Thursday, February 28, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 28, 2013

February, we salute your departure with a draught from these six college football stories from around the country.

Nick Saban Announces Players' Status with Team

University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced Wednesday that Brent Calloway, Tyler Hayes, D.J. Pettway, and Eddie Williams were no longer associated with the football program.

Combine math makes overachievers of Northwestern, Mississippi

Comparing the final Sagarin Rankings to the number of NFL combine participants for each school provides some insight on whether coaching staffs maximized their available talent.

AP Source: NCAA found $170K in Shapiro benefits

The NCAA is alleging that former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro was responsible for providing about $170,000 in impermissible benefits to Hurricanes athletes, recruits, coaches and others.

Special prosecutor to probe Penn St. grand jury

A special prosecutor will examine whether secrecy rules were violated in proceedings by the grand jury that investigated Jerry Sandusky and three former Penn State administrators.

QB beaten out by Manziel transferring

Jameill Showers, the quarterback Johnny Manziel beat out to become the starter at Texas A&M last season, is transferring to UTEP and will be eligible to play next season.

Quotable:

On former Alabama star and current Cleveland Brown running back Trent Richardson's toughness and whether he is injury prone:

"No, no, no, no. The injuries haven't been serious. He delivers a blow. That's what he does. He delivers more damage than anybody delivers to him. Just watch him play.

"He can overcome almost anything. He has a great mental attitude, he can recover quickly and he's a survivor. That's the key to Trent: He's a survivor. The Cleveland Browns have a wonderful player who hasn't even scratched the surface."

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NFL looks into combine sex orientation question - ESPN

NFL looks into combine sex orientation question - ESPN
Published on espn.go.com | shared via feedly
The NFL on Wednesday said it would investigate a report that at least one team at the scouting combine asked a draft prospect about his sexual orientation.
Colorado tight end Nick Kasa told ESPN Radio Denver on Tuesday that he was asked a series of questions that touched on sexual orientation at the just-completed combine in Indianapolis.
 
"[Teams] ask you like, 'Do you have a girlfriend?' 'Are you married?' 'Do you like girls?' " Kasa said in the radio interview. "Those kinds of things, and you know it was just kind of weird. But they would ask you with a straight face, and it's a pretty weird experience altogether."
Sigh.

Why are these types of questions inappropriate? A locker room is a lot like a bunker or a foxhole. You need to know that the people you're putting into those situations can work together as a team.

No one has said that they weren't drafting someone who said they were gay or played both sides. That's not the issue here at all. When you're "hiring" someone and expecting to pay them a seven-figure salary, you have every right to know exactly what you're getting.

If not, then the terrorists have won.

ZOMG! Mark Richt has done gone Nick Saban, or something

UGA Coach Mark Richt placed Alexander Ogletree on a medical hardship waiver, effectively ending his football career with the Bulldogs. The program cited “undisclosed medical reasons” as the basis for the decision.

What’s the big deal with that, you ask? Well, Georgia pulled in 33 players in the 2013 signing class.

In other words, Georgia “oversigned,” a practice that the Atlanta area media have tried to slam Alabama coach Nick Saban on repeatedly.

So, I’m just going to leave this link right here, and give you a quote from it that drips with hypocrisy.

“We will not over-sign at Georgia, either," McGarity said.

Oh, and then there’s this juicy little tidbit from Richt himself:

"We could always get into a situation where we oversign, but there's no way I could look at a kid and his parents and say, 'We had some room, but now we really don't.' I just think you have to be careful," Richt told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Signing Day. "I don't want to oversign, then tell one of the kids we've already got, 'You've got no value to us' and toss him aside. I'm not going to do that."

How do you like Mark Richt now, oversigning.com?

We eagerly anticipate the 700-word column in tomorrow’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution, castigating Richt for following in the footsteps of the evil dark lord of roster management.

Four arrested Tide players gone like yesterday

Four arrested Tide players no longer with the team
Published on CollegeFootballTalk | shared via feedly
As expected, the Alabama careers of four players arrested in connection to a pair of robberies earlier this month have come to an end. 

While the term “dismissed” was not used, head coach Nick Saban confirmed Wednesday that the quartet — running back Brent Calloway, linebacker Tyler Hayes, defensive lineman D.J. Pettway and defensive back Eddie Williams – are “no longer associated with the football program.”  All four players were indefinitely suspended Feb. 12, just a couple of days after their arrests.
See the rest here.

There was at least a glimmer of hope that Calloway would survive the bloodletting. But this is at least his second run-in with the law and was already on his second chance. The other three were as gone as yesterday as soon as the arrest reports were released.

Indeed, Saban's hands were all but tied when it came to Hayes, Pettway and Williams as the University was poised to expel them anyway for such egregious violations of the conduct code.

Chase Goodbread's tweet is below.


Is Mark Emmert's job in jeopardy?

Analysis: What all of these statements mean for NCAA President Mark Emmert
Published on USATODAY NCAAF | shared via feedly
The statements keep clattering into the inbox, one after another. The latest arrived Tuesday night from a conference commissioner and the league's chairman of the board of directors. In this "challenging era for governance within intercollegiate athletics," the Mountain West Conference wants everyone to know of its support of NCAA President Mark Emmert. It is mostly filled with the wordy blah-blah unique to these things, and it is otherwise unremarkable – except that someone felt it needed to be said.

That's pretty unusual.

This follows on the heels of another statement, issued last week by the NCAA's executive committee. Michigan State president Lou Anna K. Simon, the current chair, said the committee had "unanimously affirmed its confidence in Mark's leadership." It went on from there, but here's the takeaway after all of this emphatic support:

Such votes of confidence are rarely good news for the guy being endorsed.
Full story here.

The most glaring incidents leading up to questions about Emmert's future are the "consent decree" that forced draconian sanctions down the throat of Penn State and the thoroughly botched Miami investigation.

The NCAA has long been criticized for its arbitrary and often capricious enforcement actions and unethical behavior during the conduct of investigations. See the USC Bush case where the NCAA was bound and determined to punish an uncooperative institution and the Alabama Means case where the NCAA used double secret witnesses without giving the school the opportunity to cross examine.

Both of these came before Emmert ascended to the throne, but they both show that what happened in the Miami case wasn't new. The NCAA didn't just wake up and figure out how to skirt their own policies and procedures. Quite the opposite--the evidence shows that they're well practiced in it and knew exactly what they needed to do and how to do it.

The question now is this: Has Emmert just decided that the NCAA isn't going to fake it anymore? That would be disturbing for a number of reasons and the email chain Schroeder mentions in his column indicate that there are rumblings that could grow to a landslide.

