Craig Barzeys Draft Watch 2012

2012 NFL Draft Offensive Prospects

Top Quarterbacks
1.) Andre Luck
2.) Robert Griffin III
3.) Nick Foles
4.) Austin Davis
5.) Brandon Wheeden
6.) Kellen Moore
7.) Kirk Cousins
8.) Ryan Tannehill
9.) Russell Wilson
10.) Case Keenum
*Need solid combine and Pro Day to break my top 10 or possibly get drafted – John Brantley, Dominique Davis, Stephen Garcia, Jacory Harris, JJ McDermott, Brock Osweiler, Ryan Lindley, and Dan Persa.
Top Running Backs
1.) Trent Richardson
2.) Lamar Miller
3.) David Wilson
4.) Doug Martin
5.) Chris Polk
6.) Bernard Pierce
7.) Isiah Pead
8.) Vick Ballard & Ronnie Hillman
9.) Cyrus Gray & Tauren Poole & LaMichael James
10.) Terrance Ganaway & Dan Herron & Marc Tyler
*On radar need solid combines/ pro day to break my top 10 – Brandon Bolden, Lennon Creer, Robert Elliott, Roddy Jones, Davin Meggett, Alfred Morris, Bobby Rainey, Darrell Scott, Chris Rainey, Robert Turbin, and Adonis Thomas.

Top Fullbacks
1.) Evan Rodriguez
2.) Ryan Houston
3.) Broderick Green
4.) Brad Smelley
5.) Emil Igwenagu
6.) Cody Johnson
7.) Drake Dunsmore
8.) Bradie Ewing
9.) Chad Diehl
*Position dying in the NFL… need to see more on who works out at the position during combine.
Top Offensive Tackles
1.) Matt Kalil
2.) Jonathan Martin
3.) Reily Reiff
4.) Matt Reynolds
5.) Nate Potter
6.) Michael Adams
7.) Zebrie Sanders
8.) Bobbie Massie
9.) Matt McCants
10.) Brandon Mosley
*On radar need to see solid combines/ pro days from – Andrew Datco, Don Barclay, Landon Walker, Tony Bergstrom, Marcus Zusevics, Tom Compton, Mitchell Schwartz, Lamar Holmes, Levy Adcock, and James Brown.

Top Offensive Guards
1.) Kelechi Osemele
2.) David DeCastro
3.) Cordy Glenn
4.) Brandon Washington
5.) Kevin Zeitler
6.) Brandon Brooks
7.) Derek Dennis
8.) Antoine McClain
9.) Amini Silatolu
10.) Kevious Watkins
*On radar need to see solid combines/pro days from – Ryan Miller, Joel Foreman, Will Blackwell, Ken Plue, Mark Asper, Jeremiah Warren, Lonnie Edwards, Johnie Troutman, Stephen Good, Chris Jacobson, Rishaw Johnson, Senio Kelemete, Ronald Leary, Joe Looney, Lucas Nix

Top Tight Ends
1.) Coby Fleener
2.) Michael Egnew
3.) Dwayne Allen
4.) Orson Charles
5.) Ladarious Green
6.) Rhett Elison
7.) Deangelo Peterson
8.) Nick Provo
9.) Kevin Koger
10.) George Bryan
*On radar need to see solid combines/pro days from – Brandon Barden, Garrett Celek, Beau Reliford, Kavario Middleton, David Paulson, Chase Ford, David Duran, Kyle Efaw, Brad Herman, Brian Linthicum

Top Wide Receivers
1.) Justin Blackmon
2.) Michael Floyd
3.) Alshon Jeffery
4.) Kendall Wright
5.) Mohamed Sanu
6.) Rueben Randle
7.) Joe Adams
8.) Brian Quick
9.) Dwight Jones
10.) Juron Criner
*On radar need to see solid combines/pro days from – Nick Toon, Stephen Hill, Greg Childs, *Ryan Broyles*, Tommy Streeter, TY Hilton, DeVier Posey, Chris Owusu, AJ Jenkins, Eric Page, Jarius Wright, Marvin McNutt, Jeff Fuller, Rishard Matthews, Gerell Robinson, Jordan White, Marvin Jones, Junior Hemingway, BJ Cunningham, Jermaine Kearse, Lance Lewis, TJ Graham

