Michigan State, Ohio State Settle Complaint Over Game Tape Tampering

 

Ohio State (14) beat Michigan State (20) this afternoon in a tightly contested game by the score of 17-16. Apparently Sparty didn’t take the loss very well as the Detroit Free Press has reported that Michigan State has filed a complaint against Ohio State to the Big Ten. 

The complaint relates to game film that the Buckeyes sent to the Spartans prior to today’s game. MSU defensive coordinator, Pat Narduzzi confirmed the report of the complaint and said that Ohio State tampered with the game film by cutting off pre-snap motions and shifts before plays on film of its four previous games this season. 

“We had tape cut off all week, where they changed the tape, I’m not gonna lie to you,” Narduzzi said following the game. 

“They send you tape and they’ve got it all cut off and you don’t get to see shifts or motions or anything else.”

“A few other teams we talked to that they played, and we compared what they were looking at on tape to what we were looking at. We’re like, ‘we don’t see any of that. We see it on their tape but not on our tape.’ So that’s something I’m sure the Big Ten office will hopefully take care of.”

The report is not clear on when Michigan State filed the complaint, but it would seem to me that Sparty should have known much earlier than today if the shifts and motion were cut out of the tape. After all, it’s not that hard to take a look at a TV copy to confirm. 

While this is likely not a big deal in the big picture, if these allegations are true, I’m sure the Big Ten will be none too pleased with Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes. 

 

**UPDATE** 9/29/12 9:36 PM

Subsequent to the Detroit Free Press article linked above, multiple reports, including ESPN have now reported that Ohio State and Michigan State have worked together in order to settle their differences without involving a formal complain to the Big Ten.

Ohio State Spent $64K on Bow Ties for University President

 

The Dayton Daily News has reported that The Ohio State University has spent in excess of $64,000 on “bow ties and related items” since the fall of 2007 on behalf of University President, Gordon Gee.

Gee, who was the center of criticism for his handling of the Jim Tressel, Terrelle Pryor fiasco, is known for his trademark bow ties. 

The newspaper requested various documents from the University nearly a year ago and reports the following:

“Ohio State says the bow ties are props or symbols of the university and its President who expenses a total of $7.7 million in that same period.”

Gee is the country’s highest paid University President and the benefits of holding this title don’t end at his salary as the Daily News reports that millions have been spent for Gee to “travel the globe, throw parties, wine and dine donors, woo prospective faculty, hang out with students and staff and maintain a 9,600 square foot mansion on 1.3 acres.”

Gee has made $8.6M since taking over as President in October of 2007 and he has funneled nearly that much ($7.7M) through the University as expenses as well. 

Whether legal or not, this certainly seems to be a bit on the excessive side given the fact that Ohio State is a public University. Not to mention the intense scrutiny the University has been under since the Tressel/Pryor scandal. 

 

Jared Sullinger, the Anti-Terrelle Pryor

 

Jared Sullinger is the latest of the freshman phenoms recruited by Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Thad Matta. Matta has had incredible success in his tenure in Columbus both on the floor as well as on the recruiting circuit. The unbeaten Buckeyes stand poised atop the NCAA landscape at #1 in the country, largely due to Jared Sullinger.

Sullinger has not only been the best player for the #1 team in the country and positioned himself for National Player of the Year consideration, but he has done it the right way. Sullinger, by all accounts, appears to be humble, hardworking, sincere, and despite his young age appears to be a leader on the Buckeye team.

Sure, he is not THE leader on THE Ohio State Buckeyes due to the strong senior leadership that is exhibited by guys like David Lighty and Jon Diebler, but he already exhibits more leadership qualities than Terrelle Pryor likely ever will. Before you get upset with my disdain for Pryor, remember that I am a huge Buckeyes fan and I want the same things you do. I want all Buckeyes teams and players to succeed.

I’ve seen things from Pryor, however, that honestly hurt the team and I personally have no respect for him. Yes, he’s a very young man and he can grow and change. But to this point he hasn’t and he has shown little to signs of improvement in my opinion. I am not a fan of Pryor and you have every right to disagree with me.

