<blockquote><div class="name-said">ppilot;685672 said:</div><hr>Nope.....Oregon is very much back in the picture and apparently making a big move. One of the people just talked to Shaq this afternoon for a bit and will have a longer conversation with him this evening.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Uh huh. Good luck with that.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">maxer;685691 said:</div><hr>Uh huh. Good luck with that.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Believe what you want...the person relaying the information has been rock solid in the past and has known the Thompson family for a while.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">9thCircuitBear;685694 said:</div><hr>apparently there's a boston market across the street from the HS . . .<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Sure. He MIGHT want to chat with some scum bag reporter, and his family, and Rivals, and ESPN and about another huge number of calls as he tries to eat his lunch, hang with his friends, etc. etc. But I am guessing it is a lot easier to hit the "ignore" on those calls.<br /><br />I never really care about this crap until this year. Don't know why. Probably the drama. But I am convinced after just a short time that about 90% of this "breaking" recruiting news is simply stuff made up to drive poor smucks (like me) to paid web sites to get the latest fiction that someone spins up and then which is vomited up as as gospel around the internet.

Guys... Shaq is makIng one of the biggest decisions of his life. Can't blame him for taking time to assess his choices. Hold firm.

Don't even know what to say about this whole thing. If Shaq picks UW then the terrorists have won.

Oh and as the above 120 post poster notes, the other staple in this silliness is the "family friend who has known them for years and is "rock solid" in his info.<br /><br />Jeez.<br /><br />99% of of American Families in moments like this turn INWARD, not outward. They DEFINITELY don't go talking to people whose inclination or track record is to turn around and talk to internet fools. <br /><br />The ONLY source that makes sense to track is the recruits tweets or an interview, with a legit source, with direct quotes (as per the Arik interview). The rest has the journalistic standard of dog poop.

he probably did say this to Biggins. I bet hes testing us to see if we will continue to show class through twitter and such. hes #calgang for sure

<blockquote><div class="name-said">socaltownie;685702 said:</div><hr>Sure. He MIGHT want to chat with some scum bag reporter, and his family, and Rivals, and ESPN and about another huge number of calls as he tries to eat his lunch, hang with his friends, etc. etc. But I am guessing it is a lot easier to hit the "ignore" on those calls.<br /><br />I never really care about this crap until this year. Don't know why. Probably the drama. But I am convinced after just a short time that about 90% of this "breaking" recruiting news is simply stuff made up to drive poor smucks (like me) to paid web sites to get the latest fiction that someone spins up and then which is vomited up as as gospel around the internet.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Yes, and business is so good that they even are laying down the law about what can be quoted, etcetera....<br /><br />:rollinglaugh:

At least this happened now and not two or three days before signing day. Let the emotions subside and let rational discussion take place. We know where Mama Thompson sits on the issue. Lets just see how this plays out. Let the Oregon and Washington guys come in and provide updates. It doesn't matter. <br /><br />Regarding the Biggins' tweets, etc. remember that Shaq was all Cal for quite a while but "reports" kept coming out that SC, Washington and others were in the lead for his commitment. Biggins was as guilty as anyone with this. <br /><br />Shaq plays his status close to the vest and I suspect this decision will be handled in a similar manner.

I think it is completely within NCAA rules for Tedford and ex-players to call Syd'quan and have him lean on his brother.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">socaltownie;685709 said:</div><hr>Oh and as the above 120 post poster notes, the other staple in this silliness is the "family friend who has known them for years and is "rock solid" in his info.<br /><br />Jeez.<br /><br />99% of of American Families in moments like this turn INWARD, not outward. They DEFINITELY don't go talking to people whose inclination or track record is to turn around and talk to internet fools. <br /><br />The ONLY source that makes sense to track is the recruits tweets or an interview, with a legit source, with direct quotes (as per the Arik interview). The rest has the journalistic standard of dog poop.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />You aren't very familiar with the recruiting game, are you? 99% of Americans don't have to go through the recruiting process with highly recruited athlete and the entire process can get overwhelming due to no one having experience with the avalanche of attention. A lot of times recruits and their families will actually ask advice from recruiting analysts they've known for a while and trust. Respected analysts will ask the recruit/recruit's family for permission before posting their conversations and I would say Moraga bear comes across as one of those people

<blockquote><div class="name-said">510Bear;685708 said:</div><hr>Don't even know what to say about this whole thing. If Shaq picks UW then the terrorists have won.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Definitely agree here. He's symbolic of the class now. More than just a 5 star safety pencilled to start.<br /><br />If he sticks with us, huge win and would really announce that we weren't a one man show on the recruiting front.<br /><br />If he goes to UW, they might have gotten their 500k worth. <br /><br />If he goes to UO... huh. Talk about irony. In an effort to weaken another competitor they've strengthened their archrival. <br /><br />I really hope he stays but think we can have a great class without him.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">ppilot;685729 said:</div><hr>YA lot of times recruits and their families will actually ask advice from recruiting analysts they've known for a while and trust. <hr></blockquote><br /><br />Just look at this and think about it for about a nano second and think about how foolish you are.<br /><br />A) We are overwhelmed with attention, pressure, problems. It is just too much<br />B) Lets talk with a guy who is a reporter on the record<br />C) Lets let him report so that A is exponentially increased.<br /><br />Yeah RIGHT!!!!

