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WAC seeking $5 million buyout penalties from Fresno State & Nevada

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 27:  Damion Owens #4 of the Frenso State Bulldogs celebrates the Bulldogs win over the UCLA Bruins during the game on September 27, 2008 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

According to a report by ESPN.com, WAC commissioner Karl Benson believes that Fresno State and Nevada – two schools leaving the conference for the Mountain West – owe the WAC $5 million in buyout penalties.

Karl Benson says the Bulldogs and Wolf Pack are going to have to pay up on a departure fee and possibly stay in the WAC until 2012 because they didn’t meet a deadline to get out of the league earlier.

Benson believes both schools owe $5 million buyout penalties, whether the agreements were signed or orally agreed upon.

And don’t expect any favors.

Benson says Fresno State and Nevada acted selfishly when they accepted invitations to join the Mountain West. That basically dissolved an agreement the WAC had to bring BYU back to the league in every sport but football.

Is it just me or does Benson come off resembling a salty ex trying to get back at his former lover? If the two schools owe the WAC $5 million, then so be it. But don’t make this personal by saying Fresno State and Nevada acted selfishly when all of college football acts selfishly all the time.

The goal for any program is to gain as much exposure and make as much money as they possibly can. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any surprise when it comes to why a program jumps conferences.

Another sleeper WR to add to the list…

TAMPA, FL - MAY 01: Receiver Mike Williams #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stretches during the Buccaneers Rookie mini camp at One Buccaneer Place on May 1, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

I just added Mike Williams to my list of sleeper WRs:

The reviews have been rave for the rookie out of Syracuse. He has already won the starting split end job and has impressed Peter King, Pete Prisco and even Adam Schefter, who says that Williams “has star written all over him.” Now it’s important to keep in mind that Williams is a rookie, but when a player is impressing this much for a team in desperate need of a playmaker at WR, fantasy owners should take notice. I’d definitely look to draft Williams in the later rounds, but don’t wait too long.

Just the fact that Williams is the Bucs’ WR1 gives him a certain amount of value. Throw in the rave reviews from this summer and we have a very interesting pick once the 10th round arrives.

LeGarrette Blount threw another punch! The horror!

Oct 4, 2008; Los Angeles, CA; USA; Oregon Ducks running back LeGarrette Blount (9) heads up field during 44-10 loss to the Southern California Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Photo via Newscom Photo via Newscom

I’m a big believer in the notion that history has a way of repeating itself.

But in the case of LeGarrette Blount, I don’t think there’s cause for concern.

Blount, as you’ll remember, was the former Oregon player that threw a haymaker to the jaw of Boise State defensive end Byron Hout following the Ducks’ 19-8 loss to the Broncos last year. Blount proceeded to act like a raving lunatic after the incident by trying to fight everyone from coaches to fans to the P.A. announcer, and was deservedly criticized for the incident.

He also paid his dues by being suspended for all but a handful of games late in the year and despite his skill level, he also went undrafted in April, largely because of the incident.

Now a member of the Tennessee Titans, Blount is making headlines again for punching another player – this time it was teammate Eric Bakhtiari who was on the receiving end of Blount’s knuckles during a Wednesday night practice, although it should be noted that Bakhtiari still had his helmet on.

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Percy Harvin collapses at Vikings’ practice

Vikings’ beat writer Chip Scoggins writes that receiver Percy Harvin collapsed at the team’s facility today at practice and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

Harvin, who has suffered from severe migraines, was not on the field for the start of practice. He was seen talking to head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman outside the locker room at Winter Park and then jogged onto the field to watch practice. A few minutes later, Harvin vomited and then fell to the ground.

He came out for special teams practice and started having problems when he looked into sky catching punt.

Vikings coach Brad Childress on Harvin’s migraines: “That one hit and it hit hard. Always scary for all of our guys when you see teammates struggling.”

The Vikings ended practice early and even held a team prayer, so the situation is obviously serious. Harvin missed the last two weeks of camp due to migraines and more than likely, this episode had something to do with his headaches.

Migraine sufferers are often sensitive to light and sound. The headaches can also cause nausea, vomiting and sometimes affect the person’s vision. As a frequent migraine sufferer myself, I know first hand that they can be crippling and I hope that Harvin is okay.

One of the bad things about migraines is that they’re incredibly hard to predict. You can avoid triggers like certain foods and drinks, but they can often come on due to strenuous activity or even a change in weather. This isn’t like when you break a bone and you know it’ll heel in 6-8 weeks. The Vikings can’t assume that Harvin will be ready to play in a couple of days, as he could have another attack at any time. (He missed the Vikings’ win over the Bengals last year due to migraines, as well as some practice time during the playoffs.)

Again, hopefully he’s okay and he’ll be able to continue everyday activities soon.

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