The transfer of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava sparked an outburst of emails from my literary contributors.
Why did I hold their correspondence until now? Because I thought Iamaleava was such a hot topic, fans might pay to have their emails published.
My holdout failed terribly. No one would pay, three said they would never contribute to my email column again, and two said they would cancel their subscription.
Gary writes: Everyone has a take on the Nico situation, and mine would be that it is fine for Nico to desire a better offensive line and receivers surrounding him. But a better approach would be to accept a pay cut, and request – instead of a 2 million dollar raise – a 2 million increase in NIL funds to attract more talent.
One good thing about all of this is that newspapers are being sold.
My response: Whether News Sentinel or Knox News subscriptions go up or down, my salary remains stagnant. I half-jokingly mentioned to one of my many bosses that if I don’t get a raise soon, I might enter the transfer portal.
He pointed to the door.
Colorado Mark writes: Nico’s next jersey should be a dollar sign $$.
I mean what was he afraid of. Everybody is getting their share of the cash cow, including the ex-jock coaches. Milk that thing while you can. The only thing that matters now in college sports is the money.
He should have just manned up, and said it’s not personal. It’s just business and told Hype-L, you got your 10 million a year, who are you to say I should not get mine?
It’s totally screwed up. But it is what it is.
My response: Most fans are disgusted by what college football has become. The games remain appealing, though.
My guess is that fans will continue to watch the sport and hope their favorite team is successful. But their passion for the sport will wane. College football has become too volatile for some fans to invest much emotion in the outcome of games.
Eddie writes: Please don’t put Lane Kiffin in the same category as Nico. Nico tried to extort more money.
I don’t like the way Kiffin left but he left for a dream job. That was on AD Mike Hamilton for hiring someone he knew would leave for USC if ever given the chance, especially with the ridiculously low buyout.
He didn’t ask for more money to stay.
My response: Kiffin’s pursuit of his “dream job” led to his nightmarish firing on the tarmac at the Los Angeles International Airport. Iamaleava also might regret his sudden departure from Tennessee.
But Iamaleava’s exit from Tennessee football after two seasons was less damaging than Kiffin’s hasty move to the West Coast after just one season with the Vols. UT suffered through multiple bad coaching hires and four consecutive losing seasons after Kiffin left.
The Vols will bounce back better from Iamaleava’s exit than Kiffin’s
James writes: Could you please explain to me how two four-star QB recruits who have attended over a year’s worth of practices, worked their tails off, learned to run the offense, memorized the playbook and are now being overlooked for a “more experienced” QB? How do they ever get experience?
A transfer to say New Mexico, Rutgers, or Wake Forest would be pretty tempting for them, I would think.
My response: Jake Merklinger redshirted last season as a freshman, and recent signee George MacIntyre enrolled early and went through spring practice.
Both have potential. But since Tennessee is a possible playoff contender, it would be wise to sign a proven experienced quarterback from the portal.
That might prompt Merklinger to transfer, but not MacIntyre. The Vols already have a commitment from five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon for the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Of course, “commitments” mean less every year.
David writes: I have enjoyed your column for a long time, your insights and humor. I also enjoy the Volunteer State podcast.
When and why did “score the ball” become a thing in basketball? Football players don’t score the ball, nor any other players in sports that I’m aware of. They simply score, right?
Did a popular broadcaster used the phrase, and it caught on?
My response: Thanks. It’s a ridiculous phrase, probably brought to life shortly after the originator of it was hit in the head with a wayward basketball.
Fortunately, this nonsensical phrase hasn’t spread to other sports. I haven’t heard a baseball announcer say: “Aaron Judge can really homer the ball.”
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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