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Big 12 and SEC Agree to Participate in a Game They Will Never Play

Admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:36:15 +0000

A very odd announcement came out today from the Big 12 and the SEC. Starting in 2014, the year the current BCS system ends and the four team playoff begins, the two conferences have agreed to pit their conference champions against each other in a New Years Bowl. Basically the same arrangement the Pac-12 and Big Ten made for the Rose Bowl…100 years ago. Better late than never, right? Well, it doesn’t really matter, because this only applies if both conference champions are not in the four team playoff. Since 1996 when the Big 12 was founded, there has never been a year that it’s champion and the SEC champion both finished outside the top 4.

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My story: Examining the cautionary tales and Patriots WR Wes Welker’s future

Admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 09:58:44 +0000

The debate over Patriots WR Wes Welker’s future is raging. He signed his franchise tender, but then spoke out about how poorly the negotiations are going. Few don’t believe Welker is worth big money for his production now. But it’s when you get a little bit into the future when it gets dicey. Welker is, after all, 31 years old, and he has taken a lot of hits. He plays fearlessly over the middle, which may be why he’s been beat up. In discussing a possible extension, it may be instructive to look into the past. That’s what I did, examining the last two slot receivers who have starred for coach Bill Belichick — Wayne Chrebet and Troy Brown. Are [...]
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Patriots Coach Bill Belichick Tops Forbes List of Top-Paid Coaches

Admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:41:21 +0000

Bill Belichick has won a couple Super Bowls, and it’s helped him as he leads an NFL-dominated list of the highest-earning coaches in sports.

Belichick, one of eight NFL coaches in the Forbes top 10, earns an estimated .5 million annually. The value, length and other terms of his contract have long been kept under wraps by Belichick and the Patriots.

Saints coach Sean Payton, suspended without pay for the 2012 season, would be one of the five coaches in the million range which includes Pete Carroll (Seahawks), Jeff Fisher (Rams), Doc Rivers (Celtics) and Mike Shanahan (Redskins).

Gregg Popovich, recently named NBA Coach of the Year, and Bears head coach Lovie Smith have estimated annual earnings of million.

Eagles coach Andy Reid is 10th at .5 million behind Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and Ken Whisenhunt of the Cardinals (.75 million).

NFL Gridiron Gab

Oakland LB Rolando Mcclain Sentenced to 180 Days in Jail

Admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:05:00 +0000

A judge has found Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain guilty on all charges in his trial in Decatur Municipal Court. His charges include assault, reckless endangerment, menacing, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. He has been sentenced to 180 days in jail.

All of the charges are misdemeanors.

McClain is charged in an attack from November 2011 against Rishard Tapscott.

He got a surprise this morning when co-defendant, Jaradious Willingham, pleaded guilty shortly before the start of the trial. He also agreed to testify in McClain’s trial.

Willingham pleaded guilty to third-degree assault. Municipal Judge Billy Cook sentenced him to 90 days in jail. Willingham must also pay about 0 in fines.

McClain played football for Decatur High School, then the University of Alabama. In this matter, he is charged with assault, reckless endangerment, menacing, and wrongful discharge of a firearm. He also face charges related to a traffic violation in May 2011.

NFL Gridiron Gab

ITB Shorts Episode 4

Admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:49:38 +0000

We’re podcasting folks! Today’s topic? We’ve got Florida State set up on a platter. If you were like me this weekend, totally disconnected and enjoying your real life (I was at a dope ass wedding in Albemarle!), then let me catch you up with some articles. Here’s the Andy Haggard bomb that started the Florida State is upset firestorm. Then, Randy Spetman the Florida State AD came out and towed the “We’re happy in the ACC” line, as he was supposed to. Plus the head coach, Jimbo Fisher, let us know he’s all about doing what’s best for the Seminoles, and if that’s the Big Twelve then do it.

So, now you’re caught up. Dan Wetzel at Yahoo! wrote a good piece on the Noles and getting the most bang for their buck. In this short I try to look at both sides of the coin. One, it must be recognized that Florida State is in a unique position where the cash matters a lot more than it does to most other ACC schools. That cannot be discounted and if they can get more elsewhere than by all means they should explore that option. However, it must also be noted that had Florida State won a bit more then perhaps the contract would look a bit different from a financials standpoint.

To listen to the show click here or subscribe to one of the methods listed below.

If you want the podcast you must subscribe to the Feedburner , but if you want to subscribe to the blog please use the RSS Feed . This is for iTunes to be able to archive the shows. You can also search for “In The Bleachers”on iTunes and subscribe to the podcast that way. You can also find us on Stitcher Radio now!!

Blackberry users like your fearless leader can paste this link into the “Add Podcast Channel” option when you download the Blackberry Podcast App.