I am, however, a huge fan of Jared Sullinger. He assuredly a top 5 pick in the upcoming NBA draft should he choose to declare, he’s the best player on the best team in the Country, and at Ohio State he is literally treated like a god among men. Yet he still remains humble, polite, hardworking, and a great teammate.

For instance, you may have heard the story about the Minnesota fan who taunted Sullinger with a sign during the Buckeyes recent victory over the Golden Gophers. The fan had a sign with a picture of Sullinger wearing lipstick and earrings mocking his rendition of a Miley Cyrus song (video below).

Now, ask yourself how Terrelle Pryor would likely have responded. All you must do is think back to many of his ill-advised tweets and comments responding to criticism last year. But Sullinger approached the young man (Andrew Wagner) and requested the sign from him. The Plain Dealer asked Sullinger why he requested the sign and he said that he wanted to give the sign to his mother, thinking she would “love it, to have it to hang up.”

Wagner later read the story on the Plain Dealer and contacted Sullinger on Twitter. Sullinger responded by mentioning this fan on his account, telling everyone that he liked the sign and asked them to follow the Minnesota fan. The fan was so impressed by Sullinger’s response on the court and on his twitter account that he mailed the sign to him.

Wagner is quoted as saying “He was very classy and professional in dealing with the hostile crowd, he had a good sense of humor about the sign and it was for his mom.”

This is just one example of the class, professionalism, leadership, and decency displayed by Sullinger throughout his short career with the Buckeyes. It’s a shame there aren’t more guys like this in sports and it’s a shame that he will likely only be around for this one season. Hopefully he and the Buckeyes can make it one to remember for many years to come.

Video: Ohio State Players Apologize Publicly

 

It has been a whirlwind week for all those involved in the Ohio State football program, especially the 5 players at the center of the controversy for NCAA violations. The players were found guilty of selling and trading items received from the University in exchange for cash and tattoos in 2009. In a blatant money grab, the NCAA suspended them for 5 games to begin the 2011 season but is allowing them to play in the upcoming Sugar Bowl.

Jim Tressel has left the decision on whether or not these players will suit up for the Sugar Bowl up to the seniors who will vote on the matter. Today at 3:30 PM, all 5 players addressed the media and offered their public apologies. The only real news from the event was Devier Posey’s promise to return for his senior season despite the suspensions.

Ohio State will appeal the suspension as they believe the punishment is far too harsh. Some people in Columbus are already speculating that the suspensions will be reduced from 5 games to 2 or 3 games by the beginning of the next season.

 

Jim Tressel: “The Buck Stops Here”

 

Following the news of significant NCAA violations and suspensions in 2011 for 5 prominent Ohio State players, Head Coach Jim Tressel and Athletic Director Gene Smith sat down almost immediately to address the media. Unfortunately, the “company line” delivered by these two shows us exactly what is wrong with the Ohio State program in my opinion, and on a larger scale, part of what is wrong with NCAA Football.

As you’ll see in the video below and as you may have already heard, the Buckeyes Brass is deferring all responsibility away from the players and they’re placing ALL blame on themselves. Why?

The reason is two-fold, simple, and disingenuous at best.

1. By taking the blame for what their players did and by saying that they didn’t properly educate the players, it gives credence to the verbiage the NCAA included in their ruling. The NCAA stated that part of the reason they allowed the players to participate in the upcoming Sugar Bowl was because the players weren’t educated and they didn’t know they were violating any rules. We all know this is total BS as the NCAA wants to preserve the ratings and revenues for their precious BCS game and maintain their prosperous relationship with Allstate and avoid setting a dangerous precedent that could affect future advertising deals.

But by going along with this BS, Ohio State is hoping to reduce the penalty by demonstrating that the players made a mistake but it wasn’t their fault. I have no idea if they were told about this particular rule or not and I don’t really care. It’s my opinion that it’s a stupid and selfish thing to do regardless of a specific NCAA rule. To sell your Big Ten championship ring and various awards shows the program, your coach and teammates exactly what it means to you. If I were Jim Tressel and the rest of the teammates, I would take this as a significant insult and sign of complete disrespect. Gene Smith tried to justify the actions by saying that they were selling the items to “help their families” which, I’m sorry, I don’t buy. Pryor, for instance, has thousands of dollars worth of tattoos. That money could have been used to help his family if that were the primary concern.

