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 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 Saturday:

• In the Birmingham News, columnist Kevin Scarbinsky writes that some Alabama basketball boosters dream of Tubby Smith.
• In the Gainesville Sun, Kevin Brockway reports that Billy Donovan and John Pelphrey are ready for their rubber match.
• In the AJC, columnist Mark Bradley examines the pro chances of ex-Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford.
• Randy Rosetta of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes that John Chavis is ready to shore up LSU’s defense.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Drew Edwards reports that Lane Kiffin has finished his first Tennessee staff.
• In the Mobile Press-Register, Gentry Estes reports that Lance Thompson’s departure from Bama staff is just “business.”
• In the Clarion-Ledger, Kyle Veazey reports that one new football assistant has ditched Mississippi State for Tennessee.
• Also in the Clarion-Ledger, David Brandt writes on Ole Miss’ high-flying Terrico White.
• In the Birmingham News, Ian Rapoport reports that with Ronald Steele out, Mikhail Torrance figures prominently in Alabama’s hoop plans.
• In The State, Seth Emerson writes that South Carolina will need energy in its matchup with Tennessee.
• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean writes that Vandy faces a major roadblock in Mississippi State.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC gets Mark Richt’s thoughts on this and that.

SEC links for Thursday:

• In the Orlando Sentinel, Mike Bianchi writes that the BCS title game is huge.
• At Yahoo Sports, Dan Wetzel writes that an imperfect BCS system will produce a worthy champion.
• In the Miami Herald, Linda Robertson writes that the game is a win-win.
• At SportsIllustrated.com, Stewart Mandel writes on the Florida ground attack.
• Kyle Veazey writes in the Clarion-Ledger that once new Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen is finished in Miami, it will be see you later Gator.
• Chip Towers writes in the AJC that Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford had made up his mind by the bowl game to go pro.
• AJC columnist Mark Bradley writes that Georgia loses its glamor in Stafford, but may gain some grit in new quarterback.
• Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean writes about the Vols’ loss to Gonzaga in overtime.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Drew Edwards writes about UT’s homecourt winning streak stopping at 37.
• News-Sentinel columnist Mike Strange writes that UT fans aren’t used to leaving home floor unhappy.
• Seth Emerson of The State writes that SEC hoops is suffering a down year.

SEC links for Wednesday:

• In the Orlando Sentinel, columnist Mike Bianchi predicts that Oklahoma will regain its big-game name.
• Also in the Sentinel, however, columnist David Whitley predicts a big Gator victory.
• In the Gainesville Sun, Robbie Andreu examines what makes the Gators go.
• Mark Rosner of the Austin American-Statesman reports on Arkansas’ win over No. 7 Texas.
• Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean reports that Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl tears up his team’s defense on eve of the Vols rematch with Gonzaga.
• Also in the Tennessean, Beth Rucker reports that Pat Summitt is not worried that TV caught her halftime pep talk.
• The AJC reports that its decision day for Georgia football stars Stafford and Moreno.
• In the Birmingham News, Charles Goldberg reports that Auburn has hired ex-Duke head coach Ted Roof to be defensive coordinator.
• In the Birmingham News, Ray Melick writes about new Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn’s high-octane ways.
• Even Paul Finebaum in the Mobile Press-Register admits new Auburn coach Gene Chizik is gaining steam.
• Kevin Scarbinsky in the Birmingham News writes that Charles Barkley gave Auburn a bad rap.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Drew Edwards reports that Tennessee recruits are getting first look at the full Monte Kiffin.
• In the Tennessean, Maurice Patton reports that Vandy sees quality in its football recruiting class.

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.

