Greetings and saluations. How about a virtual fistbump for what is going to be a spectacular day in the Capital City?
I can already taste the flavor of flasked vodka that will accompany me to Huntington Park once a bow is placed on the work day.
Speaking of working for a living, as I was scanning the internets last night I came across a story written earlier this week by David Briggs of the Toledo Blade that focused on the conflicting nature of bonuses for athletic directors that are charged with the dual hand grenades of compliance and winning.
A specific part of that story was particularly interesting. It's no secret that Ohio State was forced to vacate their wins from the 2010 season and also return over $338k in Sugar Bowl earnings. What I didn't realize is that Gene Smith was not required, and therefore chose not to, return his personal bonus of $61.5k awarded based on a contract provision pertaining to the program earning a BCS bowl bid.
Now, I get that he earned the loot as outlined in his contract but considering that the school coughed up $338 large, is it outlandish to expect the AD return his cut as well? Maybe I'm overcooking here but I imagine this will do little to improve the reputation of a man many fans believe should have exited with Tressel.
JUST WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS - ANOTHER COMMITTEE. This week's sign Bobby Bowden is bored with retirement? The dadgum former general of the Seminoles became the latest retired coach to speak out on the whole BCS playoff proposal circus, opining that the selection committee to decide upon the four playoff teams should include former coaches.
Further, Bobby has volunteered his services to the committee and thinks it should be largely built similar to the existing Legends Poll, arguing that former coaches have the insight and time to effectively evaluate which four teams would be playoff worthy. Bowden isn't alone as fellow former coaches and legends R.C. Slocum, LaVell Edwards and John Harold Cooper have also volunteered to be a part of the World's Most Important Committee of All-Time Ever (WMICOATE).
I don't pretend to know the answer here but as much as I hate committees, I hate computer polls and the existing coaches poll far worse. As the various articles on the topic state, the bottom line is that no matter who or what selects the four teams, transparency is a must. I guess we as fans could do worse. As Cooper implies, there's little question the Legends would take the responsibility much more seriously than existing coaches who should have never been thrust into the conflict of interest in the first place:
"I would love to do this. I would love to be a part of it. My life revolves around college football and coaching. I would vote for the best team, regardless of conference. And I know we all would operate that way."
I hate asking questions in a skully but what process do you prefer to select teams should the accepted BCS proposal not automatically include conference champions?
HOKE MISTAKES MIC FOR A CARAMEL DRUMSTICK. That's not actually true however Hoke did meet with the AP sports editors yesterday and while I was more than fine with RichRod allowing Ohio State to regain control of the rivalry, I have to say UM hiring a coach that gets it isn't the worst thing ever.
Having lost four straight to in-state rival Michigan State, Hoke was measured in his responses to questions about Sparty offering:
"The in-state rivalry is always something that's important to us. We have not done our job the last four years if you're on the Michigan side of things. That's coaching, and that has to be better."
As soon as he gave Michigan State their quick shoutout, he followed up with:
"But the Ohio game is the Ohio game. I don't think (that importance is) going to change."
I'm reluctant to share what else he said because none of it was stupid or inflammatory toward Ohio State. On the topic of playoffs, Hoke noted he would love to have home sites host games though he realizes it ain't happening and even called out the concern for families having to fork out so much cash in travel to see their kids play.
On recruiting, he downplayed Hoke vs. Urban, instead opting for the safe, "this has never been about who’s the coach at Michigan. It has never been about who’s the coach there. It’s about those two great institutions. That doesn’t make a difference, I don’t think. You’re representing your university.”
Following the whole Logan Tuley-Tillman embarassment, I surmised Hoke should take a stance on twitter usage regardless of not being able to speak about the player directly and yesterday Hoke at least said he tells his current players freedom is part of learning responsibility and advises committed recruits they're representing the family name.
Okay, enough of not thoroughly despising Hoke. My apologies.
Love this. (Full disclosure: I'm extremely childish)OSU WILL GO AS THE OL AND WR'S GO. The BTN's Tom Dienhart continued his conference position group rankings and recently he took a stab at slotting the B1G's offensive lines and wide receivers.
While there's been much consternation from Urbz and others about the wide receivers - and they're certainly a concern - my personal belief is that the offensive line has far more to prove and will be even more pivotal in determing just how successful Year One of the Urban regime will be.
Dienhart places the Buckeyes third behind the O-lines of Sparty and Wisconsin, just ahead of Michigan and Nebraska. That might be an indictment of the o-line talent in conference when you consider what Ohio State is currently facing.
I feel very good about the left side of the line with Jack Mewhort protecting Braxton's blind side and Andrew Norwell sliding to left guard. Combined with Corey Linsley's emergence, that trio should do their part to keep Braxton upright and create running lanes. That said, I feel a little shaky about the right side of Marcus Hall at guard and Reid Fragel at tackle.
Hall has yet to live up to the hype and despite being afforded many opportunities, was never able to lock down a spot. Hopefully, taking a redshirt year at an odd time in his career will pay dividends. He has some talent but has yet to put it together. Meanwhile, Fragel's tight end to tackle story is well-chronicled so there's no reason to rehash it here but with zero starts at tackle, that's cause for pause. None of this even gets into what looks to be razor thin depth.
The wide receivers, ranked 5th by Dienhart, are clearly a question mark but I have far less worry. Maybe it's because Urban only needs two or three of them to step up instead of five like with the offensive line.
My crystal ball says Devin Smith becomes the go to target downfield with Stoneburner and CantGuardMike seeing lots of action underneath on crossing routes. If Philly Brown refuses to emerge then Jordan Hall will be utilized on more than bubbles and traditional screens. Bottom line, I see enough guys in this group stepping up to make it better than simply functional.
BUCKEYES GIVING BACK. Like 11W, Buckeyes have a tradition of giving back and with that, there a few upcoming events to be aware of.
Former Buckeye and current New York Giant Jim Cordle, via his Cordle Cares Foundation, is hosting "Bowling With Buckeyes" on Saturday, June 30th at Tiki Lanes in Lancaster, Ohio. The event will feature a silent auction of sick Buckeye swag with proceeds benefiting the Fairfield County Special Olympics.
Bowling will be former Buckeyes including Andrew Sweat, 11W contributor and resident sack machine Matt Finkes, Ryan Miller and Jake Ballard, among others.
Also, the 2nd and 7 Foundation, created by Luke Fickell, Miller and Mike Vrabel, will hold its annual FUNdamental Football Camp from June 25-27 at Hilliard Weaver Middle School. The cost is $100 per camper and allows kids to receive instruction from a host of "former Buckeyes, NFL players and local high school football coaches."
All proceeds simply roll back into the foundation as it continues its mission of making a difference in the community with a focus on reading programs and providing books for young kids.
PLAY IT LEO! What's that - you demand an awesome Beatles gif? And so it shall be... I call this Junky Trunk... Holley Mangold hearts Farve... A reason to be thankful for PissGate... Maxim's oral history of The Wire... Finally, a flowchart to address the ongoing NBA conspiracy.
