Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Luke Fickell Tough Road Ahead

Luke Fickell had the dream job a coaching job beside a great mentor in Jim Tressel. He thought the relationship would last for a very long time, but it came to an early end for Fickell. Now all Luke Fickell can do is try to move all and take what he has learned from the experience and get the Buckeyes back on track.

According to Fickell he had no idea what was going on until it became public. He was already going to be head coach for five games, but now he has a chance to become the full-time coach for the college he once played for. Luke Fickell has no preconceived notions on how things will work out. He knows unless he wins he will be gone after one year.

It will be tough on Fickell as everyone will be watching the program and making sure they stay clean. He knows he must do it the right way and Tressel has taught him a lot. It still though will come down to wins and losses for Fickell. The chances that he stays on past one year maybe slim, but you never know what could happen. We will just have to wait and see what Fickell can do.

Terrelle Pryor Issues Apology But Is It Too Late

When Terrelle Pryor hired super agent Drew Rosenhaus it was only a matter of time until we heard from Terrelle Pryor. Rosenhaus knows how to work the media and letting Pryor give a brief apology starts the process to getting his client back on track. Here is some of what Pryor said in his short apology.

“I say sorry to all the Buckeye nation and all the Buckeye fans across the country,” Pryor said. “I never meant to hurt anybody directly or indirectly with my conduct off the field and I am truly sorry.”

“In terms of coach Jim Tressel, a special shoutout,” Pryor said. “I’m sorry for what all went down and I apologize with all my heart. I love you just like a father. You taught me a lot and I apologize for putting you in a situation and taking you out of a job and place that you loved to be. I regret the fact that you’re not there any more and I regret the fact that I’m not there any more.”

Typical apology from a guy who made mistakes. I am sure Drew Rosenhaus crafted for him. No matter who wrote it the damage has been done to the Buckeyes program. It will be interesting to see how well Pryor performs at the next level. I think he will find it much tougher than he ever imagined.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Alabama 2011 College Football preview

If you ask Nick Saban he was not happy the way his team played in 2010 as he fell short of expectations. He was hoping to defend his National Championship, but it did not work out for him. The Crimson Tide will go into the 2011 campaign without Mark Ingram as he has opted to go to the NFL. The Tide also lost Julio Jones a talented wide receiver to the NFL as well. Do not feel bad for Alabama though as they have plenty of talent left.

On defense the Tide should be good as they did not lose a lot. The one thing that Alabama did in the off-season was get a bumper crop of talented freshman to sign with them. This means the Tide will still be one of the teams to beat in the tough SEC. Look for the Alabama’s defense to be improved from last year as sometimes it let them down.

Overall Alabama will get to 10 wins again. The key I think will be the defense as they must play better, especially in big games. Against Auburn and South Carolina they let them control the game when it counted and that cannot happen this year. The Tide will contend in the SEC, and probably for another National Championship as well.

Alabama 2011 Season Schedule

2011 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Schedule

Date/Time Opponent

Sat. 09/03/11
11:21 a.m. CT Kent State

Sat. 09/10/11
2:30 p.m. CT at Penn State

Sat. 09/17/11
Time TBA North Texas

Sat. 09/24/11
Time TBA Arkansas

Sat. 10/01/11
Time TBA at Florida

Sat. 10/08/11
Time TBA Vanderbilt

Sat. 10/15/11
Time TBA at Ole Miss

Sat. 10/22/11
Time TBA Tennessee

Sat. 10/29/11 Open Date --- ---

Sat. 11/05/11
Time TBA LSU

Sat. 11/12/11
Time TBA at Mississippi State

Sat. 11/19/11
Time TBA Georgia Southern

Sat. 11/26/11
Time TBA at Auburn

Sat. 12/03/11
4:00 p.m. ET SEC Championship 1
1 at Atlanta, GA (Georgia Dome)

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Pryor Leaves School As More Comes Out About What Benefits He Got As A Buckeye

Terrelle Pryor through his attorney has decided to forgo his senior season which was going to be cut short anyways. I do not think that Pryor was going to play a down this season after the investigation by the NCAA was done.

Pryor's statement through his lawyer read “In the best interests of my teammates, I’ve made the decision to forgo my senior year of football at The Ohio State University,” Pryor said in a statement issued by Columbus lawyer Larry James. Pryor will probably enter the NFL supplemental draft.

Pryor had already been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season for accepting improper benefits from a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner. The NCAA is looking into all aspects of Ohio State’s once-glittering program, from cash and tattoos to players, cars and other potential violations. A former friend on ESPN's outside the lines talks about the benefits Pryor got for signing things for locals in Columbus. This story is long from over it seems.

Pryor leaving is probably the best thing for him and Ohio State. This way the school can move on from this horrible situation that has engulfed the football program. Pryor came in hoping to bring the Buckeyes a National Championship, but in the end he brought them nothing but shame.