Today's blog and show are done in the memory of Mike Johnson. The Knoxville based sports broadcaster did us proud during his many stops in his fine career. Mike left this world last Thursday at 70 years of age but touched a lot of people along the way. Here's a wonderful write up on his career by the folks at Bethune-Cookman University where Mike worked for close to a couple of decades. Link



Overlooked Vols?
Our Friends at Rocky Top Insider culled the pages of Athlon's All SEC Teams and here's where Tennessee players fare.



Tennessee is going to come in way under the radar in 2017 if this is any indication. We'll discuss this today.



Tennessee will have their work cut out for them in the Super Regionals. Link



I'm not a big Terry Bradshaw guy, but he's speaking the truth on Nick Saban. That salary paid to him in a sport with fixed labor costs off the backs of predominately African American players is "shameful." That's a quality choice of words by Bradshaw. I love college sports. There's a lot there that's laudable. The coach worship era is regrettable. Link







Tying The Vols & Predators Together Part I:
Baby Love had a poignant call yesterday discussing the Preds' success. He was in Nashville at the clinching Game 6 and shared that since UT sports have nosedived he's forgotten what it feels like to win at a high level. It's really true. He also shared that he felt dirty being at that game because real Preds fans should've had the opportunity to be there. That's a great point. I sort of felt the same way being there last week. If you're reading this and you're a Preds fan my hope is that you'll find your way into that venue for one of those Finals games. As for his other point that the atmosphere was at a super hyped championship level that we haven't seen around here since ????


I'm thinking UT sports haven't seen this level of success since Tennessee was on the cusp of landing in the Final Four with the Michigan State game in St. Louis. But even then those games weren't played at home so you didn't get that sense of fellowship and belonging as a fan that Preds fans are experiencing repeatedly. Can you imagine what it must be like to be a season ticket holder there right now? Six of the seven times they've walked into Bridgestone Arena, they've walked out of there victorious with a sporting experience that keeps exceeding the last. That's quite a roll if you think about it.


So back to my question, when is the last time we've had a moment on UT's campus similar to the one Preds fans had Monday night in Nashville? I'm thinking 1998 Florida. Reason being that the winner of that game gained poll position to a berth in a potential National Title game. Knoxville was flat out on fire that night. To the non-sports fan, this is Greek. They don't get how a team lifts all of us that dare to care. This is exactly what's happening in the Mid-State.


Here's hoping we can get back to winning in football one day soon in a manner where our fan base feel as if they're being carried on a journey. Unfortunately, it's felt as if we're on the road to nowhere in the past 10 plus years.







Tying Vols & Preds Together Part II: Don't Touch That Thang..
Preds play-by-play guy Pete Weber was on with me and he shared that he was down in the locker room post-game where the Preds players, staff and management, while posing with the Western Conference Trophy were all refusing to touch it. I wonder what was going through the mind of Butch Jones as he watched this? The message from that organization is simple. Winning the West is not enough. That's a far cry from being carried off the field after a Music City Bowl. You could say that I'm mixing my metaphors by comparing college and professional sports. Guilty as charged. I'll also tell you Butch Jones would've been all over that trophy last night in celebration if past antics in Knoxville are any indication.


I didn't say what I say above to slight Butch Jones, but to point out that the Preds seem like they are on a stone cold mission. No offense intended.


Tying Vols & Predators Together Part III:
Tom in Houston called my radio show 'a thinking man's show' yesterday. I will gladly accept his compliment with some return love on his call that stopped me in my tracks when he talked about the Preds decision several years back to jettison Barry Trotz. Trotz was the Preds Head Coach for their first decade plus in their existence. He was beloved in that organization. A great man by all accounts. Tom reminded me that the Preds chose to not rest on their laurels or his accomplishments when they fired him for Peter Laviolette. The rest is history. Now, while commending the Preds, Tom opined that this thing could've easily gone south on Preds if Lavy didn't work out. That's his caution along with mine for Vol fans. Could Tennessee do better than Butch Jones? Undoubtedly. But the Vols could also do a whole lot worse. That's food for thought.



Tying Vols & Predators Together Part IV:
Butch Jones gave a few interviews yesterday where he talked about the Predators being a study in 'resiliency' (sic). While I'm not really sure if this is an actual word, Butch loves it. I'm hoping being there will rub off on him and the Vols. The Preds were given ZERO chance by the people that follow the sport of beating the Chicago Blackhawks. Less people than that thought they would best St. Louis in the second round and even fewer folks thought they would beat Anaheim. We're talking about the #16 seed in the NFL playoffs here. And I mean #16. Put it this way. The Preds have much less business being in the Stanley Cup Final than Tennessee does being in Atlanta in December. How much longer is this going to go on?


Cleveland Cavaliers Chicago Cubs Clemson South Carolina Final Four Jinder Mahal Cleveland Indians Coastal Carolina Danny Willett Masters Miss State Football #1 Leicester City (EPL Champs 2016)




Ron Slay is a recent graduate of UT. He's one of my all time favorite players but more importantly one of my all time favorite people. It's Ron's hope to land a coaching job in college sports. He told me on the air that he would even consider coaching women. I publish this letter today for Ron with the knowledge that a bunch of folks in the industry click on this space daily. If you would please retweet today's blog, let's get his name in front of as many people as possible. If you're in the industry and reading this, I want to say unequivocally that Ron Slay would be a wonderful addition to your coaching staff/organization.







How about the NFL relaxing their celebration rules? You don't think they're trying to figure out why the ratings dipped last year? The truth is NFL football wasn't interesting at times last season. It became clinical. So they're trying to add back some of the flavor. Let the guys celebrate. I've always thought that of all sports, NFL players will police things if they go too far. Think about it, we're not talking about American League Pitchers throwing at people here. These guys have to face each other down in and down out. Bring back The Fun Bunch!!! How annoying do you think Zeke Elliot is going to be under these relaxed rules? Link


RIP Cortez Kennedy:
He's gone way too soon at the age of 48. That's heartbreaking news.



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