Posted by Volfan1 on April 20, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice article, but...
"Can Ayers maintain his maturity level on and off the field?"
What kind of slam is that?
He's already more mature than John Adams is on or off of the KNS(and radio).

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 20, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What he means by maturity is not being a big cry-baby when someone writes an article about your coach and refusing to talk to the media because of it. His other team mates still do interviews, does that make them unsupportive of Fulmer? No, he's the only whiner (outside of these message boarders) who still wants to bring up an article from months ago that wasn't THAT far off the truth in the first place.

He could've said "Can Ayers stop taking steriods to get up to 280lbs and still trying to play DE?"

That'd have been a slam.

Posted by mparker on April 20, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah, thought this was dumb too:

"Some say that flipping offensive linemen makes an offense more predictable"

umm, no, not if you call your plays correctly. It can also make defenders switch sides if they key the tight end. Really dumb statement.

Posted by awhill00 on April 20, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice article, but...
I just don't think Dave Hooker is really in touch with things. I watched the Spring Game on Sports South tonight and I gotta say: by Fall, Clawson's offense is gonna rock. And with Berry and Morley in the secondary... OUCH!! Crompton looks sharp and strong and I just see so many formations and weapons. I don't understand what Hooker missed regarding B.J. Coleman. I thought the guy showed confidence and poise and threw some pretty darn good passes. He looks like our number two, easily over Stephens. Can't wait to play UCLA!!!!

Posted by vtvol on April 20, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I really like this team. Tennessee is poised for a HUGE season!

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 20, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

who

Posted by andy112382 on April 20, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vtvol - I second your comments. I am pumped and eager to see this Clawson offense hit the field against the competition this fall, a lot of 'unknown' for opponents trying to scout us out, maybe this will be one of those times we actually say 'good thing we play florida early! they didn't know what was coming at them until it was too late!'

I really think that WR stable has depth that is being unmentioned for the most part - Denarious Moore showed up big in the spring game, Paige could step up, Jones is solid as is Briscoe, heck we didn't even see our leading WR from last season, Lucas Taylor! Don't forget about the TEs and FB!

The schedule is loaded up front with UCLA, Florida, Auburn and UGA - get by those with a bit of suprise with our new offense and this could be a spectacular follow up to a 10-win season last season.

GO VOLS!!!

Posted by byobbio on April 20, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to echo vtvol's statement. I really think this team could be special. Even though we had a subpar recruiting year last year, it doesn't matter because we have some stellar athletes. We're going to be good and i think this offense is what this team has needed for some time now. Mark my words, Dave Clausen is the future of Tennessee. Fulmer will turn over the reigns to him when he's ready. I think we're in good shape. It's great to be a vol.

And Hooker: Learn how to spell. Please.

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 20, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker: No, it's not a dumb statement. The "strong side/quick side" basically uses your strong run blockers on one side and your strong pass blockers on the other side. It makes it better to run on the "strong side" or roll your QB out on play action towards the "quick side". You would also throw more WR screens to the quick side because they get out on blocks quicker.

So yes, it does tell the defense what you are doing. The only way to combat that is by doing the opposite of what they expect (like you are saying with play calls), but that means you are running plays that aren't to your strong suite.

Posted by VOLS85 on April 20, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

...umm, it's clawson...let's not harken back to that (clausen) name...

Posted by badawg44 on April 20, 2008 at 11:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hmmm.. can't wait to see this "special" team. Depth at y'all DT will prolly hurt y'all in close games. That's where I think Knowshon Moreno should explode for 5-6 yards a pop. It'll be a close game, it may decide between the trenches.

4 long hot summer months 'till kick off... sux!

sic'em!

Posted by Grim1 on April 20, 2008 at 11:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tennessee was poised for a HUGE season in 05 too.

Posted by newtonrail on April 21, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I personally didn't care for Adam's article about Fulmer, but then I've been writing on here since GVX existed about John Adams. That's all the time I want to waste on that... However, I had to preface my comments with that because KNS can't get us much information out of the football team. Adams and Hooker have caused major strife, and with practices closed; the only way to get the real info is to get close to source. Drew Edwards might. Strange just reports. I've rambled on to say we aren't going to get a lot of info unless the new coaches start talking.

Posted by bamacheats on April 21, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Did you guys here about that man that is pregnant? They say that has never happened before, but from that picture it looks like Phil is full term already.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 21, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

An article titled, "What to know about the 2008 Vols" and it doesn't even have a section about special teams! Well they're looking good as well. Guys are getting their hands on a lot of punts and fg attempts. The place kickers are hitting some long ones. The back up punter looks good.

On another note, we just got a verbal commit from a 4-star speedster athlete out of VA named Damien Thigpen. He's only 5' 8" 170, but he runs a 4.34 - 40 and he's got some time to grow!

Posted by 02champs on April 21, 2008 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Some say that flipping offensive linemen makes an offense more predictable"...Hooker, did Adams or Pennington(idiot) tell you this...? Never heard that one before...must have been Pennington's(idiot) sources (disgruntled ex-vols who Fulmer canned)that made that call.

Posted by GIVEHIMSIX on April 21, 2008 at 1:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I just watched Damien Thigpen's highlights on rivals. He's small, but he can fly. in the sec, it never hurts to add more speed to your team.

it's nice to see the Virginia connection already paying off. That area is loaded with talent.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 21, 2008 at 1:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, the guy is pickin em up and puttin em down in a hurry!

Welcome to Tennessee Damien. It's great to be a Tennessee Vol!

Posted by andy112382 on April 21, 2008 at 2:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Grim1 - yea, that was known nationwide given the preseason ranking, but this year, if you look at any preseason polls that are already out (way too early) most people have Tennessee anywhere from mid-teens to bottom of the top 25 at best.

This is more like '98ish.....we know we have talent, but due to a QB change, people tend to think that means we are in a rebuilding of sorts, all we have is a junior who has been in mop-up duty only just like in '98, at least that is what you read.

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 4:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"So yes, it does tell the defense what you are doing. ... but that means you are running plays that aren't to your strong suite."