2. The secondary reason for the Buckeyes Brass taking all the heat on this issue is to try to preserve their relationships with the players and increase the odds of the players staying at Ohio State next season. Obviously, if the NCAA reduces the suspensions to 2 games for example, it would improve the chances of convincing the players to stay on for another year. In addition to just the NCAA suspension, taking the heat and publicly defending them should, in theory, gain favor with the players and improve the chances of having them return. Unfortunately, despite his incredible physical talents, I feel the Buckeyes will much better off once he leaves Columbus.

Here is an excerpt of the press conference:

Rumor: Tressel Out at Ohio State

 

 

Let me be clear by saying that at this point, this is an unsubstantiated rumor. But it is a rumor, that if true, would be such a substantial occurrence, that I thought it important to mention. Rumors began circulating today that long-time Head Coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Jim Tressel may be coaching his last game at Ohio St. in the Sugar Bowl.

The program was certainly shaken by the recent NCAA violations leading to Terrelle Pryor and 4 other prominent Buckeyes’ suspensions for 5 games in 2011. This is certainly the largest instance of violations during Tressel’s tenure, but it isn’t near the scale of the violations and impending sanctions placed on USC that caused Pete Carroll to bolt for the NFL. For this reason, the rumor is categorized in the doubtful category as far as I’m concerned.

But there are two possibilities that could make this true. The first, as one rumor suggests, is that Tressel will step down but it’s not at all his decision. Jim Tressel has absolutely owned the Big Ten since arriving at Ohio State and he’s won a national championship in the last decade. Assuming the NCAA violations are limited to what we’re already aware of, I couldn’t imagine the University severing ties with “The Vest” over these violations and they certainly couldn’t base it on performance. Despite some issues with Tressel’s play calling, roster decisions, etc., he’s still had incredible success and this year is no different. Any program in the country would love to have a perennial ticket punched to a BCS Bowl game with a legitimate opportunity to win a National Championship.

So that brings me to the second possibility. The only possible reason I could see causing Jim Tressel to step down either voluntarily or involuntarily would involve wide-spread and pervasive NCAA violations on scale with, or worse than what we saw recently with USC. If the NCAA is already sniffing around and Tressel and the University are aware of significant violations which could lead the NCAA to concluding that they lack “Institutional Control”, then it would make perfect sense for Tressel to leave.

If something horrific like this were going on and he or the University sees the writing on the wall, then it would make sense for either side to part ways. I’m certainly not suggesting that this is what’s going on and sure hope it isn’t but one article I read today referenced Ohio State leading the nation in NCAA violations from 2000-2009. Obviously most have been minor and have gone unnoticed, but there would appear to be some issues going on in Columbus if this is accurate.

I’ll keep a close eye on the story (or non-story) as it develops and I’ll update as soon as I hear more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kirk Herbstreit Speaks Out Against Pryor

 

As you know, Ohio State QB, Terrelle Pryor and 4 of his teammates were suspended for 5 games next season for NCAA rules violations. The NCAA decided to allow them to play in the nationally televised Sugar Bowl to protect it’s revenues, despite finding the violations serious enough to suspend them for nearly half a season.

Today on Colin Cowherd’s radio show, he spoke with Kirk Herbstreit about Terrelle Pryor and these NCAA violations. While I would like to hit Cowherd in the face repeatedly with a board with a rusty nail stuck in it, I thought the interview was interesting. I also typically find Herbstreit to be arrogant, hypocritical, and wouldn’t mind throwing an unopened beer bottle at his grill, but that’s besides the point.

Take a look at the video below and notice some of the comments Herbie offers on Terrelle Pryor. This is not the first time he’s ripped the Buckeye QB either.

Ohio State Should Suspend Players for Sugar Bowl

 

As you know, Terrelle Pryor and four other prominent Buckeye players have been suspended by the NCAA for 5 games in to begin the 2011 season. The NCAA, however, is allowing them to participate in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against the Arkansas Razorbacks. How can the NCAA say these players are guilty of NCAA violations to such an extent that they will miss nearly half of next season yet allow them to play in the upcoming bowl game you say?

