John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Tuesday:

• South Carolina’s Weslye Saunders finds more trouble in a suspension, reports Joe Person of The State.

• Can Jeffery top breakout freshman season at South Carolina? asks Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier.

• Vanderbilt’s top playmaker, Warren Norman, to have MRI on knee, reports Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.

• Only label Matt Simms missing at Tennessee is starter, reports Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

• Eric Gordon a vicious hitter for the Vols, writes Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

• Ole Miss’ Jeremiah Masoli is awaiting clearance from NCAA, writes David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger.

• With season fast approaching, Urban Meyer says he has concerns at Florida, reports Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.

• Meyer says he’s starting to hit the panic button a little, reports Anthony Chiang of the Orlando Sentinel.

• Jordan Jefferson to take more risks as LSU’s quarterback, writes Glenn Guilbeau of the Shreveport Times.

• It’s Aaron Murray’s time to shine at Georgia, writes Steve Hummer of the AJC.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Ex-Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to Ole Miss is a thorny possibility, writes David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Tennessee Titans slap Lane Kiffin with a lawsuit, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
• NCAA requests only one Georgia player for interview, reports Marc Weiszer of the AJC.
• Weiszer also reports that Mark Richt is urging Georgia fans to be patient with new quarterback Aaron Murray.
• “We want our fans to be proud,” Richt tells boosters, reports Mark Bradley of the AJC.
• Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register jumps on the kick Vandy out of the SEC bandwagon.
• It’s full speed ahead for South Carolina receiver Dion LeCorn, writes Seth Emerson of The State.
• Dan Mullen is the real Darth Visor, Jr., writes Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News.
• Eight wins just ain’t enough for Auburn, writes David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Jordan Jefferson is set to be more than LSU’s quarterback, reports Glenn Guilbeau of the Shreveport Times.
• Gene Stallings got Alabama back on top, at least for a little while, writes Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Ex-UT star Tyler Smith joins the SEC parade of basketball players to Turkey, reports Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Anthony Grant

SEC links for Thursday:

• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register reports that crowd of 10,245 shows up for Anthony Grant’s first game at Alabama.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that Georgia AD Damon Evans still made his point while backing Mark Richt.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes about the challenge facing LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News writes that Alabama wants to improve its downfield passing game.
• Jeff Lockrige of the Tennessean reports that Vandy back Warren Norman is running for league’s top freshman.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Anthony Grant makes Alabama debut’

Nick and Terry Saban

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger writes that pieces are in place for Ole Miss to break out.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register reports that Elizabethtown native and Alabama defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick is out of hospital after shooting.
• Mike Tankersley of the Montgomery Advertiser reports that Nick Saban’s wife delights audience.
• Jeff Schultz of the AJC writes that Georgia’s biggest star may be its coach.
• Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald writes that there will be questions for both teams when Georgia plays Oklahoma State.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Ole Miss in place to break out’

Josh McNeil

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News writes that Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy could become a trivia answer.
• Paul Finebaum writes for the Mobile Press-Register that there is no question Alabama’s expectations.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that the career of Tennessee center Josh McNeil hangs in the balance.
• Josh Ward of the News-Sentinel reports that Nick Stephens is not takingn the shortsighted view after losing Tennessee quarterback battle.
• Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser reports that Auburn’s Kodi Burns is showing drive in new role.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes on LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: High expectations at Alabama’

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 Friday:

• In the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Bob Holt writes that John Pelphrey feels Arkansas is right on schedule.
• Birmingham News columnist Ray Melick writes that on Christmas morning, everybody wins.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes on the Utah kicker who enjoys celebrity status heading into the Sugar Bowl against Alabama.
• In The State, Seth Emerson writes that the Outback Bowl will make history for some South Carolina players.
• Bryan Mullen writes in the Tennessean that tough pre-conference schedule is preparing the Vols for future.
• Also in the Tennessean, Maurice Patton writes that Christmas travel pays off for Vanderbilt.
• In The Advocate, Joseph Schiefelbein writes on LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson.
• In the Gainesville Sun, BCS bowl losses don’t bother Oklahoma.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, reports from the NFL say Lane Kiffin tried to hire Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates.
• Marc Weiser writes in the Augusta Chronicle that a shopping spree awaits Georgia.
• In the AJC, Michael Carvell writes that Matt Stafford’s NFL decision is impacting Georgia’s recruiting.