The end of 2010 was a welcomed sight for fans of the University of Tennessee.
Football coaches coming and going. Too many players on too many fields. The football team finished with a losing record for the third time in six seasons. NCAA investigations into football and basketball -- the latter producing a 55-gallon drum of hot water for Vols coach Bruce Pearl, who lied to the NCAA and will be benched for the first eight SEC games this month.
In short, bring on 2011, for Vols fans it's got to be better than the last 12 months and a large part of that excitement hinges on a young football player who ended the year in less than joyous fashion. So along with Tyler Bray, here are five must-watch athletes this year:
1. TIGER WOODS
No one made more news last year than Woods - and almost all of it was less than good.
From the exploits of his behind the greens chicanery to the implosion of his golf game to the disintegration of his marriage, Woods faced a storm of triple bogeys in 2010.
This year - with his swing rebuilt and his litany of secrets and lies exposed - Woods will bounce back professionally. Look for Woods to win at least one major and reclaim his place atop golf.
Atlanta Braves general manger Frank Wren, left, shakes hands with new manager Fredi Gonzalez during a news conference where Gonzalez was introduced as the baseball team's news manager, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)2. FREDI GONZALEZ
The phrase, "Replacing a legend," is frequently used even if it's rarely true. But Gonzalez will take over the Atlanta Braves, replacing Bobby Cox, who only won about 12 million games and had the Braves in the playoffs for most of the last two decades.
Gonzalez has the makings for a good start because the Braves have a nice nucleus. That said, winning the East will be a tall order because of the Fab Four rotation in Philadelphia.
Plus, Gonzalez figures to be under quite the microscope because there are two summer-time things every Southern believes he can do: Grill and manage the Braves.
3. JIMMIE JOHNSON
Death, taxes and Jimmie Johnson. He's become that automatic. If he wins the NASCAR title again this year - which would be his sixth in a row - they need to let the No. 48 team take the year off and start in the Chase.
4. TYLER BRAY
Four consecutive wins as a starter gave the Vols nation hope and installed belief in the lanky freshman.
How he bounces back from the Music City meltdown - when the Vols snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the final second of regulation before losing in 30-27 in double overtime - will be interesting to watch.
The kid looks like a star, but how he manages his emotions down the road will be the difference.
5. LAQUISHA JACKSON
What can the Howard School junior do for an encore after shattering the state sprinting records last year?
I don't have any idea other than anything is possible and Jackson will be doing it quickly.