Events
Caveat Emptor: Celebrity Football Camps
After what has easily been the most hectic 24 hours in my four years of blogging, I'm at the point I've known from the beginning would be the hardest: figuring out what I need to write. Burnt Orange Nation is not a news organization, and I am not a reporter.
However, we are a vibrant community of Texas fans, which means that on occasion outside groups come to us, as the Texas Premier Football Camp did when it asked us to promote its upcoming football camp. After being assured the event was for charity (a site policy), I agreed to promote the event, and did so enthusiastically here.
Because of that and that alone, I'm reporting on details pertaining to that camp that have subsequently surfaced. After careful consideration of what should and shouldn't be reported on the blog, I've decided that camp participants and potential registrars are entitled to the following information, broken down by subject:
ROY WILLIAMS
Two attorneys for Creative Artists Agency, Tracy Lartigue and Mark Heligman insist that Roy Williams will not be attending the camp on July 10th and 11th. Mr. Heligman issued the following statement to me at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday: "Though Roy wishes his good friends B.J. and Sloan all the best in their endeavors, he will not be attending their camp."
At 5:30 p.m., I heard a radio interview with Roy Williams from last week in which he very much sounded like he was attending the camp. After I posted this update to BON, Tracy Lartigue phoned me to say that the commitment heard on the radio was a soft one and that Roy was not in fact attending.
At 7:00 p.m., B.J. Johnson told me that he had just spoken to Roy Williams personally. Johnson said Williams was "trying to make his schedule work so that he could attend." Camp participants who are counting on seeing Roy Williams should follow up with the camp office if they have any questions; as far as I'm concerned, I've hit an impasse. BJ says he believes Roy's going to make it. Mr. Lartigue insists he is not. I have no idea.
MICHAEL GRIFFIN
I spoke with Michael Griffin today at 1:15 p.m.; he informed me that he had never agreed to do the camp and in fact is hosting his own camp a week after the TPFC.
B.J. Johnson told me at 7:00 p.m. that Michael Griffin's name will be removed from the camp website.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE CAPITAL AREA
At 6:45 p.m., Mark Kiester, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area, told me that my phone call marked the first time he was hearing about the football camp and that B&GC had not authorized the charity's name to be used with the event. He noted that Michael Huff and Derrick Johnson had previously done a terriffic basketball event for his organization, but that he had not been informed of any upcoming football camp run by BJ Johnson, Sloan Thomas, or Roy Williams.
When I told BJ Johnson this at 7:00 p.m., he said that the charity was being coordinated through Roy Williams' aunt, who has been involved with the TPFC from the beginning. Johnson also mentioned Michael Huff's previous basketball event as a connection to the Boys and Girls Club.
I phoned back Mark Kiester, who said, "I could not have nicer things to say about Michael Huff and Derrick Johnson and the work they've done for this organization. They are two of the best success stories of the Boys and Girls Club I can think of. However, it is absolutely necessary that if BJ Johnson and the Texas Premier Football Camp would like to continue to list the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area as its partner, they need to immediately phone our office to go through the partnership procedures, as we do with every event."
CONCLUSION
Among the many things that became clear to me today was that "no-shows" among confirmed guests are common at these types of camps. Given that and the careless manner in which this particular camp has been organized (a charitable characterization, given the Griffin and B&GC situations), Burnt Orange Nation will no longer promote any camps of this kind in the future.
I will not be reporting on the record anything else from today. If camp participants have any further questions that they think I can help them with, they may phone me at 949-910-9238 or send me an email. I will help best I can.
NOTE: COMMENTS FOR THIS POST ARE CLOSED.
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Under Investigation: Texas Football Camps
Though I will withhold specifics pending the conclusion of my investigation, I feel obligated to note - following Monday's enthusiastic endorsement of the 2008 Texas Premier Football Camp - that I am working late into Tuesday night on an investigation involving allegations against the very same camp. If those allegations are proven false, there's quite a story about another Texas football camp (the source of the charges); if proven true, there's no way I could possibly stand by my initial endorsement.
In the meantime, I felt it important to state publicly that Monday's endorsement is on hold, pending the outcome of my inquiry.
[UPDATE 9:05 a.m.] While I try to get at the final story behind all this, let me note on the record that I just spoke with B.J. Johnson, who emphatically denies the misrepresentation I'm investigating: "Every [player] listed on the Premier Camp website is coming to the camp." More as soon as I can put the last pieces of this together. This is one of the most bizarre sequences of events I've ever personally encountered.
