Talking points: Human Resources has rules, too? edition

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 13, 2009 7:25 AM EST in Rocky Top Talking Points

Tennessee

The Lady Vols routed Alabama 80-61 last night. Shekinna Striklen suffered a scary injury, but it appears that it's not as severe as initially believed.
The men find themselves in a four-way tie for the SEC East and are therefore in control of their own destiny. Of course, we also have the toughest schedule of the four, so you know.
Former Vol QB Casey Clausen, who's coaching at Oaks Christian Academy in California, has some thoughts about a couple of sons of stars he's helping to rear: Nick Montana and Trevor Gretzky.
Dave Hooker has some thoughts on players waiting until after National Signing Day to sign with a school.
Sigh. That comment about Lane Kiffin firing somebody because he lost 25 minutes of valuable recruiting time waiting at the airport? Didn't quite happen that way. There is an explanation: he wanted to, he then did the Sports Illustrated interview, and he then had a meeting with HR, who told him "there were procedures." I'm guessing he got a lesson on the proper use of the term "running people off," too, which is none.
More on the Inky Johnson hire. You knew just from the headline Holly posted a few days ago that this was good news, but there are details on exactly why it's such good news.
Chris Low does an early breakdown of the Vols' 2009 football schedule.
I'm a couple of days late on this, but Holly has the Vol rallying cry: "Brothers and sisters, it’s time to relinquish the mantle of “the Michigan of the SEC”. Let’s see some hustle in here. Let’s see some fire in those dead eyes. Let’s see us trailing the Gators, the Tide, the Dawgs by thirty or more and screaming, “THAT ALL YEW GOT??” at their nearest fans."

SEC

Georgia defensive tackle Jeff Owens has his own blog. This is fantastic, and I would be happy to help any Tennessee players considering the same thing. Right up until we learn that doing so somehow violates the NCAA's Rules Against Having Harmless Fun.

Misc.

Via YMSWWC, a 17-point play in basketball.

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

There was a football player from UConn who had his own blog (and still does).

I think he was exempt from the NCAA No Fun Rule due to proximity to ESPN… [whistles innocently]

Here you go. I highly recommend going there and reading the front page post before he comes up with something else.

by David Hooper on Feb 13, 2009 8:20 AM EST reply actions

And the inevitable overreaction to "firedgate" begins...

Now

by Getoffmyvols on Feb 13, 2009 8:22 AM EST reply actions

Aren’t other oddballs – like Mike Leach – simply eccentric? When can Kiffin apply for the adjective?

by David Hooper on Feb 13, 2009 8:27 AM EST up reply actions

Its winning

Bottom line. If you’re team is hot everything you do is great and the questionable comments and blurbs get brushed aside. Nick Saban and Bobby Petrino were the media’s whipping boys until the seasons actually started then the dust settles and everybody calms down.

by Getoffmyvols on Feb 13, 2009 8:42 AM EST up reply actions

:(

I just need the season to get here.

by Prometheus1185 on Feb 13, 2009 10:11 AM EST reply actions

So does Kiffin.

by David Hooper on Feb 13, 2009 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah.

I’m not ready to pronounce it doom and gloom yet.

I hope he succeedes, but as someone who, at the least wasn’t happy with how the Fulmer thing was handled it’s hard for me to look at these things and not begin to see and emergent pattern that is at least similar to what Al Davis said.

I just want the team to get on the field, Kiffin to get away from the microphone, and see some results so I can decide what I really think about all this bluster and energy coming out of Knoxville.

And I know next year isn’t going to be 14-0 national champions. I’ll be happy with a winning season, meaning at least 7 wins. I’d also like to see the QB play improve and see Lennon Creer and Hardesty each get used in a way that compliments our strength. I’m not worried about the D.

by Prometheus1185 on Feb 13, 2009 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

I think that's where most of us are right now.

My bar is currently 8 wins, but that’s completely arbitrary and subject to revision. More importantly, I want to see the team improve throughout the season. Getting in sync in the first few weeks might be a bit much for a team that’s been through as many philosophical transitions as this one, but progression would tell me that things are taking hold and there’s reason to believe. That’s my focus.

And yes, the Monte-Berry D should be fine.

by David Hooper on Feb 13, 2009 10:35 AM EST up reply actions

Speak for yourself

I’m expecting a National Championship. Gotta set the bar high, baby.

by rblakeh on Feb 13, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

LOL

Hey, give me time. I’ll revise things after spring scrimmage. Unless we can win a NC during the O&W game (which will be tough – I hear Alabama is making a serious run at another NC this spring…), I’ll probably still leave room for a loss or two.

by David Hooper on Feb 13, 2009 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

I'm all for players taking their time to sign.

They have until April 1st to sign a LOI in order to be eligible for the fall; the only reason NSD is such a big deal is because we (we == fans, media, recruiting outlets) have made it so. Right now, people like Brown and Oku have far better information to decide their college choice. They can now pretty clearly balance out any academic interests (cough), playing interests, geographical considerations, and so on.

That being said, I’m also all for an earlier signing window. Either give a week at the beginning of December for the die-hard commits to get it over with, then re-open signing like usual, or just open it up earlier and give more time for them to trickle in. Right now, it’s a zoo.

by David Hooper on Feb 13, 2009 10:33 AM EST reply actions

Unfortunate

It’s unfortunate that the Inky hiring hasn’t received more press. All people want to talk about is “Kiffen is an idiot lol!!!!!!1” and they completely ignore amazing stories like this.

by rblakeh on Feb 13, 2009 10:53 AM EST reply actions

True.

I’m glad that Inky’s story got some press, at least. Props to GVX on that one.

You have to give Kiffin this much: he has an eye for talent. The staff he assembled all appear to be rock-solid, skillwise, and have the same drive and ambition as himself. The recruiting class seems to reflect that as well (at least as far as we can guess). If he can keep picking up people like Inky to shape and refine the personalities of the team, this could actually turn into something special.

by David Hooper on Feb 13, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions