News of the day, 12/6
Hey everyone. I'm still in awe of that fine performance from the men's basketball team against West Virginia. I'll go into more detail below.We love Jim and Holly Grobe. We're also the HOTTEST Auburn blog on the 'net.
Today's stories from the Advertiser:
Tuberville goes public with his "plan"
Auburn men lay an egg against West Virginia
Sorry for the blogging delay. I got home at 1:30 a.m., slept late, worked out and held a series of meetings at the paper with higher-ups about our unnamed sources policy. We're trying to come to an amicable accord on this issue. I'll keep you posted.As far as the men's basketball team goes, wow, what an epically bad performance against West Virginia on Wednesday night. The problem, as often is the case with Jeff Lebo's teams for whatever reason, is a lack of depth.I really believe Auburn could be semi-successful playing this way. I wouldn't play this way. I'd conform to popular norms like recruiting guys taller than 6-foot-7 and maybe beating the bushes for a few guys who can shoot. Lebo's problem is that he has seven guys. Two of those guys (Lucas Hargrove and Matt Heramb) clearly aren't ready for major exposure just yet.
This won't work. Not like this. Auburn played essentially no defense on Wednesday night and the guards were sloppy with their ball-handling. I know some of you all are big Lebo defenders. He deserves credit for eradicating some of the problems left by his predecessors, but I do not believe the program is making progress overall.
I don't mean to come off as homery or whatever, but the All-SEC team was a joke. I didn't vote this year. Maybe I shouldn't complain. Then again, any SEC survey that doesn't include Antonio Coleman simply is not credible. No way.Someone asked on the comments section about who votes for this stuff. It's a big group of sports writers from all over the Southeast. The problem is that Coleman doesn't have that big name yet. Auburn writers are going to know him, obviously, but I talk with a lot of the writers who cover other teams and they never ask me about Coleman. I'm always hearing about Brandon Cox and Quentin Groves and Tray Blackmon.
Hard times for Arkansas. First Tommy Bowden turned them down. Now Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe has turned them down.I saw this quote from former Arkansas WR Anthony Lucas in another story:
"I'm just kind of embarrassed, personally," Lucas said. ``I just hate what's going on with this up there. I don't understand why we can't find a coach. I don't understand why a coach wouldn't want to take this job. As a [Southeastern Conference] school, of course, I know our fans are a little tough. They can be a little bit aggressive at times, but that's the love for it. They want to know what's going on with their Razorbacks."
Look, a tenured guy just went 8-4, finished the season with a win at (probable national champion) LSU and still felt the need to resign. You don't think that makes prospective coaches wary of the place? This is a really bad mess.
Minor housekeeping issue: Don't use the comments section to rip writers. This is my blog and those are my rules. Take that business somewhere else. You have plenty of options.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
7:08 PM
31 Comments:
Jay, you took a jab at Evan and then you defend him. It may be your blog but you should show the integrity that you ask for. Deal? Good. Keep up the good work.
I want to share something very painful for the readers tonight. I sat in front of the TV and actually watched the AU/WVU game from top to bottom. I've been watching and attending Auburn basketball games since the early '80s. This was by far the most miserable performance I've even seen.
Now, Auburn has had some awful teams and its had its share of extreme down times. I don't think this year will be a total loss. However, what I saw last night was a bunch of quitters. Just disgusting.
I watched as the camera crew followed the team and namely Lebo back to the locker room. Lebo was nearly casually walking back with his hands tucked into his pockets, apparently at a total loss for words.
I think that Lebo probably won't be the coach that gets to walk to boundary lines of the new arena for the first time. This program has been snake bit ever since Ellis' mess was swept out. Guys, I don't think Lebo can do anything more for this program.
Jay,
Is there any truth to what my sources are telling me about your negotiations with your paper's higher-ups? That the sticking point is your buyout amount? Keep us posted. I am concerned that your lack of willingness to concede to their policy will cost you your readership. Just come out and state you aren't interested in any other policies and get this over with.
Seriously though are your unnamed sources any better than your named sources? The named ones really left you hanging on this one. Keep plugging though you know what they say about the blind hog and all.
Anyway you and Neil keep up the good work.
a.) I didn't rip Evan. I told a commenter to take the McCready bashing over to Evan's blog as a joke. You know how they're both with the MPR and all. I figure it would help the esprit de corps.
b.) How did any named sources leave me hanging?
c.) I love Call of Duty 4. If you have the means, I highly recommend it. It's so choice.
b.) How did any named sources leave me hanging?