[UPDATE 11:34 a.m.] I just got off the phone with Roy Williams' attorney Mark Heligman, who informs me that Williams will not be in attendance at the Texas Premier Camp and that CAA has sent a cease and desist letter to BJ Johnson and the camp organizers.
[UPDATE 11:59 a.m.] To clarify a question I received, there's nothing criminal being investigated here. This started because BON wrote a glowing endorsement for the Texas Premier Camp, and took a turn last night when a relevant party informed me that the camp was misrepresenting the participating parties. Both sides have since accused the other of lying, and I've been working to sort it out. In the meantime, I just didn't feel right leaving that initial endorsement post up. We rarely agree to promote events at BON; in this case, it's proving problematic.
[UPDATE 1:28 p.m.] I just got off the phone with Michael Griffin, who also stated he will not be in attendance at the Texas Premier Football Camp. Details in the full story, which is coming together quickly now. (If you're wondering, the answer is yes, he was surprised that the person asking him questions concluded the conversation with a big hat tip to his Rose Bowl interception in 2006.)
[UPDATE 5:43 p.m.] Just when you think things are coming together... they change. As of late last week, Roy Williams was on the radio saying he'd be participating in the camp. As of today, obviously, he's not. The story remains on hold while people try to bridge that gap for me.
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2008 Texas Premier Football Camp Set For July
[UPDATE: Burnt Orange Nation's endorsement of this event is withdrawn, following the findings in this report.]

Cool: Attending a football camp hosted by B.J. Johnson, Roy Williams, and Sloan Thomas.
Cooler: Attending a football camp whose coaches include Nathan Vasher, Jonathan Scott, Richard Hightower, Michael Huff, Chris Simms, Bo Scaife, Michael Griffin, Derrick Johnson, and Kasey Studdard.
Coolest: Part of the proceeds go to support the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area.
For those with youngsters in the region, the 2008 Texas Premier Football Camp will once again be held in Austin during July. This year's camp will take place at LBJ High School on Thursday, July 10th and Friday, July 11th, with each practice running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The cost of the program is $225. Frankly, I'm shocked it's not more - that's a great price for two days the kids will never forget. (Seriously. I still vividly remember watching TJ Ford lead the dribbling drills at a camp I was attending, then being overjoyed when I was singled out for proper execution of the backwards loopty-loop thing. Or whatever it was called. Who remembers these things?)
Best of all, a chunk of the proceeds support a great organization, so if you're on the fence trying to decide between camp and gasoline for a week... do the right thing. Support a great local charity and save the environment while taking the bus because you're too broke for gas. Everyone wins.
What: 2008 Texas Premier Football Camp
Who: Young football enthusiasts (ages 7-18) and their coaches, who you may recognize
When: July 10-11, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Where: LBJ High School (map)
How: To register, visit the online application center
Why: You heart charity and Texas football and your kids. Right?
Right.
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Surprise NCAA Championship Opportunity!
Join the fun here as #7 Texas goes up against defending champions #4 Georgia, in a rematch of an indoor event that the 'Horns lost 4-2. The match is on ESPNU, and you can also follow it at Tulsa's tournament site . Check the comments of this post to answer some basic questions about the game format.
Georgia's #1 singles player transferred from UT to Georgia and won a national championship last year. Let's show him he didn't have to go so far.
Hook 'em!
[Note by Horn Brain, 05/20/08 7:46 PM CDT ] Texas takes the doubles point with wins on courts 2 and 3, despite Georgia nearly taking the match on 1. Texas needs to at least split the singles matches to win the championship.
[Note by Horn Brain, 05/20/08 9:49 PM CDT ] Congratulations to the back-to-back champion Georgia Bulldogs, but more importantly, congratulations to the Longhorns. They put together a hell of a run through this tournament, beating the #2, 3 and 9 teams in the process. This is the farthest Texas has ever advanced in the NCAA tourny, so one step at a time, I guess. Did I mention Big XII champions? Hook 'em 'Horns!
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Post Alert
As with Orange 44's running diary of the National Spelling Bee a couple days ago, we have on our hands another post that deserves instant, solo attention.
Brian from MGoBlog offers a defense of soccer that is among the best pieces of sports writing I've read this, or any, year. It manages to be both thorough and concise at the same time, covering every major sport with the fluid touch only the most thoughtful and talented writers can draw on.
