Yahoo, Tattoos, and tOSU (1-year bowl ban, 82 scholly limit for 3 years)

[NuclearBuck]

Having read the emails something that I've not seen mentioned is the sender, who we assume is a friend, misspelled JT's name at one point and later goes into a story about his own father. Does this guy know coach T?

Is it not hard to imagine that these emails were some of the hundreds JT gets daily and are treated with generic responses like "Thanks @#*%...I will get on it ASAP...Happy Easter to you as well!!...GO Bucks!!"

Hell, I get 30-40 emails a day and don't pay attention to most of them. The nonchalant replies from Tress tell say (to me anyway) "Thanks, random person. I am being polite by responding. Enjoy the crazy pills"

 

[3074326]

That was what, $300,000 in gifts? This is what, $5,000 total - max? Along with the fact that the stuff they sold was THEIRS.

Yeah, it's a rather different situation there, Tommy Trojan.

As for JT, yeah he made a bad decision, but let's be for real on this, it was nowhere near as bad as a USC or Auburn decision. If I found out my buckeyes were buying recruits or treating our players like celebrity superstars with free gifts here and there, then I would be thoroughly embarrassed. But this? I lose ZERO respect for JT from this. Hell, it's probably what many of you or I would have done in the same situation. Sure, that's why we aren't the HC, but that doesn't mean a HC can always be a master of human emotion and decision making, even if said coach generally is.

And as for the talk on here of whose fault it was, the players or JT. Yes, it was obviously both, but there would be no emails, no lies, and no cover ups if Pryor and company didn't break what in my opinion is a bull[Mark May] rule to begin with. But there's no point in placing blame at this point, it's done. Time to move on and await the NCAA decision

In the meantime I'll refuse to turn on ESPiN, for the sake of my flatscreen.

The rule is fine.. can't have players selling trophies, jerseys, shoes, etc. for money. Certain schools have much more support than others, and it would be far too easy for these bigger schools to set up very generous payments for such items.

The people at fault here are within Ohio State. No need to spread the blame to others, because the people involved just need to be smarter. They weren't, now the team and school is going to have to pay.

And I really can't get behind the idea of comparing our violations to other schools'. What other schools do is irrelevant. I always took pride in the fact that OSU seemed to run a relatively clean program and self-report. Comparing violations is just a way of saying "why can't we cheat less since others are cheating more?" It's a pretty dirty way to look at things. Just my opinion, of course.

Having read the emails something that I've not seen mentioned is the sender, who we assume is a friend, misspelled JT's name at one point and later goes into a story about his own father. Does this guy know coach T?

Is it not hard to imagine that these emails were some of the hundreds JT gets daily and are treated with generic responses like "Thanks @#*%...I will get on it ASAP...Happy Easter to you as well!!...GO Bucks!!"

Hell, I get 30-40 emails a day and don't pay attention to most of them. The nonchalant replies from Tress tell say (to me anyway) "Thanks, random person. I am being polite by responding. Enjoy the crazy pills"

The "collateral" comment from Tressel makes it very clear that JT wasn't treating these emails as the average "HEY COACH WHAT'S UP????" emails.

 

[Cicero]

Okay I just read the e-mails and am really confused. Where exactly does JT sound the least bit shady? In what way do the e-mails make it look worse?

Some of the posts in this thread makes one think JT might know where Jimmy Hoffa is buried.

The e-mails actually made me feel better. They contain nothing but proof that the man cares about his players. His friend shares confidential information that could probably land the them BOTH in legal hot water yet neither person shows concern for himself. They both express concern for the players and even toss around the possibility of getting some of the stuff back for these kids.

The only question in my mind is not about the character of Jim Tressel or the chastity of our program. My question is how in the world BUCKEYE fans of all people sound like a bunch of ESPIN hacks droning on about rabbit holes and vacating victories. Some of the posts in this thread are truly shameful, especially the ones that would even insinuate that this is somehow a comparable situation to Auburn or USC.

I have have even more respect for our head coach than I did before this stuff came out. He is a better father to these kids than most of us are to our own kids. Anyone who considers this a stain on our program just doesn't get it and probably never will.

"You win with people."

 

[SmoovP]

The program gained no competitive advantage from these guys getting a free tattoo, so vacating wins seems excessive. I think the fine & suspension will stand as is.

Well, I think the argument will be that playing ineligible players is indeed a competitive advantage.

