If you are a fan of Buck Showalter and Natty Boh's along with a general hatred for all things Yankees then this is the perfect shirt for you. We call it the BUCK YOU JETER shirt. It's only $17 and as always a portion of all sales goes to the American Cancer Society. Be sure to spread the word out there SportsCrack.com Nation!
BUCK YOU JETER SHIRT-Order Now!
Credit: History Channel by sportsxbrooks
SportsByBrooks.com managed to get some video of last night's Pawn Stars on the History Channel which featured a man selling Ohio State player issued "gold pants" to Rick Harrison. I started laughing uncontrollably last night when this came on. I mean what are the odds this shit hits right when Jim Tressel is already in deep shit for covering up the story that got him the 5 game suspension? I'm actually shocked those little gold pants which are basically jewelry are worth that much. $1000? Wow. I can't even sell game used jerseys for near that price tag.
.jpg)
If you don't know who Chris Brown is then here is a little friendly reminder of what he did to his girlfriend Rihanna a couple of years ago. Seems like a great guy right? Well now that Brown has moved on from beating the living piss out of Rihanna he has turned his focus on another cute, young superstar in the making. Notre Dame point guard Skylar Diggins. Cue the Jaws soundtrack. Here is Brown's twitter to Skylar...
@chrisbrown
Chris Brown
Skylar Diggins ... She's a cutie @skydigg4 congrats beautiful
If you are a college football fanatic like myself you know that the game itself is not just played 3-4 months a year. Recruiting is year round and extremely important when it comes to your team's chances of reaching a BCS Bowl or going to the Shitter Bowl in December. JC Shurburtt has the extremely early list of 5 star recruits who will be seniors in high school next year that every program from coast-to-coast would die for to sign on the dotted line.
1. Arik Armstead, OT/DE, Elk Grove, Calif./Pleasant Grove
Scouting report: On the hoof there’s probably not a better looking lineman in the country. Armstead is every bit of 6-7 and at that size he can play either side of the football. Though he’s ranked as an offensive tackle, Armstead is projected to play defensive line at USC which shows his remarkable versatility, etc. etc. etc.
Recruiting buzz: Armstead has been committed to USC since his sophomore year and is firm in that commitment but does plan fall visits to Miami, Alabama and Auburn.
2. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Springfield, Mo.
Scouting Report:[ There isn’t an offensive skill player in the country as physically gifted as the 6-foot-6, 221-pound Green-Beckham. A big physical player that runs well, can get high in the air, and is dangerous as both a possession receiver and deep threat. He’s also a multi-sport athlete that’s a standout in track and field and basketball.
Recruiting Buzz:The Green-Beckham camp has kept his recruitment close to the vest. Many of the SEC schools figure to be in the hunt. Look for places like Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma to possibly be players as well
3. Eddie Goldman, DT, Washington, D.C./Friendship Collegiate
Scouting report: Goldman is a powerful defensive tackle with quick hands and excellent agility for a 300-plus pounder. He’s dominant at his current level of play, but his ceiling remains high as he is not a finished product by any stretch. Goldman has been on the radar since his sophomore year and there’s a reason why nearly 50 college programs have offered.
Recruiting buzz: Goldman’s recruitment is wide-open. There is some Miami talk. He could visit North Carolina soon. The Heels signed defensive tackle Marvin Austin out of D.C. in the 2007 class.
4. Andrus Peat, OT, Tempe, Ariz./Corona Del Sol
Andrus Peat has the frame to be a big-time offensive tackle at the collegiate level and beyond.
Scouting report: At offensive tackle, size is a very important part of the equation and Peat has got an ideal body and frame to be a franchise left tackle. He is a lean 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds with long arms and he lacks bad weight. Between the whistles, Peat is so powerful through the hips. When he locks onto a defender, he isn’t content just getting a body on a body, he runs his feet, drives his hips and finishes his blocks with a defender’s mentality. As a pass blocker, Peat has a text book pass set, showing a flat back, great knee bend and the foot quickness to combat elite edge speed.
Recruiting buzz: Peat’s brother Todd Peat signed with Nebraska in the class of 2011 so the Huskers will be a factor but the younger Peat looks to be wide open at the moment with offers from around the country.
5. Shaq Thompson, ATH, Sacramento, Calif./Grant
Scouting report: At an athletic 6-1, Thompson has a great safety physique. He’s got length to give him a center fielder’s range and the strength to come up and play in the box. On the high school level, Thompson has demonstrated some terrific versatility as an elite high school running back. In fact, athletically, Thompson has the capability to play running back, receiver safety or cornerback on the next level. As a defensive back he is advanced in his ability to backpedal and turn-and-run and he has very strong ball skills. He also has speed, Thompson has been clocked at under 11 seconds in the 100 and under 22 seconds in the 200 in high school.
Recruiting buzz: A previous Cal commit, Thompson recently de-committed from Jeff Tedford’s program however most expect that he still ends up in Berkeley when all is said and done.
6. John Theus, OT, Jacksonville, Fla./Bolles
Scouting report: Theus has everything one looks for in an offensive tackle both physically and athletically. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound Theus has the height, weight distribution, natural strength and foot quickness to translate to the next level. Not only does he have a quick first step and quickness in his pass set, but he has body quickness and reactionary quickness to react to defenders in front of him or after re-directing an initial pass rush move. He is as adept of a run blocker as pass blocker with the ability to run his feet and work to the second level with fluid movement. His initial punch is powerful and he is a finisher in the run game.
Recruiting buzz: Theus is considered a heavy Georgia lean with Florida running second. His brother, Nathan Theus, signed with Georgia in February.
7. Keith Marshall, RB, Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook
Scouting report: Marshall is the most explosive back in the country. He runs wild through opposing defenses and has excellent balance, vision and feet. Give him a crease and he is gone. Marshall runs a legitimate 4.3-second 40-yard dash and is a standout in track. He’s also a good student who plans to enroll at the college of his choice early.