There is a reason that Brian is one of the most-cited, oft-praised sports bloggers in this little college sports universe that we traverse. He is, I think more and more every day, the best sports writer I know.
Go enjoy.
--PB--
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Quick Hits: James Brown, Greg Davis, Bracketology
*The Dallas Morning News has a feature on former quarterback James Brown, who is one of those guys remembered for one play more than anything else. "I get asked about 'Roll Left' probably about every two weeks," Brown said. "We had run that play many times before. But everybody remembers that one because of the atmosphere of the game."
*Tough luck if you're among those who want Greg Davis gone, like, yesterday. The AAS reports that Davis is happy where he is and not going anywhere.
*The hoops team falls slightly in this week's rankings, netting a 7th rank in the AP and 8th in the Coaches Poll. ESPN's newest bracket projection, meanwhile, downgrades the Horns to a #2 seed, but notes that they can easily play their way back to a #1, and probably will.
--PB--
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Season Recap: Week 2
I think most of us remember this game pretty well. In the game that may very well change the way coaches schedule their nonconference season, the Horns went in to Columbus at night and pulled off an unprecedented victory. Our gameday report card is below:

Gameday Report Card
Passing
Vince Young completed 18 of 29 passes for 270 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He completed passes to six different receivers, including two beautiful touchdown strikes, one to Limas Sweed and the other to Billy Pittman. His only mistakes came in the middle portion of the game when he tried to do too much. He'll learn from that and emerges this week better than before. Wow, that's scary.
Grade: A-
Rushing
Between Vince Young (20 rushes, 100 yards), Selvin Young (5 rushes, 11 yards), Jamaal Charles (10 rushes, 37 yards), and Henry Melton (2 rushes, 2 yards), Texas managed 150 rushing yards against the vaunted Ohio State defense. But most of that came very early in the game. After Ohio State packed in the box, the Texas running game was largely contained. Still, the early running success eventually paid off, as Texas was able to pass down the field in the 4th quarter for the winning score. RIP Selvin Young. When he wasn't fumbling, he was running straight into the pile at the line of scrimmage. The coaches said he injured his ankle. I say he's just not very good. Welcome to your new starting role, Jamaal Charles. Charles wasn't enormously effective, but he was a lot better than Selvin, he protected the football, and he impressed me with his toughness, despite being relatively undersized. Charles will make a fine feature back, and a very nice platoon partner with Hank the Tank.
Grade: B-
Receiving
Well, well, well. Texas has a passing game. The questions lingering about who, besides David Thomas, could catch a pass were answered on Saturday as Billy Pittman and Limas Sweed caught Vince Young touchdown passes and helped balance the offense as Ohio State shut down the run. We've been very skeptical/critical of Limas Sweed at ATL, but he earned his keep on Saturday night, hauling one of the biggest catches in Texas football history. Pittman was outstanding, showing good hands and speed and racking up 130 yards in receiving. Equally impressive was Jamaal Charles, who caught 6 passes for 69 yards. David Thomas didn't have his best game, but he'll be fine. A great job by the receivers all around.
Grade: A
Defense
Give Vince Young a game ball, for sure. But the true heroes of this one were on the defensive end of the field. Gene Chizik's crew were outstanding, making tough stand after tough stand after the offense went to sleep. Without their heroics, Texas certainly loses the game. Rodrique Wright was a force in the middle, the linebackers were ferocious and disciplined, and the secondary did a great job keeping Ohio State's two big playmakers from breaking open the game. The lone touchdown scored by Ohio State was simply a perfect pass and catch--virtually impossible to defend. You simply can't overstate how good the defense was on Saturday.
Grade: A+
Special Teams
An unmitigated disaster, and nearly the difference in the game. Six kickoff returns for 191 yards? The difference in average starting field position was nearly fatal. Again, without the defense's otherworldly performance, this game could have gotten out of hand. The punting game was decent, though not great. Only David Pino saves this crew from getting an F, emerging as a reliable kicker in as pressure-packed a situation as he'll ever face. A tremendous job.
Grade: C
Coaching
We've covered this pretty exhaustively now. Gene Chizik did a great job. Greg Davis had his spots. Overall, the coaches had a good day, save the special teams coach, who ought to be fired. Mack Brown should get some much deserved credit. He's not a brilliant game day tactician, a la Bob Stoops, but he continues to field nationally elite teams, and he's finally winning some big games. He reminds me of Bobby Bowden, serving as a sort of Godfather of the program. He's very, very good at it, and I'm very, very thankful that he's our coach.
