DEVELOPING: Manziel Suspended For First Half Vs. Rice (UPDATED w/NCAA Response)

((HT: ESPN/McMurphy))

Well, is this the beginning or just the beginning of the end...???

Brett McMurphy is reporting that JFF is suspended for the first half of the Rice matchup...

In an agreement between the NCAA and Texas A&M, the NCAA has acknowledged Manziel did not receive money for signing autographs.

However, after not discussing the matter Tuesday, In the Ess-E-Cee teleconference Wednesday, TAMU head coach Kevin Sumlin ungagged the school-mandated gag order and talked about how his QB has dealt with everything in the off-season...

"Johnny's handled it very well," Sumlin said. "Everything around football, he's been extremely sharp and focused."

The HQ would like to remind everyone of the following 2 words: "Plausible deniability..."

Here's your flashback involving Jack Ford talking with Tim Brando about JFF...
((HT: CBS Sports))


More when we know more...

From the NCAA their own selves...

Texas A&M University and the NCAA confirmed today that there is no evidence that quarterback Johnny Manziel received money in exchange for autographs, based on currently available information and statements by Manziel. Due to an inadvertent violation regarding the signing of certain autographs, Texas A&M declared Manziel ineligible and submitted the following conditions for reinstatement to the NCAA:

A one-half game suspension for Manziel

Manziel will address the team regarding the situation and lessons learned

Texas A&M will revise its future education concerning student-athlete autographs for individuals with multiple items

Based on the information submitted by the university, the NCAA accepted the conditions as put forward by Texas A&M. If additional information comes to light, the NCAA will review and consider if further action is appropriate.

NCAA rules are clear that student-athletes may not accept money for items they sign and based on information provided by Manziel, that did not happen in this case.

Manziel Questioned By NCAA, Both Sides Full Steam Ahead...

((HT: Feldman/CBS Sports))

Time for everyone to quote Bruce Feldman...

Johnny Manziel met with the NCAA on Sunday and denied allegations he took money for signing autographs- and pretty much denied everything...

For five and a half hours... and the focus was his financial records...

"The focus of our coaches and student athletes is solely on preparing for Rice this Saturday, and in the best interests of Texas A&M and the 100-plus student-athletes on the team, I have instructed Coach Sumlin, his staff and our student-athletes to refrain from commenting on or answering questions regarding the status of our starting quarterback, Johnny Manziel," athletic director Eric Hyman said in a prepared statement.

But that hasn't stopped anyone from talking about Manziel as the starter this weekend against Rice...

Here's Feldman on "The Dan Patrick Show"
((HT: Dan Patrick Show their own selves))

Texas A&M Continues Running Smack on Alabama

aggielandoutfitters.com

Have ya ever heard the saying "Be careful what you wish for?"

That would be our piece of advice to the happy-go-lucky crew over at Texas A&M.

Just one day after Athletic Director Eric Hyman started a Twitter battle by saying "What does the Moon and Texas A&M Have in Common? We control the Tide", the t-shirt has arrived.

Yes, that is it there on the right.

Most of you know the Aggies stunned themselves and the world by going 11-2 last year, their first in the SEC, beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa and had a Heisman Trophy winner.

Not a bad 2012.

But the question asked is: Should you not let sleeping dogs lie? Yes, we know Nick Saban and Alabama are heading to College Station this upcoming season, but do you really want to talk smack now?

Of course, you can add them to the list of people that includes a University of Florida defensive coach and Arkansas head coach Brett Bielema.

We all will see what happens in Week #3.