BR's Tuesday Morning Column: Big 12 Stays Put, and More NFL Notes

On BleacherReport, I will now begin to write a morning column, similar to the ones written by many of our sports writers today (not the same as Lombardi and King, of course). Enjoy your Tuesday morning column! P.S If you have any suggestions for what I should name the column, hit me up via private message or twitter.

 

The Conference Is Saved: Big 12 Officials Save The Conference With New Deal

For now, it seems we can put off any major changes to college realignment. As reported by myself on B/R, Texas agreed to stay in the Big 12, after liking the offer that was made to save the conference.

Not only is there more revenue available, but with individual TV networks, Texas comes out as a huge winner.

Then, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, and Texas Tech followed suit and stayed within the conference, keeping it at a ten team league, for now.

I must give the props where it's due to Chip Brown of orangebloods.com. Multiple times he was called a phony, and his reports were cited as " false." But in the end, we saw real reporting, and now everyone knows his name.

More Realignment On The Way? Utah Next Target On Pac 10's List

Since Texas and the rest of the Big 12 denied an invitation to the Pac 11, the conference isn't wasting any time.

According to some new reports, the university of Utah is next on their agenda. At this point in time, Utah is laying low on the reports, not giving anything to the media.

Utah has said they love the Mountain West, and they should. They have had quite the success in the BCS, and the addition of Boise State may bring them closer to become a BCS conference.

Still, as we saw with the changes in the Big 12, money always talks.

 

NFL Rumors and Notes- Lynch To Seattle, Mankins To Exit New England?

In what is a quiet time for trade discussions during mini camp, we have seen quite a few holdouts from the NFL's biggest stars (Darelle Revis, Chris Johnson, Vincent Jacksson).

In Buffalo, the future of Marshawn Lynch has been up in the air for a few months, since CJ Spiller was taken 9th overall by the Bills.

There hasn't been much trade value for the troubled running back, at least until now.

Multiple sources within the seattle area (first saw a link from rotoworld.com) reported that the Seattle Seahawks might be interested in Lynch.

They just recently cut Lendale White, and with Julius Jones aging, there is room for another running back.

The biggest question is, what is the price tag on Lynch? It can't be too high, and if Buffalo isn't desperate to trade him, a third round pick may not be enough (even if Seattle is willing to give that).

New England Patriots lineman Logan Mankins made it clear today that he is finished with the New England Patriots.

Mankins, a multiple Pro-Bowler, wants to be paid like one of the best in the game. Apparently, the Pats offer of $7 million a year wasn't enough.

Here is what he had to say on the relationship with New England:

"At this point, I'm pretty frustrated, from everything that's happened and the way negotiations have gone," Mankins said in a phone interview. "I want to be traded. I don't need to be here any more."

"That's the big thing," he continued. "Right now, this is about principle with me and keeping your word and how you treat people. This is what I thought the foundation of the Patriots was built on. Apparently, I was wrong. Growing up, I was taught a man's word is his bond. Obviously this isn't the case with the Patriots."

Right now, I'll say Mankins won't get his wish. If nobody wanted to trade and give a large contract to Jared Gaither, a lineman in his mid 20's, why would anyone want to give up anything in a trade, nontheless millions of dollars, to make him one of the highest paid lineman. Especially that we are in a year where owners are being tight on the money, he'll be one of the many unhappy stars this summer.

Final Thought: World Cup Action, and Wanting Izzo To Stay At Michigan St.

Today, I watched my second game of soccer in nearly four years, with the last time being the championship with Italy. Speaking of Italy, that is the match I watched. I wasn't impressed with the defending champions at all. Other than Pepe (is that how you say it?), the team looked too slow and lethargic.

They looked much different than Germany, who handled their match with ease.

Oh by the way, I got Germany winning the whole thing. Going out on a limb I suppose?

And finally, my plea to Tom Izzo: please stay at Michigan St.

Nothing personal Tom, but I don't think the NBA is for you. Stay at Michigan St, a place that you raised on your own into a college basketball powerhouse. You will have a top five team again next year, and a good shot to win the title.

Honestly, I think you will regret a decision if you go to the NBA, and avoiding a question by a child yesterday does give me a feeling you are bound to leave.

Or maybe, it's me feeling LeBron should leave, not because I'm a Nets fan, but I believe he needs a new start.

Well, that is today's column, folks. My first of what I hope will be many on Bleacher Report. Feel free to give me feedback on the piece.

 

Matt Miselis is an NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com.

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/MattMiselis