It’s good to be back. So what did I miss?
It’s good to be back. I have missed you guys (and ladies) the past two months.
Because we need to catch up, this entry will be a tad long today so please bear with me.
So what have I missed? There is so much but let’s start with these five:
1. Lane Kiffin, the gift that keeps on giving: Over the weekend somebody predicted this would be the No. 1 story when I returned. He was right, of course. How could it not be?
After a less than quality experience with the Oakland Raiders, Kiffin takes over at Tennessee and decides to completely change the culture in Big Orange Country. He has succeeded. After 17 years of having a button-downed head coach (Phillip Fulmer) who chose his words carefully, Kiffin decided it was time for Tennessee to, rhetorically speaking, start kicking butt and take some names.
I’ve heard some people rip into Kiffin as a young coach who is not too bright. I don’t believe that for a minute. I think Lane Kiffin knows exactly what he’s doing. When he accused Urban Meyer of cheating, Kiffin was walking into lunch room on the first day of school and smacking the biggest, baddest dude across the mouth just to announce his presence. Yeah, he got a reprimand from the commissioner but he also fired up a Tennessee fan base that sorely needed it.
There were several fun incidents after that, the latest being the claim by a South Carolina signee that Kiffin told him “he would be pumping gas” like the other players from that state who signed with the Gamecocks. Kiffin denied he ever said it but by this point it really didn’t matter if it was true or not. Because of what Kiffin had done and said before, to the media it “sounded” like something he would say so it got traction.
Now Kiffin has Al Davis, the very strange owner of the Oakland Raiders, trashing him (through his minions) in a letter to the Tennessee president. Not really sure that’s a bad thing for Kiffin.
That’s why Kiffin has to be measured in his comments in the future. Once the national media paints an image of a coach, especially if it’s bad, it takes a long time and a lot of wins to change it. It took Les Miles four seasons, 42 wins, and one national championship at LSU before some people would admit that he’s a pretty good football coach.
2. Alabama’s textbook case: How serious? Understand that when the NCAA is involved, nothing happens in a vacuum. The NCAA has a long, long memory.
Here is what I mean. Normally, jay walking is not a serious offense. But if you go before the same judge a bunch of times for various transgressions, he might be tempted to send you a message with a punishment that goes beyond the seriousness of the crime. And then you have to hire a lawyer and fight like crazy on what appeared to be something fairly minor.
That is the situation that faces Alabama football. In the fall of 2007 the school had to sit five football players because of what it said was a glitch in its method of providing textbooks and other educational materials to athletes. This glitch allowed “friends” of the athletes to also get these materials, whose reported value was around $1,600. If you think that sounds like chump change in a multi-million dollar enterprise that is Alabama football, it is. But it also misses the point.
Alabama went before the judge, better known as the NCAA’s committee on infractions, on Feb. 20. The COI normally makes a final decision about 4-6 weeks after that meeting.
The judge probably wanted to know why, after getting everything BUT the death penalty in 2002, Alabama would allow ANY glitches like this to happen.
Nobody knows what is going to happen in this case. If somebody tells you they do, they are delusional—or lying. But you can’t dismiss it as minor until the judge SAYS that it is minor.
3. Florida State academic scandal: Is this it for Bobby Bowden? As an old coach once told me, “there is breaking the rules and then there’s cheating.” And Florida State admits there was academic cheating going on in its athletic department. The school admits that tutors played fast and loose with some on-line courses. When athletic officials found out about it, they declared the athletes ineligible and imposed a number of sanctions, which included loss of scholarships and suspension for the first three games of the 2008 season for the football players involved. They fired the employees who took part.
But the NCAA Committee on Infractions also wants Florida State to vacate all of the victories in which the offending athletes participated. That could cost the school an NCAA track championship. It could also cost Bobby Bowden, the second winningest coach in Division I-A history, 14 wins from his current total of 382.
Florida State is going to appeal this part of the NCAA’s ruling and I believe the school will prevail because there is a precedent. In 2006 Georgia Tech won an appeal on an academic fraud case claiming the penalty of vacating football victories was excessive and inconsistent with previous cases of this kind. The appeals committee agreed.
But what if this appeals committee does not agree? Bowden, who trails Penn State’s Joe Paterno by one victory, would not have a chance to retire as college football’s all time winner. Would he coach this season and retire? Would he retire before the season?
4. The Bryce Brown Sweepstakes: Let’s see if I have this straight. Young Mr. Brown just couldn’t get enough of the endless recruiting process and decided to drag it out until today, when he will announce his decision to the world at an elaborately staged event . We can only pray that hats will not be involved. Mr. Brown has an “advisor,” Brian Butler, who is a former manager of a cell phone calling center and, until some good reporting by the New York Times, was selling information on the recruitment of his client via a website.
