John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Saturday:

• NCAA interviews Bryce Brown for two hours about Lane Kiffin’s recruiting methods, reports Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Freshman receiver Justin Hunter is held out of workouts by NCAA Eligibility Center, reports Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Arthur Jefferey ready to play again for Vols, writes Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Former Alabama basketball player Mikhail Torrance collapses after workout, reports Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News.
• John Pennington of Mr. SEC compares Les Miles to Barry Switzer, and hears about it.
• Alabama defense looks to improve in game-like scrimmage, reports Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register.
• Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald reports that opinions differ on mobility of Florida quarterback John Brantley.
• Connor Shaw off to a strong start at South Carolina, reports Neil White of The State.
• Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier reports that Marcus Lattimore is continuing his progress at USC.
• Zac Etheridge can’t wait to hit again at Auburn, reports Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser.
• Arkansas News does a Q&A with Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett.

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips talks about what he will be looking for from his quarterbacks in Saturday’s scrimmage:

Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog has talked to DeAndre Daniels high school coach, who says that the possible UK target will visit USC and UCLA this weekend.

Excerpt:

Taylor said Kentucky and Texas were also involved, but wasn’t sure who else the family was considering. Daniels recently decommitted from Texas.

Kentucky quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Randy Sanders talks about what he wants to see from his position in Saturday’s scrimmage:

UK coach Joker Phillips said he’s looking for a better effort in Saturday’s scrimmage:

On his Twitter feed recently, UK basketball commitment Anthony Davis asked someone to photoshop him into a Kentucky uniform.

That prompted the following e-mail from Justin:

Hey John I visit your blog often, I find it great.

Anthony Davis made a request he wanted to be photoshoped into a UK uniform.

I do some local freelance graphic design and I thought I would help the kid out.

I would send it to him but had no I idea how to get it to him. I was hoping you could.

UPDATE: Mo Eggers thinks Edmonds has had quite the effect on Drew Stubbs, as well. Plus, he has some unflattering news on a Cardinals broadcaster.

Daily Randoms for a Friday:

Heard Kentucky Ink’s Jeff Drummond say on Larry Glover Live last night that he would not be surprised if Joker Phillips doesn’t name a starting quarterback until Sept. 4. I respect Jeff and his opinion, but hope that isn’t so. Phillips is a first-year head coach. He’s in control of the program. To not name the starter might make some believe he can’t make his most important first team decision, pick a starting quarterback. Besides, Kentucky was a 7-6 bowl team last year. Lousiville was 4-8 a year ago. And has a new coach. Do the Cats really need that sort of tricky to beat the Cardinals. Hope not.

According to Star Magazine, ESPN’s Erin Andrews successor Jenn Brown has a new boyfriend, country singer Kenny Chesney. Isn’t Chensey a big Tennessee fan? (Hat tip to Sports by Brooks.)

One thing stuck out to me during the Reds’ sweep of Arizona. Nearly  ever shot of the Cincinnati dugout included a picture of Jim Edmonds talking to Jay Bruce. Edmonds is the wise, veteran teacher. Bruce in the talented but not-quite-there student. A by-product of Walt Jocketty’s trade to acquire Edmonds is the influence the old hat should have on the young bat.

Call it The Scott Rolen effect. The Reds’ third baseman’s professionalism and advice has rubbed off on the entire team. No doubt the Reds hope that Edmonds experience, and his ability to relay that experience, will rub off on Bruce. Considering the latter stroke four hits on Tuesday, then homered again last night, you’d have to say there’s a positive early return on the investment.

Paul Daugherty continues his assault on Colin Cowherd, and I for one am all smiles.

Writes Daugherty:

Cowherd the ESPN bootlick cannot be helped. TML and the Mobsters have tried all week to educate him. He has resisted. Instead of manning up, he sits behind glass and name-calls. How adult.  Stupid is as stupid does, you know? When you listen to him now, understand his shallow-ness and lack of facts isnt limited to the Reds or Cincinnati. It’s entirely boundless.

If he wants to learn something, he knows where to find me/us. Not likely he’ll be calling.

Bootlick. You gotta love that.

