Red Flags
ESPN reporter Kelly Naqi did a chat with fans today about O.J. Mayo. Here's what she said about what USC should have known.
``That (Rodney) Guillory created problems for USC in the past with his involvement in the suspension of former USC guard Jeff Trepagnier should have raised a huge red flag. Also, according to (Tim) Floyd, he never recruited Mayo, yet Guillory presented one of the very top recruits in the country to him on a silver platter, by going into his office two summers ago and saying, OJ wants to play for you, but he wouldn't give Floyd his cell phone number, O.J. would call Floyd.
``Guillory claimed that he was O.J.'s friend and that he was sent there by O.J. ''to check Floyd out.'' That, again, should be a signal that you should be hyper-vigilant in making sure that nothing untoward is going on while Mayo's at your program.''
Scott --
Couple questions:
1. I understand that OJ was vetted by the NCAA before he came to SC. What did this involve and what protection does it provide should the allegations made against Mayo prove true?
2. Other than warning players and providing them with an orientation as to the NCAA rules, what is the extent of the school responsibility for monitoring compliance of an athlete with the NCAA's rules?
In retrospect, doesn't it look like Floyd was making a deal with the devil in taking OJ?
They were "hyper vigilant." They had the NCAA and their own compliance investigate the kid and his connections. What else do you want?
Kelli Naqui made her name investigating Michael Vic’s dog fighting crimes. Now she wants to create a sensation with this SCHMATAGATE by accusing Floyd of turning a blind eye to Mayo’s wardrobe. In Kelli’s world, Floyd’s HYPER-VIGILANT Dorm Police could swoop in at any time to inspect every rag and sneaker in a student athlete’s closet for legitimacy. Oh Kelli, what a wonderful place your world would be, were the Gestapo still with us they would certainly honor you with a medal.
So, from now on it’s just shorts and flip-flops for all the po people, only the Loves of the world will be allowed to wear actual clothes without arousing suspicion.
New Rule(s):
#1- If your name is OJ, you aren't allowed to go to SC. Sorry. Go by Oscar James, Otto Jackobson, or even Othello Jackson. Just don't go by OJ. Bad things happen when you do.
#2- Agents, no matter how well coach Carroll or coach Floyd know them, are persona non grata on USC campus. We shouldn't see them at practice, hanging out in the bookstore, or even chilling in Cardinal Gardens. Agents are going to end up screwing SC over and Mike Garrett and others should nip it in the bud now, before it gets worse.
Fight On!
I think practices should be closed anyway. Just the staff, players and Will Ferrell.
I wonder if Miss Naqi would do a similar thing Tim Floyd did if Mr. X walked in to ESPN and told her to sit tight until NBC or ABC called to offer her a new job. Hmmmm.