I have one piece of advice for the team who signs the running back from Wichita. You had better make damn sure this kid is worth it because every move he makes in college will be scrutinized to the extreme. And if he screws up—and a lot of kids do because they are kids—the press will be brutal. This kid, and his “advisor,” had better not have any skeletons in their closets because the NCAA is looking for them as we speak. I’m not saying don’t sign him. But do it with your eyes wide open.
5. The Andre Smith meltdown: This one just broke my heart. The day that Andre Smith walked onto the Alabama campus he was the starting left tackle, which is a hard thing to do in the Southeastern Conference. He was the best player at his position in college football. NFL teams dream about drafting a guy they can put at left tackle and not worry for the next 10 years. Andre Smith was one of those guys.
Then it all fell apart. He got kicked off the team for dabbling with people representing an agent. Then he hired an agent who really only had one job: Get Andre to the NFL combine in good shape. It didn’t happen. Andre showed up fat, announced that he wasn’t going to work out, and then left without telling anybody. He got trashed by the NFL experts, who put a big premium on future professionals ACTING like professionals.
He probably helped himself a little at last week’s pro day workouts in Tuscaloosa. But I thought for the right team that Smith could be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. He is that good. Miami needed a left tackle in the last draft and made Michigan’s Jake Long the No. 1 pick. His contract included $30 million of guaranteed money. Let’s see where Andre is drafted and how much money he is guaranteed. Then you’ll know what this cost him. Very sad.
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153 comments Add your comment
gdawginkalamazoo
March 16th, 2009
10:29 am
General, ahhhh, yes on your question there. As much as any of us hate to even think it. What was that player doing running into the wall there in practice? a “deep route”? I would think a deep route would have put him in the river.
Mike
March 16th, 2009
10:33 am
Tony,
Thanks for bringing a “non biased” opinion on Kiffin. Yes, he is young and a bit too brash but he knows exactly what he is doing. He has surrounded himself with quality coaches/recruiters and by the looks of it, looks like they are living up on the recruiting end. It will take a few years before we can really get a feel if he is a good head coach or not.
NewRandyt
March 16th, 2009
10:40 am
First, welcome back Tony. Blogs have been boring in your absence. Maybe there has just been nothing to talk about but Lane Kiffin.
As a Vol fan (and alumni for those who think a major portion of those on the blog never finished high school), I think a)yes Lane Kiffin has a big mouth, b) why should those in the media give a crap. Lane Kiffen had caused the Vols to have more media attention before he has even coached a single game, than Fulmer would get in two or three years, even when laying 50+ on The Bulldogs.
My point is, as an avid reader of the sports section when it is about SEC football, I want to hear about SEC Football, not whether Kiffin is a jerk or not. For those who think he will go down like a comet, that is still to be seen. He may be awful, but he might be a new Steve Spurrier too. Most likely he will be somewhere in the middle, but nothing could be worse than the last year for the Big Orange. The point is that we have identified only that he has a big mouth, not whether or not he can win on Saturday.
GeoffDawg
March 16th, 2009
10:42 am
Mike, Kiffin is brash but no one can tell if he knows exactly what he’s doing until he gets the results on the field. All that we have to base our comments on is his underwhelming record with the Raiders. Even though Spurrier in his time was far more obnoxious, he got more of a pass because he had the winning percentage to back it up. Believe me, if Kiffin starts winning, the commentary on his behavior will be greatly diminished. At this point though, all we can ascertain is that that’s a big if.
Ed
March 16th, 2009
10:44 am
Andre Smith sounds like a typical spoiled, pampered athlete. If the poor guy has to find a way to squeak by on, say $5-$10 million rather than on $30 million, I’m sure he’ll find a way to soldier on, somehow. His poor work ethic and seeming lack of concern about his own future isn’t sad to me as I try to support my family on a middle-class income. If he blows tens of millions of dollars, here’s a solution – work your tail off, get in shape, become an All Pro lineman. Then you can name your price when your first contract expires.
Tigertail show me your proof
March 16th, 2009
10:49 am
Tigertail,
What kind of gobblydeegook are you writing about today in your imaginary Saban is the devil world. Your handle suggests you’re either a ticked off Auburn fan still reeling from 36-0 or you’re one of those deranged LSwho fans still ticked over Saban leaving LSU. Get over it.
