Posts Tagged ‘Tennessee Vols’

I suppose I came into today in the same fashion I did most of the games this past football season:

Hoping for the best, but fearing the worst.

The difference was that, while I realized that the chances of a landslide of commitments to Tennessee was unlikely, I also just felt good about things.  I felt that — given the short time Lane Kiffin and his new staff had to actually recruit — Tennessee would hold its own.  Turns out I was right.  I felt confident the Vols would show well (Scout #22, Rivals #23), but with all that’s transpired in the last 12 months, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t just a little bit of a surprise.

After the turmoil of this past football season, pleasant surprises are … well … pleasantly surprising (gee, that was profound).

More importantly, however, I was seriously impressed with Coach Kiffin’s comments this evening at his post-Signing Day press conference.  His message was clear:

This is only the beginning.  This is where it starts.  This is Tennessee…

Video: Lane Kiffin: Signing Day for UT

Despite the fact that Tennessee was not in the top-10, the Vols were constantly on the lips of talking heads throughout the day.  Furthermore, given the fact that the Vols have only had a full coaching staff for approximately 2-3 weeks, it is almost a little amazing that the Orange were even in running for some players, but all day long Tennessee kept being in the top-3, or top-2 for great recruits.  Even better is the fact that there are now 19 players — solid choices, not “settle for” recruits — for whom the Vols were the choice.

To each of the young men who chose to wear those orange shirts, I say welcome.  We’re glad to have you…

There were so many great points made by Kiffin this evening.  Here were the ones that stood out to me:

• You don’t take players just to take players – Tennessee was selective, choosing the people that our staff felt were needed;
• Tennessee got great recruits with only a few months or weeks to seal the deal, competing against coaches who had been recruiting the same players for years — next year, that does not apply;
• When Kiffin first arrived at Southern Cal, the team had a losing record — obviously that changed;
• This is only the starting point — from here it only goes up.

With the foundation the Tennessee staff laid today, I am finally beginning to feel really confident about the future of the program.  I firmly believe that things are moving purposefully.  What’s more, it is obvious Kiffin has a plan about where it is we are going.

For me, today was a success and I am happy.  After all, you don’t judge a race winner by where they started, you judge them by where they finish.  Kiffin made it clear that finish is far down the road, but the Vols are gaining speed and expecting to win.

Yeah, today Tennessee got a little bit of its swagger back…

– So it goes …

Video Courtesy of:  GoVolsXtra

A little soundbite from ESPN.com:

When you meet Orgeron, the first thing you are struck by is how different he is than his perceived persona. The average college football fan perceives Orgeron as some wild guy that jumps around and screams all the time. That’s just not the case at all. What strikes you first is his intelligence; second his organization and finally his familiarity with the overall nature of recruiting.

• via: Southeast Recruiting Blog – ESPN

Interesting, don’t you think?

Even if I haven’t had time to write anything worth reading, at least I can fall back on my favorite pastime: low-brow sight gags.

Coach Kiffin’s first rule: Always have a plan…

Works for me!

Fortunately, it has been a slow sports news week for the Vols, and I hope to be back up to speed soon.

– Go Figure …

Well, the Tennessee Volunteers Football team has a week off to try and pull itself together after absolutely imploding versus the Wyoming Cowboys.  Meanwhile, the BasketVols and Lady Vols are getting ready to get things going, as their exhibition games come to a close.  Bearing all of that in mind, here’s Episode 18 of the Blazer Chronicles, courtesy of VolzRChamps.

The Blazer Chronicles: Episode 18

– Go Figure …

Videos Courtesy of: VolzRChamps / Blazer Chronicles

Here’s another tribute to Phillip Fulmer from the Blazer Chronicles and VolzRChamps.

The Blazer Chronicles: Tribute to Phillip Fulmer — Part 2

– Go Figure …

Videos Courtesy of: VolzRChamps / Blazer Chronicles

Again, VolzRChamps brings us a fitting video montage honoring Coach Phillip Fulmer and his legacy.