 

[dragurd]

But the argument is then in turn that the investigation didn't wrap up till december thus in all likelyhood the NCAA would of been powerless to do anything till then. Thus they would of never been inelligble unless you were going to suspend them on one guys word of unknown credibility.

 

[3074326]

Okay I just read the e-mails and am really confused. Where exactly does JT sound the least bit shady? In what way do the e-mails make it look worse?

Some of the posts in this thread makes one think JT might know where Jimmy Hoffa is buried.

The e-mails actually made me feel better. They contain nothing but proof that the man cares about his players. His friend shares confidential information that could probably land the them BOTH in legal hot water yet neither person shows concern for himself. They both express concern for the players and even toss around the possibility of getting some of the stuff back for these kids.

The only question in my mind is not about the character of Jim Tressel or the chastity of our program. My question is how in the world BUCKEYE fans of all people sound like a bunch of ESPIN hacks droning on about rabbit holes and vacating victories. Some of the posts in this thread are truly shameful, especially the ones that would even insinuate that this is somehow a comparable situation to Auburn or USC.

I have have even more respect for our head coach than I did before this stuff came out. He is a better father to these kids than most of us are to our own kids. Anyone who considers this a stain on our program just doesn't get it and probably never will.

"You win with people."

Since you compared most of the people in this thread to ESPN hacks, would it be out of line for me to tell you to take off the Scarlet glasses and stop being a homer? We love the Buckeyes. ESPN doesn't. The comparison is offensive, at best.

The emails proved that JT knew about the allegations, and he chose not to say anything. How in the world you think that is good, I will never know. Whether or not you think he's protecting the players here, the emails didn't look good.

Sorry if I was blunt. I don't like being compared to Mark May.

 

[NuclearBuck]

The "collateral" comment from Tressel makes it very clear that JT wasn't treating these emails as the average "HEY COACH WHAT'S UP????" emails.

Perhaps, but the first "what's up" email dates to April 1st while the "collateral" comment comes in a reply dated June 2nd. Is it not beyond the realm of possiblity that JT originally dismissed this guy as another crack pot at the onset only to become concerned later on.

Normally I would cringe for being an apologist, but tonight feels different.

 

[3074326]

Perhaps, but the first "what's up" email dates to April 1st while the "collateral" comment comes in a reply dated June 2nd. Is it not beyond the realm of possiblity that JT originally dismissed this guy as another crack pot at the onset only to become concerned later on.

Normally I would cringe for being an apologist, but tonight feels different.

I see what you're saying, and I respectfully disagree. Nothing really else for me to say. Hopefully the entire story comes out in one way or another, because like others, I feel there is more to it.

Either way, this sucks and I just want it to go away.

 

[dragurd]

Basically it makes him look like a good father and watching after his kids but if you take it in concert with the with the email it makes him look like he isn't being completely honest. Either he tried to handle it in house rather then going to the NCAA or he ignored the source and didn't really take the allegations all that seriously is the impression the emails give which is completely contrary to what was said in the press conference.

 

[DiaBuckeye]

The rule is fine.. can't have players selling trophies, jerseys, shoes, etc. for money. Certain schools have much more support than others, and it would be far too easy for these bigger schools to set up very generous payments for such items.

The people at fault here are within Ohio State. No need to spread the blame to others, because the people involved just need to be smarter. They weren't, now the team and school is going to have to pay.

And I really can't get behind the idea of comparing our violations to other schools'. What other schools do is irrelevant. I always took pride in the fact that OSU seemed to run a relatively clean program and self-report. Comparing violations is just a way of saying "why can't we cheat less since others are cheating more?" It's a pretty dirty way to look at things. Just my opinion, of course.



The "collateral" comment from Tressel makes it very clear that JT wasn't treating these emails as the average "HEY COACH WHAT'S UP????" emails.

The rule has good intentions, lets say that. But it is not "fine". If you are going to give someone a gift, it is theirs. Period. They can sell it if they damn well please. If it is a problem, players should NOT get gifts. Or we should accept the fact that players are what make their gifts worth anything in the first place. Terrelle Pryor's talents are what make his jersey valuable to a fan.

And I am not behind comparing violations to justify our lesser ones. I was just making a point. We are all proud of our clean reputation. That is why when someone fails to understand that reputation, I tend to... make comparisons.

