If case you forgot, Bryant spent some time hanging out with Deion Sanders last spring. That alone is not an NCAA violation—but probably should have been (more on that in a second)—but the NCAA started asking a lot of questions, so naturally Bryant assumed that he was in trouble. He panicked and told the investigators that he hadn't met with Sanders. When asked, Sanders told the truth and said he had. Now Bryant, a junior, is suspended until September of next year, which effectively ends his college career.

That seems a little harsh, doesn't it? Yes, I know lying is bad and examples must be made, but it's not like he was lying to cover up a murder. Or any crime for that matter. He was confused about a set of rules that no one on the planet fully understands and he screwed up. A missed game or two might have sent a better message about the sanctity of amateur athletics, since the end result of this suspension is that Bryant will almost certainly go pro—and probably never finish his degree. Yet, the NCAA acts like they did him a favor by not banning him permanently.

But there is another issue here: Why did he assume that he had violated an NCAA rule? Maybe because meeting with a former NFL player, who is not an alum of your school, to talk about how he can help you prepare for life as a pro athlete doesn't exactly feel like it's on the up and up. Sanders, who is an NFL Network commentator during the season, has built a nice little side business "mentoring" current and future pros on how to survive life in the NFL. That also includes a pre-combine prep school, called "Prime U," that is meant to help players improve their draft standing, but also learn tips on "managing off-the-field lifestyle." Except it's not clear that Deion's advice is really helping anyone.

As a future Hall of Fame cornerback, Sanders probably has some unique insights about the position, but at least four cornerbacks who participated in the camp last spring went undrafted, while only two got picked. One of the actual stars of the camp was Michael Crabtree, who got some spectacularly bad advice from his agent Eugene Parker, who just happened to be the agent of ... Deion Sanders. (Sanders claims that Parker was never present while meeting with Bryant, and that may be true, but that was the main reason for the NCAA's concern about their relationship. Parker has reeled in other clients associated with Prime U—like Ohio's Mark Parson.)

Now Dez Bryant is ruined because he assumed that even talking to Sanders was a bit shady and Sanders failed to properly assure him it wasn't. Deion's intentions may very well be good—and not just a ploy to get his buddy Parker new clients—but that doesn't mean he's doing these players any favors. Nor does it excuse the short-sightedness of the NCAA. But perhaps he should keep his hands off college footballers until they actually are ineligible, instead of just making them that way.

Dez Bryant decision a head-scratcher [USA Today]
Deion Sanders: No rules broken in relationship with Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant [ESPN]
Receiving Deion Sanders' help may have hurt Crabtree, Bryant [Tim Cowlishaw]

•Did you hear Lopez Tonight is coming to TBS? Day 1 of the playoffs went just as planned, with the Phillies, Yankees and Dodgers all winning. Wait, back up. The Dodgers? I guess whoever said they have no pitching was mistaken. Getting 3.2 innings from Randy Wolf is more than they could have hoped for.

•Dez Bryant is ruled ineligible not because he met with Deion Sanders, but because he lied about meeting with Deion Sanders. Let this be a lesson to our younger readers: if your parents ever catch you doing something bad, it's best to be honest and tell them you were with Deion Sanders.

•Allen Iverson may miss the Grizzlies' season opener as he recovers from a hamstring injury, but let's get real here: if you're counting on Allen Iverson in 2009 to be a crucial part of your team, you're probably not shooting for the stars anyway.

•Your injured quarterbacks update: Donovan McNabb probably, Tim Tebow maybe, Eli Manning maybe not. JaMarcus Russell isn't injured, but is listed as doubtful to play "football."

•Phoenix pulls out a win and forces the WNBA Finals to a deciding fifth game. This was exactly what the league didn't need; there's no way anyone will be paying attention to the WNBA once the UFL starts up tonight.

•Stars broadcaster Daryl Reaugh predicts Dallas will win their opening game. They don't. Now Reaugh's springing for free tickets for all in attendance. Let's hope he doesn't make the guarantee again; have you seen Marty Turco lately? Reaugh may have to spring for season tickets.

•We close with a link to the top ten hits in youth football. Does it make it sadder or funnier that they're children? We say funnier. A highlight:

Deion, of course, is a walking billboard for himself and a man not particularly known for being publicity-shy. Nonetheless, some cops working a youth-football detail in Naples, Fla., apparently felt Prime Time needed to be protected from an undercredentialed and underdressed fellow named David Dorsey, who claimed to be a reporter for the Naples Fort Myers News-Press. Which is exactly what he is. Chaos briefly ensued, and we can only thank the stars that Deion's mom was around to sort everything out.

Here's the newspaper's account:

Around 1:30 p.m., Razilou and Officer Benjamin Vasquez were working security for the event when they were approached by a member of Sanders' staff who pointed out a man in a yellow shirt, dark shorts and a baseball cap who had attempted to enter the field three times to speak to Sanders. The staff member said he didn't know who the man was.

When the officers approached Dorsey, he identified himself with his driver license.

Dorsey said he worked for the News-Press and was there to speak with Sanders.

When the officers asked for additional identification, Dorsey said "let me see your ID."

He then handed over an electronic door-access card that said "Information Technology" on the front and "News-Press" on the back. The card didn't have his name.

The officers told Dorsey he wasn't allowed on the field, but he attempted to gain access again.

After the game, Dorsey pushed through the crowd and walked through the gate in Sanders' direction. When the officers attempted to handcuff Dorsey, he pulled away and struggled with them.

The officers removed Dorsey from the field in handcuffs. They released him only after Sanders' mother said he was allowed to be there.

The staff member who initially pointed Dorsey out to the officers cried when informed of the miscommunication.

Picture the scene: a lone reporter; a squadron of jack-booted thugs; a weeping factotum; an American flag overhead, snapping crisply in the Gulf Stream breezes (just guessing here); and, in the bleachers, Deion Sanders' mother, rising in righteous indignation to protect the Constitution the way her son used to patrol a defensive backfield, saying, "Enough!" It's like a Norman Rockwell painting, in neon.

Reporter handcuffed, News-Press threatens to sue Naples [Naples Daily News]

"Can I tell them something for you?" he said [to McNabb]. "First of all, I would like to tell all these idiotic fans to shut up. Don't get on his bandwagon now. You're the same guys who booed him on his first incompletion."

Host Rich Eisen then asked Sanders what he thought of the Philadelphia fans.

"I can't stand them. I really can't," Sanders said. "It's not because I was a former Cowboy, because I didn't give a darn about any fans. They all hated me because I performed well.

"But the way they treated this man from day one, it's not justifiable. They will not treat any other quarterback in the NFL, like we said, Peyton Manning don't get treated like that. Tom Brady. And I know you [McNabb] can't say it . . ."

Unfortunately, Sanders was unable to finish the quote, due to the expertly thrown set of car keys that became lodged in his windpipe.

Deion Sanders rips Eagles fans [Philly.com]

I think I speak for everyone when I say, "This is Adam Jones; formerly Pacman. I've learned how tough it is to get a second chance," is the most persuasive opening to a commercial in the history of television. Particularly with the 1970's r&b background music.

How much money did this company have to pay Deion and the former Pacman to shill for them? Can leasing cars to people without credit really be that profitable?

Anyway, nice wardrobe choice on the orange jersey; formerly prison jumpsuit.

Formerly Pacman; Currently Used Car Salesman [The Big Lead]

Via The Big Lead, it turns out that the NFL has officially banned Deion from writing the column anymore, specifically a column in response to the reaction to his last one. (Apparently, people were upset.)

Understandably, the NFL did not like that one of the faces of its network was being portrayed as a Vick apologist. Deion sent a column responding to the criticism to The News-Press and the NFL Network on Friday morning.

That night, [Deion's editor] received an e-mail from Thomas George, the NFL Network managing editor, which read: "This column and subsequent variations of it (are) not approved by NFL Network. It cannot run."

We find this disappointing; we encourage anyone at the offices of The News-Press to send us Deion's yanked column. We will happily run it — it seems wrong not to include his defense, no? — and anonymity is guaranteed. Though it will be sad not to have the "approval" of the NFL Network. Whatever will we do?

NFL Network Puts Hold On Deion Column [News Press] (Via The Big Lead)

Witness, in this op-ed, what Deion had to say in Vick's defense. Prepare thyself.

This is all the result of perspective.

What a dog means to Vick might be a lot different than what he means to you or I. Hold on, don't start shaking your head just yet. Listen to me. Some people kiss their dogs on the mouth. Some people let their dogs eat from their plate. Some people dress their dogs in suits more expensive than mine, if you can believe that.



And some people enjoy proving they have the biggest, toughest dog on the street. You're probably not going to believe this, but I bet Vick loves the dogs that were the biggest and the baddest. Maybe, he identified with them in some way.

Oh, there's more.

I believe Vick had a passion for dogfighting. I know many athletes who share his passion. The allure is the intensity and the challenge of a dog fighting to the death. It's like ultimate fighting, but the dog doesn't tap out when he knows he can't win.

Uh .... well ... yeah.

Don't Be Too Quick To Judge [The News Press] (The Fanhouse)

According to the Dallas Morning News, Loretta Sheppard testified yesterday that Sanders told her to "hold off on doing anything" after her daughter accused Arlington pastor Terry Hornbuckle of raping her. Hornbuckle is on trial for three separate sexual assaults and has also been accused of tampering with a witness and possession of methamphetamine.

Sanders, according to lawyers, "counseled Defendant as a Christian and fellow pastor, and for no other reason." This all came up because the woman's daughter delayed filing charges; her mother is using Deion's pleas as the reason.

Hammer was not available for comment.

Woman: Deion Sanders Discouraged Rape Report [Dallas Morning News]