RUMORS FLYING: A&M TO SEC, BUCKEYES HAVE TO RETURN BCS CASH, MIZZOU TRAING CAMP NOTES & PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL DEFINITELY LOSE JAY CUTLER'S SUPPORT
If you're looking for the Tampa Bay/Kansas City recap, scroll down, it's right below this post.
The rumors are flying all over the place. Will Texas A&M move to the Southeastern Conference beginning with the 2012 season? Some people down in the Lone Star State say yes while others say not so fast my friend. Even the Texas legislature may get involved to sort out what's true & what's false. Personally, I think A&M is tired of being a 2nd tier team in the BIG-12, so why not be a 2nd tier team in the SEC, the difference in yearly TV revenues is nearly $10 million better. This could create a real stink within the BIG-12, as A&M agreed to help hold the conference together for 10-years after signing a $1.17 billion deal with FOXSports & convincing ABC/ESPN to continue paying it's member teams as tho they still had 12 teams & a conference championship game. Sorry Aggie fans, but if you were contending every year, like you should be, this wouldn't be an issue. But with Texas & OU owning you for the better part of two decades, you've decided to go elsewhere in search of added revenue. Tradition & rivalries be damned. It's a case of if you can't beat 'em, run away. Whatever happened to the Aggie code of conduct: "An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do."
The Arkansas Razorbacks did indeed lose their leading rusher for the season when Knile Davis went down in a scrimmage on Thursday. Davis sustained a compound fracture of his left ankle & underwent surgery late Thursday night. Major, major loss to a team thought to be a contender in the SEC Western Division.
Seems the Ohio State bank account will be about $330,000 lighter very soon. The BCS wants their money back from the Buckeyes for their Sugar Bowl appearance. It appears the rest of the BIG-10, which also received $330K, will be able to keep their shares. OSU played the game with what turned out to be 6 ineligible players. Another good decision by Mr. Integrity, former head coach Jim Tressel. Expect more bad news for the Buckeyes in weeks to come, the NCAA is far from finished.
Mike DeArmond of the Kansas City Star says true freshman quarterback, Corbin Berkstresser of Lee's Summit, is having an awesome camp & could find himself as the #2 guy. He has outshone senior Jimmy Costello & sophomore Ashton Glaser so far by a wide margin. Sophomore James Franklin is currently listed as the starter on the Tiger depth chart. Former #2 QB, Tyler Gabbert, who had transferred to Louisville, then asked to come back to the Tigers, is on the move once again. Word is he will sign with Wyoming, sit out a season as required by the NCAA & resume his quest to be a starting quarterback. For as sharp as his brother Blaine has shown himself to be, Tyler is somewhat of a knucklehead. The Wyoming Cowboys are coached by former Mizzou offensive coordinator Dave Christensen. The long awaited debut of 5-star recruit, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, finally happened on Thursday & he didn't disappoint. The 6'4" 310-pound star from St. Louis began moving people off the ball almost from the first snap. He's not in shape & his stamina allows full speed for just 3-4 plays at a time presently. Senior right offensive tackle Dan Hoch appears to be in top shape as he mauls one defender after another. I expect Hoch to move up draft boards as people get to see this 6' 7" 320-pound prospect once the season begins. Left tackle Elvis Fisher, who has started every game since his true freshman campaign, will also draw considerable attention from pro scouts.
Berkstresser in Mizzou camp
Denver placekicker Matt Prater was just charged with a DUI. I think he's the first kicker to get into any kind of trouble since the Colts' Mike Vanderjagt did so about 10-years ago.
The Seahawks were very unhappy when left tackle Russell Okung was carted off in the 1st quarter of Thursday's game in San Diego. He sustained a high ankle sprain that will sideline him indefinitely. After playing every single game in his college career at Oklahoma State, Okung just suffered his third high ankle sprain since being drafted in 2010.