Morning Six Pack: February 27, 2013

Hompin, Hompin, Hompin, ROLL TIDE! Check out these six college football stories from around the country.

NCAA rules clarification closes Johnny Football 'loophole'

College football and basketball players hoping to cash in on the Johnny Football "loophole" should hold off before they retain intellectual property attorneys.

Saban’s not going to come here.

“I love stability. I love continuity,” Dodds said in an interview with The Daily Texan. “If you have stability, you have continuity and you’ve got good people. It’s a formula that works. I think we’ve got that. If somebody tells me we need to change, I say, ‘Ok, but who should we hire?”

St. Paul's offensive lineman Josh Casher gets Auburn offer

High school offensive tackle being recruited as a center, adds Auburn to offer list that includes Florida, Florida State, Texas Tech.

Former Tennessee strength coach breaks into basketball arena with saw

The affidavit said that Wills broke into a UT event management director's office, using a saw, then "ransacked" the room causing $750 damages and stealing $4,150 from the desk.

Long-time Penn State assistant lands in the MAC

Not retained as part of the transition from Joe Paterno to Bill O’Brien at Penn State last year, Bill Kenney has finally landed on his coaching feet.

Quotable:

The last time SEC fans heard from Mike Slive on the topic of his league's forthcoming television network, he all-but-confirmed the open secret to USA Today, stopping short of saying the decision was final but declaring that there was room on the nation's satellite TV packages and cable bills for "at least one" more conference-branded network.

So per the Bryan-College Station Eagle, maybe it's no surprise that Texas A&M athletic director Eric Hyman told the local Chamber of Commerce Monday that the network is definitely on its way -- but that Hyman is so certain of its imminent arrival (and willing to credit it for solving any potential Aggie financial issues) suggests that Slive's officially official announcement could come along any day now.

"We don't have a lot of financial maneuverability here in the athletic department right now," Hyman said. "But hopefully, when the (SEC) television network comes on in a couple of years we'll have more flexibility."

"It's a game-changer, it separates us," he added. "All of our teams will get exposure like they've never had before. The exposure that we're going to get is going to be phenomenal."

We may rue the day that Texas A&M was invited to join the SEC.

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 26, 2013

We’re back! Check out these six cool college football stories from around the country.

Hurtt allegedly provided benefits

Louisville's Clint Hurtt faces allegations of receiving and providing impermissible benefits while an assistant at Miami. The NCAA says Hurtt received a $2,500 loan and provided perks to Hurricanes recruits.

Numbers for Manti Te'o at Scouting Combine cause for concern?

Te'o participated in five of the seven drills, opting out of the bench press and 60-yard shuttle, and did not finish ranked among the top five at his position in any of them.

Pa. governor's filing defends antitrust suit against NCAA

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett says the NCAA has been trying to use his antitrust lawsuit over its sanctions against Penn State in a child sex abuse scandal to combat a groundswell of public criticism.

Did Johnny Manziel's lawsuit create a loophole to pay athletes?

Manziel sues for trademark infringement. If he wins, the NCAA said the student-athlete can keep the money from the suit.

UTC's Adam Braithwaite now defensive coordinator

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football coach Russ Huesman has found the Mocs' new defensive coordinator. He was, literally, right next door.

Quotable:

Under a colorful sky and a Silicon Valley sunset, the Cardinal began the first half of their split spring practice schedule Monday evening with something even more comforting than the weather: a starting quarterback. The defending Pac-12 Conference and Rose Bowl champions also return most of a stout defense, too.

Stanford still needs to sort out starters at running back, tight end, wide receiver, left tackle and center under new offensive coordinator Mike Bloomgren. While those competitions will likely last through the summer, this spring should give a glimpse about whether the Cardinal are worthy of what so many are forecasting this fall: a top-five ranking in The Associated Press preseason poll.

After two hectic months on the road recruiting and attending coaching clinics, Shaw felt at ease being back on the field. His message to players at the start of spring: keep it simple.

''I'm excited about how we started,'' Shaw said at the end of practice, when a full moon illuminated the night sky. ''We started much better than we did a year ago on the first day of spring. I think we've got a lot of retention, a lot of guys coming back, there's a lot of energy. I think they remembered the beginning of last spring, so our seniors did a great job of getting these guys ready to go. We started fast. It was a good day.''

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

A short hiatus…

Please pardon the short hiatus. Sick kids, a crushing work schedule and to top it all off, a dying laptop has forced IBCR to take a break. The little bammers are getting better and the workload is lightening up a bit.

And the new laptop is a powerful upgrade that’s taking some time to configure and get used to.

Everything should be back to normal in a day or two.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 22, 2013

TGIF and thank God there are these six college football stories from around the country to start your weekend off right as rain.

FAN REVIEW: Missouri fans have much to learn about life in the SEC

We’re on a three week journey examining the fanbases of each of the fourteen SEC schools.

College Recruiting: Mark Richt on UGA stacking up JC football recruits

UGA signed more junior college players for 2013 than the last four recruiting classes combined. Toby Johnson, a 4-star defensive tackle from Hutchinson junior college, was the latest addition to UGA.

Not a sustainable model, says Jackie Sherrill.

Even with an injured foot, former Alabama center Barrett Jones leaves his mark on NFL Combine

Jones won't be participating in any events this weekend and will be able to just bench press at Alabama's Pro Day in March.

Auburn football: Garner thrilled about newcomers

Heading into National Signing Day just over two weeks ago, Auburn defensive line and associate head coach Rodney Garner was optimistic about the players the Tigers were going to sign…

Reports: ESPN matches NBC's offer to Big East

Sports Business Journal and ESPN.com are reporting that ESPN has matched NBC's offer to buy the Big East's television rights for about $20 million per year over six years.

Quotable:

''Clint is due his due process,'' Jurich said. ''I think that's the only fair thing that we can do as a university. Clint's side of the story is much different than the allegations are so I think we wait the 90 days and see how it unfolds then.''

Like Hill and Fernandez, Hurtt faces a charge that he breached the ethical-conduct provision from the NCAA.

Also Thursday, a member of the Florida Senate wrote the state's Attorney General, asking that the NCAA be investigated for what he called ''lack of institutional control'' on the association's part.

Sen. Joseph Abruzzo wrote Attorney General Pam Bondi, saying that NCAA investigators ''engaged in corrupt behavior in an attempt to manufacture misdeeds against the University of Miami'' and in doing so, may have actually violated Florida law.

''I am requesting that the NCAA's admitted wrongdoing be investigated immediately before the NCAA's witch hunt against the University of Miami causes further damage,'' Abruzzo wrote.

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 21, 2013

Thirsty Thursday starts early with these six college football stories from around the country.