Top Centers
1.) Peter Konz
2.) Michael Brewster
3.) Ben Jones
4.) William Vlachos
5.) Philip Blake
6.) Quinton Saulsberry
7.) Seth Oxner
8.) Scott Wedige
9.) David Molk
10.) Grant Garner
* Notables – Garth Gerhart, T-Bob Hebert, Mason Cloy

Top Punters
1.) Shaun Powell
2.) Bryan Anger
3.) Drew Butler
4.) Anson Kelton
5.) Brad Nortman
Top Kickers
1.) Blair Walsh
2.) Carson Wiggins
3.) Randy Bullock
4.) Philip Welch
5.) David Teggart

2012 NFL Draft Defensive Prospects

Top Defensive Ends
1.) Quinton Coples
2.) Whitney Mercilus
3.) Chandler Jones
4.) Andre Branch
5.) Jared Crick
6.) Nick Perry
7.) Jake Bequette
8.) Donte Paige-Moss
9.) Frank Alexander
10.) Malik Jackson
*On radar need see solid combines/ pro days from – Billy Winn, Cam Johnson, Olivier Vernon, Trevor Guyton, Jack Crawford, Julian Miller, Tyrone Crawford, Louis Nzegwu, Richetti Jones, Wayne Dorsey, Kentrell Lockett, Taylor Thompson, Derek Wolfe

Top Defensive Tackles
1.) Michael Brockers
2.) Devon Still
3.) Fletcher Cox
4.) Brandon Thompson
5.) Dontari Poe
6.) Jerel Worthy
7.) Kendall Reyes
8.) Jay Howard
9.) Marcus Forston
10.) DaJohn Harris
*On radar need see solid combines/ pro days from – Josh Chapman, Mike Martin, Kheeston Randall, Alameda Ta’amu, Hebron Fangupo, Dominique Hamilton, Brett Roy, Sylvester Williams

Top Cornerbacks
1.) Morris Claiborne
2.) Janoris Jenkins
3.) Chase Minnifield
4.) Stephon Gilmore
5.) Alfonzo Dennard & Dre Kirkpatrick
6.) Leonard Johnson
7.) Cliff Harris
8.) Casey Hayward
9.) Jayron Hosley
10.) Trumaine Johnson
*On radar need to see solid combines/ pro days from – Josh Norman, Ryan Steed, Jamell Fleming, DeQuan Menzie, Josh Robinson, Ron Brooks, Shaun Prater, Dwight Bentley, Coryell Judie, Brandon Boykin, Donnie Fletcher, Micah Pellerin

Craig Barzey Draft watch pt2

8.) Scott Wedige
9.) David Molk
10.) Grant Garner
* Notables – Garth Gerhart, T-Bob Hebert, Mason Cloy

Top Punters
1.) Shaun Powell
2.) Bryan Anger
3.) Drew Butler
4.) Anson Kelton
5.) Brad Nortman
Top Kickers
1.) Blair Walsh
2.) Carson Wiggins
3.) Randy Bullock
4.) Philip Welch
5.) David Teggart

2012 NFL Draft Defensive Prospects

Top Defensive Ends
1.) Quinton Coples
2.) Whitney Mercilus
3.) Chandler Jones
4.) Andre Branch
5.) Jared Crick
6.) Nick Perry
7.) Jake Bequette
8.) Donte Paige-Moss
9.) Frank Alexander
10.) Malik Jackson
*On radar need see solid combines/ pro days from – Billy Winn, Cam Johnson, Olivier Vernon, Trevor Guyton, Jack Crawford, Julian Miller, Tyrone Crawford, Louis Nzegwu, Richetti Jones, Wayne Dorsey, Kentrell Lockett, Taylor Thompson, Derek Wolfe

