ESPN's Adam Rittenberg on today's presser
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten
Some key points made:
"In its response to the NCAA, Michigan has the right to point out why alleged violations should be considered secondary. You can bet Michigan will do so."
"But "major violations" can sound worse than they actually are, and these allegations certainly don't fit into the same category of recruiting improprieties, paying players, etc."
"Prediction: Michigan will be hit with some penalties, and "major violations" are possible. But these allegations don't seem to be overly extreme, despite some harsh language in the report. Michigan could be hit with probation or scholarship losses, and it will need to be more careful on these issues going forward. I'll repeat what I've said all along: Rich Rodriguez's fate ultimately comes down to whether or not he wins games, not what the NCAA decides in August."
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:11 PM ^
Hooray for sound reasoning and common sense!
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:12 PM ^
A voice of reason. Rich's fate will be determined on the field. End of story.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:15 PM ^
I think it is telling that outside of the Freep building, anyone who follows this story seems to think it is largely a non-issue.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:16 PM ^
It makes me slightly angry when people on this board criticize Rittenberg.
Yeah, he's not always going to say what you as a Michigan fan want to hear. However, his opinion almost always lacks any bias and seems like a smart dude.
The guys at the freep on the other hand....
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:44 PM ^
I don't know that it should make you angry. I enjoy Rittenberg to a point; but I always keep in mind that he works for ESPN...
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
Another thing I don't get - a lot of people on this blog seem to hate ESPN. Other than the "Herby reports Les Miles to Michigan", and seemingly 24/7 coverage of Tim Tebow and Brett Favre, I don't get why there should be any hate.
Hell, when we were 4-0 they were talking about "Michigan is back" and "Tate for Heisman".
I don't see the reason to get upset with ESPN when we lose to Appy State, go 3-9, or lose to Illinois.
February 24th, 2010 at 10:50 AM ^
I Don't hate ESPN, but it is their duty to make a big(ger) story out of everything. Just ask Tiger Woods or Brett Farve.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:16 PM ^
A reporter used Logic and Reason! I thought that was not allowed!
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:18 PM ^
If we lose scholarships over this I am going to fuck.shit.up.
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^
Don't forget to wear your green and white ski mask.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
again, if we lose scholarships for this minor infraction, what happens to USC? Probation? Loss of wins?
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:23 PM ^
Yeah, good question. As a side point, what Rittenberg wrote puts to sleep the idiot who posed the "Which violations are worse: USC or Michigan?" thread.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:22 PM ^
We're not losing scholarships over this. If we do Brandon will just yell Kiffin!!!!! and then direct them to Columbus.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:25 PM ^
In the event of scholarship loss...
What does scholarship loss mean?
How many? For how long? How do they decide who loses their scholarship?
Do we know any of these?
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:34 PM ^
A couple of years ago Washington State lost EIGHT scholarships just for too much attrition. (I believe this was for one year only)
If it's just one scholarship,, probably not a big deal. However, it could be serious. Really up to the NCAA's discretion for the number and the length.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:26 PM ^
Woj has a similar take
http://detnews.com/article/20100223/OPINION03/2230425/U-M-s-Rich-Rodrig…
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:27 PM ^
I was about to rag on Rittenberg for just saying that Rodriguez' job will come down to winning games (something we've all known for years now), but then it occurred to me that maybe it's not as obvious as it seems. After all, the Freep's been missing that point since day one.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
They allow voice of reason media I never knew that.
signed the free press
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
After reading the NCAA Notice of Allegations a couple times (i'm unemployed, time is abundant during the day), I pretty much decided that the notice makes things sound WAY worse than they actually are.
While the "going over the limit in practice time" seems to be minor, yet still valid, the biggest thing to come out of today's presser are the 5 QC staff members who appeared to be "running the show" when the coaches weren't around. WELL, in reality, this is not the case whatsoever. And I'll base this on a purely hypothetical, yet entirely plausible situation:
Greg Robinson tells Kovacs he needs to be quicker on his feet. Kovacs breaks up a pass during a drill. Adam Braithwaite tells him good work, and even comments on his footwork when he sees him in the video room.
Rules violated: ALL OF THEM
All the NCAA has to do is ask a player if Adam was ever around, and if he ever gave input into their play. A simple yes brings about ALL these allegations, no matter how minor his actually input truly was.
In reality, these QC guys were extra help for the coaching staff, who occasionally gave input to players and helped "run the show" when Greg would, let's say, have to go to the shitter during the middle of practice. I highly doubt Rich Rod would knowingly have NON-coaching staff members run practices... given that they... AREN'T coaching staff members, and don't have the experience to help run a tier 1 football program.
Here's to betting Drew Sharp's resignation on the fact that I'm right.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^
I agree with you. These QC personnel are all "coaches." They all want to be in athletics and are using this opportunity either to move up the coaching ranks or hang around the game after they've had their time in the sun (seriously, look at the back grounds of any QC staff in college football, they fit into one of those two situations). It's impossible to think that unless they have no contact with the athletetes that they won't eventually give some coaching advice. It's what coaches do. I believe RR knows the rules and doesn't have QC staff "running" practices or off-season workouts, but I bet he understands that when the QC staff comes into contact with players an occasional bit of coaching wisdom will be shared.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^
If Michigan looses scholarships over this, USC most certainly will be treated to the Death Penalty (like SMU in the 80s). That however would force Seantrel Henderson to look around ;-)
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:42 PM ^
Seantrel said himself OSU came in a close second, so I'd assume his "looking around" is just falling into OSU's lap. I'd prefer a sad face for that.
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
loose = not tight
lose = the opposite of win
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:40 PM ^
This whole NCAA thing is about picking fly shit out of pepper!
I've read the allegations, pretty damn weak and foolish!
I guess that is what helps justify having an NCAA.
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^
That, my friend, is an excellent metaphor. Well done.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:42 PM ^
The NCAA is a business who above all else will protect its money makers. Any sanctions imposed on us will in turn will be the measuring stick for USC. Last I checked the Rose Bowl and its sponsors pay alot of money to be part of the BCS. I will guarantee you the NCAA won't take away that bowl's two most prestigous programs.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^
Maybe I do want the government to crack down hard on the BCS/NCAA. I was against government intervention in the college sports world, but now I want to see a headline titled "NCAA/BCS Hit with Major Anti-Trust Infractions". Yeah, how about that happening tomorrow? Then this can just sink into the background.