Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Devils Beat Rangers, Head To Stanley Cup Finals

Success With Hyperlinking Is Swoll

SWOLL. Fall of the machines: PSU players excited about using free weights in new strength program - AltoonaMirror.com

We're doing a lot of bar exercises and free weights and things like that, a lot of squats, a lot of dead lifts," McGloin added. "It's new and it's different, and we're happy about it."

Running back Silas Redd said the team is going through the transition phase right now with the new program, which he called "intense."

"We're all excited because the weights [themselves] and the exercises we're doing are a lot more exciting, as well, and we just get amped up and it gets rowdy in there," Redd said.

"We played music before, so I don't think that's it," Redd said of the atmosphere. "There's something about power cleaning and squatting that gets a guy amped up."

BOB DON'T CURRR. Somehow, Bill O’Brien is more interested in the Super Bowl than Penn State recruiting | Dr. Saturday

Most college coaches will spend tonight pacing in their bedrooms, race to the office at 5 a.m. and spend most of the day Wednesday hunched obsessively over a fax machine, watching as the fruits and disappointments of years of hard work roll in. At Penn State, the new head coach will get to the recruiting stuff when he gets to it. Then again, none of Bill O'Brien's peers is calling plays in the Super Bowl in a few days

...

Nothing about this transition is usual, or even precedented. And given the option of preparing for a Super Bowl with your Hall-of-Fame quarterback on one hand, or presiding over a fax machine spitting out the signatures of anonymous kids you've barely had time to meet on the other, well, maybe it puts the whole "signing day" thing in a little perspective.

There's been a lot of HURRR BOB DOESN'T CARE ABOUT RECRUITING AMIRITE? floating around this week. Most of it fails to recognize that Penn State was scrambling to fill this class when O'Brien was hired January 5. PSU had nine or ten scholarships to fill at that point, and had essentially only performed the most rudimentary of recruiting functions since Joe Paterno was fired in early November. And let's face it, the previous coaching staff wasn't exactly reeling in players during the season. There were no commits between Malik Golden (August 24) and Jamil Pollard (December 29).

Bill O'Brien wasn't handed a simple turd sandwich. It was more of a multi-layered turd club sandwich.

Since taking over, he and his coaching staff were able to sign Jordan Lucas, Akeel Lynch, DaQuan Davis, Trevor Williams, Jonathan Warner, Steven Bench, Wendy Laurent, and Evan Schwan. That's pretty good, considering the challenges involved. In the process, they took players from West Virginia (Davis and Williams) and Boston College. They landed a sorely needed running back, and replaced a waffling quarterback commit with one who is just as highly regarded and is enthusiastic about playing at Penn State.

Basically, let's see what BOB and the Bobettes are able to accomplish with a full year to put together a recruiting class. In the meantime, be happy with what Penn State got, because it actually could've been much worse.

BOB talks to the BTN about the class. If you want to see PSU's assistant coaches discuss the class, here's your video. If you'd like me to save you time, fine. Good class. Exciting class. Very athletic. Looking forward to working with them. You know, I really don't know their names. Do I get my own bathroom key, or do I have to keep asking BOB to use the one attached to the 2008 Alamo Bowl trophy?

SHAVE THOSE SIDEBURNS, MATTINGLY. The Montgomery Burns grooming policies of the Paterno era have been relaxed, and other changes are underway as well.

Still, the staff has made some changes. First, O'Brien said, he is installing a new player grading and evaluation system, and all positions are open.

Hixon added that what happened personnel-wise last year, particularly on offense, no longer matters, because "it's going to be a whole new offense." As for players with disciplinary issues, Hixon said, "the doghouse is empty, unless you aren't going to class or doing what you're supposed to do." O'Brien added that he's "not aware at this time" of any players planning to transfer.

O'Brien has relaxed rules regarding facial hair (many players are letting their beards grow) and the wearing of hats inside the Lasch Football Building. Paterno forbade the latter practice. O'Brien allows it, as linebacker Mike Mauti said, partly because "he doesn't have any hair, so he wears a hat."

"It's one more thing where we can say, 'Hey, we can focus on what we're doing and not something else that will distract us from what we're doing,'" Mauti added.

Which, okay. Great. This isn't the military, after all. It's also nice to see this:

Star-divide

The head coach also has been calling players for quick conversations, sometimes to their surprise.

"I was walking across campus, and my phone rang," Hill said. "I looked at the number, didn't know who it was, but I picked it up, and it was coach O'Brien. He was just checking in. I'm glad I got a chance to talk to him. A lot of guys have been missing his calls, because they don't recognize the number."

One more sign of change — and of stability at the same time — are the two new signs hanging from a door at the Lasch Building. Players see them when they enter and leave.

The first says, "WHEN YOU COME HERE," then lists four responsibilities:

1. Know Your Role/Do Your Job

2. Word Hard

3. Be Attentive

4. Always Put the Team First

The second, "WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE," reminds players to do the following:

1. Prioritize Academics and Community Involvement

2. Manage Expectations

3. Don't Believe or Fuel the Hype

4. Speak for Yourself

5. Ignore the Noise

BIELOLMA. Let's face it, if there's one guy in the Big Ten who knows ethics and sportsmanship, it's Bret Bielema. He knows that there's a specific time, place, and protocol for hanging 83 points on a hapless Indiana team. Also, Bret's a guy who would never steal a recruit from another Big Ten school (except, he does, often) and would never bend the rules of play to his advantage.

So when the Moral Compass of Madison complains about Urban Meyer's recruiting practice, well, yeah:

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema unveiled a 12-player recruiting class Wednesday and was asked whether he had noticed any changes in recruiting in a Big Ten with new coach Urban Meyer now in charge at Ohio State.

Turns out, the answer is yes.

"There's a few things that happened early on I made people be aware of that I didn't want to see in this league that I had seen take place at other leagues," Bielema said. "Other recruiting tactics, other recruiting practices that are illegal. I was very up front and was very poignant to the fact. I actually reached out to Coach Meyer and shared my thoughts and concerns with him and the situation got rectified."

Two schools of thought here. One, Bielema is a crybaby and a sore loser, the worst kind of bully who acts tough when putting up 83 points on a hapless Indiana team, but curls up in the fetal position when Urban Meyer does what Urban Meyer does. Two, as OctaShields posited via Twitter, Bielema has a legitimate gripe about something that Meyer did in stealing offensive lineman Kyle Dodson away from Wisconsin on NSD.

Also lodging complaints about Meyer's tactics were Mark Dantonio and Pat Narduzzi of Michigan State. Silent to this point, the most-aggrieved of all, Penn State. And look, this is what Urban Meyer does. Anyone who thought he was going to come into the conference and play nice is a damned fool. If there's time left on the recruiting clock, Meyer is coming after your recruits. Either Fight Meyer With Meyer, band together to negatively recruit against him (the #TeamCollusion theory), or shut up and take it.

ERRATA. Kevin Newsome is off to Temple, and good luck to him. The Super Bowl either means something or nothing to college recruiting.

Comment 582 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

As much as I dislike the facial hair thing,

it’s really nice to hear that BOB is reaching out to the team however he can, especially considering he’s kind of got something big going on this weekend. It’ll be interesting to see how that new strength program manifests itself on the field. I’m excited for the Blue and White game, it should be a lot of fun to watch.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 10:20 AM EST reply actions  

I don't mind the facial hair thing so much.

This is Pennsylvania, dammit – we wear deer beards around these parts.

Unrepentant Joe Paterno Apologist®

by leeharvey418 on Feb 3, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

It's a personal preference, honestly.

I can bullshit about how it’s looking the part or whatever, but you’d all know I was full of it. Growing up, the team my family always had on TV never pulled that beard nonsense and I was thrilled when I got to Penn State and my new team did the same. But I guess something has to keep those Southern recruits warm once they get here.

As long as they don’t get sloppy academically, I’ll live.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions  

I maintain a groomed goatee

much as i’d love to quit shaving (something i’ve had to do regularly since about the seventh grade) nobody wants a salesman that looks like a sasquatch. However, as a hockey fan (GO BLUESHIRTS), i dig the playoff beard.

by smh244 on Feb 3, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

How did the playoff beard thing start?

It’s such a staple now, I’d love to know who actually came up with it.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 12:08 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm a crappy Pennsylvania dweller.

Not a hockey fan. I spend most of hockey season waiting for spring training to start.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions  

I concur

I watch playoff hockey (well the Flyers) and I’ll watch the occasional game if it’s on, but mainly I’m waiting for Pitchers and Catchers to report.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions  

My friend has been trying to recruit me as a hockey fan by telling me about all the fights

which, as much as I love senseless violence, has yet to be effective, though I did promise to watch more games this year.

The Hot Stove season is so distracting, though. I’m dying to know how all the off season moves work out on the field.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 12:06 PM EST up reply actions  

I like watching olympic hockey better than NHL because of the lack of fights.

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't completely understand her enthusiasm for those.

I thought it was a hockey fan thing. When players fight on a football field it just pisses me off- it’s a waste of time and could be a waste of yards. When players fight during a hockey game, aren’t they just wasting valuable time they could spend playing the game everyone is there to watch?

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions  

wait

She enjoys fighting?

Sounds hot.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions  

I love hockey but not fighting

I don’t mind it so much in the NHL but would like to see it made a game misconduct.

by reedjohnmiller on Feb 3, 2012 7:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Yikes.

That looks more like a possum-eating beard.

Unrepentant Joe Paterno Apologist®

by leeharvey418 on Feb 3, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions  

Squats, deadlifts, and powercleans?

Me gusta. Nice to see the kids enjoy it, too. I imagine this is more along the lines of training they are used to. I just hope they like it in 3 months, when the novelty of change has worn off.

What we cannot speak about, we must pass over in silence. --Ludwig Wittgenstein

by Truck O'Saurus on Feb 3, 2012 10:21 AM EST via Android app reply actions  

i can't believe they weren't doing these things already though

Hell, when I was in HIGH SCHOOL our coaches wanted us doing squats and power cleans to build strength and explosiveness. I understand the philosophy of olympic-style lifting, but I don’t understand how HIT wouldn’t have included these same concepts.

by NuclearLion on Feb 3, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions  

I don't know

I’ve been told by other athlete strength coaches: “If you only do one exercise, squat. If you can do two, squat and deadlift.” I’d imagine all of these players have heard that, too. Hence the excitement.

What we cannot speak about, we must pass over in silence. --Ludwig Wittgenstein

by Truck O'Saurus on Feb 3, 2012 10:45 AM EST via Android app up reply actions  

I'm not concerned with "open season" recruiting by Meyer or anyone.

I’m concerned with the oversigning-but-not-really-because-other-players-are-leaving-the-team business. I was under the impression that you have to show the B1G how you’re going to make room for oversigning before the offers go out, and yet Urban Meyer was allowed to announce who will be leaving the program AFTER national signing day.

by dbl5030 on Feb 3, 2012 10:23 AM EST reply actions  

Yeah

this doesn’t bother me either. But I agree if he’s oversigning then clearly not only is it cheating in a general sense, but also cheating their supposed punishment for their previous infractions. What good is limiting scholarships if you can just load up on talent every year regardless by circumventing the rules?

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions  

The oversigning is ridiculous.

And of course the B1G isn’t going to do anything, despite tOSU being on probation, because they’re too busy having a faux-investigation of Penn State. The NCAA won’t do anything since they don’t punish the schools in the SEC that do it. I think we’re going to need to restructure the B1G divisions soon, making them the Legends and the Cheaters.

It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.

by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 3, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions  

It's pretty easy to see what's going on

Between Urban saying “we’ll announce later that a few guys are going to be off the team” and everyone being cool with it and Urban saying in the press “we don’t redshirt at Ohio State,” it’s abundantly clear how he hopes to approach the scholarship reduction.

Here’s the formula: Use “team rules” violations liberally and schedule some “carefrontations” with guys who aren’t getting playing time, as well as announcing that your entire incoming freshman class is not going to redshirt (putting the writing on the wall for some hapless sophomore that he’ll never see the field), and the scholarship reduction will be entirely covered by roster attrition as opposed to limiting the number of talented incoming recruits. So you still bring in 20-25 highly-touted freshman a year by flushing out 5-6 upperclassmen every year, and viola, you’re still under 82.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Right, you and I see that. Why doesn't the B1G or NCAA?

I’d say that this is in the very least a means of avoiding the punitive sanctions placed on tOSU. That alone should be grounds for action taking place. I’d have a much harder time making the case for this specific instance being a competitive advantage, but it’s still lacking of integrity which is something the NCAA and B1G claim to stand for.

It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.

by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 3, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions  

The BIG stands for that

When is involves teams that are not OSU and Mich. They are their bread and butter, so why mess with what they are doing there. Everyone else has a different stricter set of rules.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions  

They see it

But it’s not illegal. It’s not expressly against the rules. The part that should be against the rules is the wiggle room re: being above 82 and having a few months to come back down. But other than that, it’s just about ethics, and the conference and NCAA are impotent to do anything about it and Meyer has no incentive to be polite when he can make his team better by pushing the envelope there.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Much like the current tax code,

there is so much moral lattitude in the current structure, the most “creative” types WILL find a way to job the system. Why make a system that could be easy so challenging and riddled with loopholes that it becomes nearly impossible to enfore?

One way to even the playing field is making the numbers strict. Make 85 or even 90 the absolute limit. No greyshirting, no early enrollment counting against prior year’s class. On signing day if you go over 85, then you lose an equal number of scholarships the following year.

"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight

by rahpsu92 on Feb 3, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions  

^^^this guy^^^

Understands incentives.

In the absence of them being concisely defined, we can color the landscape shady or moral til we’re all blue.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Good point

Basically, those we call “unethical” find the actual points that bump against the written rules, and go right up to those limits any way they can. They see it as legal/illegal.

Those we call ethical understand the purpose or spirit of the rules, and usually try to play by that, even if they don’t bump right up against the limit. The best way to level the playing field is to make the limits strict and clear, so both sides get to the same point.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Makes me think of my friend playing NCAA a few years back

he found 1 play on offense (a PA option play or something) that the AI didn’t respond to correctly, which let you easily pick up a 1st down just about every time. It was obviously a flaw or bug in the design of the game and not meant to be played that way, and he would run it almost every time he desperately needed to get a 1st down. I saw him do it and called him on cheating, but he countered with the fact that it was how the game was designed so how can it be cheating? It really depends on how you want to play the game at the end of the day.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions  

PA WR Cross in NCAA 2007

The X receiver was always open. Always.

We Are because You Were
Black Shoe Diaries

by Kyle_Martin on Feb 3, 2012 4:53 PM EST up reply actions  

The AI also did NOT know how to defend the option.

Seriously, I played with Idaho and the QBs speed was rated at 78, and I averaged about 15 yards per carry.

by psuwxman on Feb 3, 2012 6:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Question

This may have gone to the wayside with the influx of new coaches to the B1G over the past several years, but I thought there was a gentlemans agreement between B1G coaches not to poach each others committed recruits? Nothing written in stone obviously, but just a common courtesy thing. I seem to remember RichRod coming in and stealing a couple guys away and people getting pissed. Then it was no holds barred against Dick and Michigan.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 10:24 AM EST reply actions  

Correct

It’s now accepted across the board that you may hold Dick however you wish.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 10:25 AM EST up reply actions  

Well I know what I'm doing this weekend

…same thing I do every weekend…sigh.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions  

la dolce vita

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 10:30 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I have been working

On cutting down on the weeping. Really hard though.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions  

if really hard, then you better get to work fixing that.

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 11:56 AM EST up reply actions  

Trying damnit

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions  

keep trying, I'm sure something will come up to help you

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions  

What is this salty discharge

Coming from my eyes?

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

This never happens to me

This is awful.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions  

One simple change of directionality in that sentence

greatly affects the situation presented within.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions  

A good misdirection

When no one is looking can be some good times. I like to have a real good time, every once in awhile.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions  

misdirection is what got the stuff in his eyes

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions  

No he has pink eye

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions  

ewwww

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by Modanya on Feb 3, 2012 7:29 PM EST up reply actions  

a "staff" infection?

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 4, 2012 7:40 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

This is all at the same time, right?

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

I'm totally trying this.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions  

I just tweeted the following, not knowing Chris was going to post this...

…but I am on Urban’s side in this Big Ten pissing match. This isn’t Joe, Bo and Woody’s Big Ten. The old Gentleman’s Agreement is dead. If you want to be competitive like the SEC, you have to go after the top talent. And that means that your recruits are fair game until the LOI is signed.

by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 3, 2012 10:25 AM EST reply actions  

If it had been reversed,

and a major scandal broke out at, say, Michigan, and Joe poached their top talent (remember James Ross?), everyone at Penn State would be thrilled, and “U MAD, BRADY?” signs would permeate the PSU message boards.

by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 3, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions  

Yea, I don't care about a gentleman's agreement

As was said above, the big deal to me is the “we just signed a class of 27 kids and are going to have 8 kids transfer. We know who they are we just won’t tell you until we sign this class. And no, the kids wanted to transfer, we totally didn’t suggest it to them”

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 10:30 AM EST up reply actions  

To be fair...

Every school has the “You might want to consider transferring if you want to play” discussion with players every year. That’s just a fact of life. It turns into total bullshit when/if the school attempts to revoke the scholarships of those kids that elect to remain at the institution.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 10:41 AM EST up reply actions  

I guarantee this conversation happens after the 2012 season at Penn State.

Fifth year seniors who haven’t contributed much, if anything, to the team athletically will be quietly asked to move on. It has happened before, it will happen again.

by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 3, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions  

I agree, not saying it doesn't and that it shouldn't

I guess my qualms is how it “appears” to be going on at OSU. It just seems shady that they can’t/won’t announce who is leaving, yet. Makes it seem like they don’t know who is transferring because they haven’t determined who they want to get rid of.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions  

There's nothing nefarious about it. It's just how things are done.

And I promise you it will not be limited to 5th year seniors. Coaches should be honest with their players, both for the program’s sake and the player’s sake. What they should not do is revoke a player’s scholarship if he, knowing he has little-to-no opportunity to play, elects to remain with the program.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 10:47 AM EST up reply actions  

With the new four-year 'ships,

it’ll have to be limited to the fifth-year players.

by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 3, 2012 10:48 AM EST up reply actions  

Why?

You are not revoking the scholarship, you are suggesting the kid transfer for playing time. If he leaves on his own volition, you are not on the hook for the scholarship.

Although I have made it clear I am not a fan of the four-year scholarship guarantee, if that’s going to be the lay of the land going forward, I think those that accept the four-year option should not have the option of taking off after three years.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions  

"Suggesting he transfer"

Now you’re getting into a gray area. I’m talking about asking them to move on with their lives, as they’ve presumably graduated (or are close). urging them to transfer is a different headache.

It would be different if you could change the athletic scholarship to an academic one and let them finish (if they hadn’t already).

by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 3, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions  

I don't have a problem asking someone to leave if they graduated.

What I would have a problem with is asking someone to leave/revoking their scholarship before they are able to get a degree.

It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.

by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 3, 2012 10:58 AM EST up reply actions  

This.

At the end of the day this is an academic institution, and denying the opportunity to get a degree goes against literally everything a university should stand for. They are kids in school who play football, not football players in football player school.

There’s an easy paper about objectification in big time college football somewhere. If I play my cards right I could get a few nights at a conference and some free meals out of this.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 12:12 PM EST up reply actions  

I do not see it as a gray area.

So long as you’re not indicating that they no longer have a scholarship.

I see nothing wrong with me saying, “Jeff, we really appreciate your hardwork and everything your bring to the lockerroom, but I want to be honest with you…you are probably not going to see much (if any) playing time here. If that’s important to you at this point, we will help you find a place where you can play. But, you are welcome to remain a part of this program and we would love to have you.”

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 10:59 AM EST up reply actions  

Yea, that I don't eally have a problem with.

I thought you were talking more about a case where you’d say “Jeff, you’ve been an asset, but you’re probably not going to play. You should probably transfer.”

by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 3, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions  

Ha

the difference between what he said and what you said is craftiness. If a coach uses his quote, then completely marginalizes the player by moving his locker, switching him to the scout team or even switching the position he’s working out at…the message is still the same. Let’s not get too technical.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:08 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Thats perfectly fine if thats how it goes down

Although, are you handing him brochures to a bunch of D-2 schools while the conversation is going on and winking heavily during “you are welcome to remain a part of this program and we would love to have you”?

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 11:02 AM EST up reply actions  

LOL.

This visual made me laugh my ass off.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions  

“Ska, we are really glad you’re here at Penn State, but have you ever admired the beauty that is Shippensburg’s campus?” ;-)

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions  

“I hear the women there are incredibly slighly above average. But I bet they put out for football players.”

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 11:08 AM EST up reply actions  

“Go Red Raiders, Ska…go Raiders!”

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions  

“I dont know if you keep up to date with the latest Big Sky Conference rankings, but you might want to start to.”

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 11:11 AM EST up reply actions  

Hahahahaha

“I had a really interesting conversation with the head coach at Sam Houston State last night…he actually brought you up. Have you not always dreamed of visiting Huntsville, Texas?”

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions  

“The South Central Lousiana State University Mud Dogs are really interested in you. Coach Klien is an offensive guru.”

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 11:18 AM EST up reply actions  

The ride to the Ship

up the mountain, down the mountain, across the valley, up the mountain & down the mountain right before you get there, and then back home again toasted my brake pads.

by No.21 on Feb 3, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

you need to have the guts not to use your brakes on Timmons Mountain on 641.

Let free wheel and steer hard into the switchbacks.
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions  

And start puckering

when the back end starts to free range.

"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight

by rahpsu92 on Feb 3, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions  

back in ‘81 when I first moved to chambersburg I had a 1968 dodge polara, 383 interceptor with positraction rear. I would power slide through the switch backs. Made the 88 mile run from my house to Briarwood in 1 hr and 15 mins one time. Buried the speedometer a couple times on the way up to SC
/glad I’m still alive

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions  

A buddy of mine went to Ship

concurrent to my run at PSU. Made that round trip many times, but never with that efficiency.

I took a couple of PSU friends with me to see some band at SHIP. Unfortunately my buddy Tom was the driver. I discovered too late that this guy had a death wish and came close to sealing the deal descending 7 mountains at 115mph. I don’t think he hit the brakes a single time, instead choosing to split the difference between two slower side by side cars. I’ve never been so terrified.

"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight

by rahpsu92 on Feb 3, 2012 2:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Ahh Shippensburg

It existed, and I lived there for awhile.

That is all.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Carlise - State College and back

Driving down the back way instead of 322 and going through Juniata and Perry County is just fun mainly because I drove down the mountain at blaring break neck speeds =D.

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by Modanya on Feb 3, 2012 7:35 PM EST up reply actions  

This works if you have built a relationship of trust with your players

and don’t have a reputation for BS. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter what words you use, some college kid that is having his confidence destroyed is going to interpret that as “we don’t want you here”.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions  

What's the difference if someone with a 4 year schollie leaves after 3

or if they just don’t accept the scholarship for their 4th year and leave early? The total scholarships shouldn’t include a player that left just because they were on the 4 year offer.

It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.

by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 3, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions  

'Just how things are done'

Can still be characterized as nefarious. Or however one likes.

Just because you portray it as how things are done (which itself is still more debatable than the pedantic simplicity attempted in its own conveyance) does not mean it is then also devoid of any additional characterization.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions  

It's not nefarious to tell a player that he is not going to see the field, and that if he wants to play he should look elsewhere.

That’s called honesty. It only becomes nefarious if you tell that kid that he MUST transfer because you are revoking his scholarship.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions  

Which is the action in question here

No problems with “carefrontations” on my end, so long as both parties are in agreement that its the best possible solution.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions  

It can totally be nefarious

Honesty can be nefarious. These are human conversations with oceans of nuance. People can be deeply shady. Even, or especially, ones who are incentivized insufficiently or conflictingly.

Sure, it can all also be done above board and with integrity. But these conversations are not going to be legislated into simplicity.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

You're also ignoring the part

Where 2 years previous, the coach did everything he could to make sure that particular player came to his school as opposed to the other 10 schools who were recruiting him. Then the kid works his ass off, but doesn’t fit what the coach is looking for and now he’s sitting in the coach’s office. The same coach that fawned over his HS tape and told him that if he came to _ _ U, he’d be given the opportunity to play early and develop and prepare himself for the NFL.

So to pretend it’s not totally loaded when the coach brings a kid into the office to talk about transferring is being intentionally naive. One can say “we’re not going to revoke your scholarship if you intend to stay” and then humiliate the kid by putting him on the scout team as an upperclassmen, switching him from LB to 4th string fullback, basically ignoring his very existence on the practice field and inside the locker room, etc.

I’m a lawyer, and even I see how despicable the technicalities and characterizations are here.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:15 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I find it better to be honest with someone than keep them in the dark.

And, as a lawyer, that makes me insane.

Not telling Johnny that he isn’t going to see the field is worse than being honest with him, IMHO.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 12:24 PM EST up reply actions  

But again, it comes to a fine line

do you say “Johnny, look, you’re never going to see a down if you stay here. At best you might be on the practice squad for a whole year.” or “Johnny, you’re not good enough to be the starter now, but if you work hard in this, this, and this, maybe you can see some playing time at some point in the future.” Both ways are telling a kid he’s not going to be starting anytime soon, but one is more in line with what a real coach should be doing, not someone just trying to cut dead weight.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions  

You have to understand that we're talking about folks that have been around for some time.

A coach is unlikely to give the “If you work hard speech” to a RSJR, 4th-string safety who has had 4 years in the program and 3 years to make his way onto the field.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Again, I understand that

If a guy has his degree (or spent 4 years towards earning a degree), then in my mind the contractual agreement between the school and the student has been fulfiled and he can be “asked to move on” or whatever. I’m talking more along the lines of a soph or jr who perhaps hasn’t lived up to his billing or finds someone else has supplanted him on the depth chart being given the “time to move on” speech. And again, it comes down to a fine line between whats ethical and whats not.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah

particularly when a school is limited to 82 overall scholarships, but not limits on any given year. If 3-4 upperclassmen leave every year, they’re still getting full recruiting classes, and the sanction is entirely flaccid.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions  

exactly

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions  

When was your second sentence ever the issue?

In both cases, you’re telling him he isn’t going to see the field. In one, you’re just pretending to not care whether he stays or goes.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions  

What I mean is

In one instance, you tell the kid he probably won’t see a lot of playing time, but earnestly inform him that you still see him as a productive part of the team and want him to stay.

In the other instance, you tell the kid he won’t see the field and thank him and say all the nice and polite things, but make it abundantly clear he’s wasting his time and is approaching persona non grata. As Dennis said on Always Sunny “it’s the implication

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions  

That was one of funniest damn scenes in television

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Nobody has suggested we will (or should) employ #2. I guarantee you have used #1 in the past, and will do so in the future. And with #1 comes the willingness to help that player find another home if playing time is that important to them.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm not talking about Penn State

I’m talking about what a lot of other schools do, and what I perceive Urban Meyer is in the midst of doing.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Oh...

Urban’s definitely packing kids’ bags for them.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions  

See

’You got your black…

And you got your white.’

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

But it's not always a technicality.

Some coach could do that, but that doesn’t even make him wrong. If a kid wants to stay a part of the team, a coach can find a way for him to contribute. So what if two years prior the coach told him he’d have an opportunity to play early and develop. If he was given that opportunity and didn’t develop, then the coach should sit down and discuss options with him. If the kid elects to stay, the coach has to find a way for him to be a productive team member. That could be as a member of the scout team or as a fourth string fullback and special teams player.

Someone mentioned earlier that we aren’t in Little League. If there’s a kid who is a younger, better prospect at linebacker, it’s completely logical and not at all immoral to make room for him by shifting a kid to a different position.

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions  

It's called commitment.

The coach asks the player to make a commitment to their school. The school should honor their commitment to that kid. It’s not like the kid can just leave after a year and go play for a team that’s in national championship contention. There are so many rules restricting where, when and how kids can transfer and they are punished for doing that. There are absolutely no repercussions for a coach that decides not to honor the commitment they made to a player.

It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.

by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 3, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

That is why it is so important that you are honest when you recruit kids

If you promise them playing time and development into an NFL-caliber player, you’re basically being a politician that says what he/she needs to to get elected. But if you are honest, you tell them they will have the chance to compete, no more, no less. You promise to help them reach their potential as long as they put in the effort on their end, but you don’t promise to know what their potential is ahead of time.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions  

I apologize

but a lot of you guys are being really naive about the recruiting game. You’re assuming that coaches are ethical and honest and fair to people. History has shown that very few are.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions  

we've been spoiled for a long time in that regard.

somewhere around 60 years would be my guess.

by smh244 on Feb 3, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

I'm not being naive, I know the reality of the situation.

But I still think schools should honor the commitments that they make to the recruits. It’s entirely unfair that the school has a lot less incentive to honor commitments they make than the players do. This is people’s futures we’re talking about.

It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.

by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 3, 2012 12:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Again, notice the word should

I don’t disagree. What I’m saying is, this is not the reality. And it’s incredibly hard to actually write black letter rules that can deal with the problem.

So what ends up happening is that a coach or a conference or whatever comes in that has absolutely not qualms with pushing the envelope on that type of thing without obviously breaking the rule. Those teams have success. Either every team has to engage in the same unethical, but not illegal behavior, or they fall behind. So you either get haves and have-nots or a race to the bottom, where everyone is an asshole.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Let me convey what a douche bag coach did to my kid this year

He knew that the kid wanted to go to his school, but his school didn’t want him. But two conference foes did. He also knew that the kid had said he wouldn’t commit until he was sure where he wanted to go because he wanted to be a young man of his word. So to keep the kid from going to one of those schools in his conference who wanted him, he kept stringing him along until a week ago both schools filled their scholarship slots and my kid was left going to a non-bcs school. The coach at the un-named school was being a douche and taking advantage of a kid who confided his honorable intentions to him.

That is what you are dealing with.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Read my comments throughout this thread

and let me know if I’m being accurate with my characterizations. You’re as close as anyone on here to the actual recruiting game. I don’t have experience, but I’m incredibly cynical about this shit, and sadly, I’m probably on the right track…

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:47 PM EST up reply actions  

dead on

There are some schools who do it the right way and stand by their word. Miami of Ohio has been that way, Duke, I could go on and on. But there are some institutions that are straight up douche.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:21 PM EST up reply actions  

People aren't really trying to hear about kids getting screwed

but I’d bet your story about the kid being recruited to keep him from playing for rivals is not unique. Also, stories about kids getting promised specific things and then being asked to think about transferring 2 years later and kids being put on medical hardship waiver for injuries that they could have eventually come back from are not exactly rare either.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Can you say Saban?

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." Joseph Vincent Paterno 1926-2012

by Paige2PSU on Feb 3, 2012 2:04 PM EST up reply actions  

Auburn pot calling Bama kettle black?

Darlin’, you know they do the same shit on the plains.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Saban and Meyer were the worst.

Saban steals other school’s recruits and then whines about commitment when a kid decommits from Alabama to go to another school.

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." Joseph Vincent Paterno 1926-2012

by Paige2PSU on Feb 3, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions  

It depends on who the commitment is to

If it’s to someone else and they welch, then the commitment wasn’t really strong anyway. If it’s to Saban, then the kid is a spineless, "chest"less invertebrate

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Miles is the one berating former commits, not Saban.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Saban does it too.

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." Joseph Vincent Paterno 1926-2012

by Paige2PSU on Feb 3, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions  

There’s no such thing as stealing someone else’s recruits.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions  

No they don't Uhaul

They just give them briefcases full of money.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Absolutely not.

Cam was only going to get $180K from Miss. St….he went to AU for free. :)

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions  

Obviously

because he wanted to play for a coach with the stature that Chizik has.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions  

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't think I'm naive

I was just trying to say that IF a coach is up front with about what, exactly, the commitments are, then I don’t really have a problem if it just doesn’t work out for that kid and someone better comes in. That is called life. But if a coach is NOT upfront with a kid during recruitment, feeds him a bunch of BS, and then turns around and pulls something shady, I have a problem with that.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:54 PM EST up reply actions  

This conversation is hypothetical

Very few coaches don’t get politician-y in recruiting and promise kids everything. Those that do probably wouldn’t consider booting a kid for a fresh scholarship spot.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:59 PM EST up reply actions  

You're assuming a lot
the coach has to find a way for him to be a productive team member.

Does he have to? What if the coach would rather have an extra scholarship for the incoming class than a productive team member? I was saying that coaches do those things specifically to humiliate the kid, not to help the team. Like imagine at work if someone said “I’m not going to fire you, but your duties are going to be switched to that of an administrative assistant and your office is going to be given to someone else, and you’ll share cubicle space with the interns”

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions  

A good coach should find a way to make him a productive team member

that, in my opinion, is the sign of a good coach. Maximize the talent available. Not just ditch it for more talent.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Should

I’m saying, flat out, that many coaches aren’t like that. Let’s not fool ourselves. Coaches commonly “encourage” players to leave the program, because their scholarship spot will improve the team if given to a high-rated recruit.

They “maximize the talent available” by “cutting the fat” and bringing in more talent.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I understand that

I get how the game is run. But there are less ethically questionable ways of doing things like “cutting the fat” than some others. I would hope thats what our coaches strive for.

I have no problems with a coach sitting down with a 5th year guy or someone who probably wont play and saying “look, you really aren’t going to see much playing time”, but the question is do they just tell the kid (albiet in a much more subtle way) “hey, you should just transfer” or do they offer the opportunity to work with them so they do have a shot at making a contribution?

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions  

I would love for our school to do this

and I will be upset if they join the race to the bottom.

But as long as other schools exploit that shit, it’s very very hard to compete unless you pull the same bullshit. And that sucks.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions  

truth

I have to think that some, if not most, recruits would be appreciative of the no-bullshit approach, which is what BOB seems to embrace. Maybe not every kid, but if you need to talk out of both sides of your mouth just to make a kid happy enough to sign with you, what are the chances he really does anything while he’s there? I dont think there’s going to be a ton of hand holding at these schools once the kid signs, unless he’s a Cam Newton or Vince Young.

But honestly is what landed kids like Dwill and MRob, so it can work.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions  

There we go!

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions  

as long as

you don’t take away my red swingline. do that and i’m burning the building down.

by smh244 on Feb 3, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Reality sucks, but sometimes you need to face the truth.

If the kid isn’t good enough to start, it’s not likely that he’s going to be good enough to start at another school that is just as good or better, and you are unjustly depriving him of that opportunity. The kid still gets a college degree for being on that practice squad.

Yes, the kid could decide to transfer to another school if he’s so focused on playing time. But that’s a decision for the kid to make, not the coach. Most kids that play college football never make it to the NFL. While most/all of them would like to, the reality is they’re also getting a college degree from a reputable university. That’s their compensation and isn’t something that a coach should determine revoking.

It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.

by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 3, 2012 12:40 PM EST up reply actions  

If we're positing that he's allowing the kid to stay on the team rather than outright revoking his scholarship,

then yes, it’s in the coach’s best interest to make the player into a productive team member.

It’s not always black or white. Coaches aren’t either ethical or unethical. The ethical practice is the one we’ve described – have a conversation with a kid and lay out his options if he’s about to be passed over on the depth chart. If he decides to stay with the squad, then the coach has honored his commitment to him by finding him a spot. If a kid is “humiliated” by playing on the scout team, his options are either to get better or transfer/leave.

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions  

a lot of kids WANT to leave after 4 years

if they redshirted and still never played going into year 5, the majority of times they wanna leave and get on with their lives

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Here's the other thing

Even if the kid doesn’t have his degree after four years, he got four years of free school, and there are advisers and money people at Penn State that can figure out a way to defray most, if not all, of the cost a fifth year when sufficiently motivated. It’s not like you have to push them out on an ice flow.

Unrelated, but thing that I’ve always thought was interesting. I seem to recall situations where fringe guys that had eligibility left but had graduated and wanted to leave the team were allowed to be introduced on Senior Day. I’ve always wondered if a guy who was planning on leaving early to go to the NFL would be allowed to run out with the seniors if he made his announcement before the last game.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions  

they certainly have (run out on senior day)

I think the underclassmen turning pro thing is more common in hoops

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions  

I think Ki-Jana Carter had graduated.

Bowman too I think. They both red-shirted, so they left with degrees and a year of eligibility left. My question was if they went to the old man and said I’m going pro, I graduated, and this is my last game here, I’d like to run out with the Seniors, would he have let them? I mean technically, they were seniors.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions  

my memory is not certain

and I just looked up and found myself 12 years removed from PSU (sadder every year)

But I really think I recall guys running out after 4 years. I am certain I might be wrong though.

Glad I could help.

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions  

just realized not long ago.

I’m at thirteen years. 12 years? I didn’t get much exposure to the players, but one guy I did and who always seened pretty nice to me was Gus Felder. Dont know if it was a show or not, but seemed a genuinely good guy.

by smh244 on Feb 3, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions  

nice fella indeed

humble, quiet

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions  

on the other hand

I had the opportunity to meet the Crispin (sp?) brothers a few times, and both times they treated me like “the help.” Considering my job was in no way related to PSU, it pissed me off some.

by smh244 on Feb 3, 2012 1:52 PM EST up reply actions  

I hung out with

Joe Nastasi, Sean Lee, Cuncho Brown and Floyd Weddeburn once. One of them was my friend’s cousin and we hung out and played Tomb Raider in the apartment for a while. I never really put together that you played with these folks.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 1:52 PM EST up reply actions  

I wrote some vexatious statements on the Internet once

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:53 PM EST up reply actions  

yup

Cuncho and I were same class, the other 3 a year older

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions  

I shook Cuncho's hand

it was 14 or 15 years ago and it still left an impression on me. His fingers wrapped all the way around my hands. I felt like he was Dikembe Mutombo.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions  

HELL of a hoops player too

I think he dressed for a few PSU hoops games. So did Macklin. We had some real good basketball players. Jurevicius, Cuncho, Macklin, Courtney Brown, Doug Ostrosky, Lavar.

Believe it or not….Derek Fox was the most freakish dunker I’ve ever seen.

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Nastasi's little bro

Broke Kobe Bryant’s state record for poins scored in PIAA history. Joe was good in HS too, though the competition was decidedly very poor.

And that note about Fox is pretty unbelievable. I’ve heard the same thing about Ethan Kilmer from 2005, though, so who knows.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:33 PM EST up reply actions  

pound for pound best dunker I've ever seen

and I have Clipper season tickets this year

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions  

Wow.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:41 PM EST up reply actions  

I choose the

Angels as my baseball team back in ’79. And just to be totally anti-establishment I took the Clippers too. While never fully invested in the NBA, I am pleased to see the Clips finally not being a total screw up. (well as long as Paul stays healthy).