Top Defensive Tackles
1.) Michael Brockers
2.) Devon Still
3.) Fletcher Cox
4.) Brandon Thompson
5.) Dontari Poe
6.) Jerel Worthy
7.) Kendall Reyes
8.) Jay Howard
9.) Marcus Forston
10.) DaJohn Harris
*On radar need see solid combines/ pro days from – Josh Chapman, Mike Martin, Kheeston Randall, Alameda Ta’amu, Hebron Fangupo, Dominique Hamilton, Brett Roy, Sylvester Williams

Top Cornerbacks
1.) Morris Claiborne
2.) Janoris Jenkins
3.) Chase Minnifield
4.) Stephon Gilmore
5.) Alfonzo Dennard & Dre Kirkpatrick
6.) Leonard Johnson
7.) Cliff Harris
8.) Casey Hayward
9.) Jayron Hosley
10.) Trumaine Johnson
*On radar need to see solid combines/ pro days from – Josh Norman, Ryan Steed, Jamell Fleming, DeQuan Menzie, Josh Robinson, Ron Brooks, Shaun Prater, Dwight Bentley, Coryell Judie, Brandon Boykin, Donnie Fletcher, Micah Pellerin

Top Free Safety
1.) George Iloka
2.) Markelle Martin
3.) Janzen Jackson
4.) Tysyn Hartman
5.) Aaron Henry
6.) Damien Jackson
7.) Blake Gideon
8.) Trenton Robinson
9.) Eddie Whitley
10.) Tramain Thomas
*On radar need to see solid combines/ pro days from – Christian Thompson, Brandon Hardin, Neiko Thorpe, JoJo Nicolas, Kendrick Presley, Taledo Smith

Top Strong Safety
1.) Mark Barron
2.) Antonio Allen
3.) Brandon Taylor
4.) Duke Ihenacho
5.) Charles Mitchell
6.) Harrison Smith
7.) Sean Cattouse
8.) Winston Guy
9.) Sean Richardson
10.) Kelcie McCray
*On radar need to see solid combines/ pro days from – Johnny Thomas, Jerico Nelson, Tony Dye, Lance Mitchell, Winston Guy, Sean Richardson

Top Inside Linebackers
1.) Dont’a Hightower
2.) Vontaze Burfict
3.) Luke Kuechly
4.) Audie Cole
5.) Jerry Franklin
6.) Chris Marve
7.) Mychal Kendricks
8.) Austin Johnson
9.) Adrien Cole
10.) Chris Gallipo
*On radar need to see solid combines/ pro days from – Max Gruder, Najae Goode, DJ Holt, Garrick Williams, James –Michael Johnson

Top Outside Linebackers – ¾ LBs
1.) Courtney Upshaw
2.) Melvin Ingram
3.) Zach Brown
4.) Vinny Curry
5.) Sean Spence
6.) Ronnell Lewis
7.) Nigel Bradham
8.) Shea McClellin
9.) Travis Lewis
10.) Keenan Robinson
*On radar need to see solid combines/ pro days from – Bruce Irvin, Lavonte David, Bobby Waner, Jonathan Massaquoi, Tank Carder, Josh Kaddu, Terrell Manning, Emmanuel Acho, Jerrell Harris, Dexter Heyman, Ronnie Thornton, Danny Trevathan

Episode 161: NFL Week 5 and NBA Lockout

Episode 161 • Download (Right-Click, Save-As) | iTunes

New Speak It: NFL Week 5 and NBA Lockout, 10/12/11

True Colors by Eastside Jam

It’s funny to me how the NBA does their business. Honestly if I were in charge, I would probably do the same things because like I said it’s business. Boston went years without a championship but the fan base was there. They sold out night in and night out with Paul Pierce and Antwoin Walker’s shimmy shake. True enough they were playoff contenders but not championship contenders, so what does the league do? Somehow they end up with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Other than Al Jefferson, I can’t recall who else was involved. Ok, maybe I can name a couple but you know what I’m saying. You have to feed your markets for maximum profit.