Umm, no it doesn't. No more so than a standard set does. If you keep your tackle on the right and move your TE to the left that is still a strong left formation. It still increases your blocking on that side.

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 4:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Depth at y'all DT will prolly hurt y'all in close games. That's where I think Knowshon Moreno should explode for 5-6 yards a pop. It'll be a close game, it may decide between the trenches."

You mean like last year? This is the exact same group minus Mapu who played very poorly and plus Langley whose potential is through the roof. Thomas and Nelson will still be the next level back ups but with one more year of experience.

So here's the situation. UT's DL comes back upgraded (DT's the same guys) against your OL that loses two key guys... your passing game will probably depend on true Fr WR's going against probably the best secondary in college football... and you think Moreno is going to be more effective than last year?

It may happen but at this point in time your prospects ARE NOT better than last year of running over UT's D. They are most likely very much improved while your O doesn't look like it is over last year's team.

Posted by bruteforce7 on April 21, 2008 at 5:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Was it just me or did anyone else notice that our play action looked so much more defined than in years past? I went to the game in person and it just looked like to me that the fakes looked like they were carried out so much better than before. Maybe its just my imagination.

Posted by bigtimevol on April 21, 2008 at 5:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My biggest concern is not the D, or that we will spread the ball around to skill players...I think we'll do that. My biggest concern, though we have plenty of returning skill is can we run the ball with power and consistency when we need to? Let's face it, we haven't really run the ball with authority in years. But w/ Foster, Creer, Poole, we seem to have the tools.

Posted by wjackson on April 21, 2008 at 6:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bruteforce7. It is not you. I often asked that while watching Ainge play. He was terrible at the play action. If you ever watch Peyton do it. It is incredible. If you saw Crompton doing it much crisper than Ainge. I am not surprised. But I am very happy to hear it.

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Takes some courage to follow through with a play fake. You risk getting hit before you can deliver. Ainge was always in a hurry to get his eyes and the ball up so he could deliver quickly. That's what Cut taught him to keep him healthy enough to play.

Pretty much all the QB's I can remember under CPF did play fakes better than Ainge. Shuler, Clausen, and Martin did a nice job too.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i see some of y'all trying to find ways to compare 2008 to 1998 (i understand why)

however, you all should know better. in no way did that team have as many question marks as this team.

that team had two question marks.....

1. how do you replace peyton manning, even if tee martin turns out to be pretty good?

2. can tenn actually beat florida?

that was it.

they had jamal lewis back (who got hurt), peerless price back, lineman back, a whole slew of defensive people back, and i think even their kickers came back.

people sold that team short because the thought of beating florida without peyton manning, when tenn could not beat florida with peyton manning seemed like an unbelievably daunting task.

this year......

their are concerns on offense and defense (including both lines of scrimmage, a new qb, new coaches who are operating a new system, and depth concerns especially on defense)

before people start telling me how great the offensive line is.....i want to see them blow good teams off the ball in running game an provide more than a second and a half of pass protection first. 'cause the 1998 team did not have to prove that before the season.

not to mention.....the 2008 vols will face a tougher SEC than was around in 1998.

i am not making any predictions here. i am just saying the scenarios entering the season are completely different.

Posted by pdhuff on April 21, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Phil didn't drop the old Grail.

Not up to Fla standards. Gotta break a few.

Posted by BillVol on April 21, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hooker, how can you tell from one game who is ready or isn't ready to step in???

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, the scenarios are different. I personally don't think a good parallel can be drawn.

OTOH, the concerns for UT in 98 went much deeper than that. If I remember correctly, they were predicted to be something like 3rd in the East. They had alot of returning defensive firepower but the D upgraded from 97 to 98.

That is one similarity that seems to be shared between then and now. Most close to the program think the DL and D generally will improve. Chavis who isn't exactly Mr Take-risks-with-optimism mentioned both the DE's and DB's as being potentially as good as they've had in a long time.

I can honestly see how this could all go up in a puff of smoke. UT's O may not be as good as some even inside the program seem to believe. Maybe the D which they also think is improved is just bad enough to make them look good. UT DOES have potential sore spots nonetheless they seem to be ahead of where they were a year ago in just about every area.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

i do not know how good tenn will be. i was just stating that the scenarios between 1998 and 2008 are completely different. and to be consistent, i am not going to make any sweeping declarations after spring practice.

another thing about the 1998 team was they were coming off a year when they won the SEC in 1997.

florida and tenn are kind of in the same boat this season. both expect some weaknesses to be improved.....the question is how much. the one difference is florida has a strength (its offense), that they know is going to be there.

Posted by agentorange on April 21, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

if i worked for the kns, which would mean i'm a communist from some other sec school/rival such as bama or lsu, i would at least run a spell check on the articles i put on the web site. "predicable"? Really? here's what that word (used to describe morely and berry) means: something that may be predicated; especially : one of the five most general kinds of attribution in traditional logic that include genus, species, difference, property, and accident.

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

Sounds decent okay. OC Dave Clawson seems to have made a difference already. I have a different, more positive feel this spring than in the last 4-6 seasons.

Mark my word, they hand picked this guy to replace Fulmer in 1-3 years...

Posted by chrslyp on April 21, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i agree about the effectiveness of the playaction. I can't remember ever being fooled by play action while watching a ut game on tv, however, last night while watching the ow game i was faked out a good three to four times. i was impressed.

Posted by lempga on April 21, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tuscaloosa John or Donkey Adams! He is still getting it thrown at him. I don't know how his boss sleeps at night knowing he has a loose cannon not doing his job which is covering the Vols. Not Alabama & LSU!

Posted by jdcdjc on April 21, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You can talk about 5 star recruits and 3 star recruits and so on, but no one really knows who has the heart and who don't. We may not have had a steller recruiting year last year according to the sports writers, but I think we have a good group and I'm looking forward to as great year.
Go Vols!!

Posted by pdhuff on April 21, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Doldrums.

We must let it go.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 21, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think I'm gonna like this offense, but I kinda prefer my qbs on handoffs to keep ball more hidden against belly raher than extending it way out there at full arm's length for all to see. What do you guys think about that?

