This post is so hard to write on weeks like this where absolutely nothing happens....
Welcome to this installment of TWIN. Hang on to your hats, we have much to discuss. Starting elsewhere and ending in South Bend.
Last week we discussed how LSU Female Soccer star Mo Isom was trying out to be a kicker on the LSU Football Team. She didn't last long. Leslie Miles cut her this week citing concern about Isom's abilities as a tackler.
"She's a great person but there's some things she can't do and she knows it," Miles said. "We go to kicking off into the corner, we count on our kicker making some tackles and it's just not something I'm comfortable she's ready to do. It's one of those spots you really can't put a person that cannot tackle."
Nicely played Leslie, nicely played.
For the record Isom isn't exactly petite. She's a legit athlete that measures a cool 6'1" and 190lbs. I'd like to see her form tackle a returner. Who's with me?
It is amazing what one player can do for a program. On the heels of RG3's Heisman Victory Baylor received a mammoth donation that will go towards building a very nice new football stadium right on the Brazos River. So much for Floyd Casey.
The Larry Fedora era at North Carolina will begin with 3 years probation, a one year postseason ban and the loss of 15 scholarships over 5 years. Thanks Butch! I'm still annoyed about Greg Little.
The Big 12 extended its TV contract with tWWL through 2025 and will ultimately receive $1.2 Billion as a result. When combined with the Fox contract the league will earn a cool $2.5 Billion over the next 13 seasons. Who needs 12 teams?
Speaking of outrageous money Okie Light apparently lost $33 million by trying to back out of some life insurance plans. Hang with me for a minute here, this sounds crazy as all hell. The school apparently bought $10 million dollar policies for 27 boosters back in 2007. Those policies were set up to pay out to the Athletic Department when said boosters passed away.
Okie Light then got cold feet and tried to back out and recoup the 33 million in premiums that they had paid to that point. This move was based on a loophole having to do with a 10 day review policy required by Oklahoma law. Okie Light says they never got that review. The judge disagreed.
Apparently Cowboy Athletic Director Mike Holder actually did review the docs. At least from a legal standpoint. Holder seems to remember feeling the heat from T. Boone to get this done at the time.
Attorneys produced a paper trail from Holder's emails with him writing once that if it wasn't done soon as Pickens wanted, "I will be in a cave with Bin Laden."
Everything about this story is bizarre. Any of you lawyers want to weigh in on this?
Apparently Mike Gundy is still getting paid. A lot.
Remember when Mark Richt was on the hotseat at Georgia? That seems like it was just yesterday. This week Richt signed a contract extension that will take him through the 2016 season. Richt is now sure to be fired at the conclusion of 2012.
Urban Meyer had a run in with the Ohio State LGBT group "Scarlet and Gay" after making players that were loafing in practice wear lavender jerseys. You can't loaf on Urban! Everything about this story is ridiculous.
The Sporting News has an interesting piece up on new Kansas front man Chuck Weis. As always Weis makes for an interesting interview with his open book style. I still find the degree to which Weis is open refreshing while simultaneously thinking to myself "TMI Charlie, TMI."
Moving on to South Bend proper.
Notre Dame received a big commitment from Wide Receiver James Onwualu on Wednesday evening. Call it the Michael Floyd pipeline. Welcome James!
Shortly thereafter former Notre Dame defensive lineman Brandon Newman Tweeted this.
Best of luck Brandon! Tear up some of that MACtion!
Then Thursday happened....
Murtaugh already captured just about all of this yesterday so you can revisit his post for the long version. Here's the Cliff's Notes.
Tee Shepard left Notre Dame. Boy that hurts.
Amir Carlisle was cleared to play in 2012. That's pretty awesome.
The Blue-Gold game will be televised on the NBC Sports Network (formerly Versus) at 1:30 EST on 21 April. The OFD staff will be there in force. I can't wait.
The home contest vs. Michigan this year will be a night game with a 7:30 EST kickoff. I'm fighting the urge to get excited this far out.
Mike Ragone received a 6th year of eligibility from the NCAA but he won't be playing in South Bend. Ragone is heading to Kansas to join Dayne Crist and Chuck Weis.
The Spring Practice Schedule is Set. Rest assured we will be all over this.
Wed., March 21 8-10 a.m.
Fri., March 23 8-10 a.m.
Sat., March 24 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Mon., March 26 8-10 a.m.
Wed., March 28 8-10 a.m.
Fri., March 30 8-10 a.m.
Sat., March 31 10:45 - 1 p.m.
Mon., April 2 8-10 a.m.
Wed., April 4 8-10 a.m.
Wed., April 11 8-10 a.m.
Fri., April 13 8-10 a.m.
Sat., April 14 10:45 - 1 p.m.
Mon., April 16 8-10 a.m.
Wed., April 18 8-10 a.m.
Sat., April 21 1:30 p.m. - 83rd Annual Blue-Gold Spring Football Game
The Notre Dame Pro Day will be Tues, April 3.
The OFD comment of the week is brought to you by fishoutofwater. Fish is now officially the first member of the commentariat to take home the title in back to back weeks. He came strong under lightskin350's FanPost on the 2013 recruiting situation. By the time Fish jumped in the conversation had devolved into a sidebar regarding some guy's on Rock's House lamenting the demise of...wait for it.....the fullback!!!!!
Ah, yes - a classic lament.
Do not go gentle into that SPREAD ATTACK,
Old ago should HARUMPH and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the FULLBACK.
Thanks to everyone for some great conversations this week. Yesterday could have easily devolved into a sh#% show of epic proportions but you all kept the conversation as rational and productive as ever. You are the best community on the ND interwebs. Many thanks!
Best of luck to Coach Brey, Coach McGraw and both of their teams this weekend! I hope that everyone gets the chance to relax, watch some ND Hoops and mow through a few of your favorite adult beverages. Have a great weekend and stay thirsty my friends!