NUpolo8

Great point. Being Ua is a frightening thing

I just wonder if Bush is acting on his own stupidity or if the almight Carroll is not as squeaky clean as once thought?

THis is on Yahoo Sports. This is now the third USC star to have suspect issues swirling around him. Yahoo! Sports report: Reggie Bush's family home Yahoo! Sports report: Reggie Bush's family home By Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports April 23, 2006 SPRING VALLEY, Calif. – In this sprawling hilltop community with a breathtaking view of Sweetwater Lake, it was no secret who lived in the 3,000-square-foot house at the corner of Apple Street and Luther Avenue. That home, residents would tell you, was where Reggie Bush's family lived. That is, until this weekend, when the family abruptly packed up and vacated the residence – less than 24 hours after Yahoo! Sports approached Bush's mother about information linking the property to Michael Michaels, a man who is alleged to have tried to play a role in steering Bush toward an agent and who also has ties to a sports marketing company. Days before Bush is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, unanswered questions about the residence and how his mother, stepfather and brother came to live in it within the last year have prompted the University of Southern California to refer the matter to the Pacific-10 Conference for an investigation. NCAA statutes prohibit student-athletes or their families from receiving extra benefits from professional sports agents, marketing companies or their representatives. A breach of these statutes could result in an athlete being ruled ineligible, and games in which they played could be forfeited. ADVERTISEMENT USC finished 12-1 last season, its 35-game winning streak and national championship bid both ending with a loss in the Rose Bowl to Texas. Bush, a junior running back, won the Heisman Trophy and elected to skip his senior season and turn pro in January. In response to reporters' questions about the matter late last week, USC athletic department officials said they would look into it. "Rather than jumping to conclusions, we need to determine the facts before commenting on this report," Trojans athletic director Mike Garrett said in a statement released by the school on Friday. "We have asked the Pac-10 to look into this." State records show the Apple Street home was built in late 2004 and early 2005, then purchased by Michaels on March 29, 2005 for $757,500. Around that time, neighbors say Bush's family moved in. Whether they had visited the house while it was being built is unknown, but there is an inscription in one of the cement slabs in the driveway reading "The Griffins '05." Michaels is the only person who has been listed on the deed to the home. Bush's mother, Denise Griffin, was approached in the driveway of the house on Thursday, but declined to comment. "I have absolutely nothing to say," Griffin said when asked about ownership of the property, which is where Bush's mother, stepfather LaMar and brother Jovan lived during USC's 2005 season. Before moving to the house on Apple Lane, Bush's family was listed as living in an apartment elsewhere in Spring Valley, a community located about 13 miles east of San Diego. At some point after Bush's family moved into the residence, Michaels and an associate named Lloyd Lake are said to have contacted San Diego-based sports agent David Caravantes and offered to facilitate Bush's recruitment. A source with intimate knowledge of the meeting said it took place during the 2005 college football season and that Michaels was looking for a local agent to handle the contract negotiations for players he intended to sign to his marketing firm. Michaels and Lake told Caravantes they were planning to start a sports marketing agency with Bush as their anchor client. It was also during this meeting that Michaels and Lake mentioned the potential name of the agency: New Era Sports & Entertainment. The pitch to Caravantes was said to have been simple: He would be Bush's agent and Michaels' marketing creation would handle the promotion of the USC star. At some point after pitching this idea, Michaels informed Caravantes that Bush's family was living in a home Michaels owned. Caravantes isn't believed to have met with Bush and was never considered to be in the mix before the USC star hired Reebok adviser Mike Ornstein and agent Joel Segal of Worldwide Football Inc. as his representatives. Repeated attempts to reach Segal and Bush were unsuccessful. While it's unclear what official role Michaels played in New Era Sports, indications are that the company barely got off the ground – if at all. According to corporation filings in California, paperwork for New Era Sports & Entertainment was drawn up on Nov. 23, 2005, and records list the business address in Los Angeles under an attorney named Phillip M. Smith Jr. Contacted late last week, Smith Jr. refused to talk about New Era Sports – even declining to give public details such as a phone number for the company, where the New Era offices were located or who was serving as the company's current president or manager. Asked why he wouldn't provide such information, Smith ended the brief telephone conversation, saying, "That's really not an issue that I want to deal with." He has failed to return multiple follow-up messages left at his office. Further attempts to identify New Era produced a single web page with a company logo (http://newerasports.tv/) that contains no active links to indicate where New Era is located, what services are provided or how the company could be contacted. Searches also produced the internet blogs of three self-proclaimed employees of New Era Sports. One such blog included the company logo of New Era and pictures of several NFL players. That blog was taken down shortly after Yahoo! Sports obtained a hard-copy of the page. Contacted about his alleged meeting with Michaels, Caravantes declined to comment. Michaels – who is a member of the Sycuan Indian Tribe and works as a business development officer for the tribe's development corporation – failed to return multiple phone calls and was unavailable when Yahoo! Sports visited his home on three occasions this weekend. The Sycuan tribe, which owns a casino and resort and is engaged in a number of business enterprises in the San Diego area, denied any knowledge of Michaels' relationship with the Bush family. "The tribe is not aware of his involvement," said spokesman Adam Day, who had been approved to speak for the Sycuan's tribal government. "Any involvement that he has in this situation is his personal involvement. It has no connection or correlation to the tribe, its businesses or Mike's employment by the tribal development corporation. "What tribal members do on their own time is their own business. It's not the business of the tribe." Back at the house on Apple Street on Saturday afternoon, the moving trucks had come and gone. A flier offering cleaning services for movers was hung on the front door, and all the shades had been drawn shut. Through a garage window, only a few empty cardboard boxes and straggling trinkets were visible. Across the street, neighbor Grant Sitton could only shrug. "I don't know, I guess it didn't work out," Sitton said. "Oh well. They have a big payday coming next week anyway." Charles Robinson

