player is understanding that you represent your team each week."

He added that he is 100 percent responsible for the actions of his players and that the microscope players are under today is larger than ever before, so it's all that more important that the players are aware of their own actions and the implications they carry.

"If you just throw these kids out there and say ‘do right' I don't think that's fair," Graham said.

More UCLA hype

Graham said he talked to the team today about how situations at the end of games matter, especially when it comes to the games against UCLA the past two years. He cited how the past two seasons have come down to the last drive against the Bruins.

The Sun Devils lost on a last second 33-yard field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn in 2012, but then beat the Bruins in Pasadena last year after stopping UCLA on the final drive.

"I love that," Graham said. "Man that's why you do this. There is nothing like it."

Notes

• Tyler Whiley had a green no-contact jersey on. Carlos Mendoza is back and shed his green jersey yesterday. He is now wearing normal defensive white. Graham said Mendoza told him he is currently at 80 percent and should be 100 percent by Sunday
• Graham also mentioned Laiu Moeakiola should be ready for practice Sunday. Right now Marcus Ball and Christian Sam are rotating first team reps in replacement of Moeakiola.
• Defensive walkthrough- Linemen: Marcus Hardison-Jaxon Hood- Demetrius Cherry. Linebackers: Christian Sam (SPUR), Salamo Fiso (SAM), DJ Calhoun (WILL), De'Marieya Nelson/Antonio Longino (DEVIL, split reps). Corners: Lloyd Carrington, Kweishi Brown. Safeties: Damarious Randall, Jordan Simone
• Marcus Ball shadowed Christian Sam at SPUR, Solomon Means shadowed Carrington, Armand Perry shadowed Brown, Carlos Mendoza shadowed Calhoun at WILL.
• Scouts from the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars watched practice.