Now we have New York in the situation. The Garden is sold out always, has been for years and now they need to be rewarded with a star player that can make them a championship contender. They hoped for Lebron and got Amare. To his credit, Amare has made them a playoff contender but what is the league doing? They are forcing Carmelo Anthony to New York. To me it wouldn’t look so obvious if he waited to the end of the season and just became a free agent and signed with New York but that wouldn’t be fair to Denver to let him walk. By the way, Denver is a pretty good team with Melo and they have a good fan base and a little history of success. That alone sparks a red flag for me. I mean Kobe only has a couple more years at a high level and you have San Antonio getting older as well so why not stay in Denver? Oh, his wife is from New York all of a sudden is the issue… yea ok!!

Every year we hear about some owner filing for tampering but I guess its ok for Melo to discuss a deal with another team during the season. I forgot those rumors came from sources, he hasn’t spoke with anyone is what we are to believe. I think Melo will be a Knick and now the markets of NY, LA, BOS and MIA are where the league wants them to be but like I said if I were in charge I would do the same thing for business but not this obvious. The NBA just shows there true colors more than any other league.

– Eastside Jam | Twitter.com/EastsideJam

Craig Barzeys 2011 NFL Eligible Player List

This is not a mock draft board; this is Craig‘s board based on talent. Commentary on the players will be given on the radio show for
Speak It Like You Think It Radio.

