On July 20, a short week ago, I mentioned that new brain surgeon ad Pat Haden may want to "box up and mail back" football coach Lane Kiffin, just as had been done to the sc replica of r bush's ill-gotten Heisman.

Now, just a few days before Haden officially takes over, and while m garrett's chair is still warm, Kiffin has got the university sued, due to his well-documented unethical, and potentially if not illegal at least civil-liability-eliciting theft of Tennessee Titan assistant coach Kennedy Pola.

Of course, the brain surgeon athletic department has keep the sc legal staff busy for years, whether it was stepping in to prevent former qb Mark Sanchez from being prosecuted for sexual assault, preventing uncle Petey from having to actually show up at his deposition and testify about the FACTS in the Lloyd Lake v reggie bush civil lawsuit, or defending the university against multii-million dollar damage claims in the civil suit brought by the innocent, injured victim in the motor vehicle accident caused by former assistant football coach Dave Watson while driving a university-owned vehicle and while addicted to and high on prescription meds supplied by the sc medical staff.

Haden, a lawyer himself, may take only so much from his predecessor's most recent big-name hire.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |pete carroll

Over the past few days, a couple of the most well-known names in the world of basketball have opened their collective mouths, and shown the world that they are in fact a couple of the great egos, and idiots, in the world of basketball.

As previously described here, the long-overdue resignation of the brain surgeon AD was a welcome occasion this week, as was the selection of San Marino’s only registered Democrat, Pat Haden, to succeed him. Is there anyone who could possible disagree with this change? Anyone who would, or could, laud the stellar work of of the disgraced mike garrett? Why yes, there is. And that person is: None other than Laker owner and celebrated over-grown preppy, Jerry Buss.

While the world, including the new sc Prez. and AD, have slowly come around to realize the extent of the criminal enterprise run by the garrett-carroll-floyd triumvirate, the good doctor Buss - who oh, so proudly wears his sc ph.d in chemistry as others would an M.D. from Harvard - has seen fit to submit his beliefs to the LA Times, who, strangely enough, printed his message in today’s sports section, to wit:

There doesn't seem to be much love shown for Mike Garrett and I would like to correct this if I may. I think in the future, the last 17 years will be known as one of the Golden Ages of USC sports. It is doubtful to me if we will ever win as many NCAA championships in such a short period of time as we have done under Mike. The football was fun; the basketball was fun; the track & field a glimmering of its past glory under impossible circumstances (the limitation of scholarships imposed on USC).I would also like to point out that for 50 years as a loyal Trojan, I prayed for someone with the ability, foresight and courage to attempt to build our own sports arena. This was accomplished by Mike Garrett even though there were numerous predecessors who attempted unsuccessfully to do the same thing.Let's not kid ourselves — things were wonderful under Mike and although I hope things will be even better under Pat Haden, I think we owe Mr. Garrett a very deep debt of gratitude.Jerry H. BussEl Segundo

All I can add is this: Had buss accepted comperable conduct from his LA Laker leadership and athletes, he would have been suspended by the NBA from any participation in the operation of his franchise, the employees directly responsible would have been removed, and the athletes involved fined unprecedented sums.

Then there is the case of the ego of Mr. Chris Paul, registering this week a solid 9.8 on the LeBum-Ego-Meter scale of ten.

What G-d damn arrogance! The mighty Mr. Paul wants to be a Magic, a Knick, or, heaven forbid, a LAKER?

By the way, isn’t he under contract to New Orleans? Why doesn’t that “no tampering” policy stuff apply to players who are under contract, as well as team representatives?

Well, Mr. Paul, with the recent moves the Lakers have made, signing Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff, the two-time NBA Champs are just fine without your services, and, in fact, now possess a roster far stronger than that which, as just noted, has won the NBA Championship the past two seasons WITHOUT YOU!

The very idea, incredibly favored by many equally idiotic commentators, that the Lakers should break up their winning combination by trading the vastly talented and still developing Andrew Bynum for Paul, is absurd.

After painfully enduring the LeBum event (actually, I’m still nauseous from it all), who would have thought that yet another mindless ego would so soon emerge from the pro basketball world, with similar headline-grabing arrogance and impunity.

Come on, it’s BASEBALL SEASON with the trade deadline coming up and pennant races around the corner.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |Lakers |pete carroll |Timmy Floyd

Mike Garrett was still wiping the shoe prints off his ass, when new sc brain surgeon athletic director Pad Haden began making honorable decisions not seen at the brain surgeon hangout since, ... since, ...., well, EVER!

After weeks of “Who, me”, “Why us?”, and “We don’t deserve that!”, Haden accepted the consequences of the Garrett-Carroll-Floyd criminal enterprise, and not only ordered removal of campus idolatry depicting r bush and oj mayo, but further ordered that bush’s ill-gotten Heisman be packed up and shipped back to the NY Athletic Club.

Without them even asking!

Kinda makes you wonder how long Lane Kiffin has before he gets boxed up and mailed back.

theHoundDawg

Tags: Crime |pete carroll |Timmy Floyd |sc brain surgeons

Ah, for the good ole days when the prevailing sound from sc was silence.

The more the astoundingly arrogant uncle petey has to say, the more ridiculous he sounds, and likely the more the good folk in Seattle are having second thoughts, and I’m sure the more the dunderheads at 60 Minutes would like to burn the film of their blubbery tribute to the impeccable mr carroll from a year and a half ago (see my post “60 Minutes Disgrace - Pete Carroll Love Fest”, Dec. 14, 2008). The arrogance of this idiot - to again come out and say he had neither knowledge of the special treatment afforded his star players, nor of the total lack of institutional oversight of the goings on, boggles the educated mind, let alone the minds of sc students and alumni.

Even worse are the comments now flowing from the mouth of r bush. Lest you forget, the NCAA went out of its way to include in their 67 page report, the statement that “Bush and his family refused to cooperate with the investigation”. Now, bush has the gall, the arrogance, the audacity, to actually come out and say - while continuing to deny any wrongdoing, of course - that now, “all I can do is continue to try to help them and move forward with the situation.” Bush pledges to help USC fight NCAA sanctions. He has also said that he knows that he will not lose his Heisman. We’ll have to see about that.

