The media will begin asking questions in earnest Wednesday at the SEC football media days in Birmingham, but I thought I would get a head start.
Here are a few of the significant questions facing the SEC this fall:
Does Florida finally have a go-to running back?
Yes, but it doesn't call him a running back. When the Gators need short yardage with the game on the line, they probably will rely on Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow. When they need a big play, they probably will hand the ball to wide receiver Percy Harvin.
In fact, Florida might have as many running threats as any team in the SEC. Redshirt freshman Chris Rainey, who can play wide receiver or running back, did a marvelous Harvin impersonation this spring while Harvin was recovering from heel surgery.
Also, Southern Cal transfer Emmanuel Moody was outstanding in the spring game. And don't forget about Mon Williams, who might have been the starting running back last year if he hadn't suffered a knee injury. Last year's starter, Kestahn Moore is still around, and the Gators have added sprinter Jeffrey Demps.
Can LSU win a championship without a proven quarterback?
LSU won national championships in 2003 and last year without All-SEC quarterbacks. So you can't dismiss it just because it's breaking in a new quarterback - even if the quarterback is a Harvard transfer, Andrew Hatch.
The Tigers have one of the best offensive lines in the country, are four-deep at running back and have two proven wide receivers. Moreover, they have one of the game's best offensive coordinators in Gary Crowton.
With all those weapons, LSU doesn't need a Heisman-caliber quarterback. It just needs someone capable of using the talent around him, as Matt Flynn did last year and Matt Mauck did in 2003.
Or maybe it just needs a guy named Matt.
Can Georgia handle its success and expectations?
After finishing second nationally last year, the Bulldogs are being cast as a national championship contender this season. But they will have to overcome the nation's toughest schedule and their track record.
As good as Georgia has been under coach Mark Richt, it sometimes has struggled at handling success.
Georgia's 2002 SEC champions were in contention for the national championship until they lost to a Ron Zook-coached Florida team that finished 8-5. Georgia's 2004 team was ranked third nationally after routing defending national champion LSU, but was upset by UT the following week in Athens.
Can new Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino turn quarterback Casey Dick into a competent passer?
Petrino has a well-established reputation as a quarterback guru. But that's based on what he did with guys like Brian Brohm and Stefan LeFors at Louisville, and with Jake Plummer when Petrino was the quarterbacks coach at Arizona State.
Dick, who has been a pedestrian quarterback at best, will be a greater challenge. If Petrino pulls it off, quarterback recruits should be beating even harder on his door than they already are.
Can Kentucky and Vanderbilt be as competitive as they were last year?
Based on their losses, you wouldn't think so.
The Wildcats lost most of their offensive skill players on offense from a team that upset national champion LSU and almost beat Tennessee. Vanderbilt, which almost knocked off UT and Georgia, lost its entire starting offensive line.
If they're just as competitive this season, then their programs really are on the upswing, and the SEC East will be tougher than ever.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 238
wyomingvol writes:
Anything about The Volunteers John?
MrBamSeydu writes:
Okay listen, I'm one of those "leave John Adams alone and let him write" guys..... but this is getting ridiculous. As a local newspaper writer located in Knoxville, I really don't think anyone wants to read his opinion on outside issues in the SEC. I highly doubt local writers in Gainesville or Athens are writing about how proven UT's secondary is.
This website as a whole has really started going downhill. I check it almost every day for news on my beloved Vols, but all I've been reading about lately is almost 75% non-college football or UT sports related (even though that Siran Stacey article was neat, I'd have much rather read it on a national website rather than a site dedicated to UT sports).
It's no wonder this site failed at being a "pay site" and had to give all it's material for free. Hubbs and his crew over on Volquest are much better at keeping it relative and not wasting as much of people's time who are coming to their website to read about TENNESSEE!!!!!!!!!
LargeOrange writes:
This is getting ridiculous, does this jerk love his alma mater LSU or is his man crush on Les Miles stronger? Give me a break JA you write (using the that "write" term loosely) another article about how UF doesn't really need a proven running back and how LSU doesn't really need a proven QB, but fails to mention the team that supports and unwittingly pays your pathetic salary. You are a hack, and not even a good hack.
LargeOrange writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
LargeOrange writes:
Sorry. I apparently have tripped the censors, a first for me :-). Basically, all I was saying was, that I meant to say Urban Myers rather than Les Miles in my post at 12:29 a.m. I went on to say that may be John Adams's love for LSU has perhaps been eclipsed by his man crush on Urban Myers. Hopefully that will pass the 1st Amendment standards :-)
BSweet writes:
Mr. Adams, is there anything you see positive for the Vols this year? Please, if so, let's see an article about that. It would be a refreshing change. Thank you.
VOLS85 writes:
"LSU won national championships in 2003 and last year without All-SEC quarterbacks. So you can't dismiss it just because it's breaking in a new quarterback"
"The Tigers have one of the best offensive lines in the country, are four-deep at running back and have two proven wide receivers."
