A Look at "The Great Jim Tressel" Debacle

Perhaps the last time we use our favorite JT photo?

"The best kind of pride is that which compels a man to do his very best, even when no one is watching."

I may not have written much on this topic in the past couple months, but don't assume I didn't care about this. I cared all along that this guy was a cheater and that he and his joke of a University held that reprehensible press conference where Gordon Gee joked that he hopes Jim Tressel didn't fire him. It was clear how seriously Ohio State took this entire situation. Hey, it's the price of doing business. And that's exactly what sports -- especially football -- are at Ohio State. A business. More than that, though, football is an absolute, win-at-all-costs business. And it breeds really ignorant, clueless fans, coaches, students, etc. 

I remember being in traffic court one time for a speeding ticket. One of the cases ahead of me was a guy who was 50-something and was there for his third -- third -- drunk driving conviction. The third conviction carries some teeth in my home state of NJ (i.e., significant jail time) and I remember thinking it was more than deserved, because if this guy had been caught and convicted three times, then he had probably driven drunk 50 or 100 times. Maybe more. Because we all know law enforcement cannot be everywhere at all times, so many times you get lucky.

I bring this up because it is one of the things I think about whenever someone acts like Kelvin Sampson "just made a few phone calls" or, in this case, Jim Tressel was "just trying to protect the students" (as Barry Switzer said yesterday). Whatever. He's been caught red-handed. And it took the NCAA lining OSU up in its scope -- and even more damning allegations from SI -- for them to finally come to terms with the fact that JT simply had to go. I saw someone Monday morning -- I think it was McIntyre at The Big Lead, but he might have just been quoting someone -- tweet that OSU saved face by calling it a resignation.

No, saving face would have been standing up at that first press conference with the overwhelming evidence of his brazen infractions in hand and saying, "This has no place at Ohio State and Jim Tressel has been relieved of his duties immediately." But there was no one to stand up and do that at Ohio State. Because bending the rules is okay there.

I also don't like those OSU sycophants who give you the, "Yeah, he had to go and it was wrong...but with all this fuss I expected he had done something more." As though we're all,  you know, making a big deal out of the fact that he "only" covered up something and knowingly played ineligible players in order to win. I guess I need to ask... what did he have to do for OSU fans to agree he fully deserved to be fired? Actually kill someone? What would it take for sites to stop calling him, as I saw one OSU blog do two weeks ago, "the great Jim Tressel"? He is not a great man. He is definitely a very good or perhaps great coach -- hard to debate that. But his integrity is lacking and not in the little way our integrity lacks when we break the speed limit or keep the $20 bill we find on the sidewalk. It's lacking in a way that allows him to actually participate in a cover-up that demonstrates to his players -- guys who have had their asses kissed for years because of their football abilities and probably need moral guidance more than the average person -- that they are indeed above the law and rules don't apply to them. And if that isn't enough, the SI expose that's now being buzzed about includes juicy nuggets such as this:

While Tressel was an assistant under head coach Earle Bruce, one of his duties was to organize and run the Buckeyes’ summer camp. Most of the young players who attended it would never play college football, but a few were top prospects whom Ohio State was recruiting. At the end of camp attendees bought tickets to a raffle with prizes such as a pair of cleats and a jersey. According to a fellow assistant, Tressel rigged the raffle so that the elite prospects won. Says the former colleague, “In the morning he would read the Bible with another coach. Then, in the afternoon, he would go out and cheat kids who had probably saved up money from mowing lawns to buy those raffle tickets. That’s Jim Tressel.”

That's the guy you're hitching your wagon to, people! He's a dirtball. Three of his most prominent players during his tenure at OSU -- Maurice Clarett, Troy Smith and Terrelle Pryor -- have all now been investigated by the NCAA and found guilty of violations, accepting money, etc. And now we learn a couple dozen more players have done NCAA infraction-worthy things. Tressel is dirty, no matter whether his white shirt and necktie make dumb people think he looks like a senator.

OSU players have also been tweeting a bit today about how this is just giving them "motivation" and "nobody will want to play us next year." Ooooooooooooh!! So scared! This motivates you? Seriously? And stop acting like everyone talking about a cheating coach and sketchy players is somehow some kind of slight to you or your team. These are facts at this point. OSU bends the rules -- at the very least. And it pisses a lot of us off. So if it motivates players on OSU, fine, so be it. I bet, though, it won't be nearly as motivating as, say, a free Chevy Tahoe would be, am I right?

