John Clay’s Sidelines

(AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)

SEC links for Monday:

• Paul Gattis of the Huntsville Times reports that the SEC is the class of the NFL draft, again.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that, by NFL draft standards, Tennessee’s talent hit a historic low.
• Hooker also profiles new Tennessee football assistant Ed Orgeron.
• Wally Hall of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that Arkansas basketball fans demand improvement.
• Birmingham News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky writes that Auburn is just glad Matthew Stafford is gone.
• Seth Emerson of The State reports that South Carolina had seven players drafted, most since the draft was shortened to seven rounds in 1994.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC reports on the rest of the Georgia draft after Stafford.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Conference rules NFL draft — again’

SEC links for Thursday:

• AJC reports that ex-Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford is near deal to be No. 1 pick in NFL draft.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that UT’s Tyler Smith will test the draft waters.
• Mike Perrin of the Birmingham News reports on Jacksonville State shocking No. 1 Georgia in baseball.
• Clarion-Ledger columnist Rick Cleveland writes that Mississippi has turned into theater of the absurd.
• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News reports on Andre Smith’s new attitude going into the draft.
• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean writes on the improving condition of ex-Vandy hoops star Clyde Lee.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Stafford to be No. 1 pick, Smith to test waters’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Doug Segrest of the Birmingham News reports that CBS thinks the Iron Bowl on a Friday will be a ratings home run.
• News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky writes about Bama tackle Andre Smith and the draft.
• Tony Barnhart of the AJC writes that there is no letdown at Florida.
• Edward Aschoff of the Gainesville Sun reports the Gators are looking for more from Carl Moore.
• Joe Person of The State gives five off-season storylines for South Carolina football.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Tennessee quarterback is a position in transition.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Spring football still in the air’

SEC links for Tuesday:

• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum asks if its time for a historic hire at Alabama.
• Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that talent is more than skin deep.
• Gary Laney of the Baton Rouge Advocate reports that LSU’s focus is on visiting Florida.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes on the ultimate Gator hangout, the barber shop.
• In the Tennessean, Bryan Mullen writes that Tennessee is struggling to keep focus on the court.
• Also in the Tennessean, Joe Biddle writes on a high-scoring high school star headed to Vandy.
• And Maurice Patton of the Tennessean reports that Vandy’s three-point shooting has not good.
• In the News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith reports that UT’s Scotty Hopson knows he must do more.
• In the Huntsville Times, Mark McCarter writes on Andre Smith’s problems.
• The AJC reports that Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno got passing grades at the NFL Combine.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger writes that Ole Miss is still searching for a 12th football game.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes on former Arkansas assistant and UAB head coach Mike Anderson who has found his groove at Missouri.

SEC links for Monday:

• In the Tennessean, columnist David Climer writes that Tenneessee’s downward spiral could cost the Vols an NCAA Tournament slot.
• Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel writes that Bruce Pearl wants his struggling Vols to play more as a team.
• In the News-Sentinel, Dan Fleser reports on the Lady Vols’ win over Mississippi State.
• In the News-Sentinel, John Adams writes on Lady Vol Kelley Cain, who is playing through pain.
• Michael Carvell of the AJC reports that South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier told a top Georiga prep quarterback he is nowhere close to retiring.
• Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes that ex-Alabama offensive lineman Andre Smith, who skipped out on the NFL Combine, has now been introduced to the real world.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that Alabama and Tennessee are waging an uncivil war in Memphis.
• In The Advocate, Randy Rosetta reports on LSU baseball’s sweep of Villanova.
• In the Gainesville Sun, Edward Aschoff reports on Florida’s sweep of No. 8 Louisville in baseball.
• Also in the Sun, John Oesher reports that Percy Harvin expects to play wide receiver in the NFL.
• Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean writes that D.J. Moore could be Vandy’s next first-round draft pick.
• In the NW Arkansas Times, Derek Oxford writes that the Arkansas women have set a school record for consecutive league wins in basketball.
• Chris Dearing of The State writes on South Carolina baseball’s opening weekend.
• Also in the Times, Nate Allen writes that effort does not equal victories for Arkansas men.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger writes on Ole Miss’ big man in the middle.

