Young trial is a made-for-TV primetime hit

Clement had testified on direct that Logan Young bragged, over dinner at the Grove Grill, of having bought former Melrose defensive end Kindal Moorehead for Alabama.

Hutton - sticking to the essential defense strategy - tried to emphasize that his client was smashed at the time.

"You said that when Mr. Young was talking to you at the Grove Grill about Alabama football, he had at least 10 scotch and sodas, did you not?"

"No, sir," said Clement.

No?

Ha!

Hutton had him now. He whipped out Clement's testimony to the NCAA, where the guy had clearly said - Hutton read this all out loud - that Young had downed 10 scotch and waters at that dinner.

So, did you or did you not say that, Mr. Clement?

Clement looked back, deadpan.

"I thought you said scotch and sodas."

Oh.

Geez.

Never mind!

Which is when the idea hit: There really should be an ESPNCRIME.

All the action, all the laughter, all the human drama of courtroom competition.

Plus, no shortage of programming!

If professional poker can draw monster ratings, why can't this?

See the Detroit basketball fans on trial for throwing stuff at players.

See the Ole Miss football players charged with sexual assault.

See Ronnie Cottrell's suit against the NCAA, and Jackie Sherrill's suit against the NCAA, and, by all means, see the show going on right now on the 11th floor of the Clifford Davis Federal Building.

Wednesday was a slow day, but it still beat the heck out of - actual ESPN programming this week - live Senior Bowl practice.

Lynn Lang said that East High coach Wayne Randall talked to him because Randall "wanted to know how to get money for a football player that went to the University of Arkansas."

Oooooooh.

Lang said he nearly reneged on his deal with Young because Arkansas offered him money and a position as a defensive line coach.

Ahhhhhhh.

And then, just before court adjourned, an FBI expert testified that there were 59 phone calls between Young and Lang from June 5, 2000, through February 13, 2001.

Yowser!

You have to think this creates a problem for the defense. If Young didn't buy players from Lang, what were the two gabbing about?

The pesky mosquito problem in Chickasaw Gardens?

The pros and cons of single malt scotch?

The challenge of getting today's misguided youth to realize there's more to life than sports?

Our experts could discuss all that, along with the other breaking issues of our time.

Missouri basketball. Colorado football. All things SEC.

"It's like a soap opera," said Marv Conrad, 37, who left his printing business Wednesday to come watch the Young trial.

Conrad was joined by John Hirschman, one of his employees.

"Curiosity overwhelmed me," Hirschman said.

And would the two tune in if this stuff were on TV?

"Absolutely," said Conrad.

"I know I would," said Hirschman

So there you go, ESPN. You can thank me with cash or check.

People love sports. People love trials. It's the best blend since Reese's peanut butter cups.

And if that's not enough, think about the real ratings bonanza.

Someday, a poker player will go on trial.