2011 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings

1. A.J. Green – 6’ – 4” WR – UGA
2. Cameron Newton – 6’ – 6” QB – Auburn
3. Nick Fairley – 6’ – 5” DT – Auburn
4. Da’quan Bowers – 6’ – 4” DE – Clemson
5. Patrick Peterson – 6’ – 1” CB – LSU
6. Robert Quinn – 6’ – 5” DE – North Carolina
7. Blaine Gabbert – 6’ – 5” QB – Missouri
8. Cameron Heyward – 6’ – 6” DE – Ohio State
9. Marvin Austin – 6’ – 3” DT – North Carolina
10. Marcell Dareas – 6’ – 3” DT – Alabama
11. Prince Amukamara – 6’ – 1” DB – Nebraska
12. Aldon Smith – 6’ – 5” DE – Missouri
13. Julio Jones – 6’ – 4” WR – Alabama
14. Akeem Ayers – 6’ – 4” LB – UCLA
15. Cameron Jordan – 6’ – 4” DE – California
16. Rahim Moore – 6’ – 1” S – UCLA
17. Von Miller – 6’ – 3” LB – Texas A&M
18. Gabe Carimi  – 6’ – 7” OT – Wisconsin
19. Ryan Mallett – 6’ – 6” QB – Arkansas
20. Nate Solder  – 6’ – 9” OT – Colorado
21. Adrian Clayborn – 6’ – 4” DE – Iowa
22. Kyle Rudolph – 6’ – 6” TE – Notre Dame
23. Ryan Williams – 5’ – 10” RB – Virginia Tech
24. Mark Ingram – 5’ – 10” RB – Alabama
25. Martez Wilson – 6’ – 4” LB – Illinois
26. Derek Sherrod – 6’ – 6” OT – Mississippi St.
27. Jonathan Baldwin – 6’ – 5” WR – Pittsburgh
28. Mike Pouncey  – 6’ – 6” G – Florida
29. Ryan Kerrigan – 6’ – 4” DE – Purdue
30. Jurrell Casey ­– 6’ – 1” DT – USC
31. Quan Sturdivant – 6’ – 2” LB – North Carolina
32. Jerrell Jernigan – 5’ – 9” WR – Troy
33. Greg Romeous – 6’ – 6” DE – Pittsburgh
34. Justin Houston – 6’ – 3” LB – Georgia
35. Allen Bailey – 6’ – 4” DE – Miami
36. Tyron Smith ­– 6’ – 5” – OT – USC
37. DeAndre Brown – 6’ – 6” WR – Southern Miss.
38. Stephen Paea – 6’ – 1” – Oregon State
39. J.J. Watt – 6’ – 6” DE – Wisconsin
40. Anthony Castonzo – 6’ – 7” OT – Boston College
41. Kenny Tate – 6’ – 4” S – Maryland
42. Jake Locker ­– 6’ – 3” QB – Washington
43. Jimmy Smith – 6’ – 2” CB – Colorado
44. Robert Sands – 6’ – 4” S – West Virginia
45. Brandon Harris – 5’ – 11” DB – Miami
46. Stanley Havili – 6’ – 1” FB – USC
47. Demarco Murray – 6’ – 1” RB – Oklahoma
48. Stefan Wiesniewski – 6’ – 3” C – Penn State
49. Mikel Leshoure – 6’ – 0” RB – Illinois
50. Titus Young – 5’ – 11” WR – Boise State
51. Luke Stocker – 6’ – 6” TE – Tennessee
52. Torrey Smith – 6’ – 1” WR – Maryland
53. Bruce Carter – 6’ – 3” LB – North Carolina
54. DeMarcus Love – 6’ – 6” OT – Arkansas
55. Greg Jones – 6’ – 1” LB – Michigan State
56. Muhammad Wilkerson – 6’ – 5” DT – Temple
57. Aaron Williams – 6’ – 1” CB – Texas
58. Dontay Moch – 6’ – 2” LB – Nevada
59. Jeremy Beal – 6’ – 3” DE – Oklahoma
60. Ras-I Dowling – 6’ – 2” CB – Virginia
61. Brandon Burton – 6’ – 0” CB – Utah
62. Greg Little – 6’ – 3” WR – North Carolina
63. Rodney Hudson – 6’ – 2” G – Florida State
64. Cory Liuget  – 6’ – 3” DT – Illinois
65. Drake Nevis – 6’ – 1” DT – LSU
66. Jerrel Powe – 6’ – 2” DT – Mississippi
67. Daniel Thomas – 6’ – 2” RB – Kansas State
68. Andy Dalton – 6’ – 2” QB – TCU
69. Ahmad Black  – 5’ – 11” S – Florida
70. Austin Pettis – 6’ – 3” WR – Boise State
71. Noel Devine – 5’ – 8” RB – West Virginia
72. Lee Ziemba – 6’ – 6” G – Auburn
73. Terrance Tolliver – 6’ – 4” WR – LSU
74. D.J. Williams – 6’ – 2” TE – Arkansas
75. Randall Cobb – 5’ – 11” WR – Kentucky
76. DeAndre McDaniel – 6’ – 0” S – Clemson
77. Marcus Cannon – 6’ – 5” T – TCU
78. Joseph Barksdale – 6’ – 5” T – LSU
79. Cliff Mathews – 6’ – 4” DE – South Carolina
80. Kris O’Dowd – 6’ – 4” C – USC
81. Deunta Williams – 6’ -1” S – North Carolina
82. Colin Kaepernick – 6’ – 6” QB – Nevada
83. Shane Vereen – 5’ – 10” RB – California
84. Phil Taylor – 6’ – 4” DT – Baylor
85. Marcus Gilbert – 6’ – 5” T – Florida
86. Casey Mathews – 6’ – 1” LB – Oregon
87. Mark Herzlich – 6’ – 4” LB – Boston College
88. Owen Marecic – 6’ – 1” FB/LB – Stanford
89. Tyrod Taylor – 6’ – 1” QB – Virginia Tech
90. Jordan Cameron – 6’ – 5” TE – USC