Recruiting buzz: North Carolina and Georgia have long been considered the favorites, but Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Alabama, Clemson and South Carolina, among others, could get in the mix as well.
8. Stefon Diggs, ATH, Olney, Md./Good Counsel
Scouting report: Diggs is a physical, fast gamer who could play either side of the ball at a high level in college. We like him slightly better as a cornerback because that’s where he is more rare, but could just as likely see him being a high-end receiver at a BCS Conference program. Diggs can re-direct well and is deceptively quick in addition to having legitimate speed and being a straight-up great football player.
Recruiting buzz: Nearly every school east of the Mississippi and many west of the Mississippi has offered. Diggs has given no hints about where he wants to go, except to say at one point he is interested in “Florida schools” Florida, Florida State and Miami (Fla.).
9. Kyle Murphy, OT, San Clemente, Calif.
Scouting report: Murphy is a slender 6-7 275-pounds with plenty of room to add good weight. Already he is a powerful player at offensive tackle. Murphy shows terrific athleticism getting to the second level, locating defenders and being physical at the point of attack. When engaged he keeps a powerful wide base, keeps his legs running and drives through defenders. Athletically Murphy is elite at the offensive line position and that shows in the pass game as well, with a good quick pass set and flexibility through his ankles and hips. A cerebral prospect with a 3.9 GPA and a brother starting at Harvard, Murphy has a low bust quotient as well.
Recruiting buzz: Murphy is open in his recruitment, but has noted that Oregon, Cal, Stanford and USC stick out as he has visited all four.
10. Gunner Kiel, QB, Columbus, Ind./East
Scouting report: The most polished signal-caller in the nation, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Kiel has great mechanics, a strong arm, and is a physical runner that can make plays with his legs when needed. He displays excellent toughness on film and has other added intangibles that make him the best in the country at his position.
Recruiting buzz: Kiel hasn’t narrowed down his lengthy list of scholarship offers, but a few schools that appear to be in good early shape are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and possibly USC.
11. Eddie Williams, ATH, Panama City, Fla./Arnold
Scouting report: Williams is impressive at first glance before ever watching a play or game. He is a big safety at 6-foot-3, 210-pounds, that can run, has ideal quickness for his size, has shown timing for the ball in the air, is a hard hitter filling in the run game, eats up ground with a quickness and stride combination, pursues the ball with nasty intentions and intimidates receivers that challenge the middle of the field. His physicality and ability to take on and blow up would be blockers followed by a sure tackle sets him apart from many others. He possesses the body type to carry 230-pounds or more, which brings into question if he will stay at safety long term or grow into an outside linebacker. Wherever he ends up, he’s going to be a playmaker.
Recruiting buzz: Williams committed to Alabama in August of 2010 after considering offers from Florida State, Florida and many others.
12. Yuri Wright, CB, Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco
D.J. Humphries has everything you want in an offensive tackle.
Scouting report: Maybe the most natural cornerback in this year’s class, Wright has rare instincts that makes allows him to play two steps faster than anyone else on the field. His transition out of a backpedal is smooth and fluid, he can run with any wide receiver and he has elite size when the ball arrives. Wright’s athleticism and makeup speed allows him to be slow in his backpedal and trust his quick recognition skills to make plays big plays downhill in the quick game and the run game. He also brings special teams value as a player that blocks a lot of kicks off of the edge, showing not only athleticism but a playmaking knack.
Recruiting Buzz: With offers from around the country, Wright has listed Michigan, Notre Dame, Rutgers and Georgia as schools that stand out.
13. D.J. Humphries, OT, Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek
Scouting report: Humphries has feet and a big frame, is flexible and strong. He’s everything you look for in a big-time offensive line prospect and has a great pass set for a high school trenchman. He gets good extension with his long arms and moves his feet well enough to make life tough for even the best high school-level defensive end. There’s a reason why nearly a half hundred schools have offered.
Recruiting buzz: Humphries is an SEC lean with Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU high on his list and the Gators the team to beat.
14. Mario Edwards, DE, Denton, Texas/Ryan
Scouting report: Edwards is a unique prospect. He tips the scales at 280-pounds, but has the ability to play strong side defensive end due to combination of natural strength, understanding of leverage, enough quickness and the speed and desire to pursue the football. He is powerful bull rusher that registered nearly 20 sacks in 2010 along with an eye-popping 50 tackles for loss. Doesn’t stay blocked long and is very aggressive with the hands. His initial contact with high school offensive linemen normally ends with the lineman getting knocked backwards, off balance or to the ground. He has the body type to weigh 300-pounds and be a terrific penetrating, pass rushing three-technique down the line. He is the son of former Florida State and NFL cornerback Mario Edwards, who is on the coaching staff at Denton Ryan.
Recruiting buzz: Edwards committed to Florida State March 15 over Texas. Had verbal offers from the majority of the nations top programs.
15. Johnathan Gray, RB, Aledo, Texas
Scouting report: Gray is a complete back. At 5-foot-11, 200-pounds, he that rare ability to run the ball inside with vision, quick feet in the hole and subtle run maximizing power as well as the speed and quickness combination to get to the edge. He has the ability to score the ball on long runs or in the red zone. In the passing game, he has quality hands and doesn’t waste any motion after the catch. Also capable as a pass protector. Running back is in the bloodlines. His father, James Gray, played running back at Texas Tech. He will enter his senior season with more than 7,000 career-rushing yards.
Recruiting buzz: Gray is likely to announce his decision on his 18th birthday, April 22. Texas is considered the favorite over TCU and Texas A&M. He has been to each school at least twice since the beginning of February.
16. Jameis Winston, QB, Hueytown, Ala.
Scouting report: There aren’t many concerns when it comes to the ability of Jameis Winston, in fact his baseball ability may be the biggest worry of all. A possible early draft pick in the Major League Baseball draft, Winston’s athleticism is evident. He is a prospect with good size as he continues to add weight. He has a big arm that he uses effectively both inside and outside of the pocket. Winston also has great big-play ability on the ground. He can use his speed and elusiveness not only to extend plays, but also to make defenders miss downfield and outrun opponents.
