Is Reggie Bush Kidding or Delusional—The Lady's Friday Links (9/17)

Reggie Bush returned his 2005 Heisman trophy to the Heisman Trophy Trust on yesterday. The former USC running back stated that: “It’s definitely not an admission of guilt. It’s me showing my respect to the Heisman Trophy and to the people who come before me and the people who come after me. You’re going to keep hearing the same thing because that’s what it is. It’s not an admission of guilt it’s me feeling like this is the best thing for me and the Heisman Trust right now.” Awww, isn't that special, Reggie is finally thinking of someone other than himself. Seriously, if he doesn't think he did anything wrong, why bother returning the trophy in the first place? Not inclined to buy that he's suddenly become enlightened about the situation, despite what he says.

Are Alabama and Oregon heading for disappointment in week three?...Doubtful, but I guess the story makes for good copy. On the other hand, that Tennessee over Florida pick makes perfect sense—just saying.

Isaiah Crowell is skipping his visit to the University of Georgia football game this Saturday, but the AJC assures that this is nothing to be worried about, if you're a Georgia Bulldog fan.

Speaking of the Georgia Bulldogs, wide receiver A.J. Green will be heard by the NCAA at some point today. The junior is currently serving a four-game suspension for selling his bowl game jersey. UGA hopes that his suspension is reduced and he will be allowed to play with the team on tomorrow—don't hold your breath.

After a few stellar performances, Michigan phenom, Denard Robinson, is already being analyzed as a future NFL prospect. It may be a little too early for the Michael Vick comparisons, but I guess the college football world needs something to hang onto right now.

Florida hasn't been impressive this season, thus far, so I suppose that gives writers an opportunity to turn their attention to the other things about Urban Meyer's program that is worthy of mention...like whether or not he's running a "dirty program" in Gainesville. Wow. what a difference a Tebow-less team makes. 

If you have been impressed by the performance of the Kentucky Wildcats, under new coach Joker Phillps, so far this season, then this writer has a little bit of reality to impart about just how good the Wildcats really are—don't get your hopes up. 

Tulane head coach isn't saying it's okay that his team lost to Ole Miss last weekend, but he is able to find the silver-lining—it wasn't like they were blown out by the Rebels (they lost 27-13). Said Bob Toledo, "“That’s the first time I’ve seen our offensive line run off the ball and knock people back...we were more physical in that game than we’ve been in four years since I’ve been here. Our physicality on both sides of the line impressed me.” No offense to the Green Wave but, Ole Miss is looking less and less impressive by the day.

This writer thinks the SEC East is the weaker of the two divisions this season (due mostly to Florida's offensive losses). Hmmm, that's funny, I don't recall one of the Eastern Division teams losing to it's I-AA opponent—just saying.

Middle Tennessee State will get their prized quarterback/running back, Dwight Dasher back in time to play conference power, Troy, on October 5th. Dasher was suspended for four-games due to accepting an impermissible loan of $1500.

I'll tell you this much, Bruce Pearl (Head Basketball Coach at Tennessee) has one hell of an agent. Despite his recent admission of guilt, Tennessee may not be able to terminate his contract. Man, that AD over in Knoxville has a way of getting screwed by his head coaches—didn't Kiffin get away free as a bird with a menial buyout? I think they need a new overseer in that department because the current one is not exactly top-notch.

Cool videos of the week—the SEC is well-represented.



That Beano Cook cracks me up! Do they actually pay him for his analysis or what?



Georgia has turnover issues?...What games has this guy been watching?

UT Coach Derek Dooley Faces Tough Test In Dealing With Brawl Incident

In the aftermath of the assault at Bar Knoxville, at least one player has been dismissed from the team—Darren Myles—and two others are suspended indefinitely.

Da'Rick Rogers has escaped any real punishment, for now, but the reputation of the University of Tennessee football program continues to be tarnished by his, and others, bad behavior.

As the new fearless leader of the Vols' football program, head coach Derek Dooley has already laid down his version of the law in stating that he won't continue to allow this kind of behavior to proliferate his program,

"It is a privilege, not a right, to be a member of the University of Tennessee football team," Dooley said in a statement. "The most important responsibility of that privilege is to properly represent this institution and our supporters on and off the field.

"I am disappointed and in many ways embarrassed by the poor judgment displayed on many fronts by several members of our football team last night," Dooley said. (CNN Wire, 7/9/10).

Not for nothing, but, talk is cheap. So far, all Dooley has done is show defensive back Darren Myles the door—this was his second arrest this offseason. Myles could see more jail time if he is found guilty of taking part in the assault on officer Robert Capouellez.

Even more, his decision to flee his arresting officer, purposely hitting him in the process, left little doubt that he would need to be dismissed from the program—that was a given.

The actions of Denarious Moore and Matt Milton, both of whom are wide receivers, could result in a lengthy suspension as well. Moore was Tennessee's second leading receiver last season and is entering his senior year for the Vols.

Matt Milton is a 2010 signee who many feel will be a future star at Tennessee.  He was rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals last season.

However, the real question is, how will Dooley handle the punishment of Da'Rick Rogers?

If he manages to get off without so much as a slap on the wrist, then there will be conversations about where Dooley's disciplinary philosophy truly ends—he's not at Louisiana Tech anymore—these are big boy decisions that Dooley is expected to make without prejudice.

Good luck.

As of now, charges are still pending and it is unclear the level of involvement of each player charged thus far. What is known is that Bar Knoxville may become no-man's land for UT football players from this point on. The whole "VIP" thing just screams of a scandal and I don't suspect that Dooley wants any part of it given the sensitive spot he's already been placed.

Perhaps he needs to speak to Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl. According to Sandra Morton, the basketball players have never given them any trouble and are just "good boys." As for those football players, they seem to have a little trouble with authority and following the proper dress code—a claim I believe considering how much Mr. Rogers loves to take his shirt off—just saying.

Interview with Bar Knoxville co-owner, Sandra Morton:



Footage of both Darren Myles and Da'Rick Rogers leaving the Knox County jail—that Rogers, boy, he sure is fast, ain't he? That might be the first time I've ever seen him try to AVOID the spotlight.

Oh, let me stop.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tennessee dismisses one, suspends two after bar brawl (cbssports.com)