SB Nation - Ben Bartholomew

Talking Points: Eric Berry reportedly slower than his younger brothers

Joel — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:41:02 -0000

Have you heard we need a QB? Hooper's got everything you need to know about the Lamaison thing, but according to John Adams, history has not been kind to junior college QBs in the SEC. Notwithstanding history, though, Lamaison would be a welcome addition. And Jesse Scroggins? Still not announcing until July 25.
Somebody sell tickets. Eric Berry says there's a race set up for some time next year between him and his younger twin brothers. Evan recently ran the 100 meters in 11.25 seconds, and Elliot almost kept up that pace over 200 meters. Eric's not taking them lightly and is in training for the event already. By the way, Eric said that Evan actually committed to the Vols before he did, so perhaps he is slower. ;-)

Love it. Montario Hardesty on the new offense:

"I love it. I love it, man," he said, literally gushing. "It's the same scheme I ran in high school. You hit the line running, and the holes open up. I love it ... love it."

I love the sound of that.

Talking to the right people. Daniel Lincoln is trying to get his groove back by reaching out to former UT kickers Fuad Reveiz, Jeff Hall, and James Wilhoit (same link as above).

That whole wide receiver thing? This puts it into perspective quite nicely:

The Vols finished spring practice with eight scholarship receivers. When sophomores Ahmad Paige and Tyler Maples decided to transfer, the number dropped to a half-dozen.

Now the six has become three.

Yeah, so having our entire returning receiving corps consist of Quintin Hancock, Brandon Warren, and Todd Campbell means we'll need help from tight ends Jeff Cottam, Luke Stocker, and Ben Bartholomew and incoming freshmen Nu'Keese Richardson, James Green, Marsalis Teague, and Zach Rogers. Lotsa newness in that list of names.

No thanks. The NFL supplemental draft passes on Demetrice Morley.

Cheese. Spencer Hall on Travis Henry's poor decision to take on the feds.

Tougher'n a pine cone toilet seat. And via the magic of sharing on Google Reader (another chest bump to Spencer), another college coach who doubles as a quote machine:

Talking points: restless in Redmond edition

Joel — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:30:19 -0000

I am waaaay up here in Seattle to take part in a focus group for the Sports Channel on Microsoft's Windows Media Center. Does anyone else think it odd that I have to go east to Charlotte from the Tri Cities to get to Seattle? I'm still trying to convince my body clock that it's perfectly fine that we arrived only two hours later than we took off despite being in the air for five. As of right now, it is still inconsolable. Anyway, on to the Talking Points.

Tennessee

In "one of the toughest losses [Pat Summitt has] ever had to deal with at Tennessee," the Lady Vols were bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, losing 55-71 to Ball State. Thus ends what many are calling the worst year in Tennessee athletics in evah. Some are glad it's over. To me, though, it means summer with no athletics at all, and who wants that?
Mike Strange had what I think was the best take on the men also getting bounced out of the first round in the NCAA Tournament, calling it a game and season of almosts. Close games against Memphis, Alabama, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma State pretty much proved that although we had a pretty good season, this team for whatever reason didn't have that Pearl magic. Pearl is sick about it and couldn't watch any of the other tourney games. Me neither, and my bracket is not helping. I'll start again next year.
Bryce Brown's buddy Blake Bell is interested in the Vols despite the fact there is not one single "B" in the name of our school. Bell's a QB, by the way, and he says, "Having Bryce there is certainly a positive." Admit it, so are the alliterative possibilities, right Bell? After all, Ben Bartholomew may block for you. Speaking of Brown, we have high hopes of that one, as he's the 2009 entrant is this roster of Best of Class: Vince Young, Ernie Sims, Adrian Peterson, Derrick Williams, Percy Harvey, Jimmy Clausen, and Terrelle Pryor.
Hitting is contagious, and Rod Wilkes is infected. Confidence is also infectious, and the Kiffin Chimera is practicing some really reckless hygiene.

SEC

Chest bump to Gate 21 for this video from Blazer Chronicles: