Q&A with Gregg Doyel of CBS Sports

By now, I’m sure most of you have read the breath of fresh air that was Gregg Doyel’s article on the Cam Newton situation. If you haven’t read it, or have and are still unsure on his stance relating to this whole mess, his responses to a few of my questions may clear it up for you. Thanks again to Doyel for taking the time for this “guy who lives in his mom’s basement waiting on meatloaf.”

Yeah, a certain member of the media who I apologized to yesterday called me that today even after admitting that he read the apology. I have officially made it. Anyway, here’s the interview.

1. Do you honestly think there is an agenda by some members of the press against Auburn, and more importantly against Cam Newton?

Absolutely. It’s impossible to read Thayer Evans’ “work,” as well as his tweets, and not conclude that he simply doesn’t like Cam Newton and wants to bring him down. Why is that? No clue. But it’s obvious. Evans simply isn’t a good enough writer to even plausibly deny his ill will toward Newton. He hasn’t been subtle.

2. Do you think there is an agenda by some SEC coaches against Auburn or just Cam Newton or both?

Again, absolutely. Newton is the best player in college football, and he could be doing it for Florida, where he originally played, or for Mississippi State, where he was thought to be going after junior college. But instead he’s doing it at Auburn, and Auburn is No. 2, and Florida is mediocre and Mississippi State is good but still not headed for a BCS bowl like Auburn is. I can add two plus two and get four every day of the week.

3. If allegations are found to be untrue, what should be done with Thayer Evans? Are ESPN and New York Times the most to blame?

Thayer Evans should be demoted for a lack of talent in the first place, but if his academics story — tied to one “source” — is wrong, he should be reprimanded publically at the least. And he should be sued by Cam Newton. At this moment, though, the most obviously egregious reporting, or lack thereof, was done in the original “Newton was for sale” stories by the NY Times and ESPN.com last week. They wrote fourth-hand gossip like it was fact. Shame on them.

4. Does Urban Meyer stare at a picture of Cam Newton each night as he lies in bed?

Good Lord I hope not.

5. Who is your favorite Auburn Tiger of all time and why?

Tyrone Goodson. I covered him for the Tampa Tribune when he was in high school in Brooksville, Fla. Very nice young man, and a great all-around athlete. Averaged 20-and-10 and had some great basketball battles with future Dallas Cowboys linebacker Darren Hambrick.