SEC football coaches will do their best to provide a preview of their 2007 football teams the next few days in Birmingham. But no matter how thorough they try to be, they can’t cover everything during SEC media days.
For example, take last year’s media days. Since I saved my notes, I can tell you exactly what they said.
And since I watched the 2007 season, I can tell you what they should have added.
What Alabama coach Mike Shula said: “I continue to be amazed by the amount of support that we received from our president, athletic director, our Board of Trustees.”
What he should have added: “I know they will be behind me 100 percent until they have an opportunity to hire some hotshot coach from the NFL.”
What Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said about opening the season against Southern Cal: “It’s a great opportunity for us to have a home game like that.”
What he should have added: “Even if they beat us 50-14, it won’t hurt us in the conference standings.”
What Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said: “With a quarterback (Brandon Cox) coming back that understands our offense, I think that we’ve got a good chance to play better.”
What he should have added: “As long as we can keep him from getting beaten up against LSU.”
What Florida coach Urban Meyer said: “The University of Florida needs to get back to a championship game at some point.”
What he should have added: “And when we get there, I hope we’re matched up against an overrated team from the Big Ten.”
What Georgia coach Mark Richt said: “We’ve got as good a chance to win this year as any season that I’ve been at Georgia.”
What he should have added: “In fact, we’re so good, we could lose to Vanderbilt and Kentucky and still win nine games.
What Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said: “I think that Curtis Pulley brings athleticism to the quarterback position (which was up for grabs in preseason).”
What he should have added. “But the way Andre Woodson can throw the ball, maybe we can use Curtis’ athleticism at another position.”
What LSU coach Les Miles said: “I can tell you we have ability and talent.”
What he should have added: “I just don’t know if we can coach well enough to win a championship.”
What Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom said: “I think we’ve got a chance to start to make a turnaround.”
What he should have added: “In another three years.”
What Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron said: Unintelligible.
What he should have added: “Win or lose, I’m still driving a Hummer — right, Jo-Jo?”
What South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said: “Cade (Thompson) had a very good spring game (at quarterback). Hopefully, he’s going to be ready to push Blake (Mitchell).”
What he should have added: “But as bad as our offensive line is, we might be better off with a runner like Syvelle Newton at quarterback.”
What Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said: “I think the Cal game will be a good thing for us.”
What he should have added: “And a really bad thing for them.”
What Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said: “(The SEC) is a top league for a reason: because everybody has a lot of assets.”
What he should have added: “Including a lot of talented players who aren’t smart enough to tour our campus, much less qualify for admission.”
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 9
scvols writes:
The about Vandy is sad, but true.
knoxtenor writes:
Yes, but the highlight of their grads' lives won't be owning a used-car lot in Morristown.
bsvolfan#325031 writes:
and odds are...it probably won't be playing in the NFL either
Vols37922 writes:
I think what Bobby Johnson has done at Vandy has been nothing short of amazing. He gets smart kids who might not be as talented as other players in the SEC and still makes them somewhat competitive in the SEC. Face it, if you put Vandy in the Ivy League they would dominate. Bobby Johnson should be applauded for what he's done at Vandy.
Personally, if I had the self realization at age 18 (which most kids don't) that I'm probably not going to make the NFL, I would enroll and play at Vandy in a second. A degree from Vandy holds more water than one from any other SEC school. Instead you have these kids chasing a pipe dream and then after 4 years at a big time football SEC school, the end their football career with no degree and nothing to show for their time at that university.
felpsclinton#244850 writes:
Man I can not wait any longer. These dog days of summer are killing me. Only Baseball and bad Baseball at that to watch.
Here's one fan that's really going to enjoy
this season.
McIntireIMP writes:
I feel you felpsclinton. I'm itching to get to Neyland stadium to tell some drunk college dropout to get out of my seat. But seriously, I can't wait for 105,000 people singing Rocky Top to drown out the sound of michael vick, dog fighting, nba refs, and steroids. And don't forget the 4 hot dogs with mustard and relish. thanks
shoalcreekvol writes:
Felps, I'm with you. Can't wait to kick this thing off. GO BIG ORANGE
hueypilot writes:
Yeah that Vandy degree is really great. It's probably the reason that Jay Cutler is the highest paid Vandy graduate in the last five years. I know it just burns their butts that the highest paid Vandy grad in the past five years is a football player.
Vols37922 writes:
Yeah, HueyPilot...I guess the rest of those Vandy grads that became doctors and are now making $300,000-$500,000 a year feel really crappy that Jay Cutler makes millions. I seriously doubt that. They are probably happy that a Vandy player made it to the big time.
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