Recruiting Buzz: Many consider Winston’s recruitment to be a battle between Alabama and Florida State with the Tide on top. Auburn’s recent push has made the Tigers a factor as well.
17. Devin Fuller, QB/ATH, Old Tappan, N.J.
Scouting report: Fuller is an electric offensive football player with breakaway speed and excellent quickness and change of direction. As a quarterback, he’s a good passer in addition to being able to consistently make th magic happen with his legs. If he moves to another position, many believe he could be a big-time cornerback at the college level. After watching him cover at a 7-on-7 event in February, we could see that as well.
Chris Black is one of the most complete receivers in the 2012 class.
Recruiting buzz: Is legitimately wide open. There is talk to watch out for Georgia Tech, watch out for Virginia and some other schools that have talked to him about playing quarterback specifically, but Fuller is the type of prospect that examines and considers every offer equally.
18. Zeke Pike, QB, Fort Mitchell, Ky./Dixie Heights
Scouting report: The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Pike is a football player through and through. Watch his film and he’s not only making outstanding throws and plays from the quarterback position, but he’s also wreaking havoc from his defensive end position and blocking field goals.
Recruiting buzz: Pike has yet to name favorites but said that when he narrows his list, Auburn, Arkansas, North Carolina, Purdue and Tennessee will likely make the first cut. Places like Florida, Florida State, LSU and Michigan could also make a strong push.
19. Chris Black, WR, Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast
Scouting report: Black may not be the most physically imposing wide receiver in the 2012 class, but he is one of the best. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder is blessed with special quickness and playmaking ability. Black features electric feet, terrific hands, impeccable timing, ideal separation in and out of breaks, the ability to make multiple defenders miss in space and is strong with the ball. His ability to snatch the ball out of the air in a crowd sets him apart, along with his ability after the catch. Black is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Runs after the catch or in the return game with vision.
Recruiting buzz: Black has Florida State and Alabama as co-leaders with Florida and South Carolina running third and fourth.
20. Darius Hamilton, DT, Ramsey, N.J./Don Bosco
Scouting report: The son of former New York Giant Keith Hamilton, Darius is an active defensive lineman with a quick first step extremely quick hands that lines up both on the inside and outside for his high school team and makes plays in both spots. His versatility, size/speed/athleticism and bloodlines make him a can’t miss type of prospect.
Recruiting buzz: Hamilton is wide open. He plans to make several unofficial visits before beginning to narrow his list. Rutgers would love to keep him and several of his teammates in-state.
21. Jarron Jones, DT, Rochester, N.Y./Aquinas
Scouting report: Jones is raw, but has great quickness and huge upside. Lik Armstead, he could end up on the offensive side of the ball, but has an excellent ceiling on defense as well. Once word of his ability and his film started circulating, Jones’ offer list shot into the double digits.
Recruiting buzz: Is wide-open, but Penn State, Rutgers and schools in the Northeast are all factors. He plans to visit State College in the near future.
You may be asking yourself why did I post this?
Well why not? Seriously you should never have to ask that question if you come to this blog.
Always great to hear Luther Vandross busting out the vocals. I'm not even going to talk about last night's abortion of a National Championship game. It's honestly not worth writing about. I just wanted to hear Vandross belt out the "One Shining Moment" one last time.
Tonight's matchup of the Butler Bulldogs versus the Connecticut Huskies could be an epic showdown. Butler has been my tournament automatic winner. They always beat the spread and they always seem to be the underdog. They almost won the National Championship last season and still Vegas thinks they shouldn't be favored. Butler is 11-1 in their last 12 tournament games.
UCONN comes in as the hottest team in the nation. They rode the coattails of Kemba Walker to an improbable Big East Championship at Madison Square Garden and they haven't let up. They are 12-0 in neutral site games. Jim Calhoun has two national championships. If UCONN was playing anybody else besides Butler I would take them in this game.
The pick is BUTLER +3. I think they win their first National Championship. Matt Howard and his floppy hair clean up the boards and win the front court battle. Kemba will get his points and will again have another memorable performance. But I'm taking Butler and Brad Stevens. He has created a dynasty. Butler is just as talented as UCONN and they win because their bench is better and they want it more.
Prediction: Butler 61 UCONN 59
Screenshot via CamdenChat
It has been a long 14 years since the Baltimore Orioles started the season 3-0 so I'm just going to savor the flavor of the AL East standings at this point. The Orioles went down to Tampa and rode their young arms to a clean 3 game sweep of the Rays. Between Jeremy Guthrie, Chris Tillman, and Zach Britton the starters only gave up 1 run. While it's way too early to start making definitive statements in regards to how good the Orioles are or how bad the Rays could be this season it is just nice to the see the Orioles wake up on the right side of the bed for once. If the young pitching holds up then this could be a magical season because the hitting is definitely going to be top 5 in the league. Since Buck Showalter has taken over as manager the Orioles have a 37-24 record. This would be good for a 4 1/2 game lead in the AL East over the 61 game timespan.
Calm down old man. It's only the first weekend. You still got 159 games left. The Washington Nationals have plenty of losses left in their tank so you might want to ease up on the beer. It's going to be a long season. It's all about pace. He is correct about one thing: "This ain't Atlanta!" Winners reside in Atlanta.
If you are a Braves fan you have to like what you saw out of Derek Lowe and Huddy. Both veterans are on the wrong side of 30 but are still pitching like they are in their prime.
Video via TheBigLead
Jacob Tucker is the 5'11 point guard from Illinois College with a 50 inch vertical jump. Are you fucking kidding me? 50 inches? Damn. This kid has mad skill when it comes to dunks. I think he might even be better than Blake Griffin. He got in the dunk contest because of his YouTube videos. Now is there a chance some NBA team could draft him? Maybe 2nd round. I would love to see him in next year's NBA Dunk Contest. Tucker vs. Blake would be epic.
