By now everyone knows that Urban Meyer, the University of Florida's head coach, is a native of Ashtabula, Ohio.  But there's something more relevant about his success.  He's become another branch in a solid as an oak coaching tree - joining the likes of Shula, Noll and, yes, Tressel.

More important he realizes those Ohio roots are important.  He especially remembered the time he spent working with Coach Earle Bruce:

"Everything we do ties into building tradition, the Gator Walk, singing the fight song with the student body.  All those type of things i learned first at Ohio State."

I never knew what a spaceship looked like while on the ground - until yesterday at the media circus for the Tostitos BCS Championship Game. That's what University of Phoenix Stadium looked like from the outside. Or for you Star Wars geeks think of those round buildings at Mos Eisley (you know the wretched hive of scum and villainy). Either way it was hideous. But looks can be deceiving - very deceiving because from the inside it was impressive.

But I digress. Friday was the first day that we got to see both teams up close. And the first thing that struck me - NCAA football, a multi-billion dollar business - is in the hands of a bunch of guys who can barely shave. Well that's not entirely true. They don't exactly run it, but if you consider that without them there is no show then you can see my point. That's why statements this week by Anthony Gonzalez in which he endorsed some form of compensation for college athletes isn't completely wacko.

Despite the fact that they were so young, I was kind of in awe of some of these players - on both teams - and their ability to field questions and answer them with reasonable skill - especially Percy Harvin and Brian Robiskie. Harvin apparently got into trouble on the field while he was in high school and arrive at the University of Florida with a slight rep. As for Robiskie, his father Terry was recently fired by the Cleveland Browns from his position as wide receivers coach.

I may not agree with Harvin's assessment of his situation:

‘’I was put in some tough situations it was a lot of news people who took the stuff they heard and wrote about it,’’ he said, ‘’and didn’t really know the inside story. So when I came here, a burden just got off me. It was a clean, fresh beginning for me and my moms.’’

However, I don't know the entire story either. So hey, who am I to judge?

As for Robiskie, you can read his comments in a story from Marla Ridenour. He could have very easily blown off the questions and refused to address the issue, but he acted like a pro.

I'm coming to the conclusion that this sportswriting gig is a lot of hurry up and wait. The objects of our obsessions make us hurry up, then make us wait endlessly to get what we need. In some instances - like today - it was worth it.

It was during that wait mode that I checked out a left coast delicacy that I didn't need - In -n- Out Burger. I read it was a favorite of some Buckeyes players. Now I know why - heaping amounts of beef and suitable amounts of greasy stuff. Yup, the arteries will pay for that one. In the brief time I was gone, however, one of those little nuggets popped up in the form of OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith. He was holding court outside the team's super duper secret practice facility.

What was the topic of the day? Well there were several, but the one that kept coming up was that monster contract that Nick Saban - the Larry Brown of football - agreed to with the University of Alabama today. Eight years? 32 mill? Think ADs at Big Boy Football Schools aren't sweating those dollars?

For the record, Coach Tressel downplayed Saban's money grab (yes, that's harsh, but if he knew his heart wasn't into coaching the pros, he should have kept his butt at LSU) and he doesn't expect much of an influence. Of course he can say that because if his team wins Monday he's in the driver's seat as far as contract negotiations.

"Probably not. We didn't have a budget of $4 million for the entire athletic department (when he first started,)" he said. "I don't think it will have a ripple effect. There aren't that many positions yet to fill, and there will be as many people saying, 'Oh, that's crazy we'll never do that' as there will be people who feel they have to keep up with the market."

If you say so, coach.

The great thing about writing about sports is that when sportwriters don't know for sure, they get to speculate.  You know, throw something (I won't say what) against the wall.

For instance this little item from Matt Hayes of the Sporting News:  It seems that the Cleveland Browns would make a major play for Jim Tressel should the Berea native wins against the Florida Gators next Monday.

