T-Storms 30% chance of rain HIGH LOW 90 71
Follow us: @DailyBeacon
‘Dark Knight Rises’, ‘Avengers’ debate
Three pre-season questions answered
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
PAGE 6 T H E
Issue 18
E D I T O R I A L L Y
PUBLISHED SINCE 1906 http://utdailybeacon.com
Vol. 120
I N D E P E N D E N T
S T U D E N T
N E W S P A P E R
O F
T H E
U N I V E R S I T Y
PAGE 5 O F
T E N N E S S E E
iPads increase RA efficiency Residence halls lose secretaries Wesley Mills News Editor
Wesley Mills News Editor With technology becoming more integrated into our classrooms and lifestyles, it’s not shocking that those working within the university will also upgrade. Starting this semester resident assistants, or RAs, will be receiving iPads to help them do their jobs more efficiently. Schools such as the University of Texas in Austin and the University of Florida have been experimenting with using tablets, and in their efforts to be on the list of the top 25 public universities, UT will start using them. Each RA will have to sign an exten-
sive accountability agreement saying that the RA is finally responsible if they are lost or damaged. In the agreement, they are also consenting to comply with the university’s appropriate use policy, saying that these will be strictly used for work and not play. Executive Director of Department of University Housing Frank Cuevas said a main focus in training RAs when they get to campus is to make sure they understand the rules of the tablet’s use. “As we introduce technology, a number of top 25 schools have been using some kind of tablet to do their job,” he said. “But when the RAs get here for training, we are going to be focusing on how these are tools and not toys.”
See iPADS on Page 3
UT alumna succeeds in comedy Staff Reports The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has named comedienne Leanne Morgan to its list of Accomplished Alumni of 2012. Morgan, a 1992 graduate of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, made a name for herself in the comedy world after appearing on ABC’s The View and as a finalist on Nick at Nite’s Funniest Mom. Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek presented Morgan with the award on Wednesday, July 25, at the welcome reception for the • university’s annual Alumni Summer College. In its thirtieth year, the Alumni Sumer College is an opportunity for Volunteer alumni to return to campus for lectures, entertainment, and fellowship. Morgan was the keynote speaker for Wednesday’s reception.
“As Leanne has grown in her career, she has done so with grace and class and represented the University of Tennessee well,” said Cheek. “We are proud to have her as an active alumna and member of our UT family.” Morgan is known for her southern charm and storytelling about her own life as a stay-at-home mom. Dr. Phil and Paula Deen are among her celebrity fans. While performing in San Antonio, Texas, she was asked to appear at the Las Vegas Comedy Festival. Shortly thereafter, she appeared Photo courtesy of Leanne Morgan on ABC’s The View in a segment about housewives. After appearing as a finalist on Nick at Nite’s Funniest Mom, she toured with the Southern Fried Chicks comedy troop for three years. She has appeared in comedy clubs, per-
forming arts centers and theaters all over the United States. She is collaborating with writer/producer Matt Williams, of Roseanne and Home Improvement fame, and FremantleMedia on a half-hour sitcom. The Accomplished Alumni Program is designed to attract notable alumni to campus to share their success stories. Alumni who are honored through this program spend time on campus teaching students, sharing dialogue with faculty and engaging with other alumni and friends of the university. Alumni featured in this program including CEOs of major corporations, Olympians, authors, artists, musicians, U.S. ambassadors, and civic leaders. Other 2012 honorees include Chamique Holdsclaw, forward with the WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars; Jorge Sotolongo, manager of the Engineering Research and Development Lab at Gulfstream Aerospace; and Sean Seymore, professor of law and associate professor of chemistry at Vanderbilt University.
As of this month, the campus hall secretary position, or ASA, on the campus of the University of Tennessee has been eliminated. There were nine total people working as hall secretaries in campus housing, and eight of them have been relocated to other positions on campus, while one decided to retire. Executive Director of Campus Housing Frank Cuevas said that efficiency with technology was one of the key reasons they decided to do away with the position. “Because of technology, many of their positions and duties were being rolled over to much more efficient ways of being done with technology,” he said. Cuevas said that lock changes, swipe cards and hall check-ins could be more efficiently handled with the use of technology, and that they would be able to save money. Some of the duties that had been previously performed by hall secretaries were being replaced with the new technologies. “Many of the other duties, as we were introducing new systems technologies, were already being centralized and being done by folks up in the central office and those technologies,” he said. Cuevas said that he didn’t want to just lay off the workers, but rather give them other job opportunities on campus, and campus housing was willing to help place them in other positions. “A year ago we notified all the campus housing hall secretaries that their positions were being eliminated,” he said. “So we gave them all 10 months notice. We actually
placed them in other positions on campus.” The usual protocol is a 30day notice, but the end goal was to give the secretaries ample time to find other job openings and get plugged in, so that they would not have to be laid off. Many were hired within the offices of student life. “Over the course of 10 months we told that them we would work with them to find them other positions within the department or on campus,” he said. Cuevas said that the housing department went through all the appropriate protocol to make sure this situation was handled with care and ethics. “If you are going to eliminate a position, it requires human resources, approval by the chief business officer of the institution, the chief human resource officer, and essentially the chancellor has to sign off on it,” Cuevas said, “because you have to show adequate reason and why.” While technology was a main reason for the elimination of jobs, Cuevas said that he’s pleased with finding jobs for the workers in other parts of campus. Their goal was met and the workers were pleased with the end result. “Other places are ethically only required to give them 30 days and we gave our folks 10 months, because we felt with more notice we could work towards helping them get a place somewhere on our campus,” he said. “And that was all along our goal is to try and get them somewhere else so they wouldn’t be affected as a layoff. I’m happy to report that we got them all placed. That was our end goal and of course they were happy as well.”
