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Adams: Tebow mania is for real

By John Adams (Contact)
Originally published 10:20 p.m., July 23, 2008
Updated 10:20 p.m., July 23, 2008

Tebow

Tebow

HOOVER, Ala. - College football's most prominent conference was overshadowed by one of its own Wednesday. The SEC media days turned into Tim Tebow day.

You only had to step inside the Wynfrey Hotel lobby to realize it. That's where a Nick Saban-size crowd began building late morning.

The line of orange-and-blue clad fans proved you don't need a $4 million-a-year Alabama football coach to draw a crowd in Alabama. All you need is a Heisman Trophy winner with a charismatic personality and a Christian message.

By the time Tebow and the Florida contingent arrived early in the afternoon, the hotel entrance from the revolving door to the escalators was lined with 50-or-so Florida fans, some of whom were too young to grasp the significance of the occasion.

A little girl dressed in a Florida cheerleader uniform screamed in terror as her father held her above his head in hopes of providing a better view.

Another fan, 6-year-old Emma King, would have appreciated the higher vantage point. She has experienced the disadvantage of being a small Tebow fan.

"She almost high-fived Tebow when he came off the field at Ole Miss last year," said Emma's mother, Michele, a former Floridian who lives in Birmingham. "Her arm just wasn't quite long enough."

The Tebow-adoring crowd came up short Wednesday, too. Security guards ushered Tebow to the nearby elevators, rather than through the gauntlet of fans leading to the escalators.

But the fans didn't seem to mind. They didn't have to touch Tebow. They just wanted to see him.

Cody Lee, a 9-year-old from Pell City, Ala., called it "a dream come true" to see Tebow.

"He's a good Christian and a good quarterback," said Cody, who doesn't hesitate wearing his No. 15 Florida jersey in Alabama country.

"They think it stinks," Cody said. "But I don't care. I just ignore them."

One floor up, Tebow's influence was just as obvious. Nissan, a prominent SEC sponsor, placed a Heisman Trophy replica outside the interview rooms.

At least one media-type apparently took the Heisman stand-in for the real thing.

"Do you bring the Heisman Trophy with you wherever you go?" Tebow was asked.

"Everywhere," he said, kidding. "No."

"What went into bringing it here and how did that happen?" the reporter pressed onward.

"Here?" Tebow said. "I think ours is still in my house in Jacksonville. I don't think they moved it."

That was the only question that caught Tebow off guard. Not even Tennessee's Peyton Manning could work a big room with more ease than Tebow does after two years of college.

Tebow, who is the son of Christian missionaries, has spoken to church groups throughout Florida and outside the country as well. His missionary trips between spring and summer school sessions took him to Croatia, Thailand and the Philippines this year. He also has delivered his Christian message to prisoners and youth groups.

Zack Higbee, an assistant director in the Florida Sports Information Office, knows how demanding Tebow's schedule can be. He was assigned to the Tebow beat more than a year ago.

The job then consisted mainly of responding to requests for Tebow to speak at church groups within the state.

"When he got back from New York (for the Heisman presentation), the requests multiplied," Higbee said. "Before then, he was appreciated throughout the state and in the Southeast. Now, it's across the country."

And beyond.

Tebow was even asked to speak at a graduation ceremony in Thailand. Why not? He was in the neighborhood on a missionary trip.

When Tebow wasn't making missionary trips this off-season, he was collecting awards from coast-to-coast. Since his sensational sophomore season, he seemingly has won a prestigious national award every month.

Higbee, who accompanies Tebow on every awarding trip, admits to being travel weary. In fact, Tebow's itinerary sometimes even wears on Tebow.

"Some days, you don't feel like doing everything," he said. "You just want to be a college student and relax or something.

"But I want to do these things because they're more important than playing football for me. If I can change a kid's life for the better, that's much more important to me than beating Georgia or Florida State or whatever team it is."

Downstairs in the lobby, a football fan and mother could appreciate Tebow's talent and perspective.

"Emma has his poster on the wall," Michele King said. "I'm just so glad she picked him for a role model."

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       127 Comments

Posted by andy112382 on July 23, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just want to see Berry make it a habbit of returning Tebow passes for a pick-6, and heck, lets not be bias towards Berry, get Morley in the action as well, give him a pick against the gators too!