As for all the other assertions you about Alabama recruiting above you are simply making up rumors and just flat out lying. If you can prove just one of the above allegations then I challenge you to do so you moron. I’ll give you $1,000 if you can prove payments to recruits, friends, relatives, red elephant club members, blah blah by boosters. All you got to do is prove it and I’ll wire you the money. The only thing Bama has is some secondary violations which were reported. Every school every year has numerous secondary violations or are you so freaking stupid you didn’t realize that?
Lastly, a handful of players figuring out how to game the textbook distribution system to help girlfriends or friends is hardly indicative of widespread cheating. No cash changed hands, no competitive advantage was gained, these kids just did something stupid in taking advantage of a loophole to help some friends.
Please provide us with your absolute proof of other, more serious wrongdoing. I patiently await your proof. I figure if you’re going to make accusations then surely you have some rock solid proof and not just “rumors” to back up your big freaking mouth.
Ed
March 16th, 2009
10:50 am
Tony, it occured to me that you may have been employing a little sarcasm when discussing the “sad” and “heart[breaking]” Andre Smith saga. If so, disregard my last – tone doesn’t always translate in print.
Nachos
March 16th, 2009
10:51 am
Gene Chizik ????? hahahahahaahahahahahhaahhaahahahahahaha
Bamafan
March 16th, 2009
11:00 am
The NCAA needs to go investigate USC and the Reggie Bush story and let the textbook solution go
away!! The players were given 4 games off for the stupid textbook story and Bama crashed and burned without the players in November of 07. Saban runs the football program at Alabama like a 4star field general, the story about going in front of the NCAA would have gotten out in the old days
of Alabama football, but nothing was say or i forgot about the story till Cecil Hurt blow up the story
for the Tucaloosa News. Boy Blunder makes Fat Phil look like a saint and the NCAA is going to keep and eye on the vols because of juniors mistakes with recruiting!! GO BAMA ROLL TIDE!!
Gen Neyland
March 16th, 2009
11:00 am
zoo : The play, drawn out in the grass truth be known, was to test the strength of said wall in case that guy dressed up like Daniel Boone happened to run smack dab into it on Game Day. The wall passed the test. All in all, the receiver is now just a brick in the wall…and I’m leaning on Michigan to upset Clemson. Your take..?
azcat225 : Yeah, LSU got a good one plus LSU already has a terrific group in place for Chavis. I recall Charlie Weiss trying to lure him out of Knoxville when Weiss took the Notre Dame job…
David
March 16th, 2009
11:09 am
Tony, you are wrong on Lane Kiffin and here’s why: Fans don’t play games, players do.
Who cares if the fans get fired up. The fans were WILD in Athens for the Bama game and they got their a$$es handed to them. Lane Kiffin defintely knows what he is doing, it’s just that what he is doing is immature and wrong….And I can guarantee you every team is going to use his mouth as motivation for their players.
Bama pays players! - Page 2 - VolNation
March 16th, 2009
11:15 am
[...] 2. Alabama’s textbook case: How serious? Understand that when the NCAA is involved, nothing happens in a vacuum. The NCAA has a long, long memory. Here is what I mean. Normally, jay walking is not a serious offense. But if you go before the same judge a bunch of times for various transgressions, he might be tempted to send you a message with a punishment that goes beyond the seriousness of the crime. And then you have to hire a lawyer and fight like crazy on what appeared to be something fairly minor. That is the situation that faces Alabama football. In the fall of 2007 the school had to sit five football players because of what it said was a glitch in its method of providing textbooks and other educational materials to athletes. This glitch allowed “friends” of the athletes to also get these materials, whose reported value was around $1,600. If you think that sounds like chump change in a multi-million dollar enterprise that is Alabama football, it is. But it also misses the point. Alabama went before the judge, better known as the NCAA’s committee on infractions, on Feb. 20. The COI normally makes a final decision about 4-6 weeks after that meeting. The judge probably wanted to know why, after getting everything BUT the death penalty in 2002, Alabama would allow ANY glitches like this to happen. Nobody knows what is going to happen in this case. If somebody tells you they do, they are delusional—or lying. But you can’t dismiss it as minor until the judge SAYS that it is minor. It’s good to be back. So what did I miss? | Mr. College Football [...]
SEC fan
March 16th, 2009
11:17 am
Tony,
Welcome back. I fully understand your comments on Kiffin. However, I am afraid you came to an inaccurate conclusion. One cannot assume that comments which exceed the bounds of stupid must therefore be brilliant and part of a grand strategy. Kiffy is truly a loose cannon who has done nothing to earn the job in now finds himself in. A silver spoon parked in his anatomy has gotten him several jobs and in all cases his mouth kept him in trouble. If he wins, it will be in spite of his mouth. Even UT deserves better.