SEC links for Sunday:

• In the Gainesville Sun, John Patton reports on Nick Calathes’ star turn in Florida’s win over N.C. State.
• Also in the Sun, Robbie Andreu writes on how Florida defense sees the Oklahoma offense.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith reports that Bruce Pearl is down on Tennessee’s defense after loss at Kansas.
• Also in the News-Sentinel, Mark Packer writes that price tag makes UT’s gamble large.
• In The Advocate, Gary Laney writes on LSU’s basketball win over Southeast Louisiana.
• In the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Bob Holt reports on the Razorbacks in over North Texas.
• In the AJC, Tim Tucker writes that Tennessee is coming after Georgia recruiting ace Rodney Garner.
• Also in the AJC, Mark Bradley wonders if Georgia might be pre-season No. 1 again next year.
• Yet again in the AJC, Chip Towers reports on Georgia’s hoops loss to Missouri.
• Birmingham News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky writes that the biggest prizes slipped away from Alabama.
• Also in the News, Ian Rapoport reports that star Alabama tackle Andre Smith announces his intentions to turn pro.
• In the Tuscaloosa News, Cecil Hurt writes that loss of Smith was not only reason for Sugar Bowl loss.
• In the Tennessean, Vandy takes apart UMass.
• In the Clarion-Ledger, David Brandt writes that Ole Miss hopes to ride its Cotton Bowl win into next year.

Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, who took an elbow to the face in win over Rice last week.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that the Razorbacks are stepping up in class tonight to face No. 4 Oklahoma.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Wayne Chism plays a terrific game before being carried off on a stretcher in Tennessee’s win over Louisiana-Lafayette.
• Also in the News-Sentinel, John Adams writes that J.P. Prince’s return was a slam dunk.
• In the NW Arkansas Times, Nate Allen reports that Arkansas’ backup guard Jason Henry is out after knee surgery.
• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News reports that Alabama’s star offensive lineman Andre Smith has been suspended from Sugar Bowl for improper contact with an agent.
• Gentry Estes of the Huntsville Times writes on the Tide’s giant loss.
• In the Tuscaloosa News, Tommy Deas writes that even without Smith, Utah is not taking Bama lightly.
• Randy Rosetta of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes that from all appearances John Chavis will be LSU’s next defensive coordinator.
• Ron Morris of The State writes that having fun is supposed to be part of the bowl experience.
• Also in The State, Seth Emerson writes on a former Darrin Horn recruit who brings a twist to the South Carolina-Clemson hoops rivalry.
• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean writes that the Music City Bowl is leading Vandy’s D.J. Moore to a crossroads.
• Thomas Stinson of the AJC writes on the mystery that is Georgia running back Caleb King.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes on Chandler Parson’s bumpy ride.
• In the Montgomery Advertiser, Jay G. Tate reports that new Auburn offensive boss Gus Malzahn promises a different spread offense.

SEC links for Friday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports on Mississippi’s tough trip to Cincinnati, with Andy Kennedy’s arrest, a loss to Louisville, and Chris Warren’s injury.

• Doing double duty, Veazey also reports on Cincinnati’s win over Mississippi State.

• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News reports that Bama guard Ronald Steele claims he and coach Mark Gottfried are on the same page after Steele did not start against Tennessee State, just the second non-start of Steele’s 98-game college career.

• Christopher Walsh of the Tuscaloosa News reports that Bama’s Terrence Cody will return for his senior year, but Andre Smith will test the NFL waters.

• Terry Wood of the NW Arkansas Times writes that the Arkansas basketball team is getting better all the time.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Rough night for the Mississippis’