Mean Green 93-98

Not sure if you're serious or not--you do know that Tech is a conference/division game for A&M, right?

I would have had no problem if it were a Big XII school, but this is a little disappointing: From Star-Telegram Confidential: Link

Stubblefield Charged With Perjury Jan 18 02:37 PM US/Eastern By PAUL ELIAS Associated Press Writer 4 Comments SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Former NFL defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield was charged Friday with perjury, becoming the first football player accused in the BALCO federal steroids investigation. Stubblefield, a three-time Pro Bowl player who testified before the BALCO grand jury in 2003, is charged with lying to federal agents about his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. The charges unsealed in federal court in San Francisco contend Stubblefield made false statements to an IRS agent when he allegedly said he had not used steroids linked to the Bay Area Laboratory Co- Operative and denied receiving performance-enhancing drugs from BALCO founder Victor Conte. The 37-year-old Stubblefield pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. He was scheduled for another appearance in court later Friday. Two months ago, home run king Barry Bonds was indicted on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice for telling a BALCO grand jury in 2003 that he never knowingly took illegal performance- enhancing drugs. The federal probe has spanned five years and ensnared several other elite athletes and members of the Burlingame-based steroids distribution ring, including Conte, who served four months in prison. Stubblefield played on the defensive line for the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders from 1993-2003, and was the NFL defensive player of the year in 1997 while with the 49ers. He was one of three players fined by the NFL for testing positive for the designer steroid THG, but was not suspended because THG was not added to the NFL's banned substance list until after the tests were conducted.

I might put them ahead of Miami last year. Otherwise, Florida, FSU, South Florida, and probably Central Florida are better teams, even though they lost bowl games.

Great synopsis, CBL.

Rodriguez accuses WVU of staging 'smear campaign' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services Rich Rodriguez broke his silence on the controversy that has followed since he left West Virginia for Michigan, saying during a hastily scheduled conference call that he had been the target of a "smear campaign." "There seems to be a campaign to try to smear me," Rodriguez said Thursday. "I haven't said anything until recently, when I felt I needed to defend all the false accusations. "It has just gotten ridiculous over the last couple of days." An investigation into missing files from Rodriguez's former office revealed the academic records of West Virginia football players are secure after a newspaper report raised questions about missing paperwork. Citing anonymous sources, The Charleston Gazette reported Tuesday that files kept in Rodriguez's private office disappeared between Dec. 16 and Jan. 3, along with strength and conditioning records from the weight room. The newspaper report claimed the missing documents included players' personal contact information, scholarship payments and class attendance records, as well as strength and conditioning records and photographs that tracked players' physical progress. "There's so many inaccuracies and falsehood and innuendo, at some point, you get tired of getting beat up," he said. "It was that I erased academic files, then the next day, 'Oh no, that didn't happen.' The corrections are on page six and the lead story is on page one." Rodriguez said he only removed personal papers, such as notes about players or his game plans. "There was an implication that I had all these secret files and I was throwing them away, but it's simply not true," Rodriguez said. Rodriguez also addressed questions about another story in the Charleston (W.Va.) Daily Mail, which reported that West Virginia officials were concerned Rodriguez contacted Michigan recruits before he resigned as Mountaineers coach. The NCAA recruiting period was also in a "quiet period" when WVU believes Rodriguez made contact with the Wolverines recruits. The newspaper also reported Rodriguez's West Virginia cell phone records show he called two Michigan recruits and possibly a third from his WVU-issued phone on Dec. 16 after he told the Mountaineers players he was going to Michigan. He was introduced at Michigan the next day. During the conference call, Rodriguez insisted he did not contact any Michigan recruits while he was still employed by West Virginia. Mike Brown, Rodriguez's agent, backed up Neil's statement. "[Rodriguez] did not keep records for every player and academic records for the players are certainly on file at the school," he said. The West Virginia native and former Mountaineer player expected hard feelings when he left to lead the Wolverines, but he has been disappointed by the scope of the resentment. "I know there is disappointment and hard feelings because it's a small state and the program is a source of great pride, but this campaign is not helping West Virginia's program," he said. "You're trying to hurt Rich Rodriguez, but you're hurting West Virginia." West Virginia has sued him to collect on a $4 million buyout clause in his contract. On Wednesday, the case was transferred from Monongalia County Circuit Court to U.S. District Court in Clarksburg. The court filing indicated Rodriguez had established residency in Michigan by the time the lawsuit was filed. "We're perfectly comfortable and happy to litigate this case in any court," said Thomas Flaherty, a Charleston attorney representing the university. "This is not unanticipated." The move gives Rodriguez five extra days, until next Wednesday, to file a response to the lawsuit. The initial deadline was Friday. The jurisdiction move also means any appeals would be filed through the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., instead of the state Supreme Court. "I changed jobs. This is America, and sometimes you change jobs," Rodriguez said. "I would hope that at some point when emotions cool down, that you can see the good things." Rodriguez's relatives have been harassed and threatened since his resignation as West Virginia football coach. His mother, Arleen Rodriguez, said her teen grandson received a death threat and found other harassing notes taped to his locker at East Fairmont High School. Arleen said her 12-year-old granddaughter had to be escorted to classes. Mountaineers fans furious over Rodriguez's decision to accept the coaching job at Michigan also vandalized his home near Morgantown, hanging signs on a fence and tossing a mailbox in the yard. Last month, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin blamed the involvement of what he termed "high-priced agents" for changing Rodriguez as a person. Rodriguez said Manchin has called him to apologize. "I said, 'Why did you say those things? It kind of hurt me,' " Rodriguez recalled. "He apologized and said, 'Maybe I shouldn't have said some things.' He said in the future, he could put things in a positive light. "That was on Christmas, but I haven't heard anything." Link

Don't try to put words in our mouths. Most of us complimented SMU on the hire. One fan just noted a comment that, though probably true, reeks of arrogance.

Congrats!

His comments are arrogant, but they are probably true. And stealing commits is all part of recruiting--we were pretty proud of that one we grabbed from TCU. If June doesn't steal any of our recruits this year, he probably will at some time. But that's okay--we'll get him back double, and then whup his boys silly out on the football field.

Major basically took a demotion to come to UT. Obviously, that is where he wants to be, and I doubt he leaves for a while unless a HC gig comes calling.

Would that qualify as an oxymoron?

Great points. If Coach Dodge were to consult with DeLoach before making the hire, I have little doubt he would want Ramone.

Woman alleges Pacman punched her at Atlanta strip club Jan. 15, 2008 CBSSports.com wire reports NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A woman is seeking an arrest warrant against suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones, claiming he punched her at an Atlanta strip club. Fulton County Magistrate Court officials told the Associated Press on Tuesday that Wanda S. Jackson asked for the warrant after a Jan. 3 altercation at the Body Tap Strip Club. Jackson, an attorney, says in her filing that she was in the club's office when an angry Jones accused managers of stealing his money and bracelet. "I was sitting in the office and he lunged at me numerous times in an effort to do grave bodily harm," Jackson wrote in the warrant application filed Jan. 7. "Veronica Jones, an owner, went into the hall to deal with a member of his entourage. I followed to gawk. He was in the hall, surprisingly reached over or around a security guard and sucker punched me in my left eye." Jackson did not immediately return a phone message requesting comment. Jones' attorney Manny Arora said no warrant has been issued against his client. Norris Arnold, a court support manager for Fulton County, said a magistrate judge will review Jackson's application on Feb. 8 to determine whether the warrant will be filed. WSB-TV in Atlanta reported that Jackson said she was in the strip club because of a divorce case she is handling. Last month Jones pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge related to a strip club shooting in Las Vegas that left one man paralyzed. Jones has been arrested six times since being drafted sixth overall in 2005, including two arrests in Georgia in 2006 that the Titans did not learn about until 2007. Jones was suspended for the 2007 season by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in April.

Not sure I caught what the problem is . . . Edit: Nevermind, I caught it in your other post. It was a little too obvious.

