The NCAA Is An Archaic System That Has Outlived Its Usefulness
Once again it appears that another collegiate coach has overstepped his parameters as a coach by flouting the rules of the NCAA by violating a number of ordinances that govern college recruiting and that might also cover academic fraud. Tenneessee Volunteers’ basketball coach Bruce Pearl has admitted lying to members of the NCAA’s Infraction’s Committee after the college’s athletics program is said to have committed several recruitment violations. Pearl is said to have not only obstructed the investigation of the committee but at although the findings there are not yet complete and ready for the public’s notification he firmly believes that he’ll still be able to retain his position as the Volunteers men’s basketball coach.
It has to be said that Tennessee and the faculty there has yet to take any action against the coach even though Pearl admitted that he made a profound error in judgment and awaits clarification as to what action will be taken by the university. My question is that the NCAA seems to be quick to act with impunity when a student athlete violates an NCAA rule that governs collegiate athletics. But yet when a coach is involved in such an act they’ve effectively chosen not to punish the coach. And what action if any one would have thought appropriate wherein the college themselves would take necessary a stance to countermand those transgressions. In the case of former USC Trojans’ basketball coach Tim Floyd who knowingly gave cash to a recruit , O J Mayoand then denied any wrongdoing before leaving the program by choice without any admission of guilt. The school at the time while conducting its own internal investigation and audit clearly overlooked the coach’s actions but would then seek to nullify the charges made by the NCAA when they found that not only were Floyd’s actions clearly a transgression of the NCAA rules but that there was a vast cover-up enacted to hide the actions of both coach and player. But the actions of the athletics’ department just didn’t stop there but it also covered the actions of former football players at the school most notably that the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush.
The fallout from what has transpired at USC has led to the school undergoing severe NCAA sanctions of which they won’t be able to make a postseason appearance for two years as well as losing numerous athletics’ scholarships . But what might be even more unbelievable is the mere fact that former Trojans’ football coach Pete Carroll claims that he was completely unaware as to what was going on within the program at the time. Carroll’s departure prior to the sanctions being announced and then the abrupt action by Reggie Bush to return his Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trophy Committee would suggest that there was a great deal that the public and alumni of the college were never completely made aware of . Once again a coach walks away ‘Scot-Free’ , with some questionable actions on his part and that of a former player who’s said to have profited financially while attending the school and all this happening under the nose of the then AD Mike Garrett who has since re-signed to be replaced by Pat Haden.
Stories such as this have been cropping up with alarming regularity around the world of collegiate athletics and a number of the programs in question are prominent schools that are synonymous with collegiate athletics excellence. Now under the microscope is U-Conn mens’ basketball coach Jim Calhoun and once again his actions that of several compliance officers and coaching staff are being questioned as to what they knew and did concerning the recruitment of a number of players to the school’s basketball program. Calhoun has repeatedly skirted around the issue stating that there’s been no wrongdoing on his part and that he knows of no incidents where he or any of his staff have acted inappropriately. However the NCAA’s findings have suggested that not only may Jim Calhoun known about the violations in question but he may well have played a part in its orchestration. What surprises me in all of this has been the fact that the NCAA chooses to punish only the schools for the actions that are knowingly perpetrated by coaches and staff members and then make it known that the athletes are the ones who are also complicit in this all. I’d like to know why it is that no action can be taken against the coaches themselves ?
OK so the coaches are in the employment of the schools that have hired them but then again their remuneration packages are such, that they’re being paid not only to bring success to the program but also the prerequisite talent to those respective sports. And any action taken wherein a coach is fired without due cause can lead to a wrongful dismissal lawsuit. If those actions by the coaches are egregious and they bring about sanctions even if the main cause has been the undue acts of an athlete then it’s my belief that if the violations have a veracity to them then the coaches should be either fired or suspended. In the real world where an employee has broken a rule or committed a criminal act then the employer is quite within their right to dismiss that employee. Why not in the world of collegiate athletics ?
The NCAA is also is just as much to blame in this all because of their lack of oversight in not doing what I believe would be appropriate and that is to conduct a regular audit of schools on a regular basis. Much like independent audit can be conducted on a public company by the SEC when they feel that there’s been misconduct by its board of directors. But then again we tend to make comparisons of some institutions and that of the Federal government and how they go about dealing with misconduct. As way too often excuses are made by the institutions in question when they’re asked to undertake an investigation. Idiocy abounds when repeatedly we’re told that they have found no wrongdoing when it’s clear that there’s been egregious actions on the part of a company. However with the NCAA, it’s a case where they tend to pick and choose who they are prepared to make an example of . For a body that has to oversee collegiate athletics the bureaucracy within the institution is archaic and cumbersome . It’s also reflected by the complete lack of transparency that’s shown by the NCAA . A multi billion dollar institution that in essence rules over its kingdom like a third world despot leader but who tries to give the impression to the world that there isn’t a problem at all within its domain because they have it all under control.
Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl prowls the sidelines being demonstrative during a college basketball game. Getty Images / Tim Marckus
In this March 7, 2009, file photo, Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. The University Connecticut says its men’s basketball program committed major NCAA recruiting violations. The school imposed its own sanctions, including two years’ probation and a loss of one scholarship for the next two seasons. But the university says the evidence does not support the NCAA allegation that coach Jim Calhoun _ who has won two national titles with the Huskies _ failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster …..
