John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Friday:

Phil Fulmer has found a new role on TV, writes David Climer of the Tennessean.

Alabama will play Michigan in 2012, reports Izzy Gould of the Birmingham News.

Marcell Dareus is one of many keys to Alabama defense, writes Harry King of the Arkansas News.

Matt Sims’ likability and toughness have endeared him to Vols, writes Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Auburn was once hopeful for a Dyer-Lattimore backfield tandem, writes Jay G. Tate of the Montgomery Advertiser.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Phil Fulmer is now a television star’

(The State photo)

SEC links for Friday:

• Josh Kendall of The State reports on South Carolina’s opening-night rout of Southern Miss.
• Ron Morris of The State writes that Gamecocks move forward with Stephen Garcia in charge.
• Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier reports that Steve Spurrier was happy to be wrong.
• Patrick Magee of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Southern Miss suffered stage fright.
• Don Kausler, Jr. of the Birmingham News reports on two-game suspension handed Alabama’s Marcell Dareus.
• Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News also reports that Dareus will have to pay back money.

Continue reading ‘SEC: South Carolina cruises in opener’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• With Jeremiah Masoli ruled out by the NCAA, Nathan Stanley is ready at Ole Miss, reports Rod Walker of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Ole Miss will appeal Masoli ruling, reports the NE Mississippi Daily Journal.
• Florida’s John Brantley is following legend of Tebow, legacy of his dad, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
• South Carolina has all the necessary ingredients to win the East, writes Ron Morris of The State.
• Stephen Garcia likely to start at quarterback for Gamecocks, writes Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier.
• Several Gamecocks may miss Thursday night’s opener, blogs Chris Low of espn.com.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Vanderbilt should study Northwestern’s playbook.
• Alabama moving on without a healthy Mark Ingram, reports Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Ole Miss regroups after Masoli a no-go’

SEC links for Sunday:

• Phil Simms wary of giving his son, Matt, advice at Tennessee, writes Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• Ron Morris of The State thinks that Stephen Garcia should be starting quarterback at South Carolina.
• Ellis Johnson’s defense fuels South Carolina’s success, writes Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier.
• Armand Williams has blossomed at LSU since Katrina, writes Glenn Guilbeau of the Shreveport Times.
• LSU got the opener it wanted, writes Scott Hotard of The Baton Rouge Advocate.
• Ryan Mallett is the no-doubt leader at Arkansas, writes Robbie Nieswanger of the Arkansas News.
• Auburn football has a window of opportunity, writes Evan Woodbery of the Huntsville Times.
• More players and a familiar system has Auburn optimistic, writes Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News.
• “Repeat” and “Defending” are two words Nick Saban does not want to hear, writes Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Phil Simms wary of giving advice to son’

SEC links for Sunday:

• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes that SEC should drop Vanderbilt for Central Florida.
• Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher rips ex-Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean writes about the internet problems at the SEC Media Days.
• South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia is primed for a breakout season, writes Ron Morris of The State.
• Touted quarterback Raymond Cotton has left Ole Miss, reports David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Ole Miss thin at quarterback after Cotton’s departure, writes Parrish Alford of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal.
• Mark Fox is taking Georgia basketball up a notch, writes Roger Clarkson of the Athens Banner-Herald.
• LSU excited about returning to the Georgia Dome, reports Scott Hotard of The Advocate.
• Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times writes that Nick Saban has insulted pimps everywhere.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News thinks this will be Saban’s most important season.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Should conference give Vanderbilt the boot?’

Mark Richt at SEC Media Days. (AP photo)

SEC links for Friday:

• Vandy’s interim coach puts on an entertaining show, writes Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.
• Arkansas embraces expectations, reports Cosby in the H-L.
• Steve Spurrier is not so cocky now, writes Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Spurrier has to win at South Carolina this season, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
• Tennessee gets ready to answer questions about the Vols Brawl, reports the AP.
• Mark Richt says he’s learned to expect issues at Georgia, reports David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Arkansas happy to have high hopes, writes Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun.
• Ryan Mallet’s right arm and left foot are important parts, writes Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News.
• Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine in the SEC, writes Scarbinsky.
• You have to hand it to the humorous Robbie Caldwell, writes John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Does Steve Spurrier have to win now?’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Ole Miss trying to regroup for SEC Baseball Tournament, reports David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Edward Aschoff of the Gainesville Sun previews Florida for the SEC Baseball tourney.

• David Jones of Florida Today profiles Gators pitcher Brian Johnson.

• LSU looking for a fresh start in Hoover, writes Randy Rosetta in The Advocate.

• Evan Woodbery of the Mobile Press-Register writes on Auburn pitcher Cory Luckie.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: League baseball tournament starts today’

Les Miles

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Georgia’s Mark Richt and LSU’s Les Miles are headed for falls, writes Paul Finebaum in the Mobile Press-Register.

• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate doesn’t think NFL woes are fault of LSU football coaches.

• Alex Tyus’ return puts Florida basketball over the scholarship limit, reports Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun.

• Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs has answered his critics with results, writes Kevin Scarbinsky in the Birmingham News.

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes that milestones for Mississippi State baseball have not been good.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Are Les Miles and Mark Richt headed for a fall?’

SEC links for Thursday:

Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Memphis is bidding on 2015 SEC Basketball Tournament: “The SEC has held two men’s basketball tournaments (1994, 1997) and one women’s tournament (2001), all at The Pyramid. Kane said that the SEC never asked Memphis to submit a bid and the city never pursued another bid since moving into FedExForum, because former Memphis coach John Calipari nixed the idea. Calipari made sure the U of M hosted the C-USA tournament, which was in Memphis for five straight years until this past season when it moved to Tulsa.”

Orlando Sentinel on Elizabeth Hasselbeck apologizing to ESPN’s Erin Andrews: “Elisabeth Hasselbeck made a sarcastic remark about Erin Andrews’ clothing saying ‘In light of what happened and as a legal [matter] – and as inexcusable as it was for that horrific guy to go in and try to peep on her in her hotel room,’ Hasselbeck said. ‘I mean, in some way if I’m him, I’m like, ‘Man! I just could’ve waited 12 weeks and seen this – a little bit less – without the prison time!’ Erin Andrews told Access Hollywood she cried when heard the comments and called it “a slap in the face to victims of stalking and sexual predators.”

John Pennington of Mr. SEC thinks Ole Miss perfect example of what’s wrong with college basketball: “After reaching the NIT semifinals this past season, Andy Kennedy’s program appeared ready to finally snap the SEC’s longest NCAA tourney drought and make the Big Dance in 2011. But then star guard Terrico White opted to test his NBA draft status. He can still pull his name out of the draft list, but most expect him to keep it in there. It would be a surprise if he returns. Eniel Polynice is also leaving early to pursue a pro career. His departure appears to have been mutually agreed upon by himself and Kennedy.”

Ray Melick of the Birmingham News thinks that Alabama has given itself a black eye over Justin Knox: “Instead, by playing hardball with Knox and refusing to allow him to transfer specifically to UAB, Alabama and Grant look like bullies. By having his uncle, Darien Knox, going public with allegations against Alabama, it makes Knox — a relatively insignificant player in the big scheme of things — look like a player whom other schools might think twice about signing if it means bringing with him an controlling family.”

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Memphis bids on 2015 SEC Tournament’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Former Kentucky commitment K.C. Ross-Miller signs with LSU, reports Gary Laney of The Advocate.

• Matt Sims grew up after leaving Louisville, not a punk anymore, reports Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

• Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel reports that Bruce Pearl has been taking some shots at Vanderbilt.

• Having lost out on Brandon Knight and Ray McCallum, Florida turns its attention to other guard prospects, reports Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun.

• Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel thinks Knight would have been a good fit with the Gators.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Ex-UK commitment Miller signs with LSU’