2006 NCAA Football General News Thread

#41

Nick Saban To Coach Alabama

Nick Saban has accepted an offer from Alabama to coach the Crimson Tide and leave the Miami Dolphins, two weeks after declaring "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach."

Saban's agreement with Alabama is for eight years and a fully-guaranteed $32 million, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reports. Saban can potentially earn an additional $700,000 to $800,000 annually in bowl-game bonuses.

Saban told team owner Wayne Huizenga of his decision in a face-to-face meeting Wednesday morning. Saban then informed all of his coaches by speakerphone that he was leaving the franchise to coach Alabama.

In a news conference at the team's facility, Huizenga told reporters he was not upset by Saban's departure.

"It is what it is. We have to move forward," Huizenga said. "We want the best for Nick and [his wife] Terry. I like Nick a lot and think he could have won here. I'm a Nick Saban fan."

Saban had issued repeated denials that he was interested in coaching Alabama, one of the most high-profile and high-pressure college coaching jobs in the country. He leaves the Dolphins with three years left on a deal worth approximately $4.5 million a year.

Saban was 15-17 without a playoff appearance in his two seasons as Dolphins coach.

"In my opinion, the Dolphins have always been about winning. I just want everyone to know that it's really all about winning now," Huizenga said. "I don't care what it takes or what it costs, we're going to make this a winning franchise -- sooner rather than later."

Alabama began looking for a coach after firing Mike Shula on Nov. 27. The Tide finished the season 6-7, losing to Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl.

On Tuesday, Saban asked for and received more time from Huizenga to make a decision, yet Huizenga remained optimistic that Saban would remain with the Dolphins. Saban was given until 10 a.m. Wednesday to make a decision.

Saban was 48-16 in five seasons at LSU, where he won the 2003 BCS national championship.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2718488

#42

I think the word $ell out is appropriate here...

#43

Ka-ching!

#44

LSU QB Russell To Enter NFL Draft

Louisiana State quarterback JaMarcus Russell will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft in April.

A news conference is scheduled Wednesday to announce the decision, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday.

Russell, a 6-foot-6, 260-pounder from Mobile, Ala., was the nation's No. 3-ranked quarterback in passing efficiency this season. He threw for a career-high 332 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers' 41-14 victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night.

Russell will finish his LSU career with 6,525 yards and 52 touchdowns in three seasons -- two as a full-time starter.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2723407

#45

Falcons Hire Bobby Petrino as New Coach

Louisville coach Bobby Petrino has accepted a five-year, $24 million offer from the Atlanta Falcons to become their new coach, according to a Louisville source.

The Cardinals have a previously scheduled 9 p.m. ET team meeting at which Petrino will tell his players, the source said. ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reported that an NFL source also confirmed the hiring.

"I'm in shock right now," Louisville kicker Arthur Carmody told ESPN's Joe Schad Sunday night. "I'm about to walk into a team meeting right now. We're coming off a great Orange Bowl win and we were all thinking national championship. I didn't think this would happen. He said he enjoyed college football. He's a great coach and we're going to miss him."

An announcement from the Falcons could come Monday. ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported earlier Sunday evening that the Falcons were in deep negotiations with Petrino.

Before the season, Petrino signed a 10-year, $25 million contract with Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich. Petrino had previously interviewed with Auburn, LSU, Notre Dame and the Oakland Raiders for other jobs, but announced in August that he would be at Louisville for the long haul.

"I can't tell you how happy I am with the commitment and the confidence that Tom Jurich has in me and the university has in me," Petrino said after signing the contract. "I also wanted to make sure that everyone understood, I know I've said it, that this is where my family wants to be. This is where I want to be. I want everyone to really believe it."

Louisville had just completed a 12-1 season climaxed by their first BCS bowl victory, over Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl. Petrino's record was 41-9 at Louisville, as he elevated the program into an annual national contender.

The leading candidate to replace Petrino figures to be Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe, who has taken the Golden Hurricane to three bowl games in four years after taking over one of the worst programs in the country.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2723700

#46

Calvin Johnson Declares for NFL Draft

Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson announced Monday that he will enter the NFL draft, giving up his final college season for the chance to be one of the top players selected.

