John Clay's Sidelines

(The State photo)

SEC links for Monday:

• South Carolina wants to take the next step, reports Joe Person of The State.
• Connor Shaw has the “it” to play right away as a Gamecock, writes Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier.
• Jeremiah Masoli shows flashes of confusion and brilliance in first workout at Ole Miss, reports David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida men’s basketball could be ranked in top 10 to start season.
• Kirby Smart happy with decision to stay at Alabama, reports Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News.
• Coordinators prove stability for the Crimson Tide, writes A. Stacy Long of the Montgomery Advertiser.
• Emmitt Smith is sorry for snubbing Gator Nation, blogs Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
• Tennessean columnist David Climer thinks Vanderbilt and Robbie Caldwell can’t afford to play it safe.
• Tommy Hicks of the Mobile Press-Register asks if the pre-season polls mean something?
• An Alabama-Michigan football game in Dallas is possible, but not imminent, reports Gentry Estes of the Press-Register.

Continue reading ‘SEC: South Carolina wants to take the next step’

Anthony Grant

SEC links for Thursday:

• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News reports on Anthony Grant’s visit to Alabama.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News reports that Bama is waiting on Grant’s final answer.
• Tuscaloosa News columnist Cecil Hurt writes that wheels turned quickly when Grant was identified as top candidate.
• News columnist Ray Melick writes that Gene Chizik keeps the press at bay during Auburn’s spring drills.
• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean reports that in Tennessee basketball fans stayed home in 2009.
• In the AJC, Chip Towers reports on new book that examines power struggle between Vince Dooley and Michael Adams.
• AJC columnist Terence Moore wants to know what’s the big deal about Lane Kiffin knocking Florida?

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Bama waiting on Grant’s decision’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• Gary Laney of the Baton Rouge Advocate previews tonight’s LSU-Mississippi State clash.
• Also in The Advocate, Joseph Schiefelbein writes that rematches provide tests.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes that Mississippi State doesn’t need any pep talks.
• Clarion-Ledger columnist Rick Cleveland writes that LSU’s Trent Johnson has been one good hire.
• In his Open Mike blog, Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi wants to know if its too early for Tennessee to fire Lane Kiffin.
• In the AJC, Mark Bradley writes that Vince Dooley says Kiffin has “a lot to learn.”
• Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean reports that Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton claims that Kiffin is contrite for overstepping his bounds.
• Meanwhile, in the AJC, Michael Carvell reports that Kiffin is blaming one recruiting loss on grandma.
• Also in the Tennessean, Maurice Patton reports that Vandy’s Jamie Graham has given up basketball for football.
• Evan Woodbery of the Mobile Press-Register writes on Auburn’s Rasheem Barrett and his old-school jumper.
• Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times writes that SEC may expect few NCAA basketball invites.
• In The State, columnist Ron Morris wants some baseball jerseys retired.
• In the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mike Griffith writes that Tennessee must rebound against Georgia.
• Also in the News-Sentinel, Mike Strange looks at the SEC’s top freshmen.