John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Birmingham News columnist Ray Melick writes that while Mark Gottfried was a fiery player, he was losing his intensity as a coach.
• In the Mobile Press-Register, Gentry Estes writes on Gottfried’s interim successor, Philip Pearson.
• On his blog, Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times tackles the question of what Alabama will do next.
• Seth Emerson of The State writes that South Carolina coach Darrin Horn is breaking in new ground.
• In the Gainesville Sun, Pat Dooley writes that Chandler Parsons could be the key to the Florida season.
• In the Tennessean, Maurice Patton writes that A.J. Ogilvy’s health holds the key to Vanderbilt’s season.
• Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean writes that Tennessee faces a make-or-break week.
• Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser writes that defensive work is paying dividends for Auburn.
• In the Baton Rouge Advocate, Gary Laney writes that LSU’s Marcus Thornton is thriving.
• Chip Towers of the AJC asks if Georgia is competitive with its checkbook.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel sits down with Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton for a Q&A.
• Also in the News-Sentinel, Dan Fleser reports that Pat Summitt has lost her patience.

SEC links for Saturday:

• In the Baton Rouge Advocate, Gary Laney writes that its a wide-open race as SEC play begins.
• In the Tennessean, Maurice Patton writes that Vandy is healthy, ready to go.
• Also in the Tennessean, Bryan Mullen writes that Tennessee is shifting its focus to SEC play.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith reports that UT’s Tyler Smith is doubtful for Georgia game because of a bone bruise on his knee.
• The State has five questions for South Carolina basketball coach Darrin Horn.
• In the NW Arkansas Times, Nate Allen previews Arkansas’ SEC opener against Mississippi State.
• In the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Wally Hall writes that Jimmy Dykes’ professionalism covers his love of the Hogs.
• In the Clarion-Ledger, David Brandt reports that Ole Miss guard David Huertas returns to Florida with a target on his back.
• In the Birmingham News, Ian Rapoport reports that Alabama running back Glen Coffee is passing up his senior season to turn pro.
• In the Montgomery Advertiser, Tim Gayle reports that defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is leaving Alabama for Clemson.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: SEC hoops wide open’

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:

• Birmingham News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky asks why couldn’t Auburn get along this way before Tommy Tuberville walked away.

• Mike Herndon of the Mobile Press-Register reports that Auburn has a list of coaching candidates.

• Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times wonders if it won’t be tough for Auburn to find a coach who wants to compete in the ultra-competitive SEC.

• Press-Register columnist Randy Kennedy wonders how Auburn is going to top Tuberville.

• Chip Towers of the AJC talks to ex-Auburn offensive lineman and current Georgia assistant Rodney Garner, the recruiting whiz, who says he’d love Tigers’ job.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Can Auburn top Tuberville?’

SEC links for Thursday:

Updated with new links at 8:40 a.m.

The big news of the day is Tony Franklin’s firing at Auburn. Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News writes that Franklin told co-workers that Auburn “told me to get lost.”

Over at the Mobile Press-Register, Evan Woodberry reminds us that less than 24 hours before the Franklin firing, Tommy Tuberville had said it would be a “major disaster” to make a change in mid-season.

Jeff Hood of the AJC reports that at least one Auburn commitment says he plans on being a Tiger.

Also in the AJC, Tony Barnhart asks five questions about Tuberville and the Franklin firing.

In the Birmingham News, Ray Melick writes “you got to know when to fold ‘em.”

Tom Murphy at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that Arkansas’ offensive letdowns have Bobby Petrino seeing red.

In some basketball news, Seth Emerson at The State says new coach Darrin Horn is keeping promises to a minimum.

David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger takes a look at replay, and its affect on the flow of the game.

Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger points out that after returning five interceptions for touchdowns last year, Mississippi State is looking for its first pick-six this season.

In The Advocate down in Baton Rouge, Joe Macaluso reports on new basketball coach Trent Johnson’s talk to the local Rotary Club.

Mark Bradley writes in the AJC that the Georgia O-line is seldom Out-standing.

John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes about the black could that has been hovering over Georgia.

Robbie Andreu points out in the Gainesville Sun that special teams have been important in previous LSU-Florida games.

AP has a story that LSU player who promised to take out Tim Tebow now apologizes.

Maurice Patton in the Tennessean writes about the little things that have staked Vandy to its 5-0 start.

Also in the Tennessean, columnist Joe Biddle wants the real Tennessee to please stand up.