Former University of Washington President Mark Emmert (left) is seen here with now retired US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and University of Washington Regent William H Gates. Emmert succeeded Myles Brand as President of the NCAA full-time after serving as interim President while Brand underwent medical treatment for cancer. picture courtesy of Univ of Washington @ all rights reserved ………
Southern California head coach Pete Carroll gives Reggie Bush a pep talk during the 2005 National Championship at the Orange Bowl in Pro Player Stadium , Miami, Florida. courtesy of Newscom ……
What if anything do you feel ought to imposed upon a coach when it’s clear that there has been an egregious NCAA violation where he or she has played a part in that transgression ? Do you feel that the coach ought to be suspended or fired where the act is egregious and he has played a part in the violation ? Also how do you view the NCAA under the new tenure of its President Mark Emmert ? Do you believe that there has been enough transparency by the NCAA since Emmert took over from his predecessor Myles Brand ? Make your thoughts known felt by simply leaving a comment as you’d deem fit and thanks as always for the continued support as it’s great appreciated .
NB: It has since been announced that U Conn imposed sanctions against itself after admitting that they had in fact violated rules concerning contact between recruits and coaches . Also that there’s tenuous actions with regard to academic fraud at the school.
So Tennessee Volunteers’ basketball coach Bruce Pearl has seen fit to lie to NCAA investigators concerning recruitment violations and a slew of other actions that may garner the SEC school a number of violations that could well lead to severe actions being meted out by collegiate athletics’ highest governing body. What I find somewhat strange about this all is the mere fact that the conference itself doesn’t monitor the actions of the athletic programs under its tenure. You’d have thought that would be something that the SECwould seek to monitor judiciously ? But instead it is now left in the hands of the NCAA to deal with a matter that at the end of the day the message sent will either be one, where they will punish the school with impunity or merely give them a slap on the wrist.
Furthermore in the case of Pearl it is highly unlikely that he’ll be punished unless the AD Mike Hamilton chooses to either suspend the coach or if the charges are deemed to serious enough that they will choose to fire him. And given what we tend to know with coaches that have brought about a winning program and esteem to a school we do tend to find that the school will more often than not choose to take a soft approach to the allegations and any punishment that they might seek to mete out.
We knew Bruce Pearl was in hot water over the NCAA probe looking into his Tennessee basketball program.
It appears the coach is aware, too, that more fallout may lie ahead.
Pearl spoke with Luke Winn of SI.com after speaking at a coaching clinic this weekend in Brooklyn, N.Y., and his words offer a glimpse into his worries moving forward.
“We did what we felt like we needed to do, to take steps proactively to penalize ourselves. I think the penalties were unprecedented in some scope. But we made mistakes. We provided false and misleading information to the NCAA.
“I should be made an example of, and I am — I’m embarrassed. But I hope that the things we did don’t rise to the level of termination, because we run a clean program. We got investigated in a lot of areas.”
Pearl’s lies to the NCAA came back to bite him in more ways than one. For starters, it brought out this response from Jimmy Collins, a former assistant coach at Illinois whom Pearl turned in to the NCAA nearly 20 years ago.
After that episode, Pearl was knocked by many in the coaching community for his actions.
“As a result of what I went through before, I had a responsibility to run a clean program and do it the right way,” he said to SI.com. “I’ve been doing this for 28 years. And I wished I could’ve not run afoul of the rules my whole career. So obviously, I’m disappointed in myself.”
Tennessee expects to receive a letter of allegations from the NCAA by the end of the year — and Pearl’s future on the sidelines in Knoxville will strongly depend on the severity of the allegations levied.
So, yes, Pearl will be sweating it out for several months. Now the question is will it affect his current Vols team, which should be able to contend with Kentucky and Florida in the SEC East.
Bruce Pearl for his part has yet to issue a public statement as to what the the allegations are about and the impending investigation. Why is it that more often than not when an athlete falls afoul of a transgression they tend to the ones who become a pariah and then the school is punished . But rarely is it that a coach whose failings are questioned when they come to the fore. I mean Pete Carroll flees like a thief in the night from USC when under his watch the most flagrant of violations took place at the school. All of which took place under the alleged watchful eye of then Athletic Director Mike Garrett who would then step down from the position rather than being pushed out the door. Former Trojans’ basketball coach Tim Floyd whose pleading of ignorance when handed over cash to O J Mayo and his subsequent riposte that his actions were above board is was as ludicrous and asinine to say the very least. Clearly there’s something wrong with these coaches and their undoubted self righteous actions.
University of Florida (Gators) football coach Urban Meyer is either that gullible or he knows exactly how rife his team is literally filled with a bunch of violent buffoons. Players on this team have now been arrested and charged with misdemeanors to far more serious allegations ranging from possession of narcotics, DUI, sexual battery , theft and also in amongst that , are allegations of academic fraud. Meyer chooses to placate himself from all of this by stating that he runs a clean program and that his responsibilities is simply being a football coach. Perhaps I’m mistaken but his responsibilities go far beyond that ? After all he goes into the homes of these players to recruit them by speaking to a parent or parents and implores them to send their child the his school , where he assures them that they’ll be able to get a good education. Now we know that much of this is all hogwash as the real reason this is all being done to intensify the prestige and success of the school. Rarely does a coach show any real interest in that of the students under his tenure. I personally would like to know what the graduation rate is amongst the student athlete body of the university?
Prior to the 2010 NCAA Basketball Championships Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated that he’d like to see it where a criteria is set where the teams qualifying for the tournament must have graduation of rate of not less than 48% amongst its student athlete body. Not excessively high but when looked at and measured against the schools who participated in the tournament more than 75% of the schools involved would not have met that the threshold called for by the Education Secretary. If that’s not enough of a shock to most then consider the production line that collegiate athletics has become and the lengths that schools are now going to, merely to have repeated success at whatever cost possible. Collegiate athletics is no longer about the student athlete gaining an education and becoming a model citizen. In essence it is now a multi-billion dollar business where the few reap the rewards and those at the lower rungs of the ladder are left to fend for themselves once they’ve been of service to that establishment.
It is easy to suggest that many of these athletes will profit financially beyond their wildest dreams once they enter into the professional market place of either the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL , it all becomes about how much money that they will be able garner that first initial contract for. But that tends to only happens to those considered to be amongst the elite within their chosen athletic endeavor. And when one considers the tens of millions of dollars that the programs garner and you have to wonder the lengths that the coaches and schools are prepared to go to make sure that there’s continued success and the money keeps rolling in. Unfortunately for the student athletes the resources at their disposal isn’t what you would commonly expect especially when compliance officers , athletic directors and in some cases faculty members choose to turn a blind eye. And yes one could opine to the fact that the student should be responsible for their own actions and that they owe it to the educational establishment to make the best possible of the opportunities made available to them.
The coaches for their part bask in the glory and acclaim while they lead their respective teams to success. Now when I hear the likes of Nick Saban talk about the agents who hover around a school’s program and the fact that they feast off the athletes as if it’s vulture eating off the carcass of a dead animal. I’ve got to ask myself who the hell is Saban kidding and is he actually listening to what he’s saying ? Here’s a guy who simply doesn’t know how to be honest if it were his last day on earth ! One simply has to recall his actions when he was a coach of the Miami Dolphins . When asked at the time whether not it was his intention to remain with the Dolphins after it’d been speculated that he was about to abruptly leave the organization. Saban simply stated to the convened press that he would honor his contract but as well know that wasn’t to be, as he walked away from the team without offering statement to then owner H D Wayne Huizenga .
Jumping back to his old stomping ground Saban has found success with Alabama,having led the team to their most recent national championship and where they’re now heavily favored to repeat again as SEC and national champions. Disingenuous or not clearly, some of the collegiate coaches think that they’re above reproach but I find it somewhat superfluous that the NCAA would always seek to punish only a school when a coach knowingly places that school in a precarious position, whereby they can lose not only scholarships but also to an extent the esteem of the school. If you don’t believe that to be the case then simply look at the fall from grace of USC ? If honesty had been shown by the parties there , who knew full what was going on , then surely what transpired could have have been abated ! Obviously not, because no one there thought that they could be caught and the asinine notion that the school and certain principals were without fault clearly shows how far that school was prepared to go.
Head coach Bruce Pearl (left) of the Tennessee Volunteers and Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans shake hands before the game during the midwest regional final of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Edward Jones Dome on March 28, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. Elsa Martinez / Getty Images
Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Tennessee Volunteers and the rest of his bench watch as the Michigan State Spartans shoot a free throw during the midwest regional final of the 2010 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Edward Jones Dome on March 28, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. Michagan State defeated Tennessee 70-69 to advance to the Final Four. Elsa Martinez / Getty Images
Joan Cronan, Pat Summitt (Vols women’s baskeball coach), Larry Pratt, Dr. John Petersen, University AD Mike Hamilton and Bruce Pearl . picture appears courtesy of utsports.com copyrighted material @ all rights reserved
Knoxville ,Tn,. Quarterback John Brantley (12) of the Florida Gators drops back to pass against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators congratulates his players after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Getty Images / Grant Halverson
Florida Gators sing the alma mater after a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won 31-17. Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Southern California basketball player O.J. Mayo, right, speaks to the media as head coach Tim Floyd looks on during a news conference Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007 in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Nick Ut ………
Former Trojan’s head football coach Pete Carroll of USC Trojans sits with then Athletic Director Mike Garrett during the game between Arizona Wildcats and USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. The Wildcats defeated the Tojans 105-61. Event dates back to 2001. Stephen Dunn Getty Images /Allsport
Durham , NC,. A crowd of 39,042 was on hand for the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Durham, North Carolina. The Crimson Tide defeated the Blue Devils 62-13. Photo by Brian A. Westerholt/Getty Images
Blue Devils’ head coach David Cutcliffe (right) talks with Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban prior to the start of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Durham, North Carolina. The Crimson Tide defeated the Blue Devils 62-13. Photo by Brian A. Westerholt/Getty Images
What thoughts if any do you have concerning the allegations concerning Bruce Pearl and that statements attributed to Urban Meyer that he runs a clean football program ? Is he simply being naive or is it because he’s had undoubted success and feels that he can get a free pass ? And in the case of Saban are his actions that of a person whose statements are valid ? If agents as he puts it should be corralled then why not the boosters who surreptitiously do a number of questionable things that the coaches and faculties would tend to turn a blind eye to ? Clearly there’s an argument to be made where their actions can be just as questionable as that of an out of control athlete or agent ? Chime in with a comment as you see fit and thanks once again for the continued support as it’s always appreciated !
Alan aka tophatal ………. 🙂 * 🙂 * 😦
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Joie Chaves . A hot piece of Nubian a_s that any man would definitely want to tap !