This is really weird, because I believe the last time we won the NC we won it with an unheralded QB, and it's even more weird that this year we have an unproven QB...Also, we have one of the best O-lines in the country, are 4 deep at RB, and have about 5 proven wide receivers....
...but you go ahead and give props to your alma mater, far be it for us to want you to give us the same credit...I don't know why they call this pesky site goVOLSxtra...why can't edwards just write all of the articles?
dvols writes:
whatever,
why kns keeps adams is beyond me. seems like most towns sportswriters support the home team??
adams is a guy that writes for contrversy period!
sorry for kns management.
maybe kns drinks the kool aid!
VOLS85 writes:
I think part of Adams' problem is that he betrayed the football program so they are unwilling to give him information, and he doesn't dare show up at media events involving the football team...ip so facto, he doesn't report on UT...
John, consider the ramifications of your actions before you throw a bold and defamatory article at OUR (being Tennessee fans, not LSU) football program...
utchris writes:
Are we fielding a football team this year? Based on the articles, it appears that we are not.
Hunter writes:
Adams, you forgot one question:
"What are all these orange T's I see on everyone's rear windshield? Is that like a 'Free Tibet' thing or what? I miss Baton Rouge....."
Schmuck.
dvols writes:
as always, tn will field a football team and thanks to fulmer, neyland, battle, etc... we will do it our way and not espn's or the media way.
GO BIG ORANGE!
WISH U YOUNG ONES UNDERSTOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
banman360 writes:
wow i cant believe i wasted like 25 seconds reading that garbage
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Adams, do you live in Loosianda or floriduh? Try writing about something you get paid to write about, Tennessee Football!
UTvols12342000 writes:
PLEASE people, do not respond on his articles. Please only respond on articles by writers that you actually have respect for. Feeding the bears does not make them go away. Let this be the last message he gets on this article from true vol fans. Anyone that comments after this comment is a non vol fan.
rocky_topper writes:
They may have strengths, but one thing they don't have is Fulmer! Oh wait! Never mind!
rusty_shackleford writes:
Another question yet to be asked: Will urban or saban be tuscaloosa john's date to next year's tn newspaper awards banquet?
TNfaninMS writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
vscebail#247785 writes:
Gee thanks John, for your incite on all these great teams in the SEC. One thing I just can't figure out from your articles: Why is this site called "GOVOLSXTRA"? -- You stupid putz!!!
Singaporehillbilly writes:
The only strength lsu has is the media. I don't care what conference you play in, if you loose to an unranked team at home, the last game of the regular season, you should not play in a championship game. Last year confirmed the BCS is just BS and a playoff system is needed.
Silent_Fulmer writes:
Fulmer also has many strengths and KNS should write about them. How about for starters that Fulmer doesnt like to talk to the media? Or, Fulmer doesnt read KNS articles unless they take "cheap shots" at him.
Sheepscape writes:
Gentlemen, have any of you ever heard they phrase "Know thy enemy?"
OrangePower11 writes:
McBrim...
As usual, you are completely out of context...no one is complaining about JA picking anyone or everyone ahead of us. The fact he wrote an article on the state of the SEC and made NO MENTION of the team he is supposed to cover is what gets people upset, not me personally, but I can see others disdain for the guy.
And dont tell me yall dont complain about local writers, if someone in that hole of a town were to write anythang negutuv bout the gators, they'd have death threats just like the impound lot owner.
Consider me your personal cross referencer, I read everything you read, just at a higher level of comprehension.
Kindest regards
OrangePower11 writes:
Actually McClueless, we do have that kind of program. If you paid any attention to the past month, we have held a football camp of our own. A camp that landed us several top notch recruits, many of which your beloved gators were hot after.
BTW...we did indeed "lose" to the team that lost to the unranked team, and so did UF on the way to 3rd place in the East. However, we DID NOT lose to the 3rd place team in the Little 10 or to Georgia.
Kindest regards
HellBornElfChild writes:
I do! I want his opinion on other SEC schools. I think its god stuff. not many other papers in the south do that and i applaud him for him for it. Of course he can go to hell for all his other phooey filled articles that drive by slam my beloved vols.
Volalumnus writes:
Funny, but some of you act 'like your opinions really matter'.
I guess you will never learn.
It has been pointed out numerous times that there are people getting paid to determine what is an acceptable job.
Of course many of you complaining about Adams were the ones pointing that out.....
GoVol writes:
McBrimm - are you stupid enough to think that VOL fans on this site actually take the time to look at the links you provide?
Prediction - GA will be the TN of 2005. Pre-season #3 and did a total flop.
rootin4volz writes:
So, everybody, we're in the height of tomato season...Anybody got any good tomatoes growing?
TommyJack writes:
What? Are we not supposed to get SEC news here? Good article, Adams. Haters: Vizualize world peace.
VolMoment writes:
DCflorida you are not telling the truth, I just talked to a friend of mine, yes a Florida fan, and he says they have had some articles but not like John Adams has written. See his wife is a UT fan., so he reads both.
mattlock writes:
Why would we not want to know about other teams in the SEC?