For all you doubters out there, you have to read the definitive article, detailing the events of the bush-petey-timmy-m garrett years, written by then sc student and now ESPN correspondent Arash Markazi, entitled appropriately, USC turned a blind eye.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |pete carroll |NCAA |Timmy Floyd

Bye, Bye, Big 12; So long, Big 10; Pac 10, I knew you well.

Right now, they are the Big Nought, the Big 11, and the Pac 11. Tomorrow, they could be anything.

Colorado is now in the Pac [Insert Number of Your Choice Here]. So is Texas. No, wait - Texas is in the SEC! No, That’s Texas A & M. And it’s Texas Tech that’s in the Pac [Insert Number of Your Choice Here]. But aren’t Miami and Florida State now in the SEC? Well, Boise St and Kansas and Kansas State and Missouri are all in the Mountain West, aren’t they?

So if there are going to be four super-conferences and the conference champs play a four-team playoff for the National Championship, where does that leave Boise State? Or will that mean that the Mountain West must also be a super-conference? But won’t that make five of them? Then you’ll need even more conference champs for that playoff.

And how does the University of Memphis fit into all of this:

”FedEx CEO Fred Smith has spoken to various conference officials and made it known that his Memphis-based company could provide millions of dollars -- perhaps as much as $10 million annually -- to a BCS-affiliated league willing to offer an invitation to the University of Memphis, multiple sources close to the Memphis program have told CBSSports.com.” CBSSports.com, June 12, 2009.

What seems clear here, is the following:

• The super-conference movement will mean the end of the NCAA was we know it.
• That may work well for football, probably leading to a real national championship playoff system.
• It will be a disaster for college basketball - it could well mean the end of the NCAA Basketball Tournament as it has existed for the past several decades.
• It likely will lead to more and more major instances of failure of institutional oversight and flaunting of rules - with a weakened NCAA or a replacement organization monitoring the ever-powerful schools and conferences, what sc did, and got away with for six years, will be much more prevalent.

Who was it that said “Power Breeds Contempt”? OR was it “Power corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

theHoundDawg

Tags: NCAA |sc brain surgeons

THE REPORT is in, the sanctions have been announced, and justice, incredibly, has been done.

First, the official penalties:

• Postseason ban in football following the 2010 and 2011 seasons;
• Loss of 30 total football scholarships over the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons;
• Loss of all football victoriesfrom December 2004 through the 2005 season, including the national championship win over Oklahoma on Jan. 4, 2005;
• All statistics vacated for Bush, Mayo and an unnamed women’s tennis athlete in the games which the NCAA deemed them ineligible due to rules violations;
• Bush and Mayo must be "disassociated" from USC athletics;
• The acceptance of USC’s self-imposed penalties on its basketball program, which included a forfeiture of all wins in 2007-2008 and a one-year postseason ban;
• All titles won during ineligible games must be vacated and trophies and banners must be removed;
• The loss of wins in the women’s tennis program from May 2006 to May 2009, for long distance telephone violations committed by a student-athlete;
• A reduction of recruiting days for the men’s basketball program in 2010-2011; and
• Four years of probation.

On Page two of the report, the NCAA went out of its way state that Bush and his family refused to cooperate with the investigation.

So, what did the NCAA say about the brain surgeons’s athletic programs? Here are some excerpts from the 67 page report: [Note: Additional material added at 7:30 pm]

“The general campus environment surrounding the violations troubled the committee. At least at the time of the football violations, there was relatively little effective monitoring of, among others, football locker rooms and sidelines, and there existed a general post game locker room environment that made compliance efforts difficult. Further, in recent years, the NCAA has made efforts to encourage universities to curb excesses in the entertainment of prospective student-athletes making visits to college campuses so as to avoid a perception by prospects of special status or entitlement. Yet, in this case, the committee reviewed information that, during the official paid visit of a highly recruited football prospect, his host - student-athlete 1 [Bush] - did not pick up the prospect until nearly midnight the evening following a home football game and that he was taken out until the early morning hours. There also was information in the record that the assistant football coach knew that the prospect was not picked up until nearly midnight by student-athlete 1 [Bush] and that the prospect was taken to a club at which alcohol was served. These activities and others referred to during the hearing fostered an atmosphere in which student-athletes could feel entitled to special treatment and which almost certainly contributed to the difficulties of compliance staff in achieving a rules-compliant program.”

“During a telephone conversation in late 2004, student-athlete 1 [Bush] informed agency partner A that he (student-athlete 1) was embarrassed to drive his current vehicle, a pick-up truck, and wanted a different vehicle. Agency partner A [agency Bush had agreed to hire upon leaving sc] agreed to provide the cash to purchase a vehicle. A short while later, in December 2004, student-athlete 1 [Bush] located a vehicle he wanted, and agency partner A gave student-athlete 1's [Bush’s] stepfather several thousand dollars in cash for a down payment on the vehicle. Student-athlete 1 [Bush] later contacted agency partner A to request additional money needed to purchase wheel rims for the vehicle. Agency partner A then drove from San Diego to Los Angeles and gave student-athlete 1 [Bush] an additional several thousand dollars in cash. Approximately one week later, agency partner A gave student-athlete 1 [Bush] another sizable cash payment, which the student-athlete used for a car alarm and audio system.”