Grade: B+
Overall
Overall, you can't say enough about this win. Texas wasn't perfect, but that's simply an unrealistic expectation in a game of that magnitude, in that hostile an environment. They weren't perfect, but they were victors. For that, you simply can't give them anything less than an A+
--PB--
Hopefully you were able to watch the replay of the game on ESPN Classic on Saturday. It was a thrilling game and, along with USC-Notre Dame, one of the two best games of the year. We can only hope the Rose Bowl will be as exciting. And rewarding.
--PB--
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T.J. Ford to the rescue?
Following the Horns' embarrassing 800 point loss to Duke last Saturday, Rick Barnes got a call from the player that put UT hoops on the map, T.J. Ford. The lightning quick point guard reportedly told Barnes to put Daniel Gibson on the phone and a 20 minute conversation ensued.
This is as welcome a news story as I've seen all week, frankly. I don't care if Texas played and lost to Duke 10 times out of 10. They shouldn't have lost by double-digits in any game, let alone by the horrific margin of Saturday's massacre.
I think Rick Barnes does a lot of things well, and one of his strengths is making adjustments after losses. There's no room for that in March, though, so it's imperative that he gets the Longhorns peaking before more adjustments are needed. The Horns return to action on Saturday with a game against Tennessee. We'll have a full preview of the game soon.
Oh, and F Duke.
--PB--
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Positional Breakdown: USC Receivers
A look now at the USC skill players. Like we did with Texas, after each player's main statistics, we'll have a rating for each receiver in categories we're labeling as "Hands" (sure-handedness), "Possession" (ability to be a possession receiver), "Explosiveness" (big play threat), and "Importance" (importance in the Rose Bowl). Each rating is on a 1 (worst) to 5 (best) scale.
Dwayne Jarrett: 81 catches, 1153 yards, 14.2 Average, 15 TD
Hands: 4
Possession: 4
Explosiveness: 4
Importance: 5
Jarrett is Leinart's Go-To Guy, and he's a receiver that can do everything. He has the size and hands to be a possession receiver and the big play ability to take you deep. One of the most intriguing matchups of the Rose Bowl will be underrated Texas CB Cedric Griffin trying to contain him. Jarrett reminds me of Mike Williams in a way. He's not the fastest guy around, but he's awfully good at using his big frame to be a lethal collegiate receiver. I think the USC receiver coaches know what they're doing.
Steve Smith: 57 catches, 928 yards, 16.3 Average, 5 TD
Hands: 4
Possession: 3
Explosiveness: 5
Importance: 4
Oklahoma is still having nightmares about this guy from last year's Orange Bowl. Smith was the recipient of three Leinart touchdown bombs in the title game rout. Smith is the guy that you can forget about when you're keying in on all of USC's other weapons. It's not an accident that their offense is as prolific as it is. It's easy to forget that Smith and Jarrett are just a junior and sophomore pair, respectively.
Dominique Byrd: 25 catches, 274 yards, 11.0 Average, 2 TD
Hands: 4
Possession: 3
Explosiveness: 2
Importance: 3
Leinart doesn't use his tight end much, but can you blame him? When you've got such explosive guys like Bush, Jarrett, and Smith to throw to, why nickel and dime your way down the field? If the Texas secondary is doing a good job on the wideouts, though, Byrd may need to play a larger role in the offense.
Reggie Bush: 31 catches, 383 yards, 12.3 Average, 2 TD
Hands: 4
Possession: 2
Explosiveness: 5
Importance: 4
Mr. Heisman doesn't just run the ball. While his kick returning skills get overblown a bit, he's a real threat as a receiver. Bush is at his best when he's got open field in front of him and he can do that Gale Sayers thing. Just another reason why this offense is so hard to slow down.
--PB--
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Big test for Texas D-Line
Watching the Trojan D-Line blow UCLA's smaller defensive line off the ball was impressive, and scary. It's going to be vital that Wright, Orapko and the rest at least hold their own against USC's massive (and physical) line. Gene Chizik's defense is keyed around clogging up the blocks and letting speedy linebackers and DBs make the plays. That will be instrumental in trying to slow down You Know Who.
--PB--
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