Been sick for more than a week. Since I'm feeling better, I felt it was my obligation to write back, as much as it pains me to correct your grammar and spelling.
A special shout out, this week, to your heroes in Iraq who are keeping us safe. They were given special attention this week.
From: Master P
Dennis, By the way, it was amusing to watch you hitting on my girlfriend a couple weekends ago. But tell me this...why does an aging 50-year-old chump like yourself actually think that a pretty young thing like my girlfriend would be interested in you? You're a sportswriter, for heaven's sake. Get a real job.
Pee Master:
Why? Dude, have you looked in the mirror, or your wallet, lately?
From: Lloyd
Dennis, I was wondering where you played your college ball.
Head Hunter:
The same place you got your journalism degree.
From: Jim
Dennis -- quick question from Iraq -- when do you think Kansas State will get back to some level of respectability. As someone who personally witnessed the Miracle in Manhattan, this is painful ... almost as bad as the OT loss to Texas A&M that year!!! I think, first, is Bill Snyder needs to win those recruits back, who are now going to KU and MU. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Jim:
First, thanks for your effort overseas. We all appreciate it.
On K-State, they are in first place in the Big 12 North and could solidify that position with a win this week over Colorado. That doesn't mean the Cats are "back". It's a down Big 12 North (again).
I don't think Snyder is necessarily losing recruits to Missouri and Kansas. He hardly ever goes after big-name recruits. His whole history has been written with guys from small towns who were coached up. Michael Bishop might be the exception. I'm told there wasn't another Big 12 who would touch him but K-State somehow got him into school.
Judging from the early results, Snyder will have the Cats back on solid footing before he retires (again) about four years from now.
From: Erik
Dennis, I bleed Scarlet and Gray, and, yes, Buckeye fans are spoiled and we are hard on the coach but just answer me one question with a sensible answer.
Why, when USC loses Steve Sarkisian they go out and get a NFL quarterback coach to fill his spot, and OSU goes out and gets a division I-AA quarterback coach (Nick Siciliano) to coach a quarterback who has a stronger arm, faster legs, and is all around a better player than the kid at USC. If Terrelle Pryor played at USC he would be unstoppable! We recruited a player who we don't even let take over the game because we play field position. That's what Buckeye fans gripe about.
You sit wherever you are and write stories, show up on the campus and get the real view.
Buck Nut:
Well, it would be kind of hard for me to move in with Mr. Pryor, and get to know him. Although. a Friday night mixer isn't out of the question.
To your point, USC went out and targeted a pro assistant because it runs a pro offense. I suspect Tressel was comfortable with Nick Siciliano because he was a student assistant at Youngstown State.
Now, if only Siciliano could throw …
From: Jason
You're an idiot for comparing Blount to Lawrence Phillips. Dragging a woman by the hair down a flight of stairs is completely different than what Blount did in the heat of the moment.
J:
Really? Why, because a woman is involved? They were both crimes. One was prosecuted. One was not.
From: David
Dear Mr. Dodd, My name is Dave Peterson. I'm currently serving a 12-month tour in Tikrit, Iraq. I'm huge BYU fan but unfortunately have been pretty out of the loop this season. However, I thought this was interesting and wanted to pass it along.
My brother-in-law is a huge Utah Utes fan, unfortunately, and a group of his associates have started a website with the intent of promoting a change to the current BCS system. It's called the Playoff PAC. The web address is located here. Below are his words which he forwarded me regarding the organization and its website. A group of young professionals and I are starting a new federally registered political action committee called Playoff PAC. The PAC is built solely around the issue of discarding the BCS and starting a playoff system in college football. We see a void. Lots of web pages and groups are talking to the public or asking people to sign online petitions, but no one is truly pressuring Congress to do something about the current system. The way we see it, the BCS folks have demonstrated that they're unwilling to respond to the 80 percent of America that favors a playoff. There's not much utility in further convincing the public that a playoff would be advantageous. Nothing will change until the BCS gets meaningful pressure from government officials. Political pressure has been applied at times, but only for fleeting moments that follow large BCS controversies.
The BCS knows that all it needs to do is wait out the storm until the public fervor dies. Sustained political pressure is needed. The PAC's mission will therefore be to support federal candidates on both sides of the aisle who share our goals of discarding the BCS and implementing a college football playoff system. A central part of that mission will be to serve as an aggregator of anti-BCS, pro-playoff thought. Sort of a college football think-tank, if you will.
