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Offense springs to life

First-play touchdown sets tone

By Mark Burgess (Contact)
Originally published 09:45 p.m., April 19, 2008
Updated 09:45 p.m., April 19, 2008

There was a wipe of the brow and a sigh of relief from Jonathan Crompton and Dave Clawson.

All they wanted was a feel-good finish to their spring.

They got one.

Tennessee's offense under Clawson, the Vols' first-year coordinator, remains a work in progress, but it put up big numbers in the annual Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

A crowd announced at 28,988 watched Crompton complete 13-of-20 passes for 266 yards, three touchdowns and one interception as the White beat the Orange 38-16.

"I don't know the stats," Crompton said, "but we just tried to end the spring on a good note and that's what we did."

Clawson didn't wait around to unleash his junior quarterback, either.

On the first play of the day, Denarius Moore went deep.

Crompton proved the Vols can throw long, hitting him in stride for a 74-yard pass play down the left sideline.

Touchdown.

"That's what we wanted to do," Crompton said. "We wanted to take a shot deep on the first play depending on the coverage. It was there and that set us up the rest of the day to sling it around a little bit."

Granted, he was slinging it around against the second-team defense, but none of that mattered.

"I thought early especially we executed extremely well offensively," UT head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "It was good to see Jonathan in that kind of rhythm.

"There were some really big plays in the passing game. I thought he had a good day except for that last ball."

It's the last ball, a short throw over the middle that was intercepted by LaMarcus Thompson, that bothered Crompton more than anything.

Avoiding those mistakes will be a focus of Clawson's offseason work with Crompton.

"I think part of that is, when you're a backup, you play eight or 10 plays at a time," Clawson said. "The challenge of the starter is to play 65, 75, 85 plays at a time.

"That's a lot of the transition going from a backup to the starter. You have to come out sharp mentally and not make those mistakes the 67th, the 73rd, the 85th plays of the game. To me that just comes from repetitions."

Crompton was nearly flawless in the first half, going 10 of 14 for 233 yards and the three TDs.

He hooked up with Josh Briscoe (four catches, 72 yards) for his other two scores, an 18-yard pass and a 31-yard laser near the end of the half.

"Right away, you could tell he was a physically talented player," Clawson said of Crompton. "He can make every throw and he's athletic.

"Like any quarterback that's learning the system or taking over as the starter, a lot of it is just management of the game."

Running back Arian Foster took most of the day off with one carry for eight yards, but Lennon Creer picked up the slack with 59 yards on 10 carries, including a 3-yard TD.

The "G-Gun" package with Gerald Jones lined up at quarterback also made a couple of appearances, including a 17-yard TD pass to Moore.

The lone "Orange" touchdown came on an 8-yard pass from B.J. Coleman (9-of-13, 80 yards) to Tauren Poole.

Other scores came via the field-goal route: Daniel Lincoln a 43-yarder for the White, Deven Mathis from 30 and 45 for the Orange and Taka Koyano from 41 yards for the Orange.

Defensively, the big plays came from the usual suspects.

Sophomore safety Eric Berry intercepted Nick Stephens (6-of-17, 44 yards, two interceptions) and had a 25-yard return.

Junior safety Demetrice Morley ran back another interception of Stephens 18 yards.

"That was more of what we've seen all spring," Fulmer said. "The secondary is very talented and experienced enough now to get themselves in position to make plays.

"If they can get their hands on the ball, those two guys especially, can make big things happen."

Morley also had the hit of the day, a crunching blow on Quintin Hancock to break up a pass.

"Even though it's a spring game, it just happened, man," Morley said. "It's reflexes. I told him I'm sorry, man. He's OK."

So is the first-team offense - at least for now.

"I think we're better now than we were practice one," Clawson said, "but I don't feel like we would be ready to play UCLA next week.

"We started here, we need to get there, and we're somewhere in between. We have a lot of work to do."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       127 Comments

Posted by VolPride_13 on April 19, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That is what I like to see!! Our team throwing it DOWN THE FIELD for a change (not to take anything away from ainge, as he was hurt!!!) AND why in the world did we use the G-Gun package to THROW in, the opponents might be watching this and practice for it!!!
All in all What a great Game for the Offense and Defense!!!

Posted by IPOrange on April 19, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No word here on special teams play. Anybody have any info. on how that went?

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 19, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Special teams was average at best. There were a couple of decent kick returns but most all of the punt returns were fair catches.

Posted by tigervol9802 on April 19, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounded somewhat promising from what I heard on radio. That or we have even less depth on than I thought.

I now say 3-5 at October's end!

Posted by vtvol on April 19, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It was good to see the offense air it out even though it was against an arrested defense. Crompton solidified hiimself as the Vols number one signal caller with a crisp and efficient performance. I think that just the possibilty of Gerald Jones completing a pass out of the G-gun will give opposing defenses pause and unsuredness whenever he lines up behind center. His TD pass today will reverberate at all schools on our 2008 schedule. It would have been nice after the White team got up 35-3 to see how Crompton would've fared against our pass rush unleashed full-speed. It's not as easy to complete 65% with the green jersey off. Stunning hit by Demetrice Morley. He's going to rip some heads off this fall! Jesus-- over four long months until some meaingful football happens! It can't get here soon enough. Go Vols!