Browns owner may sell team The Associated Press CLEVELAND — Browns owner Randy Lerner has begun talks with truck-stop magnate Jimmy Haslam on giving up controlling interest while committing to keep the team in Cleveland, the club president said Friday. And get this: Haslam is a self-described “1,000 percent” Pittsburgh Steelers fan. “(Lerner) is giving up controlling interest in the team,” president Mike Holmgren said at the team’s suburban Berea training camp. Holmgren said he and Lerner have discussed the matter throughout the summer. Holmgren said the talks on the future of the team included the agreed stipulation that the Browns would remain in town. “The Cleveland Browns are not going anywhere,” Holmgren said. Holmgren said that Lerner’s interests have changed during the years and that the owner had told
him a while back that, while he loved the team, he would consider selling if and when a reliable buyer came along. “All the stars aligned in the last few months,” Holmgren said. Lerner disclosed the talks in a statement earlier Friday. “In connection with current rumors and press inquiries, I can report that I’ve been approached by Mr. Jimmy Haslam, who is interested in making an investment in the Cleveland Browns. We are currently in negotiations and both sides have agreed to keep that dialogue and its details private,” Lerner said in a statement. “Given that any transaction would require League approval, care has been taken so that this process will not be disruptive to the organization, in particular the football team, as it prepares for the upcoming season. We will share further details or make an announcement if it becomes necessary.” See HASLAM on Page 3
Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon
Cones surround part of the latest construction on campus at Hodges Library. Melrose Ave from Hess Hall to Hodges will be repaved through Aug. 3.
Holmes charged for murders The Associated Press CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Colorado prosecutors on Monday charged a former neuroscience graduate student with 24 counts of murder and 116 counts of attempted murder in the shooting rampage at the midnight showing of the new Batman movie. James Holmes appeared just as dazed as he did in his
first court appearance last week, but at one point exchanged a few words with one of his attorneys in the packed courtroom. The breakdown of the charges was not immediately clear. The attack at “The Dark Knight Rises” left 12 people dead and 58 others injured. After his arrest, police said they found that his apartment was booby trapped.
Among the charges Monday was one count of possession of explosives. Legal analysts expect the case to be dominated by arguments over the defendant’s sanity. Unlike Holmes’ first court appearance on July 23, Monday's hearing was not televised. At the request of the defense, District Chief Judge William Sylvester barred video and still cam-
eras from the hearing, saying expanded coverage could interfere with Holmes’ right to a fair trial. Last week, Sylvester allowed a live video feed that permitted the world its first glimpse of the shooting suspect. With an unruly mop of orange hair, Holmes appeared bleary-eyed and distracted. He did not speak. See HOLMES on Page 3
2 • The Daily Beacon
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
InSHORT
LettersEditor to the
Dear Editor: In Wesley Mills’ article “Graduating in Four Years Best” in The Daily Beacon, written on July 6, 2012, Mills explains the importance and benefits of graduating from a university or college on time. As stated within the article, there are a number of advantages to those students that stay on track and receive their degrees in four years. Those students who have the ambition to graduate in four years are only helping themselves, while those who wait longer, intentionally, are hurting themselves. I respect the limitations that administration are enforcing, such as the New Drop Policy, which restricts students to dropping only four classes after their tenth day during the course of their undergraduate program. This creative idea provides that push that today’s college students need to graduate on time. A recent graduate of UT in Public Relations who graduated in four years stated that she acquired the tools and skills of her major, and now she is ready to apply what she has learned at a public relations firm. Another student who also majored in Public Relations at UT, but did not graduate in four years, stated that she should not have held on to the college experience graduating in five. The student who graduated within four years seemed more satisfied and organized versus the student who graduated in five years. Today, it is common for college students to graduate in five or six years versus four. Some students may need to move at a slower pace, some students double major, making it more difficult for them to graduate in four years, and some maybe afraid of what comes after college. College is a memorable experience, but it is not something that should not be prolonged. As a student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I have witnessed students, friends and fellow pupils plan to graduate at a later date for a number of reasons. A lot of students are becoming comfortable with the college atmosphere, which is slowing down their momentum. A friend of mine, who is a junior at UT, shared with me that he is not ready for the real world and he is in no rush to leave college. This is an example of a student who does not have that additional push to keep them on track. Students need that motivational factor to maintain focus. Sincerely, De’Marcus Finnell Junior Political Science and Communication Studies dfinnell@utk.edu.
File Photo • The Daily Beacon
Balloons are displayed during the 17th Annual Dogwood Arts Festival in 1977. The Dogwood Arts Festival includes concerts and arts and crafts fairs every year in Knoxville.
1975 — Jimmy Hoffa disappears On July 31, 1975, James Riddle Hoffa, one of the most influential American labor leaders of the 20th century, disappears in Detroit, Michigan, never to be heard from again. Though he is popularly believed to have been the victim of a Mafia hit, conclusive evidence was never found, and Hoffa's death remains shrouded in mystery to this day. Born in 1913 to a poor coal miner in Brazil, Indiana, Jimmy Hoffa proved a natural leader in his youth. At the age of 20, he helped organize a labor strike in Detroit, and remained an advocate for downtrodden workers for the rest of his life. Hoffa's charisma and talents as a local organizer quickly got him noticed by the Teamsters and carried him upward through its ranks. Then a small but rapidly growing union, the Teamsters organized truckers across the country, and through the use of strikes, boycotts and some more powerful though less legal methods of protest, won contract demands on
behalf of workers. Hoffa became president of the Teamsters in 1957, when its former leader was imprisoned for bribery. As chief, Hoffa was lauded for his tireless work to expand the union, and for his unflagging devotion to even the organization's least powerful members. His caring and approachability were captured in one of the more well-known quotes attributed to him: "You got a problem? Call me. Just pick up the phone." Hoffa's dedication to the worker and his electrifying public speeches made him wildly popular, both among his fellow workers and the politicians and businessmen with whom he negotiated. Yet, for all the battles he fought and won on behalf of American drivers, he also had a dark side. In Hoffa's time, many Teamster leaders partnered with the Mafia in racketeering, extortion and embezzlement. — This Day in History is courtesy of History.com.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
iPADS continued from Page 1 Cuevas said they will also be using the iPads for attendance and must bring it to every Tuesday meeting. Discussion began this past May when some of the housing staff began to talk about how to move towards a more efficient, online way of performance. “Some of the staff had conversation about use and how we could do it, particularly as we were making our operation much more streamline and much more efficient and moving things towards an online environment,” Cuevas said. At any point in time, UT housing staff can obtain the iPads to check them and see if they are working properly. If any RA is terminated or resigns from their position, they will hand the iPad in. All of the iPads will be tagged with a UT ID number, and the serial numbers are plugged into the database in the event that one is lost or stolen. But, because of the contract, any RA will be financially responsible for any incurring damage, including replacement. Brittany Grogan just graduated this past May but was an RA for the past three years. She said she doesn’t think the current RAs will be as susceptible to playing
HASLAM
The Daily Beacon • 3
NEWS with the iPads as one might think. “It will simply come down to each individual RA’s work ethic and sense of responsibility,” she said. “As a former RA, I have faith that the future RAs will see the iPad as a tool and not as a job benefit. Hopefully, the use of the iPads will be monitored closely by head staff and central housing authorities.” At the time, Grogan could not confirm for sure if RAs would be receiving iPads, but said she had heard rumors and she thought they would be used for administrative duties. “Although I cannot say for certain, I imagine that they will be used to streamline various administrative duties,” she said. “This would most likely apply primarily to the documentation process such as check-in, damages and policy violations.” As part of the fiscal budget, UT’s housing department has set aside a certain amount of money for these iPads. “As part of our overall operating budget, we budget for expenses,” Cuevas said. “We have become a much more efficient operation in terms of making sure we are good stewards of our resources. In fact, our overall expenditures are going to be less than they were last year.”
Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon
A family looks at a stand at the UT Farmers Market on May 30. The farmers market is held every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. in the UT Gardens until October.
the team. We come out to play.” Coach Pat Shurmur said his primary concern was for the coaching staff he hired and continued from Page 1 then the players and trainers. Shurmur said The Browns have been owned by the he will not address sale negotiations and Lerner family since 1999, when the fran- will continue to talk about football. chise was reborn after the original club NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the moved to Baltimore. league is aware of the discussions. Randy Lerner, 50, who also owns the Haslam has been a minority investor in Aston Villa soccer club in England, inherit- the Pittsburgh Steelers and in a 2010 profile ed the Browns in 2002 following the death told the team's Steelers.com Web site that of his father, Al. he had been a Dallas Cowboys and then an Some fans have been unhappy with Indianapolis Colts fan. But with the Randy Lerner, long criticizing him as a dis- Pittsburgh investment, Haslam said he had engaged owner of a club that has made the become “1,000 percent a Steelers fan.” The playoffs just once since Steelers, of course, are the it was recreated. Browns’ chief rival. Jimmy Haslam is The Haslam brothers president and CEO of are supporters of the Knoxville, Tenn.-based University of Tennessee Pilot Flying J, the in Knoxville, where their largest operator of travfather Jim Haslam played el centers and travel tackle on the 1951 nationplazas in North al championship football America with more team under Gen. Robert than 550 retail locaR. Neyland, who is credittions. He is the older ed with building the brother of Tennessee’s school into a football powGov. Bill Haslam, who erhouse. also worked for the The elder Haslam family business before founded the Pilot Corp. he was elected mayor of • Photo courtesy of Tennessee Today in 1958 with a single gas Knoxville in 2003 and station in Gate City, Va. again in 2007, then governor in 2010. He credits sons Bill and Jimmy with Lauren Christ, spokeswoman for the com- expanding the chain from mostly gas stapany, confirmed that Jimmy Haslam was the tions and convenience stores to a “travel prospective Browns investor. She said center” concept of truck stops featuring Haslam would have no further comment on branded fast food service. the Browns statement and referred all quesJim Haslam told The Associated Press in tions to the team. 2010 that his approach for his sons was: Phil Dawson, the only player remaining “Jimmy, you take care of today, and Bill you from the 1999 expansion Browns, said the take care of tomorrow.” announcement surprised him but it doesn’t “When we started our big expansion in affect his job. the mid-1980s, Jimmy kind of ran the opera“I certainly didn’t come here this morn- tions and Bill did the development fund and ing thinking this would happen,” the 37- the new locations — all the long-range year-old kicker said. “It is not going to affect stuff,” he said.
HOLMES continued from Page 1 Attorneys also were arguing over a defense motion to find out who leaked information to the news media about a package the 24-yearold Holmes allegedly sent to his psychiatrist at the University of Colorado, Denver. Authorities seized the package July 23, three days after the shooting, after finding it in the mailroom of the medical campus where Holmes studied. Several media outlets reported that it contained a notebook with descriptions of an attack, but Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers said in court papers that the parcel hadn’t been opened by the time the “inaccurate” news reports appeared. Security was tight for Monday’s hearing. Armed officers were stationed on the roof of both buildings at the court complex, and law enforcement vehicles blocked entrances to the buildings. Investigators said Holmes began stockpiling gear for his assault four months ago and bought his weapons in May and June, well before the shooting spree just after midnight during a showing of the Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises.” He was arrested by police outside
the theater. Analysts said that means it’s likely there's only one main point of legal dispute between prosecutors and the defense. “I don’t think it's too hard to predict the path of this proceeding,” said Craig Silverman, a former chief deputy district attorney in Denver. “This is not a whodunit. ... The only possible defense is insanity.” Under Colorado law, defendants are not legally liable for their acts if their minds are so “diseased” that they cannot distinguish between right and wrong. However, the law warns that “care should be taken not to confuse such mental disease or defect with moral obliquity, mental depravity, or passion growing out of anger, revenge, hatred, or other motives, and kindred evil conditions.” Experts said there are two levels of insanity defenses.
Holmes’ public defenders could argue he is not mentally competent to stand trial, which is the argument by lawyers for Jared Loughner, who is accused of killing six people in 2011 in Tucson, Ariz., and wounding several others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Loughner, who has pleaded not guilty to 49 charges, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is undergoing treatment at a Missouri prison facility in a bid to make him mentally fit to stand trial. If Holmes’ attorneys cannot convince the court that he is mentally incompetent, and he is convicted, they can try to stave off a possible death penalty by arguing he is mentally ill. Prosecutors will decide whether to seek the death penalty in the coming weeks. Holmes was not expected to enter pleas on Monday.
4 • The Daily Beacon
Rocky
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
OPINIONS
Tops
&Bottoms
Rising — Olympic fervor
Rising — School Anxiety
The summer games are here and the biggest stage in global athletics is set for another thrilling round of upsets, gold medals and obscure sports. Questions abound surrounding these Games: can Michael Phelps right the ship and start winning again, will the U.S. basketball team wear gold once more, will Usain Bolt return to his former winning ways after a disappointing Trials run in Jamaica, and who will win the hotly contested men’s equestrian individual jumping finals (safe money is on Alvaro Affonso de Miranda Neto of Brazil based on nothing more than his incredible name)? One thing is for certain, however: these Games will fill up two weeks of air-time better than almost any other summer programming.
Wednesday, August 22 will be the end of days. Counting today, there are 23 days of summer left before school starts. That is only 552 hours, or 33,120 minutes, which is not a long time. With classes closing in, many students are starting to wonder where the summer went and how they can possibly cope with their soonto-be mounting pile of schoolwork that will be bearing down on them. One certainty is that the start of school will come, but one big uncertainty is how students will handle it.
