RG3 with a logical take (Rich Eisen Show)
November 15th, 2023 at 6:43 PM ^
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is RG3 saying that ESPN has info that they aren't sharing with the public?
November 15th, 2023 at 6:46 PM ^
Yes he said they know stuff they are not at liberty to say. I call BS.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:48 PM ^
Is there any truth to the rumor that Petitti has an office for ESPN / Thamel adjacent to his office at the B1G HQ in Chicago?
As this moves forward - I hope there’s an opportunity to ask how ESPN knew the B1G suspension before Michigan was informed.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:55 PM ^
And just as importantly, how could they be told before Fox? What is the big ten doing here?
November 15th, 2023 at 7:05 PM ^
I think ESPN said they found out by a FOIA request which makes absolutely 0 sense unless the B1G is feeding things directly to ESPN under the guise that ESPN asked via the FOIA form so the B1G just gives them everything the instant they find out about it.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:08 PM ^
B1G is a private organization. It is not subject to FOIA requests.
November 15th, 2023 at 8:07 PM ^
I’m sure ESPN said that but no. FOI requests take a while to get processed. I call BS (yet again) on ESPN
November 15th, 2023 at 7:27 PM ^
I don't know what the inside of the Big Ten HQ looks like, but I've eaten at the Brazilian steakhouse next to it and it's delicious.
November 15th, 2023 at 8:22 PM ^
I ate at a Churrascaria in São Paolo several years ago and experienced my only burp vomit.
November 15th, 2023 at 8:47 PM ^
I've done that once as well, Mexican food on top of a snot bubble in the tummy. When the bubble burped, all that great food went with it. Then I was hungry again.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:37 PM ^
And now I'm not hungry anymore.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:50 PM ^
If they had more information, someone would have released it. There is a 0% chance that any ESPN ‘journalist’ said “buy, that would make UM look even worse but my awesome ethics won’t let me leak it”.
i call bullshit on other info.
November 15th, 2023 at 8:25 PM ^
The “I’m first to report…” aspect tells me that ESPN isn’t hiding anything. Unless it’s something that would exonerate Harbaugh.
November 16th, 2023 at 7:32 AM ^
I am NOT at liberty to say that is all a fabricated witch designed to make Jim Harbaugh look bad.
I am not at liberty say that the NCAA has cleared Jim Harbaugh of any personal involvement.
I am not at liberty to say that the quality of the advanced scouting rendered it inferior to other means of advance scouting.
I am not at liberty to say that Michigan broke a cost saving rule with no impact on the game.
I am not at liberty say that probation is the appropriate punishment given the findings so far.
I am not at liberty to say that the University Presidents will redefine Big 10 management at year end.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:46 PM ^
It’s fair to say that ESPN doesn’t have any information.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
RGIII said "I think there's a lot of information we know behind the scenes that we're not at liberty to share, but for me, just me in general, I think I know the same thing Paul Finebaum knows and other people on our network know. You have to allow due process to run its course and I don't think there was an unfair advantage on the football field"
November 15th, 2023 at 6:55 PM ^
I don't think this is really a big admission. Anybody who is as close to an industry as these guys are to sports and college football knows some secrets and where a few bodies are buried.
I doubt it's some ESPN conspiracy and their sitting on some specific information. It's more likely that they know things that anybody in their position would be aware of or hear about.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:57 PM ^
That quote is literally saying ESPN is burying info that would put this situation in much less harsh light.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:22 PM ^
In the context of the whole interview, it sounded more like RG3 was saying people at ESPN know things they can't talk about and that could be why people like Finebaum are so harsh on Harbaugh.
Eisen heard it the same way and asked RG3 this as a follow up pretty directly. RG3 dismissed that really being the case and said what he knows doesn't really change his (RG3's) opinion.
I think RG3--who I do like on television--really just likes to hear himself talk and sometimes just says things. I honestly wouldn't read that much into this. It's probably something as stupid as someone from the NCAA told them they have proof Stalions was at the CMU game or something.
November 15th, 2023 at 8:32 PM ^
Possible that ESPN is burying info that would help Michigan. If so, there is a possible agenda to bury Michigan, talk about them cheating, get them banned from the playoff which would get 2 SEC teams in which in turn helps ESPN. Call me crazy lol
November 16th, 2023 at 8:21 AM ^
I'm rooting for Michigan (obviously), FSU, Washington, and Texas to win out and Bama to beat UGA in the SEC championship game. The 3 undefeated P5 champs are seeds 1-3 and Texas would have to get in over Bama since they beat them in Tuscaloosa. That would mean 0 SEC teams make the CFP. ESPN would lose their collective shit and I'm rooting for it almost as hard as I am for Michigan to win.