Posted by DaddyVol on April 19, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GOONSQUAD, GOONSQUAD!! Awesome! Would be interesting to see how Cromton would have takenWes Brown coming off the edge. He looked great. Would have liked to see Tauren poole run behind the starting O-line. He looks really good.

Posted by awhill00 on April 19, 2008 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And I say 8-0 at October's end!

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on April 19, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't get to see the game or watch it on TV. My Google skills are not great, does anyone know where I could watch recorded video of the O&W game on the internet?

Posted by DaddyVol on April 19, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you have CSS on tv, it comes on at 7:00 or 7:30 tomorrow.

Posted by andy112382 on April 19, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yea, i can't wait to watch this one, I live down here in North Augusta, SC and don't get any coverage other than here and other Tennessee sites, sounds like it is a good one watch, though!

GO VOLS!!!

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on April 19, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Unfortunately, Charter Cable doesn't have a market in Louisiana...my provider is Cox Communications. Bummer...oh well.

Posted by ZWVol11 on April 19, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well I know it comes on Sports South tomorrow but all in all i thought the game started out as a breath of fresh air and then it seemed to kind of be the same old stuff but when they threw out of the G-Gun I was sitting up there in the endzone and I turned to my friend and I said they're gonna throw it and everyone just kind of looked at me like I was crazy. After the TD I just said I told you so.

Posted by jeremyinitalia on April 20, 2008 at midnight (Suggest removal)

Cox wonderful Cox...CST is rediculous

Posted by 72vol on April 20, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sport south is showing the game sunday at 7pm.

Posted by utchris2003 on April 20, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They will open the UCLA game with the same bomb (unless there is a really funky coverage to prevent it) that they ran today. Go ahead and make REservations for SIX.

Posted by newtonrail on April 20, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vol in lsu land, sports south should be there if Cox carries it. I'm on Charter, but I know others like Knoxville on Comcast get it. It covered Ladies Vols Softball, then other teams in the South.

Posted by cwisenhower on April 20, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why doesn't Crompton throw against Berry and D-Mo? Doesn't make any sense to me...1st team versus 1st team, second vs second...we're not going to get any team's second string defense.

Posted by badawg44 on April 20, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

8-0 by end of Oct?... yeah, ok and you'll be the first one to say fire Fulmer. I say maybe 4-4.

G-Gun, I like it. G for Georgia right!?!

Get ready goon squatt, Stafford has a bigger GUN.

See y'all 2morrow, gotta get some zzz's.

Sic'em!

Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 20, 2008 at 2 a.m. (Suggest removal)

badawg,

I've heard about Stafford for about 15 years now and still haven't heard of him actually doing anything... especially against TN.

If you are a courteous poster on this board, maybe we will be courteous and spot GA another 17 point lead, ala 2006, before we turn it on.

Fulmer owns Richt.

Posted by sjt18 on April 20, 2008 at 2:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

badawg, How does it feel? I mean really. Everyone loves to kick CPF but the only time MR has beaten him lately is when UT melted down in 2005 and even then it wasn't any kind of domination. The last two games haven't been particularly competitive. UT just outclassed UGA in virtually every way.

PS- Even some of the more pessimistic UT fans are now saying that Clawson is for real... do you want to think how much worse it can get than the last two games?

Posted by pdhuff on April 20, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought it was illegal to throw a pass over 8 yards. Did the rules change?

Posted by pdhuff on April 20, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ZWVol11 - what was the attendance?

Posted by KingsportVol on April 20, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

re 7:01 pd We don't have a girl playing QB this year.Rules are out the window.

Posted by tngeoff on April 20, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, well, well. All the smack talkers about Crompton got their flappers shut. As I predicted...he will be THE man and make a huge difference for a very potent offense. Congratulations team and NEW COACHES. Very, very encouraging offense.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 20, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Crompton sure surprised me tngeoff. He looked good even if it were against the 2nd team D. I hope now that his confidence is up, they start to play him against the 1st team D. If he can play well against that pass rush and secondary, Mr. Crompton should be feared across the SEC.

Posted by eduardo on April 20, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So much for the vaunted secondary. Looks lots of offense means no defense. No better than 8-4 people!

Posted by sevenmaxims on April 20, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All punts were fair caught by spring game ground rule.

Posted by ETorange on April 20, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

badwag44, why don't you help find water for the idiots in the state house or better yet help them with legal action to get your favorite team in the national championship game.
The way the username looks is that bad wag, NO TAIL?

Posted by DSaVol on April 20, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Alright all you kool-aid drinkers, it's obviously time to get jacked up!! The Vols won!!! Now if only the 12 teams on the schedule will agree to play their 2nd team against the Big Orange Ones it would be something to look forward to! Yessirree, this Clawson/Crompton duo has the look of champions now doesn't it??? And ole Norm Chow - you know, the OC that EVERYBODY said wouldn't take a college job - well, I know he's losing sleep thinking about opening against this stalwart band of ChavisChumps! Oh and I can't wait for Nov. 8 and that HUGE homecoming game! Won't it be wonderful to see about 85,000 actual ATTENDEES welcome the Vols home just when they need it to face Wyoming! With at least 6 losses at that point, the great kool-aid crowd will be needed more than ever if the Vols are to reel off three straight wins and claim a berth in the Music City Bowl! And the best news is that by winning those last three, ole FOOLmer should only need to hang around for THREE more years to pass Neyland!! There IS hope!!! Or is that another perfect storm cloud I see??????