Sources: Ravens offer coaching job to Garrett ESPN.com news services Updated: January 15, 2008, 12:37 PM ET Sources told ESPN's Ed Werder that Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has been offered the Baltimore Ravens coaching position. Garrett has not made a decision yet. The Ravens are seeking a successor for Brian Billick, who was fired after the regular season. Garrett, who arrived at the Ravens' training complex for the second interview on Tuesday morning, was the first candidate to have call-back sessions with the Ravens and Falcons. Garrett, 41, is a veteran of three seasons as an NFL assistant. He was hired by the Cowboys as offensive coordinator in 2007, after two seasons on the Miami Dolphins' staff. In 2007, he presided over a unit that statistically ranked No. 3 in the league, but struggled in the final month of the year and in Sunday's playoff loss. A former Princeton quarterback, Garrett played 12 seasons in the NFL as a backup, serving stints with Dallas (1993-99), the Giants (2000-03), Tampa Bay (2004), and Miami (2004). He also played in the World League (1991) and in the CFL (1991). Ed Werder covers the NFL for ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3197523

Are you referring to the quote he made to the effect of, "Whenever you blitz, somebody's fight song is fixing to be played"? I don't believe he meant he was afraid to blitz, he was just stating a fact--if you blitz, you'd better wreak some havoc in the backfield, or you'll be in trouble.

I'll agree on wishing the best for WW. I will always remember what he did in the SMU and UT games.

There's gotta be an inoculation for these boosters Updated: Jan/11/2008 05:19 PM It's more than a bit troubling that boosters have recently had a significant say in business, or at least tried to, at SMU and Washington. SMU boosters have ponied up (pun intended) the $10 million needed to pay June Jones over the next five years. A Washington booster offered president Mark Emmert $100,000 if he fired Tyrone Willingham. Does SMU not remember how it got into its current predicament (no bowls since 1984)? The reason the program got the death penalty 20 years ago is because boosters were paying players. "You allowed us to compete at a Top 25 level," current AD Steve Orsini told the group he nicknamed "The Circle of Champions." The Washington thing doesn't bother me as much. I'm sure boosters have offered ADs and presidents money, previously, if they would fire a coach. What's the difference between that and in helping pay off a coach who is fired? The increasing booster influence, though, should be a concern. T. Boone Pickens basically runs the athletic department (and the school) at Oklahoma State. That's what you get when you contribute approximately $200 million to the school. Football coach Mike Gundy is a favorite of Pickens. The billionaire basically hired him. It has been speculated that basketball coach Sean Sutton isn't a Pickens favorite. To be fair, Sutton hasn't done himself any favors with a 9-5 record (tied for second-worst in the Big 12). Phil Knight withheld his funding for a while when Oregon joined the Worker Rights Consortium, a sweatshop monitoring group. To Oregon's credit it didn't roll over to Knight's wishes. And to Washington's credit, it didn't fire Willingham, although AD Todd Turner did get fired. But not because of the booster's "bribe." SMU is asking for another scandal, or at least more losing football. What happens if SMU keeps circling the drain? Suppose one of those big boosters wants Jones fired after next season? Who is making the call, the boosters who paid the money or Orsini? It being SMU, let's hope the booster payments are limited to just the coach. http://www.sportsline.com/columns/weblogs/entry/10554246

ArkStFan had a good quote the other day related to this subject: If a 16-team playoff stacks the odds against the non-BCS conferences, how much more is that the case with an 8-team playoff with 6 of those slots reserved for the big conferences?

Good to know that all is still right in the world.

I don't know about 4-8, but I could definitely live with 5-7 and see it as improvement over the past few years. I don't jump out of a plane from New York to Los Angeles because after 1 hour we're just over Pittsburgh. But let me ask, what could you "live with" next year? What would it take to get there? Just curious.

Jan. 3rd Link to job posting

No, not a new stadium. But haven't the 10 mandatory days elapsed since our fomer DC was let go? If another DC is lined up, shouldn't there be an announcement very soon (i.e., today or tomorrow)?

Good call!