Picks Panel: Rookie picker Kain is shooting for success

No experience. No problem.

All eight of this week's pickers are rookies on the McDonald's picks panel. But don't equate inexperience with a lack of confidence.

"I think I've got a great shot - not to just win this week, but to win the Arf Adams Memorial Trophy," said gun enthusiast Chip Kain in a phone interview with picks panel beat reporter Johnny McAdams as the confident picker ordered from a McDonald's drive-thru.

In case you're wondering, Kain had a Happy Meal with a four-piece order of Chicken McNuggets and an M&M McFlurry. On the other end of the interview, Johnny McAdams was snacking on McDonaldand Cookies.

Future Pickers: Picks panel administrator John McAdams said he has received more than 800 applications for several openings on the Week 12 panel. The final pickers will be selected this Sunday.

Familiar Name: If "Draper" rings a bell, you're probably thinking about former picker Sherry Draper. They're husband and wife. Although David is a first-year picker, he has served as the picks panel attorney for the last two years.

Readers Write: One picks panel fan wrote: "I saw a picture of Eric Chamblee on the Week 6 panel. I can't believe he's a nurse. That's the same guy who broke two of my fingers at the bottom of a pile when we were playing high school football."

Picks Panel Response: I gave Eric your name, and he remembered the "unfortunate incident." He said it was an accident. But if you want to discuss it further, he would be glad to meet you in the parking lot of your choosing.

Readers Write: One picks panel fan wrote: "I remember a few years ago when several pickers suffered physical damage from having taken the experimental drug FBG (For Brain Growth). Did any of them die? If not, was the damage permanent?

Picks Panel Response: Nice of you to ask. All three of them - Jeff Jacoby, Daryl Hobby and Mark Burgess - are alive and functioning after being treated by picks panel physician Dr. Udit Chaudhuri. Just looking at them now, you would guess they were only mildly ill.

Closer Look: The McDonald's Picks Panel occasionally likes to take a closer look at one of the pickers. This week's Closer Look, which is sponsored by McDonald's Crispy Chicken Ranch Snack Wrap, takes a closer look at rookie picker and gun enthusiast Chip Kain.

Kain is best known for his radio work with The Sports Animal. He also writes for the Knoxville Focus.

Last year, the sharpshooting columnist created a stir when he called former Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer a liar in one of his columns. Some speculated that the column contributed to Fulmer losing his job at the end of the season.

"As a columnist, you can't mince words, and sometimes you've got to shoot from the hip on rapid fire," Kain said in a phone interview as he squeezed off a few rounds in a wooded area in West Knoxville.

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

Bill Howard went 12-3 to top last week's panel and qualify for the post-season McOffs. Other playoff qualifiers through six weeks are Mark Amy Smotherman Burgess, Mike Strange, Jesse Smithey, Gregg Hampton and Daryl Hobby.

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