Posted by pdhuff on April 20, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen Fritter, sir, 8:09 you mention a "pass rush", could you 'splain that term for we'un Vol fans?

Was Dupree at the game?

DSaVol - Tell us how you really feel!

For the really doldrum affected, splodetv.com - drunk girl launches.

Posted by Ashley on April 20, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

134 days till Football Time in Tennessee!!!!!!

Posted by tngeoff on April 20, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I actually am optimistic...AGAIN. Yes...there have been many, many disappointments, but right now with the new coaches and the offense we'll be fielding, I feel really optimistic. The "d" is questionable. Obviously we have an exceptional defensive backfield...but that isn't enough to win a Championship. I really think Coach Chavis is on automatic pilot and doesn't have ANY fire at all. That is a BIG problem. But...I think our new offensive coaches, their newly designed offense, their enthusiasm, the players they're coaching and the way they all click is a great moment for us. Will I be "egative" (or truthful depending on the perspective) if things go wrong. No doubt. But right now I am optimistic. The player parade of police blotter specialization has ended. As I said before...in a complete revelation of the real truth to the goofballs who said "It's just kids...it happens everywhere...it's uncontrollable." Correct me if I'm wrong...it has been CONTROLLED. Or did Jupiter suddenly align with Mars and we saw the dawning of the age of aquarius?

The defense worries me big time and we will NOT win by defense alone. We are more likely to win by offense ALONE. I wish Chavis would give us one last hurrah and then move on. This year is critical. I don't care how long anyone has a contract for...THIS YEAR is critical. My wife and I will take full advantage of our season tickets...again...open with zeal...and watch what unfolds. The truth lies dead ahead.

Posted by tngeoff on April 20, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff.

Good grief! I was forced to capture that website for many future references. Great find! Great stuff!

May the fritters be with you always:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7paSmzlwxYg

Posted by ElizabethtonvolnNC on April 20, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DSA- Until we have another 2005 can we please let that one go? I will accept one "perfect storm" every 14 years...AND a National Championship.

Posted by DSaVol on April 20, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well I guess you will also accept that IT'S NOW BEEN 3,422 DAYS SINCE TN WON AN SEC CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOOTBALL!!!

And since then LSU has 3 titles, FL and GA have 2 each and AL and AUB have one each! Yeah this is an ELITE program with GREAT leadership! But I'm sure you'll remind me of how many times FOOLmer and Co. have beaten Memphis, La-Laffy, Air Force, Duke, Vandy, Kentucky, SC, etc etc....

Posted by slovog on April 20, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

badawg ...

...why would you get on this thread and spew that silliness when your team has been rocked by the Vols the past two years and still has a losing record to Tennessee at Neyland and at home?

Are you a typical Georgia idiot? Or just the average, run-of-the-mill idiot?

Posted by tigervol9802 on April 20, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If we have to let 05 go, can we also let 98 go too? We're now celebrating 10 years since our last national title. Or are we celebrating 10 years since our last SEC title?

DSaVol -

5-6 headed into the UK game, and UK beats us at Neyland.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 20, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

practice......man we talking bout practice..wait till the season start b4 u start crowning tha valz i mean victims to florida 3 yrs str8..good to have hope tho glad to c that!!!!!!!..have a nice day

Posted by grvol on April 20, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hopefully the pedictable, painful to watch dink and dunk of the Sanders/Cut era is gone. Maybe UT football can finally move forward again.

Posted by waterskier3 on April 20, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

there you go agan DSavol.. giving stats... people on here will give you countless other stats on fulmer winning percentage and lets not forget those 4 fab east div championships... wow!!

the only stats that matter are the ones you pointed out!!! 3,422 days and counting....

on the positive side sounds like crompton is looking better... my concern is still the Defense... dline has to get better to compete for any type of bcs game or championship!!!

GO VOLS and have a great week

Posted by ThurmondEppy on April 20, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't mind the GA fans. I live in ATL and I am constantly amazed by their smack talk. They still talk about Herschel and their 1980 NC like it was yesterday and they delude themselves into truly thinking that they are contenders every year. Makes it even more fun when we beat them.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on April 20, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

would agree with others---1st team O against 2nd team D and vice versa proves very little---and anyone who takes that much from it needs to lay off the orange liquid for the 4 months just as the players have 4 mo off------while it doesnt give a real indication of the players it does give some of the coaching style and would appear we going to open it up some and go downfield and thats good to see----------this irrelevant 1st against 2nd setup is more designed to get the fan base excited and optimistic than give a real indication of what we got

Posted by Beasty72 on April 20, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DSaVol----True we have not won the SEC championship since 98 but we have played for the SEC championship as much as anyone in the entire SEC has.One year we were upset by LSU but the other two years we lost to an undefeated Auburn team that should have played for the National Championship and the National Champions that humiliated Ohio State in the National Championship.

