PULLING THE TRIGGER

Just saw on the Tennessean site that Chris Nickson's starting against Miami of Ohio in the Commodores' season opener on Thursday.

Not much of a surprise.

And gotta say I like the decision. Nickson's more athletic, more of a game-breaker, all that. I can't forget his drive two years ago to set up the winning field goal against Georgia in Athens. It was gutsy and great, and came after he'd thrown a couple of picks and could have been down on himself.

Here's the article:

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080826/SPORTS0602/80826120/1036

But speaking of being down on himself, last season was one to forget. Looked like the preseason third-team all-SEC that he was (over Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford!) in the opener against Richmond and then fell apart against Bama in the second game. He couldn't hit the side of a barn. The announcers said he'd hurt his hamstring but he was riding the exercise bike on the sidelines like he was Lance Armstrong. Then it was supposedly his shoulder. I haven't seen anything to explain what really happened to the guy last season.

Bobby Johnson said this today: "Chris is healthy and ready to go, confident."

So maybe it was his confidence.

Whatever it was, I hope he's back. And I'm glad he's starting. With that brand-new line and all those Butkus-nominated RedHawk linebackers, we're gonna need somebody quick on his feet. Adams, evidently not too excited about being No. 2 because he gave no comment through a team spokesperson, seems pretty solid but has struck me as more of a fullback kind of runner.

Anyway, let's put the best ath-o-letes on the field and see what happens.

Actually, I want to see Larry Smith out there, but when the freshman's replacing the senior, that means we're either way ahead, way behind, or we've given up on the season.