Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Peyton Manning as a potential general manager and football projections lead the Volunteers new for Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017.
After a rainy day across the Eastern U.S. on Monday, the Tennessee Vols football team gets set to take the practice field again today as they prepare for the 2017 season.
Meanwhile, the news around Rocky Top still includes a look ahead to the season, but it also includes news surrounding a pair of former Vols.
One is a retired legend, the other is trying to get his career back on track. Let’s start with the news surrounding the legendary former Vol.
Speculation on Peyton Manning preparing for GM career – Peter King, The MMQB
Peter King of The MMQB noted on Monday that he think Peyton Manning could be preparing for a career as an NFL GM. Obviously, he had a Hall of Fame career that continued with a team run by a former Hall of Fame quarterback in John Elway, who gave him the necessary pieces to win a Super Bowl. Which team he joins, though would be a major question.
"It’s not any sure thing he’ll do it. But he’s doing his homework, getting to know different teams, different ways of doing things. He had dinner with coach Sean McVay and GM Les Snead and COO Kevin Demoff of the Rams recently."
USA TODAY projects the Tennessee Vols to go 8-4 in 2017 – Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports
USA TODAY released its projected record for every FBS team in 2017. It had the Vols going 8-4, 4-4 in the conference, and finishing third in the SEC East behind the Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators. It had the Alabama Crimson Tide repeating as SEC Champions for a fourth straight year with an 11-1 record.
"USA TODAY Sports’ preseason projections for the upcoming regular season finds one team exiting November without a loss: Ohio State, which will be led by a senior quarterback in J.T. Barrett, one of the elite coaches in the sport in Urban Meyer and a top offensive coordinator in Kevin Wilson, who comes over from Indiana with the goal of rebuilding the Buckeyes’ explosive offense."
Chicago Bears sign former Vol Pig Howard – Bears Twitter account
Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Pig Howard signed with the Chicago Bears on Monday. Howard played for Tennessee for three years and was a key slot receiver on Butch Jones’s first two teams. However, he was dismissed in 2015. By going to the Bears, he reunites with former Vols receivers coach Zach Azzanni.
"Howard, a 5-7, 184-pounder, played at Tennessee from 2012-2015, recording 99 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns."