Archive for February, 2008

Well, once again I have added to the conversation over at Rocky Top Talk. This time a little look into how Tennessee values Bruce Pearl, as compared to other coaches — including it’s own.

While not as acerbic as my usual posts, this one was tough — and (cringe) actually resembles a real report by a real journalist. I actually had to do some research and find sources and things. I hate it when I can’t just make baseless allegations grounded on nothing more than the empty space between my ears. What is the world coming to?

Anyway, if you feel like giving it a look, just click the following link: How Much is Winning Worth?.

At any rate, I should be back on Gate 21 full time sometime in the near future (not that anyone cares).

– Go Figure …

Even Michael Vick’s Cellmate is Reading…

A very few links of interest (shortened due to my … ummm … not feeling like looking for any more) :

• The Top 10 Sports Fans Arrested for Drunk and Disorderly Conduct — Busted Coverage
• A Priceless rundown of 5 Things as Badass as Bruce Pearl — Loser With Socks (I just wish I was as bad as “the Techno Viking”)

• Orson offers a few tips to Phil Fulmer on how to keep the Vols from getting arrested — EDSBS
• Sean Salisbury Gives ESPN the “virtual” finger as he departs and a wonderful little clip of the often cited “Vandy class” on display – Awful Announcing

• Moon Dog gives the blogsphere a primer on copyright law — World According to Moon Dog
• And finally, a nice little clip of really embarrassing (and sometimes painful) sports bloopers:

– Go Figure …

If any of you care (and I doubt you do), you can read my thoughts on the Tennessee – Vanderbilt game over at Rocky Top Talk, as I continue guest posting over there in Joel’s absence (I bet I don’t get invited back for a second go-round, and a Christmas card is completely out).

Anyway, if you want to read, and see my handy-dandy Kevin Stallings fark, just click the link: Lawvol on Tennessee-Vandy.

– Go Figure …

As part of my guest-columnist status over at Rocky Top Talk this week, I wrote a little article about our favorite Basketball Coach: Bruce Almighty!

For both of you out there who actually read my blog, you can check it out by clicking the Link: Discovering a Pearl…

– Go Figure …

Since Joel is going to be out of town — living the “Lifestyle of the Rich and Shameless” — I will be doing a little guest Posting over at Rocky Top Talk this week. Thus, I will probably be posting a lot of links to my stories over there, and less posting directly here on Gate 21.

To both of you (including me) out there that actually read my drivel, fear not, all my rantings will be linked back here.

In the meantime, enjoy these video clips celebrating the greatness of Bruce and the Barbarians…

• Bruce Pearl Postgame Comments Unedited:

• Vitale Breaking Down the Victory:

• Fox Sports: The Goods on The Vols’ victory:

– Go Figure …

I have been a little slow to follow-up on a story I devoted most of last week to: the Britton Colquitt issue. The Great Punkin himself has spoken out, via a guest column in the Knoxville Snooze-Slantinel, and responded to to John Adams’ article calling for his head.

To Fulmer’s credit, John Adams has made a career out of attacking the UT football program, and may have gone a bit far in so pointedly calling for Fulmer’s head in his article. Adams, an LSU graduate, has long used jabs a Phil Fulmer to sell papers, and keep people reading. I will also say that the timing of Adams’ article was not spectacular. I do find it ironic that, after years of attacking Fulmer, Adams calls for Fulmer’s ouster the very same week that Bruce Pearl and the BasketVols achieved the all-time high-water mark for the mens basketball program.

Although I know there are those who disagree with me (Gee, imagine that…), I acknowledged and continue to feel that Adams did make some good points in his article, and I agree with his underlying premise, if not his conclusion. A lot of what Adams said was worth saying — and even if it wasn’t, it’s Adams right to say it nonetheless. Be that as it may, I think Fulmer’s response was a cogent and timely as it was warranted. Obviously, Fulmer feels confident enough as a coach to publicly respond to Adams’ remarks, and join the conversation. For my part, I’m glad he did.

I for one continue to support Fulmer, because I think he has been a good coach for the Volunteers since 1993. I do not question his integrity or his character — if it appeared that I intended to do so in my articles, then I failed to properly convey my message. (For what it is worth, I do agree with Fulmer’s column that John Adams, however, was questioning these things…) My problem is not with Coach Fulmer, but with the complete lack of discipline shown by players since the first of the year. I know Fulmer wants what is best for both Tennessee and each and every player — I’m just not sure that has been coming to fruition lately.