I've also actually -- predictably -- seen OSU tweeters come after us and other Purdue writers for simply relaying the news and -- yes -- taking some measure of enjoyment in seeing a cheater come crashing back to Earth. I think I spoke for quite a few of us when I said, "Hope it was worth it, OSU." It's kind of amazing that even in the face of this ridiculous embarrassment, many of their fans are still obnoxious and combative. Much like disconnected IU fans who saw our dislike of IU as our "jealousy" of their non-NCAA, non-NIT, non-CIT tourney team, these OSU bozos accuse us of being "jealous" as well.

Now, I'm not sure when jealousy became the go-to accusation to throw at someone when your program is the joke, but I need to let you all in on the fact that....it doesn't make any sense.

Why would anyone be jealous of OSU? What is there to be jealous of? That they won the Big Ten last year with ineligible players? That they were almost in contention for a national title again but, yet again, found a way to screw it up and give ammo to Big Ten haters?

See, here's how it works. People are jealous of Drew Brees because he's a winner, he has a hot wife, he is a great ambassador for his college and his pro cities, he's won a Super Bowl and he and his son had one of the best photographic moments in recent memory.

On the slightly more shallow end of the pool, people are jealous of Tom Brady and Derek Jeter because they win a lot, sleep with hot women and are rich.

But nobody -- nobody -- is jealous of a University now associated with a gross lack of institutional control -- which, again, that infamous press conference conclusively demonstrated -- or a fan base who acts obnoxious in the face of such cheating. It makes you look like either you don't understand it or you simply don't care and only want to win, at all costs. Either way, it makes you look bad if you are barking that the rest of us are "just jealous." None of us are, I promise.

I even had a guy who, when I pointed out that Purdue (of the "little 8," as he called us) whipped up on OSU the last time they played in our "high school stadium" (as he called it), asked me what the score was last year when the two met in Columbus. Ah, yes, last year... the 49-0 ass whipping that OSU put on Purdue. With at least five ineligible players on the field.

(The SI story now reveals that at least 28 players have been involved in the tats-for-memorabilia, cash and weed racket going back to 2002. Which means Purdue beat OSU teams in '04 and '09 -- and almost beat the 2002 national champion OSU team that lucked out on a fourth down TD to beat the Boilers 10-6 -- that had ineligible players.)

See, our football program may not be very good right now, but it has had its moments over the years and they are moments we can -- and are -- proud of. Sure, a guy like Drew Brees doesn't come along often, but that's what makes him special. Guys like Terrelle Pryor, who gladly have their hand out for free "loaner" cars, tattoos for memorabilia, and other benefits are a dime a dozen. And you can keep them. Our time will come again. And when it does, it'll be even more special because we'll know it was done cleanly and there's no smoking gun to surface in the future.

Like I said, I hope it was worth it, OSU. You've disgraced yourselves and the Big Ten conference.

Bracket Don't Lie...and notes on cheating

There's a ton of pressure in those brackets. This pressure can make an old man dance around like a little boy and can make another weep like a baby. We saw a bit of that last night as Kalin Lucas' college career ended. This is a guy who deserved much better than what he got this year- He didn't deserve to have malcontent teammates who were forced to exit, he didn't deserve to watch his teammates crumble in injury time and time again, he didn't deserve to watch his well-respected coach nearly have a mental breakdown in the closing minutes of most games, and he didn't deserve to have his achilles tendon rupture last season. He's a truly great player, but this is a team game and his team's season is now over.

As Purdue fans we can relate too well...as people we can probably relate even more.

And this is far from the only case of heartbreak- Louisville's Knowles rolls his ankle, and at the same time, Morehead State plays a great game...and just like that, a member of EsPN's favorite conference goes down in a heap. A team we all know well, Richmond, out-grits a Vandy squad that was in the top-25 for most of the season as their dynamic duo, Harper and Anderson outclass the 'Dores like they did Purdue back in November. Injuries, unconscious shooting, foul trouble, poor coaching decisions...they all come out in the wash as each team earns its right to play in their next game.

It's funny- when a team wins a big game, you often hear a player say, "It hasn't sunken yet." But, when a player loses, he knows right away what's happened. I think that's an example of what Painter's been talking about for a few weeks- winning makes you soft in some ways. It's like an opiate that numbs your senses and makes you ignore the faults and imperfections of your reality. If that's the case, losing is shoving smelling salts up your nose and having your face forced into frigid water. Immediately, you're aware of the scope of all that's happened around you. A player might even see his entire career, mistakes and failures alike, all right in front of him as he questions what he might have been able to do to change the trajectory of his team's fate. And win or lose, the tournament format simply doesn't lie. The team that's playing the best at that point of the season wins the whole ball of wax.