Alabama football: Saban adds Cristobal to coaching staff

Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced Wednesday the hiring of Mario Cristobal as Alabama's offensive line coach and assistant head coach.

Forward focus: UF's linebackers

The Florida Gators experienced a considerable bump in Will Muschamp's second season, going from 7-6 in 2011 to 11-2 in 2012 with a berth in a BCS bowl game.

Colorado to upgrade football facilities

The University of Colorado presented a $170 million proposal to upgrade the Buffaloes' football facilities to the board of regents at its monthly meeting Wednesday.

Mark Emmert's crumbling credibility

When the University of Miami is more sympathetic than your organization, you have issues.

Louisville assistant coach gets notice of allegations from Miami probe

Louisville defensive line coach Clint Hurtt received a notice of allegations from the NCAA.

Quotable:

“It’s the equivalent of this: We have a speed limit for a reason,” Jones said. “We may not like the speed limit, but you never hear the law enforcement agencies say, ‘We can’t enforce it, so we’re just going to do away with the speed limit.’ ”

Jones isn’t the only coach to criticize the rule changes.

Big Ten coaches and athletic directors issued a statement last week expressing “serious concerns whether these proposals, as currently written, are in the best interest of high school student-athletes, their families and their coaches.”

“These are still 16- and 17-year-old young adults,” Jones said. “They need to have a life.”

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

AJC: "Let the butthurt flow through you..."


 
College Recruiting: Alabama at No. 1 spot in 'Oversigning Index'
Published on Ajc Blogs: 'College Recruiti... | shared via feedly
Alabama ran away with the No. 1 spot in the “Oversigning Index” by CBSSports.com.

No other team is even close to Alabama, which projects to have 95 players on scholarship for the 2013 season.

The runner-up is Washington at 91, followed by Virginia at 90 and (surprisingly) Vanderbilt at 89.

Per NCAA rules, a college team can only have 85 players on scholarship before the start of the season.
Mash taters.

Perhaps no other publication or media outlet in the southeast gets more red-assed than the prestigious Atlanta Journal-Constitution when it comes to how or why Alabama has risen to the top of the best conference in College football.

The original article at CBSSports.com--written by former Yahoo! Dr. Saturday blogger Matt Hinton--does a pretty fair job of assessing the Tide's football roster and explains that while criticism abounds, there's nothing illegal about how Nick Saban practices the art of roster management.

Edit to add: By the way, what team signed 33 players in the 2013 class? That would be Georgia.

Go read the comments section at the bottom of the AJC post.

Solid. Red. Butthurt. 

Morning Six Pack: February 20, 2013

Humping right along with these six college football stories from around the country.

News not all bad...

Top tight end prospect picks Miami.

Kentucky Fans––Pretty women, ugly football

We’re on a three week journey examining the fanbases of each of the fourteen SEC schools. Today we visit the Commonwealth, taking a look at Kentucky.

USC hires UK's Summers to be its O-line coach

USC has hired Mike Summers as Trojans new offensive line coach, a source confirmed to CBS Tuesday night.

LaTech looks to Ivy League for new defensive coordinator

Well, Louisiana Tech’s defense will be a smarter unit simply by association as it moves to Conference USA, right? Regardless, first-year Tech head coach Skip Holtz announced Tuesday that he has hired Kim Dameron as his new defensive coordinator.

Miami receives notice of allegations from NCAA

The University of Miami received its notice of allegations from the NCAA on Tuesday, signaling the beginning of the end of what has been a two-year-long probe into the Hurricanes athletic department.

Quotable:

An outside investigation of how his organization handled the Miami case concluded as much. The report released Monday cited a lack of effective oversight and numerous examples of how its enforcement staff violated the NCAA's own internal policies while conducting its investigation (more on that in a moment), including ignoring advice from its legal counsel. Conveniently, the same outside investigation also decided none of the NCAA's laws or bylaws were broken, meaning that Emmert and any staff members who could claim plausible deniability and haven't already been fired, forced out, resigned or retired likely will hang onto their jobs. Too bad.

Even worse was Emmert's self-serving answer to whether the NCAA's tactics had damaged its credibility.

"The damage is, first of all, for those people who were already skeptical or cynics, this feeds into their cynicism," he said Monday. "For those of us who have great confidence in all the people around this building, it's painful to have to deal with an issue that fails to live up to our standards and expectations. I think that's the challenge for all of us that work here."

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 19, 2013

Your morning routine isn’t complete without these six college football stories from around the country.

Te'o wants to be evaluated by play, not scandal

Many have wondered whether the bizarre scandal that embroiled linebacker Manti Te'o could have an effect on his draft stock, but don't count Te'o himself in that camp.

Auburn notebook - NFL analyst: Lemonier hasn't played up to what he should

The NFL Scouting Combine is less than a week away as more than 300 of the top college players in the nation will converge on Indianapolis for a chance to work out for pro scouts.

SEC BeachFest kickoff looks to be bumped up a week in Gulf Shores

Officials with Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism are asking the city for permission to push SEC BeachFest up a week in August in order to boost attendance.

Subject of one of the greatest sports rants ever now on Mike Gundy's staff

Former Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid has been hired by coach Mike Gundy as an administrator.

I guess he’s a man, now?

Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel not on campus this spring, taking online courses only

Manziel was initially enrolled in an English class on campus this spring with only 20 to 25 students before switching his schedule due to "his peers' requests for photos and autographs became too much."

Quotable:

Note that Kenneth L. Wainstein, whose firm conducted the investigation, placed the blame almost entirely on Najjar. While the report faults "management" for poor oversight, he made a point on Monday's conference call of citing Roe Lach's "integrity" both in the events described and in her interviews with his firm. Almost no blame is placed on Isch, the NCAA's second highest-ranking official and its former interim president, despite the fact that he signed off on the arrangement. His involvement in authorizing Perez's proposal was deemed mostly budgetary and "he did not have responsibility for vetting its appropriateness." And Emmert himself gets just a tiny little mention at the end because "he was not apprised of the arrangement with Ms. Perez until the fall of 2012" and, upon learning of it, dealt with the situation accordingly.

The report concludes that while no NCAA bylaws were broken, Najjar and company did violate internal NCAA protocol (by hiring an attorney without legal counsel's approval) and that Najjar "apparently never considered whether he was inappropriately using the bankruptcy process for the NCAA's purposes. "...For a host of reasons, the Perez proposal was unquestionably a bad idea for the NCAA," the report stated.

All of which begs the question: For such an unquestionably bad idea, how come so many NCAA employees -- from the investigators working below Najjar all the way up to the No. 2 person (Isch) in the entire organization -- either failed to see or refused to accept it?