I'd say this was a pretty fair article, but one small quibble with Hooker casting doubt on Myers-Whites pass coverage. From what I saw this weekend, he seemed to be able to stay with a receiver better than most linebackers I've seen.

Posted by rootin4volz on April 21, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bradsummey, you're as big an idiot as Adams...that article was WAY off-base, out of line, and uncalled for. Adams should apologize, and until he does, he should not be allowed anywhere near the football program.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ashley

1. what would anybody playing football at miami know about studying?

2. i would hope that people on this website would hope that folks at places other than miami are studying the florida offense.

Posted by tigervol9802 on April 21, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

5-7 boys.

My opinion will only change if they beat Florida. Not play 'em tough, have a call go against them, or lose because of an injury. Until they beat Florida, this team will continue to be nothing but mediocre at best headed towards another disastorous season.

At least I know the information minister from the athletic department will constantly remind us of how warm and fuzzy it felt 10 years ago when we won our last national and SEC titles.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 21, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I feel sorry for people who have to have perfection in their lives or they are miserable. Pretty sad. Go back and listen to the father's speech at the end of Ole Yeller, where he said that if we dwell on the bad in life, we'll miss all the good.

Vols have everything they need for a pretty exciting season, if we can avoid kicking breakdowns and our defensive linemen eat their Wheaties. Geaux Vawls!

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ashley

ok

Posted by tigervol9802 on April 21, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator -

Please excuse Ashley. He must have been a guinea pig for the special $90 Thompson Boling Arena Kool-Aid and is still feeling its effects.

You got to admit, it looks like it's some pretty good stuff.

Posted by khelton657 on April 21, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Glad Fulmer is now calling people out when they don't give their all...

Posted by leedsvol2007 on April 21, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There are parallels to the 98 team in this group.
Without researching it totally Leonard Little, Peyton Manning, Marcus Nash and Terry Fair had all graduated.

Shawn Bryson had been moved to fullback, Tee Martin was assuming the QB duties. Shaun Ellis had been seriously injured in a car accident and it was unsure if he would be back and how well he could play.

Peerless Price had been an outstanding player but his ankle injury limited his contributions until late in 97 and there was some question as to whether he could fully replace Nash.

Jeff Hall was coming back from a back injury and surgery.

In the end these and other questions were answered affirmatively and we had the magic year.

Will 2008 be a repeat of 1998? The potential is there but just as in 1998 the dominoes have to all fall in place.

One final note the 1998 team had a link to the 1938 undefeated untied team Will Bartholomew and his grandfather Sam the captain of the 1938 team.

Another of Sam's grandsons will be on the roster this year. Hopefully it is an omen.

Posted by douglasawilliams on April 21, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Perhaps the intangibles in beating Florida will be Morley and Berry. Also, a huge play from Gerald Jones could be possible. Losing so badly to Florida last year should fire the team team up and they will play hard. We will need to win the turnover margin can't spot them an advantage there they are still very good. More importantly, for saving face will for UT to beat Alabama, they had the best recruiting class in the nation and I know Saban will play those guys now like that big wide receiver. GO VOLS!!!!

Posted by cjraney on April 21, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol-
You need to lay off the koolaid man. 5-7??? Come on, now, all "non-koolaid drinkers" know we'll lose every SEC game, lose to UCLA and finish 3-9. That's just being objective. Sarcasm intended.

You win the 1st annual "Yemmusdarb Most Improved Fan" award of the spring.

Posted by Huntingdonvol on April 21, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was very impressed with our playaction,the defensive players seem not to know where the ball was and the linebackers bit on the run!Now we must remember the defense was limited to stright up football with no blitz or sceams.Was most impressed with the use of a fullback in the new offense!The key to stoping Florida is Tebow!On defense i would use a monster linebacker and key on and hit him everywhere he went with the ball!The ole saying offence sells tickets and defense wins champships has got this VOL team staring stright at it!As for the kid from Paris we need to get his counterpart, i seen them play last year and i promise you they are the real deal!Good luck VOLS and please stay out of trouble this summer!

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

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 20, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker: No, it's not a dumb statement. The "strong side/quick side" basically uses your strong run blockers on one side and your strong pass blockers on the other side. It makes it better to run on the "strong side" or roll your QB out on play action towards the "quick side". You would also throw more WR screens to the quick side because they get out on blocks quicker.

So yes, it does tell the defense what you are doing. The only way to combat that is by doing the opposite of what they expect (like you are saying with play calls), but that means you are running plays that aren't to your strong suite.

Yea, but the system is very doable. Running mis-directions, delays, etc are plays that don't nec. focus on strong suits. I think if the play calls are good (as you've stated) the system could produce some good results. It will be a lot about execution this season.

Posted by BigOrange1 on April 21, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How about that new four star athlete we just got a committment from...he runs a 4.3 40 yard dash. We're off to a good start in recruiting. Keep it up boys!

Posted by tigervol9802 on April 21, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cjraney -

Thanks, and I hope my award is a barrel of the special $90 Thompson Boling Arena Big Orange Kool Aid. I hear if you drink that stuff and then hear the propaganda about the 10 year anniversary of a national title and how we have played for 3 SEC titles since them, you forget that UT isn't viewed as a threat by anyone anymore and that we've not won an SEC title in 10 years. I hear it'll also make you demand less than being the best too.

Posted by givehim6 on April 21, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought the first team offence, and defence looked very good can't wait to see how the VOLS will look when that play another team and the 1st team O&D both play together in the same game, Only concern is as the day wore on both O&D seem to slow down, but that could be tiredness and a new system. I just hope with more pratice the new system will stay together.

Posted by mparker on April 21, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc and brad:

I played on a line that swapped sides. What it really does is let you work against diff defensive linemen. After a while you get to know what works...and one guy maybe doesn't just kill you all day.

If you are on defense, you have to adjust your positioning and tactics to whom you are playing, PLUS be aware of the play tendencies.

I will say this: on defense, it was MUCH more fun to play against
the weak side (with no tight end).

