College football offseason thread

[E.J.]

Ole Miss football player Bennie F. Abram collapsed and died during 1st day of team workouts.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/Ole-Miss-football-player-dies-in-hospital-after-collapse-in-practice

[Guest]

Man, Oregon is having a banner offseason. They may have lost Jeremiah Masoli and LaMichael James to the jail in a span of a month.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://deadspin.com/5476701/oregon-pretty-much-imploding-before-our-very-eyes-update?skyline=true&s=i

[SpongeWorthy]

Oregon usually waits until the season is at least a third of the way over before they implode under high expectations.

[Jon]

Some of NCAA's allegations against Michigan:

 

freep.com[/url]"]• From January 2008 through this past September, the program exceeded the permissible limit on the number of coaches by five. The NCAA alleges that five quality control staff members illegally engaged in on- and off-field coaching activities.

 

• From January 2008 through at least last September, the school permitted football staff members to illegally monitor and conduct voluntary summer workouts and impermissible activities outside the playing season. The NCAA also alleges that U-M required players to participate in summer conditioning for disciplinary purposes, and exceed time limits for countable athletically related activities during and outside the playing season.

 

• Graduate assistant coach Alex Herron provided “false and misleading information to the institution and enforcement staff” during the investigation.

 

• Coach Rodriguez “failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the football program and failed to adequately monitor the duties and activities of quality control staff members, a graduate assistant coach and a student assistant coach, and the time limits for athletically related activities.”

 

• From January 2008 through at least this past September, the athletics department “failed to adequately monitor its football program to assure compliance regarding the limitations on the number, duties and activities of countable football coaches and time limits for countable athletically related activities.”

[Tracer Bullet]

Based on Rich Rod's time at WVU, who could have ever seen this coming?

[NewUserName]

Based on Rich Rod's time at WVU, who could have ever seen this coming?

 

that and he took over for a coach who had a rep of not holding his players accountable to conditioning. Rich Rod just swung the pendulum to far the other way and some of the existing players didn't like it. I think this time his bull in the china shop approach may have worked against him.

[E.J.]

I think Dr. Saturday sums it up best:

Stare into the face of bureaucracy, Michigan, and quiver at its awesome power.

Know also that every program in the country -- and I'm pretty confident when I say every program -- would run afoul of at least one of those infractions (or similar ones; it's a big manual) on a somewhat regular basis, as the minimum cost of employing fallible human being while continuing to dead-lift with the Joneses. Other programs, however, weren't the target of an investigation by a major metropolitan newspaper that left no stone unturned in its efforts to make a splash against a high-profile program. Michigan was, which is why it was Michigan's coach, president and new athletic director (not even officially on the job for two more weeks) in front of the cameras today feigning contrition over barely spilt milk.

 

[expletive] the Detroit Free Press and it's ridiculousness. MSU has players starting major fights and putting innocent people in the hospital, but no big deal. Michigan practices for 20 minutes too long on a Sunday and have a few guys helping that shouldn't be and now it's a huge scandal and Rich Rod should be fired.

[Tracer Bullet]

I think Dr. Saturday sums it up best:

Stare into the face of bureaucracy, Michigan, and quiver at its awesome power.

Know also that every program in the country -- and I'm pretty confident when I say every program -- would run afoul of at least one of those infractions (or similar ones; it's a big manual) on a somewhat regular basis, as the minimum cost of employing fallible human being while continuing to dead-lift with the Joneses. Other programs, however, weren't the target of an investigation by a major metropolitan newspaper that left no stone unturned in its efforts to make a splash against a high-profile program. Michigan was, which is why it was Michigan's coach, president and new athletic director (not even officially on the job for two more weeks) in front of the cameras today feigning contrition over barely spilt milk.

 

[expletive] the Detroit Free Press and it's ridiculousness. MSU has players starting major fights and putting innocent people in the hospital, but no big deal. Michigan practices for 20 minutes too long on a Sunday and have a few guys helping that shouldn't be and now it's a huge scandal and Rich Rod should be fired.

 

Rodriguez had the same issues at WVU. If Rodriguez were winning 9 and 10 games a year, his seat wouldn't be so hot. But .500 record + NCAA violations will put your head on the block right quick.

 

What does MSU have to do with this though? Hyperbole and deflection doesn't change the facts.