I would love to win it all every year but so would every other team in the NCAA. I think it was a hell of an accomplishment what our team did last year with the way the level of competition has grown in the SEC,

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on April 20, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

thurmondeppy, lets be honest and fair about it- we engage in smacktalk and often delussion as well---how quickly you forget they beat us 3 in row

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 20, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

eduardo - your comments prove that you were not at the O&W Game. The 1st team secondary was stellar.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 20, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff - Fritter Movie drew a tear to my eye.

Posted by SFOrange on April 20, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Its a SPRING GAME, installing a NEW offense. Its PRACTICE. Take a deep breath and relax...enjoy the spring/summer...and the real work begins in August.

Noticed (in photos/highlights) differences in Neyland at field level--brick walls (looks cool), grass cut alternate light/dark (every 5 yards)--did anyone attended the game--does that change the feel of the stadium....and are there other changes inside the bowl? Go Vols.

Posted by givehim6 on April 20, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is great to come to come to this post and hear fans talking positively about UT football again. And listing how good THE VOLS are playing now. But then ad a few sour fans, plus a few UAG, UF, or BAMA people and throw around there little digs at UT, I mean really, I don't go to your guys sites and cut your team, or put down my team. A bit of respest.

Posted by jcorange98 on April 20, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

we can only hope all ut punts are fair catches bc we cant cover kicks, oh maybe if ut had live coverage practice or if starters played sp teams, someone will make a cut and ut will be out of position, same old sh

Posted by eb502us on April 20, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Funny how DsaVol is on Fulmer's arse yet he was kissing Buzz's arse until the day he was fired. I guess his dislexia is rearing it's ugly head again. Talk about a guy that knows nothing about UT sports, much less coaching......that's DsaVol folks.

Posted by miamiVOL on April 20, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

eduardo, you can go ahead and finish bricking up Neyland, BY YOUR SELF ENJOY

Posted by Ashley on April 20, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

gaterfan8, what ghetto crack rock did you crawl out from under?

Posted by alfrizzle097 on April 20, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A couple of people wonder why we threw out of the G-gun, effectively showing our hand. This way Florida will have to acknowledge that possibility and not pack 10 men in the box. That way we can use it in the game without actually having to pass. Remember, the pass has a much greater potential for disaster than the run.

Posted by pdhuff on April 20, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A calm will now settle across the land. Doldrums have assumed the mantle of summer. Selah.

Time to let the koolaid age.........

Posted by 99gator on April 20, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

there is a rumor on gator boards.....

that there are some vols in trouble with grades. is that true? if so, does anyone have an inkling as to who?

person who posted the rumor said that he saw fulmer on television and that fulmer specifically referred to bolden and mccoy.

can anyone verify this or is this a big load of .....

Posted by brdteton on April 20, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Impressive strong negativity for a spring game... Keep it up haters.

Posted by tngeoff on April 20, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General_Fritter.

Thank you Sir! How Heavenly they are...most nobody knew! Now...the truth be told! 5005!

Posted by Phowell23 on April 20, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You would think after the beat down TN gave GA last year they would shut it until they actually show up and play.

Offense sounds like they are starting to fire. Hopefully, they can oil it down a little more before UCLA and come out firing on all cylinders. Even if we don't I think we'll still win as I don't think UCLA can move the ball against our defense. For those now scared we don't have a great defensive team, it's much easier to get pumped up for Orange/White game for the offense rather then defense.

Posted by rusty_shackleford on April 20, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

little stevie superior's 2 QBs threw 8, count 'em EIGHT, PICKS in their spring game!! Smelley is living up to his name!

Posted by TurboFan on April 20, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, Kenny O'Neal missed some spring practices because of academics. Have seen nothing about Bolden or McCoy this spring in that regard. McCoy missed the Outback Bowl because of academics.

Posted by TurboFan on April 20, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, add Bolden to the list of players that missed the Outback bowl. I forgot. Looks like your rumor mongerer has old news.

Posted by movol77 on April 20, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only stats that matter are the ACTUAL ones. Made up predictions of doom don't count. :)

Posted by VOLS85 on April 20, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So here's the deal, if the offense does well it is most obviously because they're playing the second team defense, and Fulmer is incompetent...If the offense is ineffective, then we're going 5-7 this year and Fulmer is incompetent...either way, Fulmer can do no right. Can someone please tell me what this team should have done yesterday to please you, because I am having a hard time finding any positives out of 70% of you...

Posted by abnermc on April 20, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's your positives: Badwag, the Ga dogs will fail to live up to stretched expectations AGAIN . The hype is way over the top & for what ? finishing strong LAST YEAR. Every year you do this ; NC my ..foot.
Fla will prob. beat us as usual because it's early gme & they always get up for us but meyer will lose down the stretch ,as usual, & we go back to Atl. Fulmer gets better, meyer gets worse. Fla will be our only loss. Count on it. Crompton is the man!!!!!