Got a question? Email it in to InTheBleachers @ GMAIL (dot) COM

Yes, we’re on the Google+ so find “+Michael Felder” on there and we’ll get you in the ITB Circle!

Hit us up on Twitter @InTheBleachers!

In The Bleachers – A College Football Blog and Podcast

ITB Shorts Episode 6

Admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:08:52 +0000

A great article over at Tomahawk Nation that breaks down the viewership valuation of football versus basketball and where the ACC teams stand based upon television draw. Definitely worth a read and it is the opening point of discussion here on the Shorts today. It seems, at least in 2011, that Florida State is the most valuable property from an eyeballs standpoint and while they are not runaway kings of the television set the fact is they have a right to feel like they are carrying a large portion of the ACC’s load when it comes to TV sets. So what does it all mean? With a team that’s trying to run down Florida, Georgia, Auburn and Alabama on the recruiting trail, money is pretty damn important and they most certainly should explore options.

We also take a quick second to comment on the barely hanging on ,000 stipend debate. Financially challenged schools are fighting to keep relief out of their athletes hands; all for the sake of not allowing a school that can afford it to help their kids out. Really just shows the self-centered drive when it comes to schools and the divide that is very real between the haves and have nots. We’ll keep eyes on this because while the four-team playoff thing is great to stroke off fans, this is something that can actually help the sport.

To listen to the show click here or subscribe to one of the methods listed below.

Blackberry users like your fearless leader can paste this link into the “Add Podcast Channel” option when you download the Blackberry Podcast App.

Got a question? Email it in to InTheBleachers @ GMAIL (dot) COM

Yes, we’re on the Google+ so find “+Michael Felder” on there and we’ll get you in the ITB Circle!

Hit us up on Twitter @InTheBleachers!

In The Bleachers – A College Football Blog and Podcast

ITB Shorts Episode 5

Admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:31:21 +0000

The college football bubble is swelling. FBS teams like UT-San Antonio, Texas State and South Alabama have decided to step up to the big plate. Now Liberty is seeking to do the same. My guy, Kyle Kensing over at Saturday Blitz, wrote a pretty compelling article about this “boom” mentality and the idea that they can get more money by getting to the FBS level. Ultimately it boils down to sustainability and if you have not seen recently, FBS football does not exactly sustain itself. It takes money, lots of it, to field a team; and even more to field a consistent winner.

So how do you regulate it? How do you save schools from themselves and their own delusions of grandeur? Right now, you can’t. You need smart athletic directors; like at Appalachian State and Villanova. Men who realize the expanded travel for all programs and increased scholarships are a cost that can cripple an athletic department. It ultimately is not fair to the schools or to the programs to push for a goal that they will never reach.

To listen to the show click here or subscribe to one of the methods listed below.

Blackberry users like your fearless leader can paste this link into the “Add Podcast Channel” option when you download the Blackberry Podcast App.

Got a question? Email it in to InTheBleachers @ GMAIL (dot) COM

Yes, we’re on the Google+ so find “+Michael Felder” on there and we’ll get you in the ITB Circle!

Hit us up on Twitter @InTheBleachers!

In The Bleachers – A College Football Blog and Podcast

My story: How Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and his scouts find passionate players and fill the team with them

Admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:01:17 +0000

I arrived in Owings Mills, Md., with a simple goal for my impending story. Understand why the Ravens select the players they do in the draft. I came away with a lot more than that. After an insightful conversation with ultra-respected GM Ozzie Newsome, I think I get it. I think I understand why they are always competitive and why their players look like they’d play for free. The Ravens scout passion. As Newsome told me, while watching tape they take their eye off the ball and watch how players move when they are not involved in a play — and they learn whether a guy is going through the motions or just lives it. For those with supreme passion, [...]
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Recapping this road trip: The Baltimore edition

Admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:16:29 +0000

Well, check off another first. On Friday, I made my first visit to St. Louis and the Rams facility. Yesterday, the scene was Owings Mills, Md., where the Ravens practice. If you haven’t seen the castle, it’s a sight to behold. It would be tough for me to imagine a more scenic spot to hold a football practice. Also, they have a putting green out front. Awesome. Speaking of football, this is what I said on TV about the Ravens rookie mini-camp. And here is what I’ve written on the Ravens. Look for more later today. But what about all the other stuff about the trip to Baltimore? Glad you asked… Want some highlights? Overall impression: The Ravens aren’t newcomers [...]
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Ravens’ Upshaw is ready to compete, but ‘there’s only one Suggs’

Admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:36:44 +0000

The Ravens just finished up a session of rookie mini-camp here in scenic Owings Mills, Md., and a big topic of conversation was Courtney Upshaw. The second-rounder from Alabama, the Ravens highest draft pick, will be expected to come in and compete. That was the deal anyway.
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