You tell us here is what you wrote earlier after the terms of the contract were released:
"I find that so interesting. All the information I received indicated that he was absolutely DYING to get that buyout lowered. I totally believe that was his intent. Then he agrees to this extension (which he's expected to actually sign on Wednesday morning) that actually raises his buyout. I'm sure this makes sense to someone somewhere, but not this person right here."
This is what I find interesting even when your sources are proven to be 180 degrees off in the matter you still totally believe them and are trying to figure out what happened. Your sources were wrong from the beggining on this story. Accept it, admit it, and move on. My question is, will you use these same bad sources next time? Tubs said it best "BAD REPORTING".
You, Neil, and all the reporters in Northwest Arkansas keep up the good work.
Tough crowd huh Jay?
I missed the boat on that WVU game. Guess thats what being a blindly loyal fan to AU will do. Always the optimist.
Guys, Tubs really is quite a character. There are a lot of guys that report bad information because Tubs really is all over the map in a sort of way. He's just not very conventional. That's what makes him fun. Not sure Jay should be attacked for having "bad information". In Tubs' case, who doesn't? Tubs? Well well well...
The "bad reporting" Tuberville referenced was the Arkansas station that reported he was on the verge of accepting an offer from UA. That was way off.
As far as the buyout, well, I'm not sure what happened there. As I wrote a few days ago on this very blog, I'll believe until the day I die that Tuberville was at least considering his alternatives.
Just because Tommy said he was 100% with Auburn all along doesn't make that so.
Why do people who openly dislike Mr Tste continue to resd his articles and blog?
I find that fascinating. If you think he is no good, then read another writer. Why waste your time reading someone you dont like, just so you can "anonymously" bash him? I wish I could be that awesome.
*Sorry, "Tate" and "read". Apparently someone switched my a and s buttons!!!
No you just need some more coffee. Walk out of your office, hang a left, hang another left at the dead end. Sugar and cream in the cabinet above the coffee maker.
Thanks
And until you accept facts as reality you will continue to write erroneous information. This has been my problem with your reporting all along. When confronted, you claim no bias in your reporting. Your opinions affect the quality of your writing. If you believe unsubstantiated rumors as fact "until the day you die" your articles are biased. You are quick to believe rumors and sources even after they are proven to be wrong but refuse to believe first hand information because it doesn't substantiate your bad reporting. Distance yourself all you want from your colleagues in Arkansas but bad reporting is bad reporting no matter what state it is in.
Obviously, anonymously praising one's bad reporting is a much more awesome way to spend one's time than anonymously bashing one's bad reporting.
Booyah!
"I award you no points Mr. Madison, and may God have mercy on your soul".
Jay, this blog is tougher than going to The Rose on a Saturday night.
Think maybe Lebo should play Reed at 2 a little bit. I know hes our best ballhandler, but Tez aint no 2 if you know what I mean. Reed can at least make a three. Tez is no threat out there at all.
I dont think anywhere on here did he assume any rumors as fact. Quite the opposite in my opinion. Sorry for speaking for you Jay, but it appeared to this reader that everything written on this blog was prefaced with either a.) it was Jay's OPINION he was offering, or b.) it was from an anonymous source and was not confirmed. I never once read Jay stating something as fact (as with the Arkansas news anchor) that wasnt true.
You are quick to believe rumors and sources even after they are proven to be wrong but refuse to believe first hand information because it doesn't substantiate your bad reporting.
If Tommy says he was committed to Auburn all along, I'm going to write that. He said it. I write it.
What I'm saying is: Go beyond what he says. Look at the anecdotal information.
If he was so sold on Auburn all along, why didn't he offer a Stoops-style rumor shutdown?
Tuberville began his Wednesday press conference asserting that there was a "misunderstanding," yet he was the only guy capable of resolving the "misunderstanding."
His alibi is that he doesn't comment on rumors.
Do you believe that? You think he didn't say anything because he was following policy?
This blog was the first blog I ever visited in my short blogging career, so thanks Jay. On our BBall team, 'I concur.' My gosh what a horrible showing on national TV. Some of you guys may believe in Lebo but I've had questions about his hire since day one. First of all, why fire Cliff Ellis? BBall is not that important at Auburn right? With Coach Ellis at the helm we had the third most winningest program behind Kentucky and Florida. Secondly, I knew we were in trouble with Lebo when he came in and made our three best players leave. You can't come in and disagree with three year starters with valuable game experience. I don't care if you're Roy Williams. That's what started this hole we're in now. Next anybody read the article on Reggie Bush? If USC has to forfeit games from 2004, can we get a default NC? Also, I would like to apologize about my comments on Les Miles. I watched the guy on the CF Awards last night. It's hard not to like this guy. He's a great ambassador for the SEC. Also, AU Football Stuff, kudos for your contributions to Auburn. You anonymous guys are too confusing.