Joe Pa
March 16th, 2009
11:17 am
That other guy was right. I am the devil.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 16th, 2009
11:24 am
General, probably will beat Clemson. They had a good run at the beginning of the season so they know they can hang with just about anybody. It would be hilarious if they went deeper than MSU (my adopted college team). But then again I’m a dawg to the bone, what do I know about college basketball?
Tom
March 16th, 2009
11:25 am
Tony….first, welcome back!
Second, the reason Tech’s vacated wins were restored on appeal is because….unlike the latest FSU case and the Harrick hoops case at UGA…..there WAS no academic fraud invloved. Stupidity and laziness…..yes. Fraud, no.
Now, we are hearing that Mark Richt is “rescinding” the scholarship of 2009 signee Dexter Moody. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t that mean Mr Moody is being denied admission to The University. Otherwise, his LOI would not be voided.
Obviously, if there is an issue serious enough to denie his admission then it’s rather a moot point…..but is this “rescinding” announcement simply a way to take the fan heat off Mike Adams and admissions, since Saint Mark can do no wrong?
MegaT
March 16th, 2009
11:27 am
Welcome back Tony! Please continue to keep Kiffin and the Big Orange in the news. You and the AJC staff are doing us a great big favor (See Gundy article above). Have a great day and Go Vols, Go!
Huh?
March 16th, 2009
11:27 am
“When he accused Urban Meyer of cheating, Kiffin was walking into lunch room on the first day of school and smacking the biggest, baddest dude across the mouth just to announce his presence.”
WRONG. Getting the victory in Gainesville this September would be like smacking the biggest, baddest dude across the mouth in the lunchroom. Accusing Meyer of cheating is like sending the biggest, baddest dude an email threatening to smack him in the mouth in the lunch room. BIG difference Tony. Kiffin needs to do his talking on the field and not in the media. I personally think Kiffin will be leaving the lunchroom and heading straight for the nurse’s office because he got is smack talking a** kicked. Thanks.
NCAA shen
March 16th, 2009
11:36 am
Tony,
When will a journalist ever do a serious investigation of the NCAA itself? There is a reason why Danny Sheridan, the sportswriter and handicapper who sets the line for USATODAY and several of the largest Vegas casinos calls the NCAA “A highly politicized organization that would not stand up to congressional or public scrutiny.”
When Bama got nailed by the NCAA IN 2002 on 3 major rules violations the ncaa committed its own violations in its investigations. On one violation that Bama self reported the NCAA then had 12 months to respond according to its own rules but instead responded 16 months later. When Bama pointed that the ncaa couldn’t use this against Bama since it responded outside the statute of limitations the ncaa simply ignored its own rules and used it against Bama anyways. If a governing or rule making body ignores its own rules then what good is it anyway?
On another major violation the ncaa investigator Johannigmeier falsified information in his report that Bama player Travis Carroll received an illegal benefit by getting “spot financing” for a Jeep cherokee with 70,000 miles valued at $7,000 by Johannigmeier. In reality it was a 10 year old beater that had 176,000 miles and a book value of $1,000. The dealership sold him the vehicle for $1500 at around 30% interest and repossessed the car after his missed the first payment. Some fringe benefit huh? It was only because some private lawyers in Alabama sued the NCAA that it was ever proven in court documents that the ncaa investigator was just writing his own fictional account of what happened. All he had to do was go to the dealership in Columbus, GA. and talk to the 6 different people from the sales manager to the sales agent to the finance guy to the back office girls who dealt with the young man to find out the truth. But obviously he wasn’t interested in the truth.
On another major violation the recruitment of Kenny Smith it seems the NCAA had a problem with truth. They said that Bama illegally recruited Smith and the hearsay they used was “secret testimony” from Phillip Fulmer and recruiting analyst Tom Culpepper who later said that Fulmer had promised him the recruiting coordinator job at UT in exchange for helping him dig up dirt against Bama. The player Smith ended up transferring to UT for lack of playing time at Bama. He then withdrew from UT and in an ESPN outside the lines interview a couple years later he stated that “Alabama recruited him more cleanly than anybody. I left UT because coach Fulmer was putting undue pressure on me to state that Bama had illegally recruited me which didn’t happen”. Fulmer and Culpepper later ended up calling each other liars and their testimony both to the ncaa and in later depositions was contradictory. I have 2 ?s. If one or both of the men’s testimony is contradictory then how can you use the testimony of one of them let alone both of them against Alabama if one or both of them was lying? And how can you use the “secret testimony” of one sec coach against a fellow sec coach anyway? The whole episode stunk to high heaven.
