Posted by FWBVol on October 7, 2007 at 12:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Phillip Fulmer has every right to be upset by the Pearl Harbor job Pennington did on him with the column. I have a newspaper background and nobody has to tell me about a column often being an opinion piece, but in most cases someone is stating their opinion or opinions of named sources. It's one thing to cite an unnamed source when you are dealing with organized crime, but it's another thing to do so when talking about one's former coach. By Pennington not naming these players he hurts his own credibility. Were the players starters or backups? If they were starters, what level of success did they enjoy with the Vols? Were any of the players those that were dismissed from the program? No names equals no news or opinions, just unfounded statements.

I hate that it takes away from a great win. It's hard to imagine a punter/kicker could control the game like Britton Colquitt did today, but the special teams proof was in the pudding. Go VOLS!!!

Posted by Hunter on October 7, 2007 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There's no excuse for attacking Pennington - I'd go back to paying A LOT more for this site if everyone wrote as frankly and insightfully as JP. Did anyone see this press conference? Did Fulmer scream out "I'M A MAN - COME AFTER ME!" like the OSU coach?

Phil, let's just be happy for a win and send John an e-mail with a picture of your house, cars, boats, vacation destinations.....that would add to his perspective, I think.

Posted by alfrizzle097 on October 7, 2007 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington generally does do a good job of being objective. That said... I deplore the negativity that I hear on the radio and read in the paper. Recruits hear all of it. Most of them even probably read the comments on this site. Do you honestly believe that the criticism is going to help land any recruits?
At the end of the season we can step back and analyze the program and make a decision about Phil. Until then just try to support your team while making specific criticisms where appropriate. Not just fire Fulmer or the Vols suck.

GO VOLS!!!

Posted by alfrizzle097 on October 7, 2007 at 12:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Additionally, the fans I have observed at the games must be the most classless in the nation. F Georgia does not constitute an appropriate rally cry. An institution of higher learning should be able to expect more from its fans than that.

Posted by Pullingguard on October 7, 2007 at 1:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington needs to focus on the positives at UT with the victory and effort given verses Georgia. It's very easy to get caught up in all the negativity being vocalized and written by the amatures who propose to be true Vol fans. Hopefully the community and the press can embrace this team for the remainder of 2007 and help them attain the best record possible. There has been too much negative post and prints already.

Posted by creepykev on October 7, 2007 at 2:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If Penningtons column pissed him off enough to fire back then it was well justified. He must have channeled that anger into his players because that is the most emotion I have seen out of them in a while.

Posted by sandboxpup on October 7, 2007 at 2:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington accomplished exactly what he meant to. He didn't write that article to fire up the team...he wrote it to fire up his ratings. Now that Coach Fulmer has responded, there should be a little more interest in his Sunday show. Personally, I think the column/editorial/rumormill was not worthy of a spot in today's paper, but I guess there wasn't another Ron Higgins article they could borrow.

Posted by slovog on October 7, 2007 at 2:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington is terrible. He has been for the several years I've been coming to this site. The cutsie music lyrics are a joke. Notice how he always wants to give a message, usually a knock on the UT program, then word it in a way as to be able to say "Gosh, I wasn't saying that." He's always too gutless (figuratively) to actually take credit for anything he writes. The column in question here is evidence of that. I have no proof of it, but I bet he made up some or all of it.

I'm surprised that Fulmer actually caught wind of the opinion piece, but it's hilarious to read that Fulmer exposed Pennington as being what he is - a wannabe hack who has no access to the program, whatsoever. Like them or not, the only writers at the KNS who do true opinion columns are Adams and Strange. They write what they feel.

Hyams, too, is light years ahead of Pennington, in terms of talent, insight and access.

Pennington is the fat kid who never played but knew all of the stats of the guys who did. It all comes out in his columns and that unwatchable drivel on Sundays. That is how he is trying to be a part of the Vols.

Posted by 66cheVolet on October 7, 2007 at 2:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by CRVol on Oct.2 2007 at 2:26 p.m.
I'll lay whatever price you want to name that we will not beat UGA by 21 points as you tend to believe.
Posted by jwraymond1 on October 2, 2007 at 3:01 p.m. aj-your prediction of us winning by 21pts is a joke. Who is going to score 5 TD's for us?
The good:Coach Fulmer The Bad:CRVol The ugly:his cronies- You know who you are.