Posted by keithswafford on April 20, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we are just as good as anyone in the SEC, if anyone argues against that statement they are wrong.

Posted by 55Vol on April 20, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stadium looked good. Hard to see it all with teh plywood barriers along section Q. Brick looks real good. The offense was clicking. While they scored heavily in the first half, they will score on people this year and give other DC's some things to prepare for. It ain't the same old Tenn. They looked refreshed and crisp. Defense looks to be much better than they started last year, with still much room for improvement at LB. Wes Brown looked good off the edge. Chris Scott handled Ben Martin however. Ben still has some maturing to do. Overall things looked more positive than the past few years.

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 20, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You 5-7 prognosticators must be smoking the same crack as gatorfan8 (who is either a 14 year old or must be posting from his cell phone by the way he types).

'05 was a "perfect storm". Everything that could go wrong did go wrong that year. There is absolutely nothing that would indicate a repeat this year.

At worst we go 8-4 with losses to UF, UGA, AUB, and Bama. At best we go 11-1 (just because its too hard to win them all in the SEC)with a random loss to one of the above four teams. Reality will probably be 9-3.

Regardless of what any of us THINK may happen I like to take the glass half full approach and think the team I hold so dear is capable of wining the SEC this year. There is more positive potential than negative.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on April 20, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well... the koolaid is vintage today!! Good to have you back on the optimistic side tngeoff! Let's hope that we are not deceiving ourselves and that we really will have a great year. I am with ya!

Posted by chadbuckles on April 20, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DSa, you have exactly 134 days to continue your "positive" attitude.

I find it very funny that when TN wins and you predict a loss the week before it takes you forever to eat your words, but the second we lose, here you come. No one loves losing, but as everyone saw last year, everyone lost at least once. So in closing you will have probably at lease one "great week" next year to stick your chest out and say "I told you so!"

Have a great off-season!

Go Vols!

Posted by tngeoff on April 20, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nicksjuzunk.

Hey Bro'! Hope all is well with the new little one! I am optimistic and hope to remain so. The first few games will set the tone. Let's hope we're really ready to roll! I think we are.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 20, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Crompton really looked incredible, but to be fair, it was against backups who were not very good. Plus, he was given good protection and was wearing a green jersey. One of the DB's who got burned on his near 80 yard bomb - I had never heard of. You can bet, he will face better players in every game. Even keeping that in perspective, Crompton's decision making, arm strength, quick release, and passing accuracy was very impressive.
I feel much better about this team having watched the O&W Game. Had Crompton stunk up the house against subs like last season, I wouldn't have any confidence in this team. The verdict is still out, but the Vols passed the first test and in a big way.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 20, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTY - The brick wall around the field was not completed but you could tell it was going to look really good. Much of the stadium, bathrooms, and best seats were blocked off for rennovation. I think there was close to 30,000 at the game.

Posted by tngeoff on April 20, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike Hamilton is pulling out all the stops in his quest for cash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZrX37...

This is next step apparently.

Posted by GerryOP on April 20, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whoa... The QBs wore the green jersey?????

Posted by KingsportVol on April 20, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does anybody know when the next replay will be?

Posted by pdhuff on April 20, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen Fritter, you may lay the headphones aside, rub some aloe on the sore typing fingers and set on the side porch with a flagon of strong waters.

Doldrums are here and roiling is put aside till about Augie 20th. Have a good summer.

Posted by leedsvol2007 on April 20, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UGA and UF will be the favorites in the East. We will be laying in the weeds.

The scenario is similar to 98 when there were question marks at many positions including QB going into the season.

That team had great leadership and worked very in the off-season.

Let's hope this one does the same.

Posted by GreerVol22 on April 20, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kingsport, here you go bud. All on CSS or FSS if you have DirecTV.

Times are as follows:

Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern time (Game not seen in Atlanta due to Atlanta Hawks playoff coverage…75-mile radius)

Wednesday at 11 p.m. Eastern time

Saturday, April 26, at 5 p.m. Eastern time (within the Hawks 75-mile radius); 8 p.m. Eastern time (all other viewers)

Sunday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time

Posted by KingsportVol on April 20, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Greer thanks my brother.I ended up recording a dang back shaving contest from the University of Alabama.Same girl won again this year.Thanks again.

Posted by tigervol9802 on April 20, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is amazing how many people think that 9-3 or 8-4 and Eastern Division titles are ok.

Sorry folks, I could care less about "competing" for SEC titles. I care about "winning" SEC titles.

Face it - we're NOT an elite program nationally or even in the conference anymore. Sorry, second tier doesn't cut it for me.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 20, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought Crompton looked really good, nice zip on the ball, accurate, and quick decisions but my enthusiasm is tempered a bit by the green jersey and lack of blitzing. Beating Derrick Furlow deep isn't the same as doing it against some of the guys they will see across the SEC. One thing to keep in mind is that 2 of the top 3 WR's from last year, Rogers and Taylor, didn't play. If nothing else, this scrimmage settled any lingering questions about the QB situation though.

Creer looked much improved as well. I think he can be a real nice change of pace behind Foster and I believe both guys will be used much more in the passing game under Clawson. Tauren Poole looked green but has the raw talent to back the hype.