The decision was hardly a surprise. Johnson had long been expected to pass up his senior season with the Yellow Jackets, and he did little to change that perception during a brilliant junior year.

Johnson was chosen to The Associated Press All-America team and won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver.

"It was the logical thing to do," said his father, Calvin Johnson Sr. "He would have been doing himself a disservice if he didn't go."

The younger Johnson made his announcement at Georgia Tech's football complex, flanked by his father, mother Arika and sister Erica. While he came to college talking about his desire to play four years and get his degree, he had the full support of his family in leaving for the NFL.

"This is the best way to go," said the receiver, who assured his parents that he will complete his degree. "I had a great time here at Tech. It's been a tough decision. But I made the choice to leave."

Coach Chan Gailey, who has interviewed for the Miami Dolphins coaching vacancy, said he first talked with Johnson about his pro options over the summer. They didn't talk about it again until after the season.

"I wasn't surprised," Gailey said. "He's been a great decision-maker the whole time he was here. I would love to have him back, but this is the best decision for him."

In his final college game, Johnson had nine catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-35 loss to West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. He finished with 76 receptions for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

"What can you say about Calvin Johnson?" West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez said. "We knew coming in he was going to be dangerous, but he just ran over top of us."

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Johnson has the size that NFL scouts are looking for and is also extremely athletic. He runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and has a 45-inch vertical leap -- a combination makes him difficult to defend, even with a scheme keyed to stop him.

He thrived at Georgia even while facing persistent double-teaming and working three seasons with an inconsistent quarterback, Reggie Ball, who usually struggled to complete half his passes.

Johnson's teammates were hoping he would return, but they knew he couldn't pass up the opportunity to move on to the NFL.

"I knew he was gone," running back Tashard Choice said. "The big guy has got to go. It's time."

By all accounts, Johnson will be one of the top players selected in the April draft. In fact, he could go first overall to the Oakland Raiders, who are desperate to improve an offense that averaged just 10.5 points a game and might not bring back disgruntled wideouts Randy Moss and Jerry Porter.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2724240

#47

Dwayne Jarrett Signs Agent - Prepares for Draft

Southern California wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett has selected an agent and will announce that he is entering the NFL draft at a 2 p.m. news conference at the school's Heritage Hall on Wednesday, two sources close to the situation said Tuesday night.

The junior, a two-time All-American, had 70 catches for 1,015 yards and led the Trojans with 12 touchdowns this season.

The 6-foot-5, 210 pound receiver with a track record of acrobatic catches, is considered a first-round prospect.

When Jarrett arrived in Southern California from Brunswick, N.J., he was homesick and nearly transferred. But following in the footsteps of great Trojans receivers like Keyshawn Johnson and Mike Williams, he became an All-America receiver who will leave USC as the Pac 10's all time leader in touchdown catches.

One question Jarrett will have to answer before the draft is about his durability. Jarrett did miss time with nagging shoulder and quadricep injuries this season.

But he displayed all his considerable skill in what could be his last collegiate game. In the Trojans' 32-18 win over Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, Jarrett caught 11 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2725996

#48

Posted: Jan. 11, 2007, 12:06 AM ET

Peterson to skip senior year

Norman, OK -- Junior running back Adrian Peterson will skip his final year
of eligibility at Oklahoma to make himself available for April's NFL draft, sources
told the Dallas Morning News on Wednesday.

Peterson, who rushed for 935 yards in six games before breaking his
collarbone Oct. 14, is projected to be a sure-fire first-round draft pick, if not Top 10.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/yy29ng

#49

Photo of Ted Ginn's endzone injury

A celebrating Roy Hall (8) drags Ted Ginn Jr.
down awkwardly on his left foot while Trevor
Robinson hugs him after Ginn's touchdown. Ginn
suffered a sprained foot.

#50

Holy shit, please tell me that is now how dude hurt his foot..!! OMFG..!!