"In the fall of 2004, while student-athlete 1 [Bush] was competing for the institution, student-athlete 1's [Bush’s] step-father and agency partner A discussed the formation of a sports agency and marketing company featuring student-athlete 1 [Bush] . Subsequently, student-athlete 1 [Bush] entered into an agreement with sports agency partners A and B to establish a sports agency to negotiate future marketing and professional sports contracts. Shortly after the agreement was reached to form a sports agency, student-athlete 1 [Bush] and his family began asking for financial and other assistance from agency partners A and B. Thus, began a pattern of impermissible benefits provided by agency partners A and B to student-athlete 1 [Bush] and his family." Some of what this included was the following: 1) "In January 2005, at the request of the parents, agency partner A instructed his former brother-in-law to arrange round-trip airline transportation between San Diego and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, a value of approximately $1,200, for the parents and for the brother of student-athlete 1 [Bush] to attend the Orange Bowl." 2) "In early March 2005, after a request from student-athlete 1 to attend a former NFL player's ("former NFL player") birthday party in San Diego, agency partner A contacted agency partner B to arrange for student-athlete 1 to use a room in a hotel near the venue where the birthday party was held. On the night of March 5, 2005, agency partner A provided cost- free round-trip limousine service for student-athlete 1 to travel from the hotel to the San Diego nightclub where the birthday party was held." The biggie: 3) "In March 2005 and after his parents were asked by their landlord to vacate their Paradise Valley Road residence, student-athlete 1's [Bush’s] parents and agency partners A and B agreed that agency partner B. would purchase a property located in Spring Valley for the parents. The written agreement called for the parents to pay agency partner B $1,400 per month (of the approximately $4,500 monthly cost) plus utilities until such time when student-athlete 1 [Bush] would pay the difference to agency partners A and B with money from the income he would earn once he became a professional athlete. However, the parents resided at the property at no cost until April 2006. In the spring of 2005, agency partner B provided the parents with approximately $10,000 in cash to purchase furniture for the Spring Valley residence. In April 2005, the mother of agency partner A ("agency partner A's mother") purchased a washer and dryer for the parents."

“From December 2004 through March 2009, the institution exhibited a lack of control over its department of athletics by its failure to have in place procedures to effectively monitor the violations of NCAA amateurism, recruiting and extra benefit legislation in the sports of football, men's basketball and women's tennis. As a result, three different agents and/or their associates committed violations regarding student-athletes 1 and 2. Particular instances of lack of institutional control were exhibited in deficiencies in the following areas alleged by the enforcement staff: a) monitoring of student-athlete 1's automobile registration; b) monitoring of student-athlete 1's employment at the office of a sports marketing agent; c) involvement of boosters and agents in the recruiting process; d) monitoring the number of countable coaches in the football program; and e) monitoring long distance telephone calls made from the department of athletics.”

Too bad all this come down on sc. They had run such a clean, upstanding athletic department until petey came on board. Oh, wait!. NOT SO: “This was the institution's sixth major infractions case. Most recently, the institution appeared before the committee in June 2001 for a case involving the football and women's swimming programs. Accordingly, USC is considered a "repeat violator" under NCAA Bylaw19.5.2.3. The institution also had infractions cases in 1986, 1982, 1959 and 1957, all of which involved its football program.”

We now await the BCS to remove the brain surgeons from that ill-gotten championship, and the Heisman people to send UPS to pick-up Bush’s stolen trophy. And how long will Mike Garrett have a job?

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |pete carroll |NCAA

Rumors abound - but we will know tomorrow.

The LA Times just reported loss of 20 scholarships, two-year bowl ban, and what else??????

Can’t wait ’til tomorrow.

10:00 pm update - ESPN reports forfeiture of 2004 wins.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |NCAA

After years of anticipation and many false hopes, ESPN sources this morning reported that the NCAA will finally release the findings of their investigation of the sc criminal enterprise, uh, athletic department, on Friday.

Whitewash or Justice? We shall see.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |NCAA

I've laid off Mario Solis for a while. Well, actually I've avoided listening to him for awhile.

Unfortunately, I saw his broadcast tonight, and I'm glad I did.

Otherwise, how would I have known that the major west-coast college sports conference has added two additional schools. Yep, according to Mario, UCLA, the brain surgeons, and the others now play in the PAC-12!

Thanks for the info, Mario.

theHoundDawg

Tags: Sports Announcers |Mario Solis |UCLA |sc brain surgeons

Well, according to the late Mike Garrett (about two monhts to go, at most), OJ Mayo has joined the NFL's second-biggest scumwad r bush in their failure to cooperate with investigations into their illegal activities while enjoying the cardinal and gold glamour and classroom experience (thought I'd throw in a good laugh).

It is well known that bush took his Heisman and ran to the NFL where he had to take a pay cut, and refused to talk to NCAA investigators and others looking into his $1/2 million in ill-gotten riches while in the employ of petey and MG. Mayo followed in those footsteps to the NBA and as ESPN and the Daily News reported, refused to discuss the matter, as sc self-imposed all those darling little penalties.

While sc fully deserves what it is getting for employing criminal elements like petey, timmy, bush and mayo, the likes of bush and mayo should have had the decency to try to help out the school that paved the way for their future careers.

On another, equally sickening note, I really misspoke back on Dec. 24 when I though I saw a glimmer of hope in the Bruin basketball team. We all knew the team would not be very good this season, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect the team to be as bad as the brain surgeons figured to be. Alas, the brain surgeons, who had been playing reasonabley well most of the season, yesterday wiped the Wooden name off the hardwood with the horrible Bruin team. This was the most embarrassing exposition of Bruin bb in my memory, and I've been atttending Bruin games for five decades (Six, if I ever suck it up and go to a game this season - can't even watch them on TV right now).

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |sc brain surgeons |pete carroll |Timmy Floyd

Today's revelation that Lakers' owner and sc grad Jerry Buss paid the University of Tennessee the goodly sum of $800,000 as a buy-out of Lane Kiffin's contract is an eye-opener.

Draconian NCAA rules make penny-ante "offenses" into felonies, but this is legal?

sc, the second largest private land-owner in Los Angeles County and the beneficiary of untold riches generated by virtue of the illegal activities of its men's athletic department really does need all this economic help from its fan base. Heaven forbid they would have to pay this, or gee, what if Kiffin had to pay this himself, like, well, ANY OTHER COACH breaching a contract would have had to?

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |Lakers

sc brain surgeons have stolen Tennessee's first year head coach Lane Kiffin as petey's replacement.

Perfect fit. He will easily bring back the days of john mckay by regularly insulting every LA and Pac 10 sports figure NOT a trojan b-s-er.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |pete carroll

We won't have petey to kick around anymore.

The white-haired phantom of the truth delivered his well-rehersed goodbye to his brain-washed brain surgeon minions today, pulling more wool over their eyes. Funny how he never mentioned throwing his undees into a suitcase and running to the airport, a few steps ahead of the NCAA and all those lawyers aching to take his deposition.

