Throw The Book At The Buckeyes

The Ohio State saga has reached its climax. The dramatic play, which originally people thought it was just five players being dumb and trying to make money could not have been farther from the truth.  Jim Tressel knew what happened and took over six months to inform the NCAA about the issue which means there is some real trouble.  Here are the specifics according to ESPN

In a 13-page indictment of Tressel's behavior, the NCAA alleged that Tressel had "permitted football student-athletes to participate in intercollegiate athletics while ineligible." It also said he "failed to deport himself ... [with] honesty and integrity" and said he was lying when he filled out a compliance form in September which said he had no knowledge of any NCAA violations by any of his players.

All this time, I felt Tressel had class in college football, but I could not have been more wrong as he is a snake just like others in the college sports profession. With the latest case against Tressel, I think we need to start looking at college coaches the way we looked at baseball players when we got the idea that everyone took steroids.  All of these guys are cheaters. They lie, cheat, and steal in order to make their teams collectively better. The way Major League Baseball shut down steroids is they punish the players in a harsh, and made these players out to be pariahs of the sport.

The NCAA gave USC the business for having one illegal player (Reggie Bush) on the field therefore if Ohio State doesn't get a three-year bowl ban, I find it ridiculous.  Even if Terrelle Pryor and friends did not deliver the National Championship to Columbus, it doesn't excuse the fact these guys should not have been playing, and Tressel should have been suspended from the get-go.  People are calling for a year-long suspension for Tressel, but it's clear to me that he needs to be fired.

Remember when Eric posted a poll asking if Tressel needed to get fired a couple months ago?  An overwhelming amount of people said he would not get fired. I do wonder if things are different today, and it's funny to hear every Ohio State fan make up excuses for this why this happened.  If you want to find the truest form of how someone feels, it's ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Here are some of his comments via USA Today 

Just like I did, Kirk thought his alma mater had one of the good guys in college football when in reality, Tressel is no different than the other snakes lying in the weeds.

-Charlie.

The Cam Newton Bandwagon Is Overflowing

For someone who is not an Auburn fan, I have been driving the Cam Newton bandwagon. I told everyone how special this guy was as a football player, and ignore all the BS that went with the situation. Newton is a great football player. People talked about all college football season about there are quarterbacks, then there is Cam Newton.  He is a physical freak who can do everything you want a quarterback to do. Finally, people are starting to notice. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., draft and hair expert has Cam going third to the Buffalo Bills and says the Carolina Panthers will take a long look at Newton for the overall first pick. 

I truly believe that his stock as a player went down because of all the things happening during the season. While in reality, it should have been rising because Newton handled it like a professional and kept winning games for his ball club. I am not sure if Ryan Mallet or Blaine Gabbert would be able to do that.  I think the Bills is a great destination for him because Ryan Fitzpatrick is a serviceable quarterback for a year, and then have Newton take the reigns. I still think Newton needs work on his mechanics a bit, but he can be used in a Wildcat formation with Fred Jackson. That will be very dangerous to defend.  In addition, Head Coach Chan Gailey has worked with a good amount of mobile quarterback and would rather work with them. This is shocking news to Trent Edwards.  

I have no idea who had the plan for Newton to do a media only workout. But it was an awesome idea that will be used for the next 10 years.  Not that he needed more buzz, but that is what instantaneously happened after he put on a great show. Trent Dilfer who is well-respected in football circles regarding quarterbacks raved about him on Sportscenter like he was watching his son out there. He wasn't alone as people start pumping article after article about how great Newton looked at this workout.  Add to the fact, Newton got the richest rookie shoe contract from Under Armour.

The next step is the combine.  Newton will once again show he has all the physical tools to be a great NFL quarterback and I wouldn't be shocked if rumblings started about the Carolina Panthers being interested in taking him number one.

-Charlie.

Daily Debate:Best Potential Rookie Quarterback

I had trouble phrasing this so if you were a team who needed a quarterback, who would be the quarterback you are selecting. I am going to make this poll question as well. Now, the NFL is over and we cannot talk offseason until the lockout is figured out although we can still talk about the draft. Who ya got?

I am taking Cam Newton.  I know people love Blaine Gabbert, but that is all on his body type in terms of the NFL and that doesn't always work out like it should.  Newton is a proven winner, he is a physical freak, and is a duel threat.  He reminds me of a more athletic Ben Roethlisberger. Newton needs one or two years develop, but I think after those two  years, he will be a star.