Posted by DennisVols on July 23, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams: President of the Tim Tebow fan club.

Posted by redstickvol on July 23, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does anybody else find it revolting, unethical, in poor taste, bad journalism, etc that JA continues to show a ridiculous amount of bias towards teams other than the one he is supposed to be covering? It would have been nice, rather than to write an article about TIm Tebow, a UF football player, to write an article about one of our seniors that is at SEC Media Days. I understand that Tebow is much more adored right now, however, I bet it would be interesting to read about one of our guys' first experience at an event like this. I would like to know how many other sports reporters around the SEC gush about their team's rivals as much as Adams does about ours. I find it revolting and despicable. Mr. Adams, you are of course as a journalist allowed to report on the topics of your choosing, and you are of course allowed your own loyalties and to support whomsoever you choose. But it seems very out of order for you to write for a paper/website that supports the Volunteers and yet you don't seem to. I for one would ask that you find employment elsewhere.

Posted by volwalk on July 23, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After reading this and all the Tebow/Florida/Georgia hype...I'm thinking we shouldn't even show up for those two games this year. All the "experts" have pretty much crowned those two as being head and shoulders above the rest.
What do you think Vol fans...do you think UT should throw in the towel for 08/09...John Adams and the rest think so.

Posted by LargeOrange on July 23, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is getting ridiculous, John, was that you on some man's shoulders trying to get a glimpse of your idol? You do know you have to let go of your little "JA" in order for Tim to give you the little snip snip he is famous for, don't you?

Posted by TommyJack on July 23, 2008 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Redstick: No. Adams is not a beat writer for the Vols.

Posted by 1manningfan on July 23, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey dcflorida, 99 gator, and mcbrim,

new to the site but not to football lol. i have been reading your guys post for awhile and very respectful of your comments and opinions, espicially 99 gator and dcflorida, mcbrim your just a homer. anyways my points are this i live in tampa,fl and my best friends are gators, i hear them talk the gators up all the time and its not just them. its nothing new the media,radios,tv, and magazine say gators this gators that WE ALL KNOW HOW GOOD THE ARE!!

The gator fans and most other teams fans that are in the top 10 beat there chest thinking there $#it dont stink. so now after five years of tenn being mediocre the other teams fans come on here throwing in there two cents and petty little stats, and its fine thats what message boards are for, every comments to there own.
However, what i cant stand is homer comments that arent thought out and irrational.

So i hear alot of talk also that were getting to excited for something that has not been seen on the field this year in tenn and vol fans are on too much kool-aid, however last time i checked so is everyone else because they wouldnt come on hear blasting and throwing homer stats at us like there the big bad wolfs now in the SEC! My question to all gator fans and other SEC teams besides Alabama where have you been the past 75 year? Realize all sports programs have there up and down years and unfortunantly wright now tenn is down (if you want to call it that HIGH EXPECTATIONS) but keep your heads up great things are to come for us VOLS, what goes around comes around.

Oh yeah one more thing just like i ask my gator friends where were you gators before the 90's? Dont throw stats out on a vols website because last time i checked most EVERY MAJOR record and stat TENN has on the Gator NATION.

kindest regards!!!

Posted by Need_2_Know on July 23, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Vols D will have to stop him n Harvin from running it, or they won't be passing a whole lot. Let's hope they do, and then the "MoreBerry" defense will be able to demonstrate their considerable athleticism . . . yes, you heard it here first, the MoreBerry D!!! Sound like a cereal . . . maybe the Breakfast of Champions . . .

Posted by 99gator on July 23, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

1manningfan

before the 1990's, i was waiting for next year.

Posted by volwalk on July 23, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not bad need2know!

Posted by volwalk on July 23, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The gayturds will get embarressed at Neyland. All the hype and big talk is setting the gayturdnation up for a big fall.

Posted by GreerVol22 on July 23, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John and Tim sittin' in a tree, K I S S ...

Careful with the man-crush Johnny, Timmy fights back and is good with a knife!

Posted by 1manningfan on July 23, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tim Tebow,

You are a great athelete and person off the field, you deserve all the accolades that have been thrown at you,;although, your not a VOL i always appreciate a great player and person. However, i hope you suck it up this year against the vols lol...

