John Clay’s Sidelines

Matt Simms

SEC links for Friday:

• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that Tennessee will offer ex-Louisville quarterback Matt Simms.
• Tommy Hicks of the Mobile Press-Register writes that SEC coaches expect a stronger basketball season this year.
• Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Leger is on a Gator hunt.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida wants to cut down on sacks.
• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean writes that Alabama’s Mark Ingram is making a real run at the Heisman.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that Tennessee will be keying on Ingram.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Tennessee to offer Matt Simms’

AP Photo/Beth Hall

SEC links for Friday:

• Robbie Nieswanger of the NW Arkansas Morning News writes that Arkansas basketball wants to bury the negativity.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate reports that LSU’s Tasmin Mitchell relishes his repeat role.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes that frontcourt is key for Florida basketball.
• Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News writes that Alabama basketball is committed to up-tempo.
• In The State, Ron Morris writes on Stephen Garcia’s daunting challenge at Alabama.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News thinks Mark Richt is starting to look like Tommy Tuberville.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Arkansas hopes to negate the negativity’

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader on how Steve Spurrier may test UK’s young corners.
• Jerry Tipton of the H-L covers John Calipari’s address to the Jefferson County alumni.
• My column on Billy Gillipsie’s borderline sadistic streak, and how that doesn’t work anymore.
• Seth Emerson of The State grades South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia.
• Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports claims Jim Calhoun and John Calipari are not the best of friends.
• Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline picks John Wall as his preseason Player of the Year.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal writes that Spurrier doesn’t want to talk about streak.
• Dawson also covers Calipari’s speech.
• Tom Leach writes on Mike Hartline.
• A Sea of Blue knows its basketball season.

Stephen Garcia

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Joseph Person of The State reports that Stephen Garcia is South Carolina’s leader.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun reports that receiver Riley Cooper is returning to Florida.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes practice, practice, practice, Florida.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports on Tennessee’s long first day.
• Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News writes that Auburn players plan to stick together.
• Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register writes that Auburn is on the right track.
• Tim Tucker of the AJC reports that Georgia opens football practice with a new focus.
• Nate Allen of the NW Arkansas Times reports that Razorbacks report to campus with national attention.
• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean reports that Vandy has packed its non-conference basketball schedule.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Ole Miss receives a commitment from state’s top basketball prospect.

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.

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Nate Allen of the NW Arkansas Times reports on Arkansas’ upset win over No. 4 Oklahoma.
• Also in the Times, Brandon Marcello reports on the lift the Hogs received from ex-grid star Marcus Monk.
• Times columnist Terry Wood writes that the Hogs go chin-to-chin, and pull out the win.
• Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist Wally Hall writes on Arkansas freshman Courtney Fortson.
• In The State, Seth Emerson reports on South Carolina’s fifth straight loss to Clemson in men’s basketball.
• Randy Rosetta writes in the Baton Rouge Advocate that for LSU it all comes down to stopping Georgia Tech’s option.
• In the Tennessean, Maurice Patton writes that Vandy football is trying for a historic finish.
• Also in The State, columnist Ron Morris writes on Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that new Auburn offensvie coordinator Gus Malzahn is not Tony Franklin 2.0.
• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that Auburn’s fall and Alabama’s rise were the top stories of 2008.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, John Adams writes that SEC bowl prospects appear mixed.
• In the Tennessean, Bryan Mullen reports that Tennessee center Wayne Chism’s availability is iffy for the Kansas game.

SEC links for Monday:

• Drew Edwards of the Knoxville News-Sentinel tracks down reports that Monte Kiffin will join his son at Tennessee as defensive coordinator.

• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes about Tennessee’s loss to Gonzaga in finals of Old Spice Classic in Orlando.

• In the AJC, Tim Tucker reports that Georgia coach Mark Richt will not fire embattled defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.

• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida hopes a hobbled Percy Harvin can play in SEC title game.

• Tennessean columnist David Climer writes that Tennessee may be home to a Kiffin family reunion.

• News-Sentinel columnist John Adams writes that plenty of kid coaches, like Kiffin, have experienced success.

• In our own Herald-Leader, Jerry Tipton writes about UK forward Josh Harrellson.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Kiffins to reunite at Tennessee’

SEC links for Tuesday:

Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean reports that UT’s freshman point guard is academically ineligible.

Maurice Patton reports in the Tennessean that Vandy may swap starters at quarterback.

Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida still feels Steve Spurrier’s presence.

In The State, Joe Person writes that quarterback Stephen Garcia is learning to deal with Spurrier’s criticism.

Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times writes that Alabama AD Mal Moore is living in a dream.

Ray Melick of the Birmingham News addresses the variables in the BCS.

Tennessean columnist Joe Biddle writes that Tennessee players have surrendered without a fight.

Knoxville News-Sentinel columnist John Adams writes that Mike Leach is strong where Vols are weakest.

In the St. Petersburg Times, Bucs coach Jon Gruden says he’s not interested in Tennessee job.

In the AJC, Chip Towers writes that Georgia’s offensive line takes another hit.