If Shaq doesn't want to be a part of our journey to the RB then that is his decision and he will have to live with it. We would all love if Shaq kept CAL in the family, but hes got to do what's best for him. I just hope he can realize which programs are on the rise and which are headed downward because of blatantly obvious soon to be head coaching changes (Oregon and UW).

adamgorney Adam Gorney <br />Five-star Shaq Thompson said that there is "no placement" among his top teams and that there is no leader #Cal, #Washington #Oregon

<blockquote><div class="name-said">socaltownie;685737 said:</div><hr>Just look at this and think about it for about a nano second and think about how foolish you are.<br /><br />A) We are overwhelmed with attention, pressure, problems. It is just too much<br />B) Lets talk with a guy who is a reporter on the record<br />C) Lets let him report so that A is exponentially increased.<br /><br />Yeah RIGHT!!!!<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Apparently you didn't read the sentence right after this one.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">Ace4eVer;685730 said:</div><hr>Definitely agree here. He's symbolic of the class now. More than just a 5 star safety pencilled to start.<br /><br />If he sticks with us, huge win and would really announce that we weren't a one man show on the recruiting front.<br /><br />If he goes to UW, they might have gotten their 500k worth. <br /><br />If he goes to UO... huh. Talk about irony. In an effort to weaken another competitor they've strengthened their archrival. <br /><br />I really hope he stays but think we can have a great class without him.<hr></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br />Think the ducks would get a kick out of things if he chose them? I'm sure all 3 schools are giving their best and strongest arguments now. May the best win...

<blockquote><div class="name-said">Ace4eVer;685730 said:</div><hr>Definitely agree here. He's symbolic of the class now. More than just a 5 star safety pencilled to start.<br /><br />If he sticks with us, huge win and would really announce that we weren't a one man show on the recruiting front.<br /><br />If he goes to UW, they might have gotten their 500k worth. <br /><br />If he goes to UO... huh. Talk about irony. In an effort to weaken another competitor they've strengthened their archrival. <br /><br />I really hope he stays but think we can have a great class without him.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Oregon is NOT UW's archrival. UW is Oregon's bitch. Rather, UW considers Cal its rival. Cal has been more successful over the last 10 years but UW has won 3 in a row.

just lost two sr safteies need him to want to be here !!!...i hate waking up checking board thinking good news please ... (tosh geezz you a hot mess) <br />young luv1 if you read this hope you stay online with you comment after you picked up that CAL hat " we are goin to change the game" hope you stay home if not sh$t go to ND at least ! <br /><br /> <br />purple and gold / and green yellow are out BLUE AND GOLD ARE IN !!!!

<blockquote><div class="name-said">9thCircuitBear;685748 said:</div><hr>if shaq goes to UW they got their 500k worth and we wasted our 500 mil.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Um. lol. No. The stadium project will be hauling in recruits for many years to come for that one-time price. Tosh . . . not so much.

doggies would probably have bigger meltdown than us if shaq ends up in eugene.

Didn't seem like oregon was on either Shaq or AA's radars before to$h left. Maybe they're still trying to play together.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">socaltownie;685737 said:</div><hr>Just look at this and think about it for about a nano second and think about how foolish you are.<br /><br />A) We are overwhelmed with attention, pressure, problems. It is just too much<br />B) Lets talk with a guy who is a reporter on the record<br />C) Lets let him report so that A is exponentially increased.<br /><br />Yeah RIGHT!!!!<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Especially, since I suspect that some of these "reporters" are informants for certain recruiters. The question is which recruiter has the most influence on a specific "reporter," who in turn is being used as an ad hoc advisor by someone...<br /><br />:sarc:

adamgorney Adam Gorney<br /><br />Five-star Shaq Thompson said that there is "no placement" among his top teams and that there is no leader #Cal, #Washington #Oregon<br />55 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

<blockquote><div class="name-said">bear1027;685836 said:</div><hr>adamgorney Adam Gorney<br /><br />Five-star Shaq Thompson said that there is "no placement" among his top teams and that there is no leader #Cal, #Washington #Oregon<br />55 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply<hr></blockquote><br /><br />:cheer :newnana: :woohoo

<blockquote><div class="name-said">bear1027;685836 said:</div><hr>adamgorney Adam Gorney<br /><br />Five-star Shaq Thompson said that there is "no placement" among his top teams and that there is no leader #Cal, #Washington #Oregon<br />55 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply<hr></blockquote><br /><br /><img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="" />" />" />" />" />

<blockquote><div class="name-said">ppilot;685743 said:</div><hr>Apparently you didn't read the sentence right after this one.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />I did and noted that the conversation was supposedly "on the record". I don't doubt for a minute that many parents start OFF as media "unsavey" but I would guess that they clam up pretty darn quickly after their phone rings off the hook and their son gets 400 breathless tweets.<br /><br />Now I am also sure that some kids LOVE the attention. But that doesn't mean it is "real" news either - just that the attention maximizing behavior is to report that it is a "horse race" between X, Y, and Z and then let the tweets just ROLL in.<br /><br />(Note too that would be a great way to maximize illegal and inappropriate payments from the scum of the world. Always better to let a bidder know he might be "outbid"<img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="" />" />" />">