Posted by cjraney on July 23, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DC-
I don't think there's really any question you guys have the fastest offensive players in the country. Fortunately for the Vols, fastest doesn't necessarily mean "bestest" in football pads. IOW, I think we should still play the game (although UGA should go ahead and forfeit the Cocktail Party).

Posted by dvols on July 23, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tebow declined to be a playboy all american? need we explain? anybody see him kiss his roomie last year? verne lundquist did!

kns please send ja south!@

Posted by banman360 on July 23, 2008 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i understand it now. john isnt allowed to cover phi. so today is the only day hes allowed at media day. and this is his chance to get back phil like a elementary school girl

Posted by volwalk on July 23, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

good point DC, we don't have any team speed here in knoxville. You will see what I mean in a few short weeks.

Posted by BSweet on July 24, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Far be it from me to actually come to Mr. Adams defense, but my understanding of SEC media days is that different teams are spotlighted on different days. Tomorrow is our day, today's was FL's. I am not a Tebow fan, but let's face it, he does have a fan base. Like it or not, he is a story. Now if tomorrow, Mr.Adams chooses to go on a love fest for another team, I'll understand the anger, but today, it makes sense.

Posted by volwalk on July 24, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The problem I see with Florida is too many playmakers and not enough footballs to go around. I see some chemistry problems with your team. There is no doubt that you have a buffet of talent/speed. Meyer/Tebow's problem will be trying to keep all of the playmakers' happy while maintaining team chemistry.

Posted by utchris2003 on July 24, 2008 at 12:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He may not be a TN beat writer, but his love fest / man crush with Tebow is undeniable. How many times do we have to beat the damn horse? While I care to mostly read UT stuff on here, I would not mind it id they were spreading the love to more great players in the SEC...there are plenty to choose from.

Posted by andy112382 on July 24, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The problem i see with florida is a defense that already had some holes to fill and then they lost 2 safeties.

Having tons of team speed is one thing, but that is just one of many ingredients needed for a championship football team. Otherwise, Leonard Scott would have won a heisman is all it takes is a superb 40 speed.

Posted by posivol on July 24, 2008 at 1:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

j.a. what a hack you are,no credit to phil for recruiting w/ one if not both hands tied behind his back.wish you would write your stories under the same circumstances.seriouly i just wish you would leave knoxville and never come back.

i have found much better sites to support the vols and come here less and less often,im sure im not the only one!

phil wont be the undoing of the vols but dont be so sure that j.a. wont be the undoing of kns.

Posted by wkb12 on July 24, 2008 at 2:10 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by cdldoc on July 24, 2008 at 3:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Read this excellent article about Foster and you will be even more disgusted with Adams.
http://tennessee.rivals.com/content.a...

Posted by nicksjuzunk on July 24, 2008 at 5:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I love it John!! You are obviously just being comical now and having some fun with us fans. The louder we shout for vol news, the more lsu and tebow stuff you serve. I think it's stinking hilarious even though I would appreciate some more stuff on TN.

Posted by RichRollin on July 24, 2008 at 5:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What do ya know? TIMMY TEBLOW.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 24, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What about UCLA? Isn't that who we play first? Who cares about the circumsizer? Besides, Morely /Berry & Company plan to castrate him in Knoxville.

Posted by nivatne on July 24, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone else just want to tie John Adams and kick him repeatedly in the place where Tebow circumcised him???

Posted by why36knot on July 24, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am certain that from everything I have read about him, Tebow is a fine young man. I kow he is a great College quarterback.
However, John Adams love for Tebow is almost like worship.
The only way he would get more praise from John is if he was playing for Steve Spurrier; another guy that John has been in love with since.................who knows when.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 24, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In Tebow's case, it should have been 69.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 24, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

nafslov - I knew you would post something we would agree on......well at least all of it except the part about Manning against Nebraska. Manning had a bursa sack so swollen that he had no business playing. I have had the same injury and can tell you he did well to walk on the field.

Posted by rusty_shackleford on July 24, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Since the MSM loves both tebow and obama, maybe they can be running mates this fall.

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim...

Today, the gators are 3rd in the SEC East in BOTH football and basketball, while the Vols are 1st in both. Not to mention UF is still trying to run down Michigan WRS. Where is the speed on D?

