The Rest of College Football

[Rob F]

Arkansas seems to have a history of "hiring and hoping" to fill their frequent Head Coaching vacancies. Has there been coaching stability there anytime in their last 4 decades since Frank Broyles retired? I think I remember reading last year somewhere that, other than Houston Nutt, no coach has stayed at Arkansas for more than 6 seasons since Broyles stepped down in the mid-70's.

[Wild Hoss]

Manziel now rumored to have engaged in a half dozen autograph sessions, signing 4400 pieces of memorabilia for "professional" dealers.

[iam416]

It's going to really piss me off when he plays despite the fact that he had numerous signing sessions and various dealers said they paid him. And he'll say the didn't. And the NCAA will say not enough evidence.

The problem the NCAA has is that it's all or nothing. The rules are crystal fucking clear. If they conclude he took money, he's done. This isn't several hundred dollars. If that was the case I think it would almost be easier for the NCAA to find that he took the money and suspend him for a certain number of games. As it is, he took so much they won't have any choice but to suspend him for the season if they think he took money.

A.J. Green, ex-OSU players and many more, I'm sure, are surely waiting to see Johnny Football skate.

[iam416]

Also, to be clear, the rule is arbitrary and amoral. I don't Manziel is a bad guy for doing it. I do think he's a giant douche, but for unrelated reasons. However, the rule is crystal clear. Everyone knows it. Fair or not.

[Wild Hoss]

I want to know where the IRS is in all of this. So the NCAA cannot prove Manziel or Newton took money...wouldn't the IRS be interested in tens- and hundreds- of thousands of dollars flowing untaxed between individuals?

This is what ent and I were talking about the other day. The NCAA, if they feel the circumstantial evidence is great enough, should just suspend these guys. If they want to appeal, or sue, fine. Show us- and the IRS- where the money came from. If its legit, there shouldn't be a problem...right?

[iam416]

Their problem is they can't prove there IS money. I doubt Johnny Football was depositing his cash payments into a checking account.

The best they can do is build the circumstantial case. Some guy says he paid Manziel for autographs. Facts that get you there (IMO):

1. Manziel signed autographs with the guy in the room.
2. The guy withdrew $X in close proximity to the date of the signing -- ideally, the exact amount.

That would corroborate the story, IMO.

To draw it back to the OSU story, the facts were: 1. The guy is a tattoo artist; 2. OSU players in question have tattoos; and 3. The guy has memorabilia and crap from the OSU players in question. Now, I think the OSU guys admitted to crucial connection, but honestly, that shouldn't matter.

If Manziel denies what is obvious and the NCAA checks commonsense and reason at the door, F them. This isn't a criminal proceeding. It's not putting someone in jail. It doesn't have to be beyond a reasonable doubt.

[Wild Hoss]

Hence my point about the IRS; if they suspect this is going on, shouldn't that merit an audit? I mean, that's what they do. Enforce the laws that dictate income must be reported. They can do what the NCAA cannot.

Then when expenses and income are wildly divergent the NCAA has something tangible. Or when Johnny D-Bag is charged with tax fraud, they can suspend him for that. Either way works for me.

[iam416]

I understand. I think it's difficult to track down cash when it's spent on drinks and strippers.

If he bought tangible items with cash, then we're getting somewhere.

[SeattleLionsFan]

That might be true Iam but manziels parents are apparently loaded. Who's to say the money to buy stuff didn't come from them.

I think the rest of the case is strong enough IMO. He can play arena for a year.

[Optimus Prime]

Manziel was born in Tyler, Texas, to Michelle and Paul Manziel, his family became wealthy through the Texas petroleum industry.

"They can't come to grips with the fact I've been blessed with family members or whatever who've had these (financial) opportunities, and I've always been able to do this," Manziel said.

A wildcatter's stroke of luck and a widow's business acumen are the main reasons why Johnny Manziel drives around campus in a black Mercedes.

The earnings of the privately held companies owned by the Manziel family aren't available to the public. But the estate of Dorothy Manziel, Bobby Joe's widow and Johnny Manziel's great-grandmother, was appraised at $3.9 million in 2005, according to probate court records in Smith County.

"It's not Garth Brooks money," Manziel's father told ESPN's magazine, describing the size of the family fortune. "But it's a lot of money."

Even "Uncle Nate" is kickin' it in the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible is a cabriolet with four real seats, "Blu Sopfistico" I think?

Very nice, mind you it's not OP Ferrari Largess but not a bad little dago ragtop by any means for the budget conscious.

[iam416]

The Manziels remind me, for some reason, of the wealthy magnate in the cinematic and American treasure, Road House. I see them running roughshod over some small Texas town; jumping oil claims; fixing cockfights; driving on the wrong side of the road....MAYHEM!

[THE_WIZARD_]

[entropy]

Louisville values..



I'm offended that these "values" didn't make their Top 5:

NO MURDERING
DON'T RAPE PEOPLE
CHEW WITH YOUR MOUTH CLOSED
COVER YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU SNEEZE
DON'T PLAGIARIZE FROM OHIO STATE


or.. perhaps Louisville should aim a little higher in their values

[lineygoblue]

I thought that sign looked familiar.

[geo weidl]

I thought that sign looked familiar.

Everyone has one.