Turns out that he is about to be deposed not only in the r bush civil case, but also in a million dollar damage case brought by the victim in former assistant Dave Watson's felony-DUI auto accident, a case in which Petey may well have some personal liability. As finally reported today by local TV news following the article on SI.com, Watson, addicted to painkillers and other meds, was provided thousands of pills by sc football team physicians and an sc auto whch he used to maim an innocent bystander, all under the watchful eye, and apparent knowledge, of petey. Petey's knowledge and acquiesence may well mean that some of the $35 Mil in Seahawk money he'll be pocketing will end up paying for this guy's ongoing surgeries and pain & suffering.

Anoather unanswered question as petey waives bye-bye is what part Tim Leiweke, maybe the most influential sports figure in LA, as CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, that built and operates Staples Center, Home Depot Center, and owns the LA Kings, as well as numerous sports venues and teams around the world, and who has a hand in the new LA Football Stadium about to be built by AEG Co-Owner Ed Roski in the City of Industry, had in his younger brother and Seahawk CEO Tod hiring petey?

theHoundDawg

Tags: pete carroll |sc brain surgeons

On vacation for a week, upon my return I was overjoyed to see that the top rat was deserting the brain surgeon ship, scooping up a reported cool $35 Mil for his get-a-way.

The NCAA cops are apparently closing in, and even if not, the civil court proceedings in the Crime-of-the-Century just received a major boost, with an appellate court ruling ordering both Petey and r bush to submit to depositions. If they lie under oath, then they should be prosecuted for purjury. If they tell the truth about bush and his family receiving more than $.5 Mil in illegal benefits during his last two years at sc, then the NCAA will have no choice but to strip the school of their 1-1/2 championships, and bush will have his Heisman revoked. On top of that, there will be serious TV and scholarship restrictions. Add on the Joe McKnight violations, and the major violations pending against Timmie and the basketball program, and the sc brain surgeons could be facing the DEATH PENALTY!

Perfect time for the cappo to take his leave, and his millions.

Question: Will Mike Garrett be honest with coaching prospects and tell them what will likely happen to the football program. If so, how likely will it be for a Mike Riley, Jeff Fisher or Jack del Rio to leave any of their current jobs to return to sc?

Oh, well, Mike, there is always Charlie Weis or Karl Dorrall.

theHoundDawg

Tags: pete carroll |sc brain surgeons |Timmy Floyd

Petey, Petey, Petey.

What a shame.

All that money, and this is what you came up with.

Excuse me, but didn't a few of those experts say, like before the season, that your brain surgeon defense could be one of the greatest ever?

So, in the last three weeks, you've given up, what, 111 points? Yea, that's right - Oregon 47, Arizona State 9, and Stanford 55. But lets look further back. Before Oregon's 47, you barely escaped against Notre Dame giving up 27, and then let Oregon State score 36. That is, Petey, a five game average of 35 points. Per game.

Best defense money can buy.

Guess you had to take something out of the defense budget for all those quarterback, like this guy matt. You know the one, the guy that handed the Cardinal four touchdowns with a fumble and three interceptions.

Have a nice time at the Las Vegas Bowl.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |pete carroll

Well, another stupendous game by the defense, a solid running attack featuring constantly improving offensive-line play and Johnathan Franklin's first 100-yard game, and the consistent kicking of Kai Forbath all combined to pull the Bruins through to a victory without Kevin Prince. I do have to give Kevin Craft credit for playing a decent game for three quarters. He was efficient through the first half, and played a solid forth quarter. The fact hat he did his best to give the game away in the third quarter can, for tonight, be overlooked, especially with the prospect that he may have to play only one more game until Prince's return.

What was most upsetting, though, was the fact that the team committed EIGHT penalties, seemingly all eight at critical times, and, as you would expect, almost all eight were committed by the offense. Coach Neuheisel, in his post-game comments, said that with the bye week, the next two weeks would be a "training camp" for the team, and this is one of the major areas that needs to be addressed.

The Pac-10 is shaping up to be very interesting this season, with California now the team to beat, a much improved Husky Dawg team at U-Dub, and new life, new enthusiasm, and talent on both sides of the ball, at UCLA.

On his broadcast tonight, in describing the Bruin game and Kansas States' extra-point flub, our boy Mario called it a failed two-point attempt.

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |Kevin Prince |Johnathan (yea, Johnathan) Franklin |Rick Neuheisel |Mario Solis

In my last post, I inquired:

"So, which top-five team will lose this weekend?"

Well, in the sleepy little town of Seattle, Wash., the might Husky DAWGS defeated the University of Spoiled Children Brain Surgeons 16-13!!!

All is right in the world of college football.

Oh, and according to Mario Solis, as he reported on his sportscast on the Channel 4 KNBC news last night, later today the UCLA Bruins will be playing Kansas City.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |Mario Solis |UCLA

With the apparent decision that it will be freshman Richard Brehaut at qb Saturday against Kansas State, and not last year's walking interception machine Kevin Craft, it has also been announced that four players, starting soph db Courtney Viney, and three freshmen subs, rb Milton Knox, and receivers Morrell Presley and Randall Carroll, have been suspended for the game, for undisclosed reasons.

Rick Neuheisel must have had a damn good reason for the suspensions, and hopefully they were an exercise of the same good judgment that led him to choose the talented Brehaut over Craft to fill in at qb. Last February, I said that Brehaut could be the key to a successful 2009 season and beyond. Glad to see him get the chance, and who knows what the future will hold. You can't say enough about Kevin Prince, though, coming back into the game with his jaw broken, to take the final two snaps against Tennessee.

And on the other side of town, petey says his little boy has a boo boo on his shoulder and may not make it to Seattle for the brain surgeon's game against the Huskies and their new coach, former brain surgeon assistant (and flunk-out as an sc student/baseball player) Steve Sarkisian.

Speaking of Sarkisian, it was very interesting the other day hearing Steve Bishoff with Mason and Ireland tell the real story about the petey-Norm Chow rift and the fact that Chow only decided to leave the brain surgeons and move to the NFL AFTER petey told him he was being demoted from offensive coordinator in favor co-coordinators Sarkisian and petey's buddy's baby boy, Lane Kiffin, who we all remember from last Saturday in Tennessee.

So, which top-five team will lose this weekend?

