John Clay's Sidelines

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Ex-Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to Ole Miss is a thorny possibility, writes David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Tennessee Titans slap Lane Kiffin with a lawsuit, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
• NCAA requests only one Georgia player for interview, reports Marc Weiszer of the AJC.
• Weiszer also reports that Mark Richt is urging Georgia fans to be patient with new quarterback Aaron Murray.
• “We want our fans to be proud,” Richt tells boosters, reports Mark Bradley of the AJC.
• Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register jumps on the kick Vandy out of the SEC bandwagon.
• It’s full speed ahead for South Carolina receiver Dion LeCorn, writes Seth Emerson of The State.
• Dan Mullen is the real Darth Visor, Jr., writes Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News.
• Eight wins just ain’t enough for Auburn, writes David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
• Jordan Jefferson is set to be more than LSU’s quarterback, reports Glenn Guilbeau of the Shreveport Times.
• Gene Stallings got Alabama back on top, at least for a little while, writes Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Ex-UT star Tyler Smith joins the SEC parade of basketball players to Turkey, reports Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

SEC links for Friday:

• Florida will honor Heisman winners with statues, reports David Jones of Florida Today.
• Billy Donovan made the right call by staying at Florida, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
• Assessing the state of LSU basketball is Gary Laney of The Advocate.
• South Carolina will pay Navy nearly $1 million for home football game, reports Seth Emerson of The State.
• Tyler Smith returns to Tennessee, reports Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• UT athletic director Mike Hamilton says USC penalties were a gut check, reports Dave Hooker of the News-Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Florida’s Heisman winners will get statues’

Mike Slive

SEC links for Monday:

• Former Tennessee star Tyler Smith said threat to son caused him to buy gun, reports Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean.

• SEC Tournament baseball teams will be on the clock, reports Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger.

• Veazey also reports that TV deal helped commissioner Mike Slive earn $1 million bonus.

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that if elected Auburn should serve as 2004 football champs.

• Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on Tennessee men’s tennis team reaching NCAA semifinals.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Tyler Smith says he had reason for buying gun’

Tyler Smith

Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl has booted his best player, Tyler Smith, off the basketball team following the arrests of four players on New Year’s Day.

Mike Griffith has the details in the News-Sentinel.

Here is Pearl’s statement:

“When we have a situation like this involving our student-athletes, we want to make sure we get as much information as possible before making difficult decisions,” Pearl said in the release. “From the beginning, the student-athletes involved have been accountable, remorseful and cooperative with me. While we are not allowed to discuss specifics, we felt we had enough information at this time to dismiss Tyler Smith from the team. Melvin Goins, Cameron Tatum, and Brian Williams will remain indefinitely suspended.”

It’s a huge blow for the Vols. Smith had considered going pro after last season, even played around with the idea of playing overseas. But he ended up returning to Knoxville in hopes of improving his stock. A playmaker, Smith helped the Vols beat Memphis on New Year’s Eve before he, Cameron Tatum, Melvin Goins and Brian Williams were arrested on New Year’s Day.

Smith has already been removed from the roster on Tennessee’s athletics web site.

SEC links for Thursday:

• Randy Rosetta of the Baton Rouge Advocate reports on LSU’s win over Texas to take the College World Series.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate writes that the Tigers kept the pressure on the Longhorns.
• Jim Kleinpeter of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes on the Tigers’ championship.
• Bob Padecky of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat writes about his encounter with Kenny Stabler, 30 years later.
• Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free-Press writes that Tennessee’s Tyler Smith is happy to be out of the draft.
• Rick Fires of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that Arkansas baseball’s late run is a boost for 2010.
• Peter Kerasotis of Florida Today writes that Ron Zook should not be blamed for Florida football player problems.
• The State reports that South Carolina football opens the season with two prime time TV games.
• The Tuscaloosa News reports that Alabama basketball will play Kansas State in Mobile.
• Athens Banner-Herald reports that Arkansas-Georgia football will have a night kickoff.

Mal Moore

SEC links for Tuesday:

• In the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes that it’s time for Alabama AD Mal Moore to go.
• Also in the Press-Register, Tommy Hicks reports that ex-Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage will replace Ken Stabler on Alabama football’s radio network.
• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free-Press writes that Bama is now below .500 for this decade.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel talks to Tyler Smith, who says he is happy to return to Tennessee.
• John Adams of the News-Sentinel writes that SEC coaches could do well in other jobs.
• Jeff Schultz of the AJC writes that no matter what Georgia Tech does, Georgia has more fans.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Finebaum says Bama AD should step down’

Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel is reporting that Tennessee foward Tyler Smith is pulling his name out of the draft and will return for his senior year at the school.

There were reports that Smith was considering possibly going overseas rather than return to Knoxville.

In his official statement, Smith said:

“It’s been a great past few weeks trying out for the NBA. But after talking with my family, coaches and teammates, I’ve decided to return (to Tennessee) for my senior year. I think we have a great chance to have something special next year with my teammates. They have been working extremely hard. I learned how to be a professional and what it takes to be at that level.”

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that UT’s Tyler Smith may end up playing overseas.
• Griffith also reports that UT’s J.R. J.P. Prince says his shoulder rehab his ahead of schedule.
• Mark Bradley of the AJC writes that Georgia football will have its hands full thanks to a difficult schedule.
• Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times reports that Alabama expects to hear back soon from NCAA about irregularities involving textbook purchases.
• Montgomery Advertiser, via AP, says Auburn looking into possible rules violations.
• Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett has broken his ring finger on his throwing hand.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: UT’s Tyler Smith considering overseas’

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 Friday:

• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on Tennessee clinching a share of the SEC East title, plus the No. 1 seed.
• Griffith also reports that UT’s Tyler Smith is considering returning for his senior season.
• News-Sentinel columnist Mike Strange writes that suddenly Tennessee is looking like a champion.
• Seth Emerson of The State reports that Tennessee simply ran away from South Carolina.
• State columnist Ron Morris writes that Tennessee proved good to the last dunk.
• Mark Schlabach of espn.com writes on Tennessee’s recovery.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Vols clinch top seed in SEC East’