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Monday, February 18, 2013

Darlington likes Alabama players in upcoming NFL Draft

 
Mayock: Prepare for 'confusing' quarterback draft
Published on NFL.com | shared via feedly
On Alabama prospects: "I'm never a big believer that you knock a kid on past performance, or raise a kid on past performance. But I will tell you this: I find myself looking at the Alabama kids, and feeling like I know what I'm getting with them. I know that they're being coached hard, they're playing against SEC competition every year, and I kind of look at the Alabama kids, and I go, 'OK.' I'm almost unconsciously placing them higher because I know what kind of performance I'm going to get from them. So, I'm in effect rewarding them for where they went to school."
Mash here for the original.

Morning Six Pack: February 18, 2013

Believe me… I’m as amazed as you are that we can STILL find six college football stories from around the country.

Clark, among top Nebraska rushers, dies at 46

Ken Clark, one of the top all-time rushers at Nebraska who went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts, has died. He was 46.

Introducing JUCO transfer Leon Brown, an offensive tackle with a goal to contribute in 2013

After two seasons at ASA College in Brooklyn, N.Y., Brown could be in the running to replace D.J. Fluker at right tackle.

Senior Bowl Review: Another Trufant heads for the NFL

Washington's Desmond Trufant was the best cornerback for the North team during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, according to Phil Savage, the all-star game's executive director.

Nittany Lions help raise millions for pediatric cancer research

Penn State’s reputation took a significant hit in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, but there are still some classy and selfless acts going on at the university.

Hired away from Arkansas, Tim Horton fits as Auburn's running backs coach

Horton had a chance to stay at Arkansas, his alma mater, as part of the Razorbacks' new staff, but Gus Malzahn's offer paid off by landing the experienced coach, particularly when Rich Bisaccia abruptly left the staff three weeks after being hired.

Quotable:

The matchup at Soldier Field was the first-ever outdoor game played by the Irish. It was no small feat to drop a hockey rink in the middle of a football field, and even before this, Swarbrick had conversations about how onerous a task it is to stage an event like Sunday's.

"I had talked to the guys at Fenway (Park) about their experience with the Winter Classic – it's big," Swarbrick said, with a laugh. "It's a major undertaking. As I say, there's nothing even remotely planned. But I just think somewhere down the road it'll make sense for us."

As it was, Swarbrick heaped praise on Soldier Field as a hockey host for the first time in its history.

"This is such a great city for Notre Dame, and such a great venue," Swarbrick said. "I can't imagine a better venue to put this in, because of the intimacy of the stadium. When I walked in, that was the first thing that struck me – you don't feel like you're watching this game from the moon."

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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Man loses BCS title game bet, forced to wear Speedo


Cleveland Indians trainer loses BCS title game bet, forced to wear Speedo at spring training
Published on offthebench.nbcsports.com | shared via feedly
As Major League Baseball started spring training in Arizona and Florida, one Cleveland Indians trainer by the name of Michael Salazar was probably dreading its start.

Why you ask? Salazar had made a bet with strength and conditioning coach Joe Kessler regarding the BCS National Championship Game between Notre Dame and the University of Alabama back in January. Michael lost the bet after he sided with the Irish and had to pay up by donning an Alabama hat and red Speedo while tending to players in Goodyear, Arizona last Friday.

The original bet only needed Salazar to don the hat and Speedo but Indians pitcher Justin Masterson decided to make the bet even more memorable by stealing Michael's shirt.
Mash taters.

Not posting the pics  because... well... what has been seen cannot be unseen. 

Morning Six Pack: February 17, 2013

Start your Sunday brunch with a draught of these six cool, clear and crisp college football stories from around the country.

SEC ready to invade NFL combine

As long as college underclassmen continue to forgo their final seasons of eligibility, the NFL Scouting Combine will keep growing in popularity and importance.

Too many running backs? If that's what you think Alabama has, Nick Saban would like a word

The Crimson Tide brings back T.J. Yeldon and a number of other contributors from 2012, but the cavalry was still upgraded with four new running backs.

350-Pound Running Back David Fangupo With Impressive Highlight Reel Commits to Hawaii

The University of Hawaii has found the anti-Danny Woodhead. David Fangupo, a 350-pound running back, has committed to Hawaii, according to West Hawaii Today.

Senior Bowl Review: Markus Wheaton tops group, Denard Robinson needs work

Connecticut's Markus Wheaton was the best wide receiver for the North team during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, according to Phil Savage, the all-star game's executive director.

Penn State’s scandal tab surpasses $27 million

The Jerry Sandusky child-sex abuse scandal has cost Penn State on numerous fronts, from its once-sterling reputation to stifling NCAA sanctions to myriad points in between.

Quotable:

In the days leading up to the game, league officials and Charlotte Collegiate Football, the local organizing committee for the ACC championship game and the Belk Bowl, attributed sagging ticket sales to Georgia Tech not being named the ACC Coastal representative until Nov. 19, the lack of a marquee matchup and both teams' upcoming bowl games. North Carolina was ineligible to compete in the championship due to NCAA sanctions, and when Miami self-imposed a bowl ban on Nov. 19, that made Georgia Tech the Coastal representative.

Florida State locked up its Atlantic Division crown with a 41-14 win over Maryland on Nov. 17 but lost handily to rival Florida at home the week prior to the ACC championship.

"Both were late to qualify, that hurts you; people don't have as long to make their plans, they know they're going to a bowl game a month later. So that short term turnaround, you know, gets in the way," Charlotte Collegiate Football Executive Director Will Webb told Charlotte's News14 Carolina on Nov. 29.

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Saturday, February 16, 2013

SHOCKING NEWS: Auburn fans are stalking Alabama players again

It’s another offseason, and it’s another effort by the BAMBI © crowd (Bureau of Auburn Message Board Investigation) to implicate current and former Alabama football players in violations of NCAA improper benefits schemes. This has happened at least once every year that this blog has been in existence.

The BAMBI’s comb Facebook and Twitter, looking for pictures that they think is slam-dunk evidence of players getting free clothes, free cars, free rent, free cash, free food, free everything. Apparently, they don’t think black guys should have all of this stuff.

This time, BAMBI leader @BettyCrocked has found pics of Alabama players standing next to cars with tricked out rims and suggests that they can’t possibly get such bling without running afoul of NCAA rules.

image This is the same bunch that concocted the crazy T-Town Menswear story in 2011, and the same bunch who followed Trent Richardson around, taking pictures of his car and even driving by his house to take pictures of the place his mom and kids were living. This is also the same fanbase that came up with the Operation Red Dog scheme, which consisted of an organized plan to entrap Tide players by offering them laptops, fishing trips and other such perks and then reporting them to the NCAA. It’s also the same bunch of crazies who, going back as far as the early 1990’s paid former Alabama players (Gene Jelks) to make up stories of being paid to play.