Falling — England’s failing economy For all the pageantry of the Olympics, the Games don’t come without a price, and that price for the host country England might be too much to bear. Coming fresh off the multi-billion dollar extravaganzas that were the royal wedding and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the already cashstrapped United Kingdom is starting to feel the pressure of putting over 14 billion dollars into this Olympics cycle. There are benefits to hosting the games, both economically and in prestige, but they pale in comparison to the future pains these games will cause (for an interesting similarity, go and see what has happened to China’s formerly glistening Olympic fairgrounds). Prime Minister David Cameron made headlines a few years ago when he promised a smaller role for the UK’s presence on the international political scene (a reduction trend that has almost been in the works since the devastation of WWII), and with the burden of these games, the sick man of sick Europe is going to get a little sicker.
Falling — Tyler Bray’s trash can completion percentage 59.5 percent. That was Tyler Bray’s completion percentage in seven games played last season. 0 percent. That was Tyler Bray’s alleged completion percentage two weekends ago at the Landing Riverside Apartments while throwing beer bottles at cars from a balcony (once more, allegedly). Coach Derek Dooley made light of the situation last week when he quipped, “Obviously his accuracy isn’t where it needs to be. He missed the trash can.” But the allegations are much more serious than Dooley is letting on. The fallout from “Braygate” has yet to come fully to fruition, but with the possibility of felony charges still looming, the lanky gunslinger’s ability to get on the field might be in doubt. Without Bray, Tennessee’s offense, which was poised to have one of the best passing attacks in the country outside of USC and Arkansas, might sputter like it did last year. Bray’s presence on the field will determine not only whether or not this team will reach its potential, but also whether or not Derek Dooley will get to wear his orange pants next year.
SCRAMBLED EGGS • Alex Cline
RHYMES WITH ORANGE • Hilary Price
Columns of The Daily Beacon are reflections of the individual columnist, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or its editorial staff.
Dreams not to be overlooked in life Shal l o w a n d Pe d a n t i c by
Robbie Hargett I want to take some time with this column to give a few words of encouragement to the students at UT, because they don’t often hear them. When I was in fourth grade, I wanted to trade on the stock exchange. That was my dream job. In fourth grade. I wanted to do this because at my school we played the stock market game in fourth grade. You probably know the drill: break up into teams of three or four and decide how you want to invest the $100,000 you start with. Whoever wins gets a pizza party or something. A lot of fourth graders took it surprisingly seriously. One kid in my group got stock tips from his dad at the breakfast table and gave us a sophisticated, balanced portfolio. Others walked around the room and nonchalantly looked over the shoulders of other kids. It was a passing dream, however. I’ve wanted to do a lot of things throughout the years. I’ve wanted to be an astronaut (who hasn’t?), an Air Force pilot, a research psychologist. I almost went to the College of Charleston to major in marine biology. This whole time, everyone was telling me I could do all these things. Everyone kept saying I could do whatever I wanted. They said to follow my dreams, and I know that’s what they were telling you too. Then I got to college, and suddenly dreams had to pay a certain salary for me to pursue them. Or dreams were too competitive. Dreams were unrealistic. Dreams didn’t really fly in this economy. Advisers and professors tell students to channel their pursuits into more lucrative avenues, even if it means giving up what they really want out of life. I must admit that, for me, my adviser and most of my professors in the Department of English have been very supportive regarding what I want to do, but I’ve heard many others say they gave up their dreams because of faculty “advice.” None of this sounds very encouraging yet, but I’m getting there. My point is: Don’t let other people
crush your dreams. You’ve worked too hard to make it this far, so reward yourself. I know you’ve probably heard all this before. I just want to stress that you really can do whatever you want to do, and don’t let your advisers or professors or anyone else tell you otherwise. Astronauts exist; if you want to be one, then don’t screw it up for yourself. I say that because if you are sitting in an office someday staring at a screensaver of space images—brilliant renderings of hydrogen bending to gravity, and the green planet from the moon’s perspective—wondering why you’re not out there, wishing you could take it all back, you only have yourself to blame. Maybe someone told you that you couldn’t be an astronaut, but you believed them. Either that or you didn’t want it enough, and dreams have no time for people like that. If you didn’t want it enough to sacrifice your money and time, and probably a little of your sanity, then I don’t want you going into space in the name of my country. So now you’re sitting in an office looking at a storm on Mars, and you said you’d never be here. Of course, there may be other factors. Money complicates things, and death complicates things. Love complicates things, too, but in beautiful ways. A lot of people fall in love in college, and they might get the idea that it limits their opportunities. In some ways it does, because now you have to consider another person’s dreams as well. But if you really do love each other, you’ll work it out. Just be honest. Be honest with yourself and with your partner. And if you can’t work it out, then you at least know something else about what love is, and what it’s not. I don’t want to get too much into that discussion, so I’ll just end with this: I want to do something with words, whether that means writing my own or editing others’ (both of which I’ve done at this paper). I believe you only get one swing at this life, so you’d better be honest about what you want from it. That means never being in that place you said you were never going to be in. Richard Ford said the same thing about love; it’s about never being in that place you said you’d never be in, and never being alone. Never that. — Robbie Hargett is a graduate in English. He can be reached at ghargett1@utk.edu
Olympics stir up nationalistic feelings G oing Some wher e
H o p ef u ll y by
Preston Peeden
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Kittrell editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com
MANAGING EDITOR Preston Peeden CHIEF COPY EDITOR Eric Nalley DESIGN EDITORS Alex Cline Anna Simanis PHOTO EDITORS Hannah Cather Tia Patron NEWS EDITOR Wesley Mills editor.news@utdailybeacon.com
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Preston Peeden editor.entertainment@utdailybeacon.com
SPORTS EDITOR Matt Dixon editor.sports@utdailybeacon.com
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Austin Bornheim
To visit the Daily Beacon online, scan this code with your smartphone QR Code APP.
