LOOKING FOR GOOD NEWS? BETTER LOOK ELSEWHERE
With every NFL team, except Tampa Bay, on break between mini camps & training camp, you have almost every coaching staff on extended vacations, there's not a lot to report on around the league. The same goes for college football. The one exception is the bad news, police blotters, legal wrangling etc. Sorry I couldn't give you a lift this afternoon.
USC's top recruit & the high school star generally recognized as the top recruit in the entire nation, offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, appears to be looking to get out of his commitment to the Trojans. He gave them an oral commitment last fall but refused to sign a letter of intent until the NCAA's investigation was concluded. When little was discussed regarding the findings, Henderson finally signed his LOI in February. Yesterday, USC head coach Lane Kiffin, recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, offensive line coach James Cregg & D-coordinator Monte Kiffin all boarded a private jet & went to Miinneapolis in an effort to salvage Henderson's commitment. The bad news for Trojan fans was that no statement was issued after their return last night or this morning. Henderson's father, Sean, often a frequent source of info concerning his son's intentions, wouldn't say anything after the meeting. Seantrel's options to change his commitment are fairly simple, since USC was heavily sanctioned by the NCAA recently, a letter of intent player can seek relief from their commitment by filing papers with the school & the NCAA, wait about 30-days & they can move on to greener pastures.
NBC has severed their ties with Tiki Barber. He was already out at NBC Sports but remained as a segment reporter on The Today Show. No more, his affair with an NBC staffer & the subsequent blowup in the New York newspapers was more than NBC wanted to deal with so he's gone. His wife, who just gave birth to twins last month, has filed for divorce, so Tiki's world continues to crumble around him. Decisions, a lot of really bad decisions.
NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was indicted this morning on multiple charges stemming from an April arrest in a New Jersey motel after allegedly paying a 16-year old runaway $300 to have sex with him. Taylor was indicted on charges of sexual abuse, a criminal sexual act, endangering the welfare of a child & patronizing a prostitute.
Headlines from the New York Post yesterday: "LaDainian - LaDone?" Members of the Big Apple's media have been all over the Jets for their signing of Tomlinson after they released leading rusher & locker room favorite, Thomas Jones. The move was puzzling to say the least especially when they paid Tomlinson essentially the same money they owed Jones. Then after they traded RB Leon Washington to Seattle during the draft, it became clear the Jets were going with Shonn Greene & Tomlinson at running back, quite a comedown from the trio they had last year. Jones had over 2,600 yards & a 4.4 average over the past two seasons while Tomilinson averaged 3.8 & 3.3 over the same two seasons.
University of Arizona wide receiver Delashaun Dean has been suspended from the team indefinitely after being arrested over the weekend on weapons charges. Head Coach Mike Stoops made the announcement yesterday. Dean was the leading returning receiver for the Wildcats with 132 receptions good for 1,407 yards & 7 scores. If he is dismissed from the team it will be a huge loss for U of A.
Ohio State's #1 recruit, Jamel Turner, was shot for the second time in 3 months Saturday night. He is listed in critical condition after suffering "multiple gunshot wounds in a shooting that also killed a 17-year old girl who was with Turner." They were shot outside a New Jersey house by one assailant who police believe knew both victims. He was also wounded in a driveby shooting last April, sustaining wounds to his ankle & thigh. Police don't believe the two incidents are related but Turner's chances of ever playing at Ohio State are certainly diminished. He's attended three high schools in less than 2 years, academics being the problem.
Another Buckeye recruit, Duron Carter, son of future Hall of Famer Cris Carter, has withdrawn from Ohio State because of academic reasons. He enrolled at Coffeyville(Ks) Junior College & will stay until he receives his associates degree. His father said in a short statement "the plan is for Duron to re-enroll at Ohio State in 2011. Hey man, we're all Buckeyes(he & his wife both went to OSU & their daughter has committed to play soccer there). We just want what any parent wants, have their children to grow up, be responsible, make a contribution, be a giver not a taker." Word around the football program is that the Carters are really upset with their son's academic effort since his enrollment in the spring semester at Columbus.
Don't look for Jarrad Page to play for the Chiefs again, we have another test of wills between a reasonably talented player & Todd Haley. Page, like his former safety partner Bernard Pollard, doesn't like playing for Haley. He is a restricted free agent, was given a tender offer off over $1.7 million for this season & he has refused to sign it. He has missed all of the off-season conditioning, the OTA's & mini camp. Page made good progress in his first two seasons but last year under new coodinator Clancy Pendergast, he struggled, was benched & was injured playing special teams. His agent has asked the Chiefs to trade or release Page but I don't see Scott Pioli rewarding Page for turning his back on the club. Page may be in for a long summer without a place to play & no income. For a team that had two promising safeties in Page & Pollard & little else on defense, Haley's inability to communicate with this pair is a shame. Pollard went to Houston & put up Pro Bowl stats, now Page wants out & the club had to use 2 draft picks on safeties last April. The revolving door business model employed by the Chiefs has to cease or Kansas City fans will be forced to endure 2-3 more non-competitive seasons.