I used to think Jerry Tarkanian was the biggest crook in ncaa sports. But there are 2 sides to every story. And when I read some of the ncaa’s methods in harassing Tarkanian I now understand its not just Bama fans that have a problem with the ncaa. In order to get one recruit from Africa to go along with made up allegations the ncaa threatened him that he and his family would be deported back to war torn Sudan if he didn’t go along with the ncaa. Thank God a good immigration attorney find out what the ncaa was threatening the young man with and intervened.
Tony, regardless of what happens in the textbook case in a few weeks I would like to know when or if a good journalist is going to write a book about what a corrupt, hypocritical organization the NCAA really is.
LSU fan
March 16th, 2009
11:49 am
Whether it is selling game tickets or selling books which are part of the scholarship program, part of the Freshman orientation in sports is communicating and insuring player understanding of NCAA rules. With 4 or 5 Bama players violating this NCAA rule, it isn’t the dollar amount that is the issue. The issue is that on more than one occasion, NCAA rules were not respected. The coaches must create an environment/discipline where players know and follow the rules (especially if the team is on probabtion). When multiple players are involved in the same violation, the coaches have not done their job. Unfortunately, the coaches/team should pay a heavy penalty over this infraction as it seems to indicate a systematic lack of understanding or support of the rules. Again, the coaches are responsible. It simply isn’t minor once a team is on probabtion! Bama’s probation was to give the school the opportunity to prove they could avoid any further systematic problems during the probation period. Those arguing the cost of the books are totally missing the issue.
Spike
March 16th, 2009
11:56 am
Welcome back, Tony. We missed you. HUH, above is correct. Let’s see Kiffen go into the Swamp and smack someone around. Then we can talk about it. Accusing someone of cheating when you do not have the proof is a chickens**t thing to do, not a tough guy thing. Don’t get me wrong. I hope the Vols do punch the Gators in the mouth, but I am NOT betting on it.
Mr.Sympathy
March 16th, 2009
12:02 pm
Tony (and an agreeing Chris)–I do not think the public should be sympathetic in the least to the plight of Andre Smith. This kid is as dumb as dumb gets. How many people before him have we seen suspended for contact with an agent? If it is one it is too many for this fool to walk down the same road. How do you not know that rule by now!? His suspension tells me that the kid is not smart and a bad teammate. Next, what kind of an idiot plays football in college and doesn’t realize that the NFL combine is a job interview!?!? The rest of the planet has to prepare for job interviews…NFL prospects included. It is just insanity to show up out of shape. Did he think that everyone else getting ready for the draft by working out were just working out to have fun and pass the time until the combine started?
If it was up to me, he would lose a heck of a lot more money than you are sorry that he is already losing. In the end he will still be stupid and rich…just not stupid and filthy rich. What a shame.
This is yet another in a long list of examples of athletes not following the rules and not being properly punished when they break them.
I usually enjoy your writing but this one I totally disagree with. Can we get more coverage on that safety out of FSU that earned a Rhodes Scolarship? That is good for college football. Idiots like this Smith are bad for college football. Idiots like this Brown kid are bad for high school and college football. Way to keep them in the headlines Tony.
Tide rising
March 16th, 2009
12:04 pm
LSU fan,
Are you actually serious? Do you really think the coaches at any institution get involved with the textbook distribution system at the bookstore? Is Les Miles standing there at when the athletes get their books to make sure they get only the books they are supposed to get? Is the mad hatter familiar with all the textbooks and required materials for each and every class offered at LSU? And as for freshman players understanding each and every one of the myriad number of ncaa compliance rules. Are you freaking kidding me? Keeping up with volumes of ncaa rules would take years to learn. Get real! What you are suggesting is simply not realistic.
As for being familiar with the rules the ncaa manual is like the irs code. Its ridiculously thick, complicated, and no one person or even a group of people can keep up with the darn thing. That is why nearly every program every year reports multiple unintentional, secondary violations including LSU.
Alabama compliance officials certainly could have done a better job but get real. There will always be loopholes that students figure out. And btw, half of the violations regarding the textbook issue are in regard to students getting course books or materials that are recommended by the professor by not required. The ncaa rule states that they can only get “required” course material and that if they want the extra or supplementary material that the professor recommends for the class they have to pay out of pocket for it. What reasonable person would have thought that the ncaa would be against students getting recommended materials for a class instead of being allowed to get only the “required” materials for a class. You would have thought the ncaa would be on the side of students getting all the recommended materials for learning the coursework. Apparently not.
bama12titles
March 16th, 2009
12:18 pm
Tony,
In regards to Andre Smith it is sad to see him make some poor choices. I think it has to do with immaturity and also him trusting and listening to the people around him rather than true professionals. The same people like his uncle just doing dumb things like initiating contact with an agent prior to the Sugar Bowl. He comes from a poor family and apparently this family being unsophisticated is doling out advice to him that is costing him millions. His agent admitted to doing some dumb things also which cost Andre some money. This is what happens with nepotism and when you let your family run things as opposed to true professionals.
