Auburn Football 2011: Daggers Fly and Tigers Prowl Toward 2011 Opener

There was quite a bit of news that originated last week with SEC Media Days. One of the first tidbits revealed is that Gene Chizik did not look upon his exchange with NCAA representative Julie Roe Lach as confrontational at all, this contrary to reports by Pete Thamel of the New York Times.

The NCAA has denied the initial waiver request to allow freshman running back Mike Blakely to play this season. This decision is in line with NCAA rules and likely routine. Auburn University will likely appeal and the NCAA will consider detailed circumstances during the appeal process.

Nosa Eguae, one of the returning defensive ends for Auburn, labels Mike Pelton the new defensive line coach as very technical and detail-oriented. This would seem to be very good considering the experience level on the Auburn defensive line this season.

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Paul Finebaum had Danny Sheridan on his show spewing new rumors and allegations with no facts or proof to back them up. Finebaum has a radio show promoted by Alabama propaganda flagship station WJOX FM out of Birmingham, Alabama. Sheridan is a gambling oddsmaker and University of Alabama alumnus.

This latest attempt from the Alabama propaganda factory seems to be having a questionable impact. While there was an immediate reaction from the speculation, it seems to have died a quick death with respectable media outlets.

It should be noted that the NCAA forbids their employees from commenting on current cases. One would wonder where his sources for these new allegations came from—it certainly wasn't the NCAA.

Finebaum’s show—which gained national notoriety when one of his regular callers poisoned the ground and trees at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn, Alabama and then called his show to confess—is well known for starting unsubstantiated rumors about any team that is a rival of Alabama.

There is little doubt that SEC Media Days have truly begun the 2011 football season. The preseason daggers are flying with rapidity due to teams posturing for September kickoff.

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Freshman Kris Frost will likely redshirt this year due to a medical issue that arose during the individual training period. He is a highly regarded player that could be destined to play on offense or defense.

Alabama football seems to have gotten in hot water again. Reports backed by photographic evidence have current players autographing items for sale at a local clothing store. This is a clear and obvious violation of NCAA rules.

This is the latest of multiple NCAA violations by current Tide players. One has to wonder how long so many flagrant violations can be overlooked by the NCAA when committed by a program already on probation.