Trent Richardson

I would prefer as a matter of BON recruiting policy not to discuss rumors and speculation about a player’s alleged association with so-called “street agents” unless there is firm evidence. For instance, Reggie Bush — no one is talking, but there is fairly substantial evidence. The Temple running back — no firm evidence, but comments about he and his friends being a “three-ring circus” from someone who covers recruiting extensively are suspcious. Trent Richardson — no firm evidence of which I am aware. Bryce Brown — clear evidence of a handler with dubious intentions.

I feel like this is a matter of respect and a matter of journalistic standards. Any comments about alleged agents or handlers should be couched with those qualifiers, ie clearly expressing that it is a rumor or that it is speculation if there isn’t significant, published evidence. Besides trying to approximate journalistic standards, the other reason is to respect the kids, because they don’t deserve to be the target of spurious rumors of dubious origins.

I hope that doesn’t sound too harsh towards you, jrod, but those are just my personal feelings on the subject when it comes up regarding any players.

when referencing a published account of this nature?

I’m pretty sure people in here know exactly who Bryce Brown and Trent Richardson are. Like GoBR said, there’s not really any confirmation on the rumor of Richardson’s having a handler. With Brown, there’s no speculation that he had a street agent.

If people in here actually confused the two, they wouldn’t be talking about why UT’s approach to recruiting the guy was so casual. Bryce Brown wasn’t a target at all. Trent Richardson was, even if only a casual one.

But by all means, continue with the indignant attitude.

Completely unnecessary. If you have something substantive to say, please feel free to say it. If you don’t, feel free to find somewhere else to throw around insults and make rash generalizations.

But the fact that you didn’t know for certain betrays your ignorance.

And I’ll be duly embarrassed by my own role in the theoretical loss.

But you’re not a part of the team, period.

By the way, I don’t think any of the Alabama fans in my office are as bad as you are at spelling. It must be the blog.

with GoBR’s comment. Check the time stamp. And BOH was involved in none of it. You have been railing over nothing. Just blowing off steam? Try a glass of scotch. And spell check.

I should make my feelings about it more explicit and put it somewhere on the web site. You are correct about the value of providing a link — what I’m more concerned about is qualifying such statements. For instance, saying “There are rumors that Richardson had a handler,” then perhaps explaining briefly why it might be possible or some evidence would have been an ideal way to express what you wanted to say.

I just refrain from talking trash toward other teams’ fans as though I or they were part of either team. It’s a respect thing for me, as an acknowledgment that these kids are accomplishing something that neither I nor the opposing fans could. At 130-135lbs. coming out of high school, I wouldn’t have been able to start for Rice, let alone Texas, which is why I wouldn’t talk trash to an Owls fan after a UT blowout over Rice, because I had nothing to do with it other than cheering, and neither did the Owls fan.

and ended up just dreaming.