College Football Notebook

[WorkHorse]

WHY COACHES GET NERVIOUS DURING THE OFFSEASON
Pat Forde wrote an interesting article concerning offseason problems for college football teams. Here's a brief summary.

NCAA ISSUES: Think back to North Carolina last year. The Tar Heels were loaded and picked by many to win the ACC championship. Then the NCAA came down on a number of players and North Carolina stumbled to an 8-5 season. By the way, the Tar Heels had nine players drafted tying USC for most drafted from one school.

BAD BEHAVIOR: Idle time durijng the summer months seems to be the devil's workshop for many players. Heading to the "worng side of town" can result in arrest and other issues.

ACADEMICS: For many players summer school is catch-up time....and some of them fail to catch up.

FREAK INJURIES: Blue chip Notre Dame recruit Matt James fell to his death while on a spring break trip to Florida last year. A number of players always get hurt during the summer months.

TEAM CHEMISTRY: Sometimes a team comes apart during the off season. If a team already has shaky player leadership and chemistry, locker room issues can intensify in the summer months when coaches are not there to smooth over any disagreements or issues that arise. Good senior leadership is like owning a goldmine in college football.

COACHING MISCALCULATIONS: Significant strategic change in the off season can sometimes backfire. Look at Texas in 2010, when the Longhorns recommitted to a power running game when they had an offensive line and running backs who couldn't handle the assignment.

[WorkHorse]

adding: MartinBlank to the Opening Week Football Invitational

[WorkHorse]

OHIO STATE
As part of his punishment for not revealing his knowledge of his players' NCAA violations, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will attend a five day compliance seminar in June in Tampa, Florida. Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch confirmed that Tressel would take part in the NCAA sponsored event June 6-10 at a resort hotel on the waterfront. One of the topics of the compliance seminar...one of two put on by the NCAA this summer is "Division I Major Infractions." Meanwhile, Ohio State's director of compliance is reviewing at least 50 car sales to Buckeyes athletes and relatives to see if they met NCAA rules, The Columbus Dispatch reported Sunday. Tressel may just be a car salesman when this is all said and done.

MICHIGAN
Wide receiver Darryl Stonum was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of drunken driving, the day before the school announced he had been suspended indefinitely for a "legal issue." Coach Brady Hoke said Saturday that Stonum had made a "poor decision" and was being disciplined, but he didn't elaborate. Diane Brown of the University police say Stonum was arrested around 2:25 a.m. Friday on suspicion of operating while under the influence. Stonum started 12 games as a junior last season and ranked second on the team in receptions and yards receiving. He has 76 career receptions for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns.

KANSAS STATE
Former Kansas State football coach Ron Prince says he is satisfied with a settlement reached with the school that calls for him to receive $1.65 million. The settlement also absolves Prince of any wrong doing in a dispute over a memorandum of agreement that KSU had contended was signed without the knowledge of then president Jon Wefald. After Prince was fired at the end of the 2008 season, the school said it accidentally discovered the agreement signed by Prince and then athletic director Robert Krause. Under that pact, Prince was supposedly owed $3.2 million by Kansas State in addition to a severance payment of about $1.3 million.

TEXAS
Head coach Mack Brown has not made public who his starting quarterback will be among Garrett Gilbert, Connor Wood, Case McCoy and David Ash. What Brown hasn't done publicly, may have been taken care of privately. Brown and UT's revamped offensive coaching staff have already settled on a starter. Word out of Austin is Garrett Gilbert, last year's starter will head into fall as the lead quarterback.

UAB VS UCF
Central Florida has announced that their game with UAB has been moved to Thursday, October 20 at 8 p.m. in order to accommodate television request. The move to Thursday marks the fourth weekday game for the Knights. UCF will play BYU Friday, September 23, host Tulsa on Thursday, November 3 and UTEP on Friday, November 25.

[cant call it]

I haven't seen this posted , hope its not a repeat.

Mizzou
Tyler Gabbert leaving mizzou. Tyler Gabbert, who had been battling James Franklin to become the successor to Blaine Gabbert -- Tyler’s older brother -- has left the program.

I am hearing rumors of Houston Nutt wanting this kid.

[BigdaddyQH]

I haven't seen this posted , hope its not a repeat.

Mizzou
Tyler Gabbert leaving mizzou. Tyler Gabbert, who had been battling James Franklin to become the successor to Blaine Gabbert -- Tyler’s older brother -- has left the program.

I am hearing rumors of Houston Nutt wanting this kid.

This is true. Gabbert is leaving. I do not know where he may land, but Mississippi certainly could use him.