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

now that spring is over.....

can someone give me the VOL starting lineup....

offense and defense.

Posted by bigbluevol on April 21, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99 here you go, as best as can be stated due to injuries:

QB - Crompton
WR - Taylor, Briscoe, Jones (just a guess)
TE - Cottam/Stocker
OL - Scott, McClendon, McNeil, Parker, Foster
RB - Foster
FB - Cooper

DE - Brown, Ayers
DT - Williams, Bolden
LB - McCoy (Strong), Wilson (middle), Myers-White/McKenzie (Weak)
SS - Berry
FS - Morley
CB - Vinson, Rogan, Willingham, Johnson, Gaines (this won't be defined until fall b/c Vinson, Gaines and Johnson all missed spring)

K - Lincoln
P - Cunningham until Colquitt returns from 5 game suspension

PR - Rogan
KR - Creer and Rogan perhaps

Posted by bigbluevol on April 21, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Obviously if there's a fullback or a tight end, there won't be three receivers. Those 3 are just the ones I would imagine are most likely to get the starting nods.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 21, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Add Chavis to the list of pregnant men. He's grazing at the same barn as Fulmer. I've never seen a person gain so much over such a short time frame. He litterally looked like he was carrying a bowling ball under his shirt.

With the fat jokes out of the way, I believe this team is poised for greatness. I like last year's Freshmen Class that well. They are a year older, wiser, and stronger and I loved what I saw during the O&W Game. The secondary should be 2nd to none nationally.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 21, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hooker: You got Arian Foster looks faster from what one or two plays? I don't even remember seeing him play -that's what I gained out it.

Posted by bigbluevol on April 21, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General, you're right. Chavis is nipping (no pun intended) at Fulmer's heels as heaviest coach on the staff. I don't mean it in a disrespectful way at all, but those two guys should work hard to drop some weight this summer for their own well-being.

Posted by volguy40 on April 21, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

as i lay dreaming...( THE G-GUN.....WITH BERRY THE BULLET...LOADED....AND CAUSING HAVOC AND DISTRUCTION ON ALL THOSE THAT COME BEFORE THEM)....i KNOW ...I KNOW....TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE...BUT YOU HAVE TO ADMIT...WOULD BE FUN TO WATCH...SPRING GAME SOUNDED GREAT....BUT IT IS A PRACTICE....A SHOW FOR THE RECRUITS...AND TO UNVEIL SOME NEW THINGS...BUT ALL IN ALL...EVERYONE LOOKED GOOD.....CROMPTON IMHO IS GONNA BE A GOOD ONE......AND YES....I LOVESSSSSS ME SOME KOOLAID.......GO VOLSSSSSS ....AND FLUCK FORIDA

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

thanks big blue....

forgot to ask to notate the returning starters.

Posted by volguy40 on April 21, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

NO OFFENSE 99GATOR...LOL

Posted by bigbluevol on April 21, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Returning starters:

Offense: Taylor and Briscoe, entire O-Line, and Arian Foster.

Defense: Williams, Bolden at DT, McCoy at LB, Berry and Morley (from two years ago) and technically every cb but Rogan started at some point last year.

G Jones, Denarius Moore, Austin Rogers, Cottam and Stocker all played a decent amount last year. Crompton has started one game in his career and appeared in several more.

Defensively, Ayers and Brown have both played and Ellix Wilson started the bowl game at MLB. McKenzie and Myers-White have played a lot.

Posted by HotlantaVol on April 21, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's good to see John Ward still somewhat active with the University. I really miss him . . . Very few modern day play by play men are actual play by play men, like John is. They are play by summary men.

Here's John Ward: "The Vols are going from left to right on your radio dial. They are wearing the orange jerseys with white numerals. The Vols are in an I-formation on the their own 43 yard line leading Florida 10 to 7. Travis Stephens is at tail back. Price is the receiver on the near side. There are two receivers on the far side. Martin is under center. He takes the snap, fakes a hand-off to Stephens to the left and then rolls to right. He finds Peerless Price streaking down the near sideline with a step on the defender. Price makes the catch at the 25. He's at the 20, the 15, the 10, the 5 . . . Give him six!! Touchdown Big Orange!! 57 yards from Martin to Price!!"

Kessling doing the same play: "Tennessee lines up somewhere around their own 40. Martin takes the snap . . . finds Price . . . Touchdown Tennessee!!"

It's not the same. With Ward, you could visualize it even if you weren't there at the game or watching it on tv. <Sigh>.

Posted by MOOREVOLS on April 21, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HotlantaVol -- Very true on your comparison. Drives me crazy.

General -- I could very well be wrong, but Hooker may just be giving a summary on the entire spring, not just the spring game. Just a thought.

Posted by pdhuff on April 21, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen Fritter 3:38- I believe Bro Chavis and Fulmer are duty bound to support their local KKreme. Chavis does look like he has a "boarding house reach".

Kinda like some of us, me included.

Doldrums here.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 21, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Hooker hit most of the high and low points in the article. It is about to the point that he takes the "potential bust" label off of O'Neal and just call him a bust though. The guy ostensibly looks to be a non-factor at this point and it would take a miracle for him to climb the depth chart with the number of guys in front of him.

Depth at QB and DT are two very important areas that need to improve in the off-season. An injury to Crompton or Williams could just about cripple this team IMO.

Posted by davidray31 on April 21, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

$100 dollars for a Nebraska spring game ticket?And they say us Vols fans are fanatics.

Posted by gregorsamsa2 on April 21, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

@ davidray, good point.

Am I the only one somewhat disturbed at how there were about 28,000 Vol fans in Neyland for the Orange/White game, but Bama fans filled the stadium for their Crimson/White game?

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on April 21, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99Gator.

I usually think your posts are reasonable, but it seems you have gotten a tad bit cocky about your mighty Gators. If I remember correctly, they went 9-4 last year. This wasn't exactly a stellar season to be buying stock in '08. Across the board, Tennessee and Florida have prety much equal talent. Florida has a slight edge, but in all honesty your Urban Meyer "one dimensional" offense isn't a whole lot to brag about. I actually think it cost you a few games last year. Seems like the Gators have as much (if not more) to really prove than the Vols. 9-4 is really pretty slim (if you think about it) coming off a National Championship.

