NCAA Approves Pay For Play!

Ok, maybe not in those words, but they came pretty damn close.  The NCAA and Auburn have stipulated that the following statement is fact.

“The student-athlete’s father (Cecil Newton) and an owner of a scouting service (Kenny Rogers) worked together to actively market the student-athlete as a part of a pay-for-play scenario in return for Newton’s commitment to attend college and play football. NCAA rules (Bylaw 12.3.3) do not allow individuals or entities to represent a prospective student-athlete for compensation to a school for an athletic scholarship.”

Auburn suspended Cam Newton Monday, appealed the NCAA for his reinstatement yesterday and today learned that their Heisman QB is good to go.

Thus, the NCAA has set a precedent whereby anyone can shop a player to the highest bidder.  Worst case scenario?  The middle-man (father, coach, dentist, whatev) gets caught, a la Preacher Newton, and gets both wrists slapped by the Association (Cecil has had his access to the Auburn program "limited").  The player, unless he foolishly admits knowledge, just keeps on making highlights, bringing home wins, and opening further the pockets of boosters.  This seems certain to end well.

End Of An Era

The Pirates have signed Andy Marte!  
Oh sweet Marie, what a glorious day!

I've Got the Time, If You've Got the Money

Donate here.  There are some pretty cool incentives and it seems like a good project.

Unstoppable

Crank this up. It will make you want to go to WAR.

Freedom Is Slavery

Is it possible that trans-fats and high fructose corn syrup are metaphors for modern American life?  Does the poison simply taste too good?  Do we live in such velvet chains that we are unable to recognize our captivity?  I never agreed to the social contract.  I was not given the option to sign off on romantic love, capitalist exchange, Judeo-Christian morality or an educational rewards system.   I believe myself to have been raised as more of a free-thinker than the vast majority.  I am counter to many of the norms that surround me in culture.  And, I don't think that, despite my many flaws, that I am an idiot.  Yet, I look around and find that I have fallen into each of those traps.  I'm sitting here at odds with, arguably, the McDonald's of higher education and I just keep gobbling fries and chugging icy cold Coca-Cola.  It's very possible that my original assertion is but a layer of the onion.  Perhaps we are not just distracted to the point of slovenly absenteeism.  Maybe this glaringly obvious pitfall is the Wizard and I've just noticed that there is, in fact, a curtain.  Off to re-read 1984.  Or sleep.  Or internalize all of the cables on wikileaks.org.  Hi DHS! ;-)

Pretty Girl 12.01.10 - Kelly Clarkson

If only she could keep the weight off...

Hurricane Gruden

You heard it here first -- Jon Gruden signs a 4-yr $15.1mil deal to coach the Miami Hurricanes.

Also, the word on the street is Jay Gruden (UFL Florida Tuskers coach) as OC and Jim Leavitt (former South Florida coach) as DC.

Sunshine State Sweep

Following a gridiron win over Miami and a big statement dismantling of Florida on the court, the Buckeyes hoopsters have completed the sweep with a 58-44 victory against the FSU Seminoles.  It was certainly not the prettiest game the Bucks will play, but I am still surprised how well all of their moving pieces fit together so early in the season.  OSU shot 32% from the floor and turned the ball over 15 times and, unsurprisingly, it was the defense that stood out.  Aaron Craft had 4 turnovers to 1 assist and the Bucks had only 6 dimes total.  There was too much of the "dump it inside to Sullinger and watch" offense and the freshman seemed briefly over-matched for the first time all year.  Although the D forced 22 turnovers (including 4 steals in 40 minutes by Jon Diebler of all people), it was the rotation that was most impressive.  Outside of the transition opportunities that FSU got off of their pressure, they did not get many easy shots.  Leading scorer Chris Singleton certainly played lock-down defense (5 steals), but he shot only 2-of-9 and finished with 8 points.  An ugly win is still a win (see Cleveland Browns) and there are still quantifiable positive results:  Jared Sullinger with 11 and 13, 76% as a team from the line.  Regardless, all the pieces (leader, outside shooter, true wing, true point, lock down defender, rim defender, both end big man, instant O off the bench) are in place.  This team is only going to get better.  The fact that they can gut out a double digit win and survive the brutal physicality of this Seminoles team speaks to how the team is built for a deep run in March. 

Cheers.

MLB Whistle Stops

Miguel Tejada signs with the Giants; 1-yr $6.5mil.  The dominoes are starting to fall and December is historically the busiest month for free agent signings.

Thank god that Javier Vazquez inked a 1-yr $7mil deal with the Marlins.  Now the Indians can't sign him.  I'm still hoping for Jamie Moyer. (Oops.  Jamie Moyer will have Tommy John surgery and will miss all of 2011.  He hopes to return for 2012 at age 49.  Must ponder plan c for the Tribe.)

Flick to Click: Rare Exports

Opens 12.03 (NYC); 12.25 (Ohio)