Rap Sheet Update. There's been plenty of Cedric Benson discussion over in the FanPosts, with Benson (and those with him on the boat) claiming he was unlawfully arrested by overzealous LCRA patrolmen. Yesterday, Chicago Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo weighed in on the situation, calling the incident a "lapse of judgement" on Benson's part, while iterating that the team had no plans to cut the former Texas tailback loose.
''The thing that I am most disappointed in is the fact that he put himself in a position to be the victim,'' Angelo said at the opening of the Bears' black-tie charity ball Saturday at Soldier Field. ''He's done a real fine job in the offseason. Obviously, this makes big story lines. That's not good for business.''
Elsewhere, former cornerback Tarell Brown, now with the San Francisco 49ers, officially signed a plea deal for a misdemeanor weapons charge dating back to 2006. If Brown meets the terms of the deal (community service, no further trouble, etc.), the misdemeanor charge will be dropped. Brown was suspended for the Longhorns' 2006 home game against Ohio State for the incident.
Texas-Michigan State series to Houston. The Statesman is reporting that the second game of a four-game series between the Texas and Michigan State basketball teams will continue this winter in Houston at the Toyota Center. The two teams met this past December at The Palace in Detroit. Games three and four of the series will be played on each team's home court.
Baseball hits home stretch this week. The Longhorns baseball team will conclude its 10 day break for finals when it resumes action this Wednesday in a doubleheader against A&M. That would be Alabama A&M. The Big 12 season concludes for the 'Horns this weekend with a three game set against Texas A&M. As 40AS reminded us last week, the series matters.
Of course, of far greater importance than the Lone Star Showdown are the Big 12 standings, where Texas languishes at a mediocre 12-12. The 'Horns 29-19 overall record has them in decent enough shape to earn an NCAA berth, but this is easily the worst position Texas has been in at this point in the season in recent memory.
Even the quickest of glances at the season stat box reveals two of the biggest culprits: the team is slugging a paltry .452 (down from .499 a year ago), while the pitchers have a lousy 352:164 K:BB ratio (448:170 a season ago).
Having Joe Jamail on your team is a good thing. The legendary Texas benefactor is at again, though his latest donation isn't sports related. Texas officials announce Jamail has created $15 million worth of endowments with the university for law, nursing and undergraduate studies.
Admittedly, I mention this primarily for a good excuse to post this video of Jamail taking a deposition. (Sort of.)
You wanna take this outside?