Oh goodie...More Tressel stuff

[Maximus]

If you all think Tressel is the only truly guilty person of something like this, then you're trying too hard not to be a homer.

No one's naive enough to think he's the only one. The problem is he lied, attempted a cover-up and got caught by the NCAA.

[Dirk Gently]

Sorry Dirk, but your post is the same thing others have posted and is totally missing the issues and the point. I could less about what the players did or didn't do. I do care about the Tressel coverup of rules clearly broken no matter how bad the rules are. I care about the future of THE Ohio State University Football Program. That is precisely why I am angry. Very.

I get that there was a coverup. I guess I just don't see how it warrants such attention, and demand for the team to vacate the previous season, for the coach to be fired and for the program to be significantly reprimanded (beyond what has already happened). Tressel and the players are already missing a sizable part of next year. I understand that the consequences for this can be significant, but I just don't see why it should be significant.

The whole thing strikes me as overblown, but I admit that I don't get it. Maybe I'm missing something. It's not like the coaches paid, or offered to pay players to play. The coaching staff didn't provide the memorabilia with the intent to help compensate the players.

To me, there's a difference between trying to circumvent NCAA rules to gain an unfair advantage through recruiting and what happened here. It's one thing for a team to offer to pay a player, or to have that conversation with a player's Father, or to knowingly allow agents to compensate players (a la Reggie Bush and USC). It's an entirely different thing (at least to me) to overlook players selling some of their own property. I agree, it's against the NCAA rules (whether it should be or not isn't the issue here, I get that it is a violation). I just don't see how it's such an egregious violation that it warrants more punishment than what has already been handed out. There's this outrage and demand for justice that I just don't get. Yes, there were some rules violations (however silly those violations are), but it seems to me that they've been met with a sufficient punishment. Honestly, I don't understand why it's a bigger deal, and maybe I'm missing something. Something seems amiss to me, and I'm trying to figure it out.

Sure, this will cost the OSU program, but I don't see why such an extreme price should be paid (or demanded) for what seems to be to be a relatively minor infraction.

[Akron330]

I'm sick and tired of this crap. I wish the NCAA would just hurry the hell up with their punishment so that we can all move on. I took Tressels class a couple years ago and was very impressed with the guy. I honestly think that he was trying to protect his players and got caught up in the shadiness that is major college football, but with that being said you cant lie to the NCAA. I'm more dissapointed in the guy than anything else. The man writes books and gives lectures on how to be a better person. If you're gonna talk the talk you better walk the walk.

[Maximus]

Sure, this will cost the OSU program, but I don't see why such an extreme price should be paid (or demanded) for what seems to be to be a relatively minor infraction.

When you say "minor infraction" i can't help but think you are still referring to the "garage sale". That's not the infraction here.
Learning of violations, failing to disclose them and then attempting to cover it up, is about as serious as you can get in the NCAA's eyes.

[James]

All the upity attitudes by osu fans and coaches and those affiliated with the school, about how dirty SEC programs are and how they hold themselves to some higher standard, what a crock.

Could have happened to a more nauseating fan base. I am glad the NCAA is finally coming down hard on osu, its not so bad as they pointed the fingers at so many other programs, but the fact that they ended up being the dirtiest program in the nation that is so satisfying.

[Akron330]

All the upity attitudes by osu fans and coaches and those affiliated with the school, about how dirty SEC programs are and how they hold themselves to some higher standard, what a crock.

Could have happened to a more nauseating fan base. I am glad the NCAA is finally coming down hard on osu, its not so bad as they pointed the fingers at so many other programs, but the fact that they ended up being the dirtiest program in the nation that is so satisfying.

This entire post is a damn joke

[b00bie]

All the upity attitudes by osu fans and coaches and those affiliated with the school, about how dirty SEC programs are and how they hold themselves to some higher standard, what a crock.