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |sc brain surgeons |Rick Neuheisel |Kevin Prince |pete carroll

The Bruin defense had a stellar performance, dominating Tennessee. Rahim Moore had two more interceptions to give him 5 in two games and the rest of the defensive backfield played just as well, in particular the Playmaker Alterraun Verner and Tony Dye, and Courtney Viney did well replacing the injured Aaron Hester. In the final couple of minutes the Defensive Line, with Brian Price on the bench part of the time, stopped the Vols on four plays after a first down inside the 10, and then kept pressure on Jonathan Crompton on his last-ditch 0/4 drive from his own territory. The offense sputtered much of the time against a strong Tennessee defense, but showed signs of real promise, and next week against a less talented Kansas State defense, I would expect to see some real improvement.

Notre Dame's last-second loss to an underrated Michigan team, featuring maybe the best freshman in the country in QB Tate Forcier, was unexpected and appreciated, and for the second time in the two-week-old season, a top-five team lost, as unranked Houston easily beat Oklahoma State.

And, oh, it cold have been a great day, if Ohio State cold have just hung on, played a tougher defensive game in the fourth quarter, and had a better offensive plan. The brain surgeons keyed on Terrelle Pryor, and Jim Tressell should have realized that would be the case, and prepared more options, in both senses of the term. That first-drive interception was the difference in the end.

Following up from the first week, BYU is a top team and their defeat of the Bradford-less Sooners was no fluke. I can see BYU going undefeated. Oklahoma played extremely well against poor competition without Bradford, and like I mentioned, should have only the one loss when they meet Texas, possibly with Bradford back at QB.

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |sc brain surgeons |Rahim Moore |Alterraun Verner

Redshirt freshmen Kevin Prince at QB and RB Johnathan (yea, Johnathan) Franklin, who ran 12 yards for a TD on his first carry, made strong debuts for the Bruins, but veteran defenders were the real difference, as sophomore safety Rahim Moore was the real star of the game with three interceptions, and the Playmaker, senior CB Alterraun Verner, put the game away when he ran 70 yards for a TD on a blocked FG attempt.

All in all, this evening's opener confirms the promise I described as seeing in this year's team.

The game could have turned into a disaster very early though, when Brian Price tweaked a knee in the opening minutes of the first quarter. It seemed to be a very minor tweak as he jogged of the field, and retuned not too long thereafter.

My guy at WR, Taylor Embree, made a couple of nice catches, and had six reception for 98 yards, though he had a potential TD bomb go just past his reach. Like I said - a star in the making.

I had my doubts about Tennessee, with all of the controversy of the off season, not to mention Lane Kiffin's lack of success as a head coach, but they had a hell of a start against Western Kentucky, and next week's game should be more of a test than originally thought.

Finally, BYU's upset of Oklahoma could mark the start of another season of surprises, like last year. Starting off with a loss, and the potential of being without Sam Bradford for much, and potentially all, of the season, assuredly means that the Sooners will not be making a repeat visit to the title game.

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |Kevin Prince |Taylor Embree |Johnathan (yea, Johnathan) Franklin |Rahim Moore |Alterraun Verner

Chip Kelly's Ducks got off to a rocky start yesterday, and while I question how successful his team will be on the field this season - he's no Nick Bellotti - I have to give him credit for his response to the horrific conduct of LeGarrette Blount. A season's suspension seems appropriate, but few coaches would take that type of action against a star player. (Petey? not even if a running back committed murder.)

Tomorrow begins the second Bruin season under Rick Neuheisel, and I expect to see improved communication, more teamwork, and much improved play all around, all resulting in a turn-a-round to an 8-4 season. The defense will be outstanding, and an improved O-line, lead by Mike Harris, combined with solid receiving, and an actual Quarterback on the field, will translate to a winning season, and a deserved bowl bid.

A year ago, I said Taylor Embree was a star in the making. That should come about this season, with Kevin Prince on the throwing end of his receptions. Redshirt freshman Johnathan (yea, Johnathan) Franklin and Derrick Coleman lead an inexperienced but very talented group of running backs The defense, without DeWayne Walker, but with the sometimes spectaciar Alterraun Verner anchoring a young defensive backfield, does feature a ton of experience up front, and could be more consistent than last year, especially when, hopefully, the offense won't be turning the ball over several times per game, putting the D back on the field time and time again.

Yea, 8-4 sounds good....

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |Rick Neuheisel |pete carroll |Kevin Prince |Taylor Embree |Johnathan (yea, Johnathan) Franklin |Alterraun Verner

The Sporting News pretty much stays out of the news these days, but they did raise some controversy this week when they released their poll of the 50 greatest coaches of all time. I absolutely agree with their choice of John Wooden as the greatest coach in any sport. As should be the case, the vote was not even close, with the Wizard receiving 57 first place votes, from the TSN panel of 118 "experts". Unfortunately, many of their last 49 choices miss the mark.

The list includes only six additional college basketball coaches and five NBA coaches, and none of them, incredibly, is Larry Brown. His omission is the most glaring misstep on the list. The list contains ten NFL coaches, and eighth among them, and number 20 overall, is Bill Belichick, who should be the second-ranked pro football coach, following the list's number two, Vince Lombardi. Also as to NFL coaches, the bottom two, Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells, at numbers 26 and 33 overall respectively, should be above the higher-ranked Paul Brown, George Halas, Joe Gibbs, and Tom Landry.

Their ranking of college football coaches is not too badly composed, but I would elevate Bud Wilkinson, number 29 overall, from the seventh spot among college football coaches, to the third spot, behind only Bear Bryant and Knute Rockne, and I'd make Rockne number one, not Bryant.

As to the five NHL coaches that made the list, perhaps Scotty Bowman deserves to be higher overall than number seven, and there are dozens of coaches from other sports who deserve the last spot, over Herb Brooks. He's listed as an NHL coach, and that does not merit him a spot on the list. Call him an Olympic Hockey coach, and there is at least a sentimental and patriotic basis for his selection.