-Charlie.



You are right, Cam Newton does remind me of a more athletic Ben Roethlisberger.  He reminds me of a good athlete that can go 10-23 with 150 yards and 2 interceptions. 

I'm taking Ryan Mallet every day of the week.  He has by far the strongest arm, he has the size, and he has the atheltic ability to be successful in the NFL.  Not to mention he is one of the only college QBs that played in a true pro-style offense.  The only knock on Mallet is his consistency.  In my opinion, if a guy has all the physical tools and a good work ethic, which by all accounts Mallet has, consistency will come.  If Mallet is drafted into a good situation with good coaches he could be a very, very good NFL QB.

E

Eric, the only knock on Mallet is his *(in)consistency? What about his "bad attitude" that everyone knows about? I don't know of any proof other than word of mouth (no videos of him screaming at reporters or anything) but still, it's out there.


I personally am not that impressed by a QB in this year's class. Can I just take Andrew Luck? If not, I'll give you a name...Pat Devlin out of Delaware.

-Mitzy

Mitz, there is report out there that Mallet thought he was Tony Montana . I wouldn't call this a great source at all, but I do wonder about it because Mel Kiper dropped him off the big board last week. I really think his attitude is coming into question with a lot of people.  Mitchy, I like Devlin and I think Andy Dalton is a sneaky pick in the middle rounds.

-Sir Charles.

The First Taste: Trick Shot Quarterbacks

have no idea if this will be a regular thing on the blog, but I usually troll the internet to start my day. Why not share something cool I saw with my SNO Tap friends and give them a potential preview of what will be on deck for the day. Also if you have a better nickname for it, go ahead and tell me. Here is what's on the way today: Daily Debate, ARodg, Arod, Teddy T., and maybe Sean Payton from me who knows with th other ones.  Props to Deadspin for the video.

Well Isn't This Awkward?

This is the new Michigan coach Brady Hoke talking about Signing Day with former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez. Its comparable to when a current girlfriend talks to a former girlfriend almost right after the breakup. I didn't see Hoke take any cheap shots though. Sidenote about Signing Day, Clowney is down to South Carolina, Clemson, and Alabama.  Props to Quickish and CBS Sports for the video.

-Charlie.

MY GOD THAT'S JOEY HARRINGTON'S MUSIC

How did Mitch never share this with us?!   First off, most of the writers love Return of the Mac as a theme song to the evening and second off, that's Joey effin Harrington!  Great video, and suck it if I am way behind it.  For the hell of it, I am putting up the original song.



-Charlie.

This Is Garbage, Will Hill

Will Hill had one of the funniest athlete's twitter accounts that I have seen and claimed it was hacked by some blogger trying to make a name for himself. Hill is now embarrassed that people came across it, Barstool New York touched on it last week and it seemed like it took off from there. Sports by Brooks set up a nice video of different tweets he sent, and then explaining why he deleted his Twitter. C'mon Will, we all know it was you.

-Charlie.

Daily Debate: Cam Newton's Draft Spot

Well hopefully this will take the steam off the Brady-Manning, Duke-Michigan State feuds going on right now but it probably won't. Hey I tried. Cam Newton, not shocking decided to go pro for the upcoming 2011 season.  I wonder how high or low he will go. 

I have no idea why people want Blaine Gabbert who is the top rated quarterback.  Watch the tape of him at Nebraska, he struggled mightily with pressure, but yes he does have an NFL-ready body.  Newton reminds me of Daunte Culpepper. Remember Daunte had the size and speed like Netwon, yet in my opinion, Newton is faster than Culpepper. I think Cam will land either at the 10th spot with the Washington Redskins, or the 12th spot with the Minnesota Vikings. Both of those teams need a new quarterback and both make logical sense for Newton.   What do you guys think?

-Charlie

I'll start by saying that it's only natural that Cam, runs away from his problems. I am by no means, a Cam-Hater but when they reveal what really went down (probably next year) he'll be long gone counting his millions that someone, i.e. the Minnesota Vikings, will sheepishly give to him. No one will care at that point what happened this year.

