TAR HEEL TROUBLE WITH NCAA, POUNCEY'S MAY BE NEXT, CHRIS JOHNSON GETS $$$ & TIGERS GIVE ONE THE BOOT
NCAA investigators are currently working on several cases & the ones I'm aware of fall into the Reggie Bush category, players allegedly taking money from sports agents & marketers. North Carolina's DT Marvin Austin was questioned extensively about three trips he made to Washington D.C. & Miami. The questions come from how he paid for these trips. His good friend, South Carolina TE Weslye Saunders is also being quizzed about two trips he made, one to meet Austin in D.C. & a trip to South Florida. One source in Charlotte said Austin won't be playing football this season, "the next time he does anything connected with football will be the NFL scouting combine next year." Austin is considered by most to be a mid-1st round draft pick but if he is suspended for the year, his draft stock will drop, it's impossible to improve your game if you're not playing.
The word is Pittsburgh's #1 pick, Florida center Markice Pouncey, is also involved in an NCAA probe. The investigation centers on Pouncey allegedly taking $100,000 from an agent or sports marketer after the SEC Championship game(lost by Florida) & before the Sugar Bowl game vs. Cincinnati. The story is once he allegedly accepted the money, Pouncey knew he would have to turn pro, which he did with one year remaining in college eligibility. His twin brother Marcus stayed at Florida for his senior season. I don't know any of these players being investigated nor do I have any personal knowledge of what the investigations have turned up, but I know a lot about the Pouncey family. This tight-knit family has shown absolutely nothing that would make me believe they're taking money. The twins were expected to make grades or they weren't going to be able to play football. It was like that year after year, their Mom made a lot of rules these guys had to live by. I don't see them as being dirty, that doesn't mean the other two are dirty, but there is some evidence against Austin & Saunders that's been made public.
I don't think there's any question that Todd Haley doesn't want safety Jarrad Page. The two clashed last season & Page was put on I.R. He is a restricted free agent & he's yet to sign his tender offer of $1.75 million. It's obvious Page wants no part of Haley's Chiefs either, his agent asked Kansas City to trade or release his client. Word out of Detroit is Gunther Cunningham wants Page to pair with 2nd year safety Louis Delmas. The Lions tried 3 different strong safeties beside Delmas with less than satisfactory results. The Chiefs drafted Page in the 7th round of the 2006 draft & he was paired with Bernard Pollard, also in that draft. Pollard couldn't get along with Haley & he was released. Picked up by the Texans in week 2, Pollard excelled for Houston, finishing 2nd on the team in tackles & making numerous impact plays. Now his former running mate appears to be on his way out of Kansas City, possibly to MoTown, for the 7th round pick the Chiefs used to acquire him in the first place.
In a more positive Chiefs' story, former wide receiver Eddie Kennison signed a one-day contract with Kansas City, so he could retire as a Chief. Kennison has kept his home in the Kansas City area after being released by the Chiefs following the 2007 season. He signed with the Rams, the team Kennison was drafted by out of LSU, but only lasted 3 games before St. Louis released him. He had several very productive years for the Chiefs averaging 58 receptions, 961 yards & 5 touchdowns during his 5 full seasons. Who could forget his overtime catch for the winning touchdown on a "go route" at Lambeau Field during the Chiefs' 9-0 start in 2003?
Titans' 2,000-yard runner, Chris Johnson, has been adamant about a new contract. He's entering just the 3rd year of his rookie contract & is scheduled to make $500,000 in base salary this year. He has boycotted the OTA's & the Tennessee mini camp to drive home his contract complaint. Johnson wanted a $30-million new deal with at least two-thirds of the contract guaranteed. Today the Titans gave him a new deal for this season, $2.5 million, all guaranteed & promised Johnson they would talk after this season.
There were 255 players selected in last Aprils' draft. So far 158 of them have signed contracts, leaving 97 without deals. Of those 97, 63 are from the 1st & 2nd rounds. The Chiefs have signed only two of their selections, both 5th rounders, safety Kendrick Lewis & OLB Cameron Sheffield. With less than two weeks till camp starts, it would be nice to see Scott Pioli start signing these guys in earnest, the Chiefs aren't good enough to have draft choices missing even one practice session.