Sure, the Gators smacked us around last year, but this year is at Neyland, which is always our best shot at winning. I don't really know why Meyer has Fulmer's number, but I suspect this new offensive coaching staff won't be as intimdated by the Florida "myth". Honestly, with all the 5,4 star athletes that come from your state, and with FSU and Miami both down, it seems Florida is underachieving on a grander scale than Tennessee.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vol_in_lsu_land

i wrote this @ 8:48

"florida and tenn are kind of in the same boat this season. both expect some weaknesses to be improved.....the question is how much. the one difference is florida has a strength (its offense), that they know is going to be there."

1. where does all this "one dimensional" offense stuff come from. they scored 38 points per game....in conference.

2. i'm sorry the gators could not do better than 9-4 with a bunch of frosh and sophs..... after "underachieving" and winning a national title. forgive them for not going back to back like the basketball team did.

3. you contradict yourself in your own post. you state that there is not much talent difference between tenn and florida.....but, florida has underachieved with all of the talent that they posess. either they have more talent and underachieved or they have the same talent and produced the same record as tenn.

4. i will state this again. does tenn face a better qb next season than tebow, skill player than harvin, or offensive line than florida?

5. i am not saying anything that several of you have not said yourselves. i asked you all to make predictions on who would win the east or the conference. a lot of you said florida. a lot of people on this board who are tenn fans have as much confidence about tenn beating florida as they do beating tiger woods in a round of golf.

Posted by jimr07 on April 21, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thigpen Heading to Knoxville
Tennessee picked up another outstanding offensive weapon last night to couple with Je’Ron Stokes at wide receiver when Manassas, Va., product Damien Thigpen gave the Volunteers his verbal commitment. While Head Coach Phil Fulmer and the rest of the coaching staff have got to be thrilled with this commitment, you know the track coach is also smiling as well getting to very good prospects.

Posted by bruteforce7 on April 21, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Any relation to Yancy Thigpen?

Posted by jimr07 on April 21, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

have no idea and for what it is worth, jerrod mayo has been moving way up on the NFL draft

Posted by miamiVOL on April 21, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr07 agreed, both McShay and Kiper have labeled J.MAyo as the top steal/improved player and likely to the DET Lions in the first round, from the state sheet @ the O&W game, McCoy was a monster with 8 solo tackles, i expect him to step up, kevin simon w/o the injuries and excessive ADiDAS armbands

Posted by philfan on April 21, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am very pleased with all the positive reports about Crompton. I was always impressed with his brute strength and strong throwing arm. I just wonder if the other players admire and respect him. Cutcliffe once said he liked a quarterback with an attitude and arrogance. I hope Crompton has the leadership skills too. (I hope he talks Clawson and Fulmer into throwing a long pass on the first play of the Florida game. We need a kick in the pants to win that big game.)

Posted by jimr07 on April 21, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

miamiVol--the guys on NFL network were just slobberring over him. Mike mayock thinks he is the best lb in the draft.

Posted by vtvol on April 21, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99Gator, you are a well informed and knowledgeable football fan. I do thoughtfully consider the vast majority of your posts however, I feel that you are a tad off-base with your 4th statement. Tebow will be the best QB that the Vols face in the regular season, I'll give you that. Percy Harvin, as the best skill player when healthy, maybe; Knowshow Moreno is probably a better bet as the best skill player that Tennessee faces this season. Your offensive line will be nowhere near the best one the Vols face this coming season. Florida lost 3/5 of its starting offensive line to graduation. UF is at least third behind Auburn (who returns all 5 starters) and Georgia. If Tennessee's speed off of the edge has not been exagerrated and has truly returned then both new offensive tackles for Florida should have their plates full. The Vols have better than break-even odds to win on September 20.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vtvol

they return one starting offensive tackle (watkins) and the all-sec starting left tackle from 2006, trautwein. trautwein missed 2007 due to a stress fracture in his foot.

their two tackles are seniors.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sorry, did not finish the thought.

basically, they return 4 starters. trautwein, pouncey, tartt, and watkins.....another pouncey will be the starting center.

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

My bad. I didn't realize that Trautwein had a redshirt year left. Who's going to man RT (Tebow's blind side)? Both Watkins and Trautwein are list as LTs, I believe.

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 21, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker: I think alot of people are getting strong side/weak side mixed up with how Clawson has his OL setup. It is "strong side/QUICK side". Everyone has a strong/weak side in football (unless you're 5 wide or 4 wide with single back, etc). What he is doing is... let's say our best 2 run blockers are McClendon and Richard. If they are both lined up on the RIGHT side, that is the STRONG side. Meaning, more than likely if we run the ball we're running behind our strong RUN blockers.

Then let's say Scott and Parker are our best pass blockers. Now, can we run the ball behind them? Yes, but it isn't to our strong suite. We'd line them up on the side we plan to roll out with the QB, throw WR screens, etc.

It doesn't matter which side the TE is on (the strong side). What Hooker means is, the defense can use game-tape to see who we usually run the ball behind and which way we like to roll our QB out. Then, they can load up their D accordingly.

Strong/weak are NORMALLY used OL setups/formations. Strong/quick is a completely different theology about using your best OL to their best abilities at all times, which DOES make it predictable.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

trautweint (lt)
watkins (rt)

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 21, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PS - In '98 it wouldn't have mattered. We could tell the defense we were running a 32 Dive and we'd still pick up 6 yards.

Posted by vtvol on April 21, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So Watkins is basically learning a new (albeit extremely important)position on the line.

Posted by vtvol on April 21, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You sold me 99Gator. I'll put behind UGA and ahead of Auburn (but only because AU's line has to learn how to block for a spread offense).

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vtvol.

c'mon man. i think he'll be ok switching from one side to the other.

both players should do just fine.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vtvol.....

i wsa mainly just trying to defend the whole "underachieving thing" volinlsuland put out there.

i still think, provided tebow comes back, florida will be better in 2009 than 2008.

but, people have asked where the confidence comes from. florida will probably be picked by most to win the league. not just yahoo gator fans, but writers and broadcasters. if not them, then who?