Fanatic Night

So the fans of Cleveland are going to bring it to Lebron tonight. What we will see in tonight’s game will be the anger of old USA out shouting the fans of today who will just boo like a real fan should. The fanatic’s will use Twitter to coordinate chants and call the man everything but a child of god. This will be a big mistake the way to get to Lebron would be to ignore him he is going to embrace the attention he gets tonight and after a few air balls from James we will see why we have watched this man since he was 17 years old I see James putting up 30 10 and 7 in a Miami win with the fanatics of Cleveland finally understanding that hate has no payoff in the end

Should gold-diggers really get the gold? By J. Pennington

Wouldn’t it be great to be in the shoes of your favorite star athlete/ entertainer? I mean, think about lots of money, cars, clothes…… but then, what of the hoes I suppose?  With the urge to get “ass” being the primary driving force to every man’s action whether it be from his mate or he’s playing the field, ultimately he wants to get ass.  So with athletes working so hard throughout their lives to become the best at what they do and also wealthy in turn, they have to deal with the type of ass having that much wealth attracts.

I watch television and see a show called “Basketball Wives” and I see several women who feel “betrayed” by their unfaithful NBA husband or upset over not getting what they feel they deserve in the break-up/divorce. What I want to ask these women is “How long has your ass been outside practicing a damn jump shot?”  These men were stars when you met them and that’s why you wanted them in the first place! Case in point the wife of Eric Williams. Now, this guy looks like mud-covered cauliflower and raisins and he is able to get that beautiful woman that he married. This is also not the most charming guy to say the least so what else would be her reason to even date this person, let alone marry, if it is not to get rich by attachment.

Another problem that our beloved star athletes have to be leery of is the dreaded CHILD SUPPORT. I am first to say that you need to protect your self during sex to prevent any unwanted “consequence”, but what about these scandalous women who go for the lotto and the man gets “turkey basted”. With the way child support laws are now these women know that if they can find some way to get pregnant by some of these men THEIR life will suddenly become more comfortable.

So, back to the title of this rant, should they be rewarded? I personally don’t see how a woman can get enough child support to not only not have to work but also be able to drive luxury vehicles, have a huge home, and a fucking nanny! This is insane. I feel that we should stiffen up the law and guarantee there will not be the amount of women getting pregnant suddenly from athletes or any other man that they feel they can supplement their income from.

My suggestion is that instead of the 20% or more they get now how about 20% of whatever minimum wage is no matter what the guy makes. That is enough to help buy food and clothes for that kid you wanted. This is supposed to be “child support” not “child pay for all” If you were married to one of these wealthy athletes then the same should go and you work. If you want the kid to sleep in a nice house, then let them live with the rich daddy.  

Now this is going to piss off anyone who feels entitled because they had a baby by a guy and ”you are the father this is your responsibility too”.  Well I say to any of you from the bottom of my heart…. Fuck you very much  Thank you  for listening

Kobe should send Lebron a bottle of Champagne

     

Kobe Should Send LeBron a Bottle of Champagne
    

    Why?  You might ask.  Well, there are two reasons.  Here is the first.  In the generational battle of who the best player in the world is, we usually get the results on the floor.  Because of the Cavs’ management’s ineptitude or LeBron’s shortcomings, we have not yet seen this matchup in a playoff series.  This is also the first time we have witnessed one of the players waving a white flag without a fight.  LeBron didn’t just leave Cleveland; he willingly removed himself from the debate.  This isn’t comparable to the freak injury that removed Grant Hill from the discussion after he left Detroit.  It is still hard to believe, even after watching the awful press conference, that LeBron is taking his talents to South Beach instead of staying in Cleveland to carry a team of his own.
     Basketball’s continual fight for top dog status has always allowed us to see one on one competition in a way football and baseball will never be able to.  Only in this sport can two players compete so closely with everything on the line.  For example, Clyde Drexler fought as hard as he could in the ‘92 Finals, but Jordan simply shrugged his shoulders and showed how far apart the two really were.  In contrast, LeBron, who, at this point, is better than Kobe physically, is bringing Uno cards to the poker game with Bryant mentally. 
     This comfort in numbers that LeBron has found in Miami is the second reason for the champagne.  Kobe now has Jordan in his sights.  This was not on the table before the class of ‘03 joined forces to fight him.  If sports fans see this, then there is no question that Kobe knows what is in front of him.  If he can create epic moments by stopping this trio from reaching the Promised Land, then the Kobe versus Mike comparison will become legit.  I’m not saying he is gonna do it, but, in any job we have in life, don’t we all just want the opportunity to succeed?  To shrink away at this moment is not who Kobe is.  That’s something LeBron would do. 

