As expected, the man, the myth, the legend, aka DJ's brother from another mother, was the star of yesterday's SEC Media Days and Johnny Manziel did not disappoint.
Upon being advised to come clean following his early departure from the Manning Passing Academy, Johnnie Walker Football apparently decided to go a different route:
"It's been a busy summer for me. I probably bit off more than I can chew in July, been traveling, been going a lot of places. I just overslept.
I made a mistake and didn't wake up in time when I should have. That's pretty much the end of that."
Wait, I thought he was dehydrated? Or maybe the dehydration caused him to forget the nuances required to charge a phone and set the alarm – all while stone-cold sober – in prep for a grueling day of hanging out with the Manning brothers. I'm just glad the truth prevailed and Johnny is feeling better.
Later, as he continued to defend his understandably constant immature actions, Manziel, on purpose, decided to compare himself to the Biebs before announcing, "I don't feel like I'm immature. ... I feel like everything's fine."
Sure thing. Nothing to see here. Look, I get that the kid is 20 years old but let's not pretend the guy doesn't do just about anything possible to attract the spotlight, or that he doesn't enjoy it immensely. Which is fine. My only issue is that you can't do that then imply you really don't want to be a part of the circus you've at least helped create because you just want to play football.
"WHAT, ME WORRY?" The NCAA (finally) announced yesterday that it will end it's licensing agreement with EA Sports when their current contract expires next June. As a result, the NCAA football video game series, effective the 2014 version, will be the last to include the NCAA name and logo.
Of course, this news comes as the NCAA tries to distance itself from EA Sports while the ongoing legal battle with Ed O'Bannon heats up. At the core of O'Bannon's lawsuit remains the fact EA Sports, and by extension the NCAA and the member schools, have allowed the virtual players to closely resemble real-life kids on current rosters, profiting handsomely in the process while the kids do not receive compensation.
The NCAA released a statement to clarify their actions and current legal stance:
The NCAA has made the decision not to enter a new contract for the license of its name and logo for the EA Sports NCAA Football video game. The current contract expires in June 2014, but our timing is based on the need to provide EA notice for future planning. As a result, the NCAA Football 2014 video game will be the last to include the NCAA’s name and logo. We are confident in our legal position regarding the use of our trademarks in video games. But given the current business climate and costs of litigation, we determined participating in this game is not in the best interests of the NCAA.
The NCAA has never licensed the use of current student-athlete names, images or likenesses to EA. The NCAA has no involvement in licenses between EA and former student-athletes. Member colleges and universities license their own trademarks and other intellectual property for the video game. They will have to independently decide whether to continue those business arrangements in the future.
Now, it's on the schools to decide how they'll react. If they choose to stay, the only real difference in the game could be the title considering EA Sports is still in bed with the Collegiate Licensing Company, the group that manages the trademarks for most of the schools participating in the current form of the video game.
EA Sports doesn't seem too shook up over the NCAA's announcement:
"EA Sports will continue to develop and publish college football games, but we will no longer include the NCAA names and marks," said EA executive vice president Andrew Wilson. "Our relationship with the Collegiate Licensing Co. is strong and we are already working on a new game for next generation consoles which will launch next year and feature the college teams, conferences and all the innovation fans expect from EA Sports."
Thank the Lord this franchise will still likely continue in a fashion similar to its current form. Twitter almost drowned in the tears of teens and grown men alike when the news first came out. Props to Tom Orr for finding a dig at the SEC amidst the madness.
OSU Inside the Huddle: 110+ pages of Buckeye pornREST IN PEACE (OF PIZZA). The Detroit Lions and the B1G Conference announced yesterday a six-year agreement for a bowl game that will be played in Ford Field.
The move effectively euthanized the Little Caesars Bowl after this year.
Beginning in '14, the game will most likely pit a flagging B1G squad against an equally mediocre team from the Atlantic Coast Conference, meaning the bowl will presumably get to pick no higher than sixth during the selection process.
In other words, you can continue with your normal late December plans without fear of them conflicting with Ohio State football.
100+ PAGES OF BUCKEYE GOODNESS. In case you haven't seen it in stores yet, Ohio State Buckeyes in the Huddle 2013 is now available for purchase.
If you're relatively new to the site, you may not realize that we at Eleven Warriors put together a pretty sweet OSU football preview magazine, with the last two versions coming via partnership with Lindy's.
As Jason noted yesterday, the 2013 edition is by far our best effort yet, featuring over 100 pages of Buckeye porn written almost exclusively by the Eleven Warriors team. You can find a full run down of the topics here and we're confident you won't be disappointed.
Buy it. Read it. Display it proudly. Bask in the glory of your knowledge and improved coolness.
In all seriousness, the magazine is a great read. We all take the endeavor very seriously knowing that our article will probably the only one our mom reads all year, plus Jason puts in a million hours partnering with Lindy's to get everything just right before it hits the shelves.
The mag can be purchased online or at virtually any store with a magazine rack that doesn't suck (located within the vicinity of the great state of Ohio).
DESHAUN STILL GETTING BUCKETS. When Deshaun Thomas was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 58th pick in this year's NBA Draft, two realities surfaced repeatedly.
First, it was absolutely wonderful to see such a class act get a chance to fulfill his dream of playing in the League. Second, the fact that the vast majority of 2nd round picks never stick in the NBA meant that if Thomas was going to make it, he'd be the exception, not the rule. That reality became an even larger hurdle when the bottom line emerged that Thomas was basically fighting for the one and only spot on the Spurs roster.
Despite the uphill battle, Thomas has played outstanding basketball during his summer league opportunities, averaging 17 points and five boards in three outings, impressing Spurs GM R.C. Buford in the process:
“He can score in a lot of places on the floor and with Deshaun, his attitude and eagerness to learn and grow has been overwhelming over the first week. We haven't had him a long time and a lot of things need to go well for him to maximize his opportunity, but there is a hole in our roster behind Kawhi (Leonard) right now, and we're looking forward to what Deshaun brings and how his approach has been so far.”
As you'd expect, despite the fact he's a bit of a long shot to make the squad, Thomas has seized the opportunity with both ferocity and grace:
I know what's at stake and what I have to do. I have to come out and play hard, play with great energy. I played with a great coach who preached defense and that's coach (Thad) Matta.
My goal is to go out there and be coachable and listen and play my game.
All of Columbus is behind you Deshaun. Keep getting buckets.
MY NAME IS URL. Phil Steele likes Braxton for Heisman... Dubai sure has growns up... What Johnny Manziel is really sorry about... Up close and personal with a ball point pen... The Most Janky MLB All-Stars Since 2000... Riots are really starting to get out of control... Dienhart's All-B1G offense and defense of the 2000s... Report says current AD's will be part of selection committee... If you need me this weekend, I'll be here... Picked this up for $2 over the weekend in Baltimore... BTN on-air talent for football season announced... Michigan signs John Beilein to a three year extension... Seems legit.