ONLINE EDITOR Preston Peeden ADVERTISING MANAGER beaconads@utdailybeacon.com
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Alison Embry Casey Lawrence Sookie Park ADVERTISING PRODUCTION ARTISTS Alex Cline Anna Simanis EDITORIAL PRODUCTION ARTISTS Kristi Frazier CLASSIFIED ADVISER Gabe Quistorff orderad@utdailybeacon.com
To report a news item, please e-mail editor.news@utdailybeacon.com or call 865-974-2348 To submit a press release, please e-mail pressreleases@utdailybeacon.com To place an ad, please e-mail beaconads@utdailybeacon.com or call 865-974-5206 To place a classified ad, please e-mail orderad@utdailybeacon.com or call 865-974-4931 To submit a Letter to the Editor, please e-mail letters@utdailybeacon.com or call 865-974-4931 If you think something has been reported incorrectly, please contact the managing editor at 974-2348. Advertising: (865) 974-5206 Classifieds: (865) 974-4931 Editor-in-Chief: (865) 974-2348 Managing Editor: (865) 974-2348 Main Newsroom: (865) 974-3226 Fax: (865) 974-5569
The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Friday during the summer semester.The offices are located at 1340 Circle Park Drive,11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year, $100/semester or $70/summer only. It is also available online at: www.utdailybeacon.com. LETTERS POLICY: The Daily Beacon welcomes all letters to the editor and guest columns from students, faculty and staff. Each submission is considered for publication by the editor on the basis of space, timeliness and clarity. Contributions must include the author’s name and phone number for verification. Students must include their year in school and major. Letters to the editor and guest columns may be e-mailed to letters@utdailybeacon.com or sent to Blair Kuykendall, 1340 Circle Park Dr., 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The Beacon reserves the right to reject any submissions or edit all copy in compliance with available space, editorial policy and style. Any and all submissions to the above recipients are subject to publication.
The Olympics are finally here, and that can only mean one thing. Well honestly, it can mean a lot of things, but for the sake of this argument, the Olympics serve a single purpose. These summer games represent more than just the physical peak of humanity, but rather, they are a physical manifestation of the power nationalism still holds today. I’m a big fan of the Olympics. Their arrival every two years means that I have at least two weeks of guaranteed programming, something I find very helpful in the boring summer months when baseball is the only other major sport on-air (which for me is a poor stopgap in between the NBA Finals and the start of the college football season). Whenever I find it’s time for the Olympics to start back up, I find myself not only subconsciously planning out my day so as to maximize the amount of time I can spend watching them, but I also find myself interested in the outcome of even the most trivial sporting games (with my three-week obsession with curling in 2010 as a prime example of this). On the surface, my interest in the Olympic Games is probably the same as that of most other people. It makes for interesting TV, and it’s also a chance to see new sports, hear about unheralded athletes and watch an impressive opening ceremony (though to be honest, I didn’t understand Danny Boyle’s opener this year; why was Voldemort there, and how can someone dance forward through time?). But the Olympics carry much more weight than just for entertainment value; they are at the same time both a melding and a divisive force. This opposite effect comes from only one source, the nationalistic setup of the games. On one hand, the Olympics can bring together a group of people like almost no other event can, with the 1980 USA Hockey Team and the 1992 Dream Team serving as prime examples for our country. The Olympics need only one story, one underdog, or one phenomenal collection of talent, to turn an athlete or a team into a national media darling and into a force that brings people from all walks of life in the same
country together. But on the other hand, the Olympics at their very heart are an exclusivist competition. There can only be one winner and any number of losers. And in that vein, only one country can claim to be the best at a certain event, while all the rest fall behind. This may seem like an overblown view of the power of the Olympics, but it is far from being an exaggeration in the eyes’ of the modern Games’ history. Ever since the post-World War I years, the Games have represented a divisive force. Beginning in 1920, when all Central Powers members were banned, to Berlin’s 1936 Games and Jesse Owens’ famous trumping of Nazi eugenics, to the more modern example of the U.S boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics. And even now, with accusations of bribery marring the 2012 Game’s location selection, the divisive force of the Olympics is still going strong. The Olympics are in no way an inherently bad thing. But rather, they are simply a global sporting event with all other significance being made out of them from outside forces. And in this way, nationalism is neither an inherently good nor bad force. Its connotations come from what we make it. The nationalism of the Olympics can create and foster goodwill towards not only fellow members of the same country, but also its international neighbors. But on the other hand, that same nationalism can tear down any bond that could have been formed and create an “us against the world” mentality (something directly mirrored by a recent ESPN.com headline, “U.S. against the World,” which was made in light of the recent U.S. vs France basketball game). Nationalism isn’t really something I think about in the post-Cold War world we live in. There are no more national representations of the “monster under the bed,” no more bellicose Germanies or combative Communists in the U.S.S.R., so the idea of nationalism can seem arcane in what really is a post-modern political landscape that we live in today. But that doesn’t mean that those feelings are completely gone — they are just merely under the surface of almost everyone. The costs and benefits of the Olympics are more than just monetary (though Greece, and probably England in a few years, would argue differently). But rather, the Games also serve as a reminder of the existence of and the power of nationalism in our own world. They can bring together an entire population, but can also divide a world against itself. And that is an important reminder. — Preston Peeden is a senior in history. He can be reached at ppeeden@utk.edu.
5 • The Daily Beacon
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
ARTS&CULTURE
The Great Debate: ‘The Avengers’ vs. ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Preston Peeden Arts and Culture Editor In the history of the world, there have been some incredible debates (Lincoln vs. Stephen Douglas, Nixon vs. Kennedy, Coke vs. Pepsi, just to name a few). But this summer, regardless of what happens in the upcoming election, the debate stage is reserved for the most “super” debate in recent memory, “The Avengers” vs. “The Dark Knight Rises.” Beginning with the announcement of the intentions to create an “Avengers” movie in 2005 (ironically the same year that “Batman Begins” was released), fanboys alike (I include myself in this number) began to sow the seeds of this debate. On the surface, the question at hand seems trivial. First, both are movies about superheroes, so many wonder how different they could really be? Secondly, both have been box office hits, so with hundreds of millions of dollars being made by their respective studios, how can a difference be seen? And lastly, they’re both just movies, so why should anyone really care? While the question of which is the better movie does little to advance the real world, its topics and its consequences cover and divide almost the entire spectrum of entertainment. And in that sense, the questions raised in debating these movies are struck with a strict and stark dichotomy. To ask which movie is better is to set out on the path of dividing yourself along two lines. On the surface level, one chooses simply whether they like Marvel or DC comic characters better. But that debate continues on into how someone likes their movies (which is also a reflection of someone’s general taste in entertainment styles). For those who espouse “The Avengers” as top dog, they are admitting, at least in this instance, that they prefer their movies to be based out of the level of entertainment that can be gathered from it. An “Avengers” person goes to the movie for what he or she can see in it, and is interested less in the plausibility and the humani-
• Photo courtesy of rottentomatoes.com
ty of the plot, and more so in the explosions and CGI aliens (as well as the overly hunky actors and femme fatale actresses), while those that prefer the Christopher Nolan archetype of comic book superheroes are revealing their interest to be stuck in the plot and character development in the film, and less so on the sights and sounds of it. On one hand, there are superheroes as strong as gods (and with the case of Thor, they actually are gods), while on the other hand there is a man, who is seemingly normal, albeit incredibly wealthy. “The Avengers” was made to entertain. It is a family-friendly film that’s centered around its special effects, actors, wit and a solid story. It doesn’t raise any philosophical debates, nor does it question social norms. It exists to sell itself, a feat it has accomplished incredibly well. “The Dark Knight Rises,” on the other hand, is all about the story and the characters. Director/co-writer/producer Nolan, who is famous for his ways of working around using excessive
CGI for effects, places the burden of entertainment on the scenes and people he has created, while also raising questions on topics ranging from morality to the role of the government in everyday lives. “The Avengers” was meant to be watched and enjoyed in the theater, while “Dark Knight Rises” is meant to be watched then dissected and pondered upon outside of it. So which is better? DC or Marvel? Batman or a cornucopia of other-worldly strength ubermensch? 3-D or I-Max? Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb? The answers to all of these questions are subjective (with the exception of the last, since Dr. Pepper is better handsdown). They depend less on the quality of the films themselves, and more on the type of person the viewer is and the parts of the world that they find entertaining. But the answer to this debate is more far-reaching than just one movie. By saying one or the other, the consequences break ground beyond just regular entertainment.
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
FOR RENT
FOR RENT
HOUSE FOR RENT
CONDOS FOR RENT
CONDOS FOR SALE
CONDOS FOR SALE
First Baptist Concord/ West Lake FT/PT positions available. Teacher assistat/ floater. Professional Christian working environment. Call (865)288-1629 or email
We need coachable, pleasant, dependable people for repeat Shrine fundraiser. Clean, safe and comfortable environment. $8 to $16/hr. Flexible FT/PT hrs avail. No weekends. 865-246-1823.
1BR, LR, kitchen with stove and refrigerator, private parking and entrance. Utilities not included. 2011 Highland. Walking distance to campus. Very Clean,. Available now. $400/mo. Call 522-3325.
UT area. Studio apartment.2 blocks from campus. Water, Internet included. Pool, laundry. 1700 Clinch Ave. Avail August 1. $525/mo. www.absolutecom.com/309. 423-956-5551.
4, 5, or 6BR for price of 4BR, 3 blocks to campus, remodeled, new kitchen and baths, Cental H/A, W/D, private parking, big porch. Normally $2,700, last minute special $1,900/mo. Must move in August. Call 865-274-7286 or volrentals.com.
Easy walk to campus 3BR, 2BA. Only unit with 3 parking spaces. W/D, balcony, cable and internet included. LAurel Station Condos. 615-969-1013 $550/ Tenant, Seperate lease. For photos see Keller Williams Knoxville. Janice Presnell Agent.
FSBO Student housing, Laurel Station. 3BR/2BA, designated parking spaces, stainless appliances, full size W/D, new flooring, security system, private balcony, cable/ internet included in low HOA fees. 404-824-2291
Southeastern Glass Building The Best of Urban Living! On-Site Parking and Storage 1BR lofts from $164,500 2BR lofts from $246,500 555 West Jackson (Downtown) Downtown Realty Inc. www.SEGKnox.com 865-588-5535
West Knoxville veterinary clinic is looking for an animal caretaker to work mornings. Applicant must ave patience and great attention to detail. Cleanliness a must. Exp. in animal related field required. Please email resume to info@lovellvet.com with references for consideration.
3 bedrooms AND 3 garage parking spaces! 2 baths, washer/dryer, free cable and wireless service. Lake Plaza, 1735 Lake Ave, behind McDonalds. No pets, no smoking. $1950/mo. bhmiller67@aol.com, 615-292-0354
4BR, 3.5BA Basement garage. All appliances. 1 mile off campus. Less than 10 years old. Recently remodeled. No pets. $1,000/mo. 615-804-2422 or 615-804-2897.
River Towne Condo. 3BR, 2BA. Cherry H/W floors throughout. Overlooking pool, boat slip available. Rick 805-9730
westlakewee@fbconcord.org
Full Time Office Clerk/Runner: Downtown Knoxville law firm has opening for a F/T office clerk/runner. Duties include filing of legal documents with courts, deliveries to clients, handling mail, interoffice filing, general errands, etc. Some heavy lifting required. Reliable vehicle w/insurance required. Hours 8am to 5pm, M-F. Send resume to Administrator, PO Box 869.Knoxville, TN 37901 or email sbarrett@hdclaw.com Gynecology office seeks student for PT clerical work Preferred Biology, English Chemistry or Pre-med Major. Monday through Saturday. 8am - 12noon. Email to knoxville_gyn@yahoo.com . Kidtime After School Program seeking caring counselor $7.75/hr. AL Lotts Elementary School, Farragut Primary and Dogwood Elementary. M-F 12:00-6:00 PM. FT and PT available. Please call Olivia at (865)640-3108. Office Admin/ Customer Service new campus. Flexible hours. Will train. Call Doug 755-7663. P/T vet assistant/ Kennel help needed. Afternoons 3-6 pm and some weekends. $7.75/hr Email: doganhosp@gmail.com
THE TOMATO HEAD KNOXVILLE Now hiring dish and food running positions. Full and part-time available, no experience necessary. Apply in person at 12 Market Square or apply online at thetomatohead.com.
Worker needed for yard work. Weeding, planting, digging, and mowing etc. 4 hours/wk. $10/hr. Prefer UT students. 588-8371
UNFURN APTS 1 and 2BR Apts. UT area and West Knox area. Call for appointment (865)522-5815. 1BR apartments available beginning in summer. One block from campus. Call between 9 AM and 9 PM. (865)363-4726. South Knoxville/ UT downtown area 2BR apts. $475. Call about our special (865)573-1000.
FOR RENT 1 BR CONDO Pool/Security/Elevator/ Pkg 3 min. walk to Law School. $520R, $300SD, No app. fee. 865 (4408-0006 , 250-8136). 12th Street in the Fort 2BR, 1BA apt in older house. Great front porch. Central H/A, Hardwood floors, W/D, off street parking. No Pets. $870/mo. 615-300-7434 865-389-6732. 16th PLACE APARTMENTS 3 blocks from UT Law School (1543- 1539 Highland Ave.) 1BR and 2BR apts. only. Brick exterior, carpet, laundry facility on first floor. Guaranteed and secured parking. 24 hour maintenance. No dogs or cats. 32nd year in Fort Sanders. www.sixteenthplace.com. brit.howard@sixteenthplace. com. (865)522-5700.