[WorkHorse]

MISSOURI
As posted above by cant call it, quarterback Tyler Gabbert is leaving the Tigers football team. The battle to replace Blaine Gabbert as Missouri's starting quarterback is over. Younger brother, Tyler, has decided to give up the battle and transfer to another school. Coach Gary Pinkel said Monday that redshirt freshman Tyler Gabbert is leaving, ending the competition with sophomore James Franklin to succeed first round draft choice Blaine Gabert as the Tigers' signal caller. Both players entered spring practice with what coaches called an equal shot at the starting job. Franklin was elevated to the top of the depth chart entering the fall after a stronger performance in the spring game. Gabbert is considering Iowa, Louisville, Arizona and Wake Forest for possible transfer.

GEORGIA
Running back Washaun Ealey is leaving the Bulldogs, the school said Monday, a move that wasn't surprising after he was suspended twice for disciplinary reasons. Coach Mark Richt said Ealey had been granted his conditional release to transfer to another school for next season. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Ealey led Georgia in rushing as a sophomore with 811 yards and 11 touchdowns setting a school record when he ran for five TDs in a win over Kentucky. Ealey was suspended for the 2010 season opener after his arrest for driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident. Highly recruited RB Isaiah Crowell probably had as much to do with Ealey's decision to transfer as anything. Crowell will come in and start day one.

NORTH CAROLINA
Two Tar Heel football players are transferring, a third has been kicked off the team and a fourth says he no longer plans to play the sport. Coach Butch Davis said Monday that defensive back Brendon Felder and linebacker Herman Davidson were transferring. Davis says Felder wants to play for a school closer to his home because his grandmother is sick. Felder redshirted as a freshman last year while Davidson played in 13 games primarily as a backup. Davis also said defensive lineman Jared McAdoo was dismissed for violating team rules. Have you noticed of late a lot or transfer request because of sick grandmothers and wanting to be near? Seems to be a run of sick grandmothers lately.

NORTHWESTERN
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald and Northwestern University have agreed to a ten year deal that could keep Fitzgerald with the school for a long time. Fitzgerald was a two time All-American at Northwestern and as a head coach has compiled a 34-29 mark and four straight bowl games. Because Northwestern is a private school, no terms of the extension were given.

[The DiB]

Crowell better live up to the hype for Georgia's sake...

[BigdaddyQH]

Ealey was a disaster waiting to happen at Georgia and knew it. It was time for him to go.

Tyler Gabbert has learned that you have to have more than a name to earn a spot as a #1 QB. So like a spolied little chiled, he just sotrms out of school to find new playmates at another school. Good Luck with that.

[WorkHorse]

Bigdaddy, do you have any idea where we can find a list of all the players who are planning on transferring for next season?

Must be a pretty long list.

[The DiB]

Bigdaddy, do you have any idea where we can find a list of all the players who are planning on transferring for next season?

Must be a pretty long list.

Don't have a list, but you can add Florida RB Mike Blakely (#40 player in 2011 class) to it.

[WorkHorse]

adding: Mlb to the Opening Week Football Invitational

[WorkHorse]

BigdaddyQH, late night but has been a good one my friend.

I have invited PVCPIPE and Blondie from our old site. Pipe won second place last year in the opening week contest if my memory serves me correct. You and I know how Blondie supported the two of us as a Mod at EOG. She always played the contest for charity...now she can play for herself if she chooses.

Never forget good people....God will bless you for it.......

[WorkHorse]

THE MAXWELL AWARD 2011
Who will win the 2011 Maxwell Award as college football's player of the year? Obviously I don't know for sure but can offer two names who should be in the running. Since quarterbacks have won the the past eight awards, I'll stay with that position and name either Kellen Moore (Boise State) or Andrew Luck (Stanford) to be this year's winner. Yes, I know I'm really stepping out on a limb with these two selections.

Past Winners:
2010 Cam Newton, Auburn
2009 Colt McCoy, Texas
2008 Tim Tebow, Florida
2007 Tim Tebow, Florida
2006 Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
2005 Vince Young, Texas
2004 Jason White, Oklahoma
2003 Eli Manning, Ole Miss
2002 Larry Johnson, Penn State
2001 Ken Dorsey, Miami
2000 Drew Brees, Purdue
1999 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin
1998 Ricky Williams, Texas
1997 Peyton Manning, Tennessee
1996 Danny Wuerffel, Florida
1995 Eddy George, Ohio State
1994 Kerry Collins, Penn State
1993 Charlie Ward, Florida State
1992 Gino Torretta, Miami
1991 Desmond Howard, Michigan
1990 Ty Detmer, BYU
and others.........................

[WorkHorse]

SOUTH CAROLINA
Steve Spurrier has once again said that suspended quarterback Steven Garcia might be back on the football team this fall. Speaking to a Gamecock booster club yesterday, the ole ball coach made it clear that the often troubled quarterback will have to be on his best behavior if he's to return. (Seems to me Spurrier has said that same thing about 36 times) Garcia graduated from Carolina last Saturday so he can now transfer to another school and play immediately. My question would be...why would any other school want the immature baby?

SOUTH FLORIDA
Two transferring Florida football players may be headed to South Florida. Wide receiver Chris Dunkley and running back Mike Blakely are both reportedly being pursued by South Florida. The St. Petersburg Times reports that USF is waiting on transcripts from Florida to begin enrollment process. Florida coach Will Muschamp nixed Blakely from transferring to Florida State, Miami or an SEC school, but he has given clearance for him to go to South Florida.

CLEMSON
Former Missouri quarterback Tyler Gabbert who is transferring to pursue other playing opportunties won't be going to Clemson. Gabbert's father said Clemson was on the initial list of schools his son might consider transferring to. Unfortunately for Gabbert, Clemson had zero interest in him joining their program. The Tigers' coaching staff did not consider Gabbert an elite prospect and said they were happy with the quarterbacks they have.

IOWA
Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz has offered Hinsdale Central High School FRESHMAN Brian Allen a full football scholarship. Allen, still on the junior varsity team, is already up to 250 pounds. At 15 years old, the youngster can't even drive a car. Who said football recruiting has gone NUTS!

AUBURN
Auburn's athletic department is still planning to elect a statue of Heisman winners Cam Newton, Bo Jackson and Pat Sullivan. I think if I were AD Jay Jacobs, I might hold off on honoring Newton with a statue. It could be very embarrassing later on to have to take it down. By the way, NCAA officials were on the Auburn campus yesterday.

NCAA
NCAA president Mark Emmert talks like a man who's about to drop the hammer on NCAA cheaters. Yesterday, Emmert said he wants schools found guilty of cheating to pay stiff penalties. "We need to make sure out penalty structure and enforcement process imposes a thoughtful level of concern, and the cost of violating the rules cost more than not violating them." The only real way to curtail cheating is to scare the hell out of coaches and school administrators. The risk of cheating has to be made to far outweigh any possible rewards that may come from rule bending. Are you listening Ohio State?

[BigdaddyQH]

Aparently Spurrier has no clue as to what he is doing. This indecision cannot be good for the team. He should just get rid of Garcia, who is a head case at best.

We are hearing that Wisconsin may be in the running for Tyler Gabbert's services. The Badgers could use a good QB to complement their running game.

The Maxwell list just goes to show you how college ball means nothing when it comes to being successful in the pros. So far, only the two Manning boys and Brees have been successes. In the mean time, atleast 7 of those named on the list have been partial, or complete busts in the NFL.

[WorkHorse]

BD, I haven't heard about Gabbert's interest in Wisconsin. Russell Wilson, the North Carolina State QB has expressed interest in the Badgers.

[xyzky]

Good information going on in here guys

[utmoody10]

Another UGA running back is in trouble. I am hearing Caleb King will not be eligible this year and is expected to appeal. Crowell better be everything people are hyping him to be.

[utmoody10]

Sad news out of Jacksonville, former Tennessee/current Alabama offensive lineman was found dead this morning. Thoughts & prayers go out to his family.

[WorkHorse]

ALABAMA
Offensive tackle Aaron Douglas was found dead Wednesday morning on the secnd-floor balcony of a Fernandina Beach, Florida, residence. The police department is currently conducting an investigation into Douglas' death, and no cause of death has been determined. However, the Fernandna Beach chief of police was ask if drugs or alcohol contributed to whatever it was that claimed the life of the 21 year old lineman. He said drugs or alcohol would be a preliminary guess. It's unclear when the results of the toxicology reports performed will be completed and released. Douglas was a freshman All-American at Tennessee in 2009, but decided to leave the program in March 2010. After spending a year at the JUCO level, Douglas signed with Alabama and was competing for a starting spot this spring.

NORTH ALABAMA
Florida Gator cornerback Janoris Jenkins is transferring to Division II North Alabama. It appears all Jenkins is awaiting is approval from the NCAA before officially joining the Terry Bowden (son of Bobby) coached squad. Jenkins, named first team All-SEC last season as a junior, was dismissed from the Gator football program late last month following his third arrest in less than two years. Since Bowden's arrival three years ago at the Florence, Alabama school, he has had a history of bringing in Division I castoffs.

SOUTH ALABAMA
The University of Hawaii football team will host South Alabama to close the 2012 regular season. Warriors athletics director Jim Donovan said yesterday that the Jaguars will replace Western Kentucky for the December 1 game at Aloha Stadium. The South Alabama program is in its third year of existence. The program will be in its second transitional season as an FBS program when the teams meet in 2012. The Jaguars will be competing in the Sun Belt Conference in 2013.

TULANE
Head coach Bob Toledo said offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dan Dodd has resigned. Toledo said Dodd is returning to his hometown of San Clemente, California, where he'll take a job as a high school coach and athletic director. Tulane was 4-8 last season and ranked ninth in the 12-team Conference USA in total offense.

AUBURN
Head football coach Gene Chizik will release a book in July. "All In: What it Takes to be The Best" will be released on July 5, Tyndale House Publishers said Wednesday. Chizik led the Tigers to the national championship and a 14-0 season two years after his hiring was widely criticized following two losing seasons at Iowa State. The publisher says Texas coach Mack Brown will write the foreword and that the book will cover the importance of faith in Chizik's life along with his keys to success. I haven't heard if there is a chapter on how to raise $180,000, pay your quarterback and win a national championship. That was a cheap shot Auburn guys...sorry about that.

[BigdaddyQH]

Douglas was not unacustomed to drinking and partying. He served 48 hours in jail for a Drunk Driving conviction before. College kids will never learn, will they.

[Wrecktangle]

Bigdaddy, do you have any idea where we can find a list of all the players who are planning on transferring for next season?

Must be a pretty long list.

WH & BD, I know you guys know this but for those who don't, the site www.collegeinjuryreport.com tracks injuries, transfers, etc. Unfortunately in the off season nothing much is posted so I typically check up / up date in the weeks before the season starts. Frankly this thread is probably the best single location to find info like this in the off season.

[utmoody10]

Upon his (Douglas) release from Tennessee, Dooley mandated him to enroll somewhere at least 8 hours away from UT. I am guessing that this was more than likely a move to get him away from some of the people influencing him and start fresh. There were many rumors about him battling depression at Tennessee and its a shame that it came to this.

[WorkHorse]

UTMoody, what was the real reason Aaron Douglas left Tennessee? I'm not sure I have ever heard his reason for leaving. His dad was an offensive lineman for the Vols and his mother played basketball and was a member of Pat Summitt's first Tennessee national championship team.

I have learned that he was well like by the other players at Alabama and well thought of by the coaching staff. He played on the second offensive team during the spring game but had a good chance to start come fall.

[utmoody10]

UTMoody, what was the real reason Aaron Douglas left Tennessee? I'm not sure I have ever heard his reason for leaving. His dad was an offensive lineman for the Vols and his mother played basketball and was a member of Pat Summitt's first Tennessee national championship team. I have learned that he was well like by the other players at Alabama and well thought of by the coaching staff. He played on the second offensive team during the spring game but had a good chance to start come fall.

I have no inside info to the fact but the rumblings were always that he was on the edge of being dismissed because of off the field problems involving drugs. It was also said that he battled depression. I am sure having 3 different head coaches in 3 years didnt help matters and he pondered transfer after Fulmer was fired. Through the process of his release Dooley kept reiterating how important it was for Douglas to get away from the program to better himself and start fresh. He is from Maryville, just south of Knoxville, so I believe that was a part of the need for him to get away from those who may have influenced him in a negative manner. With his family history connecting him to the Vol family, it was a bitter pill to swallow to see him transfer to Bama and I am sure there have been many to attack the kid personally for doing so. It would be a nice touch for both sides to reach out in some way during the "Third Saturday in October" to remember Aaron.

[HoldEmHook!!]

100% agree, That magical 3rd Saturday should be observed somehow for A.D.

[WorkHorse]

MIAMI
In February, quarterback Tate Forcier announced he would be transferring from Michigan to Miami. Three months later, he has had a change of heart. Forcier has now decided against a transfer to the Hurricanes due to what's being called "personal reasons". Forcier's decision to "leave" the school leaves Miami with just two scholarship quarterbacks for the 2012 season. No word where Forcier might be headed but I'll take a wild guess and say Montana. I might just be right.

OLE MISS
Head man Houston Nutt has suspended linebacker Clarence Jackson and defensive lineman Delvin Jones for violating team rules. The violations are reported to be the two were drunk in public. Both players were arrested yesterday morning. This was Jackson's second arrest in less than a year; last September he was hit with a burglary charge. He was listed No. 1 on the depth chart at weakside linebacker coming out of spring practice.