I have one question: why would he want that gig?  He arguably has one of the top five collegiate jobs in the country, his contract will be torn up should he win his second national championship in five years and my bet is that OSU will make him the top paid coach in the country (provided Nick Saban doesn't take Alabama's ridiculous, desperate offer).  Yes, let's leave a program that you've returned to glory for what? Dealing with the potential many spoiled athletes in the NFL?  Sorry, but I doubt it.

The professorial Tressel has always struck me as a teacher who loves working with younger athletes - I could be wrong - and leading them down the right path.  Some take to it - such as his Heisman Trophy winning QB Troy Smith - and others - such as former running back Maurice Clarett - don't.  But a lot of the guys in the NFL think they already know it all.  Braylon Edwards are you out there?

And should, for some inexplicable reason, Tressel find himself tempted by the NFL, I offer some advice: cast your eyes southward to Miami and look at Nick Saban, a guy perfectly happy with coaching in college but allowed a big checkbook and his ego to sway him.  The result: he misses the kids and now may leave the Miami Dolphins in a coaching lurch to go ride the Crimson Tide of Alabama.

Forget it, Tress.  OSU was always your dream job.  Keep living the dream.

Yes, it's late.  But it's been a rough day and I'm just now getting to writing about yesterday's bowl games. I've been writing stuff for a special section the ABJ will run this week related to the Ohio State Buckeyes' appearance in the BCS Championship Game and I've been getting my traveling necessities together because I will be blogging for a week during the festivities in Phoenix.

But yes, I checked out many of yesterday's games and wow, will miracles never cease, I have some observations about what my ever-weakening eyes saw on the tube.

Rose Bowl:  You know who Michigan Wolverines running back Michael Hart reminds me of?  Pick any one of the offensive stars on those powerhouses John Cooper wasted during his tenure as Buckeyes head coach.  Hart has mouth to spare and I had to laugh when announcer Brent Musberger mentioned that the talented running back planned to return to the Big House simply so he has the pleasure of beating Ohio State University.  Nothing like beating up on a program when it's down (as the Bucks are expected to be), but for some odd reason, I suspect OSU will still show up for that one.  Perhaps, just perhaps, Hart should have concentrated more on beating the USC Trojans.  He had 47 yards on 17 carries. Ahem…yeah, OK.

Fiesta Bowl:  This may be sacrilege to say in the Buckeye State, but last night's Fiesta Bowl was the greatest ever.  No, not just because the Oklahoma Sooners got their heineys kicked.  Well, OK, that had a lot to do with it. But because Boise State Head Coach Chris Petersen pulled everything out of his playbook to win that game. The hook and lateral for a score? Sweet.  Passing on kicking an extra poin to go for two in overtime.  Sweet!  Even sweeter?  Using the Statue of Liberty to get the two points.  It's games and situations such as those that show you why college football can be so much more entertaining than the NFL.

Capital One Bowl:  Hey Browns fans, hopefully there was your future left tackle on display on the tube Monday as Joe Thomas and the Wisconsin Badgers bulled their way to a victory over the "faster" Arkansas Razorbacks in the Capital One Bowl.  Or heck, I'd even like it if they considered trading down in the first round for more picks if they have confidence in how Penn State's Levi Brown will develop as a pro.

Rose Bowl redux:  You know they say that you should always cheer on your conference rivals when they are playing another conference in a bowl game.  Sorry, but I can't do it.  I'd be a liar if I said I didn't take unabashed glee in the spanking that U of M took in the Rose Bowl.  Anybody still think they're the second best team in the country?  Thought not.  And what of their coach Lloyd Carr?  Can't beat OSU and can't win bowl games.  D'OH!!!  Think the Michigan alumni aren't frothing at the mouth?  What a pleasant thought.

Sugar Bowl:  Yes, I know it's being played tomorrow night, but I can only dare to dream that Notre Dame will suffer the same fate as Michigan.  Remember the speed on display in last year's Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State.  Yea, well, it's gonna be like that - again.  Fire bomb away Golden Domers.

I will go into a greater dissection of this season tomorrow or Tuesday in between time spent preparing for an excursion to Phoenix.