Posted by vtvol on April 21, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I see UGA as this year's media darlings. ESPN is already shoving it down the public's throat every chance it can get. Even Stewart Mandel and the fellas at Collegefootballnews.com are getting in on it. In the public's eyes (not necessarily yahoo Gator or Vol fans) our Sept. 20th tilt is for second place in the east. I don't agree with it but it's what the media is building toward. I, on the otherhand, as well as you possibly, feel that the road to the Eastern Division crown runs through Knoxville.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vtvol

most of the media i have seen have said or written that georgia has the best team.....but, the schedule would get them.

but, yeah, georgia is going to be a lot of people's national preseason #1.

Posted by mcbrim1998 on April 21, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK, I am convinced. Vols to defeat the Gators this year. So, what kind of $$'s are going to back up those puppy-dog barks?

Kindest Regards.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on April 21, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99Gator.

I wasn't trying to ruffle your feathers, just trying to bring you down to Earth a little bit.

As far as the "predictions" on this board, the "gloom and doom"...that's been going on in Knoxville since before Johnny Majors was coaching. You have to take it with a grain of salt. Us Tennessee Hillbillies have a lot of time on our hands, isolated like we are in them thar hills. For some of us, an exciting day is watching the old hound laying on the front porch scratching at fleas. 'course I live down here in Bayou Bengal country now so I miss out on some of the excitement.

Really, Tennessee is NEVER a team you count out. Can you think of a year (in the past 20 years) that Florida didn't view UT as one of their pivotal games? Even '05 started as a high expectation season for UT (preseason rankings) and nobody really expected the downward spiral that it turned out to be.

Yes, Florida has more or less owned Tennessee since Spurrier built up the program, but a win for Tennessee usually comes around when Florida gets a little ahead of themselves. This season sure smells like it could be that type of year.

Tennessee is not NEARLY as awful as some here might like to believe. This site is mostly just bored hillbillies with nothing else to do but scratch at fleas.

Posted by vtvol on April 21, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gator99...

Let's face it--all three SEC east contenders have warts. How each team will be able to mask and overcome them will be the key. Tennessee has limited depth on the d-line and is breaking in a "new" starting QB. Florida is limited in depth on its d-line as well AND must replace both starting safeties. The Gator corners are undersized as well. Georgia has no threat of a downfield passing attack. They return one starting WR in Massaquoi who drops as many as he catches (which is not good for a possession receiver). UGA will have some problems coming back from any two+ TD deficits they encounter this year. South Carolina is still in search of someone who can manage the game under center. UK has its entire offense lost to graduation and Vandy lost massive depth on both lines. Headed into the summer doldrums, no one is a clear-cut favorite.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volinlsuland

you must have missed some of my posts.

i think tenn may be the toughest game florida has next.

from the quality of the opponent, to it being a road game, to the fact that tenn must win because of the 3 year streak. don't want to have a meyer monkey on fulmer's back after having removed the spurrier monkey.

i have said that playing a team on the road in the sec, especially the quality of tenn, that plays like they have to win....not wants or needs to, but has to.....is extremely dangerous.

i am not taking that game for granted in the slightest.

Posted by KingsportVol on April 21, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General I agree 3:38 post.Chavis looks like a VW Beetle with sneakers on.Must be on the Fatkins diet.I can't believe these guy's don't take better care of themselves.I guess if they made 50 pound forks the world would be a healthier place.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on April 21, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Alright, good to see a little humility LOL.

Seriously, I feel Tennessee is being sold short this year by fans, the media, etc. I think this is due to the departure of Cutcliffe more than anything. I think Cutcliffe has a much deserved reputation in CFB circles. Hell, he coached and recruited the last two Superbowl champ QBs. (Though how much of their ability is God given, and how much their dad influenced them will never be fully appreciated) The only reason the Vols are being sold short is because the offense is unknown. These media types are too lazy to really put forth the research to find out about Clawson. It is a safe "bet" for them to expect nothing. If he turns out to be Supercoach, then its still a big storyline (that will be turned against Fulmer no doubt) and nothing is lost.

Posted by 99gator on April 21, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

from tony barnhardt of the ajc:

I was in Knoxville on Saturday and saw the new Tennessee quarterback have a pretty good day (13 for 20, 266 yards, 3 TD). Yes, some of those yards came against the No. 2 defense. What was important, though, is that Crompton looked comfortable running Dave Clawson’s new offense and played with a nice rhythm. He made one bad throw at the end of the day. “It’s different when you’re the backup quarterback and get in eight or 10 plays a game,” Clawson said of Crompton. “It’s easier to be comfortable. Now he has to translate that into 65 or 70 plays a game. That is the challenge.” Based on what I saw, Tennessee’s offense will be fine. RB Arian Foster got one carry in the game because there was no need to risk injury. But the word I got Saturday is that the big concern at Tennessee this fall will be depth at defensive tackle. The Vols can’t afford injuries at that position.

Posted by badawg44 on April 21, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18... Yes, Moreno will get 5-6 yards a pop, if Stafford plays well. We have to rely more on Stafford this year because everybody in the nation knows about Knowshon now. Defenses will load up the box try to stop Moreno. And I'm confident Stafford will win a lot of games for us. 3 starters back on o-line, all talented group of sophomores... LT-Sturdivant, C-Chris Davis, RG-Clint Boling. I'm confident in these youngsters. I'm also confident with the 2 new additions, they played significant amount of games last season. LG-Vince Vance-jr and RT-Kiante Tripp-so. They had big games experience.

As far as out in space. Man, we got some playmakers at WRs. Some people haven't heard about some of these youngsters yet, but they will. Starters: Massaquoi-aka-MoMass-sr, Kenneth Harris-sr and Kris Durham-jr.

The backups are quite talented... Michael Moore-jr-agile/quick, Demiko Goodman-sr-track-star, Tony Wilson-jr-physical kid, excellent blocker, Israel Troup-fr-another physical kid, Walter Hill-fr-big tall athletic kid at 6-4, 210.