Michael Lombardi of The NFL Network said today Colts' Pro Bowl safety, Bob Sanders, might be forced into retirement because of arm & shoulder injuries that haven't healed to a point where Sanders could play again. The Colts say Lombardi's report is incorrect, his rehab is slow, but steady. Sanders himself stated today he was looking forward to playing this season after only playing in 2 games last year. He sustained a ruptured biceps tendon last year & has only played in 8 games since 2007. He has suffered numerous shoulder & arm injuries. It will be very interesting to see if Sanders participates in training camp.
The Missouri Tigers announced late Monday they had dismissed backup linebacker Tyler Crane from the football program. The statement made clear Crane was not involved in anything illegal & hadn't been in trouble off-campus. He was dismissed for violating team rules & policies, the pat answer for "we're not going to tell you."
I mentioned last week, the local paper here, The Lake Sun had done an article on me which was published in Friday's edition of the paper. Rance Burger wrote the piece after an extensive interview last Tuesday. We returned home today & got to hold the thing in our hands to read. It was pretty damn cool actually & I'd like to thank Rance for thinking of me for his subject last week. He's a good guy, of course he is, he's a Mizzou school of journalism grad, how can he be anything but a good guy? He's very professional as well.
I told you last week of my plight, my problem of out of control internet shopping. We spent the past 5 days in Branson, Missouri, enjoying a mini-vacation. I didn't spend one minute on the computer doing my usual window shopping, not one. Friday afternoon we made our way down to Branson Landing, this mammoth shopping, eating, entertainment area on Lake Taneycomo & after a delicious dinner of Famous Dave's ribs & brisket, we strolled down the way, window shopping. Then suddenly, it happened, looking thru the window of The Jock Nitch(really clever huh?), I saw it, a Mizzou sign, perfect for my bar, I'd been looking at online for weeks. Linda said "let's go in" which, as I've learned after 34-years of marraige, means O.K., you can buy it. I resisted for about five whole minutes before placing it on the counter for purchase. Threw a really nice Mizzou mini pennant on top of the sign. When there was no resistance, I figured I had the green light to run amok in this store. Very quickly, I got "the look" & knew my buying spree was over & quickly threw the cash on the counter before there was anymore buyers' remorse. We left the store & proceeded down the promenade, not another word was mentioned about the purchase that day. We had a wonderful time, 2 great movies, 2 great live shows, a really hot bar we spent Friday evening in & several fabulous meals. I'd never been to Branson, but we'll go back I'm sure. I just hope The Jock Nitch is still there when we return.
The word is Pittsburgh's #1 pick, Florida center Markice Pouncey, is also involved in an NCAA probe. The investigation centers on Pouncey allegedly taking $100,000 from an agent or sports marketer after the SEC Championship game(lost by Florida) & before the Sugar Bowl game vs. Cincinnati. The story is once he allegedly accepted the money, Pouncey knew he would have to turn pro, which he did with one year remaining in college eligibility. His twin brother Marcus stayed at Florida for his senior season. I don't know any of these players being investigated nor do I have any personal knowledge of what the investigations have turned up, but I know a lot about the Pouncey family. This tight-knit family has shown absolutely nothing that would make me believe they're taking money. The twins were expected to make grades or they weren't going to be able to play football. It was like that year after year, their Mom made a lot of rules these guys had to live by. I don't see them as being dirty, that doesn't mean the other two are dirty, but there is some evidence against Austin & Saunders that's been made public.
I don't think there's any question that Todd Haley doesn't want safety Jarrad Page. The two clashed last season & Page was put on I.R. He is a restricted free agent & he's yet to sign his tender offer of $1.75 million. It's obvious Page wants no part of Haley's Chiefs either, his agent asked Kansas City to trade or release his client. Word out of Detroit is Gunther Cunningham wants Page to pair with 2nd year safety Louis Delmas. The Lions tried 3 different strong safeties beside Delmas with less than satisfactory results. The Chiefs drafted Page in the 7th round of the 2006 draft & he was paired with Bernard Pollard, also in that draft. Pollard couldn't get along with Haley & he was released. Picked up by the Texans in week 2, Pollard excelled for Houston, finishing 2nd on the team in tackles & making numerous impact plays. Now his former running mate appears to be on his way out of Kansas City, possibly to MoTown, for the 7th round pick the Chiefs used to acquire him in the first place.