The answer is easy, saddening, and sickening… CA$H MONEY.

The NCAA will publicly say that it would be unfair to the Buckeyes to suspend players just less than two weeks from the bowl game. But if the violations are so serious that it warrants a 5 game suspension, then that argument does not hold water in my opinion. The NCAA also said that the players weren’t completely at fault as they weren’t properly educated on what is and is not allowable. The NCAA has also stated that because the players didn’t do anything to provide a competitive advantage, that they didn’t suspend them for the bowl game.

It would certainly appear that the NCAA is allowing Terrelle Pryor and others to play in the Sugar Bowl to preserve their ratings, sponsorship dollars and overall revenue opportunities for the game. If you think for one minute that this decision was not based on money or that the decision to allow Cam Newton to continue to play was not based on money then you’re being a bit naive.

I’m not saying the decisions were based solely on money, but I find it hard to believe that it wasn’t a significant factor. Remember, this is an institution that suspended players for taking a ride in a golf cart across campus, for selling a jersey, and for attending parties. Yet it has been proven that Cam Newton’s father actively solicited upwards of $200,000 in order for a program to secure his son’s talents.

Also keep in mind that the allegations agains the Buckeyes players took place in 2009. They ruled significantly quicker than they did on the Reggie Bush situation, but nonetheless, this is a big delay. Just as they allowed Cam Newton to continue to play so they can maximize their revenues and sort out the situation, rule on violations and reclaim the awards and potentially vacate wins and championships, they’re doing the same with Pryor.

Obviously, this is a much lesser scale than Newton due to the caliber of players and the success of the programs, but the rationale is the same. The NCAA is clearly trying to maximize their revenue potential in the bowl game by allowing the suspended Buckeyes to play.

So with that being said, it’s my opinion that the Ohio State Buckeyes and Jim Tressel should suspend the players involved in the violations for the Sugar Bowl. Will it absolutely destroy their chances to win the game? Yes. Is it entirely too late to change the game plan that has been installed for weeks? Yes.

But I think they should send a message to the players and the rest of the country and as a nice bonus, stick it to the NCAA. The Buckeyes get a fixed amount from what I understand for earning a BCS Bowl Bid. The ratings and advertising revenues should not affect the amount the Big Ten and the Buckeyes get from participating in the game.

So if the NCAA is going to act so arbitrarily and hypocritically, Ohio State should suspend the players for the Bowl game to send a message and to at least act somewhat consistently. Of course, this will never happen, but it should. Their players sold awards and property that they owned and they were suspended for 5 games but Cam Newton is allowed to play out the rest of his season based on a faulty assumption that he had no idea what his father was doing.

Don’t get me wrong. I think Terrelle Pryor is an over-rated, crybaby, selfish, lazy, asshole. I think what he did is a disgusting display of selfishness and sign of disrespect for his team, his coach and his university. He has consistently shown that he’s all about himself, not the team. He lead his team to a 1 loss season and a BCS Bowl game and he’s more concerned that Cam Newton is getting more attention and awards than he is.

In fact, he went so far as to blame his coach and his team for the fact that he hasn’t performed in his 3 years at Ohio State. He has constantly screamed out for people to look at him and pay attention to him and coddle him without ever having earned it. And now he tells you just how much a Big Ten championship or team awards mean to him by selling them. Of course, he and the other players say they sold them to “help their families out” but lets be real. If they did everything to help their families out then they wouldn’t have spent thousands of dollars on tattoos. But who knows, maybe they sold other things for those tattoos or shaved points in exchange.

If I were Jim Tressel I would feel incredibly disrespected, angry, and I would want to send a message to Pryor and the other players. Pryor will likely enter the draft due to this punishment unless it gets appealed so he’s not going to have to worry about upsetting his QB. Pryor and the other players clearly don’t care about anything but themselves so it’s time Jim Tressel stop coddling them and start worrying about the program as a whole instead of a few select players and what they want.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terrelle Pryor & multiple Buckeyes implicated in NCAA Investigation

 

Terrelle Pryor has had a rough season after being projected as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. He was shut out of the Big Ten post-season awards, let alone any national recognition and he’s made it quite clear that he’s upset about it. Despite the Buckeyes 1 loss season and earning a share of their 6th straight Big Ten Championship, he has been quite displeased. The Buckeyes earned yet another trip to a BCS Bowl game where they will face off against Akransas in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

News came out today from multiple sources that Terrelle Pryor and multiple Buckeye players are involved in potential NCAA violations. Specifically, it is alleged that Pryor and the other players received free tattoos in exchange for autographs from a Columbus tattoo parlor, Fine Line Ink.