Continue reading ‘DR: UK QBs, Jenn Brown, and the Edmonds effect’

(H-L photo)

Big Blue Links for Friday:

• Kentucky’s defensive line is young, but imposing, writes Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.
• Joker Phillips wants quarterback race trimmed to at least two after Saturday’s scrimmage, reports Cosby.
• Kentucky women promote recruiting whiz Kyra Elzy, reports Jennifer Smith of the H-L.
• Freshman Nermin Delic gives Kentucky a European flavor, writes Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal.
• Mary Jo Perino of WLEX on Evan Daniels of Scout.com’s report that UK asked for Deandre Daniels’ transcript.
• John Calipari and Joker Phillips take time to help a UK fan, reports Keith Taylor of the Winchester Sun.
• Daniels tells Dimemag.com that Kentucky, North Carolina and Texas will rule in 2011.
• Jody Demling of the C-J reports that UK target Tony Wroten will visit Louisville.
• Lots of personnel talk at UK football practice, reports Tom Leach.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Is Deandre Daniels moving his way to UK now?’

SEC links for Friday:

• NCAA investigation causes South Carolina to tell players to vacate hotel, reports Joseph Person of The State.
• Steve Spurrier says freshman quarterback will play in opener, reports Chris Low of espn.com.
• Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger on ex-Alabama coach Ray Perkins, now coaching a JV team.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes on Nick Saban’s toughest position to coach.
• Chris Bahn of Arkansas 360 reports Razorbacks showed big-play ability in Thursday scrimmage.
• Vanderbilt is keeping its biggest star, Wayne Norman, in check this fall camp, reports Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.
• John Boyette of the Athens Banner-Herald talks to Vince Dooley about gardening and Georgia football.
• Florida gives freshman his release, reports Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald.
• Former Vol and Outland Trophy winner Steve DeLong dies at age 57, reports the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Georgia coach Mark Richt does a fully-clothed back flip off high dive. (Hat tip to Mr. SEC.)

Daily randoms for Thursday:

With all the (negative) publicity afforded poor little Bobby Petrino over the Arkansas/Gator hat controversy, I feel compelled to divulge the headgear I normally wear to UK press conferences.

See above picture.

It is not a South Carolina Gamecocks hat. I don’t even think of it as a South Carolina hat. It is my Hilton Head cap. My joke is that I wear it to remind me why I work. We got to Hilton Head on a family vacation almost ever year. (Missed last summer, returned this summer.)

And yes, Joker Phillips has made mention of it. That’s because one year while in Hilton Head, I bumped into Joker. He was coaching elsewhere, but was at Hilton Head for a reunion of Jerry Caliborne’s former players. We ran into each other in line at the Salty Dog Ice Cream Shop one wonderful summer night, wonderful because we were both at Hilton Head.

The main reason I wear the hat? I am this-close to being bald.

Huge win for the Redlegs last night, rallying from a 7-3 deficit to beat the Deadbacks 11-7. When it was 7-3, I thought seriously about hitting the off button. But then I remembered these are indeed this year’s Reds. Most comeback wins, behind Atlanta, anyway. And back they came. Four runs in the eighth to tie it. For more in the ninth to win it.

Jay Bruce lays down a perfect bunt single in the second inning, on his way to a four-hit night which included a homer and a triple. Old guy Jim Edmonds scores off a young guy Chris Heisey squeeze bunt to put the Reds’ ahead. Paul Janish strokes two hits and a long sac fly that looked like it was a grand slam homer when it left the bat. Laynce Nix doubles in two more runs off the bench.

Bench being a Reds’ key, and we’re not talking Johnny. Janish has filled in superbly for the shelved Orlando Cabrera. The Redlegs have six outfielders with the addition of Edmonds, and all but Gomes played key roles last night. (Stubbs hit a sac fly for the visitor’s first run.) Miguel Cairo has been a jack-of-all-trades. And old guy Edmonds played first base last night after Joey Votto was a late scratch, thanks to back tightness.

Eamonn Brennan, college basketball blogger for espn.com gives a shout-out to our friends over at A Sea of Blue, calling it he “the best fans writing about Kentucky hoops out there,” even as he disagrees with its Brandon Knight assertion.

Continue reading ‘The hat I wear to press conferences, and other notes’