In a more positive Chiefs' story, former wide receiver Eddie Kennison signed a one-day contract with Kansas City, so he could retire as a Chief. Kennison has kept his home in the Kansas City area after being released by the Chiefs following the 2007 season. He signed with the Rams, the team Kennison was drafted by out of LSU, but only lasted 3 games before St. Louis released him. He had several very productive years for the Chiefs averaging 58 receptions, 961 yards & 5 touchdowns during his 5 full seasons. Who could forget his overtime catch for the winning touchdown on a "go route" at Lambeau Field during the Chiefs' 9-0 start in 2003?
Titans' 2,000-yard runner, Chris Johnson, has been adamant about a new contract. He's entering just the 3rd year of his rookie contract & is scheduled to make $500,000 in base salary this year. He has boycotted the OTA's & the Tennessee mini camp to drive home his contract complaint. Johnson wanted a $30-million new deal with at least two-thirds of the contract guaranteed. Today the Titans gave him a new deal for this season, $2.5 million, all guaranteed & promised Johnson they would talk after this season.
There were 255 players selected in last Aprils' draft. So far 158 of them have signed contracts, leaving 97 without deals. Of those 97, 63 are from the 1st & 2nd rounds. The Chiefs have signed only two of their selections, both 5th rounders, safety Kendrick Lewis & OLB Cameron Sheffield. With less than two weeks till camp starts, it would be nice to see Scott Pioli start signing these guys in earnest, the Chiefs aren't good enough to have draft choices missing even one practice session.
Michael Lombardi of The NFL Network said today Colts' Pro Bowl safety, Bob Sanders, might be forced into retirement because of arm & shoulder injuries that haven't healed to a point where Sanders could play again. The Colts say Lombardi's report is incorrect, his rehab is slow, but steady. Sanders himself stated today he was looking forward to playing this season after only playing in 2 games last year. He sustained a ruptured biceps tendon last year & has only played in 8 games since 2007. He has suffered numerous shoulder & arm injuries. It will be very interesting to see if Sanders participates in training camp.
The Missouri Tigers announced late Monday they had dismissed backup linebacker Tyler Crane from the football program. The statement made clear Crane was not involved in anything illegal & hadn't been in trouble off-campus. He was dismissed for violating team rules & policies, the pat answer for "we're not going to tell you."
I mentioned last week, the local paper here, The Lake Sun had done an article on me which was published in Friday's edition of the paper. Rance Burger wrote the piece after an extensive interview last Tuesday. We returned home today & got to hold the thing in our hands to read. It was pretty damn cool actually & I'd like to thank Rance for thinking of me for his subject last week. He's a good guy, of course he is, he's a Mizzou school of journalism grad, how can he be anything but a good guy? He's very professional as well.
I told you last week of my plight, my problem of out of control internet shopping. We spent the past 5 days in Branson, Missouri, enjoying a mini-vacation. I didn't spend one minute on the computer doing my usual window shopping, not one. Friday afternoon we made our way down to Branson Landing, this mammoth shopping, eating, entertainment area on Lake Taneycomo & after a delicious dinner of Famous Dave's ribs & brisket, we strolled down the way, window shopping. Then suddenly, it happened, looking thru the window of The Jock Nitch(really clever huh?), I saw it, a Mizzou sign, perfect for my bar, I'd been looking at online for weeks. Linda said "let's go in" which, as I've learned after 34-years of marraige, means O.K., you can buy it. I resisted for about five whole minutes before placing it on the counter for purchase. Threw a really nice Mizzou mini pennant on top of the sign. When there was no resistance, I figured I had the green light to run amok in this store. Very quickly, I got "the look" & knew my buying spree was over & quickly threw the cash on the counter before there was anymore buyers' remorse. We left the store & proceeded down the promenade, not another word was mentioned about the purchase that day. We had a wonderful time, 2 great movies, 2 great live shows, a really hot bar we spent Friday evening in & several fabulous meals. I'd never been to Branson, but we'll go back I'm sure. I just hope The Jock Nitch is still there when we return.
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