Gerald Mincey, a former Tennessee Vols offensive lineman, caused quite a stir earlier this offseason when he made some comments about the UT football program after transferring to Kentucky.
Mincey, who began his career at Florida and spent two seasons with the Vols, told reporters that Kentucky will “bust [the Vols] in the mouth” when the Wildcats return Neyland Stadium in November.
“I think I owe it to all the Kentucky fans to handle business on Nov. 2 (when UK and UT play),” Mincey stated in late January. “So I’m excited for that….”Kentucky must do more to earn it (a win against Tennessee)….I adore the underdog (role). So, when we go to Neyland on November 2 and bust them in the mouth, we can bring the standard back over here.”
Mincey also appeared to criticize Tennessee offensive lineman John Campbell during the offseason, posting a video on his Instagram story of a play from last year’s Tennessee/Alabama game in which Campbell gave up a strip sack fumble that helped the Crimson Tide win.
At SEC Media Days in Dallas last week, CatsPause.com interviewed Vols offensive lineman Cooper Mays about Mincey’s comments.
Mays, predictably, responded diplomatically about his old teammate.
Mays also commended Mincey’s offensive line performance.
“He’s got a great body, great potential,” Mays said of Mincey. “That’s a huge guy with lengthy arms. He’s athletic and versatile. I believe he will be a terrific fit for them.
Mays responded intelligently. There was no sense to throw gasoline to the fire by motivating Mincey and the Wildcats (particularly because Mays will not face Mincey in November).
I’m confident that Mincey’s words will give Tennessee an advantage when they face Kentucky in November. However, there is no need for the Vols to release that information to the media.