The list includes ten MLB managers, with the over-hyped, over-indluged, and over-rated Casey Stengel on top, at number nine overall. Give him Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, and the like, and he can win pennants. He managed three other teams, before and after the scumstripes, and to call his performances mediocre would be overly generous. He still owns, at least until the Washington National's current season comes to a close, the worst single-season record in major league history, with the 1962 Mets. For my money, in following MLB as close as I have for more than 50 years, and in reading and studying much of early baseball history, the four best managers I have seen, are Walter Alston, Tony La Russa, Sparky Anderson, and Joe Torre. Their listings at numbers 35, 41, 38, and 32, respectively, are absurd. The four should all be in the list's top 20 overall.

Finally, how could the panel waste valuable, limited positions on the list with the inclusion of not one, but two, woman's basketball coaches?

theHoundDawg

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Tags: UCLA |Dodgers |sc brain surgeons |scumstripes

The LA Times reported this morning that finally there is some activity in their investigations of the shameful culture of the flaunting of NCAA rules throughout the sc athletic department. The article states that the two major investigations - those of the bush football crimes and of the mayo basketball evils - have been combined into a single investigation.

This bodes well, as, first, it does show that the investigations are not lying dormant, but that there is activity on-going, and second, that the investigation involves the athletic department's lack of oversight as a whole, not just the failures of two sports programs.

For those with a short memory, you can find many of the details of the flagrant rule-breaking in the bush and mayo cases in some of my older "Crime" posts, especially that of Dec. 14, 2008, which can all be found here.

Get this wrapped up, NCAA, so that bush's ill-gotten Heisman is taken away, so that sc's equally ill-gotten football championship is stripped, and give this evil, evil group of miscreants, who pay for a golden image as well as athletic success, their well-deserved sports death penalty.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |Crime

It's been more than a week since the brain surgeons snatched Renardo Sidney from the Bruins, and the brilliant investigative reporters of the Los Angeles media have yet to utter a word as to what really happened. Within a day or so, his "commitment' to UCLA was vanquished, and he orally announced his intentions to attend that other school. Something major happened, most likely something below-board, with rumors being rampant in the air, not not in the media.

When will local sports reporters step up and investigate and report on these types of stories?

The local media has totally ignored the NCAA investigations of the brain surgeons football and basketball programs, and were it not for Yahoo Sports and the likes of Charles Robinson, Jason Cole, and Josh Peter, we would never have known about all of the rules violations and illegal activity involving reggie bush, not to mention the pay-off in the civil lawsuit stemming from the hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal benefits he and his family received while at sc, and also the outrageous conduct of oj mayo under the noses of sc's basketball staff.

Yet another story is going unnoticed by the local sports media, and apparently by both sc basketball fans, as the brain surgeons have removed their basketball games from television coverage. Their Cal game Thursday, today's game at Stanford, and also both of next weeks final Pac-10 regular season games have been taken off their TV schedule. Why? Rumors fly, even including the one that has sc knowing they are facing significant NCAA sanctions and are trying to appease the gods and retroactively ban themselves from TV exposure.

Why are not any LA Times sports reporters, anyone at the Daily News, or any local TV or radio reporters reporting on these stories?

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |sc brain surgeons |Crime

Late yesterday, UCLA cemented a top recruiting class with the signing of receiver Randall Carroll, a speed-burner that the brain surgeons thought they had locked up. The Bruins had earlier signed TE Morrell Presely, who sc also thought was set in red and yellow.

Scouts.com's final listings actually rate the Bruins at number four in the country, though neither rivals.com nor ESPN have them in the top ten. Regardless, with an emphasis on the offensive line, yesterday was a major UCLA success.

The brain surgeons had their typical highly rated group, but one thing stands out. While sc did tremendously well nationally, even with the loss of Hawaii's Manti Te'o to Charlie Weis's Irish, the Bruins had the better class of California recruits, and that bodes well not just for now, or for the 2009 season, but for the entire Neuheisel era.

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |sc brain surgeons |Rick Neuheisel

National Signing Day in Westwood, thought rated at only No. 16 in the country by rivals.com, and No. 10 by scout.com, on closer inspection, looks like some major talent will be helping the Bruins really begin the next, hopefully winning, phase, of the Rick Neuheisel era, this coming season.

The top couple of players according the the "experts" are DL Iuta Tepa, OT Xavier Su'a Filo, and receiver Ricky Marvray, but a couple of others look to be the key guys to help bring respectability back to Westwood: Running back Damien Thigpen, and the real key to the recruiting class, and to the 2009 season, QB Richard Brehaut.

Come September, it will be the right time to forget the injury-plagued quarterbacking of Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan, and the 5-yard passes and drive-stopping interceptions of Kevin Craft, and give the reins to Brehaut. Another rookie qb year doesn't sound so good after last year's fiasco, but Brehaut is not Kevin Craft; he's the guy to lead the team now, not to sit in the wings for a year or two.

See what info and stats ESPN has on him, and check out the video.

the HoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |Rick Neuheisel

It will be a lot harder for the brain surgeons to get away with claiming yet another phony National Championship this year, now that neither the writers in the AP poll nor the coaches in the USA Today poll consider them number one.

It doesn't take much for the brain surgeons to claim a phony title, as they have done at least twice in the past few years, but this year they ended number three in the AP poll, behind BCS Champion Florida, and real champion Utah, garnering only one first-place vote, and second in the coaches poll, but getting zero number one votes.

Mr. Ego, p carroll, in this morning's LA Times, though, says his team's the best and would beat Florida or Oklahoma: "'I don't think you know who the best team is,' Carroll said late Thursday night. 'You just know which team got the most votes.'" (USC finishes second in final coaches' poll, third in AP).

pete, the system played itself out, the voters have spoken. Give it a rest.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |pete carroll

theHoundDawg picked Oklahoma to win, and doesn't much care for Florida, but that's mostly a basketball issue.

The bull-pucky love-fest for Pete Carroll on 60 Minutes tonight was a disgrace.

He is the highest ranking piece in the chess game of the University of Spoiled Children, running the biggest scam in college sports, flouting the rules of the impotent NCAA, and committing the most flagrant rules violations of any school in the country. sc influence and payoffs have kept them from the highest levels of NCAA sanctions despite the single biggest scam in NCAA football annals - Reggie Bush and his family receiving more than 1/2 million dollars in illegal benefits (free rent for more than a year in a luxury home, debt payoffs, all-expense paid trips and luxury hotels) have been well documented, and the subject of civil lawsuits, but no NCAA sanctions. Any other program and Bush would have had his Heisman taken away, sc stripped of its national championship (they only won ONE under Carroll, not two as they claim).

