John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Thursday:

• NCAA ends investigation into Newton recruitment, reports Advertiser’s Jay Tate.
• NCAA closure vindicates Auburn, says Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News.
• Joe Medley of Anniston Star says that proof beat perception.
• Not sure how you can fault the NCAA, says Jeff AJC’s Jeff Schultz.
• Many share blame in Garcia saga, writes Ron Morris of The State.
• Press Association objects to Spurrier, reports Post and Courier.
• Florida’s Murphy and Larson thankful for return, reports Sun’s Kevin Brockway.
• Donovan close to signing contract extension, reports Rachel George of Sentinel.
• Lopsided games have dominated early SEC schedule, says Brett Martel of AP.
• Chavis downplays return to Tennessee, reports Times-Picayune’s Jim Kleinpeter.
• Don Kausler of the Birmingham News goes inside an Alabama football halftime.
• Bama’s Jones takes pie to the face, reports Chase Goodbread of Tuscaloosa News.
• Ole Miss knows upsets can happen, writes Hugh Kellenberger of C-L.
• No decision on Vandy quarterback, reports Jeff Lockridge of Tennessean.
• Florida linebacker will transfer, reports Matt Watts of Miami Herald.
• Chip Towers of AJC writes on realities of Georgia’s Dream Team recruiting.

South Carolina celebrates walk-off win over Arkansas. (The State photo)

SEC links for Sunday:

• SEC assistants are some of the highest paid in college football, reports Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel.
• John Pelphrey will earn $180,000 as assistant at Florida, reports Robbie Neiswanger of the Arkansas News.
• Rivals are united in grief over the death of Alabama lineman Aaron Douglas, writes Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Tennessee’s NCAA hearing figures to be intense, writes Andrew Gribble of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Tennessee wins SEC softball title, reports Kory Keys for the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Don’t count out Auburn football next season, writes Mike Herndon of the Mobile Press-Register.
• Cam Newton trying to mitigate effects of NFL lockout, writes Brett Martel of AP.
• Alan Faneca should have bust at Hall of Fame, writes Scott Rabalais of The Advocate.
• Recruiting OK for Tennessee, reports Patrick Brown of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Wingo’s walk-off gives South Carolina a big win over Arkansas, writes Chris Dearing of The State.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Conference boasts high-paid assistant coaches’

SEC links for Monday:

• Florida leaders say Gator football team does not have a drug problem, reports the Gainesville Sun.
• After Alabama tornadoes, all sides are on the same team, writes Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Alabama coaches and players are giving back, helping out, reports Michael Casagrande of the Anniston Star.
• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News writes that the greatness of Cam Newton and Nick Fairley has been re-affirmed.
• South Carolina baseball sweeps Auburn with 7-3 win, reports Evan Woodbery of the Mobile Press-Register.
• Gamecocks stay on track, writes Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier.
• Florida baseball sweeps Ole Miss, reports Jeff Barlis of the Gainesville Sun.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Florida denies its football team has drug problem’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Five most interesting people at SEC tourney, from Gainesville Sun’s Pat Dooley.
• Renardo Sidney admits to a bad attitude, reports Brandon Marcello of the C-L.
• Donovan, Parsons take SEC honors, reports Kevin Brockway of the Sun.
• Donovan says don’t fall in love with Gators, reports Sentinel’s Rachel George.
• Vandy’s Jenkins misses out on big award, reports Jeff Lockridge of Tennessean.
• Tennessee’s threes at a low point, writes Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel.
• Green’s suspension helped turn Tide, writes Anniston Star’s Michael Casagrande.
• NCAA Committee needs more basketball people, says Kevin Scarbinsky.
• Ohio State case has an Alabama precedent, by Cecil Hurt of Tuscaloosa News.
• Guess we won’t be hearing those Newton tapes, says Mr. SEC.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Getting ready for SEC basketball tournament’

(AP photo)

SEC links for Friday:

- Tennessee holds off South Carolina 73-69, reports Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel. The Vols are now 8-7 in the SEC, with Kentucky coming to Knoxville on Sunday.

- Road games aren’t the problem for Tennessee, points out Mike Strange of the News-Sentinel. Tennessee finished 5-3 in SEC play on the road. The Vols are 3-4 at home.

- Tobias Harris scored a career-high 25 points in the Tennessee win, reports Patrick Brown of the Chattanooga Times Free Press. ”Tobias finished around the basket,” said UT coach Bruce Pearl afterward. “Tobias rebounded the ball in traffic. He was the only guy in there that had any kind of size – any kind of physical presence. That’s one of his best games. I played him at a lot of center. And as a freshman he’s a winner.”

- Shell-shocked Gamecocks can’t dig out of hole, writes Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier. Sam Muldrow did score a career-high 24 points on his Senior Night for South Carolina.

- Auburn lost more than $600,000 on its BCS championship game appearance, reports Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News. That’s the dirty little secret about bowl games. For the teams, the game itself is not a money-making proposition.