OK so someone explain to me what was so noble about what was done by Reggie Bush ? Giving up his Heisman Trophy after the cheating that took place when from the outset as he lied as to the fact that he took nor did he licit any gifts from an agent or boosters from within the US Trojans’ organization. From start to finish this has been one complete charade and much of that may well have been done with the knowledge of his former coach Pete Carroll and no doubt former athletic director Mike Garrett. Pat Haden who as successor to Garrett has thanked the former Trojan for his actions and stated that…”it was a commendable thing to do”. Now as the Heisman Board of Trustees makes a decision as to whether or not to award the the trophy to runner up Vince Young or to completely vacate verdict of 2005 one has to ask what sort of a deterrent will this be seen as to other athletes ?
Clearly Bush has profited from the award financially not just from his draft status in 2006 but also from the commercial endorsements garnered by the player. The NCAA in their dealings with USC found that the program there was rife with numerous infractions stemming from 2005 and prior. In pronouncing their findings they sought punish the program with impunity. The loss of multiple scholarships and none appearances in BCS bowl games for two consecutive years. We may think that the punishment was too severe but when one considers that the program sought to hide behind this subterfuge without an admission of guilt. And the idiocy shown by former USC students in trying to negate the wrongdoing by saying that the cheating didn’t take place on the field of play was as asinine as it comes !
The NCAA doesn’t stipulate as to how cheating is prescribed as it concerns on the field endeavors because they simply state infractions of any kind aren’t tolerated. If that’s not a clear enough definition for those individuals then the education that takes place on the campus of USC isn’t all it’s cracked up to be ! As to Young being the recipient of the award, well it may not viewed as the right thing to do but to my mind it would not settle a situation that the Heisman board members and the NCAA were in some ways fully aware as to ongoing inconsistencies going on within the Trojans’ athletic program. But the idiocy here was that they all chose to turn a blind eye to the actions that had been rumored to have taken place. ere it not for the investigative journalists who sought to seek out the truth then much of what came to light would’ve remained hidden.
The NFL season is but a week old but already injuries could well become the culprit that waylays the year for several teams . It could play a great deal as to what transpires for numerous teams. So far the New York Jets , New England Patriots , Indianapolis Colts and are but a slew of teams that has lost players to season ending injuries. And it will become a test of wills for their coaches to see if the players plugged in to fill those gaps will prove to be sufficient to keep their seasons intact .
Did I miss something concerning the San Diego Chargers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs ? I’m no great admirer of Norv Turner as a coach as I don’t view him as someone who knows how to handle real adversity within the NFL well. The Chargers’ defense was about as resolute as the passengers on the Titanic as they sought to save themselves. In the case of the Chargers there was nothing to be saved here other than the reputation of several veterans. The upheaval that there has been within the team where we’ve since seen the departure of future Hall of Famer LaDanian Tomlinsion and the discord between wide receiver Vincent Jackson </a? and the organization . GM A J Smith and team President & CEO Dean Spanos while looking towards the future seem to be unsure as to the what direction that they want the team to be heading in.
The AFC West long seen as the Chargers’ own personal backyard but this season could turn out to be somewhat different as the Chiefs now seem to be more resolute with the addition of Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel as the offensive and defensive coordinators for the team . The two experienced veteran coaches will provide a great deal of assistance to head coach Todd Haley . We may well also get to see how much growth there will be quarterback Matt Cassel’s game as he seeks to more cohesiveness with his team and in particular with the offense. The defense showed depth and signs of maturity in their season opener but it was special teams that brought about the victory for the success starved Chiefs.
Say what you may about the Oakland Raiders but I now get the impression that many of their fans aren’t always willing to deal with reality. And if they are, they’ll tend to wax on lyrically about past achievements rather than the reality of what’s happening at present. Can a Raiders’ fan simply explain to me how from one moment to the next this team simply plays as if they’ve no sense of acceptance or responsibility to their fans ? And from a coaching standpoint Tom Cable just hasn’t instigated any sort of discipline into this team. If there’s a Raiders fan out there who believes that he has then I’d like to hear your ideas as to where there’s evidence of that ? Two years on and it could well be that should Cable and the team not have a winning season then we could see the organization part with the coach and the ever revolving door of coaches departing from the team once again commences. It’s strange to see how far this organization has fallen from grace all under the tenure of owner Al Davis . And as storied as Davis’ legacy as been there comes a time when the keys to the kingdom has to be turned over to someone who actually knows the hell what they’re doing.
As week two approaches a number of things may well fall into place as a number of teams will actually begin to find their footing as the season progresses. My biggest concern is how realistic the league will be in the declining attendances across the NFL. Granted the cavernous edifices of Cowboys Stadium and Meadowlands Stadium may not initially reflect that given that both venues are still in their infancy but it remains to be seen whether or not the teams who call it their home can fill the venues without the anticipated success. Overall revenues are now on the decline for the NFL and so too has been game attendance although television viewership appears to be on the rise. The economic recession has played its part in this all but now with the uncertainty of a possible labor stoppage and the mere fact that there’s an impasse between the league and players’ union. And one could ask whether or not Commissioner Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith of the NFLPA are actually making a concerted effort to reach an amicable agreement that would curtail a lockout ? What we’ve heard from either side would indicate that the chasm between the two sides appears to be wider than first thought . And neither side it appears wants to be seen as the villain of the piece but clearly neither side wants to be seen as the culprit that brings about a strike within the NFL. The good faith and will built between the league and its patrons , the fans , will suffer should the league shutdown for the entire upcoming season. Chances are if that scenario were to arise then we all might as well take up needlepoint as a replacement for watching or attending NFL games.
