Picks could equal bucks for best pickers

A Big Mac-size season keeps getting better for the McDonald's picks panel. And that's big news for the best pickers.

Picks panel administrator John Adams said the top pickers could receive cash payouts this season.

Asked if the top prize could be in excess of $3,000, Adams told pickspanelxtra.com beat reporter Johnny McAdams, "It could be a lot more."

McAdams told McAdams that he would like to reward the top 20 pickers with cash prizes following the championship round of the playoffs, which will coincide with the college bowl season.

Picker Chip Kain reportedly fired off a 21-gun salute in response to the good news. Picker Eric Chamblee supposedly celebrated by head-butting another nurse.

And former champion Rick Russo, who has been covering the Vols for 94 years, was even more upbeat than usual.

"I'm loving it," said The Roose, as he downed an Oreo McFlurry.

Promoted: Picks panel captains Daryl Hobby, Jesse Smithey and Mark Nagi have been promoted to picks panel associate administrators, according to pick panel administrator John McAdams. Smithey was the Week 2 captain, Hobby served as captain on the Week 5 panel, and Nagi captained the Week 4 panel.

The addition of associate administrators is just one more change in a season of change during John McAdams' first full season as picks panel administrator. He also was the first picks panel administrator to appoint captains to head up each of the 12 panels.

"Most of our captains have done a good job this season," McAdams said. "But Smithey, Nagi and Hobby went the extra mile."

Amy Burgess, and Josh Ward also were singled out by Adams, who named them "captains for life." He didn't explain what that meant.

Kym Bryant was stripped of her captaincy following a disastrous Week 10 when four pickers had to be replaced for failing to send their pictures in.

Another Author: Picks panel associate administrator Daryl Hobby will soon join picker Mike Strange as one of the panel's published authors. His book, "It's Just A Hobby," will be in local bookstores in early March.

"It's a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at WVLT," Hobby told pickspanelxtra.com feature writer J. Mack Adams. "I think it will give our fans real insight into some of the great personalities at our station."

Hobby said two of the chapters are devoted to Rick Russo's heroic battle to come back from knee surgery in August.

"I think a lot of people would have given up," Hobby said. "But Rick is not 'a lot of people.' I think his comeback is one of the most inspirational stories of our generation."

Readers Write: One picks panel fan wrote: "In week 10, you had something called a 'Baby Hop' on the panel. You said it was a 'dashboard ornament.'

"Are we supposed to believe that a stuffed animal is capable of picking college football games?"

Picks Panel Response: Sportswriters can do it. Is that such a big leap?

Last Week's Results: Brought to you by McDonald's New Angus Third Pounder.

Three pickers tied for the best record last week. Dereth Lewis, Baby Hop and Beth Rucker will pick games this week to break the tie.

The winner qualifies for the post-season McOffs.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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