More NCAA suspensions

And you thought they would learn? News has surfaced that five Ohio St. football players will miss the first five games of the 2011 season for accepting improper benefits. Terrelle Pryor, arguably the best QB in the Big Ten, is the most recognized name among the five suspended. According to the details he sold a Big Ten Championship ring, gold pants award and most ironic, his Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award. How funny is it that he is being suspended for breaking the rules with his sportsmanship award. PS. Who would want to buy that anyway?

The NCAA sanctions committee believes the players weren't educated enough not to know to sell free gear for money and therefor won't suspend the players for the Sugar Bowl. Are you kidding me. From day one, these players are told what they can and can't do, especially regarding money. They are given a huge TEXTBOOK with all the rules laid out in plain English. Don't tell me they don't know the rules. That's ignorance. There is a full time compliance staff that is in charge of all this nonsense. If nothing else, fire those guys for not doing their job correctly.
The most important point of all is that I give 2-1 odds that says Terrell Pryor goes to the NFL after this season, which would mean his suspension is void. What is the motivation for him to stay? How can he show the scouts he has improved when he will miss half the season? This suspension hurts the less talented players much more.

The NCAA needs to either hire more people to educate the students on this matter or sit down and figure out a way for these kids to receive some money as they play football. I am sure there is enough to go around.

Haven't seen Terrelle post anything on Twitter about this episode yet.

I will keep my eyes peeled.

Post your thoughts to keep the conversation going.

Quarterback becomes pitchman

Well the long awaited day has finally arrived. Mr. Michael Vick is promoting products and brands again. Only a few years removed from his 21 month stint in the slammer for organizing a dog fighting cartel.

The new gig is un paid but he is getting the use of a

$54,000 Nissan Armada, not bad for a 1/2 days work.

I am a firm believer that everyone deserves a second chance in life and it doesn't hurt that Vick has been nothing short of unbelievable on the field this year. From what I see of him, he is a changed man and has learned from his mistakes. I agree with Mr. Marshal who says that if Vick keeps playing at an MVP level, he will end up with more endorsements than he had before he went to prison.

Now this short ad he did is pure ordinary but that's a good way to start. Slowly but surely wins the race in the endorsement ring. Maybe Tiger Woods can take a gander at Mr. Vick and realize that all he needs to do is win, and public perception will will become positive again.

Just to clarify, I am against dog fighting but lets be honest, many NFL stars have done much worse than Vick and have not seen a day in jail. For example, Ray Lewis killed a man in a bar fight and didn't miss a Sunday start. It's my opinion that we take the treatment of animals more seriously than the treatment of other humans, and that is sad.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about Vick and his new endorsement deal. Would you hire him, and more importantly, would you bring him on to your team if he were available? Not only would I, but I am praying that the KC Chiefs take a hard look and TRADE for him.

The Big Ten Big Fail

Here is a taste of what the Big Ten will look like in the fall of 2011. I feel sorry for all the Big Ten alumni and fans, this logo design is a disgrace to the history of the conference. It seriously looks like something a high school girl would doodle in her notebook during math class.

If anyone knows who they contracted to design, please let me know. They need some help.

Lets now discuss the two divisions that were created. The Legends and Leaders? Are you kidding me? I don't understand how both Ohio St and Penn St. are not in the Legends division. I mean those are two of the main staples of the Big Ten. And how does Nebraska who has never played a Big Ten game get into the Legends division? Absurd.

If I were the commissioner of the Big Ten, now Big 12 I guess, I would name the divisions based on the Great Lakes so it's not so damn confusing.

A Heisman Backlash

Like some of you, I have been following the Cam and Cecil Newton circus show. Personally, I don't see how Cam was unaware that his Dad was shopping his talent around to schools such as Mississippi State and Auburn. Just the fact that his Dad would do this is enough for me to not give Cam my Heisman vote.

I am really intrigued to see that a few people that have a vote for the Heisman have asked that Cecil not attend the ceremony. I applaud them for this and hope also, that these voters are the same people that don't vote for Cam. You can't diminish the fact that Cam Newton absolutely dominated on the field, he was unstoppable and carried the Tigers to the national championship game. For that reason, he should win the Heisman, hands down.

My only concern is that he wins the trophy this year and then just like Reggie Bush, four years later, he is ruled ineligible and the trophy is taken away. I don't want another empty picture, that just puts a scar on the whole Heisman Trophy situation.