These are not the most sane, rational folks out there, so stuff like the Hot Wheelz theory are par for the course.

Maybe they’ve never heard of Pell Grants and other assistance programs that allow student athletes to have the same necessities and perks of college life that all students enjoy. Or, maybe they just don’t care.

Be sure and follow that link above. There’s a lot of good info there to help the sane fans understand how things work in the real world.

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Helmet Tap to NashvilleT.

Morning Six Pack: February 16, 2013

Happy Saturday! With your donuts, enjoy these six college football stories from around the country.

Thomas 'Moose' Praytor carrying along AJ McCarron's number at Daytona today

Thomas "Moose" Praytor will be driving the No. 2 ARCA-Mobile 200/RoushYates Ford in today's ARCA Racing Series Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona International Speedway.

BYU adds pair of offensive assistants

As programs across the country continue the process of replenishing assistants lost through various forms of attrition, BYU is the latest to further solidify its coaching staff ahead of the start of spring practice.

Troy University names Jim Dye new offensive line coach

Hiring is a return for Dye to Troy after 10 seasons coaching in Georgia high school ranks.

Anderson lineman dies after collapsing in basketball game

An Anderson University football player has died after he collapsed in an intramural basketball game.

Hurt Lattimore says Clowney will play

Jadeveon Clowney and Marcus Lattimore have talked since the football season ended, just not about injuries.

Quotable:

It probably seems a little early still, considering Johnny Manziel just finished his redshirt freshman season and has three full years of college eligibility left to burn. But so intense was Manziel's star in 2012 and so attractive is the lure of the next level that Texas A&M coaches are already beginning to prepare for life after Manziel -- and for the possibility that it might begin as soon as next year, when the reigning Heisman Trophy winner becomes eligible for the NFL Draft.

"With the uncertainty of Johnny's situation because of the way the NFL is going -- his stock is rising," newly promoted offensive coordinator Clarence McKinney told a group of A&M boosters in Houston earlier this week, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Because of that uncertainty, McKinney said, the addition of a pair of freshman quarterbacks last week was "huge" to the program's long-term fortunes.

"The way the NFL is going," of course, is toward an increased acceptance of mobile quarterbacks who challenge the defense as runners as well as passers, suddenly en vogue thanks to the immediate success of dual threats Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson. Manziel led the SEC last year with 1,410 yards rushing -- including negative yardage on sacks -- and led all quarterbacks nationally with 21 rushing touchdowns. He went over 100 yards on the ground in eight games, capped by a 229-yard romp through a confused, overmatched outfit posing as Oklahoma's defense in the Cotton Bowl.

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Friday, February 15, 2013

BCS National Championship Game in HD (Video)

While it lasts (maybe not very long), here’s the 2013 BCS National Championship Game played between Alabama and Notre Dame on January 7, 2013.

Just in time to brunt the efforts of the media and certain rival message boards’ attempts to dig up dirt on the 100+ players who continue to do everything by the rules.

Enjoy, and have a great weekend, y’all.



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Morning Six Pack: February 15, 2013

Happy Friday! Start a great spring weekend with these six fresh college football stories from around the country.

Tide has ‘a little bit of interest’ in Gamecocks’ OL coach

Yesterday, Ben noted that Alabama has spoken with UCF offensive line coach Brent Key regarding their vacancy at the same position. Now, it appears Nick Saban is at least sniffing around an assistant from an SEC school as well.

South Carolina's Steve Spurrier: Jadeveon Clowney not quitting on his team

Spurrier said Thursday while attending a South Carolina basketball game with his wife that Clowney wants another season to improve.

Senior Bowl Review: UCLA's Johnathan Franklin best of North's running backs

UCLA's Johnathan Franklin was the best running back and Colorado's Nick Kasa the best tight end for the North team during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, according to Phil Savage, the all-star game's executive director.

LSU to set to introduce new offensive coordinator

Les Miles will introduce Cam Cameron as LSU's new offensive coordinator on Friday.

Penn State makes Anthony Midget hiring official

Midget had been hired by Marshall as a defensive assistant late last month before abruptly leaving Huntington for Happy Valley.

Quotable:

As the NCAA begins to reduce its role in the regulation of big-time sports, a powerful group of faculty-senate leaders is urging the association to convene a national summit to discuss broad changes in the oversight of athletics.

The group—the Steering Committee of the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics, which includes some 60 universities that play sports at the NCAA’s highest level—wants faculty members more involved in creating and enforcing campus athletics policies, and believes professors should have a greater voice at the NCAA and conference levels.

“Faculty engagement in athletics governance must play a critical role in this new deregulated world,” the group wrote in a five-page letter to the NCAA on Thursday. “Faculty maintain a unique commitment to academic standards that will support values adherence, and the institution of tenure, on campuses where it is granted, allows faculty to speak with independence not practically available to others.”

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Thursday, February 14, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 14, 2013

Smooch. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day early with these six sticky, sweet college football stories from around the country.

Jeremy Johnson, 'the rock' of Auburn's recruiting class, targets competition for playing time

Johnson, who has known Malzahn since the ninth grade, already has all the physical tools, and he's planning to add weight and muscle to his frame in the spring in preparation to enroll at summer…

Tennessee Vols self-report 10 minor NCAA violations

The University of Tennessee athletic department has self-reported 10 violations to the NCAA since August.

Ex-Illinois co-OC reportedly headed to Wisconsin

A weak offensive showing in 2012 that had Illinois rank last in the Big Ten in both points (16.7) and total offense (296.7 yards) resulted in Illini co-offensive coordinator Chris Beatty being shown the door…

Senior Bowl Review: Eric Fisher, Kawann Short top their groups, Phil Savage says

Senior Bowl Executive Director Phil Savage is revisiting the 2013 all-star game by evaluating the week of practices team by team and position by position.

ESPNU College Football

Ivan Maisel breaks down the Paterno family report and compares it to the Freeh report with Don Van Natta Jr.

Quotable:

"He was a good kid," Hale said. "Good personality, got along well with everybody. We never had any kind of problem like this at all with him."

Hale said he talked to Williams' uncle early Tuesday and again Wednesday. Hale described him to be "heartbroken" and "shocked."

Hale said Williams' uncle was on his way to Tuscaloosa.

"They do something wrong, you hurt," Hale said. "You hurt for them, you hurt for yourself.

"I just pray to God he learns from this and never ever makes another mistake like this in his life."

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Ejection for targeting? This will not end well

 
Football Rules Committee recommends ejection for targeting defenseless players - NCAA.org
Published on www.ncaa.org | shared via feedly

Morning Six Pack: February 13, 2013

Remember man, from dust you came and to dust you shall return. Amen to these six college football stories from around the country.