Sheepscape writes:
I'm with mattlock. Learn all you can about the opposition...there is always plenty of local stroke to go around.
miamiVOL writes:
Im not one to rip J.Adams but when he puts in comments like "Also, Southern Cal transfer Emmanuel Moody was outstanding in the spring game." I ask myself, DID HE EVEN WATCH THE GAME?
NO WAY IN H3LL, becuz Moody had 3 fumbles and was the subject of a Urban Cryer Iview after the Blue&Orange
Bigger_Al writes:
Tuscaloosa John is putting his blather out there trying to get a paycheck from Alabama radio again. His next article will rank coaches on the off-field behavior of their players.
Need_2_Know writes:
Ease up on Adams, folks. His writing style may not suit you but for some reason you keep reading him. Meanwhile, he writes stories not just about our beloved Vols but also about the conference in which they play. If you want a true idea about what the Vols are facing in conference this year, then stories about players/coaches/schemes of other conference teams should be of interest to you. If you don't, then let's just get a stat sheet with our players' heights, weights, 40 speed, and weight-lifting records and play pretend football in our minds.
It's kinda like watching only the local news without seeing the bigger picture presented by the world report on the evening news. My $.02.
OrangePower11 writes:
Mcbrim...
Suspenders and all, Im only stating facts. Give it a try sometime, you may feel better about yourself.
Etacovda_00 writes:
Man I didn't realize how hard core TN fans are.... first you want to fire one of KNS's more original writers, and now this?
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t5...
Etacovda_00 writes:
I'm thinking she may be somebody's "gramma" on this post?
Volchaz writes:
I can think of, about 10 posters on this thread that could write a more insightful article. This is really bad.
OrangePower11 writes:
McBrim..
"FACTS"
"Tennessee is the Eastern Division Champs"
"Tennessee owns the overall series lead vs UF"
"Tennessee has 50+ more years of football history"
"Tennesse beat Georgia like a drum"
"Tennesse didnt lose to a Big 10 team"
"Not one word I post could be considered b.s by anyone with an IQ higher than a mildly retarded LB...see Channing Crowder"
"YOU ARE A COMPLETE JOKE AND OFFER NOTHING TO THIS BOARD, SOCIETY OR YOUR ALMA MATER"
Kindest Regards
LargeOrange writes:
Posted by General_Watermelon on July 22, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. - 12:33AM Large O removal - Appalling really Large O.
I know, General, can you believe that? I guess I am an outlaw now. If something were mysteriously happen to ole LargeO, would you be offended if a LargeGeneral or GeneralOrange showed up?
bobbarbilly writes:
What does being a "more original writer" qualify one to be?
adamsck#591720 writes:
I've come to a realization. John Adams is actually Anne Coulter in drag. Think about it: it makes sense. Anne says whatever it takes to get her rabid haters energized against her, knowing all the while that will drive up sales. I'll admit that I come to this site to read John's latest stammerings and anti-Vol rubbish. As do many of you. Its not that hard to believe. At the very least John is using a play from Anne's book to get all of us Vols riled up. Bully for him. If that keeps the News Sentinal in business then I guess he's the only genius in the bunch. John Adams is Anne Coulter.
mattlock writes:
Since when are sportswriters supposed to be fans anyway. . .have you guys ever listened to a post game news conference?!?! If I wanted someone to just write about how great UT is and how much you love Fulmer and the job he's doing, I would just read a few Kool-Aid drinker posts everyday.
OrangePower11 writes:
"McBrim was detained by authorities after repeated attempts to help Timmy Tebow with his missionary circumcisions."
McBrim was quoted by several witnesses:
"You can't do it alone, Tim, I've handled these things my whole life, I've prepared my whole life for this one moment. You've got your hands full...you just come around back and watch me do my thing"
"Just the Facts, buddy"
BIGEJ writes:
McBrim; alias for John Adam’s sister again attempting an adversarial diatribe to only reveal its inanity;
Vol fans; diminish any potential with blatant disregard;
ING (Ignore the gnat; remember where gnats gather)
Accentuate the positive; the University of Tennessee Volunteers…..I AM …..A VOLUNTEER; GO VOLS
GerryOP writes:
What a bunch of narrow-minded, tunnel-visioned jerks. If you want all Vols, all of the time, and only positive stuff, go to
http://www.utsports.com/home/
Every day for the past week there has been an article about Vol football, position by position. Almost every day there have been positive articles about Vol recruiting and Vol players. Do you mind if we hear about other SEC teams occassionally?
C'mon idiots, many of you have stated in no uncertain times that you are not going to read Adams' articles, so why are you flapping your jaws about him not writing what you want to read?
As Kaplan said a month or so ago, if you don't like what Adams writes don't read it. If you do, click on the link and enjoy. At any rate, John Adams thanks each of you for taking the time to post. They all count!
Chris Fowler was right.
GerryOP writes:
sjt, what is Adams "vested interest?"
TommyJack writes:
What GerryOP said, minus the Chris Fowler remark.
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
This is dam ridiculous. John Adams is a jacka$s
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