November 16th, 2023 at 8:52 AM ^
^ This would be absolute CHAOS for ESPN, and I would love it
November 16th, 2023 at 9:50 AM ^
There is NO chance in hell or on earth, that, if Bama beats Georgia, that Alabama wouldn't be in. Leave the SEC champ out?? ESPN controls this, make no mistake. Why is Missouri no. 9, why is Tennessee no. 18?? They help prop up Georgia and Alabama. Alabama will be ahead of Texas by the time this over.
November 16th, 2023 at 1:08 PM ^
you're 100% right. All the SEC teams stay in the rankings to make the top two in their conference look good.
November 16th, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
and Texas would have to get in over Bama since they beat them in Tuscaloosa.
This is the same committee that punished USC for having to play an extra conference championship game and rewarded OSU for sitting at home because they didn't even win their division. I wouldn't count on logic applying at all.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:02 PM ^
Even if that is true, he also said that it does not change his stance that due process is needed and if it is proved then punish appropriately. He also said elaborate scheme and every one does it.
I take that there is no proof that coach is involved. It is possible CS's scheme is elaborate but the way RG3 said they don't have any proof that links to Harbaugh.
At least that is my interpretation.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:48 PM ^
I doubt anyone will ever be able to elaborate on this "elaborate scheme" sufficiently, so that a sensible person says, "whoa nelly that was some elaborate scheme!"
November 16th, 2023 at 9:58 AM ^
The absence of evidence of the conspiracy PROVES THE CONSPIRACY
November 15th, 2023 at 7:49 PM ^
I also witnessed and can attest to a scheme used by Michigan during the PSU game this past weekend that involved no forward passing for half the game and that conveyed a clear competitive advantage.
In addition, I witnessed James Franklin on PSU's sidelines impersonating a competent head coach while scribbling phallic symbols. Another clear scheme benefitting Michigan. I am so ashamed and assume the B10 Commissioner will make sure I a random non-alumni fan don't coach UM for the rest of the regular season given his arbitrary and sweeping powers so agreed to absent rules and the spirit of fairness that collegiate students use to expect.
November 15th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^
Please, if you’re a Michigan fan - do not reveal such secret information. I don’t know how you learned about the consecutive rushing plays - but, that’s highly confidential information.
You may be extremely sophisticated at electronic surveillance - or - just watched it on tv.
Your diagnostics and advanced Scouting on other B1G coaches makes me wonder if you’ve been spying on opposing teams at their practices - or, just watching their pattern of ridiculous in game play calling - particularly on fourth down.
November 15th, 2023 at 10:16 PM ^
Sshhh......it was through a flat screen vision device known only to me. It allows me to observe the entire field and sometimes the sideline. To improve my Linked in page I am going to send this information to future opponents. Don't tell anybody in our vast network.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:59 PM ^
Here is what I’m beginning to suspect. I think that Stalions was “employed” by Michigan, but I don’t think he only worked for Michigan. That is what I think the “elaborate scheme” is referring to. I think Stalions found a way to “advance his position in life” and it got out of control for him. I think this is a Slalions scandal that Michigan is embroiled in, and that he would have had good reason to NOT want the Michigan coaches to know.
November 16th, 2023 at 6:03 AM ^
Did this just become a “Get Smart” episode?
November 16th, 2023 at 7:16 AM ^
Sorry about that, Chief.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:58 PM ^
No offense, but this is not a helpful post. Your header suggests what RG3 is saying might be logical--we see this as a teaser and click in. There awaiting us is a link--no orientation to the material, nothing. For fifteen years we've been asking people to say something coherent to orient us when they link to material! And then--worse--you ask what he's saying in the first reply line!
For my money, RG3 is insinuating that there's both some substance to the "elaborate scheme" charge and that he doesn't find it heinous. As much as acknowledging that Finebaum has a carrot up his ass about Jim Harbaugh. Those keeping score at home might want to note that someone named Hab got pilloried this afternoon for having the temerity to say that more info was coming out. OF COURSE THERE IS.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
Agree that it is a logical take. I just curious when he says "there is a lot of information that we know, behind the scenes, that we are not at liberty to share".