Combine this with the OJ Mayo's flagrant violations in Tim Floyd's dirty little basketball program, and sc should long ago have received the NCAA death penalty. Yet, Floyd and his thugs like Leonard Washington are allowed to continue their cheap shot assault on other players, risking serious injury to unsuspecting players around the country.

CBS and 60 Minutes need to investigate the real sc sports department and not pull the wool over the eyes of the public. Take a look at the evidence, take a look at how sc has subverted the NCAA and curtailed any investigation of the NCAA violations and rampant criminal activity in the sc sports department.

Facts:

Bush:
The Reggie Bush Investigation: ESPN Ignores Potentially the Biggest Story in College Football History
Reggie Bush Investigation: Cash and Carry
Reggie Bush Investigation: : The Timeline
Reggie Bush and The NCAA: How will it all end?
Reggie Bush Investigation

Mayo:
NCAA investigating allegations involving USC’s Mayo
OTL probe: Mayo received money, perks from agent reps
The Mayo Investigation

and many more.

theHoundDawg

Tags: sc brain surgeons |Crime |pete carroll

Two years ago, the vicious hit that brain surgeon Rey Maualuga put on UCLA Quarterback Pat Cowan became a staple of TV, internet, and email transmissions, winding its way across the football world time and time again. Part II of that video was produced in today's UCLA-sc game, by Mr. Maualuga, but this time, its far greater viciousness was far exceeded by its needlessness and illegality. With absolutely no thought for rules, or for the well-being of a fellow human being, Maualuga rammed Bruin qb Kevin Craft helmet-to-helmet, after the qb had gone out-of-bounds, in as outrageous, wicked, and just plain evil a play as I've ever seen on a football field, and I had season ticket for the entire 13-year existence of the Los Angeles Raiders.

He was given a personal foul and the bruins were given 15 yards. Craft is very lucky he was not seriously injured. Maualuga should have been kicked out of the game, but of course the trojan conference refs wouldn't do that to a brain surgeon. Well, now Pacific Ten officials need to review this play, and the only appropriate punishment they can provide is to suspend Maualuga from playing in the Rose Bowl game.

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |sc brain surgeons

First, brain surgeon Leonard Washington commits a flagrant assault on Oklahoma star Blake Griffin during their basketball game last evening, and then today, more than 13 years after the infamous double murder, all-time sc Poster Boy OJ Simpson was sentenced this morning on the 10 counts of kidnapping, robbery, conspiracy, etc., on which he was convicted, and will spend a minimum of 15 years in prison, though he is eligible for parole after 5 - but will any members of the Nevada Parole Board actually vote to release him early?

theHoundDawg

Tags: Crime |sc brain surgeons

Just yesterday, I gave a vote of confidence to Rick Neuheisel. Today, I feel maybe I made a big mistake.

No, I haven't changed my opinion of his coaching abilities, nor have I suddenly given up on the future of the football program under his tutelage.

Rather, I feel very strongly that his giving up a timeout in Saturday's sc game is an abomination. The Bruins are out-manned, out-talented, and likely out-coached, and all of Bruindom is angry enough over this situation. We do not need our coach ceding one small advantage back to the brain surgeons; an unexpected advantage handed Neuheisel and the Bruins on a silver platter, by carroll as a bi-product of his egotism in desiring to flaunt his cardinal and yellow brain surgeon colors in the Bruin's house.

I also have it on good authority that the decades-old tradition of both teams wearing home uniforms, contrary to carroll, the LA Times' Bill Plaschke, and apparently Neuheisel, is not so "traditional" after all, only being a short-lived trend in the 1960s and 1970s (maybe extending until about 1982 or so).

Go ahead, Buy College Team Gear Here!

theHounddawg

Tags: UCLA |sc brain surgeons |Rick Neuheisel

I've said before that Rick Neuheisel was the right choice and that his chance of success in his first year, coming in with little to work with, and then beset by injuries, was unlikely. I've also mentioned that Ben Howland was 11-17 in his first year, so give Neuheisel some leeway.

That said, some of the other candidates for the job have fared pretty well, others, not so well. Boise State's Chris Petersen has an undefeated season so far, but Al golden has had a disappointing 5-7 year at Temple, and a candidate who was met with skepticism and disbelief when discussed, John Harbough, has had a tremendous season as a rookie head coach in the NFL, taking the Baltimore Ravens, led by first-year and unheralded QB Joe Flacco, to 8-4, 2d place, and a probable playoff spot, coming off last year's 5-11 and total housecleaning, which included Neuheisel. Of course Norm Chow and DeWayne Walker are part of this year's painful UCLA experience.

That pain promises to get far, far worse, on Saturday. sc figures to dominate the Bruins, and the brain surgeons will not be satisfied with a 35 point win, as they were against ND. The sc coach may call of the dogs on offense, but given the sc defense and the disaster masquerading as an offense for the Bruins, it will be much more difficult to keep the sc defense from scoring at will, especially in the later stages, where the Bruin offense will be weary from all that time on the field, and the sc 3d string defense will be out to impress the coach.

theHounddawg

Tags: UCLA |sc brain surgeons |Rick Neuheisel

In this morning's LA Times, Chris Erskine wrote an interesting piece on the egos of sports personalities, All-Ego Sports Team starts here.

Most of Erskine's selections are right on: Al Davis, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Tom Lasorda, Shaquille O'Neal, the Williams sisters, Isiah Thomas, to name a few. But, there are some that I do not think really belong in this group, and most notable is Mark Cuban, who Erskine includes because of his referee-baiting and due to his recent problems with the SEC. The SEC allegations are only that, and yet to be proven, and even if true, do not amount to an ego-driven event, but rather a profit-driven event. As to his referee baiting, I respect and applaud his refusal to kneel down to the powers-that-be who refuse with their power of the checkbook to allow any rightful criticism of incompetent officiating.