Posted by 2000man on October 7, 2007 at 3:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If it takes a column by Pennington every week to get this team fired up (focused and prepared!) then I'll take a Pennington column questioning the Vols coaching staff every week!

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on October 7, 2007 at 3:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Pennington, I personally thought the article was fine and needed. Many of us out here would LOVE to hear former players' opinions about the state of the Vols. And we did.

I can also understand Fulmer's anger. I don't mind it as long as it gets him mad and fired up.

Posted by snafu14u on October 7, 2007 at 3:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington's article was absolutley correct. On all counts. I am delighted that it got a response out of Fulmer, about damn time.Hope Fulmer and the team stay in a "bad humor" for the remainder of the season and the bowl game.Things are looking up.bonzaivol

Posted by firefulmer on October 7, 2007 at 4 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Is Fulmer pathetic or what? Just another reason to despise him even more. It is so sad that it takes a negative article to get the coaches/players fired up. Where has this "fire" been the last five years?? Let's hope the Sentinel has at least 3-4 more negative articles this year.

Posted by tnvolfan1 on October 7, 2007 at 4:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To the person who said we will win by 21 points was right on the money. I am proud of the vols for a well played game. Go Vol's

Posted by texan on October 7, 2007 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sure looks like a lot of you guys stopped at your local Pilot and filled up with orange kool-aid on the way home from the game. You still don't get it. Fulmer needs the criticism to get motivated and to motivate. If he didn't guys like Pennington would buy into crap like "stay the course" . Then where would we be? The people who write critical things in these blogs are the equivalent of those who put on their orange every Saturday and scream their lungs out for the Vols. And by the way I would bet that 99% of these people are as happy today as any Vol fan. I know that I am. Good Job John Pennington and Mr. Higgins. And Fulmer..you really think that your little tirade is going to keep former players and others silent?

Posted by RocketVol on October 7, 2007 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To Coach Roper - way to go! Good thinking - we need more of that kind of innovative thought.

To Pennington - don't let up! The truth may sting but the warm bath Fulmer's been in needs stirring. He needs to wake up and realize he is NOT surrounded by yes-men and change is in order - now.

BTW - great job yesterday to Fulmer and the other coaches. Can you develop a winning habit?

Posted by CrankE on October 7, 2007 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What I'm hearing out of this is a real concern about WHO said this instead of WHAT they actually said. What damage was done? Prospects might read this. ??? An opinion is what it is. Did these guys lie or is the truth unpleasant? Fulmer did not challenge the WHAT of the column at all. Fulmer's response concerns me. Well, at least he didn't have a Grundy-Krakatoa eruption on it.

I wonder if Fulmer would have said anything had Tennessee lost this game?

One thing I know; Keep playing like this and there won't be anymore columns like that.

Posted by DarthVol on October 7, 2007 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All the articles that have been written lately about the state of the program...and he picks Penningtons' to call out?

Posted by maples on October 7, 2007 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is not too often that you hear someone say, "We really out coached them." May Pennington needs to write an article every week if it helps Fulmer understand that he needs to be ready to play football every SAT in the SEC. Great win, give the Great Pumpkin his due, but the season in long from over. Go Vols.

Posted by rayp on October 7, 2007 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is what I wrote on Oct. 4th in response to the article about the performance of Phillip Fulmer and all of talk about Phillip's replacement.

"Phillip is a class act and has run a very solid program with 05 being the exception rather than the rule. Everyone wants to see UT win championships and be a winner and with Phillip we have person who has the experience,leadership and integrity to get us there.

A win over Georgia and a smack down by LSU over Florida and all of a sudden we are in the driver's sear in East, admittedly with a lot of work left to be done. For all of Phillip's critics, take a breath and let's see how our young team performs the rest of the season. I'll expect to have you all having a big plate of crow at Thanksgiving as we head to beat Kentucky in November and on to the SEC Championship Game. Even more crow for New Year's if we are 12-2 and Sugar Bowl champs!"

We are in the driver's seat in the east as predicted and this is going to be a great year for the Vols!

Posted by agentorange on October 7, 2007 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington's article was crap and he shouldn't have written it with prospects in town. nice of the kns to try and disown him after publishing his article.

Posted by sbcheek on October 7, 2007 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington's columns are chicken feed compared to the pithy VolExtra posts. I am not too crazy about those cutsie song lyrics either. Normally, coach Philbio would not even have given lip service to anyone's column. The pressure must be getting to him. If he really wants a "cheap shot" and his "dang nerves" rattled, he should read these VolExtra posts. Keep on posting!!

Posted by mtnvol on October 7, 2007 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To write an "insider's look" article and never be on campus is lame. Opinions are like a$$ holes, everybody has one...or in this case, is one. Just look at the "writer" who wrote that hatchet job on OSU. She's a real hero (that's sarcasm, Pennington). The sporting world, for the most part, thought she was a hack.

John, "fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son." It isn't one of your cute little song lyrics, but I think it fits.

Posted by why36knot on October 7, 2007 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Knowing how to spell the word OBJECTIVITY is the sum total of Pennington's understanding of the term.
He writes as if he has the wisdom of the ages as his sources. He thinks because 15 people call in and bash Fulmer that that constitutes a majority opinion. None of the local talk shows get enough calls on a daily basis to form that kind of conclusion. There are probably no more than 100 different callers to The Sports Animal's daily programs and not all of them are bashing Fulmer. The truth is that out of those 100 most of them call every day to each program , so how many different callers are there? He doesn't give fans credit for any knowledge at all.
Personally I don't need a writer or a talk show caller to tell me if I can enjoy a football game or whether I should support a Coach or a team.
They are all so invested in Fulmer getting fired that they don't know how to be fans. They have been losers them selves for so long they want the team to lose so they can continue to write, print and verbalize their garbage.
Crawl back in the hole you live in guys and stop trying to pull the rest of us in with you.

Posted by bloodrunsorange on October 7, 2007 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Because our recruiting base is not Florida, Georgia, Texas, or California we need all the help we can get. Recruiting is the life blood of any program. Even Hugh Durham could win with enough talent. I remember some of Woody Hayes’s teams that anyone could close their eyes and point to 11 to play and win most of their games. Anything you can do to help in recruiting is good but anything bad is disastrous. Tennessee has GREAT kids but not as many as we would like! Always remember, “BIG ORANGE COUNTRY” is bigger than any individual and we always try to support the “VOLS” all we can! CONGRADULATIONS VOLS!

Posted by Colliervol on October 7, 2007 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Enjoyed the win. Best performance since the Cal game last year. But I have a question. What does it say when it takes a newspaper article to get a team and coaches this fired up? Or comments on ESPN by all their pundits about the direction of the program? If that's what it takes for the coaches and players to get excited, maybe JP should write one every week.

Posted by Basketball_Jones on October 7, 2007 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington is the best on this page, Fulmer shouldn't need a writer to motivate him, the damn 2 million a year is motivation enough. Great win by UT but Mr. Fulmer this means your still on the hot seast and better have 7 more wins in ya.

Posted by johnlg00 on October 7, 2007 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to chuckle at some of the Pennington bashers. His columns said nothing that many of the posters to this site have not also said. It doesn't take a program insider to see that our record against the elite programs has steadily worsened in recent years. Anyone who has ever seen a football game can see that our blocking and tackling has been subpar for the same period. Vol supporters spend untold amounts of money to build the finest facilities anywhere and pay the coaches salaries well above average for this market. It is not unreasonable to expect to BE among the nation's elite programs. When one sees the same type of sluggish, predictable under-performance game after game, one is entitled to ask what is wrong. I have met Phillip and several of the other coaches; they seem to be nice guys. In the past, they demonstrated that they know what they are doing. So the simple question is, why aren't they getting results at the level that they themselves established? I was thrilled by the Vol team effort I saw Saturday. If CPF was mad enough to coach the team up to such a level after a few bad reviews by columnists, talk-show callers, and web-site posters, then, for my money, we need MORE of that! Hey, whatever works that is within the rules of the game and common morality! There is, or certainly should be, a difference among those who hate CPF, perhaps because of resentment at what they think was his role in ousting Johnny Majors, those who love CPF because they are fishing buddies or whatever, and those who love UT and want to see the maximum possible success for the program, whoever is in charge. I am in that last group. If we see more of the team we saw against Georgia, week after week, CPF can stay here until he chooses to retire. If we revert back to the level we had fallen to against Cal and Fla, and indeed the average performance of the last six or seven years, then CPF needs to retire, with our thanks, and we need to get someone else who can do the job. Simple as that.

