Al From Dadeville Speaks To Pawwwllll... Updyke Talks To Finebaum...

((HT: WIAT-TV Birmingham/Paul Finebaum Radio Network))

Harvey Updyke was a guest on the Paul Finebaum Radio Network Thursday afternoon. Mr. Updyke wanted to talk about the alleged attack at the Opelika, Alabama gas station Wednesday. His attorney, Glennon Threatt, was also present for most of the phone call. Finebaum, through his Twitter account earlier in the day, said the show was looking to have him in studio...

But...

I personally couldn't guarantee Updyke's safety to our studio based on the number of threats he's been getting.

Jason Paul at Bleacher Report, presumably now with numb hands from all the transcription, has the greatest hits...

But here's Updyke's own recap...

"All you conspiracy theories: I stopped at the first station that sold drinks. I wasn't getting gas. I was not at the gas pump. I stopped to get a bottle of green tea. It was a busy place. I was talking on my telephone to Wayne Barnes, telling him what went on at the trial. I parked at the end. I've been back since. When a police officer came later, he parked at the same place i parked. I wasn't around back of the station or back by the bathroom. I was at the side of it. I pulled up and sat in the car for 30 to 45 minutes, was getting out of the car, turned around, and something hit me in the face. I'm not saying it's an Auburn fan. I've had numerous Alabama fans upset as the Auburn fans. The Tide for Toomer's people. I am not accusing anybody. The only thing I'm saying is you can look at my face and tell that I or somebody hit me. Both of my eyebrows are bruised. There's a straight line going from one to the other. I have a gash between my eyes, they said it may need a stitch or two. I have the band they put on your arm at the emergency room. I went in to the ER -- and another thing I'd like to say: I did go in the service station and ask them where the closest emergency room. I didn't go in there in pain or bleeding."

Updyke then says his rent has tripled on a fixed income, and he apologized up and down to everyone about what he did. He knows he's going to prison...

And, of course, he ends the phone call with "Roll Damn Tide".

Updyke said that: 'I don't want this to be my legacy. I don't want to be known as the TREE POISONER.'

The HQ thinks that's a little late in the game...

The interview can be heard in full hyah...

Coverage from WTVM-TV in Columbus is hyah...

More when we know more...

No Plea Deal For Al From Dadeville, UPDATE: Updyke Assaulted Afterwards

The lawyer for "Al From Dadeville" says prosecutors rejected a plea deal where his client would have avoided serving additional time in jail.

Defense attorney Glennon Threatt Jr. said he made what he calls a "low-ball" offer to the DA for his client, Almorn Harvey Updyke Jr., but prosecutors refused any deal. Threatt waived the preliminary hearing set for Wednesday as part of a deal for limited discovery in the case which will go before a Lee County ((AL)) grand jury next month.

“If he gives me anything now, I’m better off,” Threatt said."We had made what was an optimistic deal. As a defense lawyer my first job is to keep my client out of jail if I can. It seemed to me somebody should reach out and start negotiations."

Threatt maintains he would prefer an alternative sentencing - possibly outpatient mental health counseling, electronic monitoring and supervised probation.

Updyke is free on bond, but if he is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

Here's the magical phone call to the "Paul Finebaum Show..."
((HT: PFRN/youtube))


Threatt said Updyke told local police when he was initially interrogated that he didn't poison the trees. One of the trees is already showing signs of the effects of the Spike80DF while the other isn't to that stage yet.

2000 UPDATE: Updyke was apparently assaulted at a nearby gas station on his way home.

He told an Opelika, Alabama officer he was attacked when he stepped out of his car at a gas station on Birmingham Highway, according to Opelika Police Captain Allan Elkins.

Updyke claims that he was punched in the head, and believes there was more than one person involved. But Elkins said Updyke didn't see who may have done it. The gas station did not have surveillance video, and there were no witnesses.

“He has not really been too cooperative at this point,” Elkins said

Updyke was treated for small bruises and scratches at a hospital.

