M-Borg vs. THE Flavortown U Thread, Orig. by Buckeye Paul, absconded w/by talent.

[Dr. Strangelove]

From what rumors I've heard it sounds a lot more directly related to recruiting than our problems. And more serious. May involve a "street agent" and purchasing players from Texas.

[geo weidl]

[Hannibal]

The story about Oregon paying big sums to those talent scouts is already out there. I wonder if it's something more, or just more about those shady relationships.

[Jamie H]

Paying people to get you players is about the worst offense you can commit. Unless you are Auburn and then the NCAA not only looks the other way, but sanctions your payments.

[Jeff Buchanan]

I think paying recruiting services is legit .... shouldn't be but it is. There's no way of tracking money that appears to cover legitimate expenses then it gets laundered by the service and ends up in a recruit's Mom's or Dad's, Auntie's or Uncle's bank account.

I am amazed at the lengths programs will go to to get players. I always thought USC and osu along with Auburn and UA played the recruiting game at the margins.

It takes leaders inside the Athletic Department to set the tone and instill a culture of integrity. When the AD is not really running the program and instead, powerful forces outside of it are, you've got the makings of trouble. I'm pretty sure that played a part at osu ...... simith really wasn't in charge and gee was a bystander (but not innocent - he was likely complicit); IMO, tressel orchestrated a wide network of influential jock sniffers in ohio who took care of business in many ways.

I listened for a short time on Friday to Jack Aroot's CFB radio show. He usually has Mike Leach as his co-host so it's always interesting. Friday, he had Eddie George. I missed his spiel but apparently he was supporting jim tressel and osu and deflecting blame to two places (1) the NCAA for allowing the exploitation of college football players (you know the line) and (2) the back grounds that many young (esp. black) athletes come from where values are skewed.

As one solution, George advocated for universities creating a major in football where athletes who chose this major do nothing but prepare themselves for a job in the NFL. The curriculum consists of teaching life skills (because these kids don't bring them to campus when they arrive), writing skills and courses to develop citizenship, family values and reasoning skills useful for and tailored to their future professions (contracts, dealing with agents, dealing with owners, managing big salaries, saving for life after football, developing life plans to transition from football to other work, etc.)

Both praised Steve Spurrier's recent proposal for coaches to pay players a monthly salary out of their compensation packages (not a bad idea but I'd have to think through this one). Aside from the fact that I'm basically opposed to paying student athletes, I can agree that schools, bowls, bowl committees and other strap hangers are making a shit ton of money off college football players and merchandise with thier numbers on them and some of that should rightfully flow down hill to the athletes .... ultimately I think it will but that's going to take the courts to sort that out.

Bottom line, osu and tressmess raise a lot of interesting issues and I'm fine with the talking heads discussing them but we should never lose sight of the fact that jim tressel lied and that the illicit, NCAA rule breaking behavior of his players and the people who are directly or indirectly attached to him, both inside and outside the osu football program are a result of his failure (and on up the chain of command to include smith and gee) to act with integiry himself (not just right about it and talk about it) and to create an atmosphere of compliance where it is perceived as wrong to break the rules.

[Mackenzie]

As one solution, George advocated for universities creating a major in football where athletes who chose this major do nothing but prepare themselves for a job in the NFL. The curriculum consists of teaching life skills (because these kids don't bring them to campus when they arrive), writing skills and courses to develop citizenship, family values and reasoning skills useful for and tailored to their future professions (contracts, dealing with agents, dealing with owners, managing big salaries, saving for life after football, developing life plans to transition from football to other work, etc.)

".....The curriculum consists of teaching life skills (because these kids don't bring them to campus when they arrive), writing skills and courses to develop citizenship, family values and reasoning skills....."

I'm just guessing here but, particularly with respect to writing and reasoning skills, aren't these already (or should be) part of any college curriculum?


"(contracts, dealing with agents, dealing with owners, managing big salaries, saving for life after football, developing life plans to transition from football to other work, etc.)..."

Not arguing too much here but again some of these "skills" are needed by most students i.e substitute "saving for life after football" to "saving for live after work" and/or "managing big salaries" to "managing salaries."

As for "contracts, dealing with agents, dealing with owners..." First I think there are classes called "electives" which perhaps can be offered to those players who perhaps have even a remote chance of playing in the NFL. Second, instead of having "colleges" provide these courses why not require the NFL to require drafted players to attend specialized classes in these matters provided by the NFL to the players and their families before any contracts can be signed.

If the "NFL Curriculum" can be balanced and prepare student/athletes (not just athletes who are students), as it should be now, then I guess it would have as much merit as any other major. But, I am afraid there will be students who have no realistic chance of playing in the NFL who will opt for the "NFL" curriculum and leave M with even less meaningful job preparation/life skills then they do now--which for some in the watered down curriculums/classes they now take (as many report) may already be inadequate.

[lineygoblue]

But, I am afraid there will be students who have no realistic chance of playing in the NFL who will opt for the "NFL" curriculum and leave M with even less meaningful job preparation/life skills then they do now--which for some in the watered down curriculums/classes they now take (as many report) may already be inadequate.

This is a good point, which can be more revealing by asking the following question: How many players has Michigan put in the NFL over the past 5 years? All of that preparation, only to never even get a shot at the NFL. What would a graduate do with that degree? In addition, what about those who leave early? No degree, and no progress toward a real degree.

I'm not totally opposed to an "NFL Major", but I would hope that its requirements would include the same basic general education credits that all other majors have.

[entropy]

http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/tressel-nothing-fishy.jpg

[entropy]

http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/tressel-nothing-fishy.jpg

[Tony G]

Desmond Howard: I want to see Brady Hoke coach against Jim Tressel

http://www.freep.com/article/20110604/SPORTS06/106040436/Desmond-Howard-want-see-Hoke-coach-against-Tressel?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Maybe Hoke can put whatever D3 school his vestage lands at on the schedule.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I have to say, even though Michigan fans are relishing all the gloating, the Penn State fanbase seems to be in a perpetual state of orgasm over Tressel's downfall. I didn't realize we were so hated by them, but apparently, we are.

[WM Wolverine]

It is good comedy but not that unexpected. I figured JT would retire in 4-5 years and get away with all his slimy behavior.

[Tony G]

the Penn State fanbase seems to be in a perpetual state of orgasm over Tressel's downfall. I didn't realize we were so hated by them, but apparently, we are.

Steelers / Browns would be a good indicator of the prevailing sentiment

[lineygoblue]

One thing (among many) that I have known about Jim Tressel all along, was that he was hired for ONE reason, and ONE reason only.

Beat Michigan.

This is why Gee and Smith ignored his transgressions while at Youngstown State, and didn't care what he did once he arrived in Columbus. He was allowed to do whatever he liked, as long as the scoreboard was in their favor versus Michigan.

He delivered, and that's all that was needed. The end justifies the means.

Even our Ohio friends that post here, reflect this attitude.

Just win, baby. All that matters is beating Michigan. Beat Michigan, and all is well. No ethics need be observed, no good sportsmanship, no graciousness, no humility.

Not even the hint grudging respect for Michigan.

Just beat Michigan, any way possible, and don't worry about the consequences.

Lie, cheat, break their legs, .. break the rules ... its all good.

Well ... old Saint Jim confirms it again today, ... right on his front doorstep.

Thanks Saint Jim, for proving me right.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110604/SPORTS0201/106040390/1361/Disgraced-ex-coach-Jim-Tressel-says-Ohio-State-will-beat-Michigan-again

[Dr. Strangelove]

Wow, good for Tress. Winning the Game this year may be the most satisfying since 2001.