He goes on:

And I can assure you that each week we go FAR above the 20 hour limit, but when we sign the sheet saying we abided by the rule the NCAA set.. we have no choice but to sign it, or else we get cut from the team entirely. Sometimes we have put in 30 hours per week, including meetings and practice.

Sharp-eyed reader Bob alerted us to utah_utes_33's comment, which you can find here and which I hasten to add was not the work of the Utah Utes' No. 33, Justin Taplin-Ross. (Utah_utes_33 later clarifies: "And I do not live in Utah, that is just my username. I do not play for the Utes, but was merely a fan after the Sugar Bowl.") This is actually valuable context — if unsurprising — and may represent the first time in recorded history that an ESPN.com commenter has offered the world a glimpse into something other than the cymbal-banging monkey toy of his mind. Congrats, utah_utes_33, whoever you are.

Michigan coach denies wrongdoing [ESPN]

Most of you remember the Great Bill Simmons Commenter Experiment of 2007, in which Simmons' new comments section exploded, spewing verbs and prepositions everywhere. With us partly to blame. But it's somewhat amusing that the effects of that are being felt to this day, and now include Reilly; making those two the only ESPN entities with no reader commenting.

It's a bit like Bush not calling on Helen Thomas during press conferences. OK, it's nothing like that. Let's move on. CBS Sports columnist Cameron Martin decided to test the commenting waters in his latest Spin on Sports column, and presents this email exchange with ESPN spokesman Paul Melvin.

Me: "Paul, I had a question about ESPN columnists that I was going to address in my CBS column on Monday: Why can't readers comment on Rick Reilly and Bill Simmons columns? And why is it only them? Is it to protect the idea that these two columnists are universally loved? Jemele Hill and DJ Gallo and Scoop Jackson and Gene W get hammered by some readers. Why isn't that same courtesy extended to Bill and Rick? Seems disingenuous. Thanks, Cameron Martin."

ESPN: "Cameron, Bill and Rick's accessibility to fans has always been part of their style, and they both have developed long-standing practices of engaging their fans. Bill has a history of using his interaction with his readers as part of his voice and has, through the years, developed a regular, robust 'mailbag' style column that is a favorite of readers. Rick's connection to the personal stories of people in all walks of life has helped give him his signature voice. With respect to those traditions, we've chosen to continue to present their interaction with readers through those avenues."

Me: "Paul, thanks for the reply. Quick follow-up: In this new era of change, transparency and accountability, isn't it a bit antiquated and un-American to try to control feedback from the public? What if President Obama wanted to comment directly on one of Rick Reilly's stories? Shouldn't he be able to announce to the world, ‘Rick, you're an inspiration to millions everywhere'?"

ESPN: "Hi Cameron. Appreciate the follow up, but I think our earlier comment is all we're going to have to offer here. Paul Melvin."

So you see, Bill and Rick's "long-standing practice of engaging their fans" in "regular, robust mailbag-style columns" should suffice in the reader feedback department. That matter is now closed, Cameron, it really is. And I also fully suspect that had you attempted a second follow-up, a van would have pulled up next to you on the sidewalk and two men would have covered you in a large canvas bag and no one would have ever seen you again.

Even Jay Mariotti has a comments section, and the world hasn't come to an end.

I also suspect that the last thing ESPN wants is a flame war between Reilly and Simmons fans. Although why they don't baffles me: Think of the page views. I'd read both columns three times a day, at least.

Oddity [CBSSports]

• "I don't think that Utah could beat USC or Florida or Texas, but they are the national champions.” — Tom-Hunt

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "The great home-court advantage Hilton Coliseum provides has not left." — bball4life578

—-—-—-

• The great big girl nicknamed the Coliseum I brought home last night has not left - KyleOrton (Back To Azian Zero)

• "The great ho advantage being a Hilton sister provides has not left." —1EveningInParis (Chamomiles Davis)

• "The great home-court advantage Hilton Coliseum provides has not left." — bball4life578

• "I remember the countless games with Aikman, Irvin and Smith running the show." — Camoz71

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "Florida minus Tebow equals a 6-6 season." — TheGoDawg

—-—-—-

• Florida minus Tebow equals Verne Lundquist flaccidity. (Monchhichi Rodriguez)

• The NFL + Tim Tebow = Danny Wuerffel (Hit Bull Win Streak)

• Deadspin commenter minus brains equals ESPN commenter (Chili227)

• Mark McGwire minus Andro = Conan O'Brien (BrockMiddlebrook)

• "Florida minus Tebow equals a 6-6 season." — TheGoDawg

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "The Lakers lost a game they should've had, but what's a game here or there?" — kobeisbatman

—-—-—-

• Our sentiments exactly - OKC Thunder. (BrockMiddlebrook)

• The prosecution lost a case they should't have, but OJ is too dumb to stay out of trouble forever. - Jackey Chiles (Dany Heatley Speedwagon)

• The Irish have been set back ten years, but what's a generation of fans here or there? - CharlieWeisisaFatman (MarkKelsosMigraine)

• ESPN commenters love fudging win-loss record related math. —kobeisbatmanisbonzo_bonham (dont-forget-where-you-came-from-cheese mac)

• "The Lakers lost a game they should've had, but what's a game here or there?" — kobeisbatman

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin response or two ...

• ""When the Hawks go 82-0 and the Celtics are 81-1, the Cs will have home court." — Bonzo_Bonham
—-—-—-

• What the shit? (UpstateUnderdog)

• Apparently, I can write whatever nonsensical thing I want and it will be an ESPN featured comment - Bonzo_Bonham (JobuNeedsARefill)

• Lay off fellas. You should be amazed a freaking dog can type! (Spectacular Sam)

• "When the Hawks go 82-0 and the Celtics are 81-1, the Cs will have home court." — Bonzo_Bonham

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "In hockey we can find more dedicated, pure, uncorrupted pro athletes." — Huckle39

————-

• "We Can't Find Hockey" - 98% of American Homes (Arriaga_2)

• In hockey we can find more dedicated, pure, uncorrupted pro athletes... and Rick Tocchet. (Dany Heatley Speedwagon)

• In Bob Probert's locker, we can find more pure and uncut Colombian blow. (Detlef Schrempf and White Wine)

• "In hockey we can find more dedicated, pure, uncorrupted pro athletes." — Huckle39

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "Having Mayo No. 10 is crazy. His first game was bad, but his next three games were good." — Ronald Wooten

————-

• Know what I find crazy? Being an obsessed weirdo and taking offense at ESPN's completely arbitrary and meaningless rookie rankings. (ArkansasFred)

• Having mayo on fries is crazy. —Non-Canadian (Sports-Pun)

• "Having Mayo No. 10 is crazy. His first game was bad, but his next three games were good." — Ronald Wooten

Re: NBA rookie watch

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "Last night Carlisle did exactly the same thing that Avery did all last year." — wegot5doyou

————-

• Last night Belinda Carlisle did the exact same version of Heaven is a Place on Earth as she did in my dreams in 1987. —thegogoslvr (Weed Against Speed)

• That comment reads like a disembodied Bob Dylan lyric. (Shea_Guevara)

• ... but three octaves lower. (Tuffy)

• "Last night Carlisle did exactly the same thing that Avery did all last year." — wegot5doyou

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "What if Sir Charles were 28 years old and still playing in the NBA?" — LoPost43

————-

• What if triceratops' were still alive and they could fly? —DumAss43 (Sports-Pun)

• What if... Spider-Man had joined the Fantastic Four? (apostles03)

• What if the sole qualification to get a comment on the ESPN home page was a missing chromosome? Or 8. (crazyjoedavola)

• "What if Sir Charles were 28 years old and still playing in the NBA?" — LoPost43

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "You have to move the Capitals up after the way they bloodied the Penguins." — tpgnln2

• We have to move the capital south after the Army of Northern Virginia was bloodied by those dirty Federals.—jdavis65 (Sports-Pun)

• You have to move Batman up after the way he bloodied the Penguin. - CommishGordon (Pornstars-for-Wilbon)

• Don't see Washington surpassing Pittsburgh in the power rankings. Capitals barely won. - bbrenners (StuScott Booyahs)

• "You have to move the Capitals up after the way they bloodied the Penguins." — tpgnln2

Re: NHL power rankings

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "I'm going to camp out at Bay and Richmond and save my spot for the parade." — deskjockey007

Re: Toronto Maple Leafs

• October 14, 2008
FROZEN BODY FOUND ON LOCAL INTERSECTION
By James O'Hara
The Globe and Mail

(Matt Sussman)

• I'm going to camp, out at Crystal Lake. Save my spot for the cabin sex!-MrsVoorhees007 (WanderingBear)

• I'm going to camp out at the corner of 1967 and never and save my spot for the parade.-Blow_Leafs_Blow67 (PollardDaKneeAssassin)

• "I'm going to camp out at Bay and Richmond and save my spot for the parade." — deskjockey007

Re: Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "Don't see Washington surpassing Dallas in the power rankings. Redskins barely won." – bbrenners