I told you there wasn't any good news today.
USC's top recruit & the high school star generally recognized as the top recruit in the entire nation, offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, appears to be looking to get out of his commitment to the Trojans. He gave them an oral commitment last fall but refused to sign a letter of intent until the NCAA's investigation was concluded. When little was discussed regarding the findings, Henderson finally signed his LOI in February. Yesterday, USC head coach Lane Kiffin, recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, offensive line coach James Cregg & D-coordinator Monte Kiffin all boarded a private jet & went to Miinneapolis in an effort to salvage Henderson's commitment. The bad news for Trojan fans was that no statement was issued after their return last night or this morning. Henderson's father, Sean, often a frequent source of info concerning his son's intentions, wouldn't say anything after the meeting. Seantrel's options to change his commitment are fairly simple, since USC was heavily sanctioned by the NCAA recently, a letter of intent player can seek relief from their commitment by filing papers with the school & the NCAA, wait about 30-days & they can move on to greener pastures.
NBC has severed their ties with Tiki Barber. He was already out at NBC Sports but remained as a segment reporter on The Today Show. No more, his affair with an NBC staffer & the subsequent blowup in the New York newspapers was more than NBC wanted to deal with so he's gone. His wife, who just gave birth to twins last month, has filed for divorce, so Tiki's world continues to crumble around him. Decisions, a lot of really bad decisions.
NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was indicted this morning on multiple charges stemming from an April arrest in a New Jersey motel after allegedly paying a 16-year old runaway $300 to have sex with him. Taylor was indicted on charges of sexual abuse, a criminal sexual act, endangering the welfare of a child & patronizing a prostitute.
Headlines from the New York Post yesterday: "LaDainian - LaDone?" Members of the Big Apple's media have been all over the Jets for their signing of Tomlinson after they released leading rusher & locker room favorite, Thomas Jones. The move was puzzling to say the least especially when they paid Tomlinson essentially the same money they owed Jones. Then after they traded RB Leon Washington to Seattle during the draft, it became clear the Jets were going with Shonn Greene & Tomlinson at running back, quite a comedown from the trio they had last year. Jones had over 2,600 yards & a 4.4 average over the past two seasons while Tomilinson averaged 3.8 & 3.3 over the same two seasons.
University of Arizona wide receiver Delashaun Dean has been suspended from the team indefinitely after being arrested over the weekend on weapons charges. Head Coach Mike Stoops made the announcement yesterday. Dean was the leading returning receiver for the Wildcats with 132 receptions good for 1,407 yards & 7 scores. If he is dismissed from the team it will be a huge loss for U of A.
Ohio State's #1 recruit, Jamel Turner, was shot for the second time in 3 months Saturday night. He is listed in critical condition after suffering "multiple gunshot wounds in a shooting that also killed a 17-year old girl who was with Turner." They were shot outside a New Jersey house by one assailant who police believe knew both victims. He was also wounded in a driveby shooting last April, sustaining wounds to his ankle & thigh. Police don't believe the two incidents are related but Turner's chances of ever playing at Ohio State are certainly diminished. He's attended three high schools in less than 2 years, academics being the problem.
Another Buckeye recruit, Duron Carter, son of future Hall of Famer Cris Carter, has withdrawn from Ohio State because of academic reasons. He enrolled at Coffeyville(Ks) Junior College & will stay until he receives his associates degree. His father said in a short statement "the plan is for Duron to re-enroll at Ohio State in 2011. Hey man, we're all Buckeyes(he & his wife both went to OSU & their daughter has committed to play soccer there). We just want what any parent wants, have their children to grow up, be responsible, make a contribution, be a giver not a taker." Word around the football program is that the Carters are really upset with their son's academic effort since his enrollment in the spring semester at Columbus.
Don't look for Jarrad Page to play for the Chiefs again, we have another test of wills between a reasonably talented player & Todd Haley. Page, like his former safety partner Bernard Pollard, doesn't like playing for Haley. He is a restricted free agent, was given a tender offer off over $1.7 million for this season & he has refused to sign it. He has missed all of the off-season conditioning, the OTA's & mini camp. Page made good progress in his first two seasons but last year under new coodinator Clancy Pendergast, he struggled, was benched & was injured playing special teams. His agent has asked the Chiefs to trade or release Page but I don't see Scott Pioli rewarding Page for turning his back on the club. Page may be in for a long summer without a place to play & no income. For a team that had two promising safeties in Page & Pollard & little else on defense, Haley's inability to communicate with this pair is a shame. Pollard went to Houston & put up Pro Bowl stats, now Page wants out & the club had to use 2 draft picks on safeties last April. The revolving door business model employed by the Chiefs has to cease or Kansas City fans will be forced to endure 2-3 more non-competitive seasons.
I told you there wasn't any good news today.
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