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.

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)

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.

Paying Student-Athletes Is Long Overdue

It seems that many college commissioners are looking into a pay scale for the student athlete in the future. This is something that should have been done a long time ago. The NCAA make plenty of money of the student athlete and they should have a piece of the pie. Giving them some of it only seems fair to help pay for expenses. This may stop these student athletes from selling things they have to get extra money.

The Ohio State Buckeye case is a prime example some kind of stipend is need for the student athlete. If the universities do not put something in place soon this is going to keep happening. When the NCAA suspends star players it hurts the athlete, school,and the NCAA as they have reduce revenue as that player is not on the field. Some kind of across the board payment seems like a good idea. The real question is how long will it take for someone to get the ball rolling.

After The Draft Thoughts:Philadelphia Eagles Are They Better Without Donovan McNabb

In this installment of After The Draft Thoughts we are going to take a look at the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles shipped Donovan McNabb to Washington and now Kevin Kolb is the starter. First, we will at their draft picks.

1 13 (13) Brandon Graham DE 6-2 263 Michigan
2 5 (37) Nate Allen S 6-2 206 South Florida
3 22 (86) Daniel Te'o-Nesheim DE 6-4 263 Washington
4 7 (105) Trevard Lindley CB 6-0 179 Kentucky
4 23 (121) Keenan Clayton LB 6-2 220 Oklahoma
4 24 (122) Mike Kafka QB 6-3 220 Northwestern
4 27 (125) Clay Harbor TE 6-3 245 Missouri State
5 3 (134) Ricky Sapp OLB 6-4 240 Clemson
5 28 (159) Riley Cooper WR 6-3 215 Florida
6 31 (200) Charles Scott RB 6-0 234 LSU
7 13 (220) Jamar Chaney LB 6-1 245 Mississippi St.
7 36 (243) Jeff Owens DT 6-3 300 Georgia
7 37 (244) Kurt Coleman S 5-11 195 Ohio St.

With 13 picks in the NFL Draft the Eagles were very busy. Brandon Graham was the Eagles first choice out of Michigan. This defensive end is a prime time player and a very good choice on the Eagles part. Nate Allen safety out of South Florida is another guy that should do well with the Eagles. Out of the 13 picks 8 was on the defensive side of the ball. My biggest worry about the Eagles is trading Donovan McNabb away. I just do not see Kevin Kolb being the answer. We will find out as the Eagles have him as the guy this year. If Kolb does well so will the Eagles. If not they will struggle.

The World According To Roy Williams

Roy Williams is in his own little world, but with his latest comments now I know he is not from the same planet. First his comments about being "The Man" in Dallas was funny enough, but he has ripped off another great line. Maybe instead of playing football he should have his own comedy act. His latest line is him and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo are like Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. Rice and Montana and Romo and Williams. I just do not see the comparisons Roy Williams.

Since Roy Williams has come to Dallas he has only 57 catches in 25 games with the Cowboys. Hmmm excuse me Mr. Williams, but those are not Hall Of Fame numbers. Roy Williams is comical at best and I guess he must like to hear himself talk. I think Roy Williams would be better served to worry about keeping his job. In the World According to Roy Williams he has nothing to worry about as he is like Jerry Rice. Well at least Williams has a sense of humor. He will need it as he watches from the bench this year.