The Goat Pen

The eagle flight is very cool. I love it. I don't know that I would put it that high on the tradition list, though, because you guys haven't been doing very long. What? Maybe since 1999? 2000?

Actually, I'm surprised PETA and the NCAA allow such gratuitous exploitation Of animals. I'm sure that when they are through with those who mock native Americans they will begin a new inquisition.

Speaking of exploitation and inquisitions...

As an Irish American, I am shocked and outraged by the shameless mocking of my people by the "leprauchan" at Notre Dame. His dancing at their football games is an insult to us Irish Americans everywhere. It is the moral equivalent of slavery and bordering on genocide.

The only thing that would make amends for this disgusting anti-Irish hate fest is for Notre Dame to pay me, Professor Tiger, a six figure sum each year, in the form of reparations. This money will assuage the existential horrors that I have suffered far too long.

That's ok...as far as the PNN thread, you have the same hatred for blacks. Guess that means ND should pay your six figure sum each year to be divided equally between all blacks?

...anything that hurts ND must be good for college football...

That's ok...as far as the PNN thread, you have the same hatred for blacks.

So your head is still between AA's butt cheeks?

Not called for. Inaccurate. Not totally unexpected.

AA is far from the only one giving you a proverbial "blast". All I did was read it and laugh at all the BS comments from you and them.

The REC's desperation reaches new heights:

From AL.com:

Hot Corner: Newton case gets even more bizarre
Published: Thursday, August 25, 2011, 8:15 AM
By Tom Arenberg


Only in the black hole universe of NCAA investigations could this be happening: The NCAA plans to interview sports handicapper Danny Sheridan about information relevant to the Cam Newton case that he claims he received from -- wait for it -- the NCAA.

This suggests to me that Sheridan's sources are somewhere far, far outside the enforcement division.

Regardless, this latest development is both bizarre and pointless.

Sheridan has already said on the Paul Finebaum Radio Show that he won't reveal the name of the supposed bag man whose identity is supposedly already known by the NCAA because to do so would jeopardize his sources. Of course, I'm still trying to square that with Sheridan's willingness to identify his sources as people in the NCAA whom he has known for "20 or 30 years." Sheridan instantly flunks Source Confidentiality 101 with that statement.

The point is, I think we can expect a real short conversation between Sheridan and the NCAA.

Unless, of course, the NCAA is apoplectic that its employees are talking secretly to someone whose livelihood involves gambling, and that's the real point of the interview. Inside information about pending eligibility decisions, for instance, would be gold for handicappers and gamblers.

Indeed, protecting itself is Job One for the NCAA in the Newton case -- and not just in trying to clamp down on information leaks that always drive the NCAA crazy. The NCAA knows its critics believe it has acted meekly in the Newton case. It is anxious to make sure it has covered every avenue and won't someday get embarrassed by a surprise revelation. This case may turn out to be the longest technically open, barely active case of all time. Meanwhile, the reputation of a school suffers. Not sure if the NCAA cares.

Auburn grad Tim Cook replaces Steve Jobs as CEO of Apple:

Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple and serves on its Board of Directors.

Before being named CEO in August 2011, Tim was Apple's Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for all of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple’s supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple’s Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace.

Prior to joining Apple, Tim was vice president of Corporate Materials for Compaq and was responsible for procuring and managing all of Compaq’s product inventory. Previous to his work at Compaq, Tim was the chief operating officer of the Reseller Division at Intelligent Electronics.

Tim also spent 12 years with IBM, most recently as director of North American Fulfillment where he led manufacturing and distribution functions for IBM’s Personal Computer Company in North and Latin America.

Tim earned an M.B.A. from Duke University, where he was a Fuqua Scholar, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University.

http://www.apple.com/pr/bios/tim-cook.html

I'm picturing a commercial for the iGoat that shows a Auburn grad in the middle of some big city (like Nashville or Mobile) for the first time and he's completely flustered by the hustle and bustle of big city life, dreaming of simpler times on the farm with his favorite goat, when he remembers his iGoat. He breaks it out, has a little personal time and then has the clear mind necessary to face the day in the cold, cold city.

Where can I get an Igoat?


I mean, That's offensive!!!!!

I've already upgraded to iGoat 9G.

I'm imagining Harvey Updyke launching the "Roll Tide Roll" line of tree killing chemicals. With each $100 purchase, you get cough medicine, a car battery and a propane heater.

Here's the latest failure in the ongoing campaign to slime Auburn in the media:

NCAA statement on Danny Sheridan comments

Danny Sheridan continues to make vague, unsubstantiated claims without backing them up with proof. Contrary to his claims of having an inside source with details on the Auburn investigation, the NCAA has not provided information to Sheridan or anyone else. As a matter of due diligence, the NCAA spoke with Sheridan this week to determine if he had any facts pertaining to the investigation. Sheridan, however, did not provide any information to the enforcement staff and certainly did not provide a name. Instead, he unsuccessfully attempted to gather information for his own use.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/pub ... n+comments

This can go into the trash can with Scott Moore's "secret tapes," the cell phone that accidentally got wet, Cecil's church financial records, the McGregor FBI wiretaps, and all the other wild conspiracy theories.

Contrary to his claims of having an inside source with details on the Auburn investigation

So, officially, the NCAA has stated that that there IS an 'Auburn investigation'? Hmmmm....

