Last time, I promise

OK, you all know the dust-up that went on between the Bama Blogosphere and Michigan/AOL Fanhouse blogger Brian Cook a few days ago. Well, Cook just won’t let it go. And if I were a bigger person, I would. But you know I’m not, so I won’t. Anyway, I’ll keep it short-ish.

My main point of contention with Cook’s latest statements (I’ll leave his arrogance out of it and the fact that he plucks quotes from fellow Bama blogs to “prove” his point) is that he claims that there’s a difference between Michigan players transferring after spring practice because they don’t fit the new system employed by Rodriguez, and the most definite/somewhat probable/maybe non-renewing of some Alabama players’ scholarships. His reason: Because Michigan will have less than the 85 player cap the NCAA mandates. Yeah. It’s disingenuous at best. Let’s see here, in the Michigan scenario you have players transferring so they’ll actually get to play football on some competitive level. And in the Alabama scenario you have players transferring so they’ll actually get to play football on some competitive level. Well, when you put it that way….

Brian, at least Saban gave these players a whole football season to see if they fit his system, not a measly two weeks in the spring.

On a lesser point, Brian still can’t grasp the concept of the Bryant Scholarship. On the off chance that he actually reads these posts instead of scanning for quotes to misrepresent, I’ll try to put it as plain as possible:

The Bryant Scholarship is awarded to the children of former Tiders that played under Coach Bryant. Dozens of male, female, athletes, and non-athletes have used this scholarship to get their degrees over the years. If a (recruited) football player, ala Wes Neighbors, is awarded the Bryant Scholarship, he does not count against the 85 player limit until he sees action on the field. When he does finally play, he will then , and only then, count against the 85 player cap. Gripe and complain all you want, but it’s 100% legit.

Brian, it’s OK to admit when you’re wrong (or so I’m told), even Orson does it.

Don’t these kids know it’s only February

Ryan Perry-Lou has been suspended indefinitely from LSU (HT: EDSBS). As it stands right now, they’re saying it’s for missing classes and team activities. Man, been a busy two days in the SEC. Just call LSU Even-Steven. After claiming the 2007 BCS Title, the future doesn’t look so bright for the athletic teams in Red Stick. Pelican State Sports has the bleakness.

[UPDATE] - Les Miles has confirmed that Perrilloux has been indefinitely suspended. Of course we all know what an indefinite suspension encapsulates. It can be for good, or until Miles wakes up in the morning and takes a look at the depth chart and sees that there isn’t another body on it that has taken a live snap.

Idiots don’t just dress in orange…

We’re well aware that Knoxville doesn’t have the market cornered on athletes getting into trouble (they just perfected it). Case in point, one Mr. Jeremy Elder, who doesn’t know it’s wrong to take things that do not belong to him. According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office website, Elder was arrested yesterday on two counts of robbery in the 1st degree. These are felonies, people. We’ll wait and see the punishment Saban doles out. Anything less than kicking his butt off the team will result in criticism from yours truly. On the bright side that’s one less player Brian Cook has to worry about.

UPDATE: Tidesports now has a story up. And yep, a handgun was involved.

UPDATE: Saban speaks.

“He is indefinitely suspended from all football-related activities,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said via a press release. “I won’t have an announcement on his future status until I have had a chance to review all of the information. The University and football program have strict guidelines regarding legal issues of this magnitude.” (HT: Tide Druid)

LIFE IN THE SWAC and MEAC (HBCU conferences), A GREAT READ

Thursday, February 14, 2008
Alcorn State facing constant battles as Division I have-not
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=3221302&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

By Dana O’Neil
ESPN.comALCORN STATE, Miss. — The bus rocked gently, bringing the Alcorn State basketball team back from its pregame meal. Standing in the aisle, sophomore Troy Jackson held on to the back of a seat as he recited from memory a few lines of “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”.  

“I’ve known rivers.
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world
and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.

Behind him, Samuel West silently wiped away tears. West, the Alcorn State basketball coach, likes to interject education into his team’s long road trips whenever he can. Games at Alabama State always include visits to the Martin Luther King Jr. Museum, and since this two-game road swing to Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff stretched into the celebration of Dr. King’s birthday, West asked each player to give a brief oral report about an important African-American.

Sick and Tired of this crap!

I know Ghost has already blogged about the Britton Colquitt arrest and all the other run-ins with the law, but I have to have a way to vent. I mean this is the fifth time Colquitt has been involved in an alcohol related problem. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

I have tried and tried to give Fulmer the benefit of the doubt in the past when players have been involved with the police. I have said, “Well, he can’t be watching them all the time. He’s not their daddy.” Well…I am done. Done. I know it is not 100% Fulmer’s fault…I know this, but it is his football team, and he is the point man, so the blame lays at his feet.

Like Ghost, I believe Fulmer is a good, moral man, but where does this crap stop? This just tells me how important Coach Cutcliffe was on and OFF the field. I believe he was THE LAW around the Tennessee football facilities when he was there.

I believe it is time for Phillip Fulmer to go. The man has done great things in Knoxville, and I will always have respect for him and for what he has brought to Knoxville…but it’s time. Time for SEC Championships, time for consistent Top 10 rankings, time for the police blotter to be quiet in Knoxville…and I don’t think Coach Fulmer can bring any of these things anymore. I know there are Tennessee fans who are going to disagree with me, probably some on this blog site will say I am 100% wrong, and if so thats ok with me.

I love Tennessee football and I always will, regradless of who is the head coach or who is the latest to be arrested, but I’m tired of every other day hearing bad news. I’m sick of it.