Thursday chatter
Hey everyone. I'm technically off this week, which means I'm trying to get a few holiday-related matters handled before more Auburn drama unfolds.
I know what you're thinking: More drama, Jay?
It's Auburn. You never know.
Here are a few items of interest:
AUBURN HOOPS SIGNINGS: We've discussed this before, but now it's official. Jeff Lebo signed four players today for the 2009-2010 season.
FREEMAN ON BOARD? (UPDATED): Our friends at AuburnSports.com reported that junior-college linebacker Eltoro Freeman, an Alex City native, has chosen Auburn and will sign with the Tigers tomorrow. Freeman notified Gene Chizik of his intentions this afternoon. I'm 100% sure Chizik is satisfied.
I know what you're thinking: More drama, Jay?
It's Auburn. You never know.
Here are a few items of interest:
AUBURN HOOPS SIGNINGS: We've discussed this before, but now it's official. Jeff Lebo signed four players today for the 2009-2010 season.
- C Robert Chubb, 6-10, 220 (Peachtree City, Ga.)
- SF Kenny Gabriel, 6-8, 200 (Charlotte, N.C.) ... from JUCO
- SG Andre Malone, 6-5, 202 (Atlanta)
- SG/SF Earnest Ross, 6-5, 215 (from Cary, N.C.)
FREEMAN ON BOARD? (UPDATED): Our friends at AuburnSports.com reported that junior-college linebacker Eltoro Freeman, an Alex City native, has chosen Auburn and will sign with the Tigers tomorrow. Freeman notified Gene Chizik of his intentions this afternoon. I'm 100% sure Chizik is satisfied.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
1:41 PM
125 Comments:
JayGT-Thanks so much for keeping us informed.
I don't keep up with Basketball recruiting. Is it too much to hope that one of those signees could be a McDonald's AA?
The kid from Atlanta is really good. I don't know about a McDonald's AA, but his stock is on the upswing.
At least they're all 6'5 or taller
Malone and Ross are supposed to be the real deal right now. The other two will be works in progress.
No kiddin!
Never saw that coming.
I think Kenny Gabriel can shoot right now, Will.
Upside? Not so much.
Hey Jay G, what was up with B. Knox last night? I noticed he wasn't dessed out.
what's basketball?
Have a good vacation week, Jay. Pop in and say hi of you so feel inclined.
Knox was out with a short-term medical issue. He should be back soon.
6'10" player wow, I will believe it when he is enrolled.
As far as the banger JUCO goes and his talk. I prefer less talk and more stuff on the field.
Jay, it must be great covering AU sports as a writer. Other sports guys only get to write about sports, while AU is a constant soap opera on and off the field. I think the other beat guys envy you.
Does Scott Pohlman have any eligibilty left?
what about lance weems?
Wow, we signed 4 people taller than the coach. That's a start.
Danny Wicke anyone?
Does Pat Dye help hire the basketball coach? Maybe we could bring Sonny Smith back.
I am certainly looking forward to hearing some of the football commitments/recommitments come rolling in. One question for those who know much more about this than I... if/when some of the more highly visible commitments make their decisions known, especially if they are staying with Chizik, how does that affect the other high profile commits/decommits?
Jay...thanks for all your great reporting! Have wonderful Holiday break!! I'm headed out to NYC and some snow and withdrawal from the HABOTN. Maybe I'll go to the TODAY show with an HABOTN sign and get us more national exposure!! (I think my t-shirt will be too cold!)
not to move the conversation back to football, of course, but I was about to ask that on the other thread.
My favorite was always when Abe Smith got to come in and shoot some threes late in the game.
I think there's an obligation for 6'10" to transfer after a year. Just kidding. I hope he sets AU career scoring record and gets folks (like me) more attentive to AU basketball.
Jay:
Have a great time while off and get some well deserved rest....
I am going to adhere to what I call Rule #1 during the holidays: Do Nothing.
Rules 2-70 deal with avoiding family, but that is not the point of this post.
Thanks for all your hard work this football season.
We have a basketball team?
FSJ-
In accordance with rules 2-70, I will be on a plane in 3 hours.
May all the Hotties have a very blessed holiday season. Contradicting that statement, I hope I'll be able to follow the blog and contribute useless commentary while away. WAR EAGLE!!!
My new fave basketballer: Chubb!
JGT, enjoy your time off. Hopefully no AU drama will interrupt your vacation. Happy Holidays!!!!
Jay G--
Did the MA hire a sports editor yet? Haven't seen it announced. All you guys seem to do a great job without one. Maybe Gannett can save some money not hiring one!
Eltoro Freeman will be strong asset for the team and should help with recruiting.
Simple, I'll feel better when that signed LOI is faxed in.
The Bull had some great comments about signing with AU.
He Jay can any of those guys run like dear and can catch a football?
I say give Jay G more money
Jay have a well deserved break and hope you get everything you want for Christmas.
It would be great if we could get a few more 6'2+ LBs on the list. Bostic from Fla would be a nice pick up
Somebody asked earlier about my avatar.
This is the pose I have been in since I heard about JJ's hire.
The picture is the album cover of the greatest "one hit wonder band who wore overalls" of all time.
I love their hit song about the 1 legged girl.
Thanks for keep us informed on your off-time, Jay. After being forced to sit thru the AU-Tuskeege game, you deserve a full vacation.
That was an excellent column by Jason Whitlock that was posted in the last thread. I was on the Gill bandwagon, but maybe he is right that it might not have worked.
I'm gonna say now that I'm buying the official Auburn story, hook, line and sinker. There was no conspiracy; there was no Bobby Lowder directing the search and using JJ as a puppet; there was no Pat Dye who was secretly in charge. It went down just as they said.
Gogue told JJ to find a coach, but restricted him to a by-the-book search that no other BCS school has tried in years. Gogue probably thought the SACS situation required it. He probably also made it clear to JJ that he alone would be held responsible for the results. So JJ's job depends on Chizik's success.
If you were in JJ's shoes and this was the task he was given, what would you do? I'd try to hire the guy that I thought would win at Auburn and stay there for many years. I think that he decided Chizik is that guy.
I've had to hire a lot of people over the years, and there were many times that I didn't select the one that had the most outstanding resume. Sometimes the one with the best resume seemed to be a nutcase in an interview. When I was going to be held responsible for my hires, I hired people I thought would be successful in that particular job, not some other job. Charles Barkley doesn't understand that because, as he likes to say, he's never had a real job in his life.
Go Chizik!
Its us against the world!
Kick a bammer if you get the chance!
War Eagle!
;)
It looks like "Da Bull" has signed his LOI!
Jason Whitlock is a tool! If Barkley is a conspiracy theorist (which he could very well be), Whitlock is a consummate apologist.
I wish these people on Finebaum and the blog would stop being negative about hiring Chizik. Either get on the AU bandwagon or get off!!!!! He's our coach! Support him!!!!!!!!!!
Aubigcat - A tool of whom?
I find it hilarious that people are still moaning over who the coach is. It is getting to be pretty hilarious.
I am terribly anxious to know who the OC will be. That will give us a big indication of what to expect next season.
I like Whitlock. Who doesn't like Whitlock?
And as far as still talking about the coaching hire, what are people supposed to do? Talk about our bowl game? It's still a national story.
Coosa- misdirection and appeasement
So Michael IF we had a bowl game who would you want to see us face? Mind you this is play-play so dont get complicated by asking who would coach the team on offense. lol
Assistants..
I've seen three account now from AU pledges that they were told Chizik has 4 coaches lined up that he could not name yet. Two from a college, or colleges. And, two from the NFL.
I think we all expect Searles to come on. Garner? I still think that's not an easy one to decipher since he interviewed for the head coaching "position". That should always be surrounded by quotation marks. Always.
The NFL guys? Who could guess? Looks like the OC could very likely come from there, though.
Also like to give a shout out to the Bull, Eltoro Freeman, for keeping it F'n real yesterday. Why couldn't that conversation have been recorded for all to enjoy?
From now on, if Eltoro's talking, please take a device that will record that audio. Jay...anybody...er'body. Record that young man.
'Bout time Auburn had a mouthpiece again on the D side. Groves was so so. But nobody has been that guy since Junior was around.
Rosegreen that is. Voted by Herbie to have the coolest uniform wearing procedures in all of college football back in '04. Also the guy, I remind you, that launched one very famous now NFL receiver into the turf at the Hare.
And since nobody else is commenting for a change...
Woo! Woo! Woooooo!!!!
Here now!!!
Hello Jay,
With all of the buzz around Auburn's coaching debacle and Alabama's success, other regional sporting news seems to be silenced, or just lightly mentioned. I am really surprised that more attention to the sanctions issued to Alabama State University by our super powerful NCAA has not raised concern for the lack of disciplinary actions in the future. A new standard appears to have been set.
