Yes, I agree, @JackalopeGuy. Why did Columbus demolish this magnificent building?
... Those quick hits:
- Urban Meyer took some shots at Brady Hoke and Kirk Herbstreit.
- Michael Citro's thought experiment on historical circle drill match-ups is great.
- Today's NSFW Anti-Work Banger is the greatest moment in 21st century sports: Stone Cold Steve Austin returns to save the WWF from the WCW-ECW alliance.
FALCONS IN COLUMBUS. With the Browns' Christmas (aka the NFL draft) almost upon us, the Atlanta Falcons are doing some due diligence in their scouting. Their search for offensive linemen has led them to Ohio State, a program that had one of the best offensive line units in the country last season.
From Doug Lesmeries of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer:
Falcons' offensive line coach Mike Tice was among the Atlanta staffers at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center conducting a private workout for OSU offensive linemen Jack Mewhort, Corey Linsley and Marcus Hall.
I think all those guys could contribute on some level in the NFL, but Mewhort will be a steal, especially if he's taken in the second round or later.
Tony Pauline, an NFL draft insider, made it seem the Falcons' search was for more than just offensive linemen:
Apologies if this was reported elsewhere but the Atlanta Falcons braintrust was in Columbus today working out many of the Buckeye prospects
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 18, 2014
Regardless, it's good to see Ohio State is back to producing NFL talent after a few thin years. That's the way the world is supposed to spin.
COLLUSION ACCUSATIONS AT NU. Northwestern football players' quest to unionize is a divisive subject in the college football realm, so it should be of no surprise it's getting heated at ground-zero of the conflict.
From the Daily Northwestern's article on a combative meeting of alumni of NU's football program:
[Kevin] Brown said he and others recently met with coach Pat Fitzgerald for two and a half hours to address some alumni concerns, such as the treatment of former quarterback Kain Colter and threats made to current players.
The former defensive back said former players have contacted current players, saying if they vote “yes” for the union on April 25 they will lose out on employment opportunities and other benefits of the football alumni network.
“We felt there was corrosion taking place,” [Tracy] Parsons said afterward.
I think it's pretty clear at this point the attempt to unionize will go down in flames. It should be noted, however, the vote's result won't matter much. What matters is it's being held in the first place.
GOOD GUY BRANDON COOKS. Adidas, who just threw $40 million at the University of Louisville, had a contest during the NFL combine; the player who ran the fastest 40 received $100,000. Brandon Cooks, a wide receiver from Oklahoma Oregon State, took home the prize.
Here's what he did with the money:
Looks good, Brandon. I probably would have went with a down payment on a house, though. Those don't lose value almost immediately after being purchased.
SEC BAGMEN MEET TAIWANESE ANIMATORS. (Spun off SB Nation's "Meet an SEC Bagman" story.) I got a big kick out of how every SEC bagman in this video is morbidly obese:
NOBODY WANTS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IOWA. I've never really cared for Jeopardy! or Alex Trebek, but I do enjoy funny things:
Iowa was a category on Jeopardy tonight. Here is how the players responded: pic.twitter.com/OScpnlbRFH
— Ben Welsh (@palewire) April 17, 2014
As we say in the City of Kings: "'Bout right."
THOSE WMDs. The mythology of Sherman's March to the Sea... The Durant-LeBron arms race has been historically nuts... Yasiel Puig's essence distilled into one play... This is not the way to pay tribute to your newborn baby... A map of uninhabited America... Uh, is this legal, Greek soccer fans?... Photographic study of the oldest living things in the world... Josh Smith's shot chart looks very Josh Smithy... Scientists have discovered "an Earth twin"... LAPD's noir archives... This Mongolian teen is a bad-ass... A tale of 18th century vice squads... The coach and the crack house...
