Blue4U

July 13th, 2016 at 2:18 PM ^

Not because I think Saban can take Finebaum but because Saban reminds me of one of the heads of the five families.  He has someone that takes care of that stuff so he's insulated from prosecution. 

stephenrjking

July 13th, 2016 at 2:32 PM ^

As much as I would like to picture Finebaum waking up with a horsehead in his bed, this is probably more true-to-life than we'd like, because Saban allegedly has influence over a large network of players, boosters, and bagmen with whom he has a carefully constructed veil of plausible deniability.

stephenrjking

July 13th, 2016 at 11:00 PM ^

I use the term "allegedly" with care. It's the smoke; credible reporting on the ubiquity of bag men in the South, leaks from certain ex players that they took money (in one case I seem to remember "everybody" was getting money), Alabama's ultra-corrupt history of cheating, infractions that are reported but quietly litigated away...

Either cheating is almost nonexistent and always gets caught when it happens, or it is widespread and Alabama is in the thick of it.

And that leads back to a Godfather arrangement with the coach. As is does with all programs. Plausible deniability. Fall guys. Real separation between the guys doing the dirty stuff and the higher-ups in charge. We've seen it at other places (Louisville under Pitino a recent example) and it makes sense. It's not a stretch at all.

That's not to say that they're criminal. In fact, the key to getting away with it is to not get involved with the law, since legal proceedings are the only things that actually reveal dirt (see: Ed Martin, Reggie Bush, etc). But the similarities to pop culture views of organized crime are kinda startling.

Wolfman

July 14th, 2016 at 4:21 AM ^

I recall the year I lived in Oklahoma City - 1982 - and the lack of care for which those who "reportedly" gave donations to the "Let's Buy Some Players Association," would discuss this. It was like a badge of honor. You almost wanted to dismiss them, although you knew, as you put it, too much smoke to ignore it. It was going on, no doubt about it  but you couldn't just believe everyone because they all seemed to want to belong to this club. You kind of had to choose from those that had apparent means and those that didn't. Those professing it never happened, either did belong and understood the importance of tight lips, or wanted to stay in denial, believing their school could draw the best athletes from around the nation w/o paying them. 

The problem is in paying for one, you are going to have to pay for all like-minded young men of that age group. "Hey, I was ranked among the top 25 nationally. I am worth as much as he is," and that's the sad truth. We saw it nearby with Pryor, for the best close-up example. In the heart of the investigation, this young man, never one to be accussed of over-thinking, decided to make his appearance by driving up in another new car, not reported yet. Real scholar, that one. 

Well in Norman, the last years kind of removed all doubt as to Barry and his operation. I found it interesting though that once these players have been hired, as a coach or bag man, you no longer have the ability to say no. Watching the Marcus Dupree story the other night on Outside the Lines (believe that is name of program), that truth became glarilngly obvious. During one of his many flare-ups with the coaching staff at OU, he stated, "I'm not coming back." Barry knew how important he was to the team - I mean they abandoned the successful wishbone that had lead them to NCs and great seasons - to feature this young man in an I formation - and had to do what he could to get him back on campus. Well, Mom decided to get involved. She said, "No, he's not going back unless I get what I want." "What do you want?" "I want a double wide." The next week, setting on the same lot in Philadelphia, MS where his family home was located, so too was a brand new double wide. 

I really didn't know whether to feel bad for the young man - he had so many damn advisers, supposedly looking out for him, or to think, Well he got what he deserved, being so arrogant and greedy. I ended up feeling bad for the young man. During his recruitment, even after he had signed with OU,hen a professional contract, a member of the S. Miss Athletic Dept, a young, black man associated with tyhe NCAAP, acted, for free, as his advisor and was even given power of attorney.  As such, Marcus never received a paycheck. It went into an account set up for him and Marcus said even when he needed spending money, he would have to call him and then money would be transferred to another bank. In the end, this young "free advisor," cost him basically everything. He didn't squander his money on women and drugs or alcohol. He just ran into a man with no conscience. 

This is what is scary about Saban locking the borders to his state. There is, no doubt, a bunch of SEC tactics being employed in Tuscaloosa, just as there is everywhere in that conference, sans Nashville and Athens when Richt was there. This is fine for a young man surrounded by people who actually care, especially if they make the league. But for those like Marcus, who haven't a clue about what the outside world is like, I think far too many end up just like Marcus. They won't  all be remembered like Marcus because he was in a class probably including him, Herschel and Bo as far as freaky football talent. But too often, they will be remembered for the time they spent at AL or AUB where getting the hell out might have been the one damn thing they really needed to do.  This is where I fully side with Harbaugh and others. Exposing these young men to real options, other than staying home and playing for the state university is a damned good thing. There is little doubt about whose interest Nick Saban holds dear, and it's equally apparent that interest doesn't really have room for more than one. 

EastCoast Esq.

July 13th, 2016 at 2:26 PM ^

I'll take the guy who has giant, fast men behind him, all of which are eager for his instruction.

Before somebody says that we are talking 1-on-1, remember that this is the SEC where rules are flexible.

GoBlue519

July 13th, 2016 at 2:39 PM ^

got pretty squeamish in that chair - what a joker.  Accountability clearly isn't his strong suit.  I never thought I would say this but you have to give Finebaum some credit for asking the question.  

VaUMWolverine

July 13th, 2016 at 2:47 PM ^

Anybody else get the feeling Finebaum may be covering another conference if he calls out Saban again? Reminds me of the Godfather where Mike tells his wife to never question him in front of the family. Yikes!




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The Mad Hatter

July 13th, 2016 at 3:42 PM ^

He was talking to Fredo.  After the meeting in Vegas with Moe Green.

"Fredo, you're my older brother, and I love you. But don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family again. Ever."

 

You're thinking of the scene with Kay where he tells her "Don't ask me about my business, Kay."  And they were alone in the room at the time IIRC.  This was right after Connie accused Michael of having her husband killed (which he did).

 

 

M-Dog

July 13th, 2016 at 2:54 PM ^

PAWWWWL, Harbaugh could have come to your aid and kicked Saban's ass, but NOOOOO, you had to go and piss off Harbaugh.

Let this be a lesson: Only piss off one elite rock star coach at a time.

ElBictors

July 13th, 2016 at 2:54 PM ^

Finebaum is a sniveling twerp who has risen to national prominence thanks to the SEC network and ESPN promoting him.  His Sirius show was nothing but redneck SEC fans from LSU, Bama, Auburn and maybe Tennessee all howling at one another.  I'd love for Saban to kick his ass.