I don't think the philosophy on offense has changed drastically but one fundamental difference between Clawson and Cutcliffe appears to be the willingness to go over the middle. Another difference is the return of the I formation and something besides the 3 WR sets we saw so much of the past 2 years.

Defensively, they were very limited and I don't know much more about them than I did before the game. Morley didn't show any signs of rust and Berry is the leader of this defense along with McCoy. Those two guys just look to be at a different speed at times flying to the ball.

There were plenty of positives to take away from this game but the one thing that worries me as much as anything is depth. Our first team guys look solid across the board but there has to be some improvement in our second team guys.

Now, all we can do is sit back and hope the guys stay in the weight room and out of trouble until Fall.

Posted by GerryOP on April 20, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol, I think you will find that some (many?) of us will be satisfied this year with nothing less than a SEC title. His loyalty and 1998 NC gives him a "pardon" for 2005, but he must show progress each year since then toward the goal of a SEC title -- at least. The 1998 SEC title and NC ring is showing extensive tarnish.

Posted by yourtheonlytennisee on April 20, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

go vols, this will be a big year

Posted by GerryOP on April 20, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i-kid, thanks for your report. A bit less glowing than some of the others, but appears to be more objective. Like you, the green jersey and no blitzing tempers my enthusiasm. I think we tried that before and it turned out to be a negative. Thanks again.

Posted by badawg44 on April 20, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whats up fellas, just came back from fishing. Didn't catch a dadgum thing.. prolly because the water is too low. Anywho, lets talk some football.

Yep, y'all beat us last 2 yrs in a row. No excuse at all, y'all beat us fair and square... rookie QB or young linemen, dudn't matter, a lost is a lost. Last season's game was an old fashion butt whupping. But here's the thing though, in a way, that beat down was prolly the best thing for our team. I think it changed the way Richt coached. He made it clear to his team, that'll never happened again.. ever. We didn't feel sorry for ourselves and we didn't QUIT! We fought back and finished the season on a strong note. Yes, I wish the Rose would've given us a chance to play USC. I think we would've beaten the Trojans in their back yard. We were the hottest team, IMO... a la NY Giants. But it is what it is.

With that said, expectations are pretty high for the upcoming season. And we are not going to shy away from talking national title. We're not being cocky by all means, no, I think if we don't make it to the show, it would be a big dissapointment, of course. Heck, isn't that what everybody plays for?... the ultimate goal is to play for SECCG and a chance for BCS-title right? But, I'll still love my team no matter.

We definitely have a lot of key players returning. My only concern right now, is the O-line and the brutal schedule.

O-line is mostly are all sophomores and freshmens. We are much younger than we were last season. Only one junior on the line, but he's only on his second year with the system.. Vince Vance, 6-8 330, was a JUCO. These young guys have plenty of time to mature by fall and they should. If we survive this sked with one loss, we should play for the title.

The vols will be tough to beat as always. It'll be a close game. IMO, I think we'll win this one, finally. Our D will make a key stop in the 4th qtr, to pull away with a W... we're deep in our front 7, btw. Our season will depend solely on our D. D-line will bring pressures from up the middle and on the edge. 4-DTs will rotate to stay fresh.. Jeff Owen-sr, Geno Atkins-jr.. will prolly go pro early, Kade Weston-jr, Corvey Irvin-sr, Ricardo Crawford-so & Brandon Wood-so. At DEs, Roderick Battle-jr, Jarius Wynn-sr.. remember this guy's name, he's a force, J-Lo, Jeremy Lomax-sr, Michael Lemons-so, Demarcus Dobbs-so, Neland Ball-fr & Justin Houston-fr. I'm not including the '08 class.

If we lose, I'll be the first one on this blog to congratulate y'all.

sic'em dawgs!

Posted by iowavol on April 20, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tigervol, we get it - you are not satisfied as a VOL fan.

What I liked about the offense was the crispness and the versatility. Yep, they were playing against the 2's, many of whom will see significant playing time. Yep, Crompton will face stiffer comp in the fall. But, he threw the ball with authority, hit people in stride and moved the ball around. Creer looked sharp running to through the hole. Even Stoker looked, well, stoked.

On the negative side with Tigervol, what's up with Kesling? Anybody catch his commentary and the first play - "Crompton threw the ball 75 yards in the air into a stiff breeze...". Crompton threw the ball about 47 yards given the 10 yards he dropped back and the 38 yards Denarious ran with the ball after he caught it. Kesling is about the worst replacement for Ward we could find. I was frustrated with his play calling last year - especially with his infamous 16 yard fieldgoal - and only further frustrated with his basketball announcing. Hamilton, you have to do better.

Posted by Orangebleeder47 on April 20, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm makin' a very interesting prediction...If the vols win their first 3 games of the season, they will have a comfortable spot in the top 6...maybe the top 5...That's how much respect people have for Tennessee Football...

Posted by pdhuff on April 20, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My prediction - its going to be a long hot summer with no football until Sept 1.

Watch a little NASCAR, clear land along the creeks and avoid MLB (zzzzzzzz) at all costs.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on April 20, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iowavol, to each heir own opinion ---mine is I think kessling is quite good at basketball in particular----think he and bert make for an exciting call----------whats your problems with his BB----------noone here would be happy with any ward successor no matter who it would be

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 3:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

badawg, That was a nice post. Not much to disagree with. You didn't mention WR's but if I were you that would be my major concern along with replacing those two OL's, Brown, and Henderson. You lost a lot of experience and production on O. Massaquoi honestly has never lived up to his potential.

If it weren't for your schedule and your recent bad history against UT, I'd be higher on your chances. As it is, you get Bama, @LSU, and @Aub while UF gets LSU, Ole Miss, and @Ark. UT gets Bama, @Aub, and MSU. It may not be particularly fair but your best team in years could very easily finish 3rd in the East.

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 3:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, if UGA gets through that schedule with one or no losses then they should get in the BCS CG regardless of what anyone else does.

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 4:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For those who can be negative even at this point (if you are genuinely Vol fans)...

They were up front about what they were trying to accomplish in this spring game. They wanted to build confidence, show the fans the new system, and put on a show for recruits.

The 1st O and 1st D DID go at each other for most of the Spring. They pushed Crompton and by every account both his decision making and execution improved even as he improved his grasp of the offense.

His YPC against the 2nd D was alot higher but he's been passing for about that completion rate all through camp against Berry, Morely, Willingham, Rogan, et al.

Posted by UTvols12342000 on April 21, 2008 at 5:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My fellow Volunteers,

I love my vols. any vol. every vol. I only support these vols. I would never be so arrogant to act like I know better or can do better. I only support them, win or lose. I am born and bread in the hills of East Tn, the youngest of 7 from a poor farming family. I was the 1st to graduate college in my family. It took me 6 years due to all the sex, drugs, and rock & roll I encountered. Most would have lost faith in me as I made various mistakes. However, those people would have been wrong.

You never know when/how people are going to excel. If you choose to not support them when they dont excel, you have absolutely no right to support them when they succeed, imo.

I am proud of anything and everything associated with the proud institution known as

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS!

GO BIG ORANGE!

from Holland (missing the foothills)
Jay

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

General, Hypothetical. If Cut had stayed, would Crompton have won the job? Would there have been a QB controversy?

Personally, I think he was leaning toward Coleman and that there would have been a major QB controversy.

Posted by GreerVol22 on April 21, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Guys, hear is a morning ray of sunshine for any haters out there. Spurrier's cluck and chuck offense combined for a whopping 8 picks from the first and second teams O's.

Posted by Orangebleeder47 on April 21, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Spurrier and his SC cocks will join Kentucky and Vandy in the cellar of the SEC east this year...so I would start paying more attention to Georgia and Florida.

Posted by Orangebleeder47 on April 21, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Spurrier and his cocks will join Kentucky and Vandy in the cellar of the SEC east this year...

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Spurrier will probably quit if things don't turn around soon.

Posted by Greyback_Vol on April 21, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The O & W Game was fairly exciting this year. The stadium has a little bit of a new look with the added brick. Should look real nice when completed.

Let's remember that the defense was "handcuffed" and not allowed to really blitz or disguise coverages. Let's not get too excited on the results of the scrimmage, but remember there is hope for the fall.

Spring practice is all about players, not plays for formations. Some observations...

Denarious Moore can absolutely fly. If he continues to improve he could be the big play threat UT needs. On the 1st play he just ran past everybody.

Unless Lennon Creer gets hurt, Montario Hardesty will probably be the #3 back in UT's rotation. Creer has great speed and would be a nice change up to the bigger, stronger Arian Foster.

D. Morley was D. Morley. Hasn't lost a step.

Jon Crompton is far and away the best QB UT has. Nick Stephens looked like he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a football...

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 21, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was there and saw Crompton really zip that ball, putting in right on the money. Creer and Poole looked good, exploding thru hole, making people miss and not going down without second effort. Wes Brown looked really fast coming off the corner. Chris Donald looked like he could be a play-maker. Luke Stocker looked like he might be getting ready to seriously contribute.

Was disappointed that they showed virtually nothing of the special teams. Fair-caught almost every single punt. Jakouri Williams returned most kick-offs and even lesser-known guys were fielding them at the last, with no sign of Rogan, Creer, G.Jones or Berry on kickoff returns. I guess we're saving all that for when it really counts.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 21, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just curious....of the 30,000 in attendance, how many had a full set of teeth?

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 21, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

grocery store feet and mullets.....reg vol fan

Posted by pdhuff on April 21, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rest, my sons. It is many days until the pig flys again.

Posted by cjraney on April 21, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gator8-
I'm willing to bet the state of Florida has TN beat in mullets per capita. Yes, TN has been a pioneer in the field of "business in the front, party in the back" hair styles, but as usual Florida sees a "good" thing and bastardizes it for its own evil purposes. Long live the mullet! aka TN waterfall, aka squirrel pelt, aka Kentucky compromise.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 21, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Barring even more injuries, we are going to have some running backs this fall. Lot of receivers to sort through also. What might it be like if they could shake up our defensive schemes like they have done on our offense?

