Readers follow Donde Plowman's lead in NCAA critiques of Tennessee investigation. How is Roman Empire doing?

Nothing much was going on in Tennessee sports last week. Nonetheless, my literary contributors were still inspired enough to write.

You would never guess what was on their mind. So, read on.

Vols Mark writes: The NCAA is a bully; what a waste of money, time, and resources. Like the states of Tennessee and Virginia, joining in a lawsuit against the NCAA, all Division I schools, or at least the Power 5, should collectively join forces in a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA.

If they don’t stand together, they will be subject to individual persecution. We may be witnessing the ‘decline and fall’ of the NCAA empire. Quoting Gibbon's "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire": “As long as the Coliseum stands, Rome shall stand; when the Coliseum falls, Rome will fall; when Rome falls, the world will fall.”

Charlie Daniels, rosin up your bow and get your heavenly fiddle ready; something is about to burn.

My response: Congratulations. You just set a record for my email column.

You are the first literary contributor to mention the Roman Empire and Charlie Daniels in the same message. That’s hall of fame stuff.

Terry writes: As we all know, Donde opened a can of whoop a-- on the NCAA and its President.  I would love to split a couple of cold pitchers with her over some wings and conversation.

One wish would be to see Donde and Danny White replace those two people on the AFLAC commercials (i.e. the Goat and the Wannabe).  They would be awesome in the commercials.

The background would be that annoying duck perched on a set of goalposts in the Tennessee River.  Kiffin could be filing a workman’s comp claim with a golf ball indention on his oily forehead.

Great articles on Donde and her earth scorching.  She has no doubt disrespected (NCAA president) Charlie Baker (deservedly so).  I think it’s safe to say he got Plowed-man.

My response: I wish all of my literary contributors put as much effort into their emails as you do. Nonetheless, I don't see UT chancellor Donde Plowman joining you for beer and wings.

And in case you're wondering, I'm already booked up for 2024 on "socializing with literary contributors."

Good luck getting UT's chancellor to drink beer and eat wings with you, Terry.

David writes: I live in Lufkin, and the restaurant you mentioned had to be Ralph and Kacoos. I enjoy your work.

My response: I never know who might be reading my column. But I was surprised to hear from a UT fan in Lufkin, Texas, who had no problem recognizing the targeted restaurant in my less than favorable review while traveling from South Padre Island back to Knoxville.

Bonner: If Donde Plowman decides to become a televangelist, I will be tuning in and I promise to mail in my offering.

My response: Amen.

Kevin writes: Great article. I was saying the same thing as you inferred in your conclusion, Tennessee should sue NCAA. Big bucks too like dominion voting systems sued conservatives billions for slander and defamation.

My response: The NCAA won’t win an NIL case in court.

Jane calls: I read your column all the time and wish you would tell me what “NIL” means. I’ve read it several times in your columns.

My response: I spell it out sometimes, but it has become so common in our sports lexicon that I often just use the initials. We once wrote “Southeastern Conference,” too. But it was used so frequently, we began referring to it as the “SEC.”

For the past three years, the NCAA – reacting to a court decision - has allowed student-athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness. With that, NIL was born. And it has been causing confusion ever since.

I apologize for adding to the confusion.

Brooks writes:  Tennessee’s loss to South Carolina last week said a lot. Title contenders do not lose to unranked teams, on their home floor, having only played one game in the previous 10 days.

They’ve managed to turn it into the Knecht Show. Stand around, he’ll bail us out. See UT football ‘97. The players at the time said that much about Peyton.

My response: Tennessee looked tired in the South Carolina game for some reason. But the loss also speaks volumes of what the Gamecocks have become under coach Lamont Paris.

Dalton Knecht is one of the best players in the country and one of UT’s all-time best players. He’s talented enough to help change Tennessee’s postseason fortunes.

Chris writes: John Calipari and Rick Barnes are the most overpaid coaches in the NCAA. If Barnes can’t get this team to the Final Four … well then, he can’t get any team there.

ADAMS: Imagine the joy of having Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman write your emails

My response: The Vols have faltered so many times in the postseason, it’s hard for fans to be optimistic about March Madness. But since Barnes has been at UT, he’s never had a player with as much offensive talent as Knecht.

And offense is what the Vols so often lack in the NCAA Tournament.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee NIL investigation: Readers follow lead of Donde Plowman