We've said it one hundred times and we'll say it again- thank God the NCAA lets the teams decide who will play for the national championship...in basketball. Yesterday, I gave credit to CBS for its joint venture with TBS that we've all been enjoying- I was told my praise was misdirected. Fair enough. Congrats to the NCAA for getting this tournament right. The coverage has been excellent and has given the consumer/fan the ability to choose exactly what he wants to watch regardless of when dinner time is, if the local news is on or if a regional favorite is playing.

Now go fix football.

And speaking of fixing things, NCAA, you're a pitiful joke when it comes to punishment. Nice job in botching an open-shut case of blatant disregard for your structure and respect of authority.

Some might think that five games is a suitable suspension for players getting tattoos in exchange for swag (I don't, by the way). But I don't believe anyone outside of the corrupt cabal known as an Ohio State University thinks this punishment is fitting for this case of cover-up in the name of winning, or attempting to win, a national title. Please note, I didn't just say Ohio State's athletic department...that's intentional. The moment Gordon Gee muttered his hilarious quip, "I just hope Tressel doesn't fire me..." It became a university-wide conspiracy to skirt the rules and get away with whatever's possible.

If karma truly existed in sports, the Buckeyes would lose today to UTSA...but it doesn't. In lieu of karma, I'll be rooting hard against the Buckeyes and hoping for their early departure. Being part of the same conference doesn't mean we should look the other way as one of our own cheats its way to success...afterall, Purdue isn't a part of the SEC- but aOSU clearly wishes it was. Sorry fellas, you're too far north.

I've always had a suspicion that Thad Matta skirted the rules to get players to come play for him. And I'll admit, there is still no concrete proof of my opinion. But, there is absolute proof that aOSU, as an institution, will do anything in its power to win. And since that university's administration, its athletic department and its coaches are working along side the NCAA to not stop cheating, I'll keep believing exactly as I do.

So, as always, Go Boilers- today could be the first step in Purdue's quest to earn its first national title in the modern era of the tourney. And after my alma mater, I'll be rooting for whomever is in the path of the Buckeyes, UK Wildcats, Volunteers and UConn Huskies and others to win. While the NCAA doesn't seem overly-willing to completely stop cheating coaches and athletic departments from doing what they do, another team might be able to send them a message...even if it's temporary. While the playing field might not be completely level during the off-season or in the classroom, during the season and subsequent tournament, a good coach can bring a team together to level things up. Here's to one of those programs, coaches and teams, that does it the right way raising that wooden trophy in April.

Go Boilers. Like Matty's squad, I couldn't be more ready for Purdue to play.

Football Notes

We all saw a potential weakness at D-End in the wake of Kerrigan's departure...even for the deepest programs (which Purdue isn't), it's tough to replace a unanimous All-American. But, with Gooden's spring injury, the position has gotten even more thin. Emanuel and Hope have moved Justin Kitchens from the inside to end to see how he looks out there and the reports are good. But even more interesting is that they've been running some 3-4. With the personnel and the glut of talent at LB, this might make some sense. That said, I think I'd just prefer to see Higgs move up and put his hand in the dirt- he seems like an excellent fit...but it hasn't happened yet.

Maci, Mebane, Isaac, Frazier and Phillips will probably all be in the discussion. What? You don't recognize many (any) of the names in the group? You're not the only one. But, rather than overhauling the defense, someone will probably find their way into the 4-3. Maci is a poor man's Kerrigan- he doesn't have the strength or talent that 94 had, but his motor is similar. You'd probably know him from Special Teams play as much as anything else. Mebane played in spots last season. He looked very lean for the position...that's probably changed a bit. Isaac, Frazier and Phillips are all newcomers. Phillips was recruited as a LB, but has very good size to be moved forward.

This was talked about in the comments a few days ago- Former Merriville QB, Dolapo McCarthy has landed at Purdue. Out of high school, he attended a military prep school...and said it wasn't a good fit- not on the field or off. He now considers it a dream come true to be on campus. If nothing else, he should be motivated to do big things.

Sadly for him, Purdue has Marve (R-Sr), TerBush (Jr), Henry (R-So) and Robinson (So) all in front of him. I never saw the kid play, but he made the KHC board buzz a few years ago. There was a period in which McCarthy had interest from Iowa, aOSU and FSU...but things all cooled a bit as his Senior year progressed. He finished with a low completion rate (43%), 1,800 yards passing, 10 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs.

Hopefully he's willing to contribute where ever he can. I tried to find a video of him, and can't find anything. What I do find is that he's got great size (6'5") OK speed (4.58) and his scouting report says he throws a good deep ball, can escape pressure, but struggles with consistent accuracy. Does anyone else see another DE candidate who might be able to play right away? You never know. But what we do know is that if McCarthy is flexible, works hard and willing to move, he should be able make an impact somewhere...even if special teams, this season.

Lying with Fleas

I know, Jim Tressel is a snazzy dresser, wears glasses and seems like a control freak. So it's very hard to believe he'd actually lie to the NCAA about potential violations. Well, there's proof that he did. aOSU stepped up BIG by slapping a whopping two-game ban on the uber-successful head coach in hopes that the threat of investigation would quietly go away...and it still might. Let's not forget that a few years ago when Mo Clarett and Troy Smith received improper benefits from boosters, Tressel knew nothing of that. It's a damned good thing Clarett and Andy Geiger were the only people that had really done anything wrong...ammiright??

The point is nothing sticks to the vest, so as an opposing fan, you shouldn't get your hopes up for the NCAA to do anything of substance. Sure, there's "proof" of Tressel intentionally "lying" to a ton of people about this. But remember, he wears a tie on the sideline...that's gotta be worth something in the eyes of the NCAA.

He's nothing like Bruce Pearl, Kelvin Sampson or Lane Kiffin. THOSE rubes wear wind breakers, visors and sweaty, tacky, ill-fitting suit coats.

Granted, when IU fans heard that their AD had hired Sampson, they reassured us that all of his insurrections were behind him. Then when leaks came out about what had happened, they said these were just minor infractions...nothing to be alarmed by- he was their guy. NOW, things are different. Both he and Greenspan are Satan incarnate...and they're the only reasons IU can't win today. Perspective is a funny thing.

Honest.

In Columbus, you have a waaaaaaaay different situation. The rumors that followed the vest from YSU are just rumors...no proof that Coach Tress knew anything. And unlike Sampson who intentionally lied to the NCAA about his phone addiction, Tressel merely didn't tell anyone what he knew, in order to protect his players. See, good dude...and aOSU fans couldn't agree more.

I really think this quote from Bucknut fan, Matt Jeffers says it all: "Get a couple of wins, and it'll be alright."

Indeed Matt.

The only thing I'm worried about at this point is how angry the NCAA really is about being the victim of this well-intentioned, completely-amicable cover-up. If they're pissed and humiliated, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Toledo and other near-by schools need to watch their backs and make sure they're staying clean. Nothing makes a statement to the nation about the resolve of the super-consistent NCAA like slapping some sanctions on a poorer, less-important, less-popular, but equally-guilty institution.

Watch your back, Frank Solich...the NCAA is watching you!!

aOSU Predicto

The stars align poorly for Purdue this week. Our Boilers head into the horseshoe as a sizable underdog for good reason- The Bucknuts typically win their Homecoming Games plus, Tressel's only lost two straight games three times while in Columbus. Plus, the Vest surely has been reminding his squad what happened last year in Ross-Ade for much of the week.

What will happen? Here's what we think:

J says:

Purdue wins 26-18 -- I've seen this one before.

Sorry, no, I'm drunk again. Purdue makes us proud in defeat. Hard for third stringers to compete with the best big ten team money can...I mean...RECRUITING can get.

aOSU 24
Purdue 16

Tim says:

Ohio State is favored by 23. I don't think they'll win by quite that much, but I do think they'll win. In order for Purdue to pull the upset here the defense will have to play lights out. Pryor will have to be on the ground frequently, pressured into passing errors, and contained when he runs. I think that's too much to ask.

I don't think Purdue has enough of a passing game to keep Ohio State honest. If they crowd the line (which they will) and contain the run (which they will) it's going to be a long day.

A few late scores make it look closer that it will be.

aOSU 35
Purdue 17

boilerdowd says:

We haven't had to see Rob Henry in a position where he's forced to manufacture points quickly. I think we'll see that Saturday as Purdue will be playing from behind from the beginning. I think aOSU's kickoff team will score a touchdown, or come really close as the ugly ST problems we saw in the pre-conference will rear their ugly heads again.

Purdue's young defensive backfield (specifically Allen, Charlot & Eargle) has never faced receivers as fast as the Buckeye's unit. Tressel will look to establish the run early and then take advantage of the defensive backfield with deep passes...Pryor's greatest strength as a passer.