You stand corrected yet again sir, and you are welcome.

Kindest Regards

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

P.S.

"Head to Head" is exactly what you can expect in the meetings of Tebow and Berry/Morley.

Tell Timmy to bring his smelling salts, it's gonna be a LONG day for him physically.

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim...104-82 and Divisional Champs in both sports.

Scoreboard

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Not taking more than two players, it's called TEAM football...Now I know thats a concept foreign to UF football. You just make sure Timmy is healthy when he comes to KVille, I dont want you guys using an injury as an excuse (see Georgia)

Fear not, yall will PROBABLY beat Georgia this year

Posted by auttat on July 24, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Blaaaaaaah!! Was Manning hyped this much while in college? If so, I offer my sincerest apologies to those outside the Vol Family. It is sickening...

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I must correct myself...

UF was 3rd in the East in football.
UF was 4th in the East in basketball, not 3rd

Kindest Regards

Posted by jmbigorange on July 24, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams needs to find another line of work. Everybody knows Tebow is for real. UF wouldn't have won the 2006 NC without him. Tell us something we don't know like something about our team, you know the VOLS!

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim...

We lost in the Sweet 16. I understand you probably missed the outcome while watching the gators lose in the NIT on ESPN 14, but please try to keep up with the news, you are really bringing down our high perception of knowledgable UF fans.

Kindest regards

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim..

I never said the Vols were "so good" because that is opinion.
I said we are Eastern Division Champs in both BBall and Football, which are facts.

See bud, facts are what I specialize in, and for a small fee, I can help you learn to utilize them in your everyday life.

Im here to help you Mcbrim, allow me to help you.

Kindest regards

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim...

The ref has already stepped in and stopped this fight because of your inability to defend yourself or your programs status and the 3rd and 4th best team in the East.

Get back to me when you have something of substance, or at least have an educated retort. Until then, go back to bed little brother.

Kindest regards, eh?

Posted by wkjq on July 24, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I beleive it was Tebow who huffed and puffed and blew Dolly away from Fla. and over to Texas wasn't it. Maybe I'm wrong maybe that was Adams he was blowing.

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

score one for wkjq!

Posted by auttat on July 24, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wkjq, your last sentence is definitely the other way around...

Posted by 99gator on July 24, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i've got an over/under for around 75 posts for how long this stuff will last.

and, yes, for those who don't remember, the "media man crush" on peyton manning was something fierce. i think the man crush on tebow is bigger, but it's 10 years later and the level of media attention these guys get has only gotten stronger, plus there's the internet.

now, i know what some of y'all are thinking. if there was a "media man crush" for manning, why was he screwed out of the heisman?

all i can tell you is, the media fawning that he got was awful, awful strong.

when florida would play tenneseee.....it wasn't florida vs. tennessee. it was hyped as manning vs. spurrier. they still treat spurrier that way. you are never playing south carolina. you are playing spurrier.

Posted by mloaks on July 24, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCflorida, good takes. yr a worthy advisary...
But with UF's alumni and wealth, they should be so blessed. bang fr buck, the Vols are better.
Tebow is a prince. but Pearl is bigger!

Posted by VOLstuckINky on July 24, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

where's a sniper when you need one ... I guess a blind side blizting DB will have to get the job done.

I wonder if JA had to clean up his computer (if you know what I mean) after writing this story?

Posted by rrvolfan on July 24, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

:
:
:
RRVOLFAN: Adams HATREDmania is for real
:
:
:

Posted by chad_t31 on July 24, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I, for one, don't like the tebow article on this site, I don't like tebow as a player, but I admire him as a person. Football aside, the man has his priorities in order. When all is said and done, God won't care about his football career, it's his faith and belief in God that He will remember. As for the him being gay comments, I don't know, I've heard them all, but if he is the christian he claims to be, there is no way he is gay and think he is going to heaven.

As for the arguing about who is better and since when and in which sport, let it go. Who cares about 1910 or 1980 for that matter. The only game that matters is the next one. We've both proven that the winner of that game isn't guaranteed anything nor does it knock you out of anything. The SEC is too competitive to only worry about the gator chumps. They'll probably beat us, we'll beat a very overrated georgia team, georgia will beat florida and so on...let's just wait for the games.

