The Big Ten must now can the carping about playing December football games in nice weather. For the past few years Big Ten officials and fans have resorted to weather as an excuse for their miserable showing in bowl games. However, at recent Big Ten meetings the conference decided that it was a much better idea to play in sunny Southern California than one of their icebound cities.

Your conference favors the warmth and brand of the Rose Bowl for semifinal playoff games instead of campus sites -- the very idea your own commissioner was championing in February.

Mike Slive continues to beat Jim Delany, on the field and in the conference rooms. Sometimes Delany even does the job for Slive, who enjoys the advantage of being on the right side of history with his failed plus-one proposal in 2008.

The Big Ten left its spring meetings in favor of playing semifinal games at rotating bowl sites to protect the Rose Bowl. That savvy Big Ten push for campus semifinals and a title game open to any bidder? Dead.

Maybe the campus option, which the SEC opposes, was going to die anyway. Maybe the Big Ten's best choice was to save face, shower love on the Rose Bowl and try to broker a conference-champion model that the SEC hates.

[al.com]

Here is the result of Bryce Ramsey's Skype conversation with Nick Saban:

Alabama hasn't had great success landing the top quarterback on its board, but the Tide reversed their fortune on Wednesday as Salt Lake City (Utah) signal-caller Cooper Bateman committed to give them one of the best players in the class of 2013.

Bateman is ranked as the 13th best quarterback in the class of 2013 and 85th recruit overall but is set to make a big jump once revised rankings are released from Maxpreps. With his commitment, the Crimson Tide now have 12 commits for the upcoming class. Last season as a junior, he threw for 2,484 yards and 26 touchdowns and was recently invited to the Elite 11 competition in Southern California.

[CBS Sports]

Brice's mom, Yolanda, replied yesterday to an AJC tweet promoting an article about Bama's new QB commit and Saban's widely reported recent Skype conversation with Brice:

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SEC top performers - Interceptions:

Here's a look at No. 1: 

Bacarri Rambo, S, Georgia: He had eight interceptions and defended eight passes last season. With his size and strength, Rambo could play in the box and defend the run, but he never had any issue dropping back into coverage with his speed. Physically, Rambo was a beast, but his field vision was very underrated. He showed to have tremendous ball-hawking ability and could attack from all over the field. Rambo could have easily gone to the NFL after his junior year, but stayed, and even though he'll serve a suspension to start the year, he'll still be in the hunt to keep his crown.

[ESPN]

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We'll see:

Best position move: Malcolm Mitchell was Georgia’s best deep threat at receiver last season and one of the more impressive true freshmen in the league. But he spent his time at cornerback this spring and looked like a natural. That’s where he’ll play in the fall, although he’ll still get a few snaps on offense. The Bulldogs needed help at cornerback, and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham felt all along that Mitchell could be a difference-maker back there. The truth is that he’s a difference-maker anywhere you put him.

[ESPN]

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Ranking SEC quarterbacks:

2. Aaron Murray (Georgia)

Year: Junior

2011 Stats: 147-247 (59.5%) 17 TD, 6 INT

We're looking for big things out of Bray this fall. The 6-foot-6 QB showed flashes of brilliance in 2011, collecting 14 TDs and just 2 INTs in the first five games of the season before going down with a thumb injury.

He returned with tepid results in the season's final two games, perhaps rusty from the layoff and not completely healed. Bray should be primed for 2012 with WRs Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers, when the furthering of his skill could result in a high selection in 2013 NFL draft. Derek Dooley wouldn't mind the help, either.

[Lost Lettermen]

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Fall questions:

1. Offensive line: Coach Will Friend began determining a pecking order on his rebuilt line this spring, but the competition will likely carry over into the season. When the Bulldogs closed spring practice, Kenarious Gates and Kolton Houston manned the tackle spots withChris Burnette and Dallas Lee at guard and David Andrews at center. That lineup is subject to change, particularly with stud offensive line signee John Theus set to join the competition when he arrives this summer. Mark Beard, Watts Dantzler and Austin Long are also worth watching. 

2. Special teams: Not only was Georgia’s kick coverage incompetent last season -- the Bulldogs were 116th nationally in punt return yardage defense and 88th against kickoffs -- but the Bulldogs must replace longtime starting kicker and punter Blair Walsh and Drew Butler. The Bulldogs signed Marshall Morgan and Collin Barber to take over for the departed kickers and Coach Mark Richt promised that the Bulldogs will work more on live kicking situations in preseason camp than perhaps any previous time in his tenure. 

3. Secondary: This appears to be a temporary problem, with starters Sanders Commings, Bacarri Rambo and Branden Smith facing possible disciplinary suspensions to open the season. Mitchell’s shift to cornerback will help Damian Swann and Devin Bowman hold down the position until Commings and Smith return. Depth will also be an early issue at safety without Rambo. Commings, who will sit out the first two games, has safety experience, but few other Bulldogs have played significant downs at the position besides Rambo and Shawn Williams. Corey Moore is a player to watch here.

[ESPN]

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Ranking SEC defensive tackles:

5. John Jenkins, Georgia

Jenkins only started seven games last season, but appeared in all 14. The rising senior tallied 28 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception last season. He is being counted on to free up space for All-American linebacker Jarvis Jones.

[The SEC – BR]

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Mizzou loses safety:

Safety Tavon Bolden has once again been dismissed from the Missouri football team, this time for academic and disciplinary reasons, a source with knowledge of the situation told the Tribune. The source indicated Bolden's most recent dismissal would be permanent.

Team spokesman Chad Moller later confirmed the report. Bolden was not available for comment.

Bolden, a projected starter last season, was kicked off the team shortly before the 2011 opener for undisclosed academic reasons but was allowed to rejoin the Tigers in December for bowl practices after meeting several team-issued requirements. He was reinstated during spring practices, climbed to No. 2 on the depth chart at strong safety and earned a job with the first-team defense in the nickel package.

[Columbia Tribune]

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Big 10 gives up. Proposes to reasonable plan:

Under their new plan, the four current BCS bowl games (Rose, Orange, Fiesta and Sugar) would have an opportunity to host a playoff game each year based on the standings. Affiliations tied to the games would determine which games are selected. If say, the SEC was your #1 seed, then the Sugar Bowl would host one of the “Final Four”. By the same token a #2 Big Ten school would host their playoff game in Pasadena.

On years in which the Rose didn’t host a game it would just be the traditional ol’ game between a Big Ten team and Pac-12.

There are still a lot of questions left on the table. Like, what happens if a MAC team gets a top 2 seed? Does the Little Caesars Bowl get the pleasure of hosting a semifinal?

[The Victory Formation]

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The latest in tattoo fashion - "I just got my butt kicked" tat:

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Video Treats:

Neil Young and Bob Dylan - Helpless + Knockin' on Heaven's Door 1975

Neil Young - Cortez The Killer

Neil Young & Pearl Jam - Rockin' in the free world

Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Jesus' Chariot (She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain")

Doing the Edge Walk

Epic time-lapse map of Europe:

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Cortez Leonard:

Cortez the Killer:

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Milan Richard 2014 TE/DE highlights are HERE.

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Krenwick Height 2014 WR highlights HERE.

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Verbal commitment - is it binding? Tutorial for athletes:

Lawyers for the ACC must be drooling this morning after reading the comments former Florida State linebacker at current board of trustees member Derrick Brooks. You will remember that the SEC went to great lengths, during the transfer Texas A&M and Missouri, to ensure that the Big 12 had no ammunition for a lawsuit for tampering with its membership.

