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In a move that sends a lightening bolt through the AL East, Carl Crawford has agreed to a seven year $142 million deal with the Boston Red Sox.  This move has to send shockwaves through the Bronx, because with the acquistion of Adrian Gonzalez and now Crawford the Sox are clear the class of the American League East. 

Many thought that Angels were the leading the pack to retain Crawford’s services however, GM Theo Epstein refused to concede the point that they were out of the hunt. 

It is now become imperative that the Yankees sign Cliff Lee and hope Andy Petitte returns for another season.  Acquiring Lee and the return of Petitte would give the Yankees two solid left handed starters to deal with the left handed hitting Gonzalez and Crawford.

It is expected that Crawford will bat in the two hole with 2B Dustin Pedroia moving down. 

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One of our readers on the Plains has asked for our thoughts on the Cam Newton situation. Being the accommodating folks that we are, we’d hate to disappoint. We’ve said a few things before about Auburn’s season, but this deserves some special attention.

In case you’ve been productive this afternoon and haven’t seen the news, over the course of 2 days, Cam Newton (kinda like Michael Jackson…you can’t just say his first name) was ruled ineligible by the University, but today was ruled “immeditately eligible” to play for Auburn. All this with the admission by Cecil Newton, that he discussed “pay-to-play” programs with Mississippi State boosters. Let’s begin with what the NCAA has to say about this situation. According to the NCAA by-laws:

12.1.1 Amateur Status. An individual loses amateur status and thus shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if the individual: (a) Uses his or her athletics skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport; (b) Accepts a promise of pay even if such pay is to be received following completion of intercollegiate athletics participation;

12.3.3 Athletics Scholarship Agent. Any individual, agency or organization that represents a prospective student-athlete for compensation in placing the prospect in a collegiate institution as a recipient of institutional financial aid shall be considered an agent or organization marketing the individual’s athletics ability or reputation.

I’ll start my comments with some of my favorite tweets of the day:

RT @Pres_Bartlet Being an Auburn player is like being in Congress: It’s acceptable to take a bribe, so long as you didn’t know it was a bribe.

The crux of the matter is the fact that Cam Newton “did not know”/wasn’t involved in the discussions with his dad and the MSU booster. For some reason I want to say, and I hope my lawyer friends would back me up, that if you do something illegally, but you don’t know its wrong, it’s still illegal, right? If a tree fell in the woods, but Cam Newton wasn’t there to hear it fall, does that mean it made a sound? The people at Auburn would do their very best to make you believe it didn’t.

RT @stoneridgegroup Cam Newton eligibility ruling proves that even the NCAA doesn’t want to see an Oregon-TCU BCS Championship game.

Well… I take the NCAA’s sideon this statement. I don’t want to see Oregon-TCU either. However, Auburn got the quick ruling on this because the NCAA received an admission of guilt from Cecil Newton. If Cam Newton turned into the second coming of Kodi Burns at QB for Auburn, and they were representing the SEC in the Birmingham Compass Bowl, it would be February and we would still be waiting on a ruling.

If Auburn & Auburn boosters were in question about the payment programs, even if money did not exchange hands, it is hard to believe that Cam Newton would have played the last 2 games. Could you imagine what would happen if that was the case? Just a thought.

RT @chrisnickinson: Hey NCAA, since the FSU coaches didn’t know does Bowden get his wins back & track it’s NCAA title back?

This is the point I am most curious about. It took the NCAA every ounce in their being to look like it was playing favorite with top team in the country. If I didn’t know any better, I would think that Dr. Michael Adams was in charge. Oh wait…that may still happen.

I cannot believe that Cam Newton was not suspended AT LEAST 1 game for all of this. Or that Auburn even took him out of a game out of suspicion. I don’t understand the train of thought that gets A.J. Green for selling HIS jersey, that HE OWNED a 4 game suspension, and their wasn’t 1 game time suspension of Auburn’s QB. I guess A.J. should have gotten his dad to sell his jersey. Its that insane.

And finally from the guys at EDSBS:

RT @Edsbs 40% of Finebaum listeners now believe Cecil Newton tried to get Miss. St. to buy his services as a male prostitute. #solicitationPAWL

If the SEC and NCAA wanted to send a message, no matter how offending, then they should ban Cecil Newton from attending any live SEC games, starting this Saturday.