Posted by CedarHillVol on July 24, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator,
as usual you hit the nail on the head-when Peyton was here the media covered everything he did...just like they do for Tebow now. To me he is a quarterback UF can be proud of.

Posted by HellBornElfChild on July 24, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ADAMS: ENOUGH OF THIS GATOR SHMOOZEFEST. COLD YOU PLEASE GO BACK ON VACATION?

Posted by johnlg00 on July 24, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good 'un, 99gator. The southern sports media were pretty much "all-Peyton, all-the-time" but opinions and coverage in other regions were less intense and frequent. Even so, his general media presence was so pervasive that it probably worked against him in the Heisman voting. Besides, for all of Peyton's notoriety, he never came into a season as both the defending Heisman Trophy winner AND a former national champion. I give Tebow full props as both a football player and a person, but I SURELY hope we take him and the Gators to the woodshed next season. GO VOLS!!!

Posted by mattlock on July 24, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You can hate a team and still respect a player from that team for his values, his toughness, and the fact that he brings it every Saturday. I hate Florida (perhaps the word hate isn't strong enough to describe my true feelings), but I respect Tebow. No, he doesn't have the best NFL talent, but he has a quality that any team would want; he is a winner. If his guy were at UT, we would love him and the Gator fans would be tired of hearing about how great he it. Tim, good luck to you AFTER you leave UF, but I hope you lose as much as possible while you're still there.

Phil and Co. its time to earn that money and whup up on some Gators in Knoxville. Let's ruin the perfect Tebow ABC Family storyline this season.

Posted by 99gator on July 24, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

as far as winning awards goes (which i honestly think tebow could care less about), he is going to have to have a beyond monster season to win.....because i think the whole country, outside of the state of florida, that follows college football is suffering from "tebow fatigue"

Posted by VolGraduate on July 24, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

today adams has a valid reason to write about tebow but what about the other 364 days?

Posted by GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer on July 24, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99 -

Can you guys please bring in another QB along the Doug Johnson/Rex Grossman lines that is as easy to hate off the field as he is on it?

Posted by pdhuff on July 24, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I almost came up with something trite about Tebow and the Gators until I remembered 59-20 or so.

I can't see blaming JA for doing his job while other much higher paid denizens get by with very mediocre results.

And get raises. Curiouser and curiouser that 8 is enuf......

Posted by TheVolMan on July 24, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Redstick, thanks for showing your membership card to Land of the Weenies. Now you can pretend to boycott the KNS because JA is such a bad guy who tries mightily to bring down our beloved Vol program. Welcome to Weenieworld. Keep up that boycott... LOL...

Posted by gator4life on July 24, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Not that you Vol fans really care, but some of us Gators are even tired of the Tebow mania. We all absolutely love him as a player and admire him as a person, but with the media nowadays, they never seem to be able to tell the same story enough times (or so they think).

Posted by volguy41nlouisiana on July 24, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

1st off....I can only hope and pray....from DCs post at 11:11...that Rainey and or Demps ..builds up that world class speed coming across on a slant...( I might actually witness a decapitation from Berry)..i mean "pop" right off...bring that speed ...cuz when it hits a wall...the wall will win everytime....ANDDDDDDDD...as far as John Adams....do you think he takes Tebows..(ummm...love tool) outta his mouth while he eats and sleeps...or just leaves it in all day....he is unbeleivable on the love for him

Posted by mikevol on July 24, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCflorida

Since 1921 Tennessee has the highest winning % in college football

Posted by pdhuff on July 24, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mikevol 10:34 - don the kevlar.

Posted by gator4life on July 24, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff, funny...but true!

Posted by gator4life on July 24, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pd, who gets him 1st? mcbrim or DC?

Posted by chrisw2967 on July 24, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

meyers still mad over Ga storming the field after they scored last year , he is mad cause he didnt think of it first, i guess he was going to have tebow kiss his roomate at midfield if they had scored first

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/spo...

Posted by vscebail on July 24, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"The Tebow-adoring crowd came up short Wednesday, too." Maybe "snipper" got a hold of them in the off-season, too!

