That report from Jimmy Hyams that UT has 30 players an academic probation is both true and absurd. 'X' tells me it's true and there's no way UT should have that many guys with all the academic advantages this school affords football players on probation. That is sheer laziness. And I should know. After a year at UT I was sitting there with 1.9, when I met my wife and she taught me the key to succeeding in college. Go to every class. Sit in the first row. Ask questions. Act interested. Get to know your teacher with small talk. And get at least a B. It's not that difficult. Having that many guys on academic probation is on Derek Dooley. Plain and simple, there's no excuse for this. And I realize people say to me that fans don't usually care about academic progress and that's a good point. However, with Derek Dooley's tenure at UT, there's been a systemic breakdown on many levels. He lost the team at the end of last year. He's had unprecedented turnover on his coaching staff in the off-season. His handling of DaRick Rogers was comical. And now we learn that he has roughly a third of his players on probation a team that has a cumulative 2.1 gpa. So, exactly what is Derek Dooley doing these days? Well, he is going to all 8 Big Orange Caravan stops. I guess that's something. This guy needs 9 regular season wins in big time way. One thing is for sure, it's never been dull around here with Derek Dooley.


Here's the final two deep that's going to help UT win at least 9 regular season games. Link




Mike Detillier told me yesterday on the show in a GREAT segment that the Vols first player taken in this year’s draft will be T. Poole in the middle rounds. I don't know why, but this will surprise me on a couple of fronts. Poole doesn't seem like a prototypical NFL back, while it seems like Malik Jackson would be a better bet at that level. Detillier did make a great point in predicting that the SEC would have 55% of the first round selections. If you're going to win in this league, you must have first round selections on your roster. There's no doubt about that. And when I look at this year’s Tennessee team, they have many potential first round picks in years to come. Bray, Hunter, Rogers, Clear, Richardson, Randolph, come to mind off the top of my head. That's something to hang your hat on looking to the future. Another great example of this is the Saban era at Bama. His first year there, in that mess he inherited Bama had NOBODY selected. Now, you can't swing a stick in Tuscy without hitting a first rounder. You want to win in this league, you must have first rounder’s.



Peyton Manning on Pat Summitt. Link


Interesting factoid courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau. Chipper's home run Tuesday was the fifth on his birthday; among active players, that ties him with Todd Helton and Alex Rodriguez. Happy Birthday Chipper. First ballot HOF all the way.


Another in state loss for the baseball Vols. Link


It would be great if UT could get a commitment from pitcher Trevor Clifton out of Maryville's Heritage High. This guy has exploded on the scene and is on the national radar as one of the best young pitchers in baseball. Link


The next couple of days could be huge in how college football chooses a champion. Link


I love this neutral site playoff proposal. Link



On the eve of the NFL draft, here's a great piece on the building of the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. Link



Cal says Rod Strickland's not going to Larry Brown's staff @ SMU. Link


Final thought comes from a UT professor on Dooley's genius football team.





Enjoy your day

Tony B