Posted by kevinlimbo on October 7, 2007 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How about thanking Pennington for waking the coaching staff and players up.

Posted by Colliervol on October 7, 2007 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen johnlg00. If this is one of your first posts, I look forward to more because it is right on target. Some will never give Phil credit because of the Majors thing and our lackluster performance for several years now. Some will proudly proclaim that we are great again simply because of one win. And some of us will watch the season play out before deciding if things are turning or not. (Didn't we say the same thing last year after the Georgia game?)

Just to put things in perspective, I heard a stat Friday and I haven't had time to look into it. (Maybe one of our more computer literate folks can check it out and tell me if it's true or not.) Coming through Nashville Friday, a radio caller said that our record in the last 18 games against SEC teams with winning records (at the time of the game) was 4 and 14. If that statistic is true, this one makes it 5 and 14. And if that's true, that is still unacceptable and I don't care which side you fall in on.

Posted by slovog on October 7, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The very fact that many of you haters say that Pennington's article "motivated" the Vols for the UGA game shows that you know very little about how a team thinks and how a team is motivated. An opinion piece published the afternoon of the day preceding a game like this is not going to make much of a difference one way or the other.

I'm quite sure that Pennington would love to think that he made a difference one way or another. Much of the press in this town seems to be in it to try and be a star rather than being concerned with conveying information.

The big problem with the Pennington piece is that he was too much of a coward to expose those who made the comments. If the comments were so fair and accurate, why would Pennington, or the ex-players in question, have a problem with the names being published? Certainly, Mark Packer did the right thing by giving the names of the ex-players quoted in his article of 09/22/2007. Those ex-players took their knocks from the haters and know-it-alls who repetitively bash the coaches and program.

As I stated above, Strange and Adams know what they are doing. Pennington is apparently in it to be cute. He's failing.

Posted by kevinlimbo on October 7, 2007 at 10:43 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by jamali76 on October 7, 2007 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to disagree with you johnlg00,I still think it's time for Fulmer to go.I am convinced this was more of a win over an overrated Georgia squad more than an "awakening"for the Vols,sort of like Cal beating UT.I think Fulmer has had enough time to "work like heck" to get things changed and it still has not happened.IF,and it's a very big if,UT manages to win out I'll eat crow and will never bash Fulmer again and he can stay as long as he likes but,I don't think it will happen.I still say it's time for some new blood.South Carolina ,'Bama and Kentucky hold Fulmer's future,lose two of the three and I think he's gone.

Posted by objk1 on October 7, 2007 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Pennington article was exactly what most of us have been thinking for years.
Nice article, too bad it takes a reporter with no access to the program to fire up the coaching staff and players.

Posted by DSaVol on October 7, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington is an irrelevent wannabe playing the typical "what will get me ratings" game. Unbelievably I actually agree with what the head coach said - it was a cheap shot article - but what else is there to expect from an amateur blogger who has to rely on "anonymous" sources. Perhaps they're anonymous because they only exist in his mind. It's real simple JP - name em or forget em.

Posted by georgiavol91 on October 7, 2007 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Doesn't everyone see that yesterday's game proves Pennington's point?
Question: Why haven't we been playing like that all year?
Answer: It's not the players, the same kids are dressing out for each game. So what happened differently? The coaches finally did their job for a change!
IT'S THE COACHING, STUPID!

Posted by blhvols on October 7, 2007 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey georgiavol91, I guess the So Cal fans will be asking for Carrol's head and asking "why we haven't played like that all year". Certainly stupid knows stupid!!!!!!!!

Posted by yeavols on October 7, 2007 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Right on Georgiavol91. It's sad that the VOL nation had to be at odds with each other to get Fulmer moving and do his job. Now, after yesterday's game, I AM READY to STAY THAT course. I just hope this wasn't a game just to get everyone off Fulmer's back and where things go south again. But Congrats to our VOLS! It was great to see the coaches and players show enthusiasm again. Also, it was nice to see the fans cheer loudly. I am still at a loss as to why this hasn't always been the case.

Posted by yeavols on October 7, 2007 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh and somone has a lot of exlaining to do regarding why we haven't seen this type of play for a while. Pennington tried to explain it, but apparently Fulmer took it the wrong way.

Posted by eefor10c on October 7, 2007 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What are Pennington's credentials? He just shows up and get a salvage company to sponsor him and a newspaper that will pay him for a hatchet job and then KNS says he's not on our staff but a contract writer. You printed it KNS. Yesterday on the pre-game show Pennington said "I don't normally use anonymous sources" but you were willing to make an exception in this case. How do these nine know so much about practice, etc? Obviously you have never been there and don't know! How many of these players had been kicked off the team? If the players want to say it they should be PROUD to let their name be known instead of being afraid of being "blackballed" as you said on the show yesterday. I agree with Coach Fulmer that it was an incredible cheap shop and I'm glad he responded to your hatchet job!!

Posted by knoxmike56 on October 7, 2007 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have long been a big Pennington fan....now I'm not. Sorry, kinda cheap. He's better than that. I hope he'll return to his historical "classy" editorial-izing....

Posted by BOASoldier on October 7, 2007 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CRnonVOL, jwraymond, NCcolt, Stay the freakin course!!!! 21 points over GA can't be done huh.? Dang,,, tell that to our boys in Orange now.

Posted by sigmundoooz on October 7, 2007 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Unnamed sources or not, they stated their opinion and they have more expertise to do so than any of the Orange Brainwashed yahoos on this board. All I know is that UT has as good of a group of talented players as any school in the country. Actually, defensively, they probably have a lot better than just about anybody else judging by the number of players that have gone on to play in the NFL. So why has the defense been so sub-par over the last few years? There was absolutely no excuse for teams like Florida to DOMINATE the UT defense. That comes down to getting outcoached. Chavous always seems to be held in such high esteem but all I see is underachievement.

Posted by flstf on October 7, 2007 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

why36knot exactly! Pennington knows the sum total of "0", nothing, Nada, zilch, about the game of football. The guy is a joke and has no creditability.

Posted by AlpharettaVol on October 7, 2007 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We read news stories almost daily where anonymous sources are quoted, but this is almost always done where the person being quoted is a government employee or corporate "whistle blower" that fears reprisal if his/her identity was known. In the case of of the Pennington column I can find no reason for these to be anonymous sources except that maybe those persons might be embarrassed if we knew who they were. If their names were used it would allow the readers to better evaluate their comments and put them in the proper perspective. Mr. Pennington, ask your former athletes to have the courage to step forward and be counted.

Posted by GrandCanyonVol on October 7, 2007 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Running the football is key. It pulls the defence up and allows you to throw. The line on both sides of the ball must win the battle for the whole machine to operate. I was proud yesterday. And would like to be proud next week. Play it like it should be played fellows.

Posted by waterskier3 on October 7, 2007 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

again if the vol nation will accept 2 and 3 losses a year than fulmer's our guy. he had two weeks to prepare for an overrated ga team, he told his coaches and players that the world thought they sux so if the team came out flat after all of that then he knew his butt was gone..... so a great win because cbs kept showing ga crap and the last second ga win in 2001.. so they expected it to be a ga day :)

we still have 3 teams that can beat us so all you kool-aid drinking fans keep sipping because its a long season.... and yes if you are so sure we'll be in atlanta go ahead and make reservations and get an ebay account because you'll be selling them in december....

Posted by rootin4volz on October 7, 2007 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington's "job is to give an opinion"...UNFORTUNATELY, opinions are like a****les...Everybody's got one, and they usually stink. If that's your job, John, then I'd be curious to know who your boss is if you aren't a staff member of the News-Sentinel. I'm not a staff member of the News-Sentinel, yet if I want to have an opinion, it dang sure won't show up in the Sports section, but in the OPINION section with all the other letters to the editor. And Fulmer is absolutely right...You picked a bad time to air your "opinion."

Posted by rootin4volz on October 7, 2007 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

P.S.--It DOES make you look like a ratings-monger, J.P. Pure self-interest, proven by the fact that you're not a staff member of the News-Sentinel.

Posted by chuck0303 on October 7, 2007 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Noting "Firefulmer" and "CrankE" comments, absolutely! Coach like you should have been coaching all along and maybe you wouldn't have to forage to "Save your Job". If UT was playing like they should have been then new prospects wouldn't have to go to newspaper clippings for their insight, not that they would anyway. I'm sure they pay more attention to us getting blown out than to any newspaper articles. Tend to business and business will take care of itself. I could have sworn someone must have sent Phil a new playbook and strategy, you know, one where the offense is NOT predictable for a change. In fact, I think he may even be growing some gonads with an unlikely abilty to occasionally take a chance/risk and not punt. Hopefully, he will get mad enough at my comments to send the same team to Starkvillw this week.

Posted by volfan39 on October 7, 2007 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Listen we are still 3-2 with 2 of the 3 against minor league foes, so 1 win against Ga. still doesnt put out the fire under Phil's butt. It's funny how the threat to job security motivates even a lazy, uninspired staff like we been putting up with the last few YEARS!!. I did think the "D" looked like the old Tenn. teams and to quote a t.v. announcer, up until yesterday, "this was not your father's Tennessee defense". Keep up the fire boy's and continue to carry your coaching staff until someone steps up and get's you a REAL coach. This turnaround just proves that the staff has been sitting on thier paychecks--come on, were 6 wks into the sched. What were you coaches doing all spring and pre-season. A win now and then is not what Tenn. football has EVER been about. Keep the chin straps buckled boys, you may not have to wait on a leader very much longer!!Stevie still waits as does Nickie Satan.

Posted by aj_vol on October 7, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where are CRVol and jwraymond?

I guess it was too embarrassing for them to "FACE THE MUSIC" today after the Vols crushed their hopes of ousting CPF with a Bulldog win yesterday - OBTW the margin of victory was 21 pts fellas.

Posted by shopsports on October 7, 2007 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The most significant thing about Pennington's article was he managed to get 9 players to talk to him out of twenty years worth. Hmmm....you do the math. I feel sure he also emphasized the single negative out of a dozen positives in any opinion voiced, or he wouldn't have had a story now would he? Totally irrelevant, but if it fired up the group, it must have been a good thing. We need the FIRE we saw last Saturday. That is all that is missing.

Posted by why36knot on October 7, 2007 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What really amazes me is how many of these Fulmer Bashers think that what Pennington wrote had anything to do with the oucome of the football game. All you guys who want to say that articles like his and commsnts by talk show callers do any thing to motivate players and coaches are out of your ever loving minds. It motivates paople like myself and others to contradict what you claim to be the problems. Players and coaches don't care what you say about them and they are not motivated by things said in the paper or on talk shows. What does hurt is the message you try to send to recruits both now and in the future. You are so wrapped up in your own selfish thoughts and your desire to see a coaching change that you actually believe something you say can bring that about.
GET OVER IT!!! IT AINT GONNA HAPPEN THAT WAY.
You guys have absolutely no say so in what happens to Coaches or players . It takes a pretty warped self image to believe otherwise.

Posted by dbartteach on October 7, 2007 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pennington's article would have been better if the former players who were quoted had been willing to be identified. These anonymous sources quotes sound too much like a political party.
He made a comment that there were a lot of little things that may have led to a big change. Maybe that's true. Little things like Ainge's broken finger, Hardesty's ankle injury, Coker's suspension, Colquitt's quad injury, Karl's back injury that kept him out of almost all of the pre-season practices. Notice that every one of these is an experienced player on a team with a lot of youth. Maybe those little things had something to do with the poor start. I'm not saying we would have beaten Cal and Florida if these things had not happened, but I'm sure the games would have been much more competitive. Let's see how the rest of the season plays out. In spite of what some of you seem to think, NO TEAM can win them all.

Posted by Colliervol on October 7, 2007 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Uh, why36knot, I would have to disagree with you a little. While I don't think players and coaches spend any time on message boards, I guarantee you they read the papers and watch ESPN. And if they don't, they hear the criticism even if it's their parents and friends telling them about it. And to think otherwise is just naive. I quote from another article:

"It was like a sigh of relief for senior defensive end Xavier Mitchell.

He had heard the negative thoughts.

"We're as conscious of it as the media guys are," he said. "You've got guys on ESPN, like Kirk Herbstreit, and everybody else wanting to say something about Coach (Phillip) Fulmer, but he's a great coach." They watch, they hear and they respond.

I do agree with you that, at the end of the day, it doesn't ultimately matter what is said on a talk show or an internet board. That's not where the decisions are made. There are a select few that will make that decision when the time comes.

Posted by invisiblekid on October 7, 2007 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Interesting thoughts that raise some good questions in your post Crank E. I don't think Pennington said anything other than what has been on the mind of fans and media types for several years now and he was far less critical than comments made by Higgins, Biddle, and the rest in the other article posted this week. I have to wonder if some of the posters actually took the time to read the article by Pennington. Seems like there would have been more outrage at the story by Higgins than this one to me.

Just a theory, but it seems to me that maybe those players requested that there identities be withheld due to their continuing relationships with the program and their overall respect for Fulmer. A few quotes from the story to back up my theory:

"These men also, let me be very clear, love Tennessee football. To a man they told me that Phillip Fulmer is a good football coach."

"The players I spoke with have all maintained some connection to UT since their playing days. Whether they’ve taken in Vol practices or spent time in the Vol weight room, they have all seen, they say, changes in the program first-hand."

"Fans and former players alike have a lot of questions. Still, most continue to believe that the current coaching staff can get things back to a championship level."

"With a win this afternoon (coupled with a Florida loss at LSU), Tennessee can be right back in control of their own SEC destiny as early as tomorrow morning. That’s a reason for optimism… in a time of many questions."

With comments like that, it doesn't look like the prototypical hatchet job some are making it out to be to me.

Posted by TSNVol on October 7, 2007 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coaches put players in the position to win or lose...Saturday the Tennessee coaches did just that, they coached! And of course the players executed. It all comes down to both sides coming together, offense & defense. What a great game Saturday against Georgia. This was a game that I really enjoyed watching. It was fun to see the trick play to Coker and the punt formation change. That's coaching. You add a wrench in the game plan. I hope this is a sign of things to come, but sadly for UT, it was a good win over a team that can be added to those teams overrated. Lets talk again after the Alabama, So. Carolina and Kentucky games.

Posted by avolfan4u on October 7, 2007 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The column was very good and spot on. Fulmer, Chavis and Cutcliffe think they shouldn't be questioned as if they are beyond accountability. But the fact is his team doesn't play with passion, intensity and fundamental basics. They haven't covered kicks or punts for years. Until yesterday. If it takes criticism to make them coach then write some more critical columns. I know this, I drove to FL to see that slaughter and won't do it again, until TN is consistent enough to earn my doing so.

Posted by SmokeDog72 on October 7, 2007 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Get real folks. Pennington was doing his job. I think it is great to see the Vols play as well as they did, but I think that our staff has the obligation to demand that type of passion and hustle every day.

For those of you who consider Pennington a coward, I guess you don't read much news. Tons of articles or editorials have unnamed sources. That is how the authors are able to get the information from many within a situation. The sources do not want to be named. If you bring that source out into the open, they will never be a source again. So, call him cowardly, but the fact of the matter is that he got alot of information that would not have had light shed on it without going the route he did.

Posted by 55Vol on October 7, 2007 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CRVol...would you have paid the bet????

Firefulmer...you you dumb or what?? Let me answer that one...YES!!!

You would not have teh guts to confront Fulmer directly to his face if you had the chance.

As for Pennington.... as I have already posted....if we get into a shooting war, stay out of my foxhole... with opinions like yours, who needs John Adams?

Posted by asleep on October 7, 2007 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I like Pennington's articles and read them every week. His quotes from unnamed players struck me as a little odd but I understand why they might want to remain anonymous. However, I believe if you want to speak your mind, you should have the guts to put your name with your comments. And to be fair, to a man all Fulmer's former players expressed confidence in his ability to bring the program back to into the national discussion. I suppose we will know in the next 3 weeks, huh? Go Vols!!!

Posted by texan on October 7, 2007 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It should be obvious to everyone that Fulmer used the article and others to motivate the players. So who cares...it worked..but what will he use next naysayers?

Posted by texan on October 7, 2007 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

agentorange, It's not the press that recruits, nor is it their responsibility to protect UT.

Posted by marinevol on October 7, 2007 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The whiners and haters have confirmed my suspicions today. You can tell by their posts that they are really mad and disappointed that Tennessee beat Georgia. You're not kidding anybody anymore by pretending to be Vol fans. There is still hope for you. Maybe Alabama will beat UT. You guys have something in common with your Bama fans, you hate Coach Fulmer as much as they do.

Posted by texan on October 7, 2007 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marinevol, Give me a break. Think from your head..the one on your neck...not on your____ and you will figure out that all of us wanted to win. Some of us just wanted to help and not sit complacent on our butts and not help the cause. The criticism was needed and it worked..at least this week.

Posted by VOLFANSTKGA on October 7, 2007 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was wrong and you were right and for all the years I didn't see the VOLS play this well - I am proud of them. Great game - ya'll deserve it!!!!

Posted by marinevol on October 7, 2007 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

houtxvol, you are a total fool if you think the whining and hate directed toward Fulmer played any part in the win over Georgia. Very mature post, by the way. Yeah, you whiners deserve all the credit for the victory. Keep crying in your beer, jerk. Take satisfaction in knowing that Tennessee will eventually lose again, and you can celebrate again. Until then it sure is great to watch you jerks suffer.

Posted by texan on October 7, 2007 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marinevol, and just how did your "mature" support help the Vols win?

Posted by marinevol on October 7, 2007 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Get over it houtxvol. There's always next year, right. Now be a good loser, instead of just a loser.

Posted by texan on October 7, 2007 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You called me a jerk marinevol, and my blood runs orange. Does yours? I am not a loser. I am a concerned Alum not a jerk. Are you?

Posted by marinevol on October 7, 2007 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Aw houty, now I feel bad. I'm afraid I hurt your little feelings. Please try to get over it. I called you a jerk because of your low-class post you made to me. Had you forgotten about that?

Posted by marinevol on October 7, 2007 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, houter, I am a LOYAL alum.

Posted by texan on October 7, 2007 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Low class? Now I know where your brain is 'rooted'. Thanks.

Posted by marinevol on October 7, 2007 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow houto, I knew you weren't really a UT alum. That last post had to come from a 6th grader. Does your momma know you talk like that on the internet?

Posted by texan on October 7, 2007 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

She sure does jarhead and is also damn proud her son is an Army Cav Vet. As she is that all of her sons and grandchildren are UT Alums. We all say it like we see it and she is also proud of that. Of course she is most proud of the fact that we think about it before we say it.

Posted by marinevol on October 7, 2007 at 11:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is she also proud of the fact that the majority of your posts have made some snide comment about my anatomy? I am not in the Army, but in the Marine Corps that kind of conduct is discouraged. Also, I come on this site to talk about UT football, not to be propositioned by an ex soldier. Go Vols.

Posted by texan on October 7, 2007 at 11:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's why I'm here too. We can agree to disagree right? Go Big Orange!

Posted by rootin4volz on October 8, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SmokeDog...Penny may have been doing his job, but it's not a "job," apparently, that is sanctioned by the KNS according to Hooker here. I believe it's a job that has been self-described by Penny himself, and he's managed to worm his way into the Knoxville media somehow. As a result, he does nothing, it would seem, but shamelessly self-promote his own interests in an effort to boost his own ratings. To use the Vols for such ends on the day of a big game when recruits are in town only makes it that much more shameless. Fulmer had every reason to speak out against him. KNS, you should stop printing his drivel...WATE, you should take him off the air.

Posted by sgtvols on October 8, 2007 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

just look at the record since 1999. this is now into the eighth year without a sec cham or a major bowl game. no opinion, no emotions, just look at the record. if you're satisfied, good for you, obviously our AD is.