I wanted solich out the day they hired him - I seen him talk at a conference in CA in 1998 and I commented to my dad - He's about as exciting as getting the Clap. - So I did whine, but it was about solich not CALLAHAN - what he did in 2 years was a miricle considering the lack of players he had - Do you ever wonder why 15 of solich's recruits quit the team - The kid's CALLAHAN recruited were going to replace them. Damn I just got hit by the grammar train. Good thing you make such a compelling point, otherwise that post would just look idiotic

Sounds like Taylor has gotten his arm under control finally. 3 big passes in a row, last one a 23 yd td

The Marlins had a choice, they have built two winners and blown them up. Granted, they have no stadium or support but that is crap. And you have to spend money wisely to be successful. I don't think the Yankees have the past few years and that is what hurt them (Kevin Brown, Giambi, Johnson) Plus, look at the Dodgers who suck at spending money (KEvin Brown, SHeffield, Driefort, Chan ho Park, not giving it to Gagne, or Green)

I'm of the opinion that there aren't enough conf. championship games. -quick disclaimer- They are of course nothing but cash grabs, but they do serve a purpose. I think if every major conference had a championship game, it would help legitimize every champion and it would give them one last test before their BCS bid. In an ideal world, I think it could make schedules tougher. FOr example, there has been fleeting talk about the PAC 10 inviting Utah, BYU and even Fresno St. to join. If they became, say the PAC 12, they could easily divide the conf. into a north and south division. A USC could then play Oregon twice (once in season and again the championship), or alternate their schedule and pick up a non conf. game similar to what Texas and OSU did. Anyway, that's one step I'd like to see done, I think it would end a lot of controversey

I think all of the USC draftees are having a "who will be the first to self-destruct " race LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart fired agent Leigh Steinberg less than three weeks before the NFL draft, where he is expected to be among the top three choices. Steinberg, who has represented some of the top quarterbacks during the last 25 years, said Wednesday he did not know the reason for the decision. ADVERTISEMENT Leinart, however, is also represented by Creative Artists Agency. Last week the agency hired Tom Condon, who represents such quarterbacks as Peyton and Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Alex Smith, the No. 1 pick last year by San Francisco. Condon previously worked for International Management Group. Leinart has not yet selected another agent. Players' union rules require a player to wait five days after leaving one agent before hiring a new one. Steinberg said he hopes to lure back Leinart during the waiting period. Steinberg represents Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and has had such clients as Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Steve Young and Warren Moon. Leinart's Southern California teammate, running back Reggie Bush, is expected to be taken by Houston with the first selection in the April 29 draft. Both Tennessee, which picks third, and the New York Jets, who are fourth, are considering a trade to get Leinart.

In a city known for its frontrunning and in a state that isn;t much better. The headline statement is exactly right. IF SC has a few 3+ loss years, (and I really think Carroll is not a long term coach there) and if he leaves, thier fanbase will dissapear again. And once again, my father the USC grad will wear his NU shirts more than his USC shirts.

ooooh my

Hey Chad I'm new to the board, where do you live again?

typical

I really wouldn't think that the Steelers would take White considering Parker is still around there (I think) That might be a case of taking the best available regardless of position but I have to wonder if Fatdale White would be the best left considering all he has done since the Rose Bowl it would appear is do his best nepolo7 impression at IN N Out

All these years I thought former Dodger Mike Venafro sucked because... well, because he sucked. Turns out, however, he's just an idiot. It seems that Venafro, now with the Mets, has legs that are slightly different lengths. Ok, fine—it's not that abnormal a problem. Here's the fun part, though: According to the New York Daily News, he's been wearing a one-third-inch pad in the wrong shoe for years, basically doubling the difference between his leg lengths rather than correcting it. This is quite possibly the greatest baseball story of the last 50 years.

