The self-imposed sanctions by Ohio State against football coach Jim Tressel will likely be just the tip of the iceberg.


What it provides is probable cause for the NCAA to investigate the Ohio State football program. Its version of a search warrant. Who knows what the NCAA will find once they start investigating in earnest the Buckeyes, who have long been suspected, but not proven lately, of violating the rules.


A two-game suspension for Tressel, against Toledo and Akron, is certainly tolerable. A $250,000 fine is hefty, but represents less than 10 percent of Tressll's annual income from Ohio State.


He essentially covered up for several of his players, including star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, top running back Dan Herron and gifted receiver DeVier Posey. They received money and free tattoos in exchange for memorabilia. Pryor, for example, exchanged his gold pants from a Michigan victory, and, of all things, a sportsmanship award from the Fiesta Bowl.


The above-mentioned players have been suspended for the Buckeyes' first five games this season, which include more difficult challenges against Miami (Fla) and Colorado - and the Big Ten opener vs. Michigan State.


NCAA investigations take time. We saw that at Michigan when work rules became an issue. We saw that at USC. Reggie Bush was long gone from USC when the NCAA finally cracked down on the Trojans - and hard.


It wouldn't surprise me in this circumstance, once they dig in, if eventually the NCAA punishment goes far beyond OSU's self sanctions.

Random Thoughts

- Please. Can we spare any idea the Lions would be interested in signing former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, who is making a comeback. Although once a superior player, he is 36 years old and hasn't played since 2006.

He had a good broadcasting job with NBC, but he lost it after he had a much-publicized affair with an intern while his wife was pregnant. His wife subsequently divorced him. So why is Barber coming back? He desperately needs money, and undoubtedly wants a lot of it. Yet, it's highly unlikely he'd be able to deliver on the pay out.

- Despite absolutely dominating the Summit League, I still don't expect Oakland to get better than a 13th seed in the NCAA tournament. The Golden Grizzlies have one marquee victory, over Tennessee, which was ranked seventh nationally at the time, but has fallen off the map since. But they will present a tough first-round matchup. Oakland has gotten beyond the point where they are intimidated by Top 25 competition. Those games have gotten closer every year. And Oakland only lost to MSU by a point this season in a game that could have gone either way.