I am not all in

[mehehbuck]

That kind of goes back to my observation from the first night. I guarantee you that a few coaches throughout the nation went through their inboxes the night of or the next morning after the press conference with Tressel.

Pardon me if this is just a repeat, but I think there's probably so many non-disapproving comments from other coaches to JT because this kind of stuff does go on everywhere...why call someone out for it if you're (possibly or probably) doing it yourself?

I love collegiate athletics, but the line has been so blurred for so long, and I know it but don't want to believe it. I can't say I've ever believed my Bucks to be 100% clean, nor any other major college program, but this still just really sucks. I love college sports more than pro sports because I've always thought collegiate participants care more about their teams, teammates, fans, peers, and so on. In this era of BCS bowls, superconferences, TV network agreements, this all goes out the window.

I just wanna cheer for my Buckeyes and feel that there's a love, perhaps naivete, about the sport. But perhaps that time has passed.

 

[Zippercat]

no comment necessary:

 

[localyokel]

Just putting this here, 'cause I swore I wasn't gonna make any more posts in that "other" thread. Maybe I should stop reading it, too.

I don't blame the media, because they are not worth of my time. But, it's kind of disheartening to see some Buckeye fans being swayed by those talking heads and ready to pounce on Coach Tressel without putting their shoes in the coach's.

Good to know...that the only possible explanation for any of us failing to be "all in" is that we are mindless dupes of mass media.
As opposed, I guess, to the truly independent thinkers who grant faith without evidence and loyalty without standards.

(I'm in such a bad mood today I can't tell if I'm being "flamey" or not--sure someone will let me know if they think so).

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Just putting this here, 'cause I swore I wasn't gonna make any more posts in that "other" thread. Maybe I should stop reading it, too.



Good to know...that the only possible explanation for any of us failing to be "all in" is that we are mindless dupes of mass media.
As opposed, I guess, to the truly independent thinkers who grant faith without evidence and loyalty without standards.

(I'm in such a bad mood today I can't tell if I'm being "flamey" or not--sure someone will let me know if they think so).

Not at all. Just be "ready to eat crow" when it comes out that JT only sat on those emails because of direct instructions from both the CIA and MI-6 and that the damning tone and content of JT's responses was not his wording but rather that of Les Wexner's contacts in the Mossad who were instructed to draft the replies to the Cicero emails. It's all coming out soon, and a lot of so-called Buckeye fans are going to look pretty foolish and disloyal then.

 

[robbothehut]

tOSU has had a bad run of pressers regarding tatoo-gate, so I don't take much away from another messy one. Except maybe they need a new person in charge of pressers.

I also am not going to pretend I know everything regarding this incident. I understand some reasons for JT being conflicting in how to go forward with this information.

I read the e-mails and the disclosure to JT was a breach of the e-mailers duty regarding client confidentiality, which is grounds for disbarment. What was the true motivation for disclosing it to Tressel, I have no idea. Was it to get JT to stop the kids from hanging with this guy? That is what it looked like and possibly that may be why the behavior stopped. If that was his motivation then I believe his request for confidentiality was probably to protect his law license, and JT appears to have complied with the request in that spirit.

If that is the case it is disappointing that it was a rules violation to correct improper behavior. If in May and June he questioned the kids and they said "no we sold our own crap" (which also is true) and then JT cautioned them not to do it again and stay away from the bad guy, which plan is also apparent from the e-mails, then I'm ok with his conduct even if it was technically a violation of the rules. The e-mails also indicate that Jt intended to hang on to their 09 companionship rings to secure better behavior.

If Tressel had turned in the e-mails, he could not keep them confidential. The attorney would have lost his license and would have had to withdraw from representing tattoo man. He also could have his ass sued off by the scum bag. JT would lose a source of information regarding his kids behavior. It's kind of like when your Mom found something out that you did wrong and you had no idea how she knew, it made you a better kid because you thought she had eyes in the back of her head.

It is too bad the keeping quiet to maintain a valuable information source to keep your kids in line is a violation, while a scorched earth policy of getting a guy disbarred and starting an investigation (which in this case unfortunately was warranted) on information that at the time learned was hearsay from a criminal and provided in confidence is not a violation. But thems the rules. I don't want JT's job.

Disciplinary action of some sort is warranted because it was a rule violation, I trust the school to sort it out and am satisfied that the sanctions are appropriate. Of course my thoughts could change either direction in light of any new evidence that comes to light.

 

[BayouBengalBoi]

I am new here and could'nt help but read about and get a feel for the shockwaves this must be sending through Buckeye Nation. I too have been/found myself in similar situations in recent years trying to defend what some people may deem 'indefensible', when it comes to Les Miles' madness.

After reading the e-mails from jt to his 'source', I could'nt help but pose this question: The memorabilia that was sold, this occurred in 2009/early 2010 right? I have a feeling Jim Tressell knew about this even before this source e-mailed/informed him of this in April. His response in the e-mail did not indicate someone who seemed alarmed by this. And considering how close he and the AD and President are, my gut now is telling me maybe they knew also well before April, and that Jim Tressell IS thebest person out of the 3 to take a PR hit and still be able to survive.

Who else could really take this kind of hit, save the University possible sanctions, and still look palatable to the fans? I dunno. maybe thats why I am not a P.I. because I dont know what I am talking about.

I honestly hope we can all just move on from this. CFB is taking enough hits enough this past year, and OSU has been a beacon of class for some time now the brand doesnt need this getting any worse. GEAUX TIGERS!!

 

[BB73]

I am new here and could'nt help but read about and get a feel for the shockwaves this must be sending through Buckeye Nation. I too have been/found myself in similar situations in recent years trying to defend what some people may deem 'indefensible', when it comes to Les Miles' madness.

After reading the e-mails from jt to his 'source', I could'nt help but pose this question: The memorabilia that was sold, this occurred in 2009/early 2010 right? I have a feeling Jim Tressell knew about this even before this source e-mailed/informed him of this in April. His response in the e-mail did not indicate someone who seemed alarmed by this. And considering how close he and the AD and President are, my gut now is telling me maybe they knew also well before April, and that Jim Tressell IS thebest person out of the 3 to take a PR hit and still be able to survive.

Who else could really take this kind of hit, save the University possible sanctions, and still look palatable to the fans? I dunno. maybe thats why I am not a P.I. because I dont know what I am talking about.

I honestly hope we can all just move on from this. CFB is taking enough hits enough this past year, and OSU has been a beacon of class for some time now the brand doesnt need this getting any worse. GEAUX TIGERS!!

It was sold in the first few months of 2009, about a year before the first e-mail.

 

[ohiovol]

I trust the school to sort it out and am satisfied that the sanctions are appropriate.

Seriously? I like Tressel, but I would think harsher sanctions are warranted.

 

[BayouBengalBoi]

It was sold in the first few months of 2009, about a year before the first e-mail.

So this is my next question: OSU players said when TATgate first broke that they 'did'nt know' it was wrong to sell memorabilia. Let's just say those facts came out in mid-to-late 2009 when people noticed there new tatoos and cross-examined how they got them. Maybe Tressel did the cross-examination. Surely someone noticed them within that year...And consider this too: Tressell still had enough clout to talk these guys into coming baack for one more year in 2011, sitting out the first 5-games. That deal had to have been struck way back in 2009, when all of this was coming out.

I know, alot of speculation, but Tressell is admittedly a smart guy and as many have already pointed out, just disclosing the information that needs to be disclosed

 

[osugrad21]

I see where you are going but let's be honest here....

Kid comes rolling up to the WHAC in a sparkling Lexus. Yes, you ask questions and lots of them.

Kid comes rolling up with fresh ink...well that's not exactly something that registers in your head as 'violation'.

Not defending JT at all in regards to not passing on the email...but definitely not piling on because he didn't notice new tats.

 

[BB73]

So this is my next question: OSU players said when TATgate first broke that they 'did'nt know' it was wrong to sell memorabilia. Let's just say those facts came out in mid-to-late 2009 when people noticed there new tatoos and cross-examined how they got them. Maybe Tressel did the cross-examination. Surely someone noticed them within that year...And consider this too: Tressell still had enough clout to talk these guys into coming baack for one more year in 2011, sitting out the first 5-games. That deal had to have been struck way back in 2009, when all of this was coming out.

