Editorial Cartoon: One Big Cat Gets Away
Abarn is doing better in recruiting than they have in years, and while there may be rea$on$ for that, that’s not what this article is about.

Week in and week out, the barn benefits from Alabama media writers and talking heads who offer their PR services at no charge. It has become a sport of its own, really, watching those who exchange journalistic integrity for talking orders from the institution they love, er, cover. I have a revolving list of favorites, but right now, there is none better than the B’ham News’ Charles Goldberg.

Last May, Goldberg slobbered all over himself over “Big Cat Weekend” in an article entitled “Auburn’s Big Cat Weekend Captures The Fancy of Seastrunk, Other Top Recruits” (May 31, 2009), (you can read it here).

Here my favorite abarn beat writer reflects on the glory of what we now know was an illegal weekend. I wonder why it never occured to him that this was the real story? But then again, illegal recruiting down on the farm isn’t really news.

According to the article, the weekend “drew the nation’s top prospects, ranked either 1st or 2nd at their position.” But of all the prospects, none drew the attention…and lust from Abarn’s PR writers…than one Lache Seastrunk. The #1 running back in the country. In Lee County. It was a thing of glory.

Wrote my favorite abarn flunky: “Lache Seastrunk says he wants a career in broadcasting. His bubbling personality should give him a good start, and his enthusiasm over Auburn’s latest recruiting push should make Auburn fans feel good.”

Though Goldberg dropped names faster than Joan Rivers, it was Seastrunk (mentioned by name nine times in his short article) that was the object of his devotion.

It turns out, Abarn fans will feel good rooting for Seastrunk… if the Oregan Ducks ever face Alabama in a BCS National Championship Game.

The bellcow of Big Cat Weekend passed over the tiggers to become a duck.

I wonder if they held a Big Duck Weekend? But, I digress…

But it got better.

“Seastrunk and his fellow recruits witnessed the traditional rolling of Toomer’s Corner on Saturday night (illegally), and that seemed to make a big impression. Linebacker Jessel Curry, son of long-time NFL linebacker Buddy Curry, convinced his family to allow him to stay over an extra day, and left town Sunday saying it looked as if he’d choose between Auburn and West Virginia.”

In all due respect to the young man, Jessel Curry, who I hope has a wonderful career at Abarn and gains a fine education in the process, Goldberg attempts to align him with “the nation’s #1 and #2 recruits at their positions”. An Abarn commit (now), ESPN.com gives him 2 out of 5 stars, and slots him at the #11 fullback in this class.

Come on, Charles. Really?

He also went out of his way to let the abarn faithful know that Khairi Fortt, the nation’s #2 linebacker had stopped in as well, though Fortt apparently preferred being a Nittany Lion over a “Big Cat.”

Of course, now that Lache passed over Abarn’s desperate attempt at gaining ground on the absolute talent stockpile in Tuscaloosa, Abarn fans “didn’t really want Seastrunk anyway.” Isn’t that what they’ll say?

Wonder if we’ll get to read this “party line” in an upcoming edition of the news?

27 thoughts on “Capstone Saturdays: One Big Cat Gets Away”

  1. OK, ITK. As much as you’d love to portray Seastrunk as the sole focus of “Big Cat Weekend” simply because he got more press for making the “Saban comments”, that’s complete BS and you know it. This is actually kinda funny. You try to spin it as though there were 3 recruits there that weekend: Seastrunk, Curry, and Fortt. Gee, I guess you just conveniently forgot that there were just a few other recruits there: Eric Mack (committed); Trovon Reed (committed); Antonio Goodwin (committed); Jeremy Richardson (committed); and some dude named Lattimore. Tell me ITK, why did you not think it relevant to mention those guys??

    As you already know but would like to spin otherwise, AU cooled its interest in pursuing Seastrunk after Dyer committed. Don’t take my word on it. Look here: http://www.collegefootballogy.com/?p=62735. If it’s such a bombshell that Seastrunk didn’t choose AU, why isn’t it all over the state media?? Do you think Lattimore’s decision will receive such light coverage??

    Yeah, you’re right ITK. AU’s class is a total failure because Seastrunk didn’t commit. Keep telling yourself that. Now go prepare your spin for next Wednesday about how AU’s class is nothing more than a result of cheating.

  2. The theme of the article is Goldberg’s total lack of objectivity, and how foolish he now looks because Laches won’t be an aBarn Tigger.

    I bet you made a 2 on the reading comprehension section of the ACT Julia. If you even took the test. You might be one that don’t need no schoolin.

    I for one detest how The Bham News allows Goldberg’s “always sunny” column while Alabama has to deal with a complete moron like Ian Rappaport. My dog is more interesting while barking at squirrels than watching that arrogant punk. I know this much though. If Goldberg was not his positive self, he’d get the shit kicked out of him by the thugs that beat up the “boo” guy at Chiznik’s arrival.

    That’s aBarn class for ya.

  4. Title of article: “One Big Cat Gets Away.” Well of course, anyone would know that the theme of this article is going to be that a Bham News writer is biased and has nothing to do with the fact that a recruit signed with another school.

    “The bellcow of Big Cat Weekend passed over the tiggers to become a duck.” – hmmmm, that sure sounds like he was trying to spin it as Seastrunk being the focal point of the weekend.

    You guys are right. Goldberg didn’t mention any other recruits in his article besides Seastrunk, Curry, and Fortt. ????????? Yeah, and I’m the one with the reading comprehension problem.

  6. Still burnin’ about how I pointed out that you lost your temper and went biblical and made family remarks last week, huh ITK?? When will you ever learn that “reverse psychology” and “turning tables” is simply folklore and doesn’t actually work? It only compounds how foolish you already look, and believe me you don’t need any more help.