NBA 1989-2009 No hall of famers no title

 In  the  NBA  a  lot  of  fans  have  unrealistic  ideas  of  championship’s  but  the  realistic  way  of  having  a  shot  means  your  team  has  one  hall of  famer  and  a  player  on  the  cusp  of  the  hall.   In  this  twenty  year  sample  of   champions  there  is  only  one  team  where  this  wasnt  the  case  the  2004  detroit   pistons  now  before  you  treat  this  anomaly  as  an  option  remember  the  situation  of  this  title  run.  I  would  argue  that  the  bad  chemistry  and  internal  bickering  of  the  04  lakers  were  a  huge  factor  in  that pistons  team  getting  over  the  hump.  We  saw  the  Kobe  and  Shaq  paring  finally  fall  apart  when  you  throw  in  the  fact  that  Karl  Malone  was  more  over  the  hill  then thought  before  it’s  no  surprise  they  lost.  Now  when  you  look at  my  arguments  results  of  whats  needed  you  see  that  thirteen  of  these  titles  were  won  by  Jordan’s Bull’s,Duncan’s Spurs and  the  Shaq/Kobe Lakers.  So  when  you  see  a  team  like  Cleveland  with  only  one  hall  of  famer but  no  legit  all star  to  go  with  it  you  should  not  be  surprised  by  the  latest  playoff  loss.  It’s  as  clear  as  day  we  will  see  another  Bos/LA  finals  and  the  main  reason  being  the  hall of  famers  in  both line up’s  Kobe/Gasol versus  Pierce/Allen/Garnett   the  rings  rely  on   elite  talent  and  with  the  realignment  of  the  NBA  that  this  summer  will  be  let’s  see  where  the  rings  go  in  the  future

There is No Honor In College Football

“Accountability” and “character” are two words found in most college football articles, usually in reference to how student athletes are lacking in these key areas.  An honest assessment would, however, shine the light of truth where it is most needed – on college coaches.  These are the men who sit down over dinner with a family and mirror the values of each household, promising to take care of their son.

It is all deception.  Their talking points change at every stop.  Empty words and mottos are used to get commitment.  They look men and women in the eye and shake their hands, proclaiming to protect the family’s most valued resource – their child.  When the question of financial compensation is raised, it is drowned own by the convenience of college athletics, but with the same tongue they justify lateral coaching moves with being part of the business.

I personally am sick of the hypocrisy that exists with coaches claiming to place such an emphasis on accountability and character.  If a coach leaves a school for another job, he should have to sit out for one year, just as student athletes do.  The move by Lane Kiffin from Tennessee to USC after one year should be the final straw.  He preached team to the kids, but when an opportunity knocked, he told them he had to go because it was his dream job.

If a top quarterback goes to the NFL, would this same excuse fly for a quarter back whose dream was always to play at USC?  I would answer no because the commitment by students is expected to be upheld, while coaches are able to break their word with no real consequences.

Even the solution to one of these mercenary coaches lacks integrity after a school is left at the altar.  The first suggestions of a new one does the same thing to a smaller school, as we have seen the names of Tommy Tuberville and David Cutcliffe all over the media being suggested as the new hire at Tennessee.

The system is clearly broken, and if something is not done, we will see what the NCAA fears most – players speaking with agents more frequently, and cracking the whole façade of the purity of college athletics.