USC whining about losing players....

[Deety]

And with two individuals whose comments SHOULD be directed towards wishing him well ie his coach and a USC fan that the first count is still zero.

...unless the reporter left them out to make a better story.

BTW did anyone notice that they re-edited the story? Ruel's comments are now near the end of the article rather than near the beginning. Interesting in how much the tone of the story changes with that simple edit. (And for the record it's probably a good editorial change as the original copy came across very harsh)

Interesting edit. In the first version, the reporter said the coach was "angered by the departure," followed by the quote that seems to show only anger about agents misrepresenting the situation. Now it's "openly bothered," and thre is still nothing in this story other than an unsupported comment by the reporter to indicate a reaction to Matua choosing to leave. It's possible the coach is just angry that Matua was being fed misinformation. I'd be angry about it, too, even if I thought leaving was the right thing to do.

Another aspect confuses me, however... Wouldn't any misrepresentation about what round Matua could expect have to have happened after declaring for the NFL? I didn't think players could speak to agents at all before making their decision without losing the option to stay. Anyone?

 

[methomps]

Another aspect confuses me, however... Wouldn't any misrepresentation about what round Matua could expect have to have happened after declaring for the NFL? I didn't think players could speak to agents at all before making their decision without losing the option to stay. Anyone?

Players can talk to agents. They can even interview agents. They just can't sign with an agent and they can't enter into a situation where (by the NCAA's estimation) the agent represents the player in any way (negotiating with teams, etc).

Reggie Bush and Pete Carroll sat through several interviews with agents before the Rose Bowl.

 

[craigblitz]

I don't think the coach was mad at the player at all. Gods sake the closet is full there at USC, I think they will be ok.

 

[Deety]

Players can talk to agents. They can even interview agents. They just can't sign with an agent and they can't enter into a situation where (by the NCAA's estimation) the agent represents the player in any way (negotiating with teams, etc).

Reggie Bush and Pete Carroll sat through several interviews with agents before the Rose Bowl.

Thanks... much faster than doing the research myself. :p

 

[methomps]

Thanks... much faster than doing the research myself. :p

Making it up as you go has the same time-saving benefit.

 

[Deety]

Making it up as you go has the same time-saving benefit.

In unrelated matters, how many articles would you guess the writer of this article turned in this week?

 

[methomps]

In unrelated matters, how many articles would you guess the writer of this article turned in this week?

Are you accusing them of article-padding?

 

[Deety]

Are you accusing them of article-padding?

Gosh

 

[Deety]

no

 

[Deety]

why do

 

[Deety]

you ask? :p

 

[crazybuckfan40]

"It angers me," offensive line coach Pat Ruel told the Daily News. "His agents told him he's going the first day of the draft. That's what they told him. They are pieces of garbage."

Here is the actual quote from the article. I in no way think he was saying that him leaving angers him. He was talking about how these agents are out for themselves, so that they can make a buck.

I honestly think something needs to be done. All these guys come in flash $$$$$ in these 20-22 year olds and what do they expect them do. Especially when they are telling them, if you go out you are going to be a first day pick. Kids here first day and get their hopes up. I am not sure how much a third rounder makes off hand but that is first day. I am sure it is a nice chunk of change, but I don't think it is as much if they would stay another year and improve thier game and move into second or even first round.

I like Tressel's philosphy if you are first round, think hard, if not you should probably return.

The NCAA needs to get the agents out of here, they should have a combine of sorts say this next week for juniors who are thinking of coming out. Any of them can participate, it wouldnt hurt thier eligbility, and then see where they match up with other juniors and then have the scouts let them know where they will project. And no agent contact until after they declare themselves.

I am sure many of you have seen Jerry Maguire and you can tell from that movie how sneaky agents are. They will do anything to make a buck.

 

[martinss01]

wow... some of you really need to read that quote over again. it looks to me like the coach is upset that his kid is being taken advantage of. can't say i blame him one bit.

 

[Saw31]

wow... some of you really need to read that quote over again. it looks to me like the coach is upset that his kid is being taken advantage of. can't say i blame him one bit.

I agree...And as for "pieces of garbage", agents who misrepresent or (in reference to the "creative" editting mentioned above) reporters who do the same? The coach could have probably included the latter group in his statement as well...

 

[Jagdaddy]

No need to bash USC, Vince Young took care of that.

Honestly after the USC loss I figured fans would stop worrying about them. I guess not.

In my case it's not really worying about them. It the historic and ongoing combination of ignorance, arrogance, and bandwagoness that has defined the school, the city its located in, and the school's teams for decades that brings out my schadenfreude. I've loathed USC since well before their recent run of success, and it has absolutely nothing to do directly with OSU Rose Bowl losses, jealousy, or anything else (though obviously they're easier to just ignore when thet're down) but is simply a matter of finding them annoying. This isn't to bash the tiny minority of Methomps of the world that are legit USC fans, just everything else about the school.