    Hey, how’s Bama doin’ in cruitin?? All I ever hear about from you on this site is AU’s class. Maybe you can get your cousin to fill you in.

  7. Always remember that the Bham News logo is on the scoreboard at Jordan-Hare Stadium and that they just hired a new publisher that claims she grew up an Auburn fan. She even said “War Eagle” in the article that announced her hiring! It’s a biased newspaper and everyone knows it.

    By the way, Alex, good job on the beatdown of Julia. I did want to point out, though, that Ian Rappaport is no longer with the News. Don Kausler has taken his place. But your point is clear: That Auburn’s beat writer is a cheerleader and Bama’s beatwriter, whoever it may be, likes to always stir up things.

  8. Julia, your obsession with me and this site has reached creepy proportions. Will I find a rabbit boiling on my stove soon?

  9. I AGREE THE ONLY WAY A GOOD PLAYER IN HIS RIGHT MIND BECOMES A BARN VERMIN IS MONEY AND LOTS OF IT FOR YRS AND YRS

  10. You guys, julia’s out of midol again, cut her some slack. She won’t even respond to me anymore. Guess I won.

  11. It’s not hard to beat Julia. You just have to make sense and not take her bait. She’s all smoke and mirrors, like Malzahn’s O.

  13. Soes anyone remember (According to some bloggers) Seastrunk was such a lock?
    My oh. my….
    His Pastor was a good personal friend of Luper, Dooper, or super Trooper or one of the thug GQ coaches. So he was a LOCK!
    There was even talk by aubtiger34 and his crew on Al.Com that Seastrunk was actively recruiting for Auburn.

    That is the way it always happens on the Auburn websites.
    The reporter puts it puts it out there and it always looks promising for the Lee Countians. From there the Posters run amok with it until finally (one sad day) the truth sets in. And then the whole bunch denies and washes there hands of the whole sorry mess. (Remember the Rueban Randle spectacle last year?) OR the ENRIQUE DAVIS/ JULIO JONES mess the year before?
    EVERY YEAR Aubur has their hooks into a big fish that gets away (usually at the last minute.)But up until that last second before the coveted recruit signs with someone else, Auburn is THE #1 SURE FIRE LOCK.
    My theory is that the Auburn PR machine will print any lie possible to keep thier fan base believing the myth that Auburn is a contender. It sells tickets and keeps the locals happy to have these delusions of grandeur.
    As long as the locals feel good people keep their jobs, And papers sell.

  15. almightytmc1, you’re spot on. But remember, even if abarn just gets close on ANY high profile recruit, they really got him. Moral victories and almosts are what the barn is all about.

    Us, it’s all about the Crystal, baby.

  17. Thats some real impressive graphics design there ITK…..And you do this for a living ????

  18. Speaking of making a living — I’m always curious as to what people do for a living who post here. What do you do? I’ll be more than happy to opine.

  21. I have a love / hate relationship with them. While they provide a living for me, they also want to regulate the industry to the point that you cant make a living.

    They do it throug their “direct repair shops” , or “blue ribbon shops” or whatever B.S. name they slap on there shop of choice, depending on your carrier.

    St. Farm has gone back to the crapper since that multi billion dollar lawsuit got thrown out of court.

    Progressive is a joke.

    Nationwide is NOT on your side.

    ALFA is the only real non regulated carrier that will pay for what you need.

    The general rule of thumb. The better the commercials, the worse the company.

    Sorry for the rant.

  22. So the flashier the CR Center — the worse the service is correct? What about the “small guy” down the street who’s shop looks a little banged up — does he do a better job because maybe that’s food on the table?

    A lot of these insurance carriers make you go to “THEIR” guys to take care of the dings, etc. This is a mafia like approach IMO.

  24. Not very good, but not awful … In 06 the body shops in Alabama did a survey on what carrier was the easiest to work with. Off the top of my head (as I am not at the shop) at the top of the list : ALFA, Auto Owners, Cotton States …In the middle…St. Farm (this was before the suit was thrown out,
    now they are rock bottom). Geico, Allstate,……bottom end……Nationwide , Progressive ( ultimate liberal and move on, org keader George Soros is the primary stockholer of Progressive)….
    You get what you pay for with auto insurance . That 100 bucks a year difference is well worth it if you have an accident. I saw a website called something like jobvent.com once and the top company that people were hatin on was progressive. They absolutely screw over their employees. This is one reason for their awful service. They fire people within months of retirement, etc.

    Anyways, nuff bout me. My blood pressures up thinkin bout it.

  25. One more thing……No insurance co, can maake you carry a car to a specific shop. Its againet the law. They call it steering. But that does not stop progressive from tryin it. They threaten you with the “no warraanty” if you carry your car to a non-direct repair shop. The fact is that all DRP shops tun their warraties entirely through the repair shop anyhow. Its part of the contract between them and that shop. They dont pay for anything. Any reputable shop will provide a written warranty for their repairs. I cant tell you how many times Ive gotten cars that were butchred beyond belief after one of Progressives “pro-shops” exhausted all efforts trying to “warranty” their crap work….

    And as far as a small shop being as good as a large one…..I guess it depends on the shop. I know that the smaller shops generally cant have much of the necessary equipment that is necessary for repairs, and in general dont send their employees to the necessary training classes. Frame racks, downdraft paint booths, vacuum systems, spot welders, etc. are very expensive, and do have an effect on quality of repair. Wr send out a CSI form on every repair, and always come out in the 97-98% satisfaction ranking.

  26. So let me get this straight — if you don’t go to “their” CR Center’s — the warranty will be voided? Sounds mafioso.
    Apologies to others because I know this is way off topic.

  27. Do not always trust CSI forms — some people just get pissed because of the time it took to get it fixed. Patience is for doctors for some people — lol.

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