Man, to hear the Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston tell it, the Ravens stink. He doesn't like their wide receivers & he thinks Micheal Oher & Oniel Cousins, Ravens' offensive tackles, are struggling way too much. I also have serious doubts about the Raven wideouts, too much inexperience. But Preston can't even be happy when things go well in Baltimore. Thursday night tight end Dennis Pitta made a couple of sensational catches & led the team in receptions against the Eagles. Preston said "a good team will take everything Pitta runs away." Mike Preston appears to be one of those "half empty" guys. The Ravens dealt a 4th round pick to Buffalo for wide receiver Lee Evans. This gives Joe Flacco just his 2nd truly experienced NFL wideout.
For those of you who care, the Arena Bowl was tonight & it was a thriller to be sure. The Jacksonville Sharks defeated the Arizona Rattlers 73-70 when Aaron Garcia(Jeff's bro) hit Jeron Harvey with a 10-yard touchdown pass with no time remaining on the clock. The Sharks decided to forego an attempt for a tying field goal & with :02 left, they snapped the ball & Garcia did his magic. This is the very first thing I've ever written about the Arena Football League & I can promise you it will be the last for at least a year.
I know our president is under a lot of stress, but he says some of the goofiest stuff sometimes. On Friday the World Champion Green Bay Packers finally got their trip to the White House & an audience with President Obama. If you'll recall Packer cornerback Charles Woodson took it personally when the president said he didn't even want to go to the Super Bowl if his Bears weren't in it. Woodson reminded him of that on Friday & gave the prez a stock certificate for one share of the Packers, the only community-owned team in American sports. President Obama took the certificate & said "well if I'm a part owner, the first thing I think we should do is initiate a trade to send Aaron Rodgers down to the Bears." I'm guessing Chicago QB Jay Cutler just scratched Obama off his list for campaign contributions. Unbelievably clueless.
In a related story, Packer linebacker Desmond Bishop was stopped at the White House security gate by the Secret Service. Seems he left his picture ID on the charter flight & no ID, no entrance. Bishop was sent back to the airport to wait for his teammates' return.
The rumors are flying all over the place. Will Texas A&M move to the Southeastern Conference beginning with the 2012 season? Some people down in the Lone Star State say yes while others say not so fast my friend. Even the Texas legislature may get involved to sort out what's true & what's false. Personally, I think A&M is tired of being a 2nd tier team in the BIG-12, so why not be a 2nd tier team in the SEC, the difference in yearly TV revenues is nearly $10 million better. This could create a real stink within the BIG-12, as A&M agreed to help hold the conference together for 10-years after signing a $1.17 billion deal with FOXSports & convincing ABC/ESPN to continue paying it's member teams as tho they still had 12 teams & a conference championship game. Sorry Aggie fans, but if you were contending every year, like you should be, this wouldn't be an issue. But with Texas & OU owning you for the better part of two decades, you've decided to go elsewhere in search of added revenue. Tradition & rivalries be damned. It's a case of if you can't beat 'em, run away. Whatever happened to the Aggie code of conduct: "An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do."
The Arkansas Razorbacks did indeed lose their leading rusher for the season when Knile Davis went down in a scrimmage on Thursday. Davis sustained a compound fracture of his left ankle & underwent surgery late Thursday night. Major, major loss to a team thought to be a contender in the SEC Western Division.
Seems the Ohio State bank account will be about $330,000 lighter very soon. The BCS wants their money back from the Buckeyes for their Sugar Bowl appearance. It appears the rest of the BIG-10, which also received $330K, will be able to keep their shares. OSU played the game with what turned out to be 6 ineligible players. Another good decision by Mr. Integrity, former head coach Jim Tressel. Expect more bad news for the Buckeyes in weeks to come, the NCAA is far from finished.
Mike DeArmond of the Kansas City Star says true freshman quarterback, Corbin Berkstresser of Lee's Summit, is having an awesome camp & could find himself as the #2 guy. He has outshone senior Jimmy Costello & sophomore Ashton Glaser so far by a wide margin. Sophomore James Franklin is currently listed as the starter on the Tiger depth chart. Former #2 QB, Tyler Gabbert, who had transferred to Louisville, then asked to come back to the Tigers, is on the move once again. Word is he will sign with Wyoming, sit out a season as required by the NCAA & resume his quest to be a starting quarterback. For as sharp as his brother Blaine has shown himself to be, Tyler is somewhat of a knucklehead. The Wyoming Cowboys are coached by former Mizzou offensive coordinator Dave Christensen. The long awaited debut of 5-star recruit, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, finally happened on Thursday & he didn't disappoint. The 6'4" 310-pound star from St. Louis began moving people off the ball almost from the first snap. He's not in shape & his stamina allows full speed for just 3-4 plays at a time presently. Senior right offensive tackle Dan Hoch appears to be in top shape as he mauls one defender after another. I expect Hoch to move up draft boards as people get to see this 6' 7" 320-pound prospect once the season begins. Left tackle Elvis Fisher, who has started every game since his true freshman campaign, will also draw considerable attention from pro scouts.