Could have happened to a more nauseating fan base. I am glad the NCAA is finally coming down hard on osu, its not so bad as they pointed the fingers at so many other programs, but the fact that they ended up being the dirtiest program in the nation that is so satisfying.

Right, dirtiest program in the nation.

Speaking of trying too hard...

[Lee]

When you say "minor infraction" i can't help but think you are still referring to the "garage sale". That's not the infraction here.
Learning of violations, failing to disclose them and then attempting to cover it up, is about as serious as you can get in the NCAA's eyes.

One thing I want to add that this is the same old argument that many people were refusing to get. This post brought up an article which in my opinion has shady sources at best. I have been one of the loudest about how bad what Tressel truly did is, but this article is pure crap. I dont buy the story personally and think its just a reporter piling onto the OSU program without having any really knowledge of acedemic fraud.

Just my opinion. This time I am on Tressel's side.

[Chris]

All the upity attitudes by osu fans and coaches and those affiliated with the school, about how dirty SEC programs are and how they hold themselves to some higher standard, what a crock.

Could have happened to a more nauseating fan base. I am glad the NCAA is finally coming down hard on osu, its not so bad as they pointed the fingers at so many other programs, but the fact that they ended up being the dirtiest program in the nation that is so satisfying.

What a loser.

[DougHeil]

I get that there was a coverup. I guess I just don't see how it warrants such attention, and demand for the team to vacate the previous season, for the coach to be fired and for the program to be significantly reprimanded (beyond what has already happened). Tressel and the players are already missing a sizable part of next year. I understand that the consequences for this can be significant, but I just don't see why it should be significant.

The whole thing strikes me as overblown, but I admit that I don't get it. Maybe I'm missing something. It's not like the coaches paid, or offered to pay players to play. The coaching staff didn't provide the memorabilia with the intent to help compensate the players.

To me, there's a difference between trying to circumvent NCAA rules to gain an unfair advantage through recruiting and what happened here. It's one thing for a team to offer to pay a player, or to have that conversation with a player's Father, or to knowingly allow agents to compensate players (a la Reggie Bush and USC). It's an entirely different thing (at least to me) to overlook players selling some of their own property. I agree, it's against the NCAA rules (whether it should be or not isn't the issue here, I get that it is a violation). I just don't see how it's such an egregious violation that it warrants more punishment than what has already been handed out. There's this outrage and demand for justice that I just don't get. Yes, there were some rules violations (however silly those violations are), but it seems to me that they've been met with a sufficient punishment. Honestly, I don't understand why it's a bigger deal, and maybe I'm missing something. Something seems amiss to me, and I'm trying to figure it out.

Sure, this will cost the OSU program, but I don't see why such an extreme price should be paid (or demanded) for what seems to be to be a relatively minor infraction.

Yes. From your posts, there is one thing you have not mentioned at all, and I feel you are indeed missing something big.

Tressel lied to the NCAA first off. Why did he lie? He lied to coverup what the players did. He was protecting them from suspensions. But why would he do that? That's the BIG question and the thing you are missing.

Tressel found out about what the players did in April. The football season wasn't going to start until September. He covered up everything because he knew the players could face suspension if he had told anyone. He didn't want these Seniors like Pryor to miss any games in the final season.

Whether or not you believe that's why he lied to the NCAA doesn't matter. It's what the NCAA thinks that counts. I'm thinking they will think exactly what I wrote above and why it's much more than a few players selling their pants. The NCAA thinks Tressel lied to them so OSU could win a few games in the fall, and also win the Bowl game they indeed were allowed by Tressel and the NCAA to play in. That's some serious stuff.

[selby56]

All the upity attitudes by osu fans and coaches and those affiliated with the school, about how dirty SEC programs are and how they hold themselves to some higher standard, what a crock.

Could have happened to a more nauseating fan base. I am glad the NCAA is finally coming down hard on osu, its not so bad as they pointed the fingers at so many other programs, but the fact that they ended up being the dirtiest program in the nation that is so satisfying.

I agree with the bold part. Being a South Carolina fan, all I've heard since I moved back up to Ohio was "Fuck you and fuck the SEC, you guys are nothing but a bunch of liars, low-lifes, cheaters" and any other name you can be called. I don't hate Ohio State, but it is kind of ironic how the tables have turned. I definitely don't hear very much out of those same people that were telling me the SEC is nothing but liars and cheaters.

[RappSoda]

I agree with the bold part. Being a South Carolina fan, all I've heard since I moved back up to Ohio was "Fuck you and fuck the SEC, you guys are nothing but a bunch of liars, low-lifes, cheaters" and any other name you can be called. I don't hate Ohio State, but it is kind of ironic how the tables have turned. I definitely don't hear very much out of those same people that were telling me the SEC is nothing but liars and cheaters.

Goes without saying at this point. Maybe not USC, Vandy, and a few others. The SEC big dogs are liars, low-lifes, and cheaters who recruit retards. Ohio State's convictions can't change this fact. Cam Newton got almost 200K after being busted and kicked out of one school for painting his name on a laptop that he stole.

The funny thing is that Auburn was savvy enough to find a way to not get Cam in trouble by giving money to his dad.

OSU guys might have sold their shit, but they did because boosters aren't paying them for a good pay ala a buckeye sticker. SEC is just savvy enough to know that with cash, there is no paper trail left.

[b00bie]

Goes without saying at this point. Maybe not USC, Vandy, and a few others. The SEC big dogs are liars, low-lifes, and cheaters who recruit retards. Ohio State's convictions can't change this fact. Cam Newton got almost 200K after being busted and kicked out of one school for painting his name on a laptop that he stole.

The funny thing is that Auburn was savvy enough to find a way to not get Cam in trouble by giving money to his dad.

OSU guys might have sold their shit, but they did because boosters aren't paying them for a good pay ala a buckeye sticker. SEC is just savvy enough to know that with cash, there is no paper trail left.

As bad as the Ohio State saga has gone in the media, I have no doubt the SEC is about 10x worse given what they seem to be doing.

I mean, Cam Newton got 100,000 at least to join their football team....If you look at that in the same light as getting hooked up on a tatoo, then by all means....You're entitled to your opinion.

[b00bie]

The next two weeks aren't going to be pretty for OSU.

With these supposed "articles" coming out, which apparently HAVE TO BE 100 percent true otherwise Sports Illustraded wouldn't write them, just another in a long line of PR storms OSU is trying to weather.

Clearly in survival mode as far as these stories go, but they're going to survive either way.

I'm starting to believe it's a possibility Tressel resigns given this constant barrage (none of which may have any bearing on the NCAA investigation), but I would prefer they weather this storm with JT at the helm.

[billmac91]

The next two weeks aren't going to be pretty for OSU.

With these supposed "articles" coming out, which apparently HAVE TO BE 100 percent true otherwise Sports Illustraded wouldn't write them, just another in a long line of PR storms OSU is trying to weather.

Clearly in survival mode as far as these stories go, but they're going to survive either way.

I'm starting to believe it's a possibility Tressel resigns given this constant barrage (none of which may have any bearing on the NCAA investigation), but I would prefer they weather this storm with JT at the helm.

SI has confirmed they have a writer in Columbus, but they've denied any story being published. It's entirely possible the writer didn't find anything worth writing about. At this point you don't release a story unless it's an 8 or 9 out of 10 on the enormity scale. So getting former, disgruntled, players like Ray Small to talk really isn't groundbreaking or new. It's newsworthy but not SI bombshell worthy.

On a sidenote, after watching Ray throw his entire tOSU career away, being late to practices and buses, having trouble staying qualified, etc....how would this guy even know a good deal if it hit him in the face? He's getting absolutely destroyed on twiiter, BTW...Donte Whitner is especially having a good time at his expense.