Okay I just read the e-mails and am really confused. Where exactly does JT sound the least bit shady? In what way do the e-mails make it look worse?

Some of the posts in this thread makes one think JT might know where Jimmy Hoffa is buried.

The e-mails actually made me feel better. They contain nothing but proof that the man cares about his players. His friend shares confidential information that could probably land the them BOTH in legal hot water yet neither person shows concern for himself. They both express concern for the players and even toss around the possibility of getting some of the stuff back for these kids.

The only question in my mind is not about the character of Jim Tressel or the chastity of our program. My question is how in the world BUCKEYE fans of all people sound like a bunch of ESPIN hacks droning on about rabbit holes and vacating victories. Some of the posts in this thread are truly shameful, especially the ones that would even insinuate that this is somehow a comparable situation to Auburn or USC.

I have have even more respect for our head coach than I did before this stuff came out. He is a better father to these kids than most of us are to our own kids. Anyone who considers this a stain on our program just doesn't get it and probably never will.

"You win with people."

Well said.

 

[NuclearBuck]

Either way, this sucks and I just want it to go away.

We'll agree on that my friend. GO BUCKS

 

[Gatorubet]

But the argument is then in turn that the investigation didn't wrap up till december thus in all likelyhood the NCAA would of been powerless to do anything till then. Thus they would of never been inelligble unless you were going to suspend them on one guys word of unknown credibility.

Holy, ....it did not "wrap up" till December because Tress did not report it in April.

And I can only hope that if confronted with the question that the players would have told the truth about the tats and merchandise. And if they had told the truth, they might well have sat for 4 or 5 games in the 2010 season. Make that Pryor might have sat for 4 or 5 games in the 2010 season. And if this had not come out at the last minute, the decision to play the guys in the Sugar may have been different. But maybe not. Maybe you would have not lost to Bucky and beaten Oregon or Auburn. Who the hell knows. What we do know is that Tress not telling anyone totally removed the chance of the 5 guys being sat down for games during the 2010 season.

Which, as Smoov says, sure as [Mark May] looks like an advantage.

 

[dragurd]

Nah I was talking about the federal investigation. Aka I'm not sure the owner of the parlor would be available for NCAA inquiry sharing of info from the feds until then. Thus the case would be at a standstill barring the players doing the right thing.

 

[Gatorubet]

Nah I was talking about the federal investigation. Aka I'm not sure the owner of the parlor would be available for NCAA inquiry until then. Thus the case would be at a standstill barring the players doing the right thing.

Thing is dragurd, there was nothing to stop tOSu from doing its own investigation. And nothing stopping tOSU from instituting penalties of its own pending the NCAA decision. Two different tracks. Like tOSU suspending Tress for two games. Might be some time before the NCAA agrees or disagrees. But Tress will sit them out, just the same, even if they don't act by then.

 

[DaveyBoy]

Basically it makes him look like a good father and watching after his kids but if you take it in concert with the with the email it makes him look like he isn't being completely honest. Either he tried to handle it in house rather then going to the NCAA or he ignored the source and didn't really take the allegations all that seriously is the impression the emails give which is completely contrary to what was said in the press conference.

bingo....I was defending JT and OSU vehemently until I read the emails. Sorry, there is almost zero defense now. The "fear for my players" defense doesn't really pass the smell test...perhaps there is more info that will reverse this feeling. But my deepest concern is that there is even more to the story than we know right now regarding the emails. Quite possibly, JT did forward those emails to Compliance or, worse, to Gene Smith. That is my gut fear that JT was simply trying to fall on the sword a bit tonight but the reality is that with the FOIA you will be exposed. If JT did forward those emails (and it's entirely possible he did not) then someone above JT has some explaining to do.

My perception of Jim Tressel has changed a bit after tonight. I don't think he was as much dirty as he was negligent...grossly negligent. How in the world he could think this issue could be covered up is beyond me. But there is a bit of traction in the theory that JT wanted to handle this in-house since we were considered true contenders for the NC in 2010. Ugh.

Frankly, if JT wanted to truly fall on the sword he would have resigned or at least eliminated himself from coaching this next season entirely. And from what I think/thought I know about JT (being a completely selfless, honest man), he would have done that. This is what scares me the most....JT, I'm afraid, may not have felt it was he that should fall on the sword and that someone above him should have. Troubling or simply out of character.

not a good day...and it's about to be followed up by several months of this. It will be 2003/2004 all over again.