Speaking on the Tim Brando Show this morning, former Seminoles linebacker and BOT member Derrick Brooks dropped possibly the biggest bombshell on the matter, saying “As far as I know the Big 12 reached out to us.“

Brooks’ comments, however, have now broken the seal on what would be a rather important development for a story with previously little evidence to support it. Still, Florida State’s administration is doing its best to temper the flares. When asked to respond to Brooks’ comments, FSU athletic director Randy Spetman said “I don’t know where Derrick got that.“

[CFT]

ACC Commissioner John Swofford was an ally Mike Slive went Slive originally proposed a playoff several years ago. Now, with this conference in upheaval and Clemson and FSU reported to be in open revolt, he has changed his position to match that of the Big 10 and PAC 12.

During his time in Gainesville poor Leon has provided other photos for the amusment of his posse.

[Throw The Flag]

Additionally, Mr. Orr has had the following contact with the Gainesville constabulary - #5 may violate his deferred prosecution agreement. I sure the judge will understand.

1. Cited for operating a vehicle with an expired license
2. Cited for operating a vehicle with a suspended license
3. Arrested for a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge
4. Arrested for another misdemeanor marijuana possession charge
5. Cited for knowingly operating a vehicle without a valid license

[Throw The Flag]

Where would he get the idea that his behavior was frowned upon?

Social media coaches for athletes - the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in America. Teach your team members to think before they post. 

Recently I received a press release from a company called “The Big Fat Mouth,” introducing a new division titled, “Social Media Coach for Athletes” (SMCA).  From the press release:

In today’s sports world, athletes are coached in every aspect of their game, including position skills, speed, strength, conditioning, agility, nutrition, sports psychology and more.  Beginning at the college level athletes are coached on how to answer questions from press and news media, but very few are coached on how to responsibly use social media, not to mention on how to use it to build their brand and future opportunities.  With SMCA’s programs and proper coaching, professional athletes can not only enhance their brand image,  but significantly enhance their income and future earning potential.

But how will athletes be coached?

SMCA provides live or Skype one-on-one training, live seminars, team and organization training and guidelines, with online training options becoming available before the end of May.  Each live training package is customized to the individual athlete where goals are identified and a specific strategy and game plan are created, exactly like every other aspect of an athletes training regimen.

[Sports Agent Blog]

16 schools have intact coaching staffs from 2011:

Only 16 programs in the country were able to keep their entire coaching staff intact this off-season.  Some coaches believe the continuity serves as a real advantage for the coaches and players.  Amazingly, Chip Kelly is the only head coach in the country that will enter the 2012 season with the same 9 assistants that started the 2009 season.

Georgia: Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham recently said, "We're a mix and match team. Meaning, we're always going to try to get our best players on the field." He added, "Last year, we had 11 lineups in 14 different games because of our linebacking situation." Georgia opens against Buffalo, then travels to Missouri.

[Coaching Search] [h/t Bassin Dawg]

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SEC East trap games:

South Carolina Gamecocks - August 30 at Vanderbilt

As stated in the Florida section, Vanderbilt isn't going to sneak up on anyone. But South Carolina will travel to Nashville on the first Thursday night of the season. That has a "game of the century" feel for Vanderbilt, especially considering the hype that James Franklin has brought to Nashville. South Carolina is going to be the favorite in the East, but would you be totally shocked if Vandy pulled the upset? I wouldn't.

Georgia Bulldogs - September 8 at Missouri

Georgia's schedule sets up so well, that there really isn't much of a trap game. Georgia is going to be excited about playing the first SEC game at Missouri, but just how excited? Missouri is largely viewed as "the other team" in this year's SEC expansion. Make no mistake, Missouri is absolutely capable of not only beating Georgia, but winning the SEC East in its first season in the conference. Georgia's focusing all of its energy on the Tigers this offseason, but this as that "game of the century" feel for Mizzou.

[The SEC – BR]

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SEC's top 150 players – number 107:

Kenarious Gates, No. 72, Georgia, Offensive Tackle

2011 Stats: Appeared in 12 games with nine starts

Strengths

Gates is a versatile offensive lineman that has played right tackle and guard during his two years between the hedges in Athens. The 6'5", 328-pounder has started 12 games over the past two seasons, and is expected to be one of the veteran leaders on a rebuilt Georgia offensive line.

Weaknesses

He hasn't had to be that leader yet. Georgia is losing three veteran pieces from its offensive line, which means that players like Gates are being counted on to step up. He lined up at left tackle this spring, which is a departure from the right side of the line—where he is more accustomed to playing.

2012 Prediction

Right now, he's in line to protect Aaron Murray's blind side at left tackle, with Kolton Houston penciled in to start on the right side. But Georgia has the ultra-talented John Theus on the way, who could contend for playing time. I don't think he'll knock Gates out of the starting lineup though.

[The SEC – BR]

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SEC profit and loss:

[MrSEC]

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O-Line - key to the season:

There are no seniors among the returning linemen. Here are the guys with the best chance to play, and their level of experience:

ALMOST CERTAIN STARTERS

Jr. Kenarious Gates (tackle) ... 19 games, 12 starts in career.
R-Jr. Chris Burnette (guard) ... 12 games and starts, all last year.

LIKELY STARTERS

Soph. David Andrews (center) ... 10 games last year, no starts. 
Fr. John Theus (tackle) ... Rookie. 
R-Jr. Dallas Lee (guard) ... 11 games, seven starts.

WILL CONTEND

R-Soph. Kolton Houston (tackle or guard) ... No appearances.
Soph. Mark Beard (tackle or guard) ... Junior college transfer.  
Soph. Watts Dantzler (tackle) ... 3 games last year, no starts. 
Fr. Greg Pyke (tackle or guard) ... Rookie. 
Jr. Austin Long (tackle) ... 2 games, no starts. 
Soph. Hunter Long (guard or tackle) ... 3 games, no starts. 
R-Fr. Xzavier Ward (tackle) ... No appearances.

That's a total of 61 games played, and 31 career starts. The three graduated seniors (Cordy Glenn, Ben Jones and Justin Anderson) combined for 144 games played and 132 starts.

That's an astounding number of experience gone, and not much coming back. Obviously, there's only one way to get experience, and that will happen this year. Richt is just hoping the early going isn't too rough.

[Ledger Inquirer]

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SEC coach with the most to prove - Gene Chizik:

This year he's had to face some changes. His youth has grown up some and a poor season can't be blamed on Tubs' guys. He's going to be forced to change his offensive ways with the departure of Malzahn. They've also gone out and made a great hire for DC in Brian Van Gorder. I highlight why I think these are both good things here. He's needed to be a man who surrounded himself with the right people, and now he has a chance to assert this once again. In the two years without Cam Auburn was not what we considered a real Auburn team to be like. I think to know that Auburn has taken the right progressive strides the team needs to see 9 wins this year. Gene is a good coach, but over the past three years he's also seen LSU and Bama move to a higher echelon in the SEC West. In order to keep pace, Auburn needs to show that there is true progress being made, and not a regression. If Auburn happened to see two more consecutive 7-5 regular seasons I think some eyebrows would be raised as to how truly effective Chizik is. Amidst all the "war eagles, families, and all-ins" he's certainly done his job as a successful program CEO, now with new additions and a return to old school Auburn football I'll be interested to see if he can bring Auburn back into the perennial conversation as an SEC Championship threat.

[Gottasupportem Blog]

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Video Treats:

Buddy Guy - Out of Sight 

Buddy Guy in 1969 with Jack Bruce and Buddy Miles

BUDDY GUY/Buddy Miles - texas blues (1969)

Buddy Guy - First Time I Met The Blues

Saudi drifters:

I want one:

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Lance Austin highlights HERE.

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Shaq Davidson:

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Richy Klepal highlights HERE:

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Laremy Tunsil: