The Locker Room

Rick Nash remains on the trading block as the NHL trading deadline nears. Find out what the press from around North America is saying about the Blue Jackets' Capatain... 

With exactly one week remaining until the NHL trade deadline, what is everyone saying about the chances that Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash will be dealt?

Today Ohio State is paying tribute to a historic anniversary. They are recognizing that one of the most important comebacks ever didn't occur on the football field, basketball court, soccer pitch, hockey rink, or track. It did occur somewhere where a large number of stars could pay silent witness...

Yahoo! Sports reports that LeBron James is already trying to lay the groundwork for another big "Decision." Could Cleveland really see a return of the King?

Will the Blue Jackets trade Rick Nash before the February 27 deadline? The question has been on the mind of many CBJ fans, especially since the sentiment seems to be that the team should do whatever it takes to keep their longtime captain.

Ironically, it was a photoshop savvy LA Kings fan who seemed to sum up this feeling the best.

"You can't have an ego if you're going to get swatted by a girl on a daily basis."

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman spent a little over ten minutes with the Columbus media prior to tonight's faceoff between the Blue Jackets and Stars. After reiterating that he believes Columbus will be a wonderful host for next year's All-Star game, he addressed a variety of other topics including ...

I'm not a Twitter expert like Ashton Kutcher or Darren Rovell. Heck, I don't even have as many followers as some non-humans such as the Bronx Zoo Cobra...or humans who have been deceased since 1897 as is the case with Old Hoss Radbourn.

However, someone has clearly mistaken me for some sort of guru, because I've been invited to participate in #CBJTweetUp Night. And for that reason, I now feel obligated to share some of the things I think that I think about Twitter and how to give good tweet.

1. Share your personality. If you're an ornery cuss (I'm looking at you, Old Hoss Radbourn) then be cranky 140 characters at a time. If you're a walking pep talk who's all sunshine and roses, then make liberal use of emoticons. ;) And feel free to finish your sentences with lots of exclamation points!!!
2. At the same time, remember that sarcasm does not translate well to the written word. Use it carefully.
3. Cite your sources. My policy is, if I would not have come across the information (or would not have come across it in a timely fashion) myself, then I'll let you know where it did come from. It's good karma, and it will help build your credibility.
4. Remember that people don't want to guess if what you're discussing is rumor, informed speculation, or 100% cold, hard fact. Let them know.
5. If you answer a tweet, then anyone who follows both you and the person you're responding to will see it. Make it easy for the eavesdroppers by hitting the reply button to the tweet you're reacting to. That allows others to more easily follow along with the conversation.
6. Your audience is larger than just your list of followers. The Detroit News, for instance, could retweet your joke about the way Brady Hoke calls Ohio State, "Ohio." If you're willing to hear back from Michigan fans, fine. If not, think before you share your thoughts.
7. Be careful when you use the Direct Message feature. Incorrectly using it could cost you your job.
8. Don't trash talk an athlete via Twitter. It's juvenile.
9. Be careful of anyone who claims to be an "insider." Those who know what they're talking about generally don't broadcast the fact...because they don't have to. Their tweets speak for them.
10. Follow the Golden Rule. Always keep in mind that the people who you write about in your tweets are people who could end up reading your tweets...and even if they don't peruse your posts, they're still people. In most cases. (I'm looking at you, Bronx Zoo Cobra.)

Bonus tip from Darren Rovell: Don't tweet and drive.

Hope to see you at the Blue Jackets tweet up. I'll be the one in the hat. (Seriously, a member of CBJ public relations told me I wouldn't be allowed in without it.)

A couple of columnists from deep in the heart of the SEC took their shots at Ohio State coach Urban Meyer this past weekend. You won't believe what they had to say.

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema accused Ohio State's Urban Meyer of illegal recruiting tatics. Today Badgers AD Barry Alvarez took issue with his coach for making those statements...and the Buckeye athletics department released some statements of their own.

Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel was named Akron's Vice President of Strategic Engagement, and here's what he had to say at his introductory press conference...

Two high school football players held press conferences today to announce they want to spend their college years at Ohio State.

Not surprisingly, one of the last letters of intent to make it in this morning arrived from someone living in the Mountain Time Zone.

Before the end of the morning flurry, Ohio State received a few faxes from high schoolers who played here in the Buckeye state.

As 97.1 The Fan was the first to tell you this morning, Frank Epitropolous faxed in his letter of intent to be part of college football's Signing Day. Now why is that name familiar?