IOWA STATE
Quarterback James Capello has decided to transfer to Tiffin University, a Division II school in Ohio. Capello played in two games last season but did not attempt a pass. He was a 3-star recruit from Lebanon, PA., in 2009. With Capello's departure, juniors Jerome Tiller and Steele Jantz and redshirt freshman Jared Barnett will resume the race to become the starter.

ARKANSAS
Two Arkansas football players have been granted releases from their scholarships, while a third is working through the process of applying for a medical hardship. Razorback coach Bobby Petrino confirmed the release of backup kicker Eddie Camara and tight end Ryan Calender. He declined to say whether the two asked for their releases or were dismissed from the team. They are the second and third players to leave the team this week. Offensive lineman Colby Berna has applied for a medical hardship with the NCAA. Berna missed last season with a shoulder injury.

WEST VIRGINIA
Head coach in waiting Dana Holgorsen. "We don't pay too much attention to the whole time of possession thing. We pay a bunch of attention to stuff that matters...offensive third down percentage, how many first downs you get...and turnovers is the name of the game. Of all the top 10 BCS schools last year, every one of them had +5 or higher in turnover margin. We want to lead the country in first downs and usually 27 or 28 can get that done." Holgorsen will take over for 2011 head coach Bill Steward next season.

[BigdaddyQH]

Holgorsen does not seem too bright. He contradicts himself by saying that he does not pay too much attention to time of possession, but wants to lead the country in first downs, which would mean possessing the ball for a long time. Duh...

[WorkHorse]

My thoughts exactly BD.

I will update the Opening Week Football Invitational tonight.

[BigdaddyQH]

Did you ever hear from PVCpipe or Blondie?

[WorkHorse]

Bigdaddy, I offered the invitation and told both to stay loyal to home base. Got a nice thank you from Blondie and haven't heard from PVCPipe. I don't want to cause problems over there so I will leave it alone and let them decide what they want to do.

As you and I know, Pipe is a good football guy and Blondie is one of the most loyal Mods you and I have ever encountered. She spoke...we listened. It's called respect and loyality and for some reason she understood us old bastards when we went off key. She always got us back singing harmony.

[WorkHorse]

The Muleriders, which I am a proud member have had opening week college football contest for a few years now. For us, it is all about guys who love college football and contribute to the CFB forum during the offseason. Bigdaddy will tell you getting to the final contest can be fluid. We add posters and we take posters away. We add money to the pot...we do not take money from the pot.

Last week because of the terrible situation in Alabama, I offered a $500 bonus to North Alabama posters Holdemhook and Cantcallit if they won the opening week contest. With their permission, I would like to revise that offer. Rather than just include those two guys who have been loyal since day one with us. We would like to make sure someone in the top tier of guys wins some money. After all, there will be guys playing the contest for $100 and if one of them wins, you top tier guys lose out.

Bloomquist, Silver and I are trying to come up with something fair to the guys who have supported this CFB site since we have been here. Later tonite I hope to post something about how we can make this happen.

[WorkHorse]

Got an E-mail from some good ole boys down in Tampa, Florida. These SOB's will never say a word unless they think they might lose a buck. Good guys who read this thread and let me know how the wind is blowing down there in Florida.

Nice note from the group and I and the muleriders agree on what they had to say. "Some guy named Rod_M is a player here at SBR and understands fun and business. The guy get's it, that's the name of the game."

I and my ole partners agree....100 percent.

[WorkHorse]

Nice card game going with some real nice cold ones.

Discussion on how to make sure Bigdaddy, Cantcallit, Holdemhook, Wrecktangle and UTMoody get a fair shake out of our contest. These fucken guys are the "base" for what we have been trying to get going here at SBR. Somehow, win..lose...draw....one of these guys (producers for SBR) will be a winner when our contest is finished.

We appreciate you guys and thank you for helping the SBR CFB forum mean something....we don't forget the true winners. You guys are 5-Star players.

Roll Tide and thankyou...............!!!!

[WorkHorse]

Workhorse and post here at SBR have been ZERO without my partner and friend BigdaddyQH. We had different names at another site but those guys always knew and loved our simple song.....college football lovers....join in and let's have fun and enjoy good college football information.

BigDaddyQH is the backbone of my (Workhorse) pitch and what both of us want to achieve in a good college football forum. Just have fun and offer good information about college football.

If you, CFB guys can find two other guys who care more about the game than us...we will bow and join with the flow.............. maybe???