John Clay's Sidelines

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 Thursday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger answers the question of who is Dan Mullen, the new football coach at Mississippi State.

• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger gauges the national reaction to Mullen’s hiring.

• Jim Mashek of the Biloxi Sun-Herald writes that Mullen will try and change MSU’s fortunes.

• In the Gainesville Sun, Robbie Andreu writes about the Mullen hiring from Florida’s perspective.

• In the Birmingham News, Charles Goldberg writes that Auburn has interviewed at least six candidates for its head coach opening.

• In his Scarblog, News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky writes that the biggest task for the next Auburn coach will be to stand up to Nick Saban.

• In the Montgomery Advertiser, Jay G. Tates writes on long-time Auburn assistant Hugh Nall, who is ready for a new chapter in his career.

• Mike Organ of the Tennessean reports on Vandy basketball’s win over Alabama A&M.

• In the NW Arkansas Times, Nate Allen reports that 25-year-old Arkansas tight end Andrew Davie is leaving the Razorbacks to take a shot at the pros.

• In the AJC, Chip Towers writes about his fun, funky fall covering Georgia.

• Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal writes on Ole Miss tackle Michael Oher, who is glad he remained a Rebel.

• Chris Low on his espn.com SEC blog explains why Alabama’s Julio Jones beat out Georgia’s A.J. Green for Freshman of the Year honors.