However, I will mention that ESPN's Craig Mortensen reported that if Romeo Crennel wants to keep his job, he's going to have to make so changes in his coaching staff.  Gee, ya think?

But do we really believe that's what's wrong with this team to start?  As I wrote earlier this week, there are Godzilla sized holes to fill on this team and then beyond that there is an issue of depth.  Too many times this since their return, the Browns have been content to fill the frontline with a decent player and then pray that the back-up didn't go down.  Ya think Jeff Faine would have looked good filling in for an injured LaCharles Bentley this year?

But as I said, we'll chat more tomorrow.  Until then after seeing the debacle in Houston today, I can only say: thank god it's over.

I haven't tooled around sports teams lockerrooms long enough to know whether what I witnessed yesterday after the Browns 22-7 butt-kicking courtesy of the juggernaut that is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was common.

That part of me that is jaded about pro athletes probably says, no, what Browns Joe Jurevicius did yesterday is far from common.  You see, Jurevicius spoke from the heart.

When the two-ton gorilla in the form of Braylon Edwards was just a couple lockers down,  Jurevicius showed professionalism blended with emotion, a unique combination.  For the uninformed, reports say that Coach Romeo Crennel benched the former first round draft pick after he showed up late for a team meeting.  Edwards apparently informed the FOX broadcast team that he had a dislocated thumb.  Ummmm…yeah.  I'll concur with my ABJ colleague Patrick McManamon and toss in my "whatever."

You see, Edwards doesn't get it. From the minute he showed up with the camera crew on draft day to explain how he planned to market himself, you knew that the game wasn't thing that it was about the bling.  With Edwards it seems to be all about the money, the fame and him getting the ball.  He'd probably see the ball more if he didn't drop it so often.

Contrast that with Jurevicius.  Yes, he's a hometown guy, having been born in Cleveland and attended Lake Catholic High School in Mentor, so he gets a pass in some corners for that for wanting to come back to a team wallowing in mediocrity to try to show some of these players who don't understand what Cleveland Browns football should be.

But when an emotional Jurevicius told the media that he knew how fortunate he was.   That he knew what Cleveland Browns football meant.  That he knows that this city more than any other deserves a championship team, it came from the gut.  The words weren't hollow, they weren't contrived and they weren't unheard by those members of the media who have lived here for more than a minute or who came back here to work.

Yes, while Edwards worries about things other than what transpires on the field and it shows on the field, players such as Jurevicius and others who are giving blood, sweat and tears have to deal with an utter lack of professionalism.

Unless he turns it around next season, I'm officially ready to label Edwards General Manger Phil Savage's first huge draft bust.

It's been a busy weekend, other than missing some much cherished family time during a holiday time, I also enjoyed it immensely.  That's still an adjustment in coming from reviewing movies to sports.  I worked plenty of Saturdays - primarily due to matinees of kid flicks in the morning hours - throughout the year, but an entrie weekend.  Ummm…unless someone was giving otu an Oscar, I avoided it like the plague.  I also spent a number of weekends bored out of my dome, so shall we say this was….ummm…invigorating.

Of course it's never that when you have to sit through the debacle known as a Cleveland Browns football game. One of my assignments today was to talk to fans for a story in tomorrow's paper.  While there is plenty of passion left for the team (the Browns organization had best thank the pigskin gods that this is a football town), there is an apathy developing in some as well.  I'm sure it was heightened after that 22-7 loss.

How can I tell?  Gee, LeBron James' head imposed on a uniformed Ozzie Newsome?  Think that's a dead giveway.  Then there was an entire group of guys from 15 to 59 who showed up with Heinen's grocery bags to don should the Browns looked bad.  They came out before the end of the first half.

Incidents such as these are reason for the Browns to play closer attention to what they're putting on the field. Do I think this team is completely void of talent?  No.  Offensively in Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow and Joe Jurevicius (who is the prototype slot receiver - savvy, tough and reliable) there is a core there.  Some would have added Charlie Frye and Reuben Droughns to that mix.  I do not.