• Don't see Dallas surpassing Washington in the literacy rankings. Dallas is in the state of Texas. - ddrunners (Brazil Thrill)

• Don't see Cooley surpassing Tebow in the penis rankings. Foreskins barely won. -shanoffd1996 (Rock You Like An Iracane)

• Don't see Al Gore becoming president. He barely won. -kharris2000 (Bobby_Big_Wheel)

• "Don't see Washington surpassing Dallas in the power rankings. Redskins barely won." – bbrenners

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

• "The Pac-10 Conference is ridiculously hard? Please." — bagedhoe

&#8226; My countenance is ridiculously marred? Please. — Jokerswyld< (dont-forget-where-you-came-from-cheese-mac)

&#8226; 6 guys singing a song about boners is redulously dumb? Please. — VivaViagra. (Ladies love Fennis)

&#8226; The Six pack is ridiculously cold? Please.~BeerAficionado98 (Ianny)

&#8226; "The Pac-10 Conference is ridiculously hard? Please." — bagedhoe

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

&#8226; "I think CC's gonna stay in the NL where he can hit. Maybe to, let's say, the Dodgers." — scioscfan

————-

&#8226; I think CC's gonna stay downtown, where he can eat. Maybe to, let's say, Olive Garden. - nvrendbrdstksftw (Hank Hell's Haunted House)

&#8226; I think JJ's gonna sit on the bench where he belongs. Maybe until, let's say, he joins Trajan Langdon in Moscow." —StanVanGundy (Candace Parker Secret Lover)

&#8226; I think Joel Robinson's gonna stay in the Satellite of Love where he can make fun of "Mitchell". Maybe with, let's say, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot. -JoeDonBaker_IS_Mittens (Dr. Steve Brule)

&#8226; "I think CC's gonna stay in the NL where he can hit. Maybe to, let's say, the Dodgers." — scioscfan

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

&#8226; "The "save" category needs refined because 3 runs is not as hard to hold as 1-run." — DucAngTro

&#8226; The "save" category needs refined because 3 runs is not as hard to hold as a 6-run Mets lead. (Pedro Cuatro Cinco)

&#8226; Depends need to be redefined as an alternative underwear, since you never know when you might go out for some figs-OopsicrappedmypantsAJ (crazyjoedavola)

&#8226; The "shave" category needs refined because 3 blades is not as smooth as 5. —QuattroSux (Sports-Pun)

&#8226; "The "save" category needs refined because 3 runs is not as hard to hold as 1-run." — DucAngTro

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

&#8226; "We have no idea what a Zorn-coached team is going to look or perform like in a real game." — Cavalierman007

&#8226; "We have no idea what a Zorn-coached team is going to look or perform like in a real game." —JimZorn0-16 (Sports-Pun)

&#8226; We have no idea what a End Zone is going to look like in a real game. - Canadaman007 (Rozelle's Bagman)

&#8226; "It is difficult to tell how someone is going to perform when they have never performed before. FUCK I'm high." - Cavalierman007 (StuScott Booyahs)

&#8226; "We have no idea what a Zorn-coached team is going to look or perform like in a real game." — Cavalierman007

Previous ESPN Featured Comment of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

&#8226; "LPGA's intentions are good, but suspending players and an 'English-only' rule isn't the way." — SheldonOverton

&#8226; ESPN's intentions are good, but allowing people who cannot write coherant English to comment isn't the way. (blogsarefun}

&#8226; LPGA' s 기도는 좋았다, 그러나 그것에는 너무 많은 여성 동성애자가 있다 Translation: "The LPGA's intentions were good but they have too many lesbians" /funnier when you reverse-translate it using Babelfish (Beer-Fart)

&#8226; My intentions were good...oh wait. - Jay Mariotti (RockMeScottyLeius)

(ESPN Featured Profile of the Week: MSCzona74)

&#8226; "LPGA's intentions are good, but suspending players and an 'English-only' rule isn't the way." — SheldonOverton

Previous ESPN Featured Commentg of the Week, plus a Featured Deadspin Response or two ...

&#8226; "Game ball goes to Scola. In a losing effort he was easily the best player on the floor." — haze1205

(Re: U.S. vs. Argentina basketball)

&#8226; Cherry cola goes to Lola. She looks like a woman and talks like man. -davies (Paper Cut)

&#8226; Game ball goes to Scalia. In a losing 5-4 decision he was easily the best player in the court. (DumpsterDining)

&#8226; I think I saw that guy's picture on pervertedjustice.com (The_Dark_Side_of_Oz)