Posted by auttat on July 24, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

chrisw, I was getting ready to post the same link. What a freakin cry baby? Get over it dude! It's really not a "big deal" you big weenie!

Posted by sjt18 on July 24, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tim Tebow is an exceptional football player and a fine Christian... I like him in those respects even as I despise the team he chose.

John, perhaps you can move on now and write some "columns" that inform UT about Vol heroes? Lucas Taylor seems like a nice start. Josh Briscoe maybe? You think maybe some of us would like to know more about the background of the guy who probably had more to do with stopping the discipline non-sense earlier in the year?

Maybe some of us would like to know more about J Crompton, R Foster, or.... Dave Clawson.

You guys have given several times more space to Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer than you have Dave Clawson and the new staff. Where are THOSE COLUMNS John?

Posted by gator4life on July 24, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

While I agree that it turned out not to be a big deal...what if the Gator players had of responded to the taunts from the entire GA team leaving the sidelines? If a brawl would have ensued, whom would have been to blame? There is a reason there are automatic game suspensions in some sports for leaving the bench area during an altercation.

Posted by BADGES0413 on July 24, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCflorida and McBrim,

General Neyland played a Big Part in the US winning WWII in the China, Burma, India theatre.

Tebow the Moil circumcised a 2 day old in Phukket.

And my dad can kick your dads behind.

Posted by gator4life on July 24, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

now that last line was funny badges. and i like ur 0413..its my birthday

Posted by sjt18 on July 24, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amazing how much more mature Tebow was about the UGA deal than Meyer.

Are you guys really that proud of your big cry baby?

I am sure that Fulmer wasn't happy that Meyer ran up the score on him... I'm sure he won't let his team forget it... However he's said very little about it and certainly didn't put it in an egocentric book.

Posted by bloodrunsorange on July 24, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Florida is loaded! Tebow is a great college QB! We wanted him. Y’all, believe it or not Tennessee is loaded and Neyland stadium is not Florida friendly. Mark my words, Crompton has a stronger arm and is faster that Tebow. As he acclimates in, you are going to be quite pleasantly surprised. Foster doesn’t have Coker speed but he has experience. When we play I want Florida to have their best on the field. This game will truly be an SEC match-up. Don’t sell the Vols short. We’ll find enough to put 11 on the field and just “BRING IT ON”!

Posted by BADGES0413 on July 24, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gator4life,

Just trying to fit in with the Child Like banter, and 0413 is my birthday.

I think we all just need Sept 20th to get here real quick, on the other hand I can't wait until Sept 1st to get here.

I also wouldn't be giving Tebow a hard time if he weren't so talented. We don't have much to argue about until we prove we can stop him on 3rd and 3.

Posted by 55Vol on July 24, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim..9:04.... UCLA beats TN? prove it with some green stuff ( not gator poop ).

Posted by sjt18 on July 24, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bloodruns... I'm a JC fan... but he does not have a stronger arm nor is he faster than Tebow. Unless he's regressed, I believe he has better physical tools than Stafford and maybe any other SEC starting QB... but Tebow is a freak.

Tebow still has a hitch in his release and comes a little side armed... but those are about the only flaws the guy has physically.

Posted by volguy41nlouisiana on July 24, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mcbrim....is the reason ....that all Vols...hate Florida....lol..period...cocky ....(no pun intended towards Tebow...lol) arrogant....and a@@holes...(DC and 99gator excluded)but i still have to hate you just for the principal...being a gator and all...lol

Kindest Regards...what the f#ck...

Posted by volguy41nlouisiana on July 24, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18...not to argue samantics...but I agree with bloodruns...I think JC has a much stronger arm passing and would smoke Tebow in a race...not that it matters any....lol...Tebow is more refined as a QB just from the reps....JC is no Tebow...but athletically...I think hes just as gifted .....IMO

Posted by auttat on July 24, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"And it will forever be in the mind of Urban Meyer and in the mind of our football team"

Good to know Urban Meyer comes before the football team. Seriously, why is he still crying about this?

How priceless was it when Urban Cryer ran out on the field with his hands up looking like he was about to cry? You could almost hear him say, I'm Urban Meyer you don't do that to me.