Frye is a iikeable enough guy with toughness and heart, the type of players that Browns fans love because let's face it, in Northeast Ohio you gotta be tough.  But until his performance today, Derek Anderson earned the right to challenge for the starting QB job.  As for Droughns, he's not the same guy we saw last year and some of that may not be his fault given that the consistent problem with this team has been the offensive line.  Something this organization has been unwilling to pay for until signing LaCharles Bentley last year.  It's a trend that dates back to the Art Modell years.

Here's a tip:  the offense goes nowhere without a powerful line with an attitude.  There's a kid in Wisconsin who plays left tackle named Joe Thomas (gotta love that last name) the Browns need to seriously look at him as they prepare to overhaul the team's weakest link once again.  If for some reason the Browns aren't drafting high enough, they should look at another Big Ten OT out of Penn State, Levi Brown.

It's clear that unless this sieve is fixed in the near future that the Browns' offense will enjoy little in the way of sustained success.

You'd think that USC and its vaunted invincible football program filled with future endorsement kings would take care of business against UCLA yesterday.  Think again.  Yeah, I know it was a rivalry game.  Yeah, I know in rivalry games that you can throw everything out the window.   But c'mon.  They blew an opportunity to end the arguing around what has become the BC Mess this year.

Who's the true No. 2?  Who deserves to face Ohio State?  Should Michigan be crowned No. 2 this evening and be given a rematch on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz. I say skip the game.  There's nothing new here.  Of course that's not reality, but it's common sense.  Or let's try this:  how about a playoff.  Gee, dare to dream.  Dare to believe that the NCAA would actually do something that's logical and good for the game.

They hide behind wanting to do what's best for their student-athletes and argue that extending the season would ask to much of them.  HOOEY.  They don't want to give up the cash cow that is the bowl system.  Not that many of them matter anyway.   I know I wait with bated breath every year for the Holiday Bowl.  That's right up there with folding my underwear.

The funny part is that they wouldn't have to give up their bowls.  Those programs that qualify for an extra game with their impressive six wins could still play in their toilet bowls.  But the ones that truly matter could be used as part of a playoff system - that way everyone would be happy and we wouldn't have this debacle every year.

Having played at That School Up North, you'd think that Braylon Edwards would have little problem fitting in with the Cleveland Browns.

 But Edwards has been having a rough couple of weeks.  First he charters a helicopter against the advice of coaches and teammates so he could take in the OSU-Michigan game from the sidelines on the 18th and eventually turning up late to team meetings the night before the Steelers game - a game for which he all but guaranteed a win.

Then he blindsides his teammate DB Brian Russell with a comment about a clean hit that Russell made on Bengals WR Chad Johnson during the first game with Cincy this year.  What could be next?  How about a sideline flair up caught by network TV cameras and by every beat writer in the pressbox during the second Cincy game.  Yeah, it's been a rough couple weeks and Edwards has no one to blame but himself.

When Phil Savage selected him in the first round 18 months ago, the pick was a no-brainer.  However, the minute I saw a story on one of the cable networks about how Edwards planned to market himself into millions, I could tell that there were other priorities in his life.  The axiom used to be:  play the game to the best of your abilities and the cash from endorsements and acclaim would follow.

Not so in this ESPN driven world.  Everyone wants to make their endorsement dollars now - not later.  Athletes want the acclaim now, not later, despite what they do on the field.  And if you don't perform on the field and you raise a rancor, you can expect the team to cover for you.  That's the impression I got in Berea this morning as General Manager Phil Savage came out to talk to the media for his State of the Browns address. All we heard (you can listen here) from Savage and later Coach Romeo Crennel (listen here) is that the Edwards situation is being handled internally. Great. 

Edwards would be wise to take a lesson from one of his teammates - Kellen Winslow Jr., who has been downright affable in recent months.  He's let his play on the field do the talking for him.  The result:  if he keeps doing it, all of his past transgressions will be forgiven, and many of them may have been already.

Edwards has five games this season to show why the Browns drafted him.