Duane Rankin: Saban swiftly sends a message

Nick Saban took action. Swiftly. On Monday, four Alabama players were arrested with one being charged a second time for a different crime in as many days. Less than 24 hours after Monday's arrests, Saban reacted.

Auburn's hurry-up, no-huddle is flexible enough to fit talent, Rhett Lashlee says

The base principles and core plays of Gus Malzahn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense remain the same, but offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee told the Montgomery Quarterback Club on Tuesday night the system can be tweaked…

Richt gets raise, extension to 2017

After leading Georgia to within a whisker of its first football national championship in more than three decades, Bulldogs coach Mark Richt is receiving a raise and an extension.

Shipp, Kittle not returning for Oklahoma

OU’s Bob Stoops is cleaning house.

John L. Smith now accused of defrauding creditors

In addition to a one-and-done season as Arkansas’ head coach and the death of his brother, Bart, John L. Smith’s financial troubles have equated to one unimaginably tough year.

Quotable:

The wolf of bad, inexplicable, criminal behavior isn't limited to one school, and no athletic program is safe from it. Fans who revel in finger-pointing at rivals should do so cautiously or, better still, should just stay quiet and hope their turn isn't coming soon. There is no refuge, at any athletic program, at any school, from sheer stupidity.

That isn't the big issue, though. There is a much larger consideration than whose fans get to point fingers or criticize coaches.

There is no place in a university's student population - not just on its football team, but in the general student body - for individuals who would attack, injure and rob their fellow students. That is simple common sense. There may not be a place for such individuals in society at large, at least not without a large dose of rehabilitation. Better for all involved to cut such individuals loose.

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Four Alabama players arrested

TideSports.com - Four UA players arrested
Published on alabama.rivals.com | shared via feedly
 The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office booked four University of Alabama football players on charges ranging from fraudulent use of a credit card to second degree robbery Monday.

Running back Brent Calloway was charged with fraudulent use of a credit card. Linebackers Tyler Hayes and D.J. Pettway were charged with second-degree robbery, while defensive back Eddie Williams was charged with both crimes.

Details of the incident which led to the arrests remain unclear.
Original story here.

A rarity at Alabama since Nick Saban arrived in January 2007.

The offseason almost always brings bad news to college football programs. However, under Saban, Alabama players have rarely been mentioned in the same sentence with felony arrests. It's almost someone else with a few "problem children" who find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Details will emerge in the near future, but don't expect any of these guys to be back with the team.

Opportunities wasted.

Morning Six Pack: February 12, 2013

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Your beloved lead blogger might be will be is in the streets today. You know what to do: Show us six college football stories from around the country. hiccup

Alabama wide receivers coach Mike Groh picks up another 'Recruiter of the Year' award

Rivals.com names the Crimson Tide's recruiting coordinator its Recruiter of the Year.

Big Ten agrees to go at least nine conference games

Though it’s been circulating through the rumor mill over the past several weeks, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany confirmed during conference meetings on Monday that his league would move to at least nine conference games, possibly even 10.

Erickson to Utah

Dennis Erickson, who won two national titles at Miami and has been a head coach at three Pacific-12 schools, is coming out of retirement at 65 to join 26-year-old Brian Johnson as a co-offensive coordinator at Utah.

Nike Co-Founder Blasts Freeh Report

Nike co-founder Phil Knight has issued a statement blasting the Freeh report's characterization of Penn State coach Joe Paterno in the child sex abuse scandal involving assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

Not so fast, my friends

Big Ten schools are in the process of sending official requests to override the NCAA's proposed ruling for unlimited communication with recruits, according to University of Nebraska faculty athletics rep Josephine Potuto.

Quotable:

The caboose.

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Monday, February 11, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 11, 2013

It’s Lundi Gras. Start your two day celebration with these six college football stories from around the country.

Introducing Derrick Henry, the latest 5-star addition to Alabama's backfield

If you bump into the five-star running back in the middle of the night, he's probably doing push-ups.

Kevin Sumlin Says the Texas A&M Aggies are Still Playing Catch-Up in the SEC

When Texas A&M joined the SEC there were many detractors. Not only was Kevin Sumlin making the leap from the University of Houston in Conference USA but he was bringing a wide-open, high-scoring offense to the toughest and most physical conference in all of college football.

O'Brien: Penn State game in Ireland 'in the works'

The NCAA has decreed that for the time being, Penn State can't take the same team-wide trip to some far-off exotic location (like, say, Jacksonville) like the rest of its bowl-bound brethren. So maybe it's no surprise coach Bill O'Brien and the Nittany Lions administration are doing their best to take that particular matter into their own hands.

Auburn recruiting analysis: Tigers try to stay afloat in SEC West

Depending on which recruiting service you look at, Auburn's 2013 class ranks somewhere between No. 9 and 14 - but does anyone need a reminder of how little top 10 recruiting classes can mean?

Ex-UGA recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner wins awards

Former UGA recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner was named to 247sports.com’s Top 50 recruiters for the Class of 2013.

Quotable:

In finishing the class that began under predecessor Derek Dooley, Jones won some battles and lost others. He acknowledged that attracting SEC-caliber players is particularly difficult because of the competition, but said the process is essentially the same at UT as it was at his previous head-coaching stops at Central Michigan and Cincinnati.

“Recruiting is selling,” he said. “It’s a people-oriented business. It’s about establishing relationships. The big thing is the overall philosophy and the overall intensity on a minute-by-minute basis in recruiting in the SEC.

“There’s no cookie-cutter approach to recruiting. Everybody is different. But at the end of the day, it’s about being able to develop that trust and having a tremendous product to sell, which we do at Tennessee.”

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Sunday, February 10, 2013

'Profound failure'

Paterno family calls Freeh report 'profound failure'
Published on CBS CFB | shared via feedly
The Paterno family commissioned an analysis of the findings in the report issued last summer by former FBI director Louis Freeh, which was used by the NCAA and Penn State officials to issue and accept punishments related to the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. The report released Sunday includes the opinions of four experts brought in by the family who described the Freeh investigation as "a rush to injustice" and "fundamentally flawed.

Former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, former FBI profiler Jim Clemente, Washington attorney Wick Sollers and Dr. Fred Berlin, director of The Johns Hopkins Sexual Behaviors Consultation Unit, all weighed in in a massive report that can be found in its entirety at www.paterno.com.

The Paterno family report nitpicks nearly every angle of the Freeh report involving late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. It also attacks Freeh's investigation, motives and conclusions.
Original story here.

I haven't gone through the entire report--it's hundreds of pages, inclusive of appendices and end notes.