Video via BigLeadSports
I honestly don't know how the ladies can keep their hands off old Charlie Hustle. If you got a fetish for clowns then Rose is your Bozo. I thought Rose wanted to get into Cooperstown? His wardrobe is worse than his gambling. You might want to pick up that phone...it's Craig Sager asking for his suit back.
48,226 (92.3% full) - % is based on regular season capacity-ESPN.com
Congratulations New York. You showed today that again you could give two shits about your 27-time World Series Champions. On Opening Day in your god awful city you couldn't even muster up the courage to go see your beloved Yankees beat the Tigers on Opening Day. If I ever hear a fucking New Yorker talk about how shitty Atlanta fans are I'm just going to point out this blog.
Atlanta Fans > New Yorkers
/Hot-Baseball-Girls-2.jpg)
Opening day is here. Can you smell the Cracker jacks? Can you taste the cold beer? Can you hear the crack of the bat? I do. I'm ready for some baseball. Before the season starts I want to get some predictions out of the way. If you want to go ahead and just print these out that would be great. Because it's the truth.
AL EAST-The Boston Red Sox will run away with this division. Both the Yankees and the Rays took serious steps back while the Sox went out and added Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. The Orioles are vastly improved from last season with the additions of Vlad, Derrek Lee, Mark Reynolds, and J.J. Hardy to the starting lineup. They don't have the pitching to win the East but if a lot of things fall their way (young staff develops, hitters stay healthy, bullpen strong) they can win 88 plus games this year and maybe sneak a Wild Card out of it. The Jays are still in Canada.
AL CENTRAL-The Chicago White Sox win an extremely tight race with the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins coming just a game or two short. All 3 of these teams are interchangeable and I could see the Tigers or the Twins winning this division. It will come down to which team can stay healthy. The Indians will again be terrible. The Royals have a ton of young talent but are still a year or two away from being a legitimate Central contender.
AL WEST-The Texas Rangers win a close race with the Oakland A's. The Rangers are the returning AL Champs and should again be strong but I have some doubt their pitching holds up like it did last year. Losing Vlad hurts too. The A's have some really good young starters and could shock the baseball world and win the whole thing this year. No kidding. I don't see the Angels doing much and the Mariners will again be awful.
WILD CARD-Oakland A's. I like the additions of Willingham and Matsui to the lineup and I really like their pitching.
AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez
AL Cy Young:Justin Verlander
AL Rookie of the Year:Zach Britton
AL Comeback Player of the Year: J.J. Hardy
NL EAST-The Phillies just have too much pitching. They ran away with the division last year despite not having Cliff Lee and numerous injuries. Losing Jayson Werth hurts but somebody will step up. The Atlanta Braves are right up there with the Phillies and Giants in terms of strong starting pitching. They could catch lightning in a bottle with young guys like Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman carrying the lineup. The Marlins, Mets, and Nationals don't have a prayer in this division.
NL CENTRAL-The Reds should win this division all though I do love the Brewers team. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce should have monster seasons and carry the Reds over the Brewers. The Cardinals are a sleeper and if they still had Adam Wainwright I would probably take them to win this division. With Carps questionable and the controversy over Pujols upcoming free agency and Larussa getting shit faced while driving to the park it could be a disastrous season in St. Louis. The Cubs are the Cubs. There is always next year. The Astros and the Pirates might be the two worst teams in baseball.
NL WEST-I really want to take the Colorado Rockies but I just can't. The Giants pitching is just too dominant. The Ganja is strong with San Fran. The Dodgers have a ton of talent but the organization is a mess. The Diamondbacks just aren't good. Giants win a close race with the Rockies.
NL WILDCARD: Atlanta Braves. If the Braves don't win the wild card then take the Phillies here.
NL MVP:Troy Tulowitzki
NL Cy Young:Roy Halladay
NL Rookie of the Year:Craig Kimbrel
NL Comeback Player of the Year:Pablo Sandoval
ALDS Predictions: Red Sox over Oakland, White Sox over Texas
NLDS Predictions: Phillies over Reds, Braves over Giants
ALCS Prediction: Red Sox over White Sox
NLCS Prediction: Braves over Phillies
WORLD SERIES: Red Sox over Braves in 6 games.
From the AJC.com...
The man charged with attacking NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins is disputing that he instigated the incident.
Rashan S. Michel allegedly punched Wilkins after Wednesday night's Hawks-Magic game because, he said, Wilkins owed him money, Atlanta police said.
Michel, 36, was arrested and charged with one count of simple battery following the incident, Officer K.Y. Jones with Atlanta police told the AJC. Michel was released on $1,000 bond early Thursday morning.
Michel, who told police he was owed money for suits purchased several years ago, hit Wilkins in the chest and also hit a security guard, Jones said. Michel, of Atlanta, has worked as an NBA and college basketball referee and previously owned his own clothing store.
"The fan was promptly arrested and was taken into custody by the Atlanta Police Department," Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche said in a statement to the AJC. "At this time the Hawks have no additional information or comment regarding this situation."
NBA.com's Sekou Smith tweeted that Wilkins got in three "solid" punches during the brief fight, while his assailant landed none.
Yesterday the Fiesta Bowl released a report which revealed that the bowl committee, which is suppose to be a non-profit organization, had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on illegal political contributions, strip club visits (yay!), a lavish birthday party for the president John Junker, and many other gifts and personal travel. All of this while schools like UCONN who participated in the Fiesta Bowl last year reportedly lost up to $2 million because they were required to buy an allotment of tickets they could not sell.