The most talented of the group IMO, are these two true freshmens: Tavarres King, 6-1,170-already enrolled/participated in spring.. he's similar to Mikey Henderson, but more elusive and AJ Greene-6-4,190-prep All-American, a Randy Moss body type, but with better character, a humble kid who I think will contribute right away... these guys are big playmakers who can stretch the field.

TEs: Tripp Chandler-sr, good receiver/blocker, Bruce Figgins-so, physical blocker and good hands as well and Aron White-fr, good receiver, needs to add mass to his frame, 225-lbs. Had one TE transfer, I guess he couldn't handle the competition, I wish him the best though.

FullBacks: Brandon Southerland-sr is also another dependable weapon... bruising physical blocker and good receiver as well. Shaun Chapas-so, is very agile/athletic for a big kid, played some tailbacks last season and Fred Munzenmaier-so, a bruiser, similar to Brandon.

Overall, I like our skill guys. I think we'll match well against your secondaries. Stafford have some good playmakers to spread the wealth around and will open up some spaces for Moreno to roam through. We shall see, hopefully we'll have all our guys healthy by Oct-11.

sic'em!

Posted by vtvol on April 21, 2008 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like UGA is LOADED with a lot of physical blockers according to you. You have tight blockers, wide blockers, and even--speedy blockers! I think the Vols will take take their chances with nine in the box and dare one of your blockers to beat them deep. Go Vols!

Posted by DaddyVol on April 22, 2008 at 12:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't here people calling for Mark Richt's job. That's because georgia thinks they won the National Title last year. Lo'ts of fans wanted fulmer gone(not me) because they felt we underacheived. See the difference in standards. We might let you on the band wagon, better hurry before it runs you over.

Posted by jack_2222 on April 22, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amazing that these GA and FL fans come on here. Why are they so concerned with Tennessee? They both have a ton of question marks themselves. Here's FL coming off a 3rd place East finish and a pathetic embarrassing bowl performance reminiscent of UT losing to Clemson or Maryland. And GA hasn't given UT a decent game since '05 when UT went 5-6. Yet they come to a Vol website. Guess this is where the decent SEC stuff is.

Posted by sjt18 on April 22, 2008 at 2:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol said:

"5-7 boys.

My opinion will only change if they beat Florida. Not play 'em tough, have a call go against them, or lose because of an injury. Until they beat Florida, this team will continue to be nothing but mediocre at best headed towards another disastorous season."

I despise UF but the season isn't doomed to be a disastrous 5-7 year if they don't beat the Gators. That's just plain stupid.

I agree that UF and in particular Meyer are hurdles CPF and UT have to learn to get over but they don't become a 5-7 team or even mediocre if they lose to UF this season.

UF will be one of the better teams in the country. How good depends on their D and probably their backup QB. I didn't see anything from either that scared me in their spring game except for the RS Fr DE from So Carolina.

Posted by sjt18 on April 22, 2008 at 2:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vtvol, UGA started two Fr OL's last year and two Sr's. It will be hard for them to improve overall being as young as they are. Those two Sr's were quality players who will either be replaced by upper classmen that couldn't beat out two true Fr last year or underclassmen.

Posted by sjt18 on April 22, 2008 at 2:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

badawg, I'm not really just trying to douse your fire... but if those WR's you mentioned were that good, they'd have been on the field last year alot more than they were.

I think Chandler is a good player and a somewhat undervalued weapon.

Southerland to me is the most scarry guy on your offense. He opens holes and catches the ball well. Excellent FB IMO.

I'm not sure if you understood what I was saying. The scenario is this: You have "those" WR's who haven't proven anything going against what will probably be the best secondary UT has ever fielded. You replace two big earth movers up front. I like UT's chances of being able to go man-to-man with those WR's and load up 8 or 9 in the box to stop Moreno.

I have nothing against Stafford... but he isn't consistent and even when he plays well he doesn't exactly terrify a defense. I would much rather face him than say Greene or Zeier.

Posted by Colliervol on April 22, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Robert Ayers is my new favorite player. No, John Adams shouldn't always have to speak glowingly of the Vols. That's not his job. HOWEVER, so many of his articles indicate he has an axe to grind with Fulmer and it taints everything he writes about the program. As far as I'm concerned with Adams, everybody involved with UT football should follow the tactic that Ayers has taken.

Posted by cjraney on April 22, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99GATOR-
Re: picks to win SEC, etc.
1. I agree wholeheartedly that Percy Harvin is the biggest take-it-to-the-house threat in SEC.
2. Tebow will be the best QB we see b/c we have you early in the year.
3. UF O-line, I don't know enough.

SEC winner is generally thought to be 2 horse race b/t UF & UGA. Each has a significant albatross: UGA has the schedule and UF has a QB taking way too many hits. UGA can't change its sched but CUM may lessen Tebow's carries.

These 2 big hurdles IMO allow UT into the mix. The big positive I see for the Vols is actually the fact we're running a new offense. Opposing teams will have to come up with something new on defense for a change.

Posted by 99gator on April 22, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ok....

just so i don't have things get misinterpreted anymore.....

i will tell you what i think.

georgia is very, very good. i do not think they are national title material however. i also think their schedule will catch up with them. if stafford takes a giant step forward.....then watch out.

tenn will be in the mix. i think crompton will be fine. i think their will be a mistake here and there made due to the offense being brand new. but, by and large, i think tenn will be fine offensively. not a juggernaut, but in the top 4 within the conference in most statistical categories.....yards, points scored, etc. tenn's defense will be good to very good, but not dominant. can't be a dominant defense without a dominant defensive line. tenn's problem is the schedule. last year, i said florida could beat tenn and tenn could still win the division.....which is exactly what happened. this year i think the same thing could be true for tenn. they could beat florida and not win the division. the florida and at auburn, back to back is brutal. very difficult to win both of those......for any team. then, (and i know there is not a lot of respect for georgia here), you have to play at georgia. georgia will absolutely have to win that game.....because they do not have any other big home games. can't afford to lose that with all the other road games they will have to play.