Berkstresser in Mizzou camp
Denver placekicker Matt Prater was just charged with a DUI. I think he's the first kicker to get into any kind of trouble since the Colts' Mike Vanderjagt did so about 10-years ago.
The Seahawks were very unhappy when left tackle Russell Okung was carted off in the 1st quarter of Thursday's game in San Diego. He sustained a high ankle sprain that will sideline him indefinitely. After playing every single game in his college career at Oklahoma State, Okung just suffered his third high ankle sprain since being drafted in 2010.
Man, to hear the Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston tell it, the Ravens stink. He doesn't like their wide receivers & he thinks Micheal Oher & Oniel Cousins, Ravens' offensive tackles, are struggling way too much. I also have serious doubts about the Raven wideouts, too much inexperience. But Preston can't even be happy when things go well in Baltimore. Thursday night tight end Dennis Pitta made a couple of sensational catches & led the team in receptions against the Eagles. Preston said "a good team will take everything Pitta runs away." Mike Preston appears to be one of those "half empty" guys. The Ravens dealt a 4th round pick to Buffalo for wide receiver Lee Evans. This gives Joe Flacco just his 2nd truly experienced NFL wideout.
For those of you who care, the Arena Bowl was tonight & it was a thriller to be sure. The Jacksonville Sharks defeated the Arizona Rattlers 73-70 when Aaron Garcia(Jeff's bro) hit Jeron Harvey with a 10-yard touchdown pass with no time remaining on the clock. The Sharks decided to forego an attempt for a tying field goal & with :02 left, they snapped the ball & Garcia did his magic. This is the very first thing I've ever written about the Arena Football League & I can promise you it will be the last for at least a year.
I know our president is under a lot of stress, but he says some of the goofiest stuff sometimes. On Friday the World Champion Green Bay Packers finally got their trip to the White House & an audience with President Obama. If you'll recall Packer cornerback Charles Woodson took it personally when the president said he didn't even want to go to the Super Bowl if his Bears weren't in it. Woodson reminded him of that on Friday & gave the prez a stock certificate for one share of the Packers, the only community-owned team in American sports. President Obama took the certificate & said "well if I'm a part owner, the first thing I think we should do is initiate a trade to send Aaron Rodgers down to the Bears." I'm guessing Chicago QB Jay Cutler just scratched Obama off his list for campaign contributions. Unbelievably clueless.
In a related story, Packer linebacker Desmond Bishop was stopped at the White House security gate by the Secret Service. Seems he left his picture ID on the charter flight & no ID, no entrance. Bishop was sent back to the airport to wait for his teammates' return.
Hey Mr. Mizzou,
Seems like your Tigers may hold the key to the BIG-12's future. Are they going to screw the rest of us to make up for their humiliation at the hands of the BIG-10?
Tigers will do whatever suits them & to hell with the rest of the conference.
Reply to this
Jake,
Let's be clear about one thing, Texas & OU run the BIG-12 Conference, not Mizzou, not Oklahoma State & not even the Jayhawks. Texas & OU receive the lion's share of the television revenue, they dictate to the networks while the rest are just along for the ride.
In the BIG-10 & SEC, every team gets equal shares. This is part of the lure for BIG-12 teams, many of them have grown tired of watching the Horns & Sooners hog most of the TV $$.
I don't see Mizzou moving regardless of what the Aggies do. But since I'm not plugged into Mike Alden's thought process, who knows what will happen. It would be a shame for this conference to go down in flames.
Thanks for reading.
Rich
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