SEC links for Monday:

• In the Knoxville News-Sentiel, Mike Griffith writes that freshman and Kentucky native Scotty Hopson is starting to raise Bruce Pearl’s hopes.
• Also in the News-Sentinel, Dan Fleser writes on the Tennessee Lady Vols’ overtime win over Stanford.
• News-Sentinel columnist John Adams writes that freshman Shekinna Stricklen is catching on fast for the Lady Vols.
• In the Gainesville Sun, Kevin Brockway writes that Florida freshman Kenny Kadji is also starting to catch on.
• In the Tuscaloosa News, columnist Cecil Hurt writes that Bama bowl opponent Utah is not an extension of Florida.
• Randy Kennedy writes in the Mobile Press-Register that Gene Chizik can still make an early splash at Auburn.
• Derek Oxford reports of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Missouri’s upset of Arkansas in women’s hoops.
• Rob Keys of the NW Arkansas Times reads the cards around the SEC.
• In The Adovcate, Joseph Schiefelbein reports that LSU knows its safeties will play a key role against Georgia Tech option offense in the Chic-fil-A Bowl.
• In the AJC, Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford might stop and think before going pro considering that the Lions are 0-15.

SEC links for Wednesday:

• In the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Bob Holt previews Arkansas coach John Pelphrey’s return to South Alabama, where the Hogs play tonight. “At Gottfried’s suggestion, a clause was put in Pelphrey’s contract that if he left South Alabama to coach at a school in a major conference, he would schedule a home-and-home series with the Jaguars as a buyout clause rather than incur a financial penalty. ‘It’s tough for us to get SEC teams in our building, so this is much better for us than a buyout,’ Gottfried said. ‘But John easily could have bought his way out of this, and he kept his word.’”

• The Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Bruce Pearl’s name has been mentioned in connection with the NBA opening for the Washington Wizards. Actually, the mention comes from the Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonell, who wrote, “I heard an interesting name Monday as a potential candidate for the Wizards job down the road: Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl. Grunfeld is a Tennessee alumnus and was also around Pearl when he coached Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Grunfeld was running the Milwaukee Bucks.”

• In the Gainesville Sun, Kevin Brockway reports on Florida’s win over Washington in the CBE consolation game. “With No. 17 Florida struggling to hold on late against Washington in the consolation game of the O’Reilly Auto Parts/CBE Classic, the Gators turned to an old standby to bail them out Tuesday. Senior guard Walter Hodge broke an 81-all tie with a 3-pointer with 1:01 left, allowing Florida (4-1) to hold on for an 86-84 win against the Huskies to salvage third place in the tournament.”

• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that the odds are stacked against Auburn on Saturday. “Others have wondered if it’s true that Nick Saban has considered resting his starters against Auburn so nobody would get hurt before the SEC title game.Or will he simply let the seniors play for a series or two so they can get a standing ovation from the adoring crowd? What chance does Auburn have of pulling the upset? Two shots: Slim and none.”

• Birmingham News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky writes that Auburn’s challenge is to go down with a fight. “You know times are tough for the Auburn football coach when the best public compliment he’s gotten in ages comes from the Alabama football coach. And it comes five days before the Iron Bowl. We’re a long way from Ray Perkins vs. Pat Dye.”

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Pelphrey returns to South Alabama’

SEC links for Wednesday:

Ian Rapoport writes in the Birmingham News that Nick Saban can’t help but get emotional about his return to Baton Rouge.

Paul Finebaum writes in the Mobile Press-Register that decision day is near for Auburn and Tommy Tuberville.

Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that just like Tommy Bowden, Phil Fulmer got Nicked.

In the AJC, Jeff Schultz asks if Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford has already made up his mind about going pro early.

Also in the AJC, Mark Bradley writes that timid Georgia failed to embrace its potential.

Joseph Schiefelbein writes in The Advocate that LSU is looking for playmakers.

In the Tennessean, Bryan Mullen writes that Tennessee’s problems had been buidling before Fulmer’s dismissal.

Also in the Tennessean, David Climer writes that Fulmer had let his guard down.

ESPN, through various services, says Butch Davis, David Cutcliffe and Steve Spurrier all say they have no interest in Tennessee.

Young basketball Razorbacks learning the do’s and don’ts, writes Bob Holt in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Drew Edwards writes in the Knoxville News-Sentinel that Tennessee is dealing with the shock and trying to move on.