Naner naner boo boo!!! You big cry baby

Posted by sjt18 on July 24, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim, do some research on UCLA and stop making a fool of yourself. They lost half of their two deep including most of their statistical leaders on both sides of the ball. The attrition has continued on their OL with a probably starter being a converted TE and most if not all the back ups being non-lettered players.

UCLA was a bad team last year that lost most of its productive players. There's a delusion going around that a) Neuheisel is a better coach than the guys he's replacing... he isn't and b) that Chow is a genius who will something with nothing. At USC Chow had some of the best talent in the country. At NCSU, he had Phillip Rivers and a couple of future NFL WR's playing in a second tier league. At BYU, he played in a league where defense wasn't even an after thought.

UCLA DOES have talent... but they are not as talented or as experienced as UT. The Vols should win handily... which is what you should want as a Gator fan considering it would make a win or a loss @ K'ville look better to pollsters.

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on July 24, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim1998- Let me help explain this to you. sjt18 is one of the guys who thinks a win is a win whether or not you played up to your teams potential. See below and it is hard to disagree.

at No. 12 California L 45-31 (underachieved)
Southern Miss W 39-19 (did what was expected)
at No. 5 Florida L 59-20 (underachieved)
Arkansas State W 48-27 (underachieved)
No. 12 Georgia W 35-14 (overachieved)
at Miss State W 33-21 (did what was expected)
at Alabama L 41-17 (underachieved)
S Carolina W 27-24(did what was expected)
Lou-Lafayette W 59-7 (did what was expected)
Arkansas W 34-13 7 (overachieved)
Vanderbilt W 25-24 (underachieved)
at Kentucky W 52-50 (underachieved)
at No. 7 LSU L 21-14 (overachieved)
vs No. 18 Wisconsin W 21-17 (did what was expected)

That's 6 underachievements
3 overachievements
and 5 times they did what was expected of them

I don't know where sjt18 comes from thinking that Tennessee will just show up and win because of having more talent. THAT is the main reason I have this post name.

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18...

dont bother trying to rationalize with mcdumbdumb...he is incapable of intelligent banter and will never respond to factual statements with anything other than wikipedia links and repeated chants of 59-20...

He doesnt understand that hits are cumulative and Tebow will understand that soon enough.

Posted by volguy41nlouisiana on July 24, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pleasegetridof......how quickly we forget that SC and KY were ranked 6th and 7th at one time during that season.....the KY game was at their place....it was rockin like mad...and oh yeah..they have a pretty good QB ......KY is no Vandy....that I promise....and anytime Spurrier fields a team...a win is a good thing...now to say we underachieved...thats just ridiculousCal....Fla...Bama...yes...horrible underachievements....but Ark State....not a chance...we rarely run the score up on anyone....but that couldve been a humiliating blowout if allowed...WE werent consistent in our effort...Period....execution was not there ...etc etc...but to say we underachieve...or overachieve....or break even...thats comical....

Posted by PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE on July 24, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volguy41nlouisiana- Need I remind you that the Arkansas State game was 38-27 with 14 minutes left in the 4th quarter. All starters remained in the game until the final few minutes. If you were a "REAL" Vol fan like many of these people out here claim to be, you would remember that game better.

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on July 24, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Are you campaigning for a job with the Gainesville paper? You write more about florida than they do. Why dont you quit going down on Tebow for a minute and write something about the Vols!

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim...

You do whatever it takes to make you feel better about 3rd place and being embarrassed by Michigan...winning the East, outplaying the national champs and watching yall get schooled by a Big 10 school after watching us school a Big 10 school helped me feel better about 59-20...its not how you start, but how you finish.

Kindest regards

Posted by gator4life on July 24, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do you guys really think you are gonna convince McBrim that UT is better than UF? I would say bout the same chance that he has of convincing you guys to cheer for our Gators. OP11, its only "how u finish" when that helps your side of the argument :-)

Posted by VOLstuckINky on July 24, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tebow's ACL is toast this year .... what a shame.

Posted by TommyJack on July 24, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Volstuckin: Over the line, IMO.

Posted by HotlantaVol on July 24, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree TJ - Good fun stops at wishing injury on anyone.

Posted by HotlantaVol on July 24, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope that Volstuck was just stating that he thinks Meyer runs Tebow too much and that overuse poses a higher risk of injury, but it sure didn't come off that way.

