Today On Rocky Top: How Loss Of Pig Howard Could Impact Vols

Oct 19, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers tight end Brendan Downs (85) congratulates wide receiver Alton Howard (2) for scoring a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

From ESPN

"Tennessee will enter spring practice on Friday without one of its top offensive weapons, as wide receiver Alton “Pig” Howard is taking a leave of absence from the team.Coach Butch Jones said that while Howard won’t be with the team, he is still enrolled in school. Jones added that Howard is “dealing with some personal circumstances.”The question is whether Howard will return to the team any time soon, if ever. We all know there are no guarantees when something like this happens, and the Vols can’t afford to lose Howard.Howard was one of the more unheralded offensive players in the SEC last season. He led Tennessee with 44 receptions and three touchdown catches and was also second on the team with 388 receiving yards. Nothing mind blowing, but on a team that lacked any sort of offensive consistency, Howard was very valuable."

From The Tennessean

"Jarnell Stokes wasn’t touting Tennessee’s five double-figure scorers or his own big game after the streaking Vols’ latest win.Stokes had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and the Vols used a stifling defensive effort to rout Auburn 82-54 on Wednesday night.“It was all on defense,” Stokes said. “We basically drew a line and just told them to cross it. I feel like it was a great defensive effort from top to bottom as far as guards anticipating and playing against two guys that are some of the top scorers in the SEC (KT Harrell and Chris Denson).”The Vols (19-11, 10-7) were up 24 points at halftime and never gave the Tigers (13-15, 5-12) a glimmer of hope."

From WBIR

"After a tough football season and inconsistencies from the basketball team, Vol fans see a bright spot on the diamond.The University of Tennessee baseball team is undefeated and the women’s softball team only has one loss so far this season.Vols Baseball Head Coach Dave Serrano said the fan base “has been starving for success for many years.”The team is 11-0 heading into Wednesday night’s game against La Salle University. Thursday night, the Vols beat La Salle 14-0.“I’m so proud that they are having the success that they are having. We have a lot of work to do. But what we’ve accomplished so far is very gratifying,” Serrano said.The team hasn’t made it to the post season in many years. Coach Serrano said this may be the team to take them there."