This entire situation just reminds me of a dad in little league baseball who coaches his son’s team, and gets ejected from a little league game from arguing balls and strikes. Sometimes the adults mess up, and as unfortunate as it sounds, their kids have to face the consequences.

We hope you are enjoying the blog, and we appreciate any comments or suggestions.

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Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino is believed to be close to agreeing on a new deal that will keep him at Arkansas through the 2018 season. The deal is include the following:

-A $6 million buyout which reads that if he leaves before seven years, he will owe $6 million to Arkansas.
-If terminated, then Petrino would be compensated $6 million.
-Yearly raise.
It seems the buyout was his idea because his family likes Fayetteville and he wants to stay.
If true, then Jeff Long should be praised for making this happen. This will also squash rumors that Arkansas is a temporary stop for Bobby Petrino.

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Take the Money and Run Cam!

However, this musical DJ move was not so bring the man behind the music as he was just fired by the University of Alabama for “deviating from the script”.

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Conference expansion continues to be a hot topic. It continues today as Fox Sports.com is reporting that TCU is set to join the Big East in all sports. A huge move and the right one for the Horned Frogs.

I am a traditionalist and I like for this conferences to keep their regional impacts. However, TCU has in my opinion been downright shamed by the national media in their case for the national title.

When Boise State lost on Friday night, I really expected many in the media to jump on the TCU bandwagon and promote their credibility for a shot at the title. However, no one defended them proving that ESPN and others had a Boise State infatuation and not for a non-BCS team. The fact of the matter is before Boise lost to Nevada Friday night, TCU had a better resume and deserved a chance over Boise to play for the title. Boise squeaked by Va Tech while TCU thrashed undefeated Utah on the road.

However, going to the Big East puts this program in good position and gives them an opportunity to compete for a national title sooner than later, while Boise plays on their little blue field and complains how they are treated unfairly.

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Well ESPN has now just broken the story of the day. 84 year old Joe Paterno plans to return as head coach for the 2011 season .  Oh by the way, that sound you just heard are the Nittany Lion faithful yacking over in the corner. 

How in the world can Penn State fans be excited about this?   The program is in a steady decline and doesn’t appear to be recovering anytime soon.  Paterno does not look good and if you have to be wondering how his health will even allow him to make it through 2011.  And on top of all of that, how does any 18 year old HS star committ to play for a 84 year old head coach?  If a prospect signs with Penn State you have to be know that there will likely be a coaching change before you’re career is done.  What is Paterno still going to be head coach four years later at 88?  Will he even be alive at 88?  Not trying to be critical, but these are tough questions Penn State boosters and fans must ask themselves.

Listen, no one liked the way it ended for Bobby Bowden at Florida State.  But sometimes as people age their objective thought process goes with them and these legendary figures (in their mind as well) believe all of their great success is still relevant in today sports world.  And the only way to do what’s best for the program and often time the head coach is to show them the door.

However, Joe Paterno should be given a chance to keep his dignity intact.  This occurs by having someone close to the coach, a loyal friend or former coach, who tells Paterno that it really is time to step aside for the good of Joe Paterno and most importantly the good of Penn State.  If not, I am afraid the Nittany Lions will have to take the FSU approach.

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Can you believe we are two Saturdays away from the end of the college football regular season.  Absolutely incredible!  The best sport on this planet just flies by, and it seems to go faster and faster every year.

This week’s slate is probably the least exciting of all the football weekends simply because so many great teams are idle due to in-state matchups next weekend.  However, there a few games that should catch your eye.

Ohio State at Iowa

This is a big game of course for both teams, but especially Terrell Pryor.  The clear frontrunner at the beginning of the season for the Heisman Trophy, he still has his doubters in Columbus and in the college football world due to his inconsistent play.  Pryor must beat Iowa tomorrow, and it won’t be easy.   Despite a devastating loss to Northwestern in a clear look ahead game, Iowa is a good football team and should be on the top of its game Saturday in Iowa City.

Ole Miss at LSU

How about “The Hat”!  Despite his odd game management and overall personality, the guy just simply wins game.  Better than that, Miles is just great for the game of college football.  Everytime the guy is interviewed it’s must see TV.  My favorite was the interview after the 13 man debacle that cost Tennessee what looked to be a guaranteed upset.  He acted as if it was part of plan.  Just a beauty! 