What does he mean by 'know'? Like, know it's true or have just heard from sources?
Where are they getting this information from? Is it leaked from the NCAA? Other teams?
Edit: already discussed above while I was typing.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:53 PM ^
Sources is what got Harbaugh suspended.
Not video linked to people in seats that Connor bought tickets for. No that would be something.
The Big Ten suspended on ESPN sources. Not an investigation. Sources.
Madness,
November 15th, 2023 at 7:43 PM ^
It should speak volumes that the media drip has mostly appeared to dry up and have its handles have tightened. Major infractions that are actually detrimental to the game and the “spirit” of fair, even sportsmanship don’t just wash away if they are in fact as serious as the media has claimed to be.
In hindsight, the media seemed to only distract themselves while pissing off the hibernating wolverine. If teams/coaches were smart, they would’ve held up on releasing the infractions until after the season in hopes that Michigan’s soft schedule lulled them into a loss. For those watching this entire season, it’s clear this saga has caught the attention of a team going through the motions and now polarized the team against everyone. Ya done fucked up and now it’s time to pay the piper.
November 15th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
It makes no sense that ESPN cannot say....they've had no trouble up to this point...and they can say whatever they want as they've shown...they aren't tied to any of the "can't comment on an on-going investigation"...That's just a BS excuse....
November 15th, 2023 at 6:52 PM ^
Nonentities like RG3 now inadvertently push the counter narrative that Harbaugh is afflicted by a horde of small time hustlers and loser coaches. Love it. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. It's our turn now.
November 15th, 2023 at 6:57 PM ^
It does make me think that there's more there, but nothing seismic. My guess is that petitti shared all of his info with thamel.
My biggest takeaway is that RG3 has information that we don't have against Michigan and he doesn't believe that it gave the team a competitive advantage, but rules were broken and that the scheme was "elaborate". I don't think that RG3 would bs. He mentioned due process and being able to "prove" that rules were broken at least twice, so maybe the information petitti or whoever shared with them isn't provable or ironclad.
The best we can hope for is whatever dossier or evidence the "insiders" were talking about is as legit as they say and for the program to use it to go scorched earth and justifiable leave the b1g.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:25 PM ^
At this point, whatever cards that are left to play by withholding information or evidence from either Michigan or the NCAA/B1G are losing cache and purpose. There’s a reason why when major news stories get released, the money shot is clearly described, captured or confirmed. It’s irrefutable and accepted by everyone.
In this case, the mob made the most out of the smoking gun and prayed to the Midwestern demigods that somebody had more evidence confirming Harbaugh’s inclusion. When it didn’t come to fruition, the mob accepted Pettiti’s bullshit attempt to rectify the situation which did nothing to actually deter a supposed cheating team from, ya know, continuing to cheat…
I fully expect Harbaugh/UM to win the TRO and him to be on the sidelines in College Park Saturday and for the rest of the CFB world to start shitting themselves knowing that they united the storm instead of disrupting it. No mercy should be shown to the surfs that show no loyalty. Off with their fucking heads!
November 15th, 2023 at 7:29 PM ^
Why do people keep bringing up the “binder”. What they had was already released (other teams i.e ohio and Rutgers having signs and giving them to other team). No one cares no media stories so everyone moved on
November 15th, 2023 at 7:35 PM ^
I think that it was hyped up and mentioned as a scorched earth option either here or w hole. Hole specifically said it’s very thorough and 90% about osu. Definitely understandable for us to get amped up about it given the circumstances.
im just glad that I didn’t waste any money on a subscription
November 15th, 2023 at 6:57 PM ^
Damn. The one guy ESPN should keep. Good job RG3. They basically don't have any proof that RG3 knows of but they are still just saying shit. What a bunch of goons at ESPN. You go RG3.
November 15th, 2023 at 8:30 PM ^
I mean, they should keep Desmond too, but I get what you're saying.
November 16th, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
I am in a position to confirm what Rich Eisen alleges: Paul Finebaum did NOT get a hug from Jim Harbaugh.
Edit: got my Michigan trolls mixed up.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:04 PM ^
He is saying due process and not a big advantage because he knows most teams do the same crap. That is what everyone at the network knows as well, they know they are pushing a narrative because of broadcast rights.
November 15th, 2023 at 7:05 PM ^
The clip alludes to information known by ESPN that can't be shared... I wonder what information is. Maybe who hired the investigation firm?