I love the sweet smell of BCS corruption. Right now the face of the corruption is John Junker. He's the dickhead who makes $592,000 a year to organize and corrupt one fucking game. He's going to be the scapegoat but I can guarangoddamntee you that every single Bowl president in college football is corrupt. Hell the whole system is corrupt. Junker spent $33,000 on his own fucking birthday party in Pebble Beach and charged it to the Fiesta Bowl. He spent another $13,000 to throw a wedding for one of his assistants. These assholes have literally been stealing money and getting away with it for decades. If you ever wonder why we don't have a playoff system it is because all of these jerkoffs are getting paid out of the ass to keep the status quo.
And this is why the BCS is like our political system. Nothing changes other than the rich get richer. They steal from the poor and give it to the rich. They create these non-profit organizations and literally steal money from schools, tax payers, and us the fans. Junker maybe the face of it right now but the Rose Bowl, Orange, Sugar, and all the other bowls have some dickhead who is literally stealing money from us while they hit up the strip clubs, buy whores, swing the golf clubs, and pay off the next politician while throwing ridiculous parties. They give each other fake bonuses and pats on the back while shoving down our throats their BCS propraganda.
There are 120 Football Bowl Subdivision presidents who currently support the status quo of bowls as the way to crown a national champion. The reason why they support it is because they make the most money out of the system. It's sickening and it needs to change. Hopefully Junker and the Fiesta Bowl was just the first domino to fall.
Tonight at 10pm on HBO's Real Sports journalist Andrea Kremer has a segment called "Pay to Play" in which she chronicles 4 ex-Auburn football players who received numerous "money handshakes" upwards to $4000 per game for playing in college football games.
SportsByBrooks.com received an advance copy of the segment and transcribed some of the interviews with former Auburn players Stanley McClover, Chaz Ramsey, Troy Reddick, and Raven Gray.
On McClover’s recruitment:
Kremer voiceover: “McClover said it wasn’t until he attended an all-star camp at Louisiana State University that he realized how the game is played. A game of money and influence.”
McClover: “Somebody came to me, I don’t even know this person and he was like, ‘we would love for you to come to LSU and he gave me a handshake and it had five hundred dollars in there. … that’s called a money handshake … I grabbed it and I’m like, ‘wow,’ hell I thought ten dollars was a lot of money back then. Five hundred dollars for doing nothing but what I was blessed to do. I was happy.”
Kremer to McClover: “What did you say to the guy when he hands you five hundred dollars?”
McClover: “Thank you and I’m seriously thinking about coming to LSU.”
Kremer voiceover: “But McClover says there were money handshakes from boosters at other football camps too. At Auburn for a couple hundred dollars and at Michigan State. All the schools denied any wrongdoing. And things really started heating up a few months later when he went to Ohio State for an official visit where schools get a chance for one weekend to host prospective athletes. McClover says there were money handshakes from alumni there too. About a thousand dollars. And something else to entice him.”
McClover: “They send girls my way. I partied. When I got there I met up with a couple guys from the team. We went to a party and they asked me to pick any girl I wanted.”
Kremer: “Did she offer sexual services?“
McClover: “Yes.”
Kremer: “Did you take them?”
McClover: “Yes.”
Kremer: “McClover committed to Ohio State right after that weekend. The recruiter at Ohio State who says he dealt with McClover that weekend denied the school was involved in any wrongdoing.”
On what caused McClover to sign with Auburn over Ohio State:
Kremer voiceover: “McClover says what he asked for was money. A lot of it. And that he got it. Delivered in a bookbag, exact amount unknown.”
Kremer to McClover: “You opened it up, what are you thinking?”
McClover: “I almost passed out. I literally almost passed out I couldn’t believe it was true. I felt like I owed them.”
Kremer to McClover: “You felt obligated to them (Auburn)?”
McClover: “I felt totally obligated.”
Kremer to McClover: “Because of the money?”
McClover: “Yeah.”
Troy Reddick talks about his recruitment by Auburn
Reddick: “I was contacted by a local alumni (of Auburn) and offered a large sum of money.
Kremer: “What are you thinking?”
Reddick: “That people are trying to take advantage of me. And I can’t give anybody any kind of power over me.”
Kremer voiceover: “He (Reddick) says he didn’t take the handout. …
Reddick on why he was unhappy at Auburn - and the remedy for that unhappiness
Kremer voiceover: “Reddick was growing increasingly unhappy because he says the (Auburn) coaches wanted him to change his major. Why? Because his class schedule got in the way of football practice.”
Reddick: “I changed my major, so my classes didn’t interfere no more but I didn’t bother to go because I knew I was only there to play football.”
Kremer: “So what did you do?”
Reddick: “I started complaining and insinuating that I was ready to leave any day. They had to do something about that.”
Kremer voiceover: “The enticement to stay, Reddick says, became clear to him, when one of the coaches approached him after a team meeting.”
Reddick: “He (Auburn coach) said I got some mail for you up in my office.”
Kremer to Reddick: “Some mail for you?”
Reddick: “And I followed him up to his office and he gave me an envelope. I didn’t open there, I walked out to my truck, took off. … It was about 500 dollars.”
Kremer: “500 dollars in the envelope?”
Reddick: (nods yes)
Kremer: “How often did you get the money in the envelope?”
Reddick: “Over that season it happened like two or three more times. And it happened about six or seven times my senior year.”
Kremer: “So where do you think the money came from?”
Reddick: “I think that worry got back to alumni from my hometown. Or it may have been the coaches or the staff but everybody knew I didn’t want to be there.”
On McClover being paid $4,000 for his performance in the Iron Bowl:
Kremer voiceover: “Stanley McClover says he was also paid while at school (Auburn). Paid by boosters. Like the time he had his eye on this 1973 Chevy Impala.”
McClover: “Private owner wanted seven thousand in cash so I went to my booster who I knew and he gave me the money the next day in a bookbag.”
Kremer voiceover: “McClover says eventually he didn’t have to ask for money, as long as he played well, he’d get paid.”
Kremer to McClover: “How much was a sack worth?”
McClover: “Anywhere between 300 and 400 dollars. For one.”
