December 20, 2007
Who gives what? 2007 Bowl Game Gifts
With the start of the 2007-2008 college football bowl season tonight, the Sporting News provides this year's look at what gifts the players will receive for each of the bowl games this year.
Some highlights....
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl - Nintendo Wii, Madden NFL 08, Fossil watch, sweatshirt or polo, cap
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl - XM satelitte radio with 1-year of free service, Fossil watch, Armor Gear duffel equipment bag, Adidas fleece pullover, ball
Capital One Bowl - Party at Best Buy store, $400 Best Buy gift card for each player, Timely Watch Co. watch, Panama Jack sunglasses, Panama Jack t-shirt, cap, goody bag with snacks and drinks
Rose Bowl presented by Citi - Sony Bravia surround sound system, Sony headphones, Fossil watch, Under Armour backpack, New Era cap
Allstate Sugar Bowl - Sony mini digital MP-4 camcorder with memory stick, watch, Ogio rolling duffel bag, leather jacket, ball
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl - Vizio 20-inch, LCD HDTV, Tourneau watch, Oakley sunglasses, hat
FedEx Orange Bowl - Sony Bravia surround sound system, New Era cap
Allstate BCS Championship Game - Nintendo Wii, Madden NFL 08 and two additional games, Majestic fleece pullover, New Era cap
Comments:
Hricane23 said:
posted on December 20, 2007 4:12 PM — 170.135.241.46 — link — abuse?
While I wouldn't turn a $400 Best Buy card down, what will $400 get you at Best Buy? You're still, what, $200 short of a PS3? You might be able to pick up a 21" TV/ DVD combo, maybe even a universal remote to go with it. Really, the only thing a $400 BB gift card would be good for, is basically $400 off a 61" flat screen LCD TV that you buy with the other bowl money you got from the Gator or Wolverine boosters. That is, if the AD didn't already give you a 61" incher for going there in the first place.
Hricane23 said:
posted on December 20, 2007 4:26 PM — 170.135.241.46 — link — abuse?
OU-Ron,
Good point! I wonder how many "Capital One Bowl Commemorative Kanye West CDs, as owned and autographed by Heisman Trophy winner Timmy Tebow, with Certificate of Authenticity" will start showing up on eBay.
Use Best Buy gift card to buy unsigned Kanye CDs + have Timmy Tebow sign them = PROFIT!!!
OU-Ron
posted on December 20, 2007 4:42 PM — 216.201.209.146 — link — abuse?
said:
Hricane23, I think to make a profit, they would have to sell to a booster, I have autographed Sooner football signed by Jason White, Billy Sims, and Steve Owens and I would probably be lucky to get the price of the football back on ebay...
Big Tide said:
posted on December 20, 2007 4:46 PM — 69.34.227.69 — link — abuse?
Kevin, how about a thread on the Big 10 official that was investigated by Yahoo!Sports and found to be a compulsive gambler and charged with all manner of other things. Don't they have background checks for these officials?
Tomcat said:
posted on December 20, 2007 6:42 PM — 68.93.140.127 — link — abuse?
Where do you draw the line? Sorry NCAA I dont understand, you can except expensive gifts, but your boss can't pad your timesheet.
These boys are going to need these video games, because after their bowls thats the only football some of them will be able to play.
Dont the Rose Bowl guys get to go to Disneyland
From what I understand thats an expensive gift.
What the heck,Let them have their perks, at least they are not paying for their mama's rent or helping them pass a test.Southern Fried Bulldog said:
posted on December 20, 2007 6:49 PM — 206.170.208.254 — link — abuse?
@8 I read the same story in the LA Times this morning and that's definitely something that needs some more investigation. The lead referee has a history of gambling and bankruptcy and the 2 Big 10 games that had the most lop-sided bets this past season just happened to be the two that he reffed. Could be a coincidence but after the NBA scandal, you just never know!
hrposon said:
posted on December 20, 2007 8:08 PM — 98.200.123.115 — link — abuse?
There's nothing wrong with giving gifts to student athletes as long it is openly declared and sanctioned.
The problem is when the gift is under the table and is an unfair payment for playing college sports. It creates an unfair playing field for just one school.
Gone are the days when the lineman would get yellow Cadillac convertibles. Now the parents get the goods...T-Mac
posted on December 20, 2007 10:10 PM — 66.78.139.117 — link — abuse? said:
These same student athletes that are getting a few perks, bring in how many millions of $$$ to their respective athletic dept's???
People are awful quick to judge and point fingers.
As an ex-SEC FB player T-Mac can and will speak on this one.
Many of the other student athletes like to use names like, thugs and idiots in reference to CFB players!
These same student athletes GLADLY TAKE that money that the Football team brings into the athletic dept!
Funny how that works!?!?!
T-Mac means no disrespect in this, but last time T-Mac checked people weren't tuning in to watch College, golf, tennis, swimming etc...
T-Mac made his point.
T-Mac has a can of spaghettio's to eat.
T-Mac will post when he can.
*T-Mac approved this message.
T-Mac
posted on December 20, 2007 10:11 PM — 66.78.139.117 — link — abuse? said:
These same student athletes that are getting a few perks, bring in how many millions of $$$ to their respective athletic dept's???
People are awful quick to judge and point fingers.
As an ex-SEC FB player T-Mac can and will speak on this one.
Many of the other student athletes like to use names like, thugs and idiots in reference to CFB players!
These same student athletes GLADLY TAKE that money that the Football team brings into the athletic dept!
Funny how that works!?!?!
T-Mac means no disrespect in this, but last time T-Mac checked people weren't tuning in to watch College, golf, tennis, swimming etc...
T-Mac made his point.
T-Mac has a can of spaghettio's to eat.
T-Mac will post when he can.
*T-Mac approved this message.
VOLPIMP said:
posted on December 21, 2007 1:03 AM — 208.0.27.10 — link — abuse?
Let em have their fun, I agree with T-Mac, going to these bowls puts $$$ into the pot that the other sports benefit from as well. But...it does seem a little hypocritical to hammer them all season about illegal benefits and then have someone give them free gifts. Just depends on how you look at it I guess. T-Mac, what's up cuz!? Looks like we lost Cutcliffe AND Trooper, the two best on our staff, might get ugly around the checkerboards this fall. Maybe they will call me...they do I'll get at ya, we will rule the SEC!
T-Mac
posted on December 21, 2007 1:33 AM — 66.78.139.117 — link — abuse? said:
VOLPIMP, what's been goin on my Dogg???
How is K-Dogg doing?
Have you got all the Christmas presents yet???
T-Mac would like a family someday.
That's what life is about!
T-Mac wasn't surprised when Coach Cut left.
T-Mac was surprised when Troop left.
Troop should have been promoted to Off Coor.
He has been on Rocky Top for quite awhile now.
This was a mistake to let Trooper leave.
Big Orange will be fine though.
Yeah, T-Mac's ultimate goal is to get into the NFL, but if that doesn't happen that mos def Coaching!
When you can't sleep at night cause you are going over different schemes/plays in your head than that is clearly what one is called to do.
VOLPIMP, how is Jay Graham doing down at University of Tenn at Martin???
No Doubt VOLPIMP!!!
T-Mac & VOLPIMP would bring the PAIN!!!
Merry Christmas VOLPIMP from T-Mac.
*T-Mac approved this message.
Big Tide said:
posted on December 21, 2007 7:50 AM — 12.208.88.211 — link — abuse?
Southern Fried #11, yeah it is unbelievable how many red flags this guy is flying! Sexual harrasment charges, gambling debts reaching 400K, bad calls, ties to other gambliers. Got to Yahoo.com and click on sports to get the full story.
VOLPIMP said:
posted on December 21, 2007 6:41 PM — 208.0.27.10 — link — abuse?
Troop surprised me too, but it was the smart move. UT wasn't going to let him do anything, you and I know that. KDogg is great, studying playbooks and stuff, typical 2 year old in Vol country. UTM had a tough year this year, Jay had a back named Donald Chapman that is cold, All OVC, but the defense struggled this year, alot of young guys. When you get to the league play for the Titans so I can watch you every home game. Later and Happy Holidays cuz!!
Zac said:
posted on December 21, 2007 8:43 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Lets see. A coach can't give a prospective recruit plane fair, or bus fair, or cab fair, or even the necessary change when the recruit realizes, "OOPS! I'm short a couple of bucks." A coach can't even give a kid so much as an ink pen, let alone a T-Shirt, because the NCAA sez so. It's ridiculous.
Well, the sponsors of these bowls are not coaches trying to buy prospective recruits. Ergo, they can thumb their noses at the NCAA. Good for them; good for the kids; after all, they played their a$$es off to get there.
I have but 2 wishes: 1) They'd give the scholar athletes (especially the ones who start) something special; 2) The Fiesta Bowl guys would find a coach in their little bag for us Mountaineers.
Zac said:
posted on December 22, 2007 12:22 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?
Positively magnanimous of you, OU Ron, but U da enemy now, an I hasta say bad $hit about ya and yo teem. (Just kidding)
So far, the skinny out of Morgantown is as muddy as the Mississippi. While I agree, Stoops has some fine talent in his staff, it appears certain "factions" have their hearts set on certain individuals.
Terry Bowden's, and Doc Holiday's names keep popping up. There's even a call for replacing WVU AD, Ed Pastilong, with either Bowden or Jerry West. (West's son now plays at WVU; their family has moved back to WV.)
The good news: There are a lot of talented individuals interested in this job. This should come as no surprise to anyone, given the basically new facilities, recent up-grades, non-meddling boosters, political support, and a surprisingly large, strong fan-base. Who ever is picked should really enjoy their stay, so long as they don't have issues with the administration, which apparently both Bielein and Rodriguez did.
Back to OK/WV: What are your keys to victory? Maybe we can get Ben P., Diggs, Lenny, Spartacus, T-Mac, and a few others to chime in.
OU-Ron
posted on December 22, 2007 5:54 PM — 68.12.216.68 — link — abuse? said:
Zac, Curtis Loftin LB, Austin English DE and Gerald McCoy DE, will pressure WV's QB all day long and our huge OL will wear down your defense. Sam Bradford freshman QB will light it up with Malcolm Kelly and Allen Patrick will get 150 yards rushing, other than that, you don't have anything to worry about, I think OU wins bt two TD's...I'm ready for the game, how about you....
Zac said:
posted on December 22, 2007 7:29 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
Gee, OU-Ron (Post 26), why bother. Sounds like the game has been played and your Sooners have already won it.
I do agree; Sam Bradford has to play his game. Even if a couple of silly things go wrong early on, he need not panic. Stick to the game-plan; play his game. Allen Patrick will need to have a good outing; 150 might not do it. It certainly didn't for Rutgers', Ray Rice. Had WVU managed to score just 1 more TD against Pitt, it wouldn't have worked for McCoy either. Patrick will have to get his yards. Odd too, OK's vaunted O-Line was a non-factor against TX Tech, and not that much of one against CO.
Defensively, OK cannot let up. They will have to play to the closing bell. Pressure White, keep a spy on him and Slaton. Don't forget to account for Schmidt. Put your best double coverage on Reynaud. If Slaton is in the slot with Devine in the backfield, your defense just might not be fast enough. Gonzalez, Hogan, Jahllo, Lyons and Saunders can make plays.
And there-in lay the keys to victory for WVU. Pat White has to use his vision and his savvy. If the hand-off to Devine, Schmidt, or Slaton is covered, he's got to be ready to pull it out and take what's available. By the same token, White shouldn't try to put this game on his shoulders; he does have a fine team around him. If Reynaud is there, fine; otherwise, find his 2nd or 3rd receivers.
Defensively, WVU is quick off the line, and has fast LB's. Berry, Dingle, and Dykes (DT's) are beasts, and have to play like beasts; i.e. target Bradford and Patrick. Magro (LB) has to provide outstanding support along with Ivy, Cooper, and others. Andrews, Munday, and Wicks (DB's) will have to play the game of their lives. Shut down the run; make Bradford throw it all night. This means blanket OK's receivers; quit playing off of them 3-5 yards.
The X-Factor is special teams. This is where I think the game will be won or lost if it's close, and if it comes to this, where WVU has the edge. McAfee has to shake off the Pitt game, not to mention, pin OK deep with the punting game.
Now, for the biggest key: The Rich Rodriguez factor. If the players minds are on the former, or potentially new, coach, OK wins this game hands down; a 20-24 pt victory margin is possible.
Practices are said to be going well. The kids are healing up; they like playing the roll of the "underdog"; they're looking forward to proveing themselves. If they can maintain that attitude and stick to their game plan, not to mention make timely adjustments, I predict 34-31 or 38-34, WVU. (38 seems to be WVU's lucky number in bowl games.) But, as with you, my friend, that's just my opinion. Enjoy!!!
george
posted on December 24, 2007 12:01 AM — 68.11.180.10 — link — abuse? said:
Pretty cool! I didn't know that the football players got free games. i want some! lol
:O)
LSU FOOTBALLZac said:
posted on December 24, 2007 12:10 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
George, I'd be happy to have one of those 20" flat screen TV's.
OU-Ron, where's Lennie to give us his perspective? (Expect it to be a little more passionate than yours.) By the way, all things considered, if OK wins by only 7, I won't have any problem with that.
To all: When this message finds you, may it find you and yours well, throughout this holiday season, and throughout the many New Years to come.
posted on December 24, 2007 12:19 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta
said:
Okay, I clicked the link in post 32 to see if it was another spammer, but it appears that it's an actual LSU site--done by a ten-year old no less, it claims. Finally, someone on our level we can debate with.
Zac: A 20-incher flat screen, huh? Going all out? Hope it's for a monitor and not for the family to watch. If so, get the color one. The picture is outstanding, especially if you move the ears the right way... :-)
posted on December 24, 2007 12:43 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Sorry, Zac. I didn't even notice that a 20" flat screen was one of the gifts being doled out. I thought you were saying out of the blue that you wanted one.
Cap One bowl gives you some Panama Jack T-Shirts. They still make those? Remember when those were all the rage back in the 1980s, along with Ocean Pacific?
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
Cane Mutiny
said:
posted on December 20, 2007 3:12 PM — 65.12.247.141 — link — abuse?Damn! And they say college football players work for free...