ICYMI: Photo of Manziel Signing for Broker Emerges

So...here we are, the day before Texas A&M plays Alabama at home, in College Station and what should suddenly appear on the inter webs?

A photo of Aggie QB Johnny Manziel signing autographs for a broker.

And not just any broker, but the guy who ESPN says paid him for said autographs. Said autographs that earned the defending Heisman Trophy winner a half-game off in the Aggies season opener.

But there's no proof of said payment.

Sure, the photo, showing Manziel and autograph broker Drew Tieman looks pretty bad. And the timing of it's appearance raises more than a few questions.

But there's still nothing to prove a transaction between the two took place.

Yes, ESPN.com did a story saying Tieman paid an authentication service $10,000 to certify the autographs, but that money didn't go to Manziel.

Read the story and see the photo RIGHT HERE

For their part, A and M is not commenting on anything having to do with this issue. And there are pitfalls that go along with not saying anything, nor allowing Manziel to speak for himself.

Though if you consider the hype, consider the circus and consider the storm that anything the kid does creates in the blogging world, why would you make him accessible?

Add in CBS, which is going to foist the "Johnny Cam" on us during the Aggies game with Alabama, and you can see why the kid is becoming over-exposed.

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))

Reports: More Memorabilia Issues for Johnny Manziel (Does it matter?)

((ht: espn.com))

Just when you think you've heard enough about Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, there's more.

On the heels of Monday's report by ESPN's Outside the Lines that Manziel accepted a hefty payment for autographing memorabilia before the BCS Championship game, comes Tuesday's follow up.

That follow alleges that Manziel was paid $7500 for signing helmets while attending a Walter Camp Foundation event and that there is video to prove it.

Now mind you. the video, according to ESPN's Joe Schad, who has allegedly seen it, doesn't show Manziel taking any money. But...Schad reports that it does have audio of Manziel telling the broker "you never did a signing with me" and that if the broker ever told on him, he'd never do business with him again.

The broker says Manziel wanted the money to buy new rims for his car. (odd)

Now...that being said. It appears the broker in question wanted money to allow ESPN to run the video.

They declined. (Good for them)

Read Schad's entire story RIGHT HERE

This story is quickly becoming fascinating to follow for several reasons. If you are a Twitter reader, I suggest you check out @jaybilas's feed. He's had some harsh and not unfounded criticism of the NCAA, who are already investigating this.

The discussion is raging over whether Manziel should be suspended, penalized or otherwise if the allegations are true.

And...in the big picture and reality of things, no he shouldn't.

BUT!!!!

Ask the University of Georgia if A.J Green should have been punished for charging $1000 for a signed jersey. (He served 4-games) Green's suspension ruined what could have been a potential championship year.

It will be very, very interesting to see how this is handled. Yes, there's been a lot of discussion of the NCAA and their uneven enforcement. And this case may be their highest profile one yet. If they can prove any of the allegations, technically, it's a rules violation.

But we do not believe they'll be able to prove this. We don't. But Texas A&M is prepared, Monday evening, they retained the services of the same law firm that represented Cam Newton and Auburn when they were being investigated.

No, in the end, we believe this will end up being a lot of smoke, a lot of talk and oh, so little action. But for now, it's making for great theater.