New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush participates in a reception for the 2010 National Football League Super Bowl champions at the White House August 9, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Saints, lead by head coach Sean Payton, finished the 2009-2010 season with a winning record of 13-3 and defeated the Indianapolis Colts to take the championship. Chip Smodovilla / Getty Images
Heisman Trophy recipient (2005) Reggie Bush . The former USC Trojan has since returned the trophy in forfeiture to the Heisman Trust who’ve accepted the player’s gesture. Trust board chairman Wiliam J Dockery and the board members have made the decision not to award the trophy the runner-up Vince Young as they deem it not warranted due to the lapse in time. Getty Images/ Chris Parker III
Pat Haden who succeeded Mike Garrett as the athletic director at USC. Haden a graduate of of USC is one the college’s most famous alumnus . He now looks to clean up what had become a somewhat dishevelled and morally bankrupt athletics program. Associated Press / Mike Cross
Quarterback Philip Rivers (17) of the San Diego Chargers is sacked during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 13, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Chargers general manager A.J. Smith (left to right) with first-round draft pick (2008) Antoine Cason, team president Dean Spanos and head coach Norv Turner. Photo: Chargers.com.
Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the sidelines alongside head coach Todd Haley during the game against the Green Bay Packers on September 2, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Jason Campbell (8) of the Oakland Raiders looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the NFL season opener at LP Field on September 12, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Raiders 38-13. ____ Joe Robbins/Getty Images
NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, right, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sit at the witness table on Capitol Hill in Washington. A year without a Super Bowl? It may be unthinkable to football fans, but that’s a worry behind a new lobbying push by NFL players. The NFL Players Association is bracing for a showdown with team owners that could lead to a work stoppage when the current collective bargaining deal expires, ratcheting up its lobbying on Capitol Hill under new executive director DeMaurice Smith. Charles Dharapak / Associated Press
What thoughts if any do you have with regard to the points raised in this piece and how do you view things panning out specifically with regard to the league ?
Alan aka tophatal 🙂 * 😦
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Bria Myles’ 22’s but I’m sure headlights and rims are far bigger than that ! And who wouldn’t want to polish Bria’s headlights ?
Intriguing Questions That Need To Be Asked And Answered In The World of Sports ………….
If LeBron James as he’s now stating , having been interviewed by that elder statesman of menial tv journalism, Larry King . Wherein , James stated that the Cavaliers’ organization stands a better than even chance that he’ll remain with the team . The question I for one would like to ask did his mother force him to make such a statement , bearing in mind that it’s been alleged that she (Gloria James) has been having a sexual relationship with James’ teammate Delonte’ West . Could it be that Gloria James will miss Cleveland more than LeBron will ? And two, what does that say about the players of some of the potential teams that are said to be interested in luring James to their organizations ?
In the Bible we’re led to believe that it took God six days to create the Earth and on the seventh day he rested . The question I’d like to ask if it can the “Supreme Being” such a short time to create this world . Then how is it that it has now taken the NCAA in “excess of three years” to conduct their investigation into the basketball and football program of USC ? I mean with all of the evidence that has come to light and the fact that the likes of Reggie Bush , Matt Leinart , O J Mayo , Pete Carroll , Tim Floyd and the US Trojans’ AD Mike Garrett have been less than forthright in answering any questions as to any transgressions concerning the program. Is it a matter of mere perception and we’re completely misjudging what has gone on within the school’s athletics program ? I guess that $1,000-00 paid to Mayo by Floyd , was a mere oversight at the time ? And the fact that Bush’s parents were living in a residence that at the time was way beyond their means was a mere faux-pas and nothing untoward was happening between Bush and an interloper acting on his behalf at the time.
Well the 2010 NBA Finals are upon us and the series commences on the 3rd June , 2010 . The game’s two most storied franchises are set to meet for the the eleventh time in the game’s showcase event. Between them the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have won 32 NBA titles and have made a combined 51 appearances in the NBA Finals. It’d be remiss to suggest that it does make the other teams within the NBA irrelevant because that’s most certainly not the case. But in this era where we’re always being told that there’s parity in sports . The dominance of the Celtics and Lakers of the NBA does make the case for that argument seem somewhat mute. But in reality when either of these two teams are making an appearance in the finals , then it augurs well for the viewing figures for the event and it most definitely brings a smile to the face of David Stern and the entire NBA hierarchy .
As a more than avid fan of the NBA I just hope to see a very entertaining series. But above all I’m hoping that the officials don’t interject themselves into each and every game and event when there’s a tinge of controversy. More than often than not the real reason why a series can be bad or becomes bad isn’t necessarily because of the poor play. But more so, it has to do with the poor officiating. I know that David Stern says that he trusts these officials implicitly . But would he actually trust them with his life or perhaps to be in the accompaniment of his wife or daughters ? I mean if he trusts them that much then he shouldn’t have a problem with a referee spending a night with his wife I would’ve thought ! Squash that , Tim Donaghy suddenly springs to mind .
Apart from seeing future Hall of Famers , in , Kobe Bryant , Ray Allen , Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett . We’ll also get to see the burgeoning talents of such young players as Rajon Rondo, Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar . As to whether or not the careers of these players will aspire to be as great as that of their peers mentioned , it remains to be seen over the course of time.