"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight

by rahpsu92 on Feb 3, 2012 2:43 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm an NBA fan

so the last 5 seasons, I’ve been picking off games when I can on stubhub (both Lakers and Clips)

met a Clip sales rep at a game two years ago, and he wore me down this last offseason and I made the plunge….TOTALLY lucked into the CP3 thing and it has been a blast this year so far

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions  

I shadowed Joe's brother AJ

in 5th grade B-ball. He could not be stopped. We lost 34-30 and AJ had 30 of their points. At some point I was told to tackle him.

by jarosity on Feb 5, 2012 12:43 AM EST up reply actions  

He scored some absurd number of points in HS

I think his average was way over 30

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 5, 2012 2:53 PM EST up reply actions  

One of my favorite, odd PSU memories

Was Ahmad Collins earnestly saying “Yo smoko el blunto. Philly style. That means you smoke a blunt!” in our summer 12-credit Spanish class. That dude was something.

Also, Stephen Pitts was one of the nicest people I’ve met anywhere.

by Chris Grovich on Feb 3, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions  

My ex

used to tutor football players in summer Spanish classes. Apparently that’s something football players usually do, take Spanish in the summer and get it done with.

Obviously all the dudes hit on her all the time, some more overtly than others. I met them a few times and had that awkward greeting where I’m kinda grilling them because I know they always hit on my girlfriend, but at the same time respecting their football status, and they’re grilling me because I’m dating a girl they would probably like to have sex with.

Rodney Kinlaw was a genuinely good dude, though, and mostly respectful, so I’ll throw his name out there.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, there were a bunch of players in that class

Quick, easy way to knock out three semesters’ worth of language credits. I’m trying to think of who else was in that class. Matt Fornadel and Brad Jones, for sure, because they dressed up as a bullfighter and bull for their final project (which was hilarious, because Fornadel’s costume was about four sizes small). How I remember this crap from 1995 or 1996 is beyond me.

by Chris Grovich on Feb 3, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Matt hosted me on my visit

and Jonesy is still a dear friend…he was at my wedding 2.5 years ago

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions  

another sidenote on Brad Jones, because I feel people should hear this

He was not the most physically gifted player, but made his way into the starting lineup in 1996 at guard as a junior through real hard work and toughness. We play USC in the opener, great win, he plays great, etc, etc. Got back to State College, didn’t feel good, so he went to the doc. Diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs that Monday and never played another down of football in his life.

Started exactly one game in his career. So fucking heartbreaking and he never complained. Spent the next two seasons helping out with the scout team and oline.

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions  

So this begets the question

were there any of them you would have let hit it? I know my gf in school had a class and worked on a project with Poz. She had standing permission to sleep with him and sire his love child.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions  

No

And the dude who was the biggest asshole was actually someone who never played. I understand most of the other players didn’t like him either. He was apparently outright lewd sometimes and thought he was the shit.

Anyway, my ex’s friend apparently tutored Poz. She had a boyfriend (who turned out to be a douche) and passed up a few legitimate opportunities to hang out with Poz, which we would mock her for later.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Very interesting.

My GF was a Spanish instructor at PSU from ’06 – ’09 and she had nothing but praise for all of the FB players, except for one.

Run.

by Bob Sacamano on Feb 3, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Would have been summer 06

the douche had initials DH

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions  

The player I’m talking about wasn’t a douche to my GF, she just told me that he was a scumbag. I won’t give initials, but I will say that he plays on Sundays.

Run.

by Bob Sacamano on Feb 3, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Damn that Kerry Collins

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions  

I tried to have her set up a legit situation

where I could meet him after one of their group meetings or something, but it never worked out. That or she purposely made sure it didnt happen, which in retrospect may have been a good thing. Restraining orders can stick with a man.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions  

the Ahmad dog story

surprises me not one bit

and, yeah, Stephen Michael was a helluva guy….only got to play with him one year

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Also, Ahmad...

…said to our teacher, again in the most sincere way ever, “instead of saying leche (for milk) can we just say ‘moo-moo’?”

I think Pitts and I both lived in Park Hill Apts. during that summer, or his girlfriend lived there. I remember he had a white Mustang that was like his baby.

Also the apartment complex where I burned a Miami shirt on the balcony after they crapped the bed in the 1995 Orange bowl against Nebraska. So it must have been the summer of ’95 when I took that class.

by Chris Grovich on Feb 3, 2012 3:54 PM EST up reply actions  

I had summer intensive language program

with Omar Easy (freak of nature), Kenny Watson, Matt Joyner, and Rick Slater…all great guys.

Slater was the smartest/toughest guy I ever met…real inspiration

May no act.................

by SweepTheLeg on Feb 3, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions  

whata diverse, and awesome

group that is

loved K-dub

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 5:02 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm actually talking about

doing things with the express purpose of humiliating. Like jerking around the kid and making him feel unwelcome. A non-punishment punishment for continuing to occupy the scholarship slot.

Most coaches are smart enough to know they shouldn’t actually pull a scholarship. But if they have a loaded conversation with a kid about maybe thinking about leaving, the kid doesn’t leave, and then they start jerking the kid around in a way that sends a message to the kid that they’re clearly being jerked around…well how is that really ethical?

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions  

I notice you didn't once use the word 'scholarship'

And much of the rest of your context includes language insinuating this player remains a part of the team.

As long as ‘make room for’ doesn’t ever move into scholarship revocation, I think we’re probably on the same page.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes.

I’m not in favor of scholarship revocation unless we’re talking about a rising 5th year senior who has been given four years to earn a degree and become a productive team member. If he’s not going to play significant minutes, then I think a school is well within its right to consider itself to have fulfilled its commitment.

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Got it

And with you.

And, ‘hi’, by the way.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Ha!

What’s up, tot?

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions  

Sup bud

Been sliggy slammed gettin ready for vacation. But tomorrow morning, it’s on. Check out this trifecta of freebies we scored:
1. Free place to stay at friends ski house in Breckendridge
2. Free tot-care at my mom’s in the 717 (wifey’s drivin em up now; was kinda sad saying goodbye for a week)
3. Continental Visa rewards for 2round trip direct flts to Denver, from DCA!
So stoked!

How you been?

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:05 PM EST up reply actions  

The snowboarder in me

is insanely jealous of you at the moment :(

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm def starting out on Monday on the board

May try going back to skis for one day, but mostly counting on boarding to keep my knees comfy.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Get this

my buddy is a skier, a good one at that. I’m a boarder and not too shabby. He tried boarding for the first time on Monday. He has tendonitis in his left knee and boarding was really bothering him. Then again it might have been because he was falling alot more than he does when he skies.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

That sounds fantastic and I'm immediately jealous.

Life’s been crazy personally and professionally. Starting to get back into the swing of things now, thankfully.

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 1:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Good to hear!

Will look forward to some new AC posts this Spring ;)

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions  

have a great time

wish I could still ski
/back, knees, fat gut

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions  

I've been working on my own fat gut

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions  

I am jealous

of the fact you get to go Skiing, but I myself always was a water person so I did more of the water skiing, surfing thing (well, when I could go surfing we all know the east coast isn’t good for that.)

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by Modanya on Feb 3, 2012 7:51 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree but do you really want to resemble the SEC ?

If you want poaching ( which I don’t care one way or another ) but then we should all be allowed to greyshirt and oversign kids. My guess is the Big 10 Commish wants a Nat’l Championship and he wants to start to win bowl games so of course he’s going to let teams like OSU oversign. Now the fact that he was able to get aways with it this year you know he will do it again next year. How long do you think it will take UM & Nebraska to follow suit ? If Ohio State gets away with it why cant we ? Just like when Alabama started doing it Auburn, FLA and LSU quickly copied it then Georgia, So.Car and LSU jumped on shortly thereafter. So I guess your right the Big10 will probably go the way of the SEC. Too bad.

by NJDeadhead on Feb 3, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions  

Those are not directly related issues.

Poaching does not beget oversigning or grayshirting, etc. If PSU has three legit openings, and poaches three top players from UM/OSU/whoever, that’s fine in my book.

by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 3, 2012 10:47 AM EST up reply actions  

Bielema and Dantonio

It’s time to put on your big girl pants. This is how it’s done in big time college football. What a bunch of whiners.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 10:26 AM EST reply actions  

Is it surprising that it is those two that are doing the crying?

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions  

I honestly cannot believe anyone is crying about this.

Everyone recruits commited players…everyone. In fact, a coach failing to do so would suggest that he is not doing his job. Bielema and Dantonio have both flipped commitments….and I didn’t hear Meyer whining about people “negative” recruiting against OSU with NCAA investigation.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 10:35 AM EST up reply actions  

I dont mind recruiting committed players

assuming those players are open to being recruited still. If a recruit is firm in his commitment to a school but the other coach is trying to skeeze his way in, I begin to worry, as that to me reeks of desperation. And desperation leads to illicit methods of recruiting and general foul play.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions  

I think Urbz' comment was something to the effect of...

“Do you [Joe Recruit] have any interest in us [Ohio State]? No? OK. Have a good life. Yes? Well, here, let me pitch you on our school.”

If the kid is open to be recruited, he really isn’t committed in the first place.

by Jeff Junstrom on Feb 3, 2012 10:44 AM EST up reply actions  

exactly my point

But I dont get the feeling from Urbz that he just says “oh ok, we’re going to move on then”. I get the feel its a couple more calls and visits that are like “hey, are you sure about going there? I mean, they don’t even have the chicken cosmo anymore…”

You can argue that a kid who flips his commitment was never fully committed in the first place, but a kid might really be sold on a place, only to hear a bunch of lies and negative recruiting that makes him change. And remember, these are all 18 yo kids who can be easily swayed by some of these adults.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions  

judging from his recruiting tactics before at Florida

yes, I get that feeling from him. Urbz seems to be willing to tell these kids anything and apparently has absolutely no issues with chasing down recruited kids. I limit it to just “I have a feeling” as I have no concrete evidence in the matter, therefore I cant say anything more definitive.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, it may be Bielema and Dantonio, but...

I definitely think Urban was doing more than just asking if they were interested and hanging up the phone if they weren’t.

Author on Anfield Asylum - YNWA

by iamrobk on Feb 3, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions  

Eh.

I cannot base my opinion on conjecture.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions  

we should elect you to the BoT

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 12:04 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

He wasn't calling them girls in a way that spoke badly about how girls act.

He was saying that they had vaginas.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

There's a paper about use of feminine language in literary sports discourse too.

Success with Hyperlinking will inspire all of my research papers from this point forward.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 12:18 PM EST up reply actions  

A friend did a fully funded project on the two different female football leagues.

I was so mad I didn’t think of it. Her presentation was full to capacity, my American identity presentation had around 15 people I didn’t know and the two guys I made friends with at the social events the night before.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 2:04 PM EST up reply actions  

by female football leagues

you’re referring to the lingerie football league, right?

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions  

She compared the lingerie league to the IWFL.

Yes, there were pictures.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions  

would this presentation be available online?

I have a sudden interest of feminism relating to sports.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions  

Nope.

But I can tell you all about a deconstructionist approach to defining Anerican identity through immigrant literature. That’s sexy, right? Right?

/nerd

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 2:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

sounds extremely hot to me!

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Where would my self esteem be without you?

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 2:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Sure

immigrant literature is totally hot.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions  

it was good enough for the two guys I convinced to come.

I don’t know what that says about them.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 3:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I actually played football in High school

as a female. I started out as a running back, but since I played soccer in the spring they moved me to field goal (Also I think guys got all butt frustrated about tackling a girl) Which they didn’t even know I was until I took my helmet off tehe….

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by Modanya on Feb 3, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions  

I think being 6ft

was why it was easy to forget I was female

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by Modanya on Feb 3, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Have you seen the Lingerie Football League.

Notwithstanding the Lingerie, it’s actually pretty watchable. Better than Arena Football.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 2:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Philly has a team

Just throwing that one out there.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Possibly

Like I said just throwing that one out there and seeing what sticks.

But yeah pretty much.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Mmm

Good Cheesewiz on a Pat’s steak… I hear ya.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm impressed

simply because I can barely walk down the street with my underwear half stuck in my butt, let alone run for 89 yards on 17 carries and 2 TDs

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Have you tried?

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Did you get any action

out of that?

"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight

by rahpsu92 on Feb 3, 2012 2:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Interestinfly

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 3:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Sorry, my phone freaked out.

But yes, I did.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 3:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I'm actually impressed with BOB during this

and so glad he isn’t being a whiny bitch like Bert B. Yeah, so we lost some good kids to Urban Meyer. He was still able to salvage a decent class of kids. Hopefully, he’ll turn out to be the next big recruiting guru and give Meyer a run for his money.

If they ever tell my story let them say that I walked with giants. Men rise and fall like the winter wheat, but these names will never die. Let them say I lived in the time of Bradley, tamer of offenses. Let them say I lived in the time of Paterno.

by SarcasmJam on Feb 3, 2012 10:30 AM EST reply actions  

I'm thinking BoB can't wait to recruit next year, full time

I have a feeling he knows alot about recruiting from his days in the south and the B1G might be in for a big suprise when PSU hits the recruiting trail with its new staff.

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 12:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Lasch Building Signs

I had seen the first one, but not the second. 1, 3, 4 & 5 are awesome and #2 is surprising. I’m guessing it fits in with 3 & 4 in that the coaching staff is asking the players to strongly consider their messaging about themselves and the program.

But ‘managing expectations’ has always been a lightning rod for me. As in, if I start to feel you managing mine, I get upset and a little indignant. Like, ‘why don’t you just do your job instead of trying to control or manage my reactions. In a fundamental sense, expectations are in the eye of the beholder imho and attempts & campaigns to manage them always felt a little heavy-handed or big brothery.

All that personal shite being said, I’m kinda interested in the fact that BOB has included it as a player responsibility. Color me very interested in seeing how it evolves and resolves going forward.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 10:32 AM EST reply actions  

It seems to fit in with what we know of his philosophy so far though

ie, he’s looking for motivated guys who will set goals and strive to meet them. Not just pick up some kid who wants to coast by.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 10:35 AM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, I agree it fits

And I do think it’s cool. But it’s definitely a new add-on, isn’t it? It’s giving a pretty big PR assignment to your players. It’s well done, in that it includes ‘speak for yourself’ and ’don’t fuel or believe the hype,’ but the ‘manage expectations’ is asking them to do some PR work for the program while still doing 3, 4 & 5.

Actually, the more I think about it, that combo of Manage Expectations & Speak for Yourself is very subtle & savvy. Ska, tell me if this characterization of that seems fair: ‘go out and do some messaging work for the program, but make sure it’s understood to only be from you.’

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions  

definitely agree

They seem to be genuinely concerned with image, which is completely understandable and totally acceptable, not only given the situation we’re in, but just as a general practice. You want these kids to be responsible for their own actions so as to represent the university as a whole in a favorable light.

It also seems to be making these kids more self sufficient and self-reliant. Set your own expectations, take responsibility for yourself, etc. Basically, you’re young men and this University and coaching staff isn’t going to coddle you the whole time. We’re going to give you the tools and the training so you can go out into the world on your own as men. Same message as before, just a little different take on it.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 10:54 AM EST up reply actions  

Haha, yeah
Set your own expectations,

You hit on the ambiguity in that #2. Whose expectations is BOB directing the players to manage? It’s an imperative with no subject or predicate. I see you interpreted it to mean manage one’s own expectations. I was originally looking at it as directing them to manage the expectations of all the people they talk to; the media, their families, their classmates.

More cleverness built into the whose expectations being undefined.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions  

Minus the beard thing

Guys look better when they’re clean shaven. I’ve always enjoyed that our teams just look better than all the other teams. If he’s so concerned with image…

Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, We Are - Tennyson

by belbijou on Feb 3, 2012 12:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Well he probably can't grow a beard

Could you imagine all the crazy treasures that would get caught in that crevasse if he grew a beard? It would be the Bermuda Triangle of lunch leftovers.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions  

you may

Be interested to know (or not), that Belichick has been hanging those (almost identical) signs in pats facilities. Off the top of my head, manage expectations and don’t fuel the hype are the same and in the same positions.

"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace

by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 3, 2012 10:46 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I can't tell yet if I'm interested in that or not

But I know I’m now interested in the signs’ content. What do you think about sign 2, #s 1-5?

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 10:48 AM EST up reply actions  

it depends if its genuine.

For many years now Pats players have sounded scared to talk about what happens “in house”. To me that is totally contrary to the spirit of speak for yourself. I never liked the mandate to manage expectations. I guess the point is "don’t give the opposition bulletin board material. But it sounds more like an attempt at playing a coy game with the public.

"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace

by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 3, 2012 10:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Yeah, I don't like the saying "manage expectations"

I’ve always associated it with setting a low bar. Like “a Big Ten championship next season really isn’t realistic, but we could definitely get to 9 wins”. I don’t want players going out and talking trash and acting like their big shit, but I also want our guys to believe every single season that they are capable of winning a MNC. Believe in yourself, take care of your business, do your best, and let the chips fall where they may. If fans want to get all hyped up, let them (just don’t buy into it). Let your actions speak for you.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions  

Honey, I can't guarantee you're going to enjoy this...

but I’ll buy you something real nice for breakfast.

Unrepentant Joe Paterno Apologist®

by leeharvey418 on Feb 3, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions  

He totally welches on the breakfast though.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 11:18 AM EST up reply actions  

And he secretly video tapes it too

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 11:19 AM EST up reply actions   2 recs

And watches it with Charlie Weiss.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Common misconception

Charlie Weiss has no defined “meals” as he is in a constant state of eating.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

He did have gastric bypass surgery...

the constant eating is just a necessary byproduct of avoiding big meals.

"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight

by rahpsu92 on Feb 3, 2012 2:56 PM EST up reply actions  

I thought he ate so hard the band burst.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 2:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Ate so hard

motherfuckers always find me?
In buffet lines you can always find me?
Want some Mac & Cheese? Better keep movin’ if your stuck behind me.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

He lures Weiss in with the free breakfast offer too.

It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.

by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 3, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions  

So everybody leaves disappointed.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

I have these frozen waffles

and if your lucky there might be a pop-tart in the cupboard. Go get it sweetheart.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

You guys..

are totally grossing me out with this Belichick sub thread

by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 3, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions  

And Roofie Coladas

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 11:24 AM EST up reply actions  

No wonder Charlie has a FUPA

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions  

3. Don't Believe or Fuel the Hype

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Maybe its more of a

Dont come in here with goals of winning the Heisman 4 years in a row and beating every record, but intead bettering yourself every day and becoming the best player you can be. Remember, these are 18-22 year old kids. Setting too high of expectations on yourself all the time can be just as detrimental as too low of expecations.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Yeah, this

I think it’s him trying to tell them not to get ahead of themselves. Don’t think TOO highly of yourself.

Author on Anfield Asylum - YNWA

by iamrobk on Feb 3, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions  

I'm totally good with that

I just think there are better phrases to use. But that is just my interpretation of that phrase.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 11:08 AM EST up reply actions  

in my opinion

If that were true, it would be on the sign on your way into the facility, not when you’re leaving.

"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace

by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 3, 2012 11:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

kind of like

are you going to get better today, or worse. Your choice.

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Haha, exactly

That’s the downside of that phrase—that what you’re really doing is sandbagging.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions  

Yes, sandbagging is a good word to use there

I just seem to usually here that phrase when things aren’t going well. Like “We’ve hit an iceberg and the boat is is sinking. We have enough lifeboats for most of you, but honestly, if you’re poor, don’t expect too much. Actually, you probably want to start resigning yourself to your fate. Cheerio.”

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions  

Exactly

Managing expectations upward is indeed less common. But it’s out there. Pat Chambers has come in and done that with hoops and #ATTITUDE. Sanderson has done that with wrestling and championships.

Maybe Dave Joyner & Ira Lubert have done that with BOB?

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions  

BEARDS BEARDS BEARDS

EVERYBODY GROW OUT YOUR FUCKING BEARD YEEEEEEEEEEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."
Black Shoe Diaries
@runthedive

by Peter Gray on Feb 3, 2012 10:46 AM EST reply actions  

What about the Zordstache?

Can we see a rebirth of the Zordestache?

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions  

The Zordstache doesn't die

it only rests until the time is right to strike

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:04 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I heard that the Stache

Doesn’t need rest, just long bouts of staring.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm down with the beards

the hats? not so much

hopefully this isn’t “the beginning of the end” of player conduct

/half joking

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 11:56 AM EST up reply actions  

I hear you

It’s not about hats or no hats, it’s about a sort of standard of discipline. If he can let them wear hats but make sure the discipline and conduct is still upheld in general, then that’s fine.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:20 PM EST up reply actions  

If it's more of an "anything goes" approach

well, that doesn’t make me happy.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:20 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree

Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, We Are - Tennyson

by belbijou on Feb 3, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm ok with hats,

as long as they’re Abe Lincoln style stovepipe hats.

"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987

by icavalera on Feb 3, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I don't mind them having beards, as long as it's neat,

but I don’t like BOB letting them grow their hair out. I don’t think it looks good on most guys.

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." Joseph Vincent Paterno 1926-2012

by Paige2PSU on Feb 3, 2012 2:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes, Poz included.

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." Joseph Vincent Paterno 1926-2012

by Paige2PSU on Feb 3, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions  

If you don't want to lose recruits to Urbz

do a better job of locking down your commits. It’s that simple. This isn’t little league, and you don’t get a trophy for trying. And guess what? If you go out and beat tOSU into the ground each year, kids are gonna start paying less attention to what Urbz is telling them anyway.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 10:55 AM EST reply actions  

Verbal commitments mean nothing.

If they did, you would not have to sign a National Letter of Intent. Lock down your commits and it will not be a problem.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 11:11 AM EST up reply actions  

What?

Does this mean that JayPa’s Xbox has been officially retired?

When was the ceremony?

by CDRS on Feb 3, 2012 10:55 AM EST reply actions  

Really liking how BOB is putting his stamp on the program..

1) Hair/Facial Hair – Don’t have a huge problem with it as long as player’s look presentable when it counts (media day, press, etc). Back in the 70’s and 80’s player’s had longer hair. Chaz Powell basically had a ‘fro this year. Didn’t bother me.

2) The motivational signs, a bit cheesy but I think its ultimately a pretty good idea. Hopefully gets the player’s serious about whatever environment they’re in.

by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 3, 2012 11:06 AM EST reply actions  

Need some rules

A lot of these things are arbitrary. What looked sloppy to Joe or my grandma looks normal to younger people. As long as they handle their responsibilities and show up time (early). I imagine they’ll still dress up on the road. Tom Brady is always dressed up in post game interviews. I imagine BOB expects that.

I think Silas Redd would look great with a big Amish beard.

Hats in the building are ok but NOT
- In church or during any prayer
- at the dinner table
- during the national anthem
- when entering home of new girlfriend’s mother

by reedjohnmiller on Feb 3, 2012 8:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Need some rules

A lot of these things are arbitrary. What looked sloppy to Joe or my grandma looks normal to younger people. As long as they handle their responsibilities and show up time (early). I imagine they’ll still dress up on the road. Tom Brady is always dressed up in post game interviews. I imagine BOB expects that.

I think Silas Redd would look great with a big Amish beard.

Hats in the building are ok but NOT
- In church or during any prayer
- at the dinner table
- during the national anthem
- when entering home of new girlfriend’s mother

by reedjohnmiller on Feb 3, 2012 8:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Damn servers

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 8:34 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

RE: Player Poaching....

It’s ironic that MSU and Wisconsin, team’s that have been the most successful in the B1G the last two years, are suddenly flipping shit about Urban Meyer.

As many others have noted, they didn’t lose nearly the number of recruits PSU did to OSU.

Methinks that those guys are seeing the writing on the wall- that they don’t have the national recognition in terms of brand, tradition or coaching resume as OSU, UM and PSU. You could argue that OSU has the best of those three entities while PSU and UM have 2/3.

by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 3, 2012 11:09 AM EST reply actions  

reccedy

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions  

Tim Tebow

I would like Tebow to HONESTLY say how he feels Meyer prepared him for the NFL. Granted, he was a winner in college, but that doesn’t always mean a successful NFL career. And he did get drafted higher than anyone thought, but with all of the baggage he has had to deal with through the wonderful Media hogs at ESPN, did he think that Meyer used him and then threw him out to the wolves?

I’m hoping that Meyer has his 2 year stint with tOSU and is outahere before we know it. I think that would be how I would start a conversation with a potential recruit if i were BOB.

by denise60134 on Feb 3, 2012 12:06 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't see why Tebow would be upset.

By all accounts, he had a great relationship with Meyer. He was ideally suited for that offense, won a Heisman Trophy and two BCS Titles. And he starts in the NFL.

I’m not sure Tebow would have become a better NFL prospect by playing in a “pro style” system in college. If anything, Meyer’s offense accentuated the positive attributes he has so that people overlooked his mediocre passing ability.

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions  

I know he has a great relationship with Meyer, but from everything I have seen and heard, he really did not prepare him for his next job in the NFL. All of the QB experts have said that his motion is wrong, and it could have been fixed when he were younger. Seems like something I would question. That is all I am saying.

by denise60134 on Feb 3, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions  

I can buy into that.

Although I do think throwing motion is overrated, much like a baseball swing. Not everyone can look like Peyton Manning or Joe DiMaggio. Philip Rivers is successful and has a bizarre motion. Gary Sheffield and Kevin Youkilis have strange stances. Sometimes things are just ingrained.

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions  

OT

But Gary Sheffield had such unique batspeed that he could have started facing the catcher. It would be like if a QB could throw 95 yards but had a strange delivery.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes. This

He had such strong hands/wrists that it didn’t matter what stance he had. His batspeed made up for it.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions  

There's a nature/nurture argument there too

He had a pretty wonky stance with his hands being low and the bat pointing toward the pitcher when the pitcher released the ball that took a lot more effort to get to the proper hitting position. But the reason his swing developed like that is because it could. Because it was his rhythm, and he knew how long it took him to get his hands back and then attack the ball. You literally can’t teach that type of thing.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Same with Bagwell

His stance was so awkward, yet it worked for him. I remember reading an interview he gave where he was like, “look kids, it works for me, but don’t try this in a game because it probably won’t work for you” or something along those lines.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions  

Steroids

may or may not work for you, too.

by No.21 on Feb 3, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions  

I'd agree more on Bagwell

Not that Sheffield didn’t juice at all in his career, but his batspeed and wrists were otherwordly back when he played for Milwaukee and San Diego.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions  

It is all about where the hands are when the hips begin rotation.

you can hold your bat anywhere as long as you are strong enough to get it into position in .2 seconds. strong hands a must. Want your child to hit, teach him/her to do fingertip pushups at a young age. Will be a good start.

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions  

See

I don’t get the steroid rumors with Bagwell. Yea, it’s possible that he did but nobody has ever come out and said he did or anything even second hand like that.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions  

A quick search

brought this up.
On the interweb=must be true.

by No.21 on Feb 3, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Just want to point out

that the article I linked to was fiction. It doesn’t say that until an addendum at the end of the (long) article.

by No.21 on Feb 3, 2012 2:53 PM EST up reply actions  

I wouldn't say for sure he did

But I could never keep a straight face and use the Griffey, Jr. defense I use with Bagwell. If I had to bet my own money, there is 0% chance I’d ever bet that he didn’t use steroids.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions  

I would agree with that statement

Just a shame that everybody is assumed dirty because of how prevalent it was in the last 1-2 decades.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions  

There's definitely an argument that not EVERYBODY was

But if you want to make that argument, you don’t use Jeff Bagwell.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions  

That'd be a terrible position to take

When it comes to sports and cheating and stuff, I’m very cynical. However, there are a few guys that it would crush me to find out that they used. As much as I dislike the Yankees and Derek Jeter, he would be one. Chipper Jones would be another. Same with Griffey Jr and Greg Maddux. Not saying there is zero chance they ever did, but if it was proven they did, I’d be crushed.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions  

It would kill me to learn that Rafael Belliard used steroids.

Because how in the fuck would that make any sense?

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Like when

all those nondescript middle relievers kept popping up on the lists.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions  

No, that I could see.

Belliard fucking sucked really hard.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Without them he

doesn’t even make the majors. Makes more sense for a borderline MLB guy to juice to get over the hump for the $$ grab than a successful guy to pad his stats to guarantee he makes the HoF.

"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight

by rahpsu92 on Feb 3, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions  

If he was juicing it damn well better have been with a sugar pill.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 3:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Pimp Larry. Pimp.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Until the side effects kicked in

and little Larry was not ready for his at bat.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions  

FTFY

Chipper was too busy chasing taileating at Hooters to juice.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions  

I hear you on that

I seriously doubt there were more than a handful of Pirates players who juiced. I followed them closely, and very few players ever appeared to be interested in making themselves better by standard means, let alone by using performance enhancers.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Brian Giles

would be the exception.

I do remember Lloyd McClendon once saying something to the effect of “look at our stats, do you really think anyone here is on ’roids?”

by PSU Mudder on Feb 3, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Bagwell admitted to taking Andro when it was legal

that’s about it. He (by his own account and others’) spent too much time in the weight room, which ironically ended his career, because he developed an arthiritic shoulder from lifting too much.

I’m not saying Baggy never roided. But it’s never been proven, he’s never showed up on any lists, and the only “evidence” that he did was that he got really big and hit a lot of home runs during a time when a lot of guys were juicing. Innocent until proven guilty.

For the record, I’m a life-long Astros fan and Bagwell is my favorite player of all time. So yes, I’m biased. But it kills me to see guys with HOF votes not give him the nod because they suspect he used steroids when they have no proof to back it up.

"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"

by DrewRusse on Feb 3, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions  

He should be in the HOF

and the fact that he might not make it in because some people think “he might have” is a joke.

Same with Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. I don’t like either of those guys but they are clearly 2 of the better ball players of any era.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Clemens & Bonds are essentially established cheaters.

Bags is not.

Huge difference. Bags should be in, screw the other two.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Bonds was a great player

before the juice. Same with Clemens. Both took the juice for various reasons. However, that doesn’t remove the fact that with or without steroids they were great players.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Indeed.

But I cannot abide by their disrespecting the honor of the game.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions  

Bonds was a cocky asshole

with a candy arm, who refused to take a few steps in when Van Slyke told him to, and thus was unable to throw out SID FUCKING BREAM, coming home from 2nd.

/Pirates fan’d

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Seriously

Sid “the sloth” Bream. There are giant turtles that are faster than he is. As a Braves fan, that is a happy time. However, Bonds is/was/will always be a prick.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:38 PM EST up reply actions  

For the record

I don’t really think that “morals” should come into the HOF debate. There are literally hundreds of dispicable people in Cooperstown. To pretend that steriod users can’t be enshrined to “protect the sanctity” of the Hall is horseshit.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions  

It's not a moral issue for me.

It’s a fairness one. I don’t think you should be honored if you cheated.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Steeler's offensive line in the late 70's?

hence all offensive players’ stats.

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 2:36 PM EST up reply actions  

So the guys from the 70s

who doctored the ball or used greenies and other stuff to get an advantage shouldn’t be in?

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I am of the opinion

That Dock Ellis should be in the Hall of Fame expressly because of his use of substances.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions  

And once more

My stance on the issue is slightly changing. I used to be deadset against any/all cheaters. But throughout baseball history, cheating (in various forms) has been tolerated and cultivated. So to keep the steriods users out means we need to go back and clean out all the other cheaters.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions  

to bad you couldn't figure out a way to cheat to hit better!

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 4, 2012 7:55 AM EST up reply actions  

andro is/was juicing

IMHO

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions  

I understand

but andro crosses the line for me. I fault baseball for not outlawing the stuff, but the players have to take some accountability.

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 2:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Okay, but it was legal and permitted at the time.

Is using creatine juicing?

"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"

by DrewRusse on Feb 3, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions  

I've never taken either one

so I can’t really comment on the difference

my understanding is that creatine is just a protein like supplement…andro is more of a chemical thing.

I don’t know, I’m definitely out of my element here….but it just seemed so clear that McGwire was juicing, and he was an andro dude. It seemed to make a clear competitive advantage

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 2:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Also

HGH is still basically untestable, since it’s a natural substance. A lot of dudes still use it to enhance performance. It stretches the line because it’s illegal but you can’t get caught unless you’re caught red-handed.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 2:56 PM EST up reply actions  

I dont think his issue is that the motion is unorthodox

its that it takes a quarter and a half for the windup.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 1:30 PM EST up reply actions  

I'd rather be in the NFL unprepared

Than not in the NFL. Tebow doesn’t sniff the league as a pro-style passer.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions  

This was much more succinct that what I was trying to say.

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

The better guy...

to ask would be Alex Smith.

"Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last"

by Esteban d' Amur on Feb 3, 2012 12:59 PM EST up reply actions  

Is holding this pose for 30 seconds his response to every question in a press conference?

Until I hear otherwise, I assume this is the case.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions  

Should get used to this....

He makes this face when he attempts to stop an offense.

Operative word being “attempts.”

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Since when did they allow you to throw the football? That's new.

It is easy to go down into Hell; night and day, the gates of dark Death stand wide; but to climb back again, to retrace one's steps to the upper air - there's the rub, the task.

by Succss With Honor Always on Feb 3, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions  

Forward Pass?

What is this you speak of?

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions  

What's that brown thing the quarterback is holding?

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions  

If it's Bolden, it's probably a turd.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions   2 recs

I know. I actually have nothing against the kid

And I want to see if BOB can salvage him. I just couldn’t pass that opportunity up.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions  

Jesus..

I hope this guy can coach defense, or at least “appear” to coach defense while Larry and Ron do all the work

by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 3, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions  

Needs a tad more animation.

"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.

"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."

by PSU_Lions_84 on Feb 4, 2012 11:42 PM EST up reply actions  

If you stare at it long enough, the background moves.

The Roofster remains perfectly still, though.

Unrepentant Joe Paterno Apologist®

by leeharvey418 on Feb 5, 2012 12:01 AM EST up reply actions  

I was afraid of that --

Roofster staying still, I mean.

"Make haste to reassure us, I beg you, and tell us that our fellow citizens understand us, support us, and protect us as we ourselves are protecting the glory of the Empire.

"If it should be otherwise, if we should have to leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then beware the fury of the Legions."

by PSU_Lions_84 on Feb 5, 2012 12:05 AM EST up reply actions  

Btw...

I find it mildly amusing that Meyer fled the SEC because the recruiting was too stressful, only to get bitched at for making recruiting stressful in the B1G.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 11:36 AM EST reply actions  

isnt it conjecture that he fled for that reason?

"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace

by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 3, 2012 11:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Finding reasons why one of your players has pictures of stolen laptops,

Pretending that you care about your players grades…

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 11:53 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

like your wife finding you with coeds.

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 12:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Explain this Meyer Rumor to me...

The whole he “got involved with a cheerleader” thing. Did this actually happen? I could care less, but I’ve read it enough and its kind of funny.

by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 3, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions  

It came out around the first time he decided to step away from Fla.

around the time he had some problems after the LSU game that season.

"It doesn't matter what people think of me," Joe said. "I've lived my life. I just hope the truth comes out. And I hope the victims find peace."

by BMAN13 on Feb 3, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Re: what I said via Twitter

I was talking more about the HOW than the WHAT. Stealing recruits sucks, but is obviously somewhat accepted, since everyone’s done it at some point. But how these things are done are open to a lot of criticism, both ethically and “legally”.

Key part of quote “and the situation got rectified”. That signifies to me that BB wasn’t talking about flipping recruits, but something about the method he was using to do that or to recruit generally. If you take Bielema’s word, he saw or heard something that he thought was bullshit, called Meyer on it, and Meyer said “oops” and stopped doing it.

Also, let it be know, I hate Bielema more than Urban, I’m just trying to look at this objectively. Of course this could all be way off. It’s hard to draw conclusions from word choice when someone uses the word poignant horribly in the preceding sentence.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 11:52 AM EST reply actions   1 recs

Knowing Meyer, he probably to Bret to go F himself.

And kindly suggested he work on those 2013 and 2014 Wisconsin kids, b/c Meyer wanted him at his fighting weight when he bitch slapped him again.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Dude, you love Meyer

He looks cool in this whole situation, but let’s be honest: he’s not that cool. Seriously. People are making him out to be some cold-blooded hitman or something. He’s a football coach who tries harder than almost every other football coach, and has no qualms with filling the space between ethical and against the rules. He’s not John Wayne.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

wait

what John Wayne movie are we talking about?

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:32 PM EST up reply actions  

He's a football coach with an inventive offense

who was very good when his backyard was filled with some of the best recruits in the country and when he was in a morally and ethically ambigious conference on the role of the “student-athlete”. It’s an open question how well he’ll do in Columbus.

I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.

by spakajewia on Feb 3, 2012 12:34 PM EST up reply actions  

The only thing you have to change there is the piece about the conference

the school has always leaned close to that standard anyway. It’s not much of a different situation at all.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't "love Meyer."

I hate whining about recruiting. But it would not surprise me in the least if he told Bret to kiss his ass.

by Uhaul on Feb 3, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions  

It just dawned on me

how weird it would be to see Troy Polamalu’s hair flying around the back of a Penn State uniform. I love Troy, but I don’t think I would like that.

Not everyone has to have crew cuts and clean shave, but I do hope it stays presentable.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:06 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Chaz Powell..

had a major freakin’ Afro. Not far off from Polamalu

by Artiefufkin10 on Feb 3, 2012 12:08 PM EST up reply actions  

t stick out the back of his helmet.

i definitely agree with ryan on this. i don’t like seeing dreadlocks sticking out of helmets. it looks real dumb to me. i hope that doesn’t start happening here.

by NuclearLion on Feb 3, 2012 12:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, basically I want to see everyone look good in the uniforms

which basically means keeping the hair in the helmet. I also love Kiesel’s beard, but it just isn’t for Penn State, IMO. As long as everyone looks good in uniform, and presentable out of it, I don’t really care. Having said that, it really isn’t that big an issue for me.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Maybe I'm in the minority on this

but I don’t care about the dreadlocks/long hair thing at all. Half the guys are tatted up anyway, so what’s the point of making them cut their hair?

"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"

by DrewRusse on Feb 3, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Find me a guy who spelled "God's Gift" out with his dreadlocks and we'll talk.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions  

My point is

that Joe instituted the no beards/no long hair to promote the idea that they were a team anot to individuals, correct? Well, when everyone on the team has their own individual tat sleeves, that really sort of renders that moot.

"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"

by DrewRusse on Feb 3, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah but my point is tattoos are hilarious and dreads are boring.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions  

it's an aesthetic thing from my viewpoint

tats i don’t mind at all. dreadlocks (or for that matter, stringy blonde hair) sticking out from the back of the helmet upsets me on a very basic level.

even if denard robinson wasn’t playing for michigan, i’d want to punch him in the face for that stupid hair. it’s dumb.

by NuclearLion on Feb 3, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

I base my entire wardrobe on avoiding what NuclearLion thinks looks dumb.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions  

^^^Is a pretty man^^^

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions  

You know it.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Just the other day I was just admiring your

snowy white hair and beard in your avatar. CLoser look tells me that maybe that’s not a beard but a sweet fur stole.

"If there’s a villain in this tragedy. It lies in that investigation, not in Joe Paterno’s response to it," ~ Phil Knight

by rahpsu92 on Feb 3, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, why care?

If it actually made you better, sure. But it doesn’t.

by cwarner28 on Feb 3, 2012 7:08 PM EST up reply actions  

Polamalu doesn't have a fro

He has a lion’s mane. If it were a fro, it would have like a 3 foot diameter, easily.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:21 PM EST up reply actions  

As long as it stays under the helmet, i'm ok.

Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, We Are - Tennyson

by belbijou on Feb 3, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

I agree, so far with BOB

I didn’t love the recruiting class but most of that isn’t his fault so I don’t blame him or the staff for the class they had. I was originally a little concerned when he was 1st rumored to have the job he agent released a statement, “that my client only aspires to be a head coach in the NFL. I don’t know how going back down to college helps him achieve that”. So far though I don’t mind anything he’s done. I will give him the benefit of the doubt until he starts losing to bad teams. And I agree DO NOT TOUCH THE UNIFORMS !!

by NJDeadhead on Feb 3, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Random Question for the day

Would you rather have Urban Meyer at OSU for only 3 years, but know he would dominate those 3 years and win a MNC before leaving/retiring forever OR have Meyer only produce relatively good teams, 8-10 wins a season, with a real shot at beating him every year, but and still be all Urban Meyer-y in his recruiting and whatnot and have him stay for close to a decade?

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:13 PM EST reply actions  

option 2

"my dad says Michigan used to be good"

by hbeach08 on Feb 3, 2012 12:15 PM EST up reply actions  

How is that hard?

You’d consider signing up for three years of (let’s say, cheat-free, hypothetically) 3 years of brutus dominance?

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Ok, that makes sense

by the by, that new Tatiana still hasn’t shown up yet. I’ll have to wait til I return from vacation to assess the relative hotness. She may have a tough go of it proximity-wise, as her cube is been an Angelica & a Valentina, both with significant assets.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions  

I want the B1G to become the best conference in the country

If we can’t compete, hire another guy so we can. I want OSU to be as good as they can possibly be, and I want us to be better.

I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.

by spakajewia on Feb 3, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions  

No.

Fuck Ohio State. I want pimp slap them around like ho’s. I want a series of 63-14’s.

by Ab4PSU on Feb 3, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions  

I see what you're saying

Be the best by being better, not by everyone else being worse. I agree. But out of the choices above I still pick #2

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions  

I used to want good things for the rest of the B1G

but after seeing how the rest of the conference acted, first with respec to Nebby coming in, and second the whole JS thing, well I don’t give a rats ass about them anymore. They can all lose all their games from now on.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, I don't want the B1G to ever succeed.

With regards to conference strength, let our results speak for themselves.

Run.

by Bob Sacamano on Feb 3, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions  

I want PSU to go unbeaten every year

but frankly I don’t care if the Big Ten is any good and I don’t want OSU to win another game, ever.

by FB6244 on Feb 3, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions  

I really don't see him dominating.

Why did he leave Florida? He says health. Look at the talent in the state of Florida, ane he walks away? Come on, man. The pressure in Division I-A football is intense, and Meyer might not like the other bullshit that comes with coaching at that level.

Also, with all Florida’s talent, what was Florida’s record in Meyer’s last year. We should have beaten Florida in the bowl game if it wouldn’t have been for McPickSix.

Meyer is somebody we’re going to have to contend with, no doubt. But he’s no Joe Paterno.

by Ab4PSU on Feb 3, 2012 12:18 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Easily option 2

Option 2 has at least 3 positives:
1) Beat tOSU
2) Meyer further drags tOSU’s name through the mud (though for the record I’m not totally convinced he’s a bad guy…but let’s assume otherwise for right now)
3) 10 years of both of the above = more pain for tOSU fans

And let me just say that I actually was very impressed by the number of tOSU fans that were supportive of Penn State after Joe’s passing. My desire to see them fail is far less motivated by anything malicious now than it used to be.

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:20 PM EST up reply actions  

I should clarify

option 2 doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re good and are dominating, but rather most years we have as good a shot at beating them as anyone else. Conversely, option 1 doesn’t mean we’re bad either, just that they’re probably going to be better. So, we could go 11-1 and make a BCS bowl every year, but it means a loss to OSU (but Urbz gone in 3 years), whereas option 2 could mean we could go 7-5 and win/lose a close one to OSU (and Urbz is gonna hang around for a while).

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Ah, in that case none of the above

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions  

THATS NOT AN OPTION!

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Well...

"My father did not have a broken heart. His heart was too strong. It couldn't be broken."
- Mary Kay Paterno-Hort

by Nittany_Ryan on Feb 3, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions  

That's odd.

why does the pound sign and 2 get reformatted to be:

#2

by dbl5030 on Feb 3, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Or not

There are two kids of people in this world:

  1. who can internet
    2) me

by dbl5030 on Feb 3, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions  

No question for me - option 2.

"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987

by icavalera on Feb 3, 2012 3:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Option 2.

Which is the status quo. Plus his daughter is hot.

by cwarner28 on Feb 3, 2012 7:10 PM EST up reply actions  

I am not wild about the facial hair change.

It isn’t a deal breaker on BOB but nonetheless I am not thrilled.

I preface this all by saying I hate what the modern day Yankees represent in the grand scheme of things, and I love the shift that the modern day A’s have helped bring about in baseball.

But when I think of facial hair I think back to those early 00 Oakland A’s and New York Yankee’s teams. Both teams were highly talented, both teams were fun to watch. But the A’s with their long hair and beards simply did not convey a sense of business that the Yankees had.

In terms of branding and non-verbal messaging I have always saw Penn State as having more in common with the Yankees than the A’s of the world.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 12:40 PM EST reply actions  

As a Bronx baby, I see what you're saying.

I’m not crazy about the change either. But at the end of the day it is just hair, and the non-verbal messages can be sent through conduct on the field just as well— if not better— than the length of that stuff on their heads.

If they change the uniforms I may have a fit. This is selfish and silly, but I hope BOB confirms the fact that he isn’t changing the uniforms every time he gives an interview.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions  

I guess what I'm trying to say is

that it’s one thing to look the part and another thing entirely to act it. Penn State spoils its fans in that it’s usually known for both, but the only really important part is the latter.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions  

I've always recoiled at this comparison

In terms of branding and non-verbal messaging I have always saw Penn State as having more in common with the Yankees than the A’s of the world.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions  

It makes sense.

Penn State and the Yanks both went for the same old school disciplined look, though their motives for doing so are layered. If you’re at all interested in either sport, you should recognize the looks immediately. There’s a certain amount of power in that.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Paterno specifically cited the Yankees of his youth as his inspiration for simplicity and attention to detail

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions  

I always wondered why he wasn't a Dodger fan.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't remember his allegiance being to the Yankees

More of “look at the way they look, their looks match their standards” type of thing.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, but as a Brooklyn Dodger fan...

He would have had to have hated the Yankees.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions  

He did, but was impressed by their shiny black shoes.

Seriously. Loved the Dodgers but saw the Yanks play the Cards (I think?) in the World Series. It’s detailed a bit in The Lion in Autumn.

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Really?

Not talking baseball with Joe when I had the chance is going to be one of the great regrets of my life.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 1:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Not being able to meet him in person

Is one of mine.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:04 PM EST up reply actions  

I hate the Yankees

I cannot understate that enough. The Yankees crushed my Braves teams as a youngster, and they epitomize the economic disparity that keeps my Pirates in a lower echelon of the sport (yes, I realize it has WAY more to do with mismanagement and poor drafting but give me something to rail against please). But I still respect the standards they uphold as an organization.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Me too

Anytime anybody mentions Jim Leyritz I get angry.

Crap, I just made myself angry.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 1:37 PM EST up reply actions  

You should be angry at Mark Wohlers for throwing a slider

by OmarLittle on Feb 3, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions  

Yea, there's that too

and there’s Kirby Puckett and Jack Morris to be angry at as well. The list of shattered childhood dreams is a long one.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions  

You gotta give it up for Kirby taking a whiz in the Mall of America parking lot though.

credit where it’s due

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Hey man

when you gotta go, you gotta go. He had no way of knowing that it was a fake tree and that he wasn’t outside in a forest.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Well he could have had

Uromicotisis, which is a serious condition.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Oh yea

I forgot about that.

Eh, I can’t get too upset about that, afterall, everybody does. Steals from you, steals from me, murders, whatever.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions  

So when the Braves and Pirates played in the NLCS in the early 90's,

who did you root for?

"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987

by icavalera on Feb 3, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Hate the Yanks

But they have the best uniforms. By far.
The Dodgers uniforms are good too.

Long dreads would look weird, but for a lot of guys, it means something important to them. it’s not just fashion. Troy Polamolu is a class guy. He’s not wearing his hair like that just to be a rebel. I think it’s a Polynesian thing.

Likewise, Syracuse lacrosse always seems to have at least one guy off the reservation with a long braid. Gotta represent the culture.

Having said all of that, I’m concerned that Matt McLovin is growing a neck beard.

by reedjohnmiller on Feb 3, 2012 8:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Why the recoil?

The Yankees, as much as I hate them Pirates/Braves fan, have exemplified crisp, clean cut excellence. Penn State is/was known for that as well. The subtle class that was conveyed by the appearance of the team, from the uniforms all the way though the dress of the assistants.

It appears as if we are slowly moving away from that it.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Petty insistence on individualism I guess

But I can begrudgingly admit that Joe was influenced by his upbringing and proximity.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

I guess this is where we diverge

From my own experience in the game of football I find individualism as a root for cancer on a team. In football a team is one unit working towards a common goal. Therefore I abhor acts of individualism. My teams don’t do it, nor will they.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Nah, sorry, I wasn't clear

My petty insistence was that Penn State was individualistic & unique, standing on its own merits and unbesmirched by the pinstriped ones.

Which I then admitted I can understand isn’t true.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions  

lol okay

I thought you had some Rage Against the Machine music going in the background and were expressing your desire for individualism as expression, or some hippy bs.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Ha! I'm not beyond that, certainly ;)

…hippy bs.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions  

I get that.

Though I don’t know if it’s fair to always think of Penn State to be individualistic and unique. Especially since we often celebrate those merits by comparing ourselves to other schools.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions  

As for within the scope of a team

I dig the mandates to think Team First, and appreciate the difficulty of leading a group of young individuals. I’m also a little scared of the autocracies that some coaches take it to these days, but am def with you on team first, individualism less so.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions  

The only real individualism I allow is names on the back of the jerseys

And that is for meeting individual lifting and non-mandatory goals that better the team. It was the one carrot I felt was worth dangling. Besides we wear Alabama knock-offs and it looks cool.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions  

It is great to see BO'B not yelling about Urban's recruiting

The last thing I want to see is our coach having a hissy fit about the way another coach does something. I just hope next year we can steal some of OSU players. Or what will be a lot of fun to watch would be beating OSU every year those players are there.

by jetskijoe on Feb 3, 2012 12:43 PM EST reply actions  

Look.....

it has been said 100 times over that we must give BOB a chance….hell, he hasn’t coached a down for PSU in anger yet…..I agree on the “don’t change the uinforms”, however, it has been reported that Guido is interested in a “Throw Back Uni Day” if indeed the change is made.

" The Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the TRUTH, so help me God."

by DerryPharmer on Feb 3, 2012 1:03 PM EST reply actions  

What's this mean?
he hasn’t coached a down for PSU in anger yet

I don’t know this phrase. Help an ignernt brotha out?

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Really?.....

One can “coach” a team in practice, in an exhibition or a B/W game for example, but until BOB, for instance coaches a game against an opponent when it counts, that’s when it’s “anger”. Nothing sinister, just a phrase I heard along time ago and thought it good enough to steal.

" The Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the TRUTH, so help me God."

by DerryPharmer on Feb 3, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions  

ahh, gotcha. Thanks.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions  

If the change is made I am out

Peace

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions  

I'd be supportive of a throwback uni game.

"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987

by icavalera on Feb 3, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Me to

Throwback to the ’82 season.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 3:38 PM EST up reply actions  

Not much to change there, except for the color of the facemasks.

"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987

by icavalera on Feb 3, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions  

Okay

’86 season

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions  

I kinda want to see them play in black and pink.

Just once.

"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"

by DrewRusse on Feb 3, 2012 3:44 PM EST up reply actions  

I was thinking of something from the late 60's, early 70's.

"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987

by icavalera on Feb 3, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions  

'78

See a trend here?

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 3:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes.

"I guess we had a couple of Catholics praying for US!" - JVP, after the down to the wire win over Notre Dame in 1987

by icavalera on Feb 3, 2012 4:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I'd be ok with that

Throw the numbers back on the helmets for a game. It’ll be 40 years since Capalleti’s Heisman next year, could be a good time to do it.

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things."

by LAPSU on Feb 3, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions  

I feel like throwbacks and those Pro Combat things

are just to drum up interest in a team or flat out money grabs from selling merch, two things PSU doesn’t need. Now if you’re going to do it this one year to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the 82 team, then I’d be slightly more ok with it.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions  

After Phil Knight's speech at the memorial

If he’d like us to rock Pro Combat once a year, I say bring it on. He deserves it.

I’m probably the only one, but I’m at least curious to see what they’d come up with.

"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"

by DrewRusse on Feb 3, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions  

I'd hope Knight would know better

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 3:49 PM EST up reply actions  

I thought I saw that they did design one

Basically looked like our regulars but a big more shinny.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions  

I've seen a bunch of fan-made mock-ups

Did Nike actually release a concept drawing?

"Every time you go to that cook-off you get drunk as a poet on payday!"

by DrewRusse on Feb 3, 2012 3:51 PM EST up reply actions  

I swore I saw it

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Is Nanticoke

a big more shinny?

Alea iacta est...

by PSUGuru on Feb 3, 2012 3:54 PM EST up reply actions  

Are you sure you want a return of the exposed midsection?

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions  

It worked for them that season

Why not.

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 3:43 PM EST up reply actions  

It's actually against the rules.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions  

Eh rules.

Whatever

Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose - Janis Joplin

by AriesGD on Feb 3, 2012 3:53 PM EST up reply actions  

And that's not to put words in your mouth. Maybe you do:

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 3:43 PM EST up reply actions  

BIG MESH

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 3:43 PM EST up reply actions  

BANDAIDS ON THE NIPPLES!

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 3:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Mother Dunn Throwbacks!!

That’s what I want. No pads. Just a turtleneck sweater with a big S.

by reedjohnmiller on Feb 3, 2012 11:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Mother Dunn Throwbacks!!

That’s what I want. No pads. Just a turtleneck sweater with a big S.

by reedjohnmiller on Feb 3, 2012 11:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

I don't know about anyone else but

I’m patiently waiting for the next scandal to engulf tOSU. I don’t care if it takes 30 years.

"My kitchen is a mess y'all" Paula Deen

by Dr.TobiasFunke on Feb 3, 2012 1:08 PM EST reply actions  

Me too Doc.

" The Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the TRUTH, so help me God."

by DerryPharmer on Feb 3, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm over it.

No more scandals, please. Just football.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for this university." "Oh, I haven't done enough." - Joe Paterno.

by dwf5095 on Feb 3, 2012 1:12 PM EST up reply actions  

A definite "Me too" on that.

" The Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the TRUTH, so help me God."

by DerryPharmer on Feb 3, 2012 1:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Off topic

But I don’t feel like doing a FanPost.

Phil Mickelson has sued to learn the identity of an internet message board poster to sue them for defamation. That is pretty interesting.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:21 PM EST reply actions  

Oh. Shit.

[frantically goes and deletes “Phil Mickelson chokes” photoshops from websites]

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Phil Mickelson is my baby daddy

He needs to man up and tell MJ to stop messing with his hoes.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Interesting...

I have heard similiar stuff from people I know around the PGA tour.

"Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last"

by Esteban d' Amur on Feb 3, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

That is interesting.

It’s also interesting that Phil Mickelson has gorgeous, luscious man boobs.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 1:30 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Ha, lots of awesome contained therein

To wit:
1. ‘vexatious statements’ is a wonderful description of what we do here
2. Alleged defamer goes by ‘Fogroller’
3. The idea that even if Videotron (another winner name) can identify this alleged defamer down to anything more than an email or ip address, that seeking ‘reparation for the prejudices already suffered’ would amount to stopping ‘the dissemination of false and wrongful statements’ is pretty funny.

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:30 PM EST up reply actions  

What I think is funny

Is that I’d never heard any of this before, and now I have.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions  

Mickelson won't even get past the pleadings on something like that.

He’s very much a public figure.

@JPosnanski - I saw a girl crying tonight. When I asked why she said: "Because everybody lost."

#OccupyESPN


Black Shoe Diaries

by Adam Collyer on Feb 3, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Unless someone said something like

He has a penis that is actually inverted, is premature and smells like a sulfur mine, then I agree.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 1:33 PM EST up reply actions  

HEY THAT IS A LEGITIMATE MEDICAL CONDITION!

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

Mickelson’s wife had an affair and that he fathered an illegitimate child.

I think that’s pretty much garden variety decimation when published with reckless regard to whether or not it’s true or false.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions  

That doesn't mean you can recklessly defame him.

It means you have more latitude to criticism him. Jerry Falwell took Larry Flynt all the way to the Supreme Court on that (I know because I saw the movie, it had lots of bobbies in it), he lost, but it got past the pleadings. And the reason Falwell lost was not because he was a public figure, but because what Flynt was doing was determined to be “political satire”.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions  

CHEERIO GUV'NA!

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions  

I think everybody missed

this one, World. But nice, anyway!

Alea iacta est...

by PSUGuru on Feb 3, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions  

They can't all be big bouncin' boobies.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 3:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Modern Medicine disagrees with you

I disagree with you. Larry Flynt disagrees with you. I do not find your views intriguing, I do not wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, but I bet

they were ridin’ bicycles, two by two…

Alea iacta est...

by PSUGuru on Feb 3, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't know.

I’m not anonymous. The majority of people don’t know my name, but if they cared to find out, they certainly could. Moreover, I like to pretend that if I wrote something here that started off with “I’ve heard this, and I believe it to be true” that people could reasonably rely on that. So I believe that I could defame someone in the comments section here.

Second, I don’t think that I, or anybody else, should be allowed to recklessly write false things. That’s not say I have to source everything I write, or that I can’t write that “Craig James killed five hookers while at SMU”.

I honestly don’t have a problem with this.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions  

How do you reconcile these two things?
Second, I don’t think that I, or anybody else, should be allowed to recklessly write false things. That’s not say I have to source everything I write, or that I can’t write that "Craig James killed five hookers while at SMU".

What’s the important distinction between Fogroller’s contributions and the Craig James googlebomb?

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't know that there is.

The google bomb is obviously not true. It’s like Jerry Falwell had sex with his Mom in an outhouse. It’s obvious satire directed at a public person.

The context of how the Mickelson thing was written would mean everything. Keep in mind, I think the person who wrote it would have to know it was false, and hold it out there as though he knew it to be true.

But suppose I say that person X is being sued in Court in Allegheny county for child support for an out of wedlock having an baby. You could realistically believe that. And if I said it knowing it wasn’t true, I think it’s defamation.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions  

an out of wedlock having an baby

please insert for having a baby outside of his marriage.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions  

That's some might fine Engrish you got there jesse.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Got it

And, somehow, we’re back to the semantics of honesty…

jtothetweet
"I’m not a from the hip guy," Brands said. "From the hip, gets you in trouble. We continually evolve, and you have to have that mindset.

by jtothep on Feb 3, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions  

It's more about responsible use of free speech.

Not necessarily the same thing.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Craig James killed 5 hookers while at SMU?

I had never heard of this before. I will rely on your message board post.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes, but your reliance on the statement is not reasonable.

That’s the rub.

...may we compete with fierce intensity, with the gifts that we have been given...

by jesse. on Feb 3, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions  

I think CJK5HWASMU

has reached the point where its unreasonable to doubt its veracity.

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions  

Count me as a true believer

I even have a rubber bracelet with CJ5HWASMU

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions  

Well...

you do have very small wrists.

Unrepentant Joe Paterno Apologist®

by leeharvey418 on Feb 4, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions  

Has SBB

commented on it yet? If so, then it is undoubtedly true.

"In every life there have to be some shadows. Look at me. My life has been filled with sunshine. A beautiful and caring wife. Five healthy children. I got to do what I loved. How many people are that lucky?" THE Joseph Vincent Paterno.

by jman07 on Feb 3, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions  

Is there a credible source

the Craig James killed 5 hookers while at SMU? If not, I refuse to believe it.

by PSU Mudder on Feb 3, 2012 3:30 PM EST up reply actions  

You're obviously unfamiliar with the new rules of journalism.

Print first, ask questions later.

Unrepentant Joe Paterno Apologist®

by leeharvey418 on Feb 4, 2012 6:44 PM EST up reply actions  

The problem is that no credible source has denied it.

"Is that a shot at me? 'cause that makes me want to read it all the less."

by MainLion on Feb 4, 2012 11:05 PM EST up reply actions  

CJKFHAS?

That isn’t defamation it is truff.

If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time. - Franco Harris

by carolinaeasy on Feb 3, 2012 1:51 PM EST up reply actions  

His moobs jiggle with glee.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 4, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Do you really know the parameters of this claim in a Canadian court?

"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace

by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 3, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions  

Doesn't each side get one grizzly bear as co-counsel in Canadian court?

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

The judge carries a hockey stick instead of a gavel

"I just want everyone in this situation to man the fuck up and accept some of the responsibility." SwHA

by kijana's acl on Feb 3, 2012 4:44 PM EST up reply actions  

I thought it was an unarmed mountie

vs. an armed grizzly

"We gon' get down. We gon' do the do. I'm going to hit these mother****ers" - Dock Ellis, May 1, 1974.

by OctaShields on Feb 3, 2012 4:45 PM EST up reply actions  

I think you're think of

the sheriff in the courtroom, who is a bear. That or your confusing each sides’ counsel drinking a jar of Grizzly piss when the judge enters.

"Today we have experienced a great loss. This loss is incomparable to what we gained from coach Paterno." - Mike Wallace

by PSUinBOSSton on Feb 3, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions  

If they really have bears in the Canadian courtrooms in any capacity, I want to get barred in Canada.

Even if the grizzly piss thing is true.

Sandwich is the best
Bread use aside from making
Russians stand in line

by WorldBFat on Feb 3, 2012 4:59 PM EST up reply actions  

Barred in, barred from, whatever.

If they didn’t want me pissing off the edge of Horseshoe Falls, they wouldn’t have given it that swirlie function.

"Is that a shot at me? 'cause that makes me want to read it all the less."

by MainLion on Feb 3, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions  

'Cause...

Beards and ballcaps are gonna equate to more wins and less suckitude on the offensive side of the ball…

The Lion Roars No More (1926-2012)

by pennst92 on Feb 3, 2012 5:57 PM EST reply actions  

I hate pants.

"Is that a shot at me? 'cause that makes me want to read it all the less."

by MainLion on Feb 3, 2012 7:45 PM EST reply actions  

And...

as an old timer, not Derry old, but old enough, seeing the program change is very tough to accept. I feel like we’ve moved from Penn State Football to football at Penn State. Sigh.

"Is that a shot at me? 'cause that makes me want to read it all the less."

by MainLion on Feb 3, 2012 8:00 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

Its sad

But so necessary I would be afraid for this team and for this program if BOB didn’t do things his way a bit. I’m not saying ignore the grand experiment, but I mean beards and stuff, that’s in my opinion small bananas

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by Modanya on Feb 3, 2012 8:02 PM EST up reply actions  

You're not gonna fall for the banana in the tailpipe?

It should be more natural, brother. It should flow out, like this – “Look, man, I ain’t fallin’ for no banana in my tailpipe!”

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 3, 2012 11:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Psst - hey ska...

it’s sister, not brother.

Unrepentant Joe Paterno Apologist®

by leeharvey418 on Feb 4, 2012 12:34 AM EST up reply actions  

SHHHHH I'm a robot

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by Modanya on Feb 4, 2012 5:31 AM EST up reply actions  

I know shes a girl

I’m just giving a direct quote from Beverly Hills Cop; a movie that rises above simple genders.

I'm on the Internet cause I'm an Internet thug.
#OccupyESPN

by skarocksoi on Feb 4, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Though

I did get the reference =D

Publicity is like poison; it doesn't hurt unless you swallow it.
Joe Paterno

by Modanya on Feb 5, 2012 12:56 AM EST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Black Shoe Diaries. If you haven't already done so, create an account and get involved in the conversation.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Avatar2_small
Sad News: 717's Own, Reading Rambler Passes On
154690_10100374022013820_13900087_66639438_4085030_n_small
Breaking Down Penn State's Inaugural D1 Hockey Schedule
At_the_foot_of_a_legend_small
My Obligatory Off-Season Book Post

Recent FanPosts

Hugh_griffith_small
Food for Thursday....The PA Pineapple Company
Psukoolaid_small
Suggestions for fun in Minneapolis?
1-joe-paterno_small
Please clarify your posting policy.
A_cullen_the_bug_small
JoePa & Esquire - and other stories
Jet_ski_jump__reef_central_avatar__small
Sandusky Jury Selection Begins June 5th
Small
Kameron Miles
Small
ESPN - reporting PSU considering schedule changes
Joepa1_small
Jimmy Johnson's worst loss

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SHOP THE BLACK SHOE DIARIES STORE

Gameday Depot University Apparel


Managing Editors

Zn_avatar_small Mike Pettigano

Img110_small Jeff Junstrom

Asst. Editors

6a00d8341c630a53ef0105369fb7ee970b-800wi_small Jared Slanina

Olmec_small Devon Edwards

Baller_small Eric Gibson

Mauti_small Cari Greene

Staff Writers

Iron_armor_small Galen

New4_good_small Nick Blonde

Turd_ferguson_psu_small Tim Aydin

On_the_way_to_grad_small Kyle_Martin

N53100510_31463067_5584_small Adam Collyer

Bus-fire-bikes_small Dan Vecellio

What-a-country-yakov_small bscaff

Small Keith Platt

Small TimHyland