- John Bond says the Cam Newton tape is a fake, reports Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News. I’m not sure I care much about this, or know who to believe.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Tennessee tunes up for UK with win in Columbia’

(AP photo/Mark Humphrey)

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Big home game for Georgia tonight vs. Vandy, writes Tim Tucker of the AJC.
• Vanderbilt values Taylor’s defense, writes Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.
• Jenkins latest in long line of Vandy sharpshooters, writes Ron Higgins of the C-A.
• SEC stretch key to improving resume, says Marc Weiszer of Athens Banner-Herald.
• Mr. SEC looks at those NCAA tournament resumes.
• Defense has Alabama thinking tourney, says Mike Herndon of the Press-Register.
• Ross has become Auburn’s go-to guy, reports John Zenor of the AP.
• Arkansas players talk about critics, reports Robbie Neiswanger of Arkansas News.
• Sources say no NCAA bombshells on Newton, reports News’ Kevin Scarbinsky.
• NCAA prez’s comments sound good for Newton, says Anniston Star’s Joe Medley.
• Clowney takes some digs at Nick Saban, blogs Chris Low for espn.com.
• Scotty Hopson says Tennessee not done, writes Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Georgia-Vandy battle for second place in East’

(AP photo)

SEC links for Friday:

• Dee Bost and Renardo Sidney combine for 49 points as Mississippi State wins at Ole Miss 69-64, reports Brandon Marcell of the Clarion-Ledger.
• After winning the BCS title, Cameron Newton decides to enter the NFL draft, reports Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser. No surprise there. Now we will know when the receives the money.
• NCAA president calls for closing of the Newton loophole at convention, reports Paul Weber of the AP.
• Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee could be next head coach at Tulsa, reports the Arkansas News.
• LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton leaves for Maryland, reports Randy Rosetta of The Advocate.
• Vanderbilt center Festus Ezeli has been delivering in a key role, writes David Climer of the Tennessean.
• Trey Thompkins is leading Georgia’s resurgence, writes Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Mississippi State gets Sidney to come through’

Mike Sherman leads Texas A&M against LSU in Cotton Bowl tonight. (AP photo/Cody Duty)

SEC links for Friday:

• Jim Kleinpeter: Hype set aside as LSU-Texas A&M square off in Cotton Bowl tonight.
• Glenn Guilbeau: Could Cotton Bowl be Jordan Jefferson’s last stand at LSU?
• Scott Rabalais: Cotton Bowl has made a comeback and wants BCS slot.
• Robbie Neiswanger: Ryan Mallett declares himself eligible for NFL draft.
• Jay G. Tate: Auburn offense fueled by relationship in trenches.
• Kevin Scarbinsky: The SEC’s streak is Auburn’s burden in title game.
• Brandon Marcello: Mississippi State promotes Chris Wilson to defensive coordinator.
• Chase Goodbread: Alabama defensive tackle Marcel Dareus will turn pro.
• Michael Casagrande: Saban tells Alabama recruit that Mark Ingram is going pro.
• Kyle Veazey: SEC West playing catch-up to East in basketball.
• Jeff Lockridge: SEC East should dominate men’s basketball again in league.
• David Paschall: It’s been a rocky start for SEC basketball.
• John Adams: SEC women’s hoops no match for Tennessee’s depth.
• Mike Griffith: Bruce Pearl’s game-day hiatus is about to begin.
• Rachel George: Florida prepares to face Orlando native Chris Warren and Ole Miss.
• David Ching: Georgia athletic director feels fans’ frustration over football.
• Seth Emerson: Greg McGarity says he wants to see Bulldogs improve.
• Austin Ward: Texas hires away Tennessee football’s strength coach.
• David Jones: Kirk Herbstreit says Charlie Weis will be a success at Florida.
• Tony Barnhart: Newton and Pryor rulings are completely different.

(AP photo/Wade Payne)

SEC links for Thursday:

• Mike Griffith: Tennessee mashes Memphis 104-84 to get back on winning track.
• Mike Strange: Vols prove to be fully functional in win over cross-state Tigers.
• Mark Wiedmer: Did Vols solve all their problems in one night?
• Jason Smith: It was a rocky flop for Josh Pastner and Memphis.
• Randy Riggs: Mississippi State loses defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to Texas.
• Glenn Guilbeau: Les Miles distances himself from Michigan opening.
• Kyle Veazey: More turmoil for Mississippi State basketball as Beckham leaves.
• AP: Ole Miss tunes up for SEC play with 75-57 rout at SMU.
• AP: Cameron Newton says father will be at BCS title game.
• Josh Moon: Auburn trying to join 1957 team in history books.
• Chris Low: Auburn is casting the shadow this football season.
• Tommy Deas: Alabama assistant Sal Sunseri interviews for open Pitt job.
• Jeff Lockridge: Walk-ons filling the gap for Vanderbilt basketball.
• Rachel George: John Brantley’s family says quarterback hasn’t made decision.
• Mr. SEC: Want to win an SEC football game? Then take care of the football.

SEC links and news for Friday:

GRUDEN TO BE A GATOR? – Adam West of the Gainesville Sun reports that Jon Gruden met with Florida officials on Thursday. But David Jones of Florida Today seems to think that Gruden is out of the race. The ex-Bucs coach says he likes what he’s doing on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. I like it, too.

MULLEN THE MAN? – Dan Mullen reiterates he’s happy at Mississippi State, reports Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger. In fact, Mullen said all the attention regarding the Florida and Miami jobs is a little annoying. And Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel says Florida should bypass the Mississippi State coach, writing, “He looks like he should be. He talks like he should be. He has the Urbanator bloodlines. And, yes, he has what Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin calls the “it factor.” But there’s one thing he doesn’t have: A track record of success that should be a prerequisite for the Florida job.”

MORE MEYER FALLOUT – An old competitor, Phil Fulmer, says he admires Meyer’s courage to step down, reports Andrew Gribble of the Knoxville News-Sentinel. “”His family is important, his health is important,” said Fulmer, who was presented with The Knoxville Award by the Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service at the Convention Center on Thursday. “I think it’s just a huge statement that the pressure coaches nowadays are under. Good for him to have the courage to step down and do the things that are important to him.”

Meanwhile, Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post reports that Meyer will still be around to help at Florida.

The AJC’s Tony Barhart says that even if you are a Gator-hater, there’s no joy in Meyer’s departure. Plus, Matt Hinton of Yahoo Sports on the Gators that time will forget.

Continue reading ‘Gruden and Gators; Mullen’s plans; Newton news’