T1B

CINCINNATI — Bengals tailback and former University of Michigan great Chris Perry added some spice to The Big Game by trashing Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, ripping Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel and predicting a resounding Wolverines victory.

Speaking from the Bengals open locker room Monday, Perry said Smith doesn't deserve the Heisman Trophy as the nation's most outstanding player. Perry also bashed the media for hyping Smith's Heisman hopes and said Michigan will administer a decisive 31-17 triumph.

"It's a blowout," Perry said. "Ain't no ifs, ands or buts about it. (Defensive tackle Alan) Branch is going to knock the stuffing out of — what's his name — Troy Smith. You all set that (Heisman Trophy talk) up anyway. That's some BS to begin with.

"He shouldn't even win the Heisman. He's not going to win his league or the national championship. We all know what's going to happen. We're going to win it. It's been long overdue. Tressel's been cheating. So, hey, we're going to keep it real. There ain't nothing else to say."

Perry said two of Michigan's touchdowns "are going to be scored by the defense. (Ohio State wide receiver) Ted Ginn's going to get off, but he's not going to be able to win the game for them.

"We've got a defense with Branch. He's the D-tackle, man — 6-foot-6, 330 (pounds). We've got (defensive end) LaMarr Woodley, (linebacker) David Harris, (cornerback) Leon Hall. You want me to keep naming names?"

Won't Michigan coach Lloyd Carr be upset with one of his former players blasting the school's No. 1 rival?

"Lloyd's not worried about me because nobody else is worried about me," Perry said. "They're (the Wolverines) going to handle their business like professionals, and go ahead and win the national championship."

Perry believes the OSU-Michigan winner will play Southern California or Notre Dame for the national title, but he wouldn't rule out a Buckeyes-Wolverines rematch in the Fiesta Bowl.

BlindRef wrote:You suckeyes crack me up.

Your golden boy calls a college kid worthless and you are ripping on Chris Perry for talking a little smack?

This whole thing just gets pathetic at a certain point.

Henry has been arrested four times since last December. He has
pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and a gun charge, and has
two other cases pending. The league suspended him for the last two
games for violating its conduct and substance abuse policies.

Herbstreit rips U-M on radio

TV analyst and ex-OSU quarterback says defense will fail, receiver Breaston is mostly 'worthless.'

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News




The big game is more than two weeks away, but because of the potential matchup of No. 1 Ohio State versus No. 2 Michigan, the talk already has started.

Here are some excerpts from Kirk Herbstreit on his radio show Monday afternoon on "The Big Show" on WBNS 1460 in Columbus. Herbstreit, a former Ohio State quarterback, is a well-respected college football television analyst:


On the Michigan defense: "I personally don't think their defense, the way Ohio State will spread them out, can just dominate the game and shut Ohio State down."


On Michigan not being able to score enough points to beat OSU: "The way they look right now, I don't think anybody can see that.

"(Receiver) Mario Manningham coming back, one guy doesn't make a big difference in most cases, but the reason it does in Michigan's case is because it's like a domino effect.

"If Manningham's able to come back and be the player that he was before the injury, (receiver Adrian) Arrington can go back to doing what he does, instead of being the go-to guy.

"(Receiver Steve) Breaston can go back to whatever he's doing these days, if they could ever find a way to actually apply him in the offense. He's worthless in my mind, outside of returning a few punts. I'll say that, and he'll end up winning the game for them on Nov. 18. But he hasn't done anything since his freshman year."


On what would happen today if U-M and OSU met: "If those two teams were to play right now, just the way they're playing, I don't even think it would be close. Ohio State not only wins that game the way they're playing right now, maybe by a few scores."


On Michigan's fans not sticking around for last Saturday's game against Northwestern: "If you're a Michigan fan, honestly, help me to understand, you have a team that is No. 2 in the country, you only get a chance to see them play at home six or seven times and you bail in the second quarter?"

Comment costs announcer

Former NFL tight end Brian Kinchen will not work as an ESPNU commentator this week because of a comment he made during Saturday's broadcast of the Northern Illinois-Iowa game.

Kinchen was explaining the need for receivers to make catches with their hands because they are "tender" and can "caress" the ball. He then paused and said, "That's kind of gay, but hey ..."

"The comments were inappropriate, and we apologize for them," said Josh Krulewitz , ESPN's vice president of public relations.

Kinchen's future with ESPNU is under review, Krulewitz said.

Kinchen, who played at LSU and in the NFL from 1988-2000 with Miami, Cleveland and Baltimore, also apologized for his remarks.

"They were completely inappropriate and not at all a reflection of who I am or the way I perform my work," Kinchen said in a statement issued by ESPN. "I have learned from my mistake and look forward to continuing my broadcasting career."

Detroit News wire services contributed.

Sky wrote: Well maybe, just maybe if Chris Perry wasn't such a fine social example I could let it go. But given this:

Henry has been arrested four times since last December. He has
pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and a gun charge, and has
two other cases pending. The league suspended him for the last two
games for violating its conduct and substance abuse policies.

I don't have a lot of respect. But you are probably right, why complain about such a respected human being running his mouth.

M Club wrote:and shit, chris perry classless? what a fucking thug to talk smack about his alma mater's biggest rival. he's fucking worthless. i hope he gets shot in a drive-by.

BraveFan wrote:Chris Perry's comments were unquestionably classless...

buckeye_in_sc wrote:again who gives a rats ass what someone says...

players that are currently on the rosters and coaches there are involved in this game whatever Herbie, Chris whatever, fucking Eddie George and Braylon Edwards say for all I care doesn't mean shit (disclaimer Eddie and Braylon didn't say anything just using it for clarity)...

fact of the matter is this

1 vs 2
LLLLoyd is 1-4 vs his daddy
National Championship implications on the line

Who the fuck needs anymore reason to get fired up...hell I am so fired up I am ready to leave Charlotte now...Friday morning can't come soon enough...

Ok fine I respect Michigan fan...but you bastards are going down on Saturday and there isn't anything you pusses can do to stop Troy and the Buckeyes he owns your asses and will extend his ownership this saturday...

is that better MGO?

BraveFan wrote:You left out the second part of my quote, mclub. You know, the part about "what else would anyone expect....".

a trip to Glendale should be enough to get you fired up...