Joel over at Rocky Top’s following the temporary demise of Erick Ainge’s knee. He’s going to have to have surgery on the meniscus in his knee, the cartilage pads that act as shock absorbers for the joint, and could (in theory) miss part of the season if the cartilage needs to be prepared. For all things meniscus-ish, click here for a tutorial.

The injury puts Jonathan Crompton, former Parade All-American, in a very good position to go from “next” to starter. He’ll lose the privilege of being “next,” which means he’ll no longer be the ideal alternative to the actual starter, something both he and Tim Tebow evidently might get to discover in the same year.

At least the Cromptonites are happy, we suppose.


Erik Ainge is out for spring, and possibly beyond.