Miles takes on Ole Miss this weekend in a game that should be an easy stepping stone to a SEC West showdown against Arkansas in Little Rock next Saturday.  The Rebels are in turnmoil and the Houston Nutt experiment appears to be ending its course.  However, keep an eye on this one.  Ole Miss has won two straight in the series.

Wisconsin at Michigan

A Badger win here and they beginning turning the key to unlock a Big Ten title.  However, the game is huge for MIchigan especially Rich Rodriguez.  Richie Rod’s job status has seemed to be up in the air ever since he took the job.  From the problems with his spread offense too probation left behind at West Virginia and now brought to Michigan, it appeared Rodriguez was a “gonner” even before the 2010 season began.

But, he has made clear improvement this season especially on offense due to the spectatcular play of QB Denard Robinson.  Rich Rod has Robinson for at least two more seasons so the future is finally bright.  I firmly believe a win Saturday, and Rodriguez’s return in 2011 will be official.

Quotable

“This is football if you have a problem with it turn it to the Golf Channel.”-Nick Saban

If you missed this quote, Saban spouted it off after Alabama’s 63-7 win Thursday night against Georgia State.  The controversy spewed for Saban reaming and the spanking the backside of backup QB AJ McCarron late in a 30-10 Crimson Tide victory over Mississippi State. 

I am proud of Saban for not backing down.  You’ve got to love a coach who brings it for 4 quarters and expects perfection no matter the score.  Kudos to Saban!  If you haven’t seen the video, I have linked it below.

Nick Saban Spanky Spank

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The Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles have gotten us off to a could start on the week. 

Now I realize that we had the over in the Eagles-Redskins game Monday night, but thanks to the resurgent Michael Vick the Eagles we made easy $$$ for our premium players.

The Michael Vick is story is one that is remarkable.   The guy clearly should be the NFL’s comeback player of the year and maybe the best comeback story in the entire history of the league.  And Vick is not having the majority of his success running the football, he is doing threw the air.  Vick is completing passes at a 62% clip with 11 TDs and ZERO Int’s.  Unbelievable! 

In my opinion, this shows what an absolute mastermind Andy Reid is developing and coaching QBs.  Who knows if Michael Vick had been under Reid’s tutledge his entire career, he may not have ever been in any trouble.  Reid may have been a strong influence in Vick’s personal life instead of letting him run wild like Jim Mora did.  Either way it’s an outstanding story for one of the game’s more special talents in Michael Vick.

Will have a football weekend preview posted tonight so stay tuned for that.

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Hour by hour the news just gets worse for Auburn and Cam Newton.  Just this time last week reports surfaced that Cecil Newton, Cam’s father, sought up to 200K for the services of his son. 

Cecil Newton is the pastor of a church in Newnan, GA that was in major need of repair.  It is speculated that Cam’s father pimped his son for repairs to his church.  For days no one would go on the record, now that has happened. 

According to ESPN.com, Kenny Rogers a former agent and player at Mississippi State told ESPNDallas that he and Cecil Newton met with two Mississippi State football coaches at a hotel in Starkville and Newton specified the dollar amount it would take for Cam to sign with Mississippi State.  And another nail into the coffin of Newton’s career took place just about an hour ago when John Bond a MSU booster and close friend of Rogers confirmed the story to ESPN.com.  Bond also said he was contacted by Rogers and was told how much it would cost to secure Cam Newton’s signature.  This is a major NCAA violation and Bond and Rogers going on the record is damning for Newton.

Now Auburn is less than 48 hours from kicking off against Georgia in the most publicized game for the 2010 season for the Tigers.  The Auburn campus is going to be a media circus and Paul Finebaum’s stated today half tounge and cheek that viewership could come close to the Super Bowl.  But, will the NCAA step in and prevent this PR disaster?

However, according to John Zenor of AP the NCAA and SEC is powerless here.  Sole responsiblity of the initial suspension rests with the individual school for all current student athletes facing NCAA violations.  What will Auburn do?  Head coach Gene Chizik says Newton is playing Saturday, but that was yesterday before anyone went public.  If Newton does play one single message are being sent.  Auburn realizes that the hole has been dug so deep there’s no point even attempting to climb out.   Just hold out for a late card on the river that nothing concrete will be pinned on Auburn or Cam Newton.

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