I have read most of Jim Clemente's report, and it's that one that presents the most compelling argument on the flaws of the Freeh Report. Clemente is an expert on child sexual predation and is a retired FBI profiler. His career has been spent identifying and describing how these sick individuals game the system, groom their victims and perpetrate their crimes as "pillars of the community."

He takes the Freeh report to task for not understanding how Sandusky did what he did, and how successful he was at deceiving all of those around him.

The Paterno response is an attempt to create reasonable doubt in a case where there was  little due process. Regardless of where you fall in this case, no one can deny that the Freeh report was a rush to judgment and that the ensuing NCAA sanctions were a conviction based on the indictment.

Clemente fairly well wrecks the indictment.

If you read any of these documents in total, make sure that Clemente's report is one of them.

You can find it here (PDF, 366 kb).

Morning Six Pack: February 10, 2013

Happy Sunday! Start that brunch early with these six college football stories from around the country.

Determined recruiting push lands Tre Mason some help, strengthens Auburn's running back depth

Auburn was looking for some help in the backfield for running back Tre Mason, and the Tigers landed three prospects in the signing class in Cameron Artis-Payne, Peyton Barber and Johnathan Ford.

Rich gets richer with another top-ranked class

When confronted with all the national praise his No. 1-ranked recruiting class received, Alabama's Nick Saban warned that the Crimson Tide never gets everyone it wants.

Illinois set to hire new D-line coach

Late last month, multiple reports stated that Illinois defensive line coach Keith Gilmore would be headed to North Carolina to take the same job. It appears as though Illini coach Tim Beckman didn’t take long to find Gilmore’s replacement: Millersville head coach Greg Colby, an Illinois alum.

Kenna, QB of unbeaten Army team in '44, dies

Edgar Douglas "Doug" Kenna II, the quarterback of West Point's 1944 undefeated national championship team and former president of the National Association of Manufacturers, has died. He was 88.

National Defense

Offense may score points but defense wins national championships. At least that's what the schools that lead Rivals' top-ranked defensive classes of 2013 still believe.

Quotable:

Signing Day was one more sign that Meyer is on a collision course with Nick Saban once again.

Rivals.com said Alabama had the No.1 recruiting class in the country and Ohio State was No. 2. Scout.com put Ohio State at the top of its rankings and Alabama not far behind at No. 3.

When was the last time Saban and Meyer put together two of the top three recruiting classes in college football at the same time? On National Signing Day 2008.

Ten months later, they played a national semifinal in the SEC Championship Game. A year later, they did it again.

They split those games. Pasadena can be the rubber match.

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Saturday, February 9, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 9, 2013

It’s the offseason, but we still start each day with six cold, fresh college football stories from around the country.

Report commissioned by Paternos due Sunday

Sue Paterno, the widow of the late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, has emailed a letter to hundreds of former Penn State players, informing them that a report, commissioned by the family in response to the Freeh Report, will be released Sunday.

LSU working on deal to hire Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator

Details are being worked out, and an announcement expected next week.

The Mystery Of Randy Edsall's Chase Story Explained

Randy Edsall this week told the tale of him being chased through Belle Glade during recruiting season, a first for him, but probably not for many who have had the privilege of traveling through beautiful South Florida.

‘Canes suspend LB Eddie Johnson

In mid-November of last year, linebacker Eddie Johnson was suspended for two games by Miami head coach Al Golden for unspecified violations of team rules. Three months later, Johnson finds himself in a similar punitive boat…

Vigor football coach Kerry Stevenson steps down, expected to land job at Alabama

Stevenson lead Vigor to the Class 5A state championship in 2008 when his team went 15-0.

Quotable:

For those who make a living ranking high school recruits and projecting their futures as college football players, the University of Alabama picked up another crown Wednesday as Rivals.com's No. 1 signing class in the nation.

For those who make a living winning the crowns on the field, however, Wednesday was only the beginning of the evaluation process.

UA coach Nick Saban made that clear in some of his first remarks about the signees.

"Just like when you buy a stock today, you can't really verify where it's going to be two years from now. The character we talk about, the commitment to a standard of excellence, the work ethic, the relentless quest to improve that these guys need to be able to enhance their development is very important to this group becoming a great recruiting class," Saban said. "That gets determined by their performance and how they develop down the road, which we're responsible for. ... Just because you pick the puppy dog with the biggest feet doesn't mean it's going to grow up to be the biggest or best hunting dog."

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Friday, February 8, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 8, 2013

Good morning and Happy Friday! Start your carnival weekend early with these six cold, clear and fresh college football stories from around the country.

Auburn football - QB race open to bevy of contenders

Perhaps the biggest question for Auburn following Wednesday's National Signing Day remains at the quarterback position.

Scout.com names Alabama's Kirby Smart its SEC Recruiter of the Year

The Crimson Tide defensive coordinator is credited with being the point man for two five-star recruits and a handful of others.

Michigan No. 1 in College Football Attendance

Michigan was the national leader in college football attendance for the 15th straight year.

Miami: No positive steroid tests

Hurricane student-athletes show negative results on drug test.

NCAA wants lawsuit by Pa. governor over Penn State penalties tossed

The NCAA said Thursday a judge should throw out the federal antitrust lawsuit the governor filed against it over Penn State's $60 million fine and other penalties resulting from the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.

Quotable:

During a recent interview at his office, Terry demonstrated the various features of 247Sports’ website, which is almost like a Bloomberg terminal for college football fans.

Perhaps the most potent example of its trove of data is its player profile database. Each profile contains information beginning from when a player popped up on the recruiting radar to the present day, including stats, rankings, stories, photos and even Twitter mentions. It also has a timeline that chronicles every significant event from a sprained ankle in a high school game to a commitment to a college program.

“It’s the concept of finding and scouting players in eighth or ninth grade,” Terry said, “and building a database profile and chronicling that athlete for 20 years until he retires after an illustrious NFL career.”

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Thursday, February 7, 2013

Was Alabama’s No. 1 signing class good enough?

image As the final Letters of Intent rolled into the Alabama Football Complex yesterday afternoon, there was a considerable amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth on various Alabama message boards and other social media. The Tide had just completed racking up the consensus No. 1 signing class, hauling in six 5-star prospects (equal to the number of 5-stars pulled in by the second, third and fourth best programs) and a whopping 12 4-stars. But it also missed out on a few players that the fans wanted, including safeties Von Bell and Antonio Conner, offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes.

In his post-signing press conference, a mildly annoyed Nick Saban scolded, "everyone worries about the 40 kids we didn't get… we only have so many spots to get them."