Kremer to McClover: “I think in one game you had four sacks, what did you earn in that game?”
McClover: “Four thousand. Against Alabama.”
Kremer: “Seriously?”
McClover: “Alabama, a rivalry game.”
Kremer: “More money because it’s Alabama?”
McClover: “Definitely. No other game matters.”
Chaz Ramsey and Raven Gray are interviewed at same time together
Kremer voiceover: “Chaz Ramsey played for a year (for Auburn) in 2007, and says he too received money handshakes after games.”
Ramsey: “You walk out and all the fans are waiting for you to sign autographs and everything and some random guy just walks up to you and shakes your hand and there’s a wad full of money.”
Kremer: “How much are we talking about?”
Ramsey: “300 or 400 dollars a game.”
Kremer voiceover: “Raven Gray was a top (Auburn) recruit in 2007, he says people affiliated with Auburn would visit him at his junior college and press the flesh there too.”
Kremer to Gray: “How much do you think you got?”
Gray: “Twenty five-hundred to three thousand dollars. Loyalty is the key. This man give me money I’m going to be loyal to him and go to Auburn.”
Kremer voiceover: “And he did go to Auburn but got injured before he ever played a game.”
On Ramsey’s motivation for coming forward
Kremer: “You have an axe to grind?” (Ramsey had a medical claim lawsuit against Auburn recently thrown out.)
Ramsey: “I’m not out to get anybody, I want high school athletes to know what they’re getting into. This is what college football is really about it, it’s a business.”
Ramsey and Reddick on selling items made available to Auburn players by the school:
Ramsey: “I would sell tickets all the time, Iron Bowl you can make a thousand dollars a ticket.”
Kremer: “How much money did that get you during your time at Auburn?”
Ramsey: “Five-six thousand dollars probably.”
Reddick: “I sold my SEC Championship watch right off the stage as we were celebrating in Toomer’s Corner.”
Kremer: “Why did you sell it?”
Reddick: “Because it was useless to me. I had to sell all my championship rings to help my sister not go into debt as her house was about to be foreclosed on.”
The brand new "O-H-I-CHEAT" Shirt is in honor of the Sweatervest up in Columbus. When he is not dotting the i in LIAR the Sweatervest is keeping his players on the field no matter how many rules they break. Get your "O-H-I-Cheat" shirt today at SPORTSCRACK.COM
What a natural. It's like her hands were built for it. I've never seen an episode of The Big Bang Theory or The Ellen Show for that matter but my viewing habits may have to change.
Video via ExtraMustard
Last week on my Facebook page I posted that Georgia Tech was in for some good news with confirmation from a reliable inside source that they were set to hire Richmond's Chris Mooney. From what I heard everything was agreed upon a couple of weeks ago and the deal would be announced whenever Richmond exited the tournament. Well Richmond finally lost in the Sweet 16 to Kansas and Mooney was expected to take the Georgia Tech job this week.
Well obviously that didn't happen. Yesterday Richmond announced they had signed Mooney to a ten-year extension. It appears Mooney used Georgia Tech to get a new contract and stay in Richmond. I've driven through Richmond many of times and have never had the desire to stop one time. Not even to take a piss. Mooney has to coach there for the next decade. Wow.
Last night Georgia Tech moved swiftly and hired their second choice in Dayton's Brian Gregory. Some people had lofty dreams of Butler's Brad Stevens coaching in the new Thriller Dome in 2012 but that was never going to happen. Stevens has turned Butler into a powerhouse with back-to-back Final Four appearances. Gregory and Mooney were the two realistic shots for a Georgia Tech basketball program who should be a perennial tournament team with the talent they can pull in the Atlanta area and playing in a major conference like the ACC. Gregory is not going to sell tickets. He took Dayton to the tournament two times in eight seasons there. Dayton went 48-48 in conference play in the last 6 seasons. Paul Hewitt got fired because he only had one winning season in ACC play. And Hewitt was a hell of a recruiter. I feel like Georgia Tech settled for a hamburger when they should be eating a steak.
Gregory could win big for Georgia Tech. Anything is possible. But I wouldn't bet on it. I loved it when Tech hired Paul Johnson to be their football coach because I knew he could win. I'm not so sure about Gregory. I'm sure athletic director Dan Radakovich feels the same way.
AP Photo
AP Photo
AP Photo
AP Photo
AP Photo
I don't want to brag or anything but did I fucking nail that shit last night or what? 4 and fucking 0 with my picks. It's always nice to hit a 4 team parlay too. Last night I was pretty confident with my picks because I had a good feel for the matchups. Tonight I'm not so positive. I'm not saying these picks suck but don't expect perfection yet again. I'm not going to lie to you like Jim Tressel.
Marquette(+5) vs North Carolina
I don't know what to make of either one of these teams. One day North Carolina looks like a legit National Championship contender then the next day they are struggling by turning over the ball way too many times like a monkey trying to fuck a wet football. Marquette also plays relentless defense so I can see the more talented Tar Heels turning it over 20 plus times tonight. Harrison Barnes has slowly turned himself into a top 5 player in the college game and should put up stud numbers tonight. My gut is telling me to take Marquette with the straight up upset but my brain is saying North Carolina finds a way to win this game with a clutch shot at the end. The ACC always has at least one team in the Final 4 and with FSU being the only other one alive I got to take Roy Williams as the favorite to get there.
Prediction: North Carolina 73 Marquette 71
Ohio State (-6.5) vs Kentucky
I picked Ohio State to win the championship with my bracket and I see little reason to jump off that bandwagon after the first two rounds where they clobbered the opposition. The Buckeyes are playing great team ball and their athleticism is even better than Kentucky. If Kentucky still had Wall and Cousins this would be an epic battle. Unfortunately they don't. I see a blowout.
