Joe Paterno to Robert Bolden: You'll Play For Me, Or You'll Play For No One

Robert Bolden, the former starting quarterback for the Nittany Lions (he started eight games before being benched in favor of Matt McGloin) has asked for his release—and been denied.

Apparently, Bolden isn't interested in the prospect of being in competition with a walk-on (Matt McGloin) and a wild card (Kevin Newsome) as he enters his sophomore season. By all accounts, he's probably imagining that his prospects could be much better elsewhere. Unfortunately for him, Paterno expects him to honor his commitment to the Lions and play out his existing contract...oops, wrong sport, sorry.

Paterno expects him to honor the letter of intent he signed last February, and won't jeopardize his depth chart simply because some 19-year old kid is unhappy about his minutes—this might be a good time to mention that the 2011 class for the Lions is looking thin and there isn't a quarterback prospect anywhere in the mix. If Penn State loses Bolden, it's Newsome and McGloin—assuming Newsome doesn't decide to transfer. 

Translation: things could become Unhappy, in Happy Valley, very quickly.

While you must applaud Paterno's gumption in playing chicken with his young star, the first question you have to ask is why bother keeping a guy who doesn't want to play for you? Aren't you just tempting fate and taking a major risk that his discontent trickles into your locker room?

Why bother?

On the other hand, perhaps Paterno is gambling that Bolden hasn't really thought this through, and he's really just doing him a favor. After all, why waste a year of eligibility sitting behind someone else, at another FBS school, when you could feasibly come in and win the starting job in the spring.

Patience is a virtue, right?

Whatever his motivation, Paterno is taking a pretty big risk in denying this kid his out. We'll soon see if it's a gamble that pays off.

Related articles

• QB Newsome stays behind, may transfer (philly.com)

Big Ten Upset: Minnesota Takes Down Iowa 27-24 in Minneapolis

Apparently, Iowa read the book on the Minnesota Gophers and took this game for granted.

There were few who thought it was possible that Minnesota could win against Iowa's strong defense, veteran quarterback play, and talented running game but, true to the mantra: "on any given Saturday", the Gophers gave a collective finger to all the doubters.

The 3-9 Gophers played with as much heart and determination as they have all season and overcame a late 4-point deficit to win the game 27-24 against the Iowa Hawkeyes—likely stealing away any shot the Hawkeyes had at a high-quality bowl bid.

What happened? Well, the easy answer was in the intro: Iowa was sleeping on the Gophers because of their record, and their seeming lack of anything resembling a consistent offense or defense this season. However, today, it became obvious that Minnesota wasn't willing to lay down and accept another loss—their pride was at stake, and they weren't willing to relinquish it for the 10th time this season.

Their defense stymied the run, holding Marcus Coker to just under 100-yards on the day, while Ricky Stanzi continued to disappoint with his uninspired quarterback play and inability to sustain a game-winning drive for his team. A late fumble by Coker simply added to the comedy of errors and put a sad cap on a season of heartbreak for the black and yellow faithful.

Kudos to Minnesota for FINALLY being on the winning end of a big game at home, but Iowa fans have to feel sick wondering what might have been—if only.

Randy Moss to New England Patriots: "I Love You, Man..."

Randy Moss...wow...this guy is a laugh a minute, eh? After his new team, the Minnesota Vikings, lost to his old team, the New England Patriots, Moss decided to let the love flow—literally.

He seemed, at times, troubled, and at others incoherent as he rambled and tripped his way through a soliloquy at the post-game press conference.

The entire transcript of everything he said is offered here, but here are just a few excerpts:

"... I'm not going to answer any more questions for the rest of this year. If it's going to be an interview, I'm going to conduct it. So, I'll answer my own questions, ask myself the questions and then give you all the answers. So, from here on out, I'm not answering any more questions for the rest of this season..."

Moss was fined $25,000 earlier in the week for "failing to cooperate with the news media". He, apparently, took offense to that and hence the above decision to not speak to the media anymore this season. Well, that's all fine and good, Randy, but you look like a bit of a head case saying you'll conduct your own interviews and ask yourself the questions—seriously, dude, get a grip.


"Man, I miss them guys, man. I miss the team. It was hard for me to come here and play. Been an up-and-down rollercoaster emotionally all week. And then to be able to come in here and see those guys running plays that I know what they're doing, and the success they had on the field, the running game -- so, I kind of know what kind of feeling they have in their locker room, man, and I just want to be able to tell the guys that I miss the hell out of them. Every last helmet in that locker room, man."

Wasn't this the same guy who felt unappreciated in New England a few weeks ago? Jeez, you'd think he'd forgotten why he's back in Minnesota in the first place—you talk too much, Randy.


"I tried to prepare. Tried to talk to the players and coaches about how this game was going to be played and a couple tendencies here, couple tendencies here...It hurts as a player that you put a lot of hard work in all week, and toward the end of the week, Sunday, when you get on the field, that's when they acknowledge about the hard work you put in throughout the week. That's actually a disappointment."

Hmmm, now where have we heard this "I feel unappreciated" song before...*thinking*...oh yeah:





Randy, Randy, Randy...when will you ever learn?

Here was the best part of the tirade:


"I don't know how many more times I'm going to be up here in New England, but I'm going to leave the New England Patriots, Coach Belichick, man, with a salute, man. I love you guys, I miss you, I'm out."

Good grief, you'd think the Patriots birthed Moss' children. Wonder how the Minnesota fans will react to his Patriot love fest? 