We are inviting many members of the reform community to spotlight their individual proposals on Playoff PAC's blog. We will feature only thoughtful, quality work that helps advance the dialogue on this issue. By supporting candidates and aligning existing pro-reform groups, we believe that we can change the existing system. It's a well done website and will be interesting to see if they can affect any change.
I love reading your insightful articles. CBSSports.com definitely brings content which the other big sources of sports information don't.
Go Cougars!
Respectfully, CPT David Peterson
Mr. Peterson:
I'm well aware of the Playoff PAC. I got the e-mail earlier this week. Unfortunately, I don't see a place where it fits in the big picture.
We've already got Orrin Hatch calling for a Justice Dept. investigation. The various hearings have been a joke. What makes you think a political action committee is going to get things done?
Also, I wonder where your brother-in-law is getting his information. I doubt that 80 percent of Americans are in favor of a playoff. I doubt that 80 percent of Americans can spell B-C-S if we spotted them the B and C.
It seems to me to be more white noise as the college football season grinds on.
From: Haylee
Well Dennis, I highly doubt that he's (Sam Bradford) done with Sooner football. He seems like the type of guy who will definitely do anything in his power to stay at Oklahoma. Sure, this year may not be too great but, he also seems like the type of guy to stay and get his degree.
And I'm not just saying that because I'm a Sooner lover. He reminds me a lot of Peyton Manning. Agree?? Please write back it would be much appreciated. Sincerely, Haylee W., Wichita Falls, Texas
Bradford Groupie:
I think your boy is gone. If someone was about to write you a check for $20 million, what would YOU do?
There is simply no sense in staying in college and risking a career-ending injury.
From: Scott
Dennis, I am not going to attack or scream like many Iowa fans. However, you must have an ax to grind with some of your comments. I only asked for fair and balanced coverage of college football.
Is Iowa the greatest team ever? Heck no. Will they go undefeated? No. But please be respectful the team and the program despite some overzealous fans. I'll provide you the same level of respect if you take the high road.
Hawk Aye: When did Iowa football become Sunday mass? I'll take my shots when I want, dude.
From: Jeff
This season's team to get hosed is potentially Iowa. If they run the table, they will have done so against arguably the toughest road schedule of all. So far, they are 3-0 against BCS ranked teams -- Penn State, Arizona, Wisconsin and still face Ohio State.
Can any other team claim a 3-0 record against BCS ranked teams?
Hawk Aye II:
Teams that have more impressive wins than Iowa: Miami, Houston, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State … Should I go on?
From: Steve H There are at least 10 to 15 if not more football players on scholarship that will never play a down. Way too much emphasis is put on athletics and not enough on producing scientist and engineers. We have enough football players.
Reformist:
Shhh, don't let the SEC hear you.
From: Bret
I cannot find your Non-BCS poll, which I really like. Can you help?
Bret:
I didn't do one this year but at the moment I'd have it -- 1. Boise State; 2. TCU; 3. BYU; 4. Utah; 5. Idaho.
From: SEC fan Oh, Dennis: When are you or another columnist at CBS Sports going to address the egregious performance of SEC officials this season? Even after being called out in the national media for blowing the LSU game for Georgia, the very same crew went on to blow the Arkansas-Florida game as well. Aside from that, the SEC ref's are letting South Carolina get away with blatant face-mask fouls in nearly every game - at least one of which would have changed the outcome of the game. Will the insanity ever stop? In over fifty years of watching football, I've never seen the SEC put such a pitiful batch of zebras on the field. Are they being trained at Clown College nowadays?
Phan:
How's the wife, good? Paying the mortgage on time? Kids doing OK? How about your parents, are they taken care of? You going to church every Sunday? Priorities, man, priorities.
From: Jeff
Hey Dennis, thanks for the wonderful description of my home town of Moscow, Idaho. It is clear to me that you have never been to Moscow, Idaho...and probably didn't take the time to ask anyone from Moscow, Idaho what it's like here. It's one thing to knock our college sports teams when they are not doing well, but don't knock a town you've never heard of until now.
Muscovite:
Not only have I been to the county seat of Latah County, I've asked the locals what it's like to live there.
Let's sum it up this way: Maybe we can agree that Moscow is OK, but it's no Pullman.