Posted by BigOrange1 on April 21, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How about that new four-star committment we just got? that's two four-stars in the last week. We already have a better recruiting class than last year. Keep it up boys!

Posted by givim6 on April 21, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff re: 8:50 post. regarding Chavis, I think Chavis is holding his cards (and his info on his players) close to his chest. I believe he is motivated to not let the new O guys steal all the thunder.

Also, ( and I don't think this is the K-aid talking) I think a very good defense is going to take the field against UCLA.

Chavis is going for a dramatic unveiling of a strong defensive team that no one anticipates.

Posted by pdhuff on April 21, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

givehim6 1:28- the last 3 words in your post could not have been truer.

We can always hope, but it's hard to make chicken soup out of chicken shizkoff.

We can hope. We shall see......

Posted by abnermc on April 21, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gaytorfan8, missed you in Atlanta last Dec. Guess you were busy shopping for Christmas.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 21, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kingsport wrote - "Greer thanks my brother.I ended up recording a dang back shaving contest from the University of Alabama.Same girl won again this year.Thanks again."

You're killing me Kingsport. Keep em coming.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 21, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks GerryP and KingsportVol. I think the lack of blitzing and going with the base packages really throttled the defense down but I understand where the coaches were with their thought process. It probably gave Crompton a measure of confidence plus it kept things a bit more even if you think about it. Crompton was leading an offense minus 4 starters in Rogers, Taylor, McNeil, and I am saying Arian Foster as well since he only had one carry. If you factor in the new offense angle, it makes sense to me that the coaches went the route they chose.

That being said, I don't think we should be ready to annoint Crompton the next Manning or Shuler just yet. It was a great performance, he did everything that could be expected of him, but things will be going at a different speed when the games count. I have felt from the get-go that this was Crompton's job to lose though, and he put a stranglehold on the position in my mind. Anyone who has been clamoring for Stephens or Coleman needs to watch a replay and rethink their position because it wasn't even close on Saturday.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 21, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 - Coleman is young and may have as much if not more upside than Crompton, but there is light years of difference between Crompton and Coleman right now. In fact, if Crompton goes down with injury, you can just about right off the season this year.

Posted by GerryOP on April 21, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It was what it was -- an O & W game planned and scripted by "the powers that be" to put on display what they wanted all of the faithful to see. Looking at the replays and reading the posts, it does appear that Crompton-time has arrived. Hopefully, he and Clawson can restore the Vol offense back to what it was 10 years ago.

Only the strong survive -- and here's hoping that Clawson, Crompton, and friends are strong. Of course, due to the scripting, the unanswered question remains -- was the offense that good or was the defense that bad? We'll see in September.

The girth of both Fulmer and Chavis continues to be an embarrassment to Our University. But, when a guy believes that he is "king hog" ... he continues to eat ... in arrogant defiance of common sense and public opinion.

Posted by sjt18 on April 22, 2008 at 2:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks General.

Maybe just an internet rumor... but I'd read that Cut really just didn't care for Crompton but loved Coleman.

Posted by sjt18 on April 22, 2008 at 2:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrange1, I think there will be some surprises out of the 2008 class. Poole was a 3* as was Austin Johnson. Both of those guys impressed this spring.

Poole was a steal for UT. According to a guy who follows recruiting very closely, he was set to be one of the top rated RB's in the country as a Jr but suffered a leg injury. He was still recovering while attending the camps and combines over the summer. His speed suffered and his rating dropped.

UT continued to pursue him regardless even when some others lost interest.

Supposedly his real speed is better than the 4.6 or whatever that the recruiting services listed.

Along with those two, I'd expect 3* guys like Thomas, Bohannon, Fowlkes, Waggner, etc to become contributors.

I'm really intrigued by Montori Hughes too. Hopefully he qualifies right away. I really like it when they talk about a DT having a "high motor".

Posted by sjt18 on April 22, 2008 at 2:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid, you also have to take into account that the defense sees the offense every day during Spring practice. They watch it being developed and hear what the offensive coaches tell the players. That familiarity is an unfair advantage unless you take something away.

Posted by tngeoff on April 22, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

givim6.

I hope you're right! That would produce a very strong total team.

Posted by pdhuff on April 22, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP 8:51 pm-"Only the strong survive", true but the heavy hang around a long time, too.

Posted by GerryOP on April 22, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yup pd, teachin' and mentorin' is sedentary work -- must be the reason.

Posted by GerryOP on April 22, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are right about that orangeblood, if Coach Fulmer would hang aroung Mangino, Good Ol' Phil would look absolutely undernourished!

Posted by GerryOP on April 22, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

S/B "around" not "aroung." Duh...

Posted by Orangebleeder47 on April 22, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was very satisfied with Crompton's performance at the O/W game. I think he will do big things for Rocky Top football these next two years. Don't Get me wrong, i'm not expecting a NC this year, but with the talent we have on both the O and D, there is NO excuse for the vols not making a big time run at the SEC...

Posted by sjt18 on April 23, 2008 at 2:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Any team that competes for the SEC Championship won't be far from the NC conversation. Last year it was basically a choice between two 2-loss SEC teams.

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