Incidentally, I remember watching an Alabama clip last year during the beginning of fall practice. Nick Saban was talking to Andre Smith during warmups and made the statement to him “Do you know how good you could be?” Judging by the context of the tone and just the way Saban said it I was left with the impression that Andre was a man amongst boys and was getting by on sheer talent alone rather than on talent plus overwhelming desire and drive. At the pro level he will still be good but without the desire and the drive he will always be good but never quite reach the potential of being one of the alltime greats at his position. It will catch up to him in the pros and I hate to think about him never really realizing his true optimum potential for lack of heart or desire.
Dawg Fud
March 16th, 2009
12:32 pm
Gen Neyland. good analysis as usual. i think the Dawg nation remembers that Richt’s signature victory came in Knoxville. it was really what got the program rolling again. i don’t care what people say, Tennessee is and always will be a dangerous team.
GaDawgs
March 16th, 2009
12:34 pm
According to published reports, Georgia football coach Mark Richt has rescinded a scholarship offer to Emanuel County Institute’s Dexter Moody.
UGAsports.com is reporting that Richt will hold a press conference later this afternoon to announce that the Bulldogs will not take Moody, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound linebacker, due to behavioral issues.
Moody was one of two ECI players to sign with Georgia on National Signing Day (Feb. 4), the other being highly-regarded running back Washaun Ealey.
The Bulldogs begin spring practice on Tuesday and will hold 15 sessions, culminating with the annual spring “G-day” game scrimmage in Sanford Stadium on April 11.
BBrown
March 16th, 2009
12:38 pm
Tony, good to hear from you again. Your college football insight is great!! Hey, here are two consider regarding Georgia. One, I don’t see a drop off in the Georgia offense. Think about it. The injuries killed the line last year. A healthy line a big asset. Further, remember what GA did when D.J. Shockley took over. Same scenario happening here with Joe Cox. Sure, he doesn’t perhaps have the arm of Stafford but I see much better decision making. Do you remember the Colorado game when he came in and saved the Dawgs? Second, Stafford was good but is he really a #1 pick type of QB. Great arm but I just don’t see the good decision making. I wish him the best and hope he proves me wrong.
Jason
March 16th, 2009
12:39 pm
Come on lets talk also about Dexter Moody from ECI. Whats with the rumor he’s not coming to UGA now because CMR took away his scholly because he’s in the bed with his H.S coaches Wife????? Say it ain’t so!!!!
seagreg
March 16th, 2009
12:47 pm
Welcome back Tony!
NCAA-shen & Tide-Rising & a couple of others make some very good points regarding Bama & their brushes w/the ncaa. FWIW, I am NOT a Bama fan but am a fan of the SEC in general & of the Gamecocks in particular. I too am waiting for some serious muckracking by some serious sports journalists delving into the murky politics that occurs in Indy @NCAA. As far as USC goes, there was more than the Bush family involved with $200K+ condos for free, there was also the Lindell White family as well & curiously enough the agent involved has long & deep relations w/USC. How & why the NCAA is unwilling to go after this case in any serious manner is very troubling. How about it Tony, do you want to look into this further? You can bet your bottom buck there will be a book deal for someone willing & able to crack this case open – I know I’ll spring for a book or two myself! Welcome back again!
Tom
March 16th, 2009
12:49 pm
GaDawgs, Richt…on his own….hasn’t “rescinded” anything. He cannot autonomously rescind the scholarship once the LOI has been signed.
The University is, in effect, rescinding the scholarship (i.e., voiding the LOI) by denying Mr Moody admission.
This “Richt is rescinding it” nonsense is just smoke and mirrors to take the heat off UGA admissions…..even though their actions might very well be warranted.