Yes. They appear to feel the need to "due diligence" by following up every caller to the Paul Finebaum show, every post on rolltideroll.com, every statement from some sleazy gambler, etc. So, as long as there is a crackpot with a telephone or internet connection to his trailer in Mulga AL, there will be an investigation.

Here's a transcript of the conversation Sheridan had with the NCAA:

NCAA: Is this Mr. Sheridan?

DS: Speaking.

NCAA: This is the NCAA. Last week you made an unsolicited public statement that you would welcome the opportunity to talk to us to share what you know about the Cam Newton situation. Is this a good time to talk?

DS: Absolutely. My next media interview doesn't start for a half hour.

NCAA: Great. We appreciate you talking to us. You have said publicly that you have a source in the NCAA that knows who the "bagman" is who gave Cecil Newton cash in exchange for his son signing with Auburn.

DS: Well, technically what I said was--

NCAA: Who is your source?

DS: I can't tell you but trust me, he knows what he is talking about. He works for the NCAA.

NCAA: This is the NCAA.

DS: Well then you know who my source is.

NCAA: Fine. Can you confirm to us who your source is?

DS: You tell me who my source is.

NCAA: Wha?

DS: Exactly. I have been in this business for over 30 years and I trust my sources.

NCAA: Unless you give us a name, we are going to assume that you are lying to draw attention to yourself and to damage the reputation of your alma mater's archrival.

DS: I know what I know. I cannot reveal my source because I don't want to get him in trouble. And I am offended that you would accuse me of being anything but completely impartial with respect to those scumbags at Aub--

NCAA: But you said last week that you were willing to talk to the NCAA to share what you know.

DS: I told you. I know who my source is. My source knows who the bagman is.

NCAA: Tell us who your source is who claims to know who the bagman is.

DS: My source works for the NCAA.

NCAA: Mr. Sheridan, we have no record in our files of a member of our investigative staff interviewing anyone who claimed to either be the bagman or to know who the bagman is.

DS: I trust my sources. That's all I can say.

NCAA: Then why did you publicly state that you would love to talk to the president of the NCAA about this if you had no intention of naming names.

DS: Upon advice of counsel, I have been advised by my counsel not to reveal my sources upon the advice of my counsel, who has given me legal advice not to reveal the name of my source upon advice of counsel. I really want to, you understand, but my legal counsel….

NCAA: This is not a court of law Mr. Sheridan. Remember, you said that you would talk to us.

DS: I would love to talk to you. I have a source in the NCAA who knows who the bagman is.

NCAA: Mr. Sheridan, this is the NCAA.

DS: Sorry, I forgot. I thought this was my 2:30 with Buck and Kincade.

NCAA: Right. Tell us who your source is.

DS: I have a source who knows who the bagman is.

NCAA: Got it. Who is it?

DS: I have been in the business for 30 years. I trust my sources.

NCAA: Understood. Who is your source?

DS: Someone in the NCAA.

NCAA: Again, Mr. Sheridan, we have no record in our file of….

DS: I meant that my source is someone who knows someone in the NCAA, and he says that his source in the NCAA told him….

NCAA: We're hanging up now Mr. Sheridan.

DS: Wait! I'll tell you. But first I'll give you three guesses.

NCAA: Click.

Wow. That was a lot of work for little payoff.

If Sheridan has a contact within the NCAA (I have no idea), he isn't going to give the guy's name when the NCAA calls. Why would he? His friend would lose his job and Sheridan would lose a friend and an informant. Further, he would never get anyone else to give him info again.

It is in the best interest of the NCAA to poo-poo such things. Their rep has already taken big hits over the last year. An employee feeding info to a gambler would be devastating.

Will the NCAA lie to make itself look better? Absolutely. Remember when they said there were no secret witnesses in the Means' case? When the public found out there WERE secret witnesses, the NCAA went to a, "Oh! You meant THOSE secret witnesses."

The NCAA just said Alabama alum/bookie is full of shit. It's not that complicated.

They also said the Auburn investigation is not over. Never complain about due diligence.

But enough of that. Is Trotter truly the heir apparent? Who is going to protect him?

GBJs wrote:They also said the Auburn investigation is not over. Never complain about due diligence.

But enough of that. Is Trotter truly the heir apparent? Who is going to protect him?

Answer to question 1: Yes.

Answer to question 2: Good damned question. A lot of talented but young OL...hope Mr. Trotter can do more than just trot.

Danny Sheridan is about as full of shit as they come. He and Finebaum are two peas in a pod in that regard.

The general assessment is Trotter is merely the caretaker until the extraordinarily talented Frazier and, later, the even more talented Pike, get adjusted to Malzahn's system.

As far as protecting him, we have a new mother lode of raw talent at OL: Westermann, Dismukes, O'Reilly, and Robinson, are all all first rate. They are all also freshmen. Another phenom - Eric Mack - is a sophomore. The current OL upperclassmen will be okay, but that's about it.

Overall, this is our situation: We had a top five recruiting class two years ago. We had the #1 recruiting class last year. We have the makings of another top five class this coming year. We just have to suffer through the last of Tubby's modest recruiting classes before our talent is equal to anybody's. There will no longer be a glaring talent deficit between us and our major SEC rivals. That will be fun.