TideSports.com’s Cecil Hurt stole my thunder on this. There is no such thing as a shutout in recruiting. Other teams are going to get good players and that happens every year. Sometimes, a kid just grows up dreaming about playing on his favorite team and not even the persuasive powers of Saban & Co. can sway him. Other players see the opportunity to get on the field sooner; some want to stay closer to home so Mom and Dad can see them play; some might be intimidated by the rigors of The Process; so forth and so on.

Every one of the guys the Tide signed yesterday filled a need identified by this staff. Every one of them fit the profile that the staff established for their position. Every one of them was judged to have that combination of physical, mental and academic that made them a low risk candidate. And, every one of them were guys that this staff wanted and intended to sign. They weren’t signed just because of star power or because someone else wasn’t available, and the objective was never about how the class ranked according to the analysts. The fact that the class ended as No. 1 overall is a result of The Process, not its objective.

Contrast this with the recruiting classes from 2002-2006. Even when the weight of NCAA recruiting penalties were lifted, Alabama always seemed to settle for taking a linebacker because the Shula staff couldn’t get the quarterback they wanted. There was no rhyme, reason or discipline in how players were evaluated and recruited. Mike Shula did get a few very good skill players who contributed and proved successful. But he also took risks that didn’t pan out and discipline wasn’t exactly a trademark, in the locker room, on the field and on the recruiting trail.

If there is anything one needs to remember about this staff, it’s that it’s all about discipline.

Unfortunately, even after six years of consensus Top 5 recruiting classes, two conference titles, three BCS titles, a Heisman Trophy and an open pipeline to the NFL, the damage done by the Era of the Mikes to the collective psyche of the Bama Nation may take decades to completely heal.

How many more titles is it going to take? How many more consensus top signing classes? How many more first round draft picks will ease the angst?

I tell anyone who will listen that I stopped worrying about Alabama recruiting on January 4, 2007. I wish more would listen, and I wish more would follow suit.

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Morning Six Pack: February 7, 2013

Another National Signing Day, another No. 1 ranking. This gets as old as six college football stories from around the country.

National Signing Day's biggest stories

National Signing Day is known for being loaded with dramatic storylines and surprising twists and the 2013 edition of college football's favorite unofficial holiday was no exception.

Penn State’s first post-sanction recruiting class shines, sets high standard for future

You could forgive many of the recruits committed to Penn State for looking elsewhere once the sanctions on the school came down this past summer.

Eddie Vanderdoes picks Irish over Tide, for real this time, after Notre Dame blunder

He got over the premature press release and announced he would sign with the Irish. He tweeted that he had faxed his letter to South Bend around 7 p.m. central time.

Golden: Miami has already paid stiff penalties

So far in Al Golden's tenure, Miami's football program has voluntarily forfeited the right to appear in two bowl games, along with one trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, up to 30 practices and an undisclosed number of scholarships.

Signing day Winners and Losers: The SEC keeps rolling, and it wasn’t just Ole Miss

Ole Miss isn't a national, or even regional, power in college football. The Rebels have been to just three bowls since 2003, and didn't go to one in 2010 or 2011.

Quotable:

Then he delivered his only thin barb at the previous coaching regime: "You're trying to undo one or two years worth of relationships in 31 days."

If this was a dig at the way Derek Dooley's staff handled the recruitment of Bell, so be it. The Bell family never felt the love it craved from the former UT coach and his staff and it almost certainly influenced his decision to choose Ohio State.

Nor should anyone find fault with Bell for that decision. Unlike Alabama, where he would have likely waited more than a year to see the field following a redshirt year, Bell should see limited action with the Buckeyes his first season, then start his second. And every year there will be a potential BCS bowl season, unlike the Vols.

But given the immense amount of energy Jones and his staff put into recruiting Bell, it seems a little wrong for the recruit or his family to say this all started too late. If this really was his dream school for most of his life, their late push should have been enough. Is there a member of Big Orange Nation anywhere who would have turned down the Vols at any time if they earnestly came calling?

Nevertheless, Bell apparently led with his head rather than his heart, which just shows he's closer than most his age to being ready for the NFL in three or four years.Yet a point Jones made when asked about Bell is also significant.

"We spent the same amount of time with Bell as anyone," he said. "But I'd rather talk about our Volunteers than someone else's players."

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Ten Tide Players Invited to NFL Combine

A staggering 330 former college football players have been invited to the 2013 NFL Combine. The list is heavy on linemen and defensive backs. Ten former Alabama players were invited.

See the full list here.

The list:

  1. Quinton Dial
  2. DJ Fluker
  3. Nico Johnson
  4. Barrett Jones
  5. Eddie Lacy
  6. Robert Lester
  7. Dee Milliner
  8. Damion Square
  9. Chance Warmack
  10. Jesse Williams

Lacy and Milliner are Alabama’s only underclassmen.

NFL Combine workouts will be held from Feb. 20-26 in Indianapolis and will be broadcast on the NFL Network.

Last year, Alabama sent nine former players to the Combine.

It’s numbers like this that explain how Nick Saban and Alabama are able to consistently haul in jaw-dropping recruiting classes like the one signed yesterday. When players can see how successful this program is in getting guys into the NFL, it makes The Process that much more attractive.

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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Morning Six Pack: February 6, 2013

Who signs the consensus No.1 class in the country? We’ll tell you in about 2-4 years. Meanwhile, enjoy these six college football stories from around the country.

Kicker Brandon McKee ready to join South Alabama program

South Forsyth, Ga., High School player has played only two seasons of football, but posted big numbers

Signing day something for recruits to cherish

College choice should come down to best fit for each individual playerMy mom was sold on coach Gary Barnett. And that meant she was sold on Northwestern.

Mississippi State's Banks receives Thorpe Award

Johnthan Banks always appreciated that Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen offered an opportunity to a scrawny, 150-pound kid from a small town and a hard-to-find school.

Reports: Georgia DC Todd Grantham to interview with Saints

Already connected to one defensive coordinator job in the NFL, Georgia’s Todd Grantham has his name in the coaching rumor mill once again.

SEC's dominance extends to Signing Day

Alabama, Florida and LSU will again rule, but even Ole Miss and Kentucky are swooping up top recruits.

Quotable:

“My original intent was to have him as a safety, but when we were in practice, I started noticing things. When we came into the fall, we knew we were going to put him in a bunch of different places.”

Jackson said the change of scenery and commitment to academics helped his focus, which also was aided buy metronome testing, a method that encourages improved concentration. Jackson responded with a 19 on his ACT.

“He was having a great season, but that’s when he went into spectacular,” Blair said. “That’s when he learned the concentration. He was all locked in. He’s such a hard worker and a perfectionist, he demands not only perfection from himself but from the people around him. As a staff, our people have only tapped the surface.”

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