Posted by 99gator on April 22, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

florida.....(whom i know the best) is helped by the schedule and 2007. i have read what several of you have written regarding tebow and how many hits he takes. i don't think he will carry the ball as much as last year for two reasons. one, he won't have to. i think you will see tebow carry the ball against the georiga's and tenn's of the world. but, he won't be running the ball against vandy or miss. secondly, they will probably use a backup qb (newton) the way they used tebow in 2006. he's a 245 lb qb who i anticipate will be used on 3rd and 1 situations to avoid tebow taking hits. regardless, if tebow is healthy....and let's face it, he really only has to be completely healthy for a few dates on the schedule.....then teams are going to have to score 30 or more to beat florida. i have never seen this kind of offensive talent at florida, ever. now, talent and results are two different things. but, they have more of everything on the offensive side of the ball than i have ever seen. the achilles heal could be the defense. but, they don't have to be great. they just have to hold the other team under 30. if florida beats tenn, i think the division is theirs because i think georgia will lose two conference games somewhere with the schedule.

but, and i am basing this on pure kool-aid.....so take it for what it's worth. florida is not going to lose to georgia this year. i don't know how many personal fouls or unsportsmanlike conduct penalties there will be.....but, that game should have jim lampley, larry merchant, and george foreman doing the broadcast. i think the chances of florida losing to tennessee are much, much greater.....than losing to georgia.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on April 22, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cjraney.

I hope your use of Coach Urban Meyer's initials wasn't a freudian slip.

Posted by cjraney on April 22, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lsu_vol-
Blame that on his parents and the evolution of internet lingo.

Absolutely nothing to do with special friends Tony Joiner & Tebow.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 22, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kingsport - 50 pound fork? How on earth could I eat my fritters?

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 22, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I heard Dupree got locked up over night in the back room at the Kmart last night. Reports out of Halls Crossroads is that he was screaming like a little girl.

Halls Has It!
Eat More Fritters
Free TDTN

Posted by badawg44 on April 23, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18... I understood ya. I think it'll be a good match up verse your secondary. I hope y'all do play man or press coverage. We live off of it. Bama played man and they got burned with underneath bubble/quick screens. And of course the game winner TD pass to Henderson in OT.

Tenn definitely will prolly have the best secondary we will face this season. You can correct me if I'm wrong, but it seemed like Chavis always go with the cover 2 look majority of the time against us and he does a good job of mixing it up too. You can take away the big plays with your secondaries but the only way for us to win this game is to control the line of scrimmage. Hopefully toward the end of the 3rd qtr, we'll wear done your d-line, only due to the lack of depth at DT. If we can pound the rock 4-5 yards on first downs, we should be able to keep your O on the sideline. I'm assuming you'll want to force Stafford to throw rather than Moreno having a field day.

We can go on and on about it, which is fun btw, I love talking to people who knows their football. But there's a lot of "IFs", till kickoff. A whole a lot of crazy things can go wrong with kids getting into trouble and end up facing suspensions, whichever the case may be. There's always some knuckle head will try to push the limit. I crossed my fingers everyday they're behaving good-dawgs and stay put on the porch.

sic'em!

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 23, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

badawg44 - Morely has added strength to the Vols secondary - he was lost to academics last year. He was the Vols highest rated recruit in the highest rated class a few years ago and he is the type of player who can hurt your receiver coming across the middle. He nearly decapitated one of our WR's coming acorss the middle in the Spring Game and also had a pick. I don't have to sell you on Eric Berry cause you have seen what that young man can do. He's much better now than when you faced him as he was a true Freshman last season. He had a pick in the O& W Game as well. Those two are incredible - two of the best the Vols have ever had and that is a strong statement (apologies to Dale Carter). The rest of our seconday is good if not great - the verdict is still out on the latter. I think this team will be good at Linebacker but if Mayo (expected to go in 1st round of NFL draft) had come back they would have been great. The DL is average to good but with very little depth and that (IMO) is the only area where we may not be able to hang with GA when starters are getting a breather.....although they did a great job of it last season. I'm sure GA will give a better effort this season and your team sure looked like one of the best teams in the country down the stretch. Frankly, I'm more concerned with the offense because I think our defense can hang with GA. Our biggest question mark (Crompton at QB) looked really good in the O&W Game but it was against backup players in the secondary. Our WR's should be better this season.
Our running backs are good if the OL can make holes for them and Crompton can make defenses respect him, we should be fine. Our punter has been suspended and that is a MAJOR concern going into the early games and could cost us a close game.

Posted by sjt18 on April 24, 2008 at 2:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

General, I agree with everything you said except for the verdict being out on the CB's. Vinson could be the best out of all the DB's (apologies to Morley and Berry). I think it was Berry that was impressed with VINSON's freakish athleticism in an article awhile back. To me, Berry being in awe of another guy like that is a huge statement.

To me that leaves only one spot with any question on whether it is "great" or not... Rogan, Willingham, Fleming, Johnson, et al sounds like a pretty good group competing to make it so.

Posted by pdhuff on April 25, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The koolaid flows on.

Hope the Bruins don't knock this FULL glass over.

Posted by b_appleton on April 28, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator --- actually just had lunch with two former Gator starters last week. Known one of them for better part of 8-9yrs, they know football in and out. Interestingly --- I asked them both about the season, and simultaneously they both brought up the UGA game. Interesting! I asked more about it, and both said they are most fearful of Georgia, which opens a blind spot to TN... They both said that they were down on the field at the UGA game last year when the team rushed on the field after the TD. The starter - an Offensive lineman said that you could just feel that some of the luster of the FL program just disappeared, fizzled right there. Instantly. Then GA proceeded to beat their brains in. They both said its just something that inherently guys who play football can just "feel" happen.... Little bit of humanity, a little bit of jealousy, a little bit of some other things - and itll be interesting to see how your football team gels. Brand new year. Forgive me if we dont just hand you the SEC trophy just yet big guy! Lets see how things go for your ga - tors.