The problem with anecdotal information is twofold. First, is the anecdotal information just a baseless hasty generalization or are the facts there to support the beliefs? Second, is the anecdotal information in reality a logical fallacy? Once the argument is found to be flawed, for what ever reason, the conclusions based on this argument must also be false. This is why I believe that your confusion still exists. Your original argument was false and you are still trying to reach a conclusion based on your original flawed argument.
Tommy stated his commitment to Auburn early in this media generated circus. It is impossible to force people to believe your comments no matter how many times you repeat them. Tubs was not the source of the rumors and he has no control over them. The more he states his opinion the more those that have an agenda spin each and every word. Why add more fuel to the fire? If he comes out and addresses each individual rumor all it does is create a sound byte that can be twisted and taken out of context.
If he comes out and addresses each individual rumor all it does is create a sound byte that can be twisted and taken out of context.
Here's an idea.
"I'm not a candidate for any job -- not this one or any of the next ones that are coming in the next few weeks," is what Bob Stoops said when asked about the Michigan job.
Once the argument is found to be flawed, for what ever reason, the conclusions based on this argument must also be false.
Where is it flawed? My ideas are flawed because Tommy said he was committed to Auburn the whole time?
Apparently this guy doesnt see Tommy for the snake oil salesman that he is.
I am all for The Good AC.
Tommy was headed to LSU. It wasn't Saban as much as Nick wanted it to be. It was Tuberville. There was some people getting ready to put some property up for sale. I don't ask you to believe My Anonymous here. I don't care. I know, as Jay puts it, them there's the facts.
Point made. Tommy was not fully committed to Auburn. Not sure why that's so hard to take. He's a good one but not the best one out there. He doesn't cheat.
I wouldn't go so far as to call him a snake-oil salesman, but you cannot take everything he says as fact.
He doesn't have a monopoly on that kind of behavior. A lot of coaches do that. I just can't understand why some fans think everything he says is bankable fact.
Jay,
A newspaper in Tacoma offers you a 20% raise.
There is not enough money in the world that could make you move to Tacoma.
Do you
a.) tell your employer about the offer and that you are thinking it over, hoping they at least extend some kind of improvements to your current position
b.) never mention the Tacoma offer to anyone
If you choose a.) (you are a good business man) - does that mean you ever wanted to leave Montgomery?
Jay has pretty much said that since the rumors began. He mentioned several times that he thinks that Tubs is a capitalist and understands that the more his name is mentioned in the rumor mill the more his stock goes up so that he can negotiate a raise,better facilities, contract extension, deals for assistants. All things that Tommy got in his contract.
Hey Jay, I don't know if you remember me or not, but I was that annoying kid from Union Springs Herald who covered the team for in the 04 season. I have read all of your stuff since then and have been really pleased with your coverage. You definately aren't a homer, nor have a problem with Auburn, which is what a sports writer needs to be.
In the Tacoma scenario, I guess you're assuming that I'm not the one who called Tacoma. Or had my people call people at the Seattle P-I about the opening in nearby Tacoma.
I don't discredit Tuberville for playing the game as he did. I described him as a "capitalist," hardly a put-down considering capitalism and America are inextricably linked.
I do find fault with Tuberville's idle commentary on the "misunderstanding" while ignoring the fact that his inaction played a major role in rumors becoming a "misunderstanding" in the first place.
Caleb: Check's in the mail.
It doesn't matter who contacted Tacoma.
If all you are doing is creating leverage - did you ever necessarily WANT to leave Montgomery?
You have essentially said Tuberville thought about leaving because he did not put the rumors to rest. If he put the rumors to rest he has no more leverage.
I know you understand that, what I don't understand is how you can be so sure Tubs was thinking about leaving - but at the same time call him a "capitalist", which would infer he was only feeding the rumors to improve his current position.
I didn't say he fed the rumors.
I'm saying he enjoyed the timing of the rumors. For him to come out afterward and pretend to be all surprised by the
"misunderstanding" is just ... duplicitous.
Minor housekeeping issue: Don't use the comments section to rip writers. This is my blog and those are my rules.
Thayer Evans is a fine douchebag.
Nice compliment. No posting rules violation there. Move along.
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