The HQ would like to welcome Updyke to his version of hell...
It has begun...

Here's the latest from WTVM-TV in Columbus...

BREAKING: Some Idiot Poisoned The Toomer's Oaks

((HT: OAnews.com))

The oak trees at Toomer's Corner were poisoned by an herbicide- as some maroon claimed responsibility on the January 27th Paul Finebaum Show.

PAWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!

The caller, "Al from Dadeville" called the sports show to discuss allegations that Auburn students had allegedly rolled Toomer's Corner after learning of famed UA football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's death in the early 1980s. "Al" then made the stunning admission that the week after the Iron Bowl in November 2010 he went to Toomer's Corner and dumped "Spike 80DF" on the trees.

"They're not dead yet, but they definitely will die."

When Finebaum asked if it was illegal to poison the trees, the man said "Do you think I care?" The caller ended the conversation with "Roll Damn Tide."

Here's the call, thanks to the PFRN and MyFoxAl/WBRC

The HQ thinks its the SEC version of Al Qaida...
Al Abama...

"We will take every step we can to save the Toomer’s oaks, which have been the home of countless celebrations and a symbol of the Auburn spirit for generations of Auburn students, fans, alumni and the community,” said Auburn University President Jay Gogue.

"It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism. However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed. Individuals act alone, not on behalf of anyone or any place, and all universities are vulnerable to and condemn such reprehensible acts."

The university announced that lab reports found a high dose of Spike 80DF was applied in "lethal amounts to the soil around the Toomer's Corner live oaks." Yeah, about 65 times the safe amount for usage...

The Auburn Police Division is investigating.

More when we know more...
Absolutely classless...

Here's WSFA-TV in Montgomery live at the intersection with Samuel King trying to do a live shot with traffic behind him...


Here's the live camera put up by the City of Auburn looking directly at Toomer's Corner...

Watch live streaming video from cityofauburntoomerscorner at livestream.com

Tim Brando Doesn't Work For ESPN, Pal...

((HT: Brooks))

Pawwwwwwwwlllllllll...

CBS's Tim Brando does a weekly drop on the PFRN, and it's usually very entertaining...

This past round was no different...
Evidence below...


Gawd, the HQ really likes Brando- if only because he doesn't take fools or idiots lightly when they call in...

My, how fiery...

Dye And Stallings Double-Team Finebaum

And, yes, we always ask at the HQ...

"Who the hell is Paul Finebaum...?"

One of the most influential members of the SEC media was taken to the woodshed today on his nationally-aired program by coaches Pat Dye and Gene Stallings...

The two coaches are, normally, on the air to discuss football with the man, but the discussion deteriorated into a 2-on-1 where Finebaum backtracked and could not defend a position he took in an interview with CBS-CSTV's Mike Leach.

To set this stuff up...

Leach was on Finebaum's program a week previous, and in the length of the discussion disclosed that he was "never fired for an NCAA violation."

Finebaum could have taken this soundbite two separate ways: 1) That Leach was talking about himself and slamming Texas Tech's administration for his dismissal, or 2) That Leach, because he was talking to an SEC host, made a thinly-veiled reference about Coaches Dye and Stallings and intimated that they had.

Stallings wasted no time in chasing after Finebaum...
((HT: Paul Finebaum Radio Network))

"It was also reported to me that you said that you knew... without a doubt that I was asked to resign. And that's not right at all... I just want to make sure that your listeners know what's true and what's not true."

Leach had said that they (meaning Dye and Stallings) were fired, too "based on the success they had so I guess I'm in pretty good company. Although, sufficed it to say I wasn't fired for violating NCAA rules."

Dye admitted in the exchange that he wasn't fired, either. Finebaum asserted that he knew that Stallings was asked to resign, and tried to determine that both coaches had their "panties in a wad" over the argument.

The main issue with both coaches toward the host that he did not defend their cases when Leach was on Finebaum's show, and when Finebaum was pressed, he went to commercial.