IF Kerrigan can hit Pryor early and get him thinking, 2 might be out of his game enough to start giving the game away. But, more-than-likely, I think protection will be good for the Buckeye QB for most of the day.

The Buckeyes are good...an angry Buckeye team is great.

aOSU 34

Purdue 10

To Your Call Once More We Rally;
Alma Mater Hear Our Praise.
Where The Wabash Spreads Its Valley;
Filled With Joy Our Voices Raise.
From The Skies In Swelling Echoes
Come The Cheers That Tell The Tale
Of Your Vict'ries And Your Heros,
Hail Purdue! We Sing All Hail!

Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
All Hail To Our Old Gold And Black!
Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
Our Friendship May She Never Lack.
Ever Grateful, Ever True,
Thus We Raise Our Song Anew;
Of The Days We've Spent With You,
All Hail Our Own Purdue!

What time is it? Handsome Time!

Your two favorite handsome chaps team-up for another award-winning 90 minute extravaganza.

They talk about the sting of losing Rob...

And the reasons to be hopeful.

It's Homecoming in Columbus, the Bucks are coming off of a loss and Purdue's upset of the Bucknuts is fresh in the minds of the scarlet and gray...How focused will the vest have them?

Tune in now and find out!!

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Point/Counterpoint: aOSU v Purdue (11 Warriors sounds off)

(Special Thanks to 11 Warriors' Jason for contributing)

Greetings Boilers. I am here to provide you with a blueprint to getting your team into a position to steal the game in Columbus.

As with any fan that's watched entirely too much football, I've come to know what weaknesses there might exist on each side of the ball for the Buckeyes. These are those weaknesses

WHEN PURDUE HAS THE BALL Sheets has had an excellent season and he'll get his here and there. But where Purdue really has a chance to do some damage is attacking the middle of the OSU secondary. I know Painter is off to a rocky start, but you don't put up his career numbers if you're crap. If he can get it going this game and and the line can protect long enough, Orton, Tardy and Smith all have the size to work in the middle of the field where the Buckeye safeties hit better than they cover.
The key to doing this is establishing some semblance of a rushing threat so Laurinaitis and the linebackers get sucked up a little. USC was able to do it with ease, Troy got scored their lone touchdown by throwing over the middle and Wisconsin took advantage of the Buckeye safeties with throw to the deep middle to put themselves in position for a field goal at the end of the first half. Avoid the sidelines, because the corners are good, but the middle of the field is there.

WHEN OHIO STATE HAS THE BALL Pryor and Wells are going to make plays. Your best bet is to try to limit their damage and then when you can, put the team in down and distance holes by blitzing Pryor on early downs. After the opening two drives in Madison, when he seemed to move the ball at will, the Badgers decided to come after Pryor a bit and got him several times. He doesn't have any type of serious rapport with any one receiver yet, so the time is ripe to be able to pull this off. He's also shown a weakness for trying to create when there's absolutely nothing there -- often losing gigantic chunks of yardage in the process.

The option and Pryor's passing game will only continue to improve, but right now in his career, he's still prone to making the types of mistakes that take the team out of scoring position.

Here's what I think:
Excellent analysis, Jason. It's almost like you watch film and spend hours thinking about ways of helping your team better itself. Sadly, Purdue's coaching staff doesn't do that too much...But, if they do, say come out strong versus an opponent, they surely will not make adjustments at halftime as I'm convinced they believe, by rule, a team must stay in a scheme for an entire contest. If Purdue does what you suggest, and succeeds, look for the vest to make adjustments at the quarter or half and Purdue to do nothing to counter...thus, the Bucks will run away in the final two quarters.

I tend to agree with you about Painter- he's no schmo...but he sure has played like one lately. Purdue has no threat of the deep ball, whether on the sideline or in the middle. In fact, there's only been one pass completed for more than 40 yards on the season...and that was v. Northern Colorado. Plus, Painter's achilles heel has always been throwing into the middle of the field.

The starting premise that Sheets will get yards in chunks might be harder to come by than you think too as Tiller and Z seem to think the draw is the smartest running play they can run with the undersized back and the underwhelming run-blocking line...Sweeps and delays seemed to have worked well...but you won't see too many of those. If you do, Sheets will get his yards.

Defensively, Purdue almost never blitzes...it works too well when they do. Instead, they apply a super-slow collapsing pocket that gives opposing quarterbacks the option to run as it breaks down or pick the place to pass (usually in the middle due to poor LB pass coverage). Purdue's team is not untalented or horribly slow or undersized, but they are absolutely poorly coached and underprepared...not to mention emotionally dead in most games. Nice combo.