Prediction: Ohio State 88 Kentucky 72
Kansas vs Richmond (+10.5)
I've won money all year betting on Kansas and for the most part they usually cover their spreads no matter how big. But for some reason 10.5 points seems too big to me. Kansas is obviously the better team. No question. But I can see Richmond giving them a game especially since this will be head coach Chris Mooney's last game before he goes to coach Georgia Tech next season. Oops the cat is out of the bag. Yes, Mooney will be GT's next coach. It will be announced next week. Anywho I'm going on gut here and say it's a game that Kansas controls with the Morris twins down low in the paint but the Spiders fight and crawl their way to a decent finish.
Prediction: Kansas 77 Richmond 70
VCU (+4) vs FSU
The Semenholes vs the team everybody thought shouldn't have gotten in. VCU has been playing with a chip on their shoulder and has straight up dominated big conference powers Georgetown and Purdue to get to the Sweet 16. FSU has also been dominant thanks to the nation's best defense and beat the holy shit out of Notre Dame in the second round. These teams are pretty much evenly matched. At this point I'm thinking VCU is this year's George Mason. They won't make it to the Final 4 because Kansas is too good but they will sneak by FSU tonight. I like them as the dog. A 12 seed getting to the Elite 8 is a hell of an accomplishment.
Prediction: VCU 66 FSU 65
What's up everyone? Don't say it, I already know you missed me. I guess the depression that sets in between football and baseball is real. I've been in a hole the last couple of months and finally found a way out with spring training and spring football.
AP Photo
Jim Tressel's coaching career at Ohio State might soon be over. We already know Tressel has been suspended for the first 5 games of the 2011 season and fined $250,000 for failing to report numerous violations with his players to Ohio State's compliance department and the NCAA. Now there is word that Tressel has lied again about not sharing that information with anybody else acccording to BuckeyeExtra.com.
When Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel learned last spring that some of his current players were in trouble, he shared the information with someone he thought could help his star quarterback even though he said he didn't tell his bosses.
Tressel forwarded the information to Ted Sarniak, a mentor to Terrelle Pryor, after the coach received emails warning that Pryor and at least one other player had sold memorabilia to a local tattoo-parlor owner who was under federal investigation for drug trafficking, multiple sources have confirmed to The Dispatch.
Sarniak, 67, is a prominent businessman in Pryor's hometown of Jeannette, Pa. He befriended the quarterback years ago and accompanied him on recruiting trips to Ohio State and other universities.
During a news conference on March 8 to announce NCAA ethics violations by Tressel, the coach said he kept the information to himself to protect the confidentiality of the federal investigation and for the safety of his players.
But Tressel also nodded his head and said "um-hmm" when asked whether he had forwarded the emails to anyone.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith quickly intervened to prevent Tressel from answering that question about the matter currently under investigation by the NCAA.
Kudos to Baltimore Orioles centerfielder Adam Jones for stating the obvious and the truth. I love the candor he speaks with the "just knock the shit out of them" in regards to the obnoxious Yankees and Red Sox fans who come into Camden Yards and act like it is their home park. If you have a problem with what Adam has to say then too bad. Orioles fans need to take back the yard this spring. And by take back I mean knock the shit out of any drunk Yankees fan who starts talking shit about the Orioles in your homepark.
This might be the greatest rap song about the Mighty Ducks. There are others you are wondering? I have no fucking clue. What I do know is I never watched one of the Mighty Ducks movies. I leave the hockey movies to those eskimos up in Canada.
Video via BarStoolSports
UCONN vs. San Diego St (Pick Em)
I managed to watch San Diego State for only the 2nd time all season last week. Holy shit what a boring team they have. I know all they do is win but they don't have one guy on their team that scares me. The Huskies on the other hand have the great Kemba Walker and they have an inside presence in Alex Oriakhi. In terms of talent and coaching I got to take the Huskies in this pick em game.
Prediction: UCONN 72 San Diego St 64
Florida (-2.5) vs. BYU
Last year these two teams met in the first round and BYU won a thrilling 99-92 game in double OT. One can only hope this year this sweet 16 battle lives up to those standards. Everybody knows about Jimmer. He will win the Naismith and we will never hear from him again after his college career is done. Hey I'm not a hater. I like Jimmer. But this will be his last game. BYU doesn't have the size in the front court especially without Brandon Davies to bang with the Gators. The Gators are a sleeper team this year to win the whole thing despite their 2 National Championships under Billy Donovan. The Gators also have better coaching and better talent. I know it sounds like a broken record but unless Jimmer goes for 40 plus (which wouldn't surprise me) I see the Gators handling this game rather easily.
Prediction: Florida 66 BYU 59
Arizona (+9) vs. Duke
I texted my Dad last week saying Arizona's Derrick Williams might be the best player in the college game and could be the #1 pick in the NBA next season. His response was "been watching VCU." In Dad terms that is a "I'm going to ignore your ridiculous statement." Of course Williams went on to have one of his worst games of the season vs Texas but he still managed to hit a clutch 3 pt play with the game on the line. Plus Williams had the game winning block vs. Memphis in the first round. Williams led the nation in free throw attempts as he loves to drive to the hoop and create scoring opportunities from the free throw line. He will be guarded by James Bond villain Kyle Singler. Singler will pull the usual Duke flopping bull shit that Coach K teaches and yet somehow the officials still haven't caught on that it's not an offensive foul when you breath on a Duke defender and he topples faster than the housing market. I'm not a Duke fan for obvious reasons (I have a functional cock) but I think the Dukies win this game in a close battle. The Duke back court is better than Zona's and Nolan Smith will have a solid second half. I'm still taking Zona to beat the spread though.
Prediction: Duke 77 Arizona 72
Here are some highlights of Derrick Williams just because I want to prove to my Dad he is the best player in the college game...
And here is a little Blake Griffin-esque dunk...