The Blazer Chronicles: A Video Tribute to Coach Fulmer

I hope to finally get my thoughts together here later today—I can honestly say that I am struggling with what to say on Fulmer’s departure.  Until then, hopefully the new header here at the Gate expresses my feelings (you may have to hit refresh a few times for it to appear).

Until then, I just hope Coach Fulmer knows how appreciative we all are for everything he has done for all of us.

– Go Figure …

Videos Courtesy of: VolzRChamps / Blazer Chronicles

Oh, what a week it is turning out to be in Big Orange Country.  Between losing to Alabama, and reports that the Great Punkin will depart at the end of the season, there is much to discuss.  Bearing all of that in mind, here’s the Alabama – Post-game Edition of the Blazer Chronicles, courtesy of VolzRChamps.

The Blazer Chronicles: Alabama – Post-Game Edition

Up Next, the ThunderChickens of South Carolina…

– Go Figure …

Video Courtesy of: VolzRChamps / Blazer Chronicles

Here’s VolzRChamps take on this weekend’s matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Blazer Chronicles: Bama Pre-game Edition

Can the Vols win this year’s installment of the Third Saturday in October?

– Go Figure …

Video Courtesy of: VolzRChamps

The Tennessee Volunteers picked up a nice SEC win in convincing style against the Mississippi State Bulldogs this past weekend.  Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come for the remainder of the season.

Bearing that in mind, here’s the Blazer Chronicles’ post-game look at the Vols victory, courtesy of VolzRChamps.

The Blazer Chronicles: Mississippi State – Post-Game Edition

Now, it’s time for Alabama and the Third … er … Fourth Saturday in October…

– Go Figure …

Videos Courtesy of: VolzRChamps / Blazer Chronicles

Post-Auburn Thoughts: Coming Upon the Unknown

The view from Section 37, Row 62 of Jordan-Hare Stadium

I honestly think a blow out would have been a better way to lose.

Going into this game, I had very low expectations for the Vols. With all the negativity and Auburn coming off a home loss, I wasn’t liking to Vols’ chances Saturday afternoon. A number of really good friends of mine from high school go to Auburn, so I was more or less looking forward to that aspect of my trip down to The Plains, and not-so-much to the game. However…

To be blunt, this loss really really hurt(s).

More than UCLA. Probably even more than Florida to be honest. I can’t really explain why, either. A road win at a place like Auburn – no matter how ugly – could have potentially changed some things. And you can’t tell me Tennessee should NOT have won that game. Matter of fact, the Vols did everything BUT win the damn thing. Maybe that’s why.

A first down would have done it. Hell, eight yards on a couple drives would have gotten Tennessee into Daniel Lincoln’s range. Does Auburn’s defense deserve credit? Sure, but it’s no secret as to why Tennessee lost Saturday.

I’m not the type that likes to single out players, but you almost have to pin Saturday’s loss on Jonathan Crompton. A botched handoff (he’s GOT to put the ball in Arian Foster’s chest). Throws 15 yards out-of-bounds when he’s got time to find somebody open. Missed receivers (hello, Josh Briscoe in the corner of the end zone on the two-point conversion). High throws to guys that are open. Miscommunications with receivers. Utter incompetence.

The offensive struggles for Tennessee are no fault of the dangerous Jones

OK, I’ve criticized Crompton. Now for the only positive I can see that he brings – the guy can take a hit or twenty and he always pops right back up. That run on third-and-long on the TD drive comes to mind. He gets hit a lot, but the guy ain’t afraid of getting the crap knocked out of him. That doesn’t help your team win ballgames though, apparently.

Once again, the offense has enough talent to win games – especially one in which the defense and special teams played out of their minds (more on them coming). Dave Clawson isn’t an idiot. This loss? I’m putting it all on Crompton. I don’t dislike the guy as much as Ghost over at 3SIB, but it’s getting closer.

The “receivers aren’t getting separation” argument is garbage. We know Gerald Jones is a stud. You can’t tell me Lucas Taylor isn’t an SEC receiver. Josh Briscoe is a very good slot-type receiver.

The coaches said afterwards they discussed putting Nick Stephens in – THEY SHOULD HAVE. Average QB play wins that game Saturday – likely by a couple scores as well, to be honest. Stephens now gets his chance, and honestly Coach Fulmer would be continuing to dig his own grave if Crompton starts/gets many snaps Saturday night against Northern Illinois.

The only other offensive change that needs to be made for me? Montario Hardesty and Lennon Creer need to get more touches. I like Arian Foster and he’s had a great career, but I don’t hold my breath that he’s going to break a long one. With #2 and #3, I do, simply because they have that ability. We know about Hardesty’s power, and we saw his speed on the sweep he scored on. Creer doesn’t fear hitting the hole. He don’t dance. On one play in the fourth quarter, he dragged four Auburn players about four yards. GET THESE GUYS THE BALL!

Give Hardesty and Creer more touches PLEASE

One word describes the defensive effort Saturday: swarming. Granted Auburn’s offense is terribly bad and obviously predictable, but the defense dominated. Dan Williams was huge. The young DEs Chris Walker and Ben Martin played very, very well. Ellix Wilson may be the most important player to this defense, including Eric Berry. Wilson’s injury status is still up-in-the-air as far as I know, but the play didn’t look so good on TV when I watched the game replay. We even adjusted to Kodi Burns when Auburn foolishly threw him out there (everyone and their mother knew he wasn’t throwing).

Gerald Williams finally saw the field and made his presence known. I know he had a personal foul penalty, but the guy needs to be out there. You can in no way blame the defense at all for Saturday’s loss. Much like ‘05, you give up 7 points, you should win that game. I know that one last stop on third down would have been ideal, but seriously, they did that all day and the offense blew it over and over again.

No, Adam Myers-White, there is nothing more you and the Tennessee defense could have done for a W...

Even our special teams won the day. Chad Cunningham must have been threatened with death at halftime, because he was ridiculously good in the second half, after a pitiful first half. As I’ve said before, Gerald Jones has big-play ability and almost took one back for six.

Honestly, I’m more optimistic now than I was this time last week, even after this hurtful loss. Tennessee could very, VERY easily be 3-1. For some reason, Nick Stephens gives me hope. I can’t explain why. Maybe it’s because there isn’t any with Jonathan Crompton running this offense. He may not even start, but the unknown he brings and the possibility he even might has me hopeful. Do I think Tennessee beats Georgia and/or Alabama? Not really, but that potential unknown with Stephens/no more Crompton makes me wonder. I don’t expect Stephens to be the next Peyton Manning or anything remotely close, but can anybody really be worse than what Tennessee has had now?

The past two Auburn games I’ve attended have been wins for the Warring TigerEagles (Tennessee in ‘03 and Florida in ‘06), so I’ve seen that campus after a W. No I didn’t go to Toomer’s Corner to see them roll a tree, but you would not have thought the Tigers had won Saturday. The mood was somber (I heard almost no “War Eagle!”s). Whether it was because they knew Tennessee should have won or that they have a plethora of issues themselves (or maybe they had just woken up from getting put to sleep…), I don’t know.

But walking around the campus after the game, I was proud to be a Vol fan Saturday night. Amidst all the negativity around Tennessee football, the players came out and played emotional, inspired football. They left it all out there. They played well enough to win – it just didn’t happen. As they headed to the tunnel to the locker room below me, I applauded them. Why? They deserved it. Hopefully they will be able to put it all together and win a big game or two and finish out the season respectfully. We all may want Coach Fulmer gone, but we certainly don’t want to see Tennessee lose.

Do I still think Tennessee needs a coaching change? Of course. But it wasn’t the coaching staff’s fault Saturday. I know you can say they should have benched Crompton, but honestly, you expect even him to be able to get you a first down when that’s about all you need to win the game. You could have put me at QB and even might have been to go through my progressions and make a throw on target to my receiver to get a first down

I say let the Nick Stephens era BEGIN!!

Images Courtesy of: Butch Dill / AP (Daylife)