Ben Roethlisberger has returned to the fold and is now allowed once again allowed to undertake team activities with the Pittsburgh Steelers . I for one still feel that the player got off lightly ! But given the fact that he’s said to be on a tight leash and he’s still under a six game suspension that can be lowered to four games should NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell see fit. The scrutiny under which Roethlisberger will be followed will most certainly make him feel as if he’s rat on a wheel undergoing a watchful social behavorial experiment. I just hope that the player understands the implications should he screw up again . There have been players within the NFL who haven’t been afforded a second chance that has been given Roethlisberger. So the slightest inappropriate act on or off the field and he can essentially kiss his career goodbye.
My buddy Sportschump suggested that many of the problems that came to the fore under Goodell’s watch were inherited after his assuming the position of his predecessor Paul Tagliabue . But that was most certainly not the case. From the Plaxico Burress affair , to Donte’ Stallworth to Ben Roethlisberger . All of this has happened under Goodell’s watch and the commissioner hasn’t necessarily always been proactive in his handling of these matters. He at times placates the situation by saying that many of the cases in question should be dealt with after legal ramifications are sorted out. However , under the collective bargaining agreement with the NFLPA , he has the power to suspend a player for conduct detrimental to the sport and that includes any matter that might also tarnish the image of the NFL.
My question to Goodell and Sportschump , should “Big Ben” be caught once again, whereby a 20 year old female college co-ed should suddenly find her lips around a certain part of the player’s genitalia. Can we believe Ben if he states ……………” she tripped and fell and her mouth suddenly found itself around my member ” ? More to the point how is it that it is always the fault of the other person in the incident ? Isn’t Roethlisberger mature enough to be now held accountable for his own actions ? Or is this what a football college scholarship now gets you at Miami of Ohio ?
Still no word as of yet but with Terrell Owens seeing his buddy , Chad Ochocinco appear on Dancing With The Stars . Is there now a possibility that “TO” will lean more towards retirement as he remains an unsigned free agent within the NFL ? That’s not to say that his agent Drew Rosenhaus won’t be making overtures on the player’s behalf to see if he can be signed by none other than the Minnesota Vikings. That way the organization and the the team can then have “two of the biggest and most self absorbed narcissists” ever to have set foot within the NFL. Don’t forget now boys and girls , Brett Favre still hasn’t made us privy to the impending decision as to his NFL future and that perceived comeback , “yet again” !
If you think it not audacious situation for Rosenhaus to approach Brad Childress and his coaching staff to quite possibly gauge their interest in the veteran wide receiver. Not so long ago the thinking was that Favre would be the player to put the team over the top and guide them to a Superbpowl . Well one year on and one year older and the Vikings were about as close to the Superbpowl as Sen. John McCain (R-Az) was, in gaining entrance into the White House as the 44th President of the United States. C’mon now , please don’t use the excuse that Brett got ’em to the NFC championship game. Brett also cost ’em an appearance in the Superbowl with his capricious play in the closing stretch of the loss to the eventual Superbowl champions __ New Orleans Saints .
So what do you think is there a remote possibility that we could see that Favre Owens’ tandem gracing us within the NFL as part of the Vikings’ team looking to be not only dominant within the NFC North but also within the entire NFL ? Or will me merely see the return of Favre to the Vikings with Owens toiling away elsewhere within the NFL with some none descript team ?
Well now that we’ve more than got a quarter of the way through the baseball season . A number of teams are trying to jockey themselves into position for the mid-stretch of the season. To my mind this is the one part of the season that will go a long way in telling us the resolve and determination of a team. You simply have to look at the standings to see which teams can be taken for real and which cannot. Sorry Baltimore and Houston but there’s always next year I hope !
I can’t for the life of me understand how two teams such as the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers of the AL Central tend to under achieve. As good as both teams appear to be on paper , up close and personal once they begin to play it’s like looking at an abstract painting and trying to understand what the subject matter is all about. The White Sox are simply are simply an embarrassment and for Jim Leyland and Tigers , I’m not about to suggest that the team is spiraling out of control. But were they an airplane, I’d be looking for the nearest emergency exit just as a precaution.
GM’s Dave Dombrowski of the Tigers and Kenny Williams of the White Sox know that in Leyland and Ozzie Guillen they have two very good managers. But the problems now facing both managers are that their respective teams either aren’t listening as to what they and the coaching staff are trying to instill. Or quite possibly the teams just aren’t as good as first thought. By my way of thinking it has to be the latter but if things don’t change as to both teams’ fortunes . Then quite possibly before at the culmination of the season both managers could very well be fired by their respective organizations. I’m not about to suggest that they should both be deserving of such a fate. But as a last resort that’s always how the executives and owners tend to alleviate the problem to quieten the angst of the fans.
I’m not a big NASCAR or IRL fan but I’ve got to admit that I made the rare peek to watch snippets of the Coca Cola 600 and parts of the Indy 500 . The latter race I’ve been led to believe is said to be “the best auto race in the world” . Someone must be friggin’ kidding if they’ve never witnessed the Monaco Grand Prix from Monte Carlo and the nuance of F1 Grand Prix Racing. OK , so Indy Car has female drivers Danica Patrick and Milka Duno . But unless they’re about to let those ladies race in nothing more than two piece bathing suit , then quite frankly I’m simply not interested ! However, with Dario Franchitti happening to be the victor of the Indy 500 , we all got to see that rather “hot wife” of his Ashley Judd . But good God almighty, was it me but what the hell was she wearing ? I thought it was Franchitti’s mother at first until the cameras drew in for a close up shot . Then I realized she still looks as hot as ever ! ‘nough said !
Ashley Judd please don’t give the legions of male fans around the world such a scare again ! We all love it when you look exceedingly hot and chique`. We’d prefer for you to not to look so dowdy as it belies your sensational looks . As to Franchitti , I can only surmise that once he and his wife returned home all bets were off as to how they’d end up celebrating his second victory of America’s most prestigious race. A great deal of intimacy was no doubt called for I’d dare say ! So we know that Ashley Judd is hot but can someone answer me this, when will Danica Patrick win her next race ? And two, are we ever liable to see her adorning a stripper’s pole ? Because by my way of thinking the circus has but left town with regard to her alleged ambitions within both NASCAR and IRL. Making excuses for Danica Patrick now is very much in a similar vein in excusing why it is that Dale Earnhardt Jr can’t find the winner’s podium but yet he’s being paid an exorbitant amount of money for merely being average at best. Can I get an amen here ?
LeBron James and veteran broadcast journalist Larry King seen here on King’s CNN show “Larry King Live” . The show was taped from James’ home in Akron, Ohio. courtesy of Associated Press/ Phil Dumark …………..
CNN’s Larry King interviews basketball star LeBron James at his home in Akron, Ohio during a taping of Larry King Live on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. The show is slated to air on Friday, June 4, 2010 at 9:30pm ET. Lorenzo Bevilaqua/CNN
Pete Carroll (right) and Tim Floyd (center) the former coaches of the USC Trojans’ football and basketball programs respectively. The Trojans’ athletic program is has been under investigation by the NCAA and they’re now close to advising both school and the public of those findings in due course. courtesy of Getty Images North America / Matt Volstadt ……….
Southern California basketball player O.J. Mayo, right, speaks to reporters as coach Tim Floyd listens in Los Angeles. Louis Johnson, a former associate of Mayo, who is now in the NBA, has told Yahoo! Sports thatFloyd paid to help get Mayo to play for the Trojans. Floyd declined to comment to Yahoo! about the accusations by Johnson. AP Photo/Nick Ut ……………..
Football players Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush walk onstage at the General Motors Ten event on February 28, 2006 in Hollywood, California. Getty Images Entertainment / Frazer Harrison ……….
Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace , Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics look on during a stop in play against the Orlando Magic in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 18, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. The Los Angeles Lakers look to win the NBA Finals for the second year in a row as they take on the Boston Celtics starting with Game One on June 3 in Los Angeles. The Celtics last won the NBA Finals in 2008 by defeating the Lakers 4 -2 . Getty Images/ Kevin C. Cox …………
Kobe Bryant (24) of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after defeating the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Los Angeles Lakers look to win the NBA Finals for the second year in a row as they take on the Boston Celtics starting with Game One on June 3 in Los Angeles. The Celtics last won the NBA Finals in 2008 by defeating the Lakers 4 – 2 . Getty Images / Ronald Martinez …………..
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) takes part in the NFL football team’s voluntary workout Monday, June 31, 2010. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar…………
Drew Rosenhaus the agent for Terrell Owens is seen here at Gentleman Jack, Yardbarker.com & GQ Super Bowl Party Hosted by Terrell Owens at the Hyde Park Cafe on January 29, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. courtesy of Getty Images / Ryan Gilpin …………….
Eden Prairie , MN – Brett Favre (C), Mark Wilf (L) and Zygi Wilf show the media Favre’s Minnesota Vikings jersey on August 18, 2009 at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Photo by Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images …………
GM Kenny Williams (r) and WhitE Sox manager Ozzie Guillen . Though the pair have won a World Series together as manager and executive for the team. Their relationship can be best described as being testy one minute or downright dour the next and they still manage to get things going. But with the team now underperforming it’s not clear how much longer things will last for the duo. AP Photo / Nam Y Yuh …………….
Tigers’ GM Dave Dombrowski foreground and the team’s manager Jim Leyland in the background. The team has struggled to maintain pace with the AL Central division leading Minnesota Twins and they’ve been increasingly inconsistent in every facet of their game. AFP / Mark Knowles ……………
Dario Franchitti, of Scotland, poses during the traditional winners photo session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Monday, May 31, 2010. Franchitti won his second Indianapolis 500 auto race yesterday. AP Photo/Michael Conroy ……..
Indianapolis May 30th 2010. Dario Franchitti of Scotland, driver of the #10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda, celebrates with his wife Ashley Judd in victory circle after winning the IZOD IndyCar Series 94th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images ………..
Judd for the fervent Wildcats’ fan
Dario Franchitti of Scotland, driver of the #10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda, celebrates with his wife Ashley Judd in victory lane after winning the IZOD IndyCar Series 94th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images …………
Danica Patrick (left), Simona de Silvestro (center) and Ana Beatriz (right) are just three of the four female competitors that took part in the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway , Indiana , Indianaplolis this past Sunday . Getty Images / Simon Abruzzo ………..
Racing celebrity, Danica Patrick poses along a Florida beach for the Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit 2008 issue. courtesy of SI .com …..
Well these are but a few of the questions that I think in some ways we can find amusing and in some cases serious in the world of sports. What questions if any would you want to pose concerning a certain are of the sporting landscape. It doesn’t necessarily have to be serious at all. So feel free to chime on in with a question and perhaps we can all debate it in the appropriate manner ? Thanks as always for the continued support !
I’m Not About To Lie Down And Take One For The Team ………
Do you get the impression that in Southern Cal all is not right with the world ? The much storied athletics’ program of the USC Trojans is seemingly under siege not just from within but also from the outside. The findings of the NCAA’s Infraction Committee has yet to be made public. But there are ominous signs coming down from up above at the highest levels within the university. University President Steven B. Sample is stepping down from his position in his capacity as its President. And there are now “cries” for the current AD Mike Garrett to follow suit and simply step down.
Former Trojans' football head coach Pete Carroll is seen here alongside University President Steven B Sample. The university President is set to vacate his position later on this year. The are now calls for the AD Mike Garrett to do likewise. photo appears courtesy of upi.com/ Roland Sharvelle ............
Questions have been asked and raised about the University’s athletics program that have yet to be fully answered by either Garrett or Sample in any real capacity. And if anything the controversy that has continued to surround the school with regard to both its basketball and football programs has left something of a unsavory taste in everyone’s mouth not associated with the program and the school. What might even be more bewildering to some has been the snail’s pace in terms of the investigation undertaken by the NCAA into the allegations that’ve concerned both sports within the school’s Athletics Department. It does make you wonder who has been minding the store while much of this went on ? And certainly in the case of both men’s football coach Pete Carroll and Tim Floyd the Trojans’ former basketball coach, there are a great many questions that have gone unanswered. Carroll has since departed from USC to take up the head coach’s position of the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL . I guess “he” may have seen some of the ominous signs coming his way as the ” writing may well have been on the wall” ! And they talk about rats deserting a sinking ship ? The quickness of the departures of both “Carroll” and “Tim Floyd” only adds to the intrigue and the suspense. Never mind the aspects of ” …….. who knew what , where, when and why ? No one and I mean absolutely no one wants to talk about this “bitch” at all ! The silence is so deafening that you’d be under the impression that we were indeed investigating the murder of either Cripps or Blood gang member ?
Beleaguered former USC Trojans’ coach Tim Floyd takes questions from the convened press. There was a great deal of speculation involving Floyd’s association with known felon Rodney Guillory and a close personal friend and confidante of O J Mayo a former player on Floyd’s Trojans men’s basketball team.
One thing is becoming abundantly clear from this whole escapade and it is that USC is now covering its very own “ass” as it looks to stave off the wrath of the NCAA. Any punitive act on their (NCAA) part in terms of the suspensions of athletics’ scholarships , forfeiture of games and quite possibly of a the rescinding of whole competitive season and the results therein means absolutely nothing at the end of the day ! Especially when the program and the university have simply made tens of millions of dollars while the “alleged malfeasance” has gone on Simply put , the NCAA’s hierarchy are a bunch of oafs, if they think that the suspensions and forfeiture will have done enough to make USC learn its lesson. Hell , the boosters , alumni and no doubt senior members of the faculty are in fact laughing their asses off ! They might appear to be showing a great deal of concern but only insomuch as to how they will go about plotting their next ascent to the top of collegiate athletic. Do you get my point , you piss in the ocean and make a ripple but does it actually stir up the waves ? That’s about as much “damage” that will be done to the program when it’s all said and done !
Ever since the days of Reggie Bush’s ascent to stardom as a member of the Trojans’ football team , questions were being asked of the player and his close ties to an agent . Garrett for his part, acted none plus by this all, as if it were all news to him. But that has been the norm within the Trojans’ athletics’ program for years, that has been left unchecked by an administration that simply hasn’t cared , just as long as the “tangible success attained” remained consistent and was prolonged ! And would it have really made any difference to know that then men’s head basketball coach Tim Floyd knowingly gave $1,000-00 to an intermediary by the name of Rodney Guilllory, who was an associate and confidante’ of O J Mayo, the “the highly sought after prized recruit” on the Trojans men’s basketball team. One and done , Mayo was soon off to the NBA to make “his” fame and fortune . Can I get an amen, here ? I mean where else can you make a complete mockery of a system that is so corrupt that it is beyond belief. But yet we’re being told by all sides that what is now in place is of benefit to the student athlete .
Carroll (left) is seen here at a college basketball along with USC Athletics Director Mike Garrett game at Galen Arena , home to the USC Trojans men's baskeball team . The $200 million venue was a joint fund raising effort initiated by Garrett in conjunction with boosters , alumni and local businesses within the greater Los Angeles area. photo appears courtesy of Getty Images North America / Rafael Dominguez ............
I can only surmise that the likes of David Stern , Roger Goodell , Bud Selig and Gary Bettman are happy with their lot ! Never mind the joy that is being felt by NCAA President James Isch , colleges and the major athletics conferences across the nation are of a similar like mindedness when it comes to collegiate feeder system to professionalism that’s in place. The NCAA makes its money , the conferences , universities , coaches, athletic directors and agents make theirs . At the end of it all more often than not the student athlete hasn’t even got a pot to piss in and a window to throw it out of . What is wrong with this picture I ask ?
And while we wait for the findings of the NCAA and the punishment to be levied, if any against the University of Southern California (USC) . Ask yourself this, whose best interests is now being served by this all ? Is it the USC (Trojans) ? Or is it the NCAA or quite possibly the professional governing bodies of MLB , NFL , NBA and the NHL ? If you believe you do indeed have the answer then by all means leave a comment as to the reasons why. I’ll look forward to reading them each and responding in due course. As always, thanks for the continued support , it is greatly appreciated as usual ! >
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Bob Marley ……… “Don’t Worry Three Little Birds”
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Actress Jessica Biel . Who wouldn’t want grab a hold of her “melons ? I know that I certainly would !
