John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Friday:

• And with its first-round pick, Denver takes Tim Tebow, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
• Woody Paige of the Denver Post says the Broncos got it right with quarterback of the future.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun writes that a lot of Gators fans just became Broncos fans.
• Without Tebow, Jacksonville Jags go to the dogs, blogs Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
• Tennessee’s Eric Berry is first SEC player selected, reports Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Tim Tebow ends up talk of NFL draft’

(Photo Alabama media relations)

SEC links for Tuesday:

David Jones of Florida Today reports that prized quarterback commits to Florida:

Jeff Driskel, at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, was rated one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits for the 2011 class and has been offered — and accepted — a scholarship to attend Florida

Chip Towers of the AJC on the bright side to Georgia’s quarterback dismissal:

The silver lining in the whole Zach Mettenberger situation at Georgia may be in the way it will affect recruiting at the quarterback position for 2011. Christian LeMay, arguably the top quarterback prospect in the country for the Class of 2011, already had the Bulldogs in his Top 5. But after Mettenberger was dismissed for disciplinary reasons on Sunday, the father of the Matthews, N.C., athlete thinks Georgia now may be hard to beat.

Joe Person of The State on Steve Spurrier celebrating his 65th birthday:

As South Carolina’s sixth-year coach reaches retirement age, he says he’s in better shape than he was at 25, when he was a backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Spurrier works out five to six days a week, maintains a healthy diet and refuses to keep the long hours that often lead to burnout among his peers.

Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News on Alabama’s champs getting their rings:

Alabama won the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7 with a 37-21 victory over Texas in Pasadena, Calif. Spoils from the 14-0 season include a ring from the Southeastern Conference, one from the BCS and a third provided by UA. Players had some artistic control over the look of the UA-issued ring. ‘I haven’t seen the rings in person, but I’ve been sent a picture of them on someone’s hand,’ said senior tight end Colin Peek. ‘I’m really looking forward to getting the one that the team designed.’

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Florida gets top quarterback, Georgia after one’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Knoxville.com reports that ex-UT coach Lane Kiffin is being lampooned by Esquire magazine’s “Sexiest Woman Alive” contest.

• Mike Organ of the Tennessean reports that a Vanderbilt video of player throwing out a runner after breaking his kneecap has gone viral.

• Florida’s Alex Tyus is putting his name in NBA draft, reports Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun.

• Robbie Andreu of the Sun writes on Florida’s true freshman quarterback, Trey Burton.

• Luke Stocker, a Kentucky native, is a Tennessee anchor, writes Wes Rucker in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Is Lane Kiffin the sexiest woman alive?’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Pat Forde of espn.com on the SEC’s dominance in the BCS title games.
• Mark Schlabach of the espn.com on Alabama’s offensive line.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press on short-handed Tennessee basketball’s win.
• Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel reports that Tennessee had a lot to prove.
• Mike Strange of the News-Sentinel writes that Tennessee got an assist from its fans.
• In the Birmingham News, Kevin Scarbinsky writes that this is no time to stop believing.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register updates the status of Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Can the SEC make it four in a row?’

SEC links for Monday:

• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that Nick Saban has waited all year for a shot at Florida.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun gives seven storylines for Tide-Gators.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register reports that Bama’s Mark Ingram intends to play against the Gators.
• ESPN’s Chris Low is already looking at a possible Florida-Alabama rematch.
• Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post writes that Tim Tebow is entering the final leg of his legacy.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Alabama has had all year to think about Florida’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean writes that Vandy and LSU are trusting young quarterbacks.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate writes that LSU is evaluating its defense.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News reports that Bama’s star back Mark Ingram has the flu.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes that Anthony Dixon’s return should raise Mississippi State’s firepower.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that UT’s Josh McNeil is trying to fight through damage in his knee.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Vandy and LSU depend on young guns’

SEC links for Friday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Mississippi State has replaced its long-time (and distinctive) public address announcer.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that there are deflating issues for the Florida Gators.
• Joseph Person of The State reports that South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is encouraged by quarterback Stephen Garcia.
• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean reports that Lane Kiffin and Bobby Johnson are toning down the UT-Vandy rivalry.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes not to look for Tennessee to just get by on defense.
• Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the NCAA has granted immediate eligibility to Arkansas running back Broderick Green.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes that Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain is talking it up.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes that Tiger Tour shines spotlight on LSU coaches.