Part Two of the exchange had Dye so upset, at one point, he wondered aloud if the sponsor of the segment would still sponsor it if Leach was swapped out for the former Auburn coach.

"... if you want to have Mike Leach take my place, then call David up and see if he'll sponsor Mike Leach on the program..."

It was confrontational radio, and the HQ has to side with the coaches in this one...
Stallings admitted his feelings were hurt by Finebaum's lack of a defense of two of the most storied coaches in the SEC.

We also wonder if the relationship is now forever strained among these three...

For those not familiar with F-Baum's work, here's a story that CSTV did on him almost three seasons ago...
((HT: CBS))


Interestingly enough the day CSTV showed up, Coach Dye would be the topic...

OSG Sports: It's Time to Kick Paul Finebaum out of the SEC

This of whom we speak//Courtesy: finebaum.com

At the risk of starting a war...we...well, me...is getting increasingly tired of overfed, overblown, egotistical, hanging on in a dying world of newspaper columnists who just try crapping on everyone's parade...because they can.

What we...ahhmmm, I am speaking of is Paul Finebaum, an alleged columnist, radio host and spewer of venom.

At this point, you and hopefully he are asking, what was said to piss you off? The answer: Not one thing...several.

The last would be this, calling for Vanderbilt's exorcism from the SEC, read it on AL.com RIGHT HERE

Since, if he reads this, he undoubtedly will hammer on me not using proper AP style...or grammar among other things, we will first dissect the lack of logic...or knowledge in this story. We will be undoubtedly dubbed a stupid internet website, so what? Are we SEC insiders? No. We don't have to be.

First off, premise wise, this is an argument that needed to be made back...oh...say 10 years ago. Is Vandy ever going to be an SEC powerhouse? No. Are they competitive? Over the past 3 years they have been.

Secondly, applying the logic used here, the SEC also needs to get rid of Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Kentucky. Aside from Ole Miss' nice run at the end of the 2008 season and yes, we do know that each...including Vandy has had a bowl game season during this time period, none will ever win the SEC. According to this logic, they must be banished.

Yes, we know that Vandy plays in a crappy stadium and yes, we know that it is often filled with fans from the other teams. But, not every team can be Alabama now, can they? Using the logic here, the LA Clippers should have been banished from the NBA years ago. Same for the Oakland Raiders in the NFL. There are teams in almost every NCAA Football conference that suck, it's a fact of life.

I'll wrap things up by saying this. Folks in Alabama and in many cases the "Old-school" newspaper writers seem to have this perception that the college football...or more specifically the SEC universe revolves around them. To this, we...um...me...laughs. Yeah, sure, its great that Alabama has been back on top the past couple of years. Lest we forget that you sold your souls to get the Great Saban to be the coach/savior.

Yes, we know there really isn't anything else to support or back in the state. We get that. Really. And we know that the people there can't understand why it isn't like that in other places. Contrary to the opinion of most who cover SEC football for a living and yes a large chunk of the fans too, there is more to life than what happens on 12 Saturdays a year. Really...there is. Lighten up, you are taking things too seriously, way too seriously.

Here is a highly produced video for Vandy football. Thanks You Tube:

Is Mark Richt's Seat Getting Warm At Georgia?

Here it is late July and with conferences beginning their media days extravaganzas college football is becoming top of mind.

Some coaches will get rock star treatment (Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Pete Carroll), others will get scorched by the press and then their are those who go into media days with a warm feeling on their backsides. Those on the hot seat.

I never thought Georgia head coach Mark Richt would be one whose seat is feeling kind of toasty right now but as I was driving through Alabama last week I caught Paul Finebaum's radio show and he raised that very question.

In today's Mobile (Ala.) Press - Register, Finebaum brings up the Richt subject in his column which you can read by clicking here.

Richt faces the press Thursday in Birmingham and it will be interesting to see the line of questioning he receives. A year ago Richt was getting rock star treatment. This year might be a little different.