GaDawgs
March 16th, 2009
12:53 pm
Yeah thats what i am hearing to that he had his coaches wife knocking her down
LSU fan
March 16th, 2009
12:58 pm
Tide rising,
You clearly have never participated in collegiate sports at a major university. These were not extra books for their own personal study. The athletes were selling the books. There are some very basic rules and some very easy traps for kids to fall into. Selling game tickets or books is an easy one to fall into and as such, yes, coaches are responsible to insure the players know the basic rules. The whole idea of maintaining an environment where the rules are understood and respected is because coaches cannot see everything or be everywhere. However, they coaches can insure a basic understanding of some of the rules. You better hope the Bama argument isn’t like yours, “we can’t be everywhere” or “gosh, there are too many rules to remember”. Being everywhere or knowing everything are not the issues. Proper environment and respect for NCAA rules is the issue. The taboo of selling books or game tickets is very fundamental and I can assure you from personal experience as a player and a coach that those are among the first things good schools teach their athletes regarding rules. If enough don’t get taught or understand the importance and end up breaking the rules then it is a systematic issue. The NCAA tends to be very lenient but if you did enough to get on probation, you better not have any more serious violations or even minor ones that appear to be systematic. BTW, compliance officials police the rules. This situation is not a matter of policing, it is a matter of the environment or tone set by the coaches. When on probation, there is no room for “could have done a better job”. A systematic rule violation of a very basic rule (you cannot sell books that were given to you by the school) isn’t too complicated to understand or communicate to the players. Currently, Bama is the only school in the country on probation that has this particular problem. Again, you better hope the coaches excuse isn’t like yours in that there are too many complicated rules or that the coaches can’t be everywhere. Should the NCAA investigation discover any other problems that appear systematic, BAMA could be in for far more serious penalties. That is why this situation is taking a long time. It ain’t at all about a few books or a rule too complicated to understand!
Cameron
March 16th, 2009
1:05 pm
Tony,
I think you are right on Kiffin. He knows what he is doing. He is trying to get people to talk about Tennessee football again. I really think the guy can coach, as well as his staff. Having said that, I think he has gone a little overboard. If he doesn’t win, he might see the door quickly. I expect them to win though. The problem is they could show vast improvement and not have much better of a record. They still play in the SEC East. The fact of the matter is that his whole staff can coach and recruit. If he doesn’t get in his own way, then I expect them to turn things around.
Cameron
March 16th, 2009
1:13 pm
BBrown,
I expect us to be better this year. I expect our offense to be as good, if not better. At the least, they will be more consistent. Games are won in the trenches and Georgia will have two of the best. We have a deep, talented, and experienced offensive line. We have eight to nine guys with starting experience. We get our best LT back. Joe Cox has respect of every player on the team. He was no slouch coming out of high school. He broke just about every record Chris Leak set in North Carolina. Chris Leak won a National Championship. He is a rah-rah guy, who can make all the throws.
Our defense will have the best DT set in the nation. A healthy Owen, Weston, and Atkins. With DeAngelo Tyson and Brandon Wood backing them up. That is five deep. You wonder why our DEs didn’t get pressure last year and Atkins didn’t wreak as much havoc as the year before, look no further than the absence of Jeff Owens. A dominating DL can cover up many areas, especially in the backfield. It also will create more pressure that will lead to more turnovers.
We will have a better year this year than last year. GO DAWGS!!!
Atlanta Jackets
March 16th, 2009
1:14 pm
Tony, what’s the good word on the flats? Is this freshman WR Steven Hill as good as I’m hearing? My sources tell me that he’s “a more polished AJ Green with good hands.” Sounds good. Good to have weapon for Nesbot to throw to, that’ll make that stronger of a QB. Steven will turn the Robot into a top 10 draft pick.
Jeremy
March 16th, 2009
1:19 pm
http://gruberton.myminicity.com/
Hellbent
March 16th, 2009
1:21 pm
Bryce Brown picks the VOLS!!!! Woohoo!!!
Huh?
March 16th, 2009
2:28 pm
Cameron, just curious, but what specifically leads you to believe that Kiffin can coach?
for real
March 16th, 2009
2:30 pm
hey tony,i’m proud of ya, not many predictions in the column..glad to see someone actually reporting the news,not trying to predict it..most of us are smart enough to come up with our own thoughts about what will and will not happen..which leads me to this,,georgia, with one loss, will be playing texas for the champioship,,take that one to the bank..and make some money boys!!!!
Cameron
March 16th, 2009
2:35 pm
Kiffin called the plays during USC’s offensive juggernaut years. He also played a significant role in the development of Leinart. Something his NFL coaches are having trouble doing. He actually did a good job, imo, concerning the circumstances in Oakland. If anyone ever wins under Al Davis again, then I may die of shock. His team never quit on him and actually looked like they improved each week. His dad may be the first HOF D-Coordinator ever. Ed Orgeron made his name as a great D-Line coach before he failed in Ole Miss. He did recruit all of the talent that Houston Nutt turned into a pretty good team. The only thing he didn’t recruit was a QB. Nutt got the one that Oregron lured there and all of a sudden Ole Miss is relevant again. Who knows what Orgeron would have done if he stayed another year? He also hired some guys away from NFL staffs. I think he is a good coach, honestly. He is doing some stupid things, but like Tony I think there is an agenda behind it. My thinking they will turn things around goes more to the staff as a whole, and their ability to recruit. You can disagree, that’s fine. But, that is what I expect will happen.