[E.J.]

I think Dr. Saturday sums it up best:

Stare into the face of bureaucracy, Michigan, and quiver at its awesome power.

Know also that every program in the country -- and I'm pretty confident when I say every program -- would run afoul of at least one of those infractions (or similar ones; it's a big manual) on a somewhat regular basis, as the minimum cost of employing fallible human being while continuing to dead-lift with the Joneses. Other programs, however, weren't the target of an investigation by a major metropolitan newspaper that left no stone unturned in its efforts to make a splash against a high-profile program. Michigan was, which is why it was Michigan's coach, president and new athletic director (not even officially on the job for two more weeks) in front of the cameras today feigning contrition over barely spilt milk.

 

[expletive] the Detroit Free Press and it's ridiculousness. MSU has players starting major fights and putting innocent people in the hospital, but no big deal. Michigan practices for 20 minutes too long on a Sunday and have a few guys helping that shouldn't be and now it's a huge scandal and Rich Rod should be fired.

 

Rodriguez had the same issues at WVU. If Rodriguez were winning 9 and 10 games a year, his seat wouldn't be so hot. But .500 record + NCAA violations will put your head on the block right quick.

 

What does MSU have to do with this though? Hyperbole and deflection doesn't change the facts.

 

The Free Press writes articles about MSU as well and never questioned Dantonio's willingness to give guys a second chance after they got into that big brawl a year ago that left a guy in the hospital with a cracked skull. It's a very pro-MSU paper. I get your point though.

[NewUserName]

I think Dr. Saturday sums it up best:

Stare into the face of bureaucracy, Michigan, and quiver at its awesome power.

Know also that every program in the country -- and I'm pretty confident when I say every program -- would run afoul of at least one of those infractions (or similar ones; it's a big manual) on a somewhat regular basis, as the minimum cost of employing fallible human being while continuing to dead-lift with the Joneses. Other programs, however, weren't the target of an investigation by a major metropolitan newspaper that left no stone unturned in its efforts to make a splash against a high-profile program. Michigan was, which is why it was Michigan's coach, president and new athletic director (not even officially on the job for two more weeks) in front of the cameras today feigning contrition over barely spilt milk.

 

[expletive] the Detroit Free Press and it's ridiculousness. MSU has players starting major fights and putting innocent people in the hospital, but no big deal. Michigan practices for 20 minutes too long on a Sunday and have a few guys helping that shouldn't be and now it's a huge scandal and Rich Rod should be fired.

 

Rodriguez had the same issues at WVU. If Rodriguez were winning 9 and 10 games a year, his seat wouldn't be so hot. But .500 record + NCAA violations will put your head on the block right quick.

 

What does MSU have to do with this though? Hyperbole and deflection doesn't change the facts.

 

how the stories are covered in the biggest newspaper in the state.

[NewUserName]

I think Dr. Saturday sums it up best:

Stare into the face of bureaucracy, Michigan, and quiver at its awesome power.

Know also that every program in the country -- and I'm pretty confident when I say every program -- would run afoul of at least one of those infractions (or similar ones; it's a big manual) on a somewhat regular basis, as the minimum cost of employing fallible human being while continuing to dead-lift with the Joneses. Other programs, however, weren't the target of an investigation by a major metropolitan newspaper that left no stone unturned in its efforts to make a splash against a high-profile program. Michigan was, which is why it was Michigan's coach, president and new athletic director (not even officially on the job for two more weeks) in front of the cameras today feigning contrition over barely spilt milk.

 

[expletive] the Detroit Free Press and it's ridiculousness. MSU has players starting major fights and putting innocent people in the hospital, but no big deal. Michigan practices for 20 minutes too long on a Sunday and have a few guys helping that shouldn't be and now it's a huge scandal and Rich Rod should be fired.

 

Rodriguez had the same issues at WVU. If Rodriguez were winning 9 and 10 games a year, his seat wouldn't be so hot. But .500 record + NCAA violations will put your head on the block right quick.

 

What does MSU have to do with this though? Hyperbole and deflection doesn't change the facts.

 

The Free Press writes articles about MSU as well and never questioned Dantonio's willingness to give guys a second chance after they got into that big brawl a year ago that left a guy in the hospital with a cracked skull. It's a very pro-MSU paper. I get your point though.

 

I think Rich Rod not being in the Bo Schembachler coaching tree may be part of it also.

[E.J.]

Of course. The old geezers at UM are not happy with Rich Rod. Hopefully he can turn things around and all will be well.

[Andy]

Rich Rodriguez could be from whatever coaching tree he wanted to be if he hadn't missed the postseason the last two years. His feet on the fire is about W's and L's, not systems.

[Tracer Bullet]

I think Dr. Saturday sums it up best:

Stare into the face of bureaucracy, Michigan, and quiver at its awesome power.

Know also that every program in the country -- and I'm pretty confident when I say every program -- would run afoul of at least one of those infractions (or similar ones; it's a big manual) on a somewhat regular basis, as the minimum cost of employing fallible human being while continuing to dead-lift with the Joneses. Other programs, however, weren't the target of an investigation by a major metropolitan newspaper that left no stone unturned in its efforts to make a splash against a high-profile program. Michigan was, which is why it was Michigan's coach, president and new athletic director (not even officially on the job for two more weeks) in front of the cameras today feigning contrition over barely spilt milk.

 

[expletive] the Detroit Free Press and it's ridiculousness. MSU has players starting major fights and putting innocent people in the hospital, but no big deal. Michigan practices for 20 minutes too long on a Sunday and have a few guys helping that shouldn't be and now it's a huge scandal and Rich Rod should be fired.

 

Rodriguez had the same issues at WVU. If Rodriguez were winning 9 and 10 games a year, his seat wouldn't be so hot. But .500 record + NCAA violations will put your head on the block right quick.

 

What does MSU have to do with this though? Hyperbole and deflection doesn't change the facts.

 

how the stories are covered in the biggest newspaper in the state.

 

the Free Press didn't create the violations, right? they didn't entrap Rodriguez in some way. He was cheating, pretty blatantly, and got caught. I still don't see how MSU's willingness to give a player a second chance after a punishment has been levied compares to the UM coach cheating.

 

I've heard a lot of people pointing a finger at the Free Press. But UM fans have been complaining about that for what seems like years. If UM knew the paper was biased, why didn't they try a little harder to keep their nose clean? These violations effectively started as soon as Rodriguez got his hands on the players and didn't stop until this football season started (18 months). Had the NCAA not started this process last fall, UM would have probably still been doing this crap right now.

[NewUserName]

Rich Rodriguez could be from whatever coaching tree he wanted to be if he hadn't missed the postseason the last two years. His feet on the fire is about W's and L's, not systems.

 

I agree to a certain extent. If however Les Miles was coaching UM doing what Rich Rod did, my guess is the Free Press does not break this story.

[jersey cubs fan]

the Free Press didn't create the violations, right? they didn't entrap Rodriguez in some way. He was cheating, pretty blatantly, and got caught. I still don't see how MSU's willingness to give a player a second chance after a punishment has been levied compares to the UM coach cheating.

 

Of all the things that constitute cheating by the NCAA, this has to be the least bad, and quite possibly the most frequently abused.

[NewUserName]

 

the Free Press didn't create the violations, right? they didn't entrap Rodriguez in some way. He was cheating, pretty blatantly, and got caught. I still don't see how MSU's willingness to give a player a second chance after a punishment has been levied compares to the UM coach cheating.

 

I've heard a lot of people pointing a finger at the Free Press. But UM fans have been complaining about that for what seems like years. If UM knew the paper was biased, why didn't they try a little harder to keep their nose clean? These violations effectively started as soon as Rodriguez got his hands on the players and didn't stop until this football season started (18 months). Had the NCAA not started this process last fall, UM would have probably still been doing this crap right now.

 

But as a MSU fan I would appreciate if the largest newspaper in the state did hold MSU a little more accountable. I like Dantonio, but his team reminded me of a Smith coached team on and off the field last year. Dont get me wrong, UM got caught, pay the bill. But is Indiana's largest paper doing a major investigation on ND practice schedules?

[Tracer Bullet]

 

the Free Press didn't create the violations, right? they didn't entrap Rodriguez in some way. He was cheating, pretty blatantly, and got caught. I still don't see how MSU's willingness to give a player a second chance after a punishment has been levied compares to the UM coach cheating.

 

I've heard a lot of people pointing a finger at the Free Press. But UM fans have been complaining about that for what seems like years. If UM knew the paper was biased, why didn't they try a little harder to keep their nose clean? These violations effectively started as soon as Rodriguez got his hands on the players and didn't stop until this football season started (18 months). Had the NCAA not started this process last fall, UM would have probably still been doing this crap right now.

 

But as a MSU fan I would appreciate if the largest newspaper in the state did hold MSU a little more accountable. I like Dantonio, but his team reminded me of a Smith coached team on and off the field last year. Dont get me wrong, UM got caught, pay the bill. But is Indiana's largest paper doing a major investigation on ND practice schedules?

 

South Bend's biggest paper is on ND like flies on crap. The South Bend police raid ND parties hoping to catch athletes. They hunt them down. It's incredible. ND doesn't coast along with winks from all the papers and police in South Bend (or ESPN, or any other national media).

[Tracer Bullet]

the Free Press didn't create the violations, right? they didn't entrap Rodriguez in some way. He was cheating, pretty blatantly, and got caught. I still don't see how MSU's willingness to give a player a second chance after a punishment has been levied compares to the UM coach cheating.

 

Of all the things that constitute cheating by the NCAA, this has to be the least bad, and quite possibly the most frequently abused.

 

maybe. but it's still blatant. 5 major violations in his first 18 months?

[jame.gumb]

LB/Beast Steve Edmond and OL Sedrick Flowers verbal to Texas. Hegarty and Greenlea are coming to the next junior day on Saturday. If we can land two of Hegarty/Greenlea/Westerman and Malcolm Brown, we'll be in great shape.

[shnsajax]

LB/Beast Steve Edmond and OL Sedrick Flowers verbal to Texas. Hegarty and Greenlea are coming to the next junior day on Saturday. If we can land two of Hegarty/Greenlea/Westerman and Malcolm Brown, we'll be in great shape.

 

Malcolm Brown alone would be huge, Hershall Sims has declined a junior day visit. Brown probably knows he could start as a true freshman too.

[cubweiser03]

the Free Press didn't create the violations, right? they didn't entrap Rodriguez in some way. He was cheating, pretty blatantly, and got caught. I still don't see how MSU's willingness to give a player a second chance after a punishment has been levied compares to the UM coach cheating.

 

Of all the things that constitute cheating by the NCAA, this has to be the least bad, and quite possibly the most frequently abused.

 

Id wager that this type of off season practices he conducted at Michigan were the same as what he did at WVU. I have a hard time imagining that all of sudden Rich says 'hey now that im at michigan im going to push the envelope'. Still doesnt make the offseason program justified.

 

And from what ive read so far the penalties shouldnt be harsh. Practice time gets cut/adjusted etc. but spread out over a couple years. 2 years probation, maybe a couple schoolies in 2010. The black eye to Rich and the programs is probably a bigger negative than the actual penalties coming.

[jame.gumb]

LB/Beast Steve Edmond and OL Sedrick Flowers verbal to Texas. Hegarty and Greenlea are coming to the next junior day on Saturday. If we can land two of Hegarty/Greenlea/Westerman and Malcolm Brown, we'll be in great shape.

 

Malcolm Brown alone would be huge, Hershall Sims has declined a junior day visit. Brown probably knows he could start as a true freshman too.

 

He would, but we're going to need some tackles pretty soon. I'd like to land Greenlea this weekend, which would allow us to wait on Westerman.

 

Malcolm Brown, by the way, looks like the next Adrian Peterson. Hope the situations don't turn out the same.

[shnsajax]

LB/Beast Steve Edmond and OL Sedrick Flowers verbal to Texas. Hegarty and Greenlea are coming to the next junior day on Saturday. If we can land two of Hegarty/Greenlea/Westerman and Malcolm Brown, we'll be in great shape.

 

Malcolm Brown alone would be huge, Hershall Sims has declined a junior day visit. Brown probably knows he could start as a true freshman too.

 

He would, but we're going to need some tackles pretty soon. I'd like to land Greenlea this weekend, which would allow us to wait on Westerman.

 

Malcolm Brown, by the way, looks like the next Adrian Peterson. Hope the situations don't turn out the same.

 

He was ranked as the 2nd best Texas HS RB behind Peterson of the last 25 years.