In reading this commentary, I was struck by the vast group of ego-driven sports personalities who Erskine failed to include. The likes of the late George Steinbrenner (I know, I know), Peter Ueberroth, who ran baseball, and the LA Olympics, as his own little dictatorships, Pete Rozelle, who did the same with the NFL, Michael Vick, Stephon Marbury, that 85 receiver guy with the Bengals, not to mention a couple of other current wide-outs, TO and R Moss, all need to be included in ANY such list, as does every single person ever associated with NASCAR (I know, I said in my first ever post here that I'd NEVER mention that group, but, common, ego, dictionary, picture, NASCAR ....).

But, the trophy has to be named after the University of Spoiled Children conglomerate of wide receivers that they passed on to the NFL, or at least tried to. Keyshawn Johnson and Curtis Conway broke records for egotism that no professional athlete could ever even dream to equal. However, proving that there is some justice in the world, or at least in the world of sports, they were actually exceed in their egotism by two brain surgeon wide-outs who did not make it in the NFL, R.J. Soward and Michael Williams.

But, the trophy goes, unanimously, to another trojan brain surgeon, the most egotistical, conceited, megalomaniacal jerk who ever transgressed the LA sports landscape - John McKay, the king of the put down, who never let pass an opportunity to ridicule another coach or a player from another team.

theHoundDawg

Note: I know its been too long since my last post, but the work and pressures of surviving in today' society have kept me away from here. I'll try my best to not let it happen again.

Tags: sc brain surgeons

While watching the first half of UCLA-Oregon State game:

As the TV feed goes on and off, and the radio play-by-play is used to fill the dead air, there is an amazing similarity between what the tv and radio announcers and commentators are saying. Practically in unison, they all utter the same phrase: "I Don't Understand That Call". Over and over again. And that statement is not unique to this one game - we've heard it all season long.

A 4 yard pass on 3rd and 9, a quarterback draw when the tailback can't even get back to the line of scrimmage because the defense is in the backfield practically on the snap, and a total reluctance to even try throwing a pass 20-plus yards down field.

Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow distinguished himself at BYU and USC, and came to UCLA with great anticipation of a revived, energetic, and high-powered offense,

Well, the offensive line has been a nightmare, they started the season with zero experience at quarterback, the running game has been a joke, the receiving corp is 90% freshmen and sophomores, all compounded by play-calling that has been overly conservative, unimaginative, and has, to an extent, compounded the other problems, rather than making the best of strengths and trying to minimize weaknesses.

With Taylor Embree and Terrance Austin, and now with the return of Marcus Everett, there is a deep threat in the receiving corp, and Kevin Craft has shown he can fire the medium range pass, so he should have plenty of arm to get the ball deep to these guys. A few long gains like that, and Kahlil Bell and Derrick Coleman might even find a little running room.

Leaving the field, Rick Neuheisel told the sideline reporter that they'll try something different in the second half.

We'll see.

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA

Ohio State (+2-1/2) over Penn State Penn State doesn't impress me as a top-5 team, and the return to health of Beanie Wells and the amazing, week-by-week development of Terrelle Pryor since playing USC has made Ohio State once again an elite team, with a lot to prove and a massive job to jump back into the BCS jumble. OSU will win this one. UCLA (+17) over California Cal is coming off a loss to Arizona and now appears to have a full-blown quarterback controversy. This is a talented team, but until Tedford installs Kevin Riley as the QB, they will underachieve. UCLA's noticeable improvement has been sporadic, with one step back for every two steps forward, compounded now by several injuries on defense, especially to the D-line. Still, UCLA should keep the game close, and cover. Arizona (+16) over USC Another game that seems like it could be close, though the brain surgeons have a knack for running away with these games. Nevertheless, this looks to me like it could be another Oregon State-type game, close to the end, with either team having a shot. Take the points. Also remember that Arizona, tied for the Pac-10 lead, is still the only conference member never to play in the Rose Bowl game, and if they are to have a chance to change that, this is the game they need. theHoundDawg

Dress right for the Bruin and Wildcat games: UCLA Bruins Black Varsity Pleathed Jacket $74.95 Arizona Wildcats Hoody Sweatshirt $59.95

Tags: UCLA |sc brain surgeons

If you have not seen this clip, you won't believe it:



In Saturday's game against LSU, that is South Carolina's QB Stephen Garcia being blocked by a SEC official. Shouldn't he have been penalized for being out of uniform?

theHoundDawg

In a comment to my initial post, reference was made to the inept UCLA Football team, and the knight in shinning armor, Rick 'Skippy" Neuheisel. While I hate to agree with the commenter, he does raise some good points. I am at a disadvantage, as the press of other obligations kept me from seeing all but most of the fourth quarter, so what I saw was pretty impressive. However, having seen almost every play of the season so far, and coming in with the Bruins holding a single point lead, and then falling behind the mighty Cardinal of Palo Alto and environs, I can easily and correctly say that this is not what most fans expected to be seeing.

When Neuheisel was hired, replacing the inept Karl Dorrell, the feelings were much the same as when Ben Howland replaced Steve Lavin. However, knowledgeable fans should have expected a similar first year. Least we forget, the man who has led the Bruins to three straight Final Fours went 11-17 in his first year, and it was not until his third year that he produced a championship caliber team.

Neuheisel did a commendable recruiting job after his late hire, but the returning squad was far from a deep and talented group, including many over-rated players. Add to the mix a siege of injuries to key players, including QBs number one and two, and to many other key players beginning with almost the first play of the season, and clearly, as stated by the commenter, the talent the Bruins put on the field is thin, and each additional injury, as seemed to hit the defense especially hard today, further reduced the quality of the play on the field. But, the talent of the coaching staff was very evident today, and Neuheisel and OC Norm Chow got the most out of Kevin Craft and the young offense, to score in the last seconds, to pull out a victory.

The offense and the play of Craft has been more than inconsistent, but given the inexperienced offensive line, injuries to running back Kahlil Bell and fullback Trevor Theriot, and the numerous receivers out with injuries causing almost total reliance on young, inexperienced receivers Taylor Embree, Dominique Johnson, Nelson Rosario, Ryan Moya, and Cory Harkey, the present is ok, but the future looks bright.

I think overall the team is improving, and I do see more victories possible this season.

theHoundDawg

Tags: UCLA |Rick Neuheisel