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Nitt Picks Better Lock the Doors

From the "Holy Cripes RU4 Reels?" department, UCLA assistant football coach Eric Scott has been arrested for suspicion of burglary. That's cooky enough, but reading the article makes you wonder what kind of hiring process they're running out there at UCLA.

Eric Scott, the UCLA football assistant arrested on suspicion of felony residential burglary, had been sentenced for three other crimes before being hired in March to coach Bruins receivers.

UCLA put Scott, 32, on paid administrative leave Wednesday, one day after his arrest. Coach Karl Dorrell also acknowledged in a statement that the school knew about the former Crenshaw High player and coach's criminal background when it hired him.

Scott's record includes two incidents of illegally carrying a concealed weapon and one case of disturbing the peace, dating to 1996.

There is a chance this may be a case of mistaken identity.

Scott, who played receiver for UCLA from 1995 to 1997, could not be reached for comment. His attorney, Milton Grimes, released a statement that read, "From my preliminary investigation, it appears that a mistake was made by the Los Angeles Sheriff Deputies that should be cleared up within a few days. There is no evidence that any crime was committed by Eric Scott or anyone with him."

No evidence, huh?

Authorities said Scott was arrested with Jesus DeAlba, 23, and Timothy Williams, 23, Tuesday afternoon after deputies received a 911 call about a possible burglary in the 11600 block of Pioneer Blvd. in Norwalk, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. Sgt. Craig Harmon said.

"A neighbor saw the three suspects on the porch of a single-family home, then saw them force their way in," Harmon said. "When deputies arrived, the three were seen walking from the location, and were found with property from the house they admitted to taking."

Eye witnesses, caught on the scene, property from the house on your person, and a confession. Sure. Throw in the past criminal record and I can buy the mistaken identity thing. Even Perry Mason couldn't win this case.

...

AJ Alexander has all but committed to Penn State.

"I really like the coaches at Penn State," Alexander said. "I especially like wide receiver coach Mike McQueary because he's real down-to-earth and to the point. He's straightforward and I like that. They said they would use me as a slot receiver, like Derrick Williams.

"Penn State is also only about 35 minutes from my house and I'd rather not go too far away," he said. "It would be nice to stay close because I'm really close with my mom and my family."

The speedster (4.3 forty) says he doesn't have a timetable for his decision, but admits there a "65 percent chance I'll choose Penn State.

Months ago Alexander was the darling of the PSU message boards. Then he committed to Florida State and he went from being the next Desmond Howard to being the next Brendan Perretta. Now he's back in the market and looking at PSU we officially like him again.

...

We (PSU blogs) have a little thing going with Wisconsin Badger Sports over Bret Bielema's bending of the rules last year. He takes exception with me putting Bielema on notice. Then JB got in on it.

Bielema and Wisconsin are on my shitlist for the abuse of the clock in last years game. It was a close game and the wasting of the clock was not in the spirit of the game. Yes it was cheating. Yes, it still pisses me off.

To which Badger Sports responds.

Incorrect! It was not cheating, and it was just as much "in the spirit of the game" as taking a knee is. Perhaps there's a little bitterness because Wisconsin has a young coach who continues to innovate within the rules where PSU has a living legend who, despite his considerable accomplishments, should've been gently "retired" a decade ago? Possibly.

I have to agree with Badger Sports that it wasn't cheating. They broke the rules and they were punished for it with a five yard penalty. But I also agree with JB that it was not in the spirit of the game. He intentionally broke the rules to put Penn State at an unfair disadvantage by robbing them of a possession. The officials should have recognized what Bielema was doing and stopped the clock. But officials are justifiably reluctant to step into a game and take over by accusing another team of using "unfair tactics". The mere fact they failed to do so should not be considered as an endorsement of these tactics. And Bielema's brilliantly innovative strategy didn't become widespread across the NCAA, so that should tell you something about his integrity and his respect for the game.

And bitterness because you have Bielema and we have Paterno? Please. When Bielema accomplishes one fourth of what Paterno has done in the past ten years since you say he should have retired, let's talk.