How is it that Alabama State University (ASU) is guilty of 17 staff related, in your face ridiculous, violations and receive similar penalties as other universities that were convicted of only 1 or 2 non-staff violations. Self imposed sanctions or not, this lack of respect for the NCAA Rules and Regulations should warrant the "Death Penalty."
Now that ASU has set the standard for what universities can get away with, the NCAA will not be able to enforce sanctions unless the violations exceed this example disrespect. The NCAA doesn't have the balls to penalize ASU, who, by the way, is a "Black College." The NCAA avoided the "political black eye" of racism by letting ASU of the hook. Where do we go from here? Be on the look out for unpunishable violations galore.
I don't have the time to really gain all of the in depth details, so if I have misinterpreted and/or misunderstood any or all of this situation I apologize for stirring the pot.
Love your show. Thank you for finding the truth and returning the message to the public.
Respectfully,
Armamentarium
Hello Jay,
With all of the buzz around Auburn's coaching debacle and Alabama's success, other regional sporting news seems to be silenced, or just lightly mentioned. I am really surprised that more attention to the sanctions issued to Alabama State University by our super powerful NCAA has not raised concern for the lack of disciplinary actions in the future. A new standard appears to have been set.
How is it that Alabama State University (ASU) is guilty of 17 staff related, in your face ridiculous, violations and receive similar penalties as other universities that were convicted of only 1 or 2 non-staff violations. Self imposed sanctions or not, this lack of respect for the NCAA Rules and Regulations should warrant the "Death Penalty."
Now that ASU has set the standard for what universities can get away with, the NCAA will not be able to enforce sanctions unless the violations exceed this example disrespect. The NCAA doesn't have the balls to penalize ASU, who, by the way, is a "Black College." The NCAA avoided the "political black eye" of racism by letting ASU of the hook. Where do we go from here? Be on the look out for unpunishable violations galore.
I don't have the time to really gain all of the in depth details, so if I have misinterpreted and/or misunderstood any or all of this situation I apologize for stirring the pot.
Love your show. Thank you for finding the truth and returning the message to the public.
Respectfully,
Armamentarium
oh brother here we go again
SECURITY!!
Jet thoughts ...
1. BigCat, I appreciate your perspective. But I view Whitlock as a truth teller. He steps on all toes. He's made me think about a lot of notions, thoughts and ideas.
2. Eltoro may be the biggest bust in the history of college football, but for right now, he's my favorite player. We need some swagger.
3. If you love Jay G, don't wish the sports editor job on him. That would be the end of his life and our life with him on HABOTN.
4. Signing tall basketball players? What in the world is going on? Snow in New Orleans? The third sign of end of days is surely nigh.
5. We'll never see the death penalty again.
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Who is ASU? And why do I care?
And a school would pretty much have to kill a person to get the "death penalty" nowadays. The NCAA doesn't want to complete destroy a football program again like they did to SMU.
The BOTN is not exactly hoppin today. What gives?
who in the hell cares about Alabama State? If they got the death penalty it might not even make the mobile newspaper.
I don't wish the sports editor job on JGT. I said they don't need to waste the money hiring one with the job Tim, Jay, Josh, Stacy, etc., etc. do. Although I do think Josh needs a little supervision now and then! LOL
Michael ...
I've been working on the office Christmas fiesta tomorrow, and did a little shopping, but I'll be ready tonight.
I'm not as much of a night BOTNer, but maybe I will make an appearance or two.
Did you get a pinata for the office fiesta? You should get a santa pinata and pummel it in front of children. They will enjoy the candy that comes out but be horrified at santa being pummeled. Their mixed feelings will haunt them for years.
No, it's a Saban pinata.
I put a signup sheet outside the conference room door.
"Help Be a Part of the Process."
Instead of using a stick, we're handing out Glocks.
Nothing says Happy Holidays like a Glock.
Jet I agree we need some swagger. I just think we need it more on offense. Please let the OC be a good "fit"!!!
Steve, Being surprised that folks are still complaining about the coach hire is about as naive as JJ not expecting xCTT to be gone. The press in Alabama is STILL pounding that issue every day.
Coosa, I've hired a lot of folks myself. The ease and quality of the hire was directly proportional to the salary budget and company reputation.
The story of how AU did nothing wrong is more complicated than the conspiracy theories.
hoopie, didn't you post that you used to live out here? whereabouts? Is it me or shouldn't we be hearing about staffing hires by now?
I found Dre Kirkpatrick's comments on Tana Patrick interesting:
"I developed a strong bond with all of those guys(guys from AL-MS All Star Classic). The player that probably impressed me the most was Tana Patrick. He is a real good football player, but he is a quiet dude that everyone respects and is sort of a quiet leader."
Chizik is supposed to be talking to Dre tomorrow. Saban visited him yesterday.
Nothing says Happy Holidays like a Glock.
Monica, sounds like you have met some of my extended family.
And a school would pretty much have to kill a person to get the "death penalty" nowadays.
Central Florida has done that twice in the past 8 months and they've gotten not so much as an inquiry, so even that appears to be fair game nowadays.
One thing about our new coach he is not letting information get out others have in the past. That may change, but for now everyone is tight lipped about asst. coaches.
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I believe Dre's destiny is a foregone conclusion that doesn't end with him on the Plains. I sure hope that we can change Tana's fate.
Okay, I think I have an answer for this race stuff. From now on each season we should have an integration appreciation game. During this game the luxury skyboxes will be reserved for minority coaches and players. All coaches and players that aren't a minority will be responsible for playing the game. So, who wants to pick the game we do this for?
Scott, I lived in Scottsdale(Phoenix). I visited a couple of friends that lived in Tucson. Arizona conventional wisdom said that Tucson was 5 deg warmer in the winter and 5 deg cooler in the summer than Phoenix.
The coaches are probably busy visiting recruits prior to the "no contact" period that starts soon. If the pay services are correct, the coaches are telling recruits that the assts are selected.
Oh..Scott...I read earlier that you lost your pup. I'm feel for you. My wife had a Westie for 9 years that died recently...they do become integral to the family and it can be traumatic.
Steve, I'm thinkin' a non-conference, non-televised game that we can afford to lose.
Hmmm, that might not get the attention. Do one Iron Bowl like that and I doubt we would have a single racist fan, including members of the administration. I can't imagine Auburn without some of the stars that happen to be minorities.
I'm back in the hizzle.
Went ahead with plans for another tattoo. Hey, it's my present!
Updating Eltoro information...
Jay....in 1973 I was going to get Tweety Bird tatted on my left, rear cheek. The tat artist in Madison, Wisconsin said I was too drunk. Never got up the guts after that.
For those who don't know Auburn Insider fired Finebaum.
err Auburn Undercover. That's always seemed a little suggestive to me.
Steve, The AU crowds I run around with just wouldn't have those kinds of problems. I lost contact with a lot of thw "old" crowd when I moved to Arizona and purposely didn't reconnect when I returned.
In fact, some of my friends that don't know football real well wanted CTG just to make a PC statement. I wanted CTG for football reasons and anything else was just a bonus.
Some folks never had a problem. Some folks had a problem and grew into enlightenment and a very small group won't change ever. I'm not sure that forcing the issue does any good. It's a change of heart.
statguy....Pf worked for auinsider?
Fired? I don't understand.
scottsdale--very pricey, hoopie. tucson's always been a bit lower scale. appreciate the thoughts re me dog. lately tucson is MUCH COOLER in the summer than phx. apparently less asphalt makes the diff. in the summer, the monsooons sometimes never make it to phoenix, fighting all of the urban hot air and all. my pool maxes out at about 90 degrees during the summer, lots of phx. pools hit 100 degrees (sauna level) and stay there 'til fall.
f-bomb out? please explain.
Saban wears Gene Chizik pajamas
chizik doesn't wear pajamas
BigCat - I think you're right about Dre. Would be a huge get, but I'd settle for getting his pal Tana.
I guess he means that the Auburn website that is a sponsor of Finebaum's show dropped their sponsorship...Don't know if that is true or not...
Unless something unexpected happens, Dre will wear Crimson, IMO.
Have no idea on Tana.
Dre probably won't come to the Plains, but the evil empire might not get him either. Don't be suprised if Texas pulls him further west than tuscalooser.
Jay, any idea on when we might hear something on the OC? There was a post I read earlier saying 4 members of the staff have been selected, 2 from bowl teams and 2 from the NFL, although I don't know if that is accurate. I would hate to have to wait until next year to find out the new OC. It will give a big hint where we are going offensively. Chizik saying we will be able to run but also pass didn't quite nail it down good enough for me.
Auburn Undercover logo still on Fbaum's web page...
I say we kidnap Paul Finebaum and paint his head to look like an Auburn helmet. Okay, I can dream can't I?
Steve.....patience grasshopper. It's kindof like Santa Claus coming...asking every day won't make it happen any sooner.
Well, it ain't like I am impatient. I just want to know now!!!
Jay i missed where you were talking about a new tattoo. What are you going to get if you don't mind me asking.
1 more? little ball of hate still on team.
When a University can play more than one non student individuals on the field, change over 100 grades, give money, hire strippers, allow players to use university vehicles for personal use, and on and on and on, and not get the "Death Penalty" there is a problem. The list totalled over 1000 total violations and was narrowed down to 17 categories. Alabama State self imposed a close match to what the University of Alabama recieved for 1 recuiting violation. A good one I might add.
The NCAA will have to be consistent from now on. The next University caught in any violation can now produce case law to minimize infractions.
I don't have any solid information on where Chizik will get his coordinators.
The tattoo already has been applied. I'll show once the swelling subsides.
This one is located on my left wrist.
Arma....Got tell the Bammers. The Bama administraters are the folks that may need to know "case law" for defendng against the NCAA. CTT has left AU in pretty good shape.
Alright jay-g,
Did you get wifeys' name on one wrist and the universal ambedextrious sign on the other. I agree you have worked hard but its not time for x-mas vacation yet is it?
By the way, you are a pro-journalist, is Aramentarium a legit word or is that some type symbol I'm too old to know about?
Jay....A neighbor couple got his and her "matching tats". So far we haven't got them liquored up enough to flaunt them.
How many tats do you have, Hoopie?
Mon,
Have you got the TATS Too?
Mon...none I provided an "almost" Tweety bird tat story above.
I hope the sickness isn't too bad for you. I was out of comission for 7 days last week. Still got lingering effects. Drink water!!!
I'm not on away-from-the-HABOTN vacation. That only happens when I leave town FO REAL during the summer.
Armamentarium is a legit word.
hey mr. death penalty,
keep talking about the death penalty. I'm sure that eventually you will get the reaction you're looking for.
just sayin'
ahhh - a near miss on the Tweety bird. lol
I'm feeling much better today. I broke down and went to the doctor yesterday and the steroids helped tons. Thanks for asking.
MDaniel - I'm tatless. :-)
Mon...The steriod shot helped. Also, the more H2O, the better.
I learned a new word today. It still makes NO sense.
Sorry, Jay, didn't see your question. They dropped their sponsorship.
My very cute doctor gave me steroid pills that I'll be on for 3 more days. He told me the same thing about water and my eyeballs are floating. Thanks for the advice.
raise you hand if you have tats...
MDaniel - armamentarium is a noun and its synonyms are apparatus, armory, arsenal, collection, equipment, store.
Get it? Like an armament...
1. the aggregate of equipment, methods, and techniques available to one for carrying out one's duties: The stethoscope is still an essential part of the physician's armamentarium.
2. a fruitful source of devices or materials available or used for an undertaking: The new arts center is an armamentarium for creative activity.
Speaking of The Office I laughed when Josh Moon said he didn't care who won bama or Auburn football games as long as he got to see The Office and it was funny.
ha
G-nite all. gotta go watch Grey's Anatomy with Wifey....doing do ensures marital bliss. I'm even allowed 4 sarcastic comments per show.
yuck - that's a big price, Hoopie
Chizik/Lolley made an in-home visit Jermaine Johnson and he looks firm to Auburn if his ACT's allow. Otherwise he'll retake in Feb and register for Summer.
What is the "TOS" board? The Bunker says according to the TOS boards Fbaum lost his AuburnUndercover sponsorship due to remarks Fbaum made about Auburn this week.
Raising hand, Will. Got two of 'em.
He has been very critical of AU. I know its his job to stir the pot, but I can't say I'm disappointed that Auburnundercover.com pulled their sponsorship. Good for them!!
TOS = The Other Site
On Rivals, TOS = Scout site
On Scout, TOS = Rivals site...
Oh, and Hand raised. I have a ~6" Phoenix on my back between my shoulder blades...
No tats but do brands count?
Thank you, DMiller
Ok...peeps....
In honor of the upcoming crappy weekend, I present the following.....
Weekend
I think it's going to be a fantastic weekend. But then again, I have tickets to Tennessee and Pittsburgh this weekend.
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