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

[lineygoblue]

Yeah, but its a meaningless suspension. I mean, .. against Akron?

Big deal.

[Jeff Buchanan]

The point is that despite recent events, players continue to behave in ways that make a reasonable observer question what kind of atmosphere is present within the football program.

I made a point early in this discussion that while osu officials have appeared to be very good at reporting, pleasing the NCAA in that regard, the bad behavior continues. One assumes that if a program is actually making it clear that athletes must follow the rules then bad behavior decreases.

Sure, you can't stop every transgression. I understand that but one would think extra vigilance would be in order following recent events this past summer. Instead, we see the bad behavior continuing. That leads me to only one conclusion and that is there is a failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance that is well ingrained and systemic in its impact. I put that on tressel for creating the impression that he "has the backs of his players" .... so, whatever they want to do, tressel didn't want to know about it (something very close to that he is actually quoted as saying). More importantly one should be looking closely at tressel's immediate superiors for failing to realize the lack of supervision and because of it, they have a problem on their hands that probably could have been avoided if tressel had been held accountable and winning had not been placed above everything else.

[SeanB]

When did these transgressions take place? Has that been revealed?

[Optimus Prime]

OSU says three more players took improper benefits

By RUSTY MILLER
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Three more football players are in hot water at Ohio State.

As a result, Ohio State might be in even more trouble with the NCAA.

The school reported late Thursday afternoon that running back Jordan Hall, defensive back Corey Brown and defensive back Travis Howard each received impermissible benefits of $300 or less earlier this year.

The latest violations took place after several Buckeyes players were suspended for accepting cash and free tattoos from the subject of a federal drug-trafficking probe and Ohio State had ramped up its compliance department to warn athletes not to break NCAA rules.

All three were suspended for the Buckeyes' season-opening game on Saturday against Akron at Ohio Stadium.

"We take this matter seriously," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in a statement. "Our commitment to institutional integrity is steadfast, and we must hold everyone associated with our athletics programs accountable for lapses in judgment. We believe in transparency with the NCAA, all regulatory bodies and all of Buckeye Nation."

Hall and Howard, both juniors, were listed as the starters on Ohio State's two-deep roster for the game. Brown, who goes by the nickname "Pittsburgh" to distinguish him from Buckeyes wide receiver Corey "Philly" Brown, was listed as a backup at safety.

Ohio State is already awaiting final word on what sanctions it will receive from the NCAA for memorabilia-for-cash violations which occurred in 2010 that led to coach Jim Tressel's forced resignation on May 30. Several players have already been suspended and the 2010 season was vacated because of the earlier problems.

The latest admission could affect Ohio State's current case before the NCAA, which was heard on Aug. 12. The NCAA's committee on infractions is expected to hand down a decision as early as the end of September.

Hall, from Jeannette, Pa., is a former high school teammate of Terrelle Pryor, one of the players who was suspended for trading signed memorabilia for cash and free or discounted tattoos from the owner of a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner. The tattoo-parlor owner, Edward Rife, later pleaded guilty to money laundering and drug trafficking charges and is awaiting sentencing.

Tressel, won led Ohio State to the 2002 national championship, admitted that he knew as early as April of 2010 that some of his players had accepted money from Rife. But he failed to notify any of his superiors at Ohio State or anyone in NCAA compliance until confronted by investigators in January of 2011.

Soon after Tressel resigned, Pryor, at the heart of university and NCAA investigations into improper benefits, gave up his final year of eligibility to make himself available for an NFL supplemental draft. He was taken in the third round by the Oakland Raiders.

The Buckeyes are already without five players in the opener who were suspended for taking improper benefits. Sitting out the first five games this fall are last year's leading rusher Daniel Herron, top returning receiver DeVier Posey and starting offensive tackle Mike Adams, along with backup defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. Thomas was the hero of the Buckeyes' 31-26 victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, grabbing a late interception to preserve the win. But that game, along with every other one in a 12-1 season last year, was vacated.

According to a release issued by the university, after finding out about the violations involving Hall, Brown and Howard, Ohio State looked into the situation and self-reported the infractions to the NCAA and the Big Ten. All three were suspended from the team, with the university then asking the NCAA for their reinstatement for the rest of the season.

The university also is considering institutional sanctions for the three.

[Dr. Strangelove]

When did these transgressions take place? Has that been revealed?

Supposedly they accepted gift bags at a charity event. Will see if I can find a link

[Optimus Prime]

I made a point early in this discussion that while osu officials have appeared to be very good at reporting, pleasing the NCAA in that regard, the bad behavior continues. One assumes that if a program is actually making it clear that athletes must follow the rules then bad behavior decreases.

Gee, Smith & Tressel were masters at playing the NCAA game. Appear to publicly condone, hid behind "Plausible deniability" yet do nothing internally to dissuade that behavior. Simply, the penalties for getting caught are insignificant compared to the rewards by cheating. These guys knew exactly what they have be doing and until the other two are shown the door, you can never take OSU seriously.

According to a few legends of the game there is very, very little that is going on with a team that the coach doesn't know about, it takes a man of integrity to put a stop to it.

[Ghengis Jon]

According to a few legends of the game there is very, very little that is going on with team that the coach doesn't know about, it takes a man of integrity to put a stop to it.

Truly spoken. I'd take it a step further - it takes a man of integrity to prevent it in the first place. What would you fear more if you had to face up to cheating...the NCAA or Woody-Bo?

[lineygoblue]

What would you fear more if you had to face up to cheating...the NCAA or Woody-Bo?

1. Woody - He hated cheaters. He would punch Saint Jim in the face if he knew what he was doing.

2. Bo - He hated cheaters, but he would not have resorted to violence. He'd just make you run the stairs at the stadium about 100 times ... then he'd kick you off the team.

3. NCAA - They just say "there there" .. and move on. Cheating is acceptable, if big money (read: bowl money) is involved. But, if you make your kids stretch too much during the summer .. look out.

[Optimus Prime]

Let's hope he is on the straight & Narrow!

now.http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/69...iew-consultant

Will Tressel be allowed to wear his ankle monitoring device during broadcasts?

[hack]

In theory Tressell is definitely overqualified to be video bitch on somebody's coaching staff, but I'd say the risk of his fingers being broken by somebody's thug is significantly higher than the average.

[DennisT]

tOSU throwback uni...

[Optimus Prime]

Last call talent's CFB Pool, 34 contestants to date, that's nearly 1500 USD first place, snooze, you lose.

[lineygoblue]

I'm in.

Just finished it today.

[Optimus Prime]

Good luck.

[Dr. Strangelove]

About what I expected from the game so far. Pretty conservative gameplan, nothing too exciting, defense dominating so far. The game is a little reminiscent of Tressel's first game which, coincidentally, was also agaisnt Akron