Strange bird

posted by LW, Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Touched on the Jim Leavitt situation yesterday. But, as usual, Leavitt and his antics are something you just can't take your eyes off of.

As we already noted, Leavitt disputes the allegation that he grabbed a player by the neck and slapped him in the face multiple times at halftime of a recent game.

But Leavitt's explanation doesn't exactly leave one convinced he's not a crazed animal.

"I'm very disappointed in what was written,'' Leavitt told The Tampa Tribune. "It's untrue and completely false. I want to get the truth out. The most damage I did during halftime in that locker room was to my face.''

So the guy assaults himself instead of his players? Now that's comforting.

Some players are saying he suffered the injuries head-butting a walk-on to fire up the team.

Football is a violent sport, but good grief.

Imagine being South Florida assistant David Blackwell and going from coaching under Tommy Bowden to working for this nut job.

Leavitt's, uh, boundless enthusiasm is a neat story until the guy emerges from the locker room with his face bloodied and allegations of assault in his wake.

This columnist says it might be time for Leavitt to tone down the Tasmanian Devil antics.


Guru Todd McShay unveils his mock NFL Draft, and you'll need an ESPN Insider subscription to see it.

But a source close to the situation indicates McShay has a certain defensive end from Clemson going to the New England Patriots with the 25th pick, and a certain running back from Clemson going to the Green Bay Packers with the 26th pick.

Paul Strelow says DeAndre McDaniel is "leaning" toward staying in school if he's given a second-round grade.

Wise decision, I'd say. DMac's athleticism and instincts are superb, but his tackling needs some work.

Interesting situation in Atlanta with Georgia Tech's juniors.

You have to think Derrick Morgan is gone. You have to think Demaryius Thomas doesn't have much left to prove. And you have to think Jonathan Dwyer doesn't have much to gain by submitting to another season of between-the-tackles pounding as the Yellow Jackets' B back.

Also, Paul Johnson says he's going to take a serious look at a defense that seriously stunk this season.


Strange move for Vic Koenning, who appears to be the new DC at Illinois.

VK was thought to be a serious candidate to replace Willie Martinez at Georgia.

You wonder why he leaves his alma mater after one year to join an unstable situation under Zooker at Illinois.

Maybe it can be explained by the salary Illinois will pay Paul Petrino.

Skip Holtz again appears to be a candidate at Cincinnati, and you have to think he's considering it more seriously this time.

Boy, Bud Foster would be a great fit at ECU if Skippy does bolt.

As we told you last week, Tajh Boyd is going to see his role elevated during bowl practice -- a lot like Kyle Parker last December.

Willy Korn talks about advertising his services on Craigslist.

Well, he didn't go that far. But it might not be a bad idea.

In the Greenville News and Independent-Mail, stories on tonight's basketball game at East Carolina.

So long, Karolis Petrukonis. We hardly knew ye.


LW

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