As I have previously written, I think Fulmer has been too dedicated and steadfast a leader for the football program to be asked to leave over — essentially — one bad month in a nearly fifteen year career at the helm. I believe that he should be given a chance to right the ship. More importantly, however, regardless of whether Fulmer is obligated to bear the consequences of the bad decisions of the Tennessee players, I do not believe that all of the recent problems are his fault. As has been pointed out by Moon Dog, among others, the root cause of these problems arises from a lack of responsibility on the part of players — and society in general. Unfortunately, with the headset comes a bevy of responsibilities that a coach — unlike his players — simply cannot ignore.As a longtime Fulmer supporter, I am glad that he has — at a minimum — acknowledged the situation and publicly. It takes a certain degree of courage to openly respond to such direct media attacks — especially when the writer is as entrenched in the local media as Adams. I think Fulmer’s article does go a certain distance to quell the furor surrounding Britton Colquitt. Still, the ultimate litmus test will come in the form of the results down the road.

While I continue to believe that Fulmer must take decisive actions when it comes to player discipline in the near term, I am content — for the time-being — with Fulmer’s public assurances and answers to some of the questions which have been flying.

He has my full support … until he proves to me that he does not deserve it.

Ultimately, keeping the Tennessee football players in line is somewhat akin to the actions of the Department of Homeland Security — failures are what gets noticed, not successes. Thus, a period of quiet for the Vols, without continual police blotter notices, is really all that it will take for these events to pass into memory. I would still give a note of caution to both Coach Fulmer and the members of the Tennessee football team, however:

Out of sight, does not always mean out of mind…

Hopefully, this is the final installment I will post regarding these trials and tribulations for the football Vols. If not, then the problems persist, and things will only continue to get worse.

For the sake of Coach Fulmer and the University, I hope that is not the case…

– Go Figure …

Really all there is to say…

BasketVols are No 1″ height=”356″ width=”392″ />

Never thought I’d see this day … Congratulations to the BasketVols!

More to come later…

– Go Figure …

Well, I’m not going to re-hash what everyone else has already said, but this weekend it’s on! The No 2 Tennessee Volunteers take on the No 1 Memphis Tigers at the FedEx Forum in Memphis. It’s guaranteed to be a fabulous game, and hopefully Bruce and the Barbarians will get the train going and show the Tigers who is boss.

For a little breakdown, info, and fun, check out these posts:

• Bruce Pearl’s Letter to John Calipari and a Stat Breakdown for Memphis and Tennessee — Rocky Top Talk
• The Break Down, Part I, Part II, and Part III — The Bruce Ball Blog

It’s going to be huge, and everyone in the nation is watching! Let’s get the Train Going!

Go Vols, Beat the Mem-puss-es!!!

– Go Figure …

Obviously, I have more than spoken my piece on the Britton Colquitt “incident.” In fairness to Phillip Fulmer, however, I wanted to point out the fact that Tennessee isn’t the only school having a rough time with discipline at present.

It appears that Bammer is having a hard time keeping their players from randomly committing armed robberies on campus.

Meanwhile Les “the Great Hat” Miles’ quarterback is in more trouble than I even know how to describe, and has managed to get himself, for all intents and purposes, kicked off the team.

Anyway, whatever it is that is causing all of the SEC’s football players to suddenly become public enemy number 1, it is widespread…

If college football is to continue to exist in the manner it has, then coaches across the country are going to have to impress upon their players the fact that they must abide by the rules and must obey the law.

I just hope the Tennessee Volunteers figure that out soon…

– Go Figure …

Links Courtesy of: “The Edge”

I’m sure that Phillip Fulmer knew that things were not going to be easy when he found out that rising-Senior Britton Colquitt was arrested for DUI and fleeing the scene of an accident on Sunday. I doubt even Fulmer thought they would be this difficult.

I, along with many others, have come out publicly to decry the fact that Colquitt was not dismissed from the team. I stopped just short of saying that Fulmer should resign or be fired as a result of the off-field incidents which have plagued the Tennessee Volunteers football program over the last five weeks.

The Knoxville News Sentinel’s John Adams did not stop short.

Read the rest of this entry »