Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 514 of 1503)

      Lane Kiffin confused by comments made by Tennessee AD

      February 24, 2010 /

      USC head coach Lane Kiffin was apparently a little confused by comments made last month by Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton. Hamilton said Kiffin wound up not being a “good cultural fit” for UT.

      From GoVolsExtra.com:

      “I don’t really know exactly what that means,” said Kiffin, who was UT’s coach for just 14 months. “I don’t think at the end of day that has anything to do with whether you score points or whether you win games. Where you’re from? I don’t know. That’s just my opinion.

      “Is Nick Saban from Alabama? Is Urban Meyer from Florida? Those are two of the best coaches in the country. So I don’t think that really means anything.”

      What’s funny about Hamilton’s comments is that he never would have made them had Kiffin stayed at Tennessee and won. Had Kiffin won with the Vols, he probably would have done so in the same brash manner he exhibited when he first set foot on UT’s campus. But since he was a cocky, abrasive loudmouth that didn’t fulfill his promises, all of a sudden he wasn’t a “good cultural fit.”

      I’m no Lane Kiffin apologist, but I think Hamilton is reaching here. Steve Spurrier is from Florida and was one of the cockiest head coaches the SEC had ever seen. Yet the conference embraced him because they either loved him or loved to beat him.

      Was he not a cultural fit in Gainesville?

      College Football

      Michigan not in compliance with NCAA rules

      February 24, 2010 /

      According to a report by ESPN.com, the NCAA is accusing the Michigan football program of breaking five rules violations under head coach Rich Rodriguez.

      In its notice of allegations — which Michigan received Monday — the NCAA said Rodriguez “failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the football program.” He tracked neither what his staff was doing nor whether his players were following NCAA rules, particularly those limiting the time spent on practice and football-related activities, the report said.

      It also said the athletics department failed to make sure its football program was complying with NCAA regulations. Brandon said the department “clearly made mistakes,” but “there was no charge of loss of institutional control” — an allegation that in previous cases has led to severe NCAA sanctions for other schools.

      Michigan has 90 days to respond and will appear at an NCAA hearing on infractions in August. The school will see how its internal investigation matches up with the NCAA findings and will consider implementing self-imposed sanctions, a move that could reduce NCAA penalties.

      The NCAA said last October that it was looking into the Wolverine program following a report in the Detroit Free Press citing anonymous football players that said Michigan exceeded NCAA limits regarding practices and workouts in 2008 and 2009.

      NCAA regulations allow players to spend eight hours a week on mandatory workouts during the offseason and several Michigan players have told the media that they spent two to three times that amount on required workouts. The players also said the amount of time they spent on football activities during the season exceeded the weekly limit of 20 hours, as well as the daily limit of four hours.

      It would be naïve to think that other programs aren’t exceeding these practice times as well, but it sounds like what Rodriguez was doing was excessive. He, along with the Michigan program, have a serious problem on their hands.

      Rodriguez has been nothing short of a disaster so far in Ann Arbor and if the Wolverines suffer another losing season (which would be their third straight), then I don’t know how the AD can keep Rich Rod on the sidelines. They’re showing support for him in light of these compliance issues, but one more bad year of football would probably end Rodriguez’s short tenure at UM.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      College Football

      Is anybody interested in T.O.?

      February 24, 2010 /

      Beat writer Allen Wilson of the Buffalo News says the chances of Terrell Owens returning to the Bills are very slim.

      “It was awesome,” Owens said. “I don’t know if I could have dreamed of a better reception than any city that I’ve played in. The initial signing there, getting a key to the city, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better moment.”

      Owens was not asked about his future in football, a topic a lot of Bills fans are interested in. If you took a poll around town, the vote probably would be strongly in favor of his return. T.O. said after the past season that he wouldn’t rule it out, but the chances of him wearing a Bills uniform in 2010 is very slim.

      Outside of Chad Ocho Cinco suggesting that he’ll wind up in Cincinnati, T.O.’s name has not surfaced much this offseason. Granted, the free agency period hasn’t even begun yet, but usually there are at least rumblings about a team or two being interested. It’s been naddy for T.O. so far.

      Whether it was the offensive system or the lack of quarterback play, Owens wasn’t productive in Buffalo last year. He’ll probably have to accept another one-year contract based on his age and declining skills but where that will be is anyone’s guess.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Darren Sharper upset with Saints

      February 23, 2010 /

      Darren Sharper, who is an unrestricted free agent, is a little miffed after the Saints told him that they wouldn’t use their franchise tag on him this offseason.

      From NFL.com:

      “They said they want me back, but if you want someone back, why are you going to let them test the market?,” Sharper said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “I don’t know how much they want me back if they’re allowing other teams to bid for my services. Being in this situation before, if a team is willing to let you test the market, they’re willing to let you go.”

      Sharper did say that he hopes things will work out with the Saints, but also noted that he won’t come as cheap as he did last year ($1.7 million). He didn’t have many suitors last offseason, but he’s coming off a Pro Bowl season and says that he has “a couple of good years” left in him.

      Personally, I think Sharper is being a little too sensitive here. Had the Saints used their franchise tag on him, they’d have to pay him $6.455 million next season, which is way too much – even for a player as productive as Sharper was. It’s not that they don’t want him back, they just don’t want to pay a 34-year-old safety over six million when he was clearly motivated last year while playing on a one-year deal. It just doesn’t make much sense financially.

      Chances are, Sharper will wind up back in New Orleans as long as the Saints offer him a fair deal. Like Sharper said, he knows the system and the Saints were much more successful with him in their defensive backfield than they were without him. But he has to step into their shoes and understand that they’re not going to shell out upwards of $6.5 million to retain an aging safety.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Chargers’ Vincent Jackson to serve jail time after pleading guilty to DUI charge

      February 23, 2010 /

      Chargers’ receiver Vincent Jackson will serve at least 96 hours in jail after pleading guilty to a DUI charge on Tuesday.

      From 10 News San Diego:

      According to the city attorney’s office, Jackson was given the standard sentence for a DUI with one prior — five years probation, with 96 hours in custody.

      Additionally, Jackson will have to attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving class, pay a $2,408 fine and participate in a multiple conviction program, the city attorney’s office said.

      Seeing as how Jackson was also charged in January for driving without a valid license, there’s a good chance that the NFL will suspend him for at least a game in 2010. That’s just speculation on my part, however.

      Jackson is currently a restricted free agent and given how productive he was last season, he could garner some attention from other teams this offseason. As far as pass catching is considered, Jackson was a top 5 wideout in 2009 and he’s not a bad blocker either, thus nobody should be surprised if another team makes a play on him when free agency kicks off in March.

      That said, most teams account for character when deciding whether or not to pursue a free agent and given Jackson’s recent off field track record, chances are the Chargers won’t have much trouble retaining his services.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

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