I wish him luck. I thought he was not going to have much of a chance in the NFL due to his size, but good for him Colts Hot Prospect: RB Cory Ross Colts Hot Prospect: RB Cory Ross Todd Taylor - Scout.com March 29, 2006 at 8:18am ET Nebraska running back Cory Ross has been getting plenty of attention by Indianapolis. Find out more about him, the skills he possesses that make him so attractive as a likely day two draft pickup, and why we're so sure he's on the Colts radar. At 5-foot-6, 210 pounds, Cory Ross of the University of Nebraska may not be one of the tallest running backs entering the 2006 NFL draft, but don't judge him simply by his height. "People have always been doubting the things I do because of my size, but I don't really think that matters. I think I have the biggest heart of anybody and I'm not afraid to do anything that's asked of me. I definitely feel that for me, my size is perfect for the NFL. I'll be able to do anything. I can pass block and catch the football, I don't think that's a problem," Ross said when asked about his height. When Bill Callahan arrived to coach the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2004, Ross blossomed as he was able to showcase his versatility in Callahan's west coast offense. During his junior and senior season Ross averaged 992 rushing yards, 327 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns over those two seasons. With his great hands and quickness, Ross could see playing time with an NFL team his rookie year, possibly as a third-down back. He feels his experience with Coach Callahan and staff will help him be prepared for immediate impact in the NFL. "Being around Coach Callahan and Randy Jordan for the last two years, because they've been in the NFL, I've learned football and been able to learn plays fast and learn on the run. I think being in that type of pro offense we were in, similar to what NFL teams are doing, I'll be able to pick up the plays fast enough to where they (NFL teams) can trust me to be able to play (immediately)," he said. Ross' rushing yards slipped from 1,102 in 2004 to 882 in 2005, mainly due to a rash of injuries to the offensive line. However, Ross made up for the teams' rushing problems by becoming one of the key components of the Cornhuskers' passing game with 43 receptions for 392 yards, a school record for running backs. Despite their struggles during the 2005 season, the Huskers offensive line was finally able to gel in time for their upset win over the Wolverines at the Alamo Bowl, as Ross exploded for 161 rushing yards. "We were going through the year with different offensive linemen every game because guys were getting banged up. It was just that type of year. You have offensive linemen rotating, rotating, rotating. But prior to the Alamo Bowl, we almost had a month and a half with the same guys in there, and they went out and did the job and opened up some holes for me. All I did was hit them (the holes) as hard as I could because that was my last game and it was important for us to go out and win as seniors," Ross said. A lighthearted young man with a captivating sense of humor, Ross is projected to be a second-day pick in this year's draft. He drew plenty of interest from teams at his recent Pro Day workout. The type of player who can bring leadership and character to an NFL organization, Ross is the ultimate teammate who won over his fellow players and coaching staff during his four-year career at Nebraska. "He's great with people, with teammates, he's a guy you'd love to follow," Callahan said of Ross. ColtPower Insiders can read our exclusive Q&A with Cory Ross to find out what we've learned that confirms the Colts' interest in him , more on his accomplishments, and his thoughts on his Combine and Pro Day experiences. If you're not a ColtPower Insider yet, click our 7-day free trial offer in the banner at the top

I really think I would follow over and die if Benard ever (EVER!) listed actual facts or reasoning in his emails. He's entitled to his opnion, though there are times I wish he'd keep them in that ever knowing dome of his

You could level every tree in Northern CA AND all of Colorado, and it still would'n t even hold nepolo7's wing order.

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants. There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live. Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits. Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs. Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding. Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist. When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down. Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head. Chuck Norris’ hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush. There is no such thing as global warming. Chuck Norris was cold, so he turned the sun up. Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink. Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is. Chuck Norris gave Mona Lisa that smile. Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door. Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost Remember the Soviet Union? They decided to quit after watching a DeltaForce marathon on Satellite TV. Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.

We could still have this guy... http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2006/0...0b490045905.txt

We could still have this guy...

I know its possible, just pretty extreme circumstances.

still trying to wrap my head around how he is the uncle of bobby purify

You'll be by yourself at the Rose Bowl - USC plays about 20 miles south at the LA Collisiuem. In quite the garden spot of CA I might add too. I like to go south of the stadium and practice all those cool gang signs I learned in jr high

Damn he took Majerus out to dinner. Great, now Pederson's out of money to buy Collier's contract out. I'm with Benard, Pederson is an idiot. Taking Majerus out to dinner is about as stupid as taking nepolo7 out to dinner