OSG's Phil Cantor will be reporting from SEC Media Days and I'm sure brother Phil will add more to this.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Finebaum: OBC Talks Urban To Irish

((HT: AJC/Hartstein))

There is no offseason when it comes to Steve Spurrier’s ability to stir things up.
Without prompting, the Head Ball Coach this week brought up rumors about Florida coach Urban Meyer ((HT: volnation.com)) bolting for Notre Dame.

Audio: Spurrier radio interview

In a long interview on the Paul Finebaum Radio Network, Spurrier called Meyer one of the nation’s top coaches, then digressed.

“They’ve still got that rumor going down there, Paul, that if he has about one more big year he might be the Notre Dame coach,” Spurrier said. “I know you’ve heard that rumor.”

Finebaum chimed in that “people at Notre Dame firmly believe” Meyer will jump to South Bend next year.

Meyer grew up in Ohio and has repeatedly referred to Notre Dame as his “dream job.” But he chose Florida over the Irish in 2004.

“It’d be surprising if he left, but who knows?” said Spurrier, the former Gators coach now heading South Carolina. “He’s accomplished so much. I mean, I left after 12 years because I just said, ‘Hey, I’ve done enough. Try something else.’ He may get to the point where he needs to try something else. Who knows?”

Confirming that he was speaking off the cuff, Spurrer added: “Maybe it was his dream job and not anymore. I don’t know.”

Paul Finebaum To Tennessee - Cut Kiffin

Paul Finebaum is a sports columnist for the Mobile (Ala.) Press Register who has a reputation as a coach killer. (There brother Phil, that's who Paul Finebaum is.) He is also a self proclaimed SEC fan and an alum of the University of Tennessee. Finebaum, a proud Vol, isn't taken to kindly to the ways of the new head football coach, Lane Kiffin. In fact, he would like to see Kiffin canned.

Finebaum writes, There is a simple solution to the anarchy at Tennessee. It doesn't require committee meetings or deep analysis. It might be costly in the short term, but the long-term effect will be bountiful.

To maintain even a modicum of integrity and respect in the world of college football, Tennessee needs to fire Lane Kiffin as its head football coach.

Immediately (if not sooner).

Finebaum goes on to call Kiffin a "buffoon" that's turning Tennessee football into "a national punchline."

I sure the Boy Wonder is smiling reading that column. Come to think of it, I've never seen Kiffin crack a smile yet wearing Tennessee orange.

It's a good read and click here to read the whole sha’bang.

We here at the OSG HG tend to agree but the Jon Gruden angle while interesting could but equally disastrous. Gruden never really liked young players coaching in the NFL and the veterans didn't like him either (especially quarterbacks). Just think how "Chucky" would do with the youngin's on the college level.

By the way, the OSG gang is struck by the contrast between Pat Summitt, who is adored on Rocky Top and is first class, and Lane Kiffin who is showing no class.

Its not unprecedented to fire an SEC head football coach before he's coached a game. Remember Mike Price's short tenure at Alabama? At least he saw boobies and didn't act like a big boob.

Majors: Hiring Fulmer a "Mistake"

Former Tennessee Head Coach Johnny Majors ((pictured right, thanks Knoxville News-Sentinel/Bob Fowler)) is taking shots at current Tennessee Head Coach Philip Fulmer any chance he can get these days.

A few weeks ago, Majors told the Chattanooga Times-Free Press that he thinks Defensive Coordinator John Chavis has kept Fulmer at his current employ for the last ten years.

This time, according to govolsextra.com and the Knoxville News-Sentinel, on the "Paul Finebaum Radio Show" Majors also said that if he had any advice for the Vols ills he wouldn't "offer it to the person in charge over there trying to coach the team,”

About the Fulmer hiring:

“There’s nothing funny about it, but that was one of the main mistakes I made in my coaching career,” Majors admitted after some goading from Finebaum. “Maybe that’s the major mistake, but I’m not going to talk about what they’re doing now.”

Then he went and did, anyway...

You can hear the conversation by clicking into the black...

((ed. note- Brother Phil would, of course, like to ask the following))

Who in the hell is Paul Finebaum...?