Related articles

• Minnesota Vikings' Randy Moss nonfactor, declares media silence (sports.espn.go.com)

Barry Alvarez on Bret Bielema's Two Point Conversion:"You know what...I wouldn't have gone for two"

Last Saturday, the Big Ten was all aflutter after Wisconsin head coach, Bret Bielema, decided to go for the two-point conversion on Minnesota—with his team up by 25 points on the Gophers.


The conversion attempt failed, but it was clear that Minnesota head coach, Tim Brewster was none too happy about the decision by Bielema. Brewster felt it was "wrong" and sent a poor message about sportsmanship. Bielema defended his decision, saying that, in that situation, the "card" calls for the two-point conversion so he went for it, and he'd likely do it again if faced with a similar situation.


The furor has died down a bit, except for some rumblings by Minnesota Gopher players about not forgetting the move when these two teams meet again next year, that is until Barry Alvarez—former Wisconsin coaching great and current athletic director for the Badgers—said that he "wouldn't have gone for two".

According to a story published by Madison.com, Alvarez spoke to Bielema about the move immediately following the game and Bielema explained the same reasons to him that he's given to the press—that's what the card says to do:

"Bret gave his reason for going for two and I understand it," said Alvarez, who queried Bielema on the matter immediately after the game about the pass that fell incomplete. "If you're standing on that sideline, the game wasn't over as far as he was concerned.

"Us, we're up (in the stands) eating a hot dog, drinking a Coke, it's over for us. But he saw it last year against (the Gophers). We've given up big plays. In that game we gave up big plays and crazy things happen.'' (madison.com, 10/13/10)

Alvarez continued on by saying, if anything, he was unhappy with the way Minnesota coach Tim Brewster reacted following the game:

"If I'm offended by anybody, it's the way Brewster acted. He stopped (the conversion) anyway. He saved himself a point. I just think that was way overreacting." (madison.com, 10/13/10)

Clearly, there will be plenty of bulletin board material to go around for next season when—Brewster or no Brewster—these teams lock horns again in Minnesota. 

College Football: Was Bret Bielema "Wrong" for 2-Point Try Against Minnesota?

The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Minnesota Gophers by a final score of 41-23. However, the final score won't be what anyone focuses on come Sunday morning. No, much of the chatter will center around the ethical nature of Bret Bielema's play calling with his team up by more than three scores.

Leading 41-16 in the fourth quarter, with less than seven minutes to play in the contest, Bielema called for a two-point conversion after a Wisconsin touchdown. The conversion ended up being no good, but it was clear that Minnesota coach, Tim Brewster, took some exception to Bielema's decision to go for two with the game so well in hand.

Bielema defended the call, saying that it was the proper one, given the circumstance and the score, but Brewster obviously felt it showed a serious lack of class on Bielema's part—calling the move "wrong".
It's easy to understand why Bielema's actions could be classified as bush league but, then again, we've also seen teams go on big run inside of ten minutes—diminishing a big lead within a matter of minutes.

Hard to say for sure who is wrong here, but, what say you? Was Bielema bush league or just playing it safe?

Seantrel Henderson Isn't Doing Himself Any Favors With His Latest Dramatics

I hate to say it, but, Seantrel Henderson is trouble—with a capital, italicized, and bolded 'T'.

The highly-touted, highly-sought after, five-star recruit from Minnesota has again decided to hold the college football world hostage while he decides where he wants to start his college career. 

The 6'8", 300+ pound, offensive tackle prospect out of St. Paul did not report to USC for a scheduled orientation last week—prompting Lane Kiffin and his band of merry men to hop on a private plane to go talk to the phenom.

The supposed reason for Henderson's decision to skip the university function were his second thoughts about signing with the Trojans.

Reports are stating that Henderson may have been misled by coach Kiffin (wow, that's new) when he was told that USC's sanctions wouldn't be nearly as harsh as implied. Taking Kiffin at his word (mistake), Henderson decided to give his commitment to the Trojans. However he put off signing a letter of intent with the school until the results of the NCAA investigation were released.

Well, obviously USC was given a tad more than just a slap on the wrist and now Henderson is thinking of bolting the program.

While I have no problem with seeing Lane Kiffin squirm like the weasel I think he is, I'm a little sick of Seantrel Henderson and his prima donna ways. After all, if he was smart enough to hold off on signing his letter of intent, then why isn't he man enough to just say the following, "I'm not coming to USC...next school please"?

Honestly, the attention-seeking behavior leaves a bad taste in my mouth and if the college football world were smart, it would let Seantrel go to an FCS school and languish in obscurity for the next 3-4 years of his care.


Some might say that his father is every bit the blame for this madness as Seantrel. Especially given the rumor that he's looking to use his son as his ticket to rap stardom. However, at some point, a program has to cut their losses with a guy and say they aren't going to deal with all the drama just to get his ink.

Seriously, Henderson was great in high school and the scouts think he could be a once-in-a-lifetime prospect at left tackle but there are no guarantees. He could become the biggest bust since Willie Williams—another spotlight hog who prompted some serious changes to the recruiting landscape.

Henderson isn't worth this madness, that much is truth, because who's to say that his behavior ends with this most recent madness. This blatant need to be coddled and looked upon as important could manifest itself in his approach to playing the game, his ability to lead on the field, and his day-to-day dealings with his coaches?

College football can cut a nice size slice of humble pie for a prospect who thinks he's got big-time talent. That slice can be a bitter bite if you aren't prepared for the taste. That said, Henderson could be in for a rude awakening in his first season—no matter where he plays—and I now have some serious doubts as to how he will handle the realization that there are some guys who will be better than he.

No matter what happens, the magnifying glass on Henderson just got bigger and, whether he realizes it or not, that's not necessarily a good thing.