I know, alot of speculation, but Tressell is admittedly a smart guy and as many have already pointed out, just disclosing the information that needs to be disclosed

In December, when the tattoo thing broke open, the University said that the Athletic Department increased the awareness of that particular NCAA rule in November, 2009. Because the players didn't come forward after clearly being told about it at that point, in December 2010 they were given an extra game in the suspension (that's why they got 5 games when A.J. Green got 4 for almost exactly the same NCAA violation).

I'm not going to comment on any speculation.

 

[BayouBengalBoi]

Not defending JT at all in regards to not passing on the email...but definitely not piling on because he didn't notice new tats.

Well not necessarily Tressell noticing the tats. But other players noticing them. Obviously this didnt happen all at the same time. One or two of those players came into the locker room sporting new tats. Other players saw them and said 'hey nice tat! where did u get that done?' In time, more players visited the same guy for ink because they found out that he was willing to do it in a trade for sports items. Soon it becomes a wave of business for him, because at least 5 players do the same thing. Eventually
the head coach either finds out, or it is brought to his attention very innocently. Not saying he was looking for it. But he abruptly puts an end to it, and no doubt explains to them why they cannot do this.

The only thing I can't log is when (between mid-'09 to mid '10) the AD and Pres. were informed, if they were.

This is till purely speculation, but it just seems hard to believe he didnt know quite soon after, especially considering his responses in the e-mail

 

[osugrad21]

Possible...but I'll stick with my thought of not noticing or at least not thinking to ask.

On a side note, there is a new generational thing going on with, especially African-American, teens and young adults...tat parties. I've had dozens of kids with solid work ink that they paid 20 bucks for at some tat party.

Now, we know that isn't the case here, but it illustrates the point that tats weren't exactly something to raise your eyebrows.

Kids talk...and snitches get stitches...so I really doubt anyone would go tell a coach.

 

[shetuck]

They say that when your shoe shine man starts giving you stock tips, it's time to get out of the market.

ESPN piling on is one thing, but things have reached a new low when USA Today starts to grind and grope. The nauseating thing is that if these types of stories did not have widespread popularity, people wouldn't be writing them.

NSFW... which in this case means "Not Safe for Weak constitutions" :)

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2011-03-09-ohio-state-jim-tressel_N.htm

Armor of integrity falls from Ohio State coach Jim Tressel
By Christine Brennan, USA TODAY

Growing up in Ohio and returning home often, I have been asked over the years by friends and neighbors what to believe about Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. The questions have come with more than a hint of hope, as you might expect from Ohioans who love their college football: "He's the real deal, right? He's not cheating like all those other guys, is he?"

... This week, my friends and neighbors had their questions answered. They now know Tressel lies. They know he cheats. They know he covers up rules violations and then tries to explain away the deception with all kinds of embarrassing excuses.

The people who believed in Tressel, who were drawn into his Eagle Scout act for a decade, now know he is just like all the other coaches in big-time college sports who have cheated.

He actually might be worse, based on the depth of the deception. Tressel set himself up as someone better than the rest, and thrived on that image. He didn't mind doling out advice on how to live your life. His latest book, Life Promises for Success: promises from God on achieving your best, is a collection of "inspiring readings and Bible promises designed to encourage those seeking to succeed in every area of life."

... In fact, it is a laugh riot if you listen to Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. When asked at a news conference if he considered firing Tressel, he said, "No. Are you kidding? I'm just hoping the coach doesn't dismiss me."

It's good to know Ohio State officials, with their Auburnesque institutional control, are taking this NCAA violation seriously.

[cont'd]

 

[Mike80]

Just putting this here, 'cause I swore I wasn't gonna make any more posts in that "other" thread. Maybe I should stop reading it, too.

Good to know...that the only possible explanation for any of us failing to be "all in" is that we are mindless dupes of mass media.
As opposed, I guess, to the truly independent thinkers who grant faith without evidence and loyalty without standards.

(I'm in such a bad mood today I can't tell if I'm being "flamey" or not--sure someone will let me know if they think so).

Not "flamey" at all and I started the "Stand With" thread

I just want to say my loyalty to the man has more to do with my personal willingness to forgive him (I realize there are other variables in play here) and to be accepting of his intentions if not his actions. He clearly made a mistake - my intent (and I'm only speaking for myself) here is not to lessen or ignore that fact from the outset.

And I'm still convinced there are a few bits of crucial information that was communicated to the NCAA that matter here. As I said yesterday, that presser was just too weird and the pieces just don't add up as we know it.