<blockquote><div class="name-said">KoreAmBear;685850 said:</div><hr>:cheer :newnana: :woohoo<hr></blockquote>sign of the times -- we're jumping with joy because one of our verbals has moved us up into his top three schools. :headbang

<blockquote><div class="name-said">socaltownie;685580 said:</div><hr>I also question his ability to shine at OU. If YOU were scheming the Ducks your first, second and third priority is to POUND THE BALL and Kill the clock. Just not sure how a SS shines in that system - or at least shines to get a huge NFL payday.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />OU is the Sooners. I'll answer your questions as best I can, don't shoot the messenger. Currently UO can claim 3 starting Safeties in the NFL (Jairus Byrd, Patrick Chung, TJ Ward), but they weren't top flight prospects coming out of HS like Shaq. By rivals ratings two were *2 and the third guy wasn't rated at all. Also, Sr Safety Eddie Pleasant was just named 1st team All Pac 12 and will probably be drafted. Jr. Safety John Boyett has NFL potential too.<br /><br />This past season Oregon was last in the conference in the battle for time of possession in conference games just like most seasons since Kelly took over. But the D wasn't left to dry out. They rotated two entire units to keep their side fresh and usually saw their opponent run out of gas in the 2nd half. They tied Utah for giving up the fewest yards per play, were 2nd in interceptions and led the conference by a wide margin in sacks. <br /><br />most of Oregon's coaching staff has been there for more then a decade, which has to endear some trust with recruits. DB coach and Mountain View native John Neal just completed his 10th year coaching at Oregon. DC Nick Allioti is from Pittsburg and just finished his 21st year.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">diego;686023 said:</div><hr>OU is the Sooners. I'll answer your questions as best I can, don't shoot the messenger. Currently UO can claim 3 starting Safeties in the NFL (Jairus Byrd, Patrick Chung, TJ Ward), but they weren't top flight prospects coming out of HS like Shaq. By rivals ratings two were *2 and the third guy wasn't rated at all. Also, Sr Safety Eddie Pleasant was just named 1st team All Pac 12 and will probably be drafted. Jr. Safety John Boyett has NFL potential too.<br /><br />This past season Oregon was last in the conference in the battle for time of possession in conference games just like most seasons since Kelly took over. But the D wasn't left to dry out. They rotated two entire units to keep their side fresh and usually saw their opponent run out of gas in the 2nd half. They tied Utah for giving up the fewest yards per play, were 2nd in interceptions and led the conference by a wide margin in sacks. <br /><br />most of Oregon's coaching staff has been there for more then a decade, which has to endear some trust with recruits. DB coach and Mountain View native John Neal just completed his 10th year coaching at Oregon. DC Nick Allioti is from Pittsburg and just finished his 21st year.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Hmmm.....didn't know that placement record. Surprises me because I would figure the way to beat the ducks is to keep the rock out of the air.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">Looperbear;685750 said:</div><hr>Oregon is NOT UW's archrival. UW is Oregon's bitch. Rather, UW considers Cal its rival. Cal has been more successful over the last 10 years but UW has won 3 in a row.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Trust me. Cal's love and deep respect for all things Stanford is in the same neighborhood of how Duck fans feel about UW. We've curb stomped them for almost a decade now but we're still on our feet screaming for more blood in the 4th Q during another blowout.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">diego;686045 said:</div><hr>Trust me. Cal's love and deep respect for all things Stanford is in the same neighborhood of how Duck fans feel about UW. We've curb stomped them for almost a decade now but we're still on our feet screaming for more blood in the 4th Q during another blowout.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Well then, just remember that the guy who allegedly orchestrated those phony injury timeouts a couple years ago is now on the Washington sidelines: just lay a couple more TD's on them for s**ts and giggles.<br /><br />:beer:

<blockquote><div class="name-said">diego;686045 said:</div><hr>Trust me. Cal's love and deep respect for all things Stanford is in the same neighborhood of how Duck fans feel about UW. We've curb stomped them for almost a decade now but we're still on our feet screaming for more blood in the 4th Q during another blowout.<hr></blockquote><br />Y'all hate UW more than Oregon State?

<blockquote><div class="name-said">StillNoStanfurdium;686174 said:</div><hr>Y'all hate UW more than Oregon State?<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Oregon state really hates Oregon, but not really the other way around. The UW hate has been around for while and hasn't diminished much despite 8 straight wins by the Ducks.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">ppilot;686189 said:</div><hr>Oregon state really hates Oregon, but not really the other way around. The UW hate has been around for while and hasn't diminished much despite 8 straight wins by the Ducks.<hr></blockquote><br />Off topic but, Geoff Schwartz tweeting to Cal recruits about our current situation is pretty awesome. See thread... Not all ducks are dirty.