Pryor denied the charges on his Twitter account saying “I paid for my tattoos!”

It has been reported that OSU officials are meeting for the second time today to discuss the potential of NCAA violations. Ohio State officials have thus far denied any claims of an NCAA investigation or any wrongdoing by their players. Officials have gone so far as to state that all players are eligible for the Sugar Bowl.

But as we’ve seen, it doesn’t take much for the NCAA to come down hard on a player for something that appears petty and minor even though the NCAA can stand idly by while certain players (past, present and future) will take cash from programs for their services. As we saw, A.J. Green was forced to sit out multiple games for selling an autographed jersey, Dez Bryant lost his entire final season due to his attendance of a party and a USC player was suspended for taking a ride on a golf cart.

There are no details as to the proof obtained thus far or validity of the charges, but I have often wondered myself how these players can afford the dozens of tattoos that many of them have. After all, these are supposed to be scholarship athletes with limited resources. How could they afford thousands upon thousands of dollars for these tattoos? I’m not saying that they traded autographs or Buckeye gear in exchange for them or even that this is limited to Ohio State, because it’s not. But I am saying that they got the money from somewhere or these tattoo artists are awfully generous.

The other Buckeye players implicated are Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Travis Howard, Jonathan Newsome, Jordan Hall, Chris Fields, and Michael Brewster. Many are key players for the Buckeyes and many are very close friends with Pryor.

I’ll be sure to keep you updated as things progress.

Terrelle Pryor: “I’d Dominate the Nation”

 

 

Wow, Terrelle Pryor‘s arrogance, ignorance, and overall lack of awareness never ceases to amaze me. We know Pryor got his feelings hurt when he not only wasn’t given Heisman consideration, but he wasn’t even named to the Big 10 first or second teams. Apparently after all the hype Cam Newton has received this season and leading up to the Heisman Award Ceremony, Pryor felt it necessary to say “Hey look at me!”

Pryor was recently quoted as saying that if he played in a different system, like Auburn or Northwestern, he would “Dominate the Nation”. Other than the obvious “Look at me” moment here, he’s obviously taking a shot at Jim Tressel and the other players who are getting more recognition than he is. But what he forgets to mention, is that HE is the one who wanted to play in a pro-style system so he could develop into an NFL QB. HE is the one who has repeatedly failed to live up expectations. HE is the one who lacks any semblance of maturity or leadership.

Ohio State’s 6th straight Big 10 title and bid to the Sugar Bowl to face Arkansas is clearly the furthest thing from his mind. He only cares that has been largely ignored this season and he hasn’t been handed any hardware. I guess he doesn’t feel that he needs to earn it because if he did, he would sit tight and keep his mouth shut because he should be embarrassed with his performance and development (or lack thereof) thus far in his career.

He can say what he wants and whine that he’s not getting the hype that he “THINKS” he deserves, but the reality is clear. He’s not as good as he was advertised and I don’t care what system he plays in. Would he put up more rushing numbers in a different system and have more flashy plays? Sure. But he’s not a good passer, at all and he lacks leadership and maturity. He’s nowhere near the passer that Cam Newton is and from what I can see, he’s nowhere as good of a football player and QB.

For Pryor to complain about the system he’s playing in now only shows you the vast level of immaturity we’re dealing with. He chose Ohio State and Tressel’s pro-style offense over Michigan and Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense. Would he put up better numbers and get more attention in that system? Maybe. But for him to demean the rest of the players in the country by suggesting that he would dominate if his system and coach weren’t holding him back is ridiculous.

Unfortunately, we have another year of dealing with this immature, ignorant, and overrated punk before we get to see Braxton Miller take over.