Published July 16, 2012 - 4:21am
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With the new additions of Missouri and Texas A&M, are the SEC divisions still as balanced as before? The SEC looks to continue to monitor the divisions this year for a possible future shift yet again. “I think we’ll continue to monitor all aspects of the conference scheduling process as we go forward.” The SEC is in the process of building schedules for the next four or five years after 2012, Womack said. [AL]
AJ McCarron attended the Manning Passing Academy for the second year in a row. McCarron’s father knows that his son was honored and could not pass up the opportunity to attend this year, either. “How can you go wrong surrounding yourself with the Manning family?” Tony McCarron said. “Archie Manning is a legend in the NFL and college football. (Peyton and Eli) are two of the best role models you could ever ask for. Guys that have never been in trouble, done it the right way.” [AL]
Florida’s backfield is very unproven. The starting job is between two sophomore QBs, and the Gators are entering another season with an undefined backfield. Look for Mike Gillislee and Mack Brown to contribute in the backfield, with incoming freshman Matt Jones having an outside opportunity to get some early playing time. Florida needs some steadiness at RB and someone who has the ability to run between the tackles. Trey Burton and Hunter Joyer will play FB. [Gator Sports]
Much of the controversy/criticism at Georgia about the offense is usually about offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Bobo has been criticized for his offensive play calling being way too vanilla. But he thinks there is enough talent on hand to be successful on offense, and I agree with him. “I do think we’ve got enough guys to go out and be successful offensively,” Bobo said. “That’s what practice is for, that’s what camp is for. That’s going to be the main focus, trying to figure out who we are, what’s our best personnel group, what gives us the best chance to be effective offensively.” [Macon]
Joker Phillips is excited about his freshmen. He had them over to dinner the other night, and they went fishing out behind his house. They caught a massive carp, and it was a team effort to bring it in. “Obviously, the quarterback (Patrick Towles) gets in the dang boat and starts trying to reel him in,” Phillips continued with the story. “You saw another freshman in the boat paddling to get (another’s) hands free. That right there showed me these guys really like each other, like working together.” [Kentucky]
Tennessee will lean on LB Herman Lathers for leadership on and off the field this year, but his story is really awesome. Lathers had bone cancer when he was 15 years old, and hardly any of his teammates knew it. UT DB Prentiss Waggner knows everyone sees his work ethic and leadership. “Everybody has seen his work ethic,” Waggner said. “He’s had injuries, but he pushes forward. He’ll still have a minor injury here and there, but you will never see him get out of a drill. He always finishes the drill.” [Go Vols Xtra]
Tennessee will start the year with WR Pig Howard on the sidelines because of foot surgery. Howard will likely join the Vols sometime during the regular season, but he will not benefit from going through fall camp like the other freshmen. Howard was one of Tennessee’s highest ranked recruits from the 2012 class, but something tells me the Vols will be fine at WR without Howard to start. [Go Vols Xtra]