This space could be yours. Call 974-4931
AVAILABLE FOR FALL 3BR, 1BA apt. in older house in the Fort. Central H/A, off streeet parking. No pets. Leave message $380/per person (615)300-7434.(865)3896732. APT. FOR RENT. Close to UT Furnished Studio - $445 to $470. Water & Sewer Included. GREAT MOVE-IN SPECIAL.. 523-0441 Artsy, Victorian APTS and HOUSES Hardwood floors, high ceilings, mantles. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 BRs. Some fenced yards, W/D, dishwasher, porches, huge closets. $395-$1600. (865)455-0488 Hialeah Apartments $390 Student Special! 1BR apartment off Chapman Hwy. Convenient to Busline. Quiet Community - Pool and Basketball. Please call 865-573-5775. HUNTINGTON PLACE UT students! Only 3 miles west of campus. Eff. to 3BR. Hardwood floors. Central H/A. Pets allowed. (865)588-1087. LAW COLLEGE 2 BLOCKS 2BR apartment with W/D, microwave, restored hardwood floors. 1418 Laurel Ave. Historic Fort Sanders. No. Pets $795.00 UTK-APTS.com 865-933-5204 Monday Plaza 1BR and studios available on The Strip. Starting at $395/mo. Call (865)219-9000 for information.
VICTORIAN HOUSE APTS Established 1980 3 blocks behind UT Law School. 1, 2 and 3BR apartments. VERY LARGE AND NEWLY RENOVATED TOP TO BOTTOM. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, porches, 3BR’s have W/D connections. 2 full baths, dishwashers. Guaranteed and secured parking. 24 hour maintenance. No dogs or cats. www.sixteenthplace.com. brit.howard@sixteenthplace. com. (865)522-5700. WALK TO CAMPUS Great Specials! 1BR Apartments. Limited available. No security deposits. Prime Campus Housing (865)637-3444. primecampushousingtn.com.
HOUSE FOR RENT 3BR 1BA, Dining Room 2-story house, big yard 7 minutes from campus. Spacious, high ceilings. 865-522-6853 3BR 2BA townhouse in Fort Sanders. Central H/A, W/D, DW and parking. For more info contact fortsandersrentals@gmail.com 3BR house, 2.5BA. Walking distance to campus. 1533 Forrest Ave. Central H/A, W/D connection, private parking, dishwasher, living/ dining room. Avail. now. $1400/mo. (865)522-3325. 3BR, 2.5BA, W/D, very nice and close to campus. $350/mo. per person. Call 385-0512 or visit www.volhousing.com. Well kept and clean, 1BR, 1BA guest house. Stove, refrigerator, Central H/A. 10 mins. to UT 10. $575/mo. $575 security deposit required. Call 865-321-3751. No Pets. No smoking.
Houses in the Fort available for Fall. 4, 5, and 7BR, includes appliances and internet. Call 521-7324. Newly remodeled 3BR, 2BA, kitchen, North Knoxville, 10 mins. to UT. $850/mo. $500 damage deposit. Outside pets. (865)256-1741. Walk to class. 2, 4 and 7BR, 2BA homes. Central H/A, all appliances furnished, including Washer Dryer, off street parking. Call (865)388-6144.
Read the Beacon Classifieds!
ROOMMATES 2 females wanted to share 3BR house in Halls. Reasonable rent plus divide utilities. 1st to sign gets garage space! Call or text for details 615-945-2741 58 year old male graduate student needs to share big nice, furnished apt. in Sequoyah Hills. Your expenses $500/mo. (865)936-5454 or hwhites1@utk.edu.
Lake Plaza, 1735 Lake Ave, 3bd, 2ba, 1 garage parking space (2 additional available), Excellent condition, owner occupied past 3 yrs, 6th floor. $294,000, agents welcome. bhmiller67@aol.com, 615-972-8703, 615-292-0354.
COLLEGE MATTRESS SALE Save 50-70% all sizes. We pay student sales tax. Delivery available. The Mattress Place. (865)659-2337 or (865)680-3955.
Off Alcoa Hwy., 3036 Ginnbrooke Lane, 2BR, 2BA, vaulted ceiling in Great room, fireplace, Large kitchen all appliances. W/D, private patio, 2 car garage, $169.900. 865-256-7090.
MATTRESS SALE Student discounts, lay-away avail. Twin size starting at $99.99, Full $129.99, Queen $159.99. www.bedsforlesstn.com Call (865)560-0242.
FURNITURE
Sequoyah Square 2BR 2BA one level condo in heart of Sequoyah Hills! Updated kitchen- new cabinets, countertops, tile floor, cool tile backsplash, new plumbing fixtures, gas stove. Parquet wood floors, neutral paint, great balcony, great location in development near pool, $114,900. Realty Executives Associates, 588.3232, 382.1333. Mary King
CONDOS FOR SALE 2BR, 2 Full Baths, All appliances remain. Perfect floor plan for roommate, 1275 sq. ft. $118,900. (865)540-8375. 3BR, 3BA condo at Woodlands. UT shuttle, pools, fitness center. Buy for less than rent. 3950 Cherokee Woods Way #1422 $165,900. (865)919-2456.
MERCH. FOR SALE
Queen pillow top mattress set $150. New in plastic. Can deliver. Must Sell. Call Steve 865-805-3058.
AUTOS FOR SALE 100+ vehicles $5,995 or less. Specializing in imports. www.DOUGJUSTUS.com
This space could be yours. Call 974-4931
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz ACROSS 1 XXX 6 Easy chair accompanier 10 Charity 14 Hill in Hollywood 15 The Maumee flows northeast to this lake 16 Old Iranian leader 17 Jim Carrey title role 19 Send to the canvas 20 Leveling wedges 21 Doesn’t shut up 23 Homer Simpson outburst 26 Company for which John Madden was once pitchman 28 Come out of hiding 30 Put the first card down 31 Island group east of the Philippines 32 Up to the task 34 Benefit 38 What 17-, 26-, 46and 57-Across’s beginnings represent 41 Without: Fr.
42 “Whatcha ___?” 43 Shinto temple gateway 44 Talk, talk, talk 45 Bernard with a Ponzi scheme 46 Film about the 1919 Black Sox scandal 52 Napoleonic marshal 53 Economic barometer 54 Misbehave 56 Stop 57 Old tape format 62 Tel ___ 63 Sail support 64 Like some coincidences 65 Beatty and Flanders 66 Carry 67 Turn a hose on
1
U N T I D Y
Z I R C O N
C R A S H P A D
R E S C U E M E
E D H A R R I S
Z K I L O N D U E E T M W A M M G O E S X D U H A M E R L A B E C R E B E N L W A I L C N E T K S
L E G R O O M
S P U T N I K D E S O T O
M I D R I B L A K E R
P A P A F L E S C A R T R I O M O N Y D I A M I S T S C H E D S O F T S A U W T V I E J A M P O L P H E U
4
5
6
7
8
18
24
25
28
21
29 33
34
39
40
42
43
44
36
37
60
61
45
49
50
53
G L A R E S
35
22
41
48
13
30 32
47
12
27
38
46
11
19
26
31
W H A T A G U Y
10 16
20 23
9
15
17
DOWN 1 Double-platinum Steely Dan album 2 Sawbones 3 French article
L E A P T A T
3
14
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE B U S T E D
2
51
52
54
55
56
57
62
63
58 64
59
65
66
67
4 Loos 5 Where Dutch royals live 6 “I can help” 7 Hurriedly, after “in” 8 Former Russian space station 9 Colored like the boat in Edward Lear’s “The Owl and the Pussycat” 10 Crooked 11 Tibet’s capital 12 1984 best-selling Ed Koch memoir 13 Glimmered 18 Pleasing 22 “Hmm, that’s ___” 23 Cabinet units: Abbr. 24 Steaks
25 Hayes of the theater 27 The “A” in E. A. Poe 29 X-ray units 32 Brick material 33 Inits. on most Rolling Stones records 34 Like plow horses 35 Moses’ brother 36 Piece in a place setting 37 Enlighten 39 Batman portrayer 40 Laws 44 “Yeah, yeah, little ___” (1964 song refrain part) 45 Mongrel
46 One of filmdom’s Coen brothers 47 “___ my reasons” 48 Very cold 49 They hang on walls nowadays 50 Pester 51 Yellow shade 55 SAT course, e.g. 58 2012 Facebook event, in brief 59 Flight board datum: Abbr. 60 Covert org. 61 Critical
6 • The Daily Beacon
THESPORTSPAGE
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Three Questions: Offense Matt Dixon Sports Editor
Lauren Kittrell Editor-in-Chief Can the Vols have at least a serviceable running game? Tennessee finished last in the SEC in rushing in each of Derek Dooley’s first two seasons. Last year, the Vols averaged just 90.1 rushing yards per game. By comparison, the next worst team in the SEC, Kentucky, averaged 124.2 yards on the ground each game. Dooley said at SEC Media Days UT had no chance to win the SEC if it ran the ball like it last season. Former Vol Jay Graham was hired in January to coach the tailbacks. UT didn’t have a full-time running backs coach the last two years. The Vols will begin fall camp on Friday without a starting tailback. Two-year starter Tauren Poole is battling for a roster spot with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Sophomore Marlin Lane was the team’s second leading rusher last year with 280 yards. Junior Rajion Neal split time between running back and receiver last year but went through spring practice exclusively at tailback. Both Lane and Neal catch the ball well out of the backfield. Neal the faster of the two, while Lane is more of a between-the-tackles runner. The two enter fall camp at the top of the ever-changing depth chart. Sophomore Devin Young played mainly as a returner on special teams last season, but impressed coaches in the spring as a ball-carrier. The Knoxville native is only 5-foot-7 and 172 pounds so he’ll never be an every-down SEC back, but he has good instincts and plenty of elusiveness to have a few plays directed his way in the fall. Because of the recent running struggles, sophomore Tom Smith, who played in just three games last year, and freshmen Davante Bourque and Alden Hill, who enrolled in January but missed most of spring practice due to mononucleosis, will all have plenty of chances to earn carries this fall. Will the production of the passing game come close to its preseason hype and potential? Tyler Bray, Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter were the pre-season buzz last season. Given their talents, it was warranted. But the trio only played two games together last season. Only Rogers played in all 12 games. This year, the trio returns, but also adds Cordarrelle Patterson, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver who was considered the top junior college wide-out in the country. Bray has one of the best arms in college football, and if healthy, has the ability to be one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. In the 12 games he’s started over the last two years, Bray’s thrown for 3,529 yards and 33 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions. After Hunter went down with a season-ending ACL injury in the third game at Florida, Rogers became the focus of many opposing secondaries. Still, he earned All-SEC honors hauling in 67 receptions for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns. Hunter was leading the SEC in receptions and receiv-
George Richardson • The Daily Beacon
Quarterback Tyler Bray prepares to throw the ball during the Orange and White game on April 21. ing yards before his injury. Patterson gives Bray a new weapon. At SEC Media Days, Bray said Patterson was a mix of Hunter and Rogers. A scary thought for the rest of the SEC. Throw in tight end Mychal Rivera, a dependable senior, and UT’s running backs who all have displayed good passcatching abilities, the Vols have a chance to be one of the best passing teams not only in the SEC, but in the entire country. How much better will the now-veteran offensive line be? A contributing factor to the Vols’ lack of success running the ball the past two years was an inexperienced offensive line. Entering the 2010 season, UT's offensive line had a combined three career starts. This year, the unit has 106 career starts and returns fully intact from last year. Coaches moved Dallas Thomas from left tackle inside to left guard in the spring and plugged in 6-foot-6, 332-pound Antonio “Tiny” Richardson at left tackle. Richardson already looks like an NFL lineman and played a reserve role in all 12 games last season. He would've had an increased role, but
George Richardson • The Daily Beacon
Tailback Devrin Young runs the field during the Orange and White game on April 21.
missed most of fall camp last year with a shoulder injury. Dooley raves about the leadership abilities and potential Richardson has. The fact coaches moved Thomas, a two-year starter at left tackle, for Richardson shows just how highly they think of “Tiny.” With Richardson and Thomas on the left side, and Zac Fulton (right guard) and Ja'Wuan James (right tackle) on the right side, four positions have a clear-cut starter entering fall camp. The exception is at center. Junior James Stone was a freshman All-American in 2010 and started the first six games at center last year, but snapping issues forced coaches to move Alex Bullard to center, where he started the last six games. For all the struggles with the running game (only 2.7 yards per carry last season), the offense line was very good in pass protection. The Vols tied for second in the league in sacks allowed with 18. If the passing game is as good, or even near, as advertised, that will only help the offensive line open up holes for the running backs.