Butler (+4.5) vs. Wisconsin
Seriously how in the holy fuck is Butler an underdog in this game? Is Vegas still not believers in the Bulldogs? Last year's Cinderella used some of that magic to beat Pitt last week in a downright brutal officiated game. For some reason I have never liked Wisconsin. I don't know what it is. I think the people are great and cheerful but for some reason the Badgers have always pissed me off. Maybe I'm letting my college football bias get in the way here. I'm also in love with Butler coach Brad Stevens. On the other hand the sight of Wisconsin's Bo Ryan makes me want to straight stomp on his man region. His face just pisses me off. He's a close second to Kansas State's Frank Martin in guys "I wouldn't mind dropping from the face of the earth just at the way they act on the sidelines." Anyways enough about my rage issues. Butler has made me good money the past two years. I'm not about to jump off their bandwagon especially as an underdog.
Prediction: Butler 69 Wisconsin 66
Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't worried about ruffling the feathers of his AL East rivals in the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The second year Baltimore skipper had some choice words for both Derek Jeter and Boston GM Theo Epstein.
From an interview in Men's Journal about Jeter:
"The first time we went to Yankee Stadium, I screamed at Derek Jeter from the dugout," said Showalter. "Our guys are thinking, 'Wow, he's screaming at Derek Jeter.' Well, he's always jumping back from balls just off the plate. I know how many calls that team gets -- and yes, he [ticks] me off."
"I'd like to see how smart Theo Epstein is with the Tampa Bay payroll," Showalter said. "You got Carl Crawford 'cause you paid more than anyone else, and that's what makes you smarter? That's why I like whipping their butt. It's great, knowing those guys with the $205 million payroll are saying, 'How the hell are they beating us?'"
We got another new SportsCrack.com T-shirt just in time for baseball season. The "Going Going Gonzo!" shirt is in honor of the newest first baseman up in Boston. With his sweet fluid yet powerful swing expect to hear a lot of the "Gonzo!" chants this season in Fenway.
Going Going Gonzo Shirt
I mean wow. She just pissed all over the deck with her pants down. I don't know whether to laugh or be disgusted. All is fair during Spring Break though I guess.
Video via BarStoolSports
First look Ishaq, Lynch, Golson from Irish Illustrated on Vimeo.
TheSolidVerbal has the highlights from the Stanford/Oregon game with play-by-play commentary from Jeopardy's Alex Trebek. Trebek nails it as usual.
With Spring football just around the corner the last thing the Notre Dame football program needed was a star football player arrested. Unfortunately Notre Dame just lost it's best player in returning senior wideout Michael Floyd who was arrested Saturday night for drinking and driving.
WSBT has confirmed star Notre Dame football player Michael Floyd was arrested over the weekend for drinking and driving.
Sgt. Bill Redman, St. Joseph County Police public information officer, confirmed Floyd was booked into the county jail just after 4 a.m. Sunday.
Floyd was released from jail about seven hours later after posting a $500 bond.
Redman says Notre Dame Security Police arrested Floyd on campus.
A court date is set for May 2, Redman said, clarifying his earlier report of an April 2 court date.
Regarding drinking and driving:
Driving Under the Influence of
Alcohol or Drugs
The University prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated
or impaired. Any person doing so exhibits wanton disregard for
the rights and safety of others.
For purposes of this policy, “driving under the influence” is
defined as a situation in which the operator of any motorized vehicle
is determined by admission, by testing for blood alcohol content or
by commonly accepted behavioral observations (e.g., slurred speech,
staggering, etc.) to be driving such vehicle after having consumed
alcoholic beverages or ingested other drugs or legally controlled
substances which may alter, inhibit or impair a person’s condition
of thought and action.
Also for purposes of this policy, a first offense is a first-time
violation of the “driving under the influence” policy. A second
offense is a second violation of the “driving under the influence”
policy or a first-time violation of this policy with at least one
previous violation of the intoxication policy.
I. Violations and Sanctions
a. First offense: If a student is determined to have violated
this policy, the Office of Residence Life and Housing will:
1. Place the student on Disciplinary Probation for at
least one semester.
2. Require the student to participate in an alcohol
assessment at an appropriate assessing agency and
undertake alcohol education according to the
assessor’s determination.
3. Require the student to forfeit all University vehicle
registration and campus driving/parking privileges
for at least one semester.
4. Require the student to pay an appropriate monetary
fine or perform equivalent community service.
I was on vacation last week when the whole "Jim Tressel lied about not knowing his 5 players committed infractions" story broke. I honestly didn't think too much of it. I just figured the Sweatervest has lied about a lot of things since he came to Columbus. It's not necessarily his fault. It's part of the game. Literally there are so many fucking NCAA rules that if an athlete takes a shit without contacting Tressel on whether he wiped his ass 2 or...wait for it...3 times then the NCAA could see it as a violation.
Listen I don't like Ohio State. But I hate the NCAA even more. If a player wants to sell his own jersey for money then let them. If a player wants to exchange their own jersey for tattoo's then let them. It's their own fucking property as soon as Ohio State gives it to them. I thought the A.J. Green suspension was bull shit and I think the 5 players for Ohio State being suspended is bull shit. It's a dumb ass rule and the only reason it is around is because the NCAA doesn't want anybody profiting off anything college related unless they have their dirty fingers in it. They are the biggest hypocrites in the world. A college athlete can't sell his image or likeness for money while playing yet the schools and the NCAA can profit off those players by putting them on billboards, commercials, and jerseys. And yeah I get it that they get a free education, food, clothes and room and board but some schools are literally making 100's of millions off certain athletes. Everybody knows Cam Newton was worth the 180K to Auburn. The guy brought in millions to Auburn.
But anyways enough of the NCAA rant. Tressel has now upped his suspension to 5 games instead of the 2 he initially was suspended for. Here is what he said today...
"Throughout this entire situation, my players and I have committed ourselves to facing our mistakes and growing from them; we can only successfully do this together," he said in a statement. "I spoke with athletic director [Gene] Smith, and our student-athletes involved, and told them that my mistakes need to share the same game sanctions."