GATORZONE
March 16th, 2009
2:45 pm
for real, you need to stop huffing the glue!
You have to be joking about that!
Gator Guy
March 16th, 2009
2:52 pm
Tony,
Walking into the lunch room and calling out the baddest dude would be challenging him to a fair fight, not accusing him of cheating (when you are the one cheating).
Also, calling out the baddest dude in school might show you have balls, but you might just get them kicked in the dirt!
for real
March 16th, 2009
2:57 pm
no jokes here gatorzone, where were y’all supposed to end up last year about 14th if i remember, trust me on this one, that is about where you want to be in august/sept..gators will be a number 1 or 2 at the start of the season,which is okay with me…there’s 2 teams that have ALOT to prove this year and uga and texas are them…but go ahead and step on out there and say we’ll be seeing a rematch of fla/ou..thats what everyone else will say, and how bold is that??need i say, dare to be different,dare to be different
Huh?
March 16th, 2009
3:02 pm
Fair enough. Remember that he was only USC’s offensive coordinator for one year. That’s it. He had the benefit of two Heisman trophy winners, what in my opinion was one of the best college offensive lines I have ever seen, and an absolutely laughable Pac 10 schedule. Alot of offensive coordinators would look like geniuses under those circumstances. And if I remember correctly Kiffin still managed to have his fair share of critics despite the record breaking numbers that his offense was putting up. I just think the guy is all smoke and mirrors and a total fraud. I guess we’ll see.
Sure
March 16th, 2009
3:05 pm
I’m so sick of hearing people say that Nick Saban should have told recruits about the letter. Would you do that? What is he supposed to tell them? We may or may not get in trouble. Be real here. Who in their right mind would tell a top prospect, we want you but we might be on probation. More than likely that’s what will happen and that’s not the same as sanctions. Just means that Alabama has to stay clean. Saban has proven to be very swift in making sure he takes care of those matters as soon as they’re found out. If he was going to cheat, I think you would have seen Andre Smith in New Orleans. The program is bigger than one person. Additionally, the NCAA cleared these guys to play in 2007. Why go back to it now? I’m so worn out with everyone saying Alabama cheats. There are things that go on at every school and you see them get investigated as they start getting better. I’m the first to admit we got in trouble b/c we did wrong but we really just got caught doing what most all schools do.
NRBQ
March 16th, 2009
3:05 pm
From the ABH, quoting Moody’s coach:
“They kind of had a plan for him to finish up the year as far as eligibility and schoolwork and behavior,” Turner said. “He’s kind of gotten off track there, and I think they felt it was best to give him an unconditional release and let him kind of decide what he wants to do.”
Turner said he was unsure whether the university made the decision or if it was made independently by the football program. Turner said Moody had no legal issues that were a factor.
“I think there’s some disappointment there, but he’s a senior in high school, and when they give you a plan to follow and you don’t follow it, you kind of reap what you sow,” Turner said.
Turner said Georgia had a weekly plan for Moody to follow in hopes of showing progress academically.
“It had to do with grades and test taking,” Turner said. “I just don’t think he was following the plan that was set up for him.”
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Moody played in the Under Armour All-American game and was rated No. 101 on the ESPNU150 rankings.
Moody also considered Florida and LSU.
“I’m sure there will be other folks interested,” Turner said.
Brandon
March 16th, 2009
3:06 pm
Bama cheats again!
Sure
March 16th, 2009
3:10 pm
How has Bama cheated Brandon?
GATORZONE
March 16th, 2009
3:12 pm
No, I do not make predictions so I could not begin to pretend to have the foresight about the National Championship. I will leave that up to you DAWG fans! Do I hear another preseason national championship out there? You guys never seem to learn!
Freehawk
March 16th, 2009
3:25 pm
You are wrong on Kiffin. He’s not ready for prime time. You left out a couple of brouhahas. Remember he accused the people from Nukeese Richardson’s FL high school of dishonesty? That phone call you mention was on a speakerphone, overheard by his coach and by a teammate, who all verified the account word for word and reported it to the coaches at the USC. Mr. Kiffin seems to have a hard time telling the truth — at best, he certainly says things without thinking first. No way is this calculated and he will have a hot time this Fall.