Anywho, I agree that the 'Skins or Vikings could land him, but what about those Niners? Last I checked, they have a new head coach and a QB in Alex Smith that is wildly inconsistent. They do need help at corner, but Harbaugh might want a new QB for himself to work with.

-Mitch

Hoke to Ann Arbor: Not the Worst Idea

Hoke looks to make people
forget about RichRod

The Michigan Head Coaching position has been a hot button issue for awhile now.  After many people rejected the chance to coach at the Big House, a lot like girls' refusal to join A-Bar at the 230 Niagara residence.  Brady Hoke ended up being the choice because Michigan knew he wanted the job more than anybody. Hoke wants to win, especially beat their biggest rival Ohio State.

Hoke had a very emotional press conference with emphasis on beating the Buckeyes. I remember when the Chicago Bears hired Lovie Smith and his opening press conference was all about beating the Green Bay  Packers. That sort of talk fires up a distraught franchise and makes them feel as if they can beat their rival the next year, no matter their record. If I am a Big Blue fan, I am inspired to see what their new coach will do. 

The boosters will give Hoke a bigger cushion than Rich Rodriguez. This is the exact same thing Auburn did with Gene Chizik. They brought in a guy who the boosters loved and it resulted in a National Championship. I don't think it happens as quick because Denard Robinson is no Cam Newton.  Hoke's biggest struggle will be putting together a team with guys who might not fit his system. 

Honestly, it would not be the worst idea if Robinson left. Let Hoke bring in a new guy who fits his system and build for the future.  So what if you finish 3-9 in the first season, at least you have a guy who can be a superstar by year three. No matter who stays or leaves,I guarantee you Michigan will be ten times better on the defensive side of the football no matter their record.  Of course, they have Blue Chip athletes, they're Michigan. But in the last three years, they played in a horrific 3-3-5. Ecuador's military is stronger than a 3-3-5 in the Big Ten.

The first step to Hoke's success will be if the soon-to-be Michigan recruits buy into what he is selling, and if Hoke can get some players who are undecided to reconsider the Wolverines.  Right now, Ohio State and Nebraska are in the top 20 for the 2011 season according to Rivals. Further, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan State all are higher than Michigan who comes in at 37.  This needs to be the last year that the Wolverines find themselves outside of the top 25. They need to figure out way to bring the Desmond Howards, Charles Woodsons, and Tom Bradys of the world to return to Ann Arbor. 

If Hoke got horrific Ball State program to a 12-1 record, took San Diego State to a bowl game for the first time since 1998. It didn't take very long to do either of those.  Michigan will take more time, believe that, but Hoke will keep making strides for the Wolverines to be the powerhouse they were in the last decade. 

-Charlie.

Charles Barkley Is Gagging On His Foot

In 2008, when the Auburn Tigers hired Gene Chizik, Charles Barkley was outraged. Now he pulled out the race card, blah blah I won't get into that. However, following Auburn somewhat and just watching ESPN on a regular basis there is no doubt Gene Chizik knows what he is doing. The Tigers dealt with much scrutiny under a microscope thanks to Cam Newton and that whole situation. He did a hell of a job managing and keeping the guys focused on the present task and not placing emphasis on off the field allegations.

Chizik was 5-19 during his two year stint as head coach of Iowa State, which is a downright awful record, I'll side with Barkley on that. But to say his resume was the worst of the applicants when applying to fill in Tubervilles job is insane. First off this isn't his first rodeo at Auburn, in 2004 he was the defensive coordinator and that team went on to be 13-0 and finished number 2 in the country in the final rankings. Secondly, he was the defensive coordinator at Texas when they won the Nat'l Championship against USC. Gene has been seasoned being successful in the past. Just because he didn't have success at Iowa State doesn't make him a poor choice. Look at Bill Belichick, he coached with the Browns for 5 years starting in 1991 and only had one above .500 season. Then he goes on to the Patriots and everyone knows how that story is unfolding.

I don't dislike Charles, in fact I think he's hilarious and I understand he's known for being outspoken. But with that said before we bash a hire, lets give the guy a year or two. Who knows maybe that guy you didn't want will bring your alma mater an undefeated season, Heisman Trophy winning QB and a National Championship.

With all that said, congrats to Auburn and Gene Chizik with a great season and deserving of the Nat'l Championship. Kudos.

Big Cat