Posted by RocketVol on July 24, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mcbrim, just curious when you earned your college degree - I don't think you have one. You are a library expert I see, and apparently are not aware UT has one of the nations best libraries in the John C. Hodges. It ranks 27th among public research libraries and 52nd among all major academic research libraries in Canada and the U.S. by the Association of Research Libraries. I spent countless hours there earning a degree with honors.

I think you are uneducated and not well traveled because your writing is that of a complete idiot. And I really don't think any UT fan on this board gives a rats fanny about your opinion. This has absolutely nothing to do with Tebow - but you brought it up.

Posted by gavol2572 on July 24, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Again Adams reveals his man-crush on Trimmy Timmy and has to get in a jab at Peyton and the Vols.

Posted by invisiblekid on July 24, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Timbow is a great player, a great person, and everyone loves him. That about sums this column up, time to move on. As far as how he will do in the NFL or compares to Manning, none of that matters on Sept. 20.

Posted by TommyJack on July 24, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kid: Ditto. Enough already.

Posted by BSweet on July 24, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Love him or hate him, Tebow is a great college qb. I think UM needs to be careful about how hard he pushes him though. Those hits add up more than you realize, just ask former football greats like Earl Campbell. He's young and it looks as if he is shaking them off with ease but eventually they will take their toll.

For Timmy to be a success in the NFL, he's going to have to modify his game and learn he can't take off as much. They hit a lot harder in the big leagues and even Superman won't survive a season of that. Those boys eat their Wheaties! If he gives them a target, they will obliterate him. But TT seems to be intelligent enough to figure that out.

Not a Tebow fan as he plays for the gators, but I do give him his props.

Posted by Lofton4Three on July 24, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey John...do us all a favor and take 2 weeks off then quit.

Posted by sjt18 on July 24, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim, Not everyone here is delusional enough to believe that UF's talent/experience gap over UT is nearly as great as UT's over UCLA this year... if that gap exists at all.

You're a homer. That's fine. I may be sometimes as well... but I wouldn't trade UT's OL for UF's... and UF has an outstanding OL. I wouldn't trade UT's RB's for UF's. No one in their right mind wouldn't take Harvin but the real difference in raw talent stops there.

UT is probably in better shape than UF on the DL this year though neither team can really count on those groups. UF has an advantage with 1st line LB's but I like UT's group just as well. UT has a more talented secondary plain and simple... and that's not to disparage UF's DB talent. It is very good. UT's is historically good.

By comparison, UCLA may not have a healthy QB. They are trying to patch an OL together. They like UGA don't really return a proven WR. They have one proven RB. Their D lost most of its playmakers and has since lost its most exp'd safety.

Posted by sjt18 on July 24, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OrangePower, mcbrim is far more rational than the Bammer "pleasegetridofthenotsoslimone".

Posted by sjt18 on July 24, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCFL, nice job lying by plucking a quote out of its context. I specifically said CPF probably wasn't happy about but didn't whine about it either.

That truly is pathetic on Meyer's part... and yours if you're too blind to see it.

It was a gimmick. It was punished... but it worked. Just get over it already.

Posted by sjt18 on July 24, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gator4life, I'm not convinced that UT is a better team. I am convinced they are top to bottom more than talented enough to compete with and beat UF however.

The delusion on both sides is the notion that it is in the bag for either team. The peculiar delusion of UF fans is that last year's game is even close to representing the difference between the two programs now or in the past... It isn't even a great representation of the difference last year considering how the two teams fared against UGA later in the season.

I wouldn't say that the UT team that showed up for UGA, Ark, and LSU would have beaten UF... I would say that it would have been a competitive game.

Posted by VOLS85 on July 24, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tim Tebow is the best, blah blah blah, JA has a man crush, blah blah blah

blah blah blah blah

Posted by TurboFan on July 24, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Four straight columns from JA regarding Tebow, Florida/LSU, Florida and Meyers. Today is Phil's turn at the podium. And all KNS has is Drew Edwards article on a subpoena.

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gator4life...

I am not like gator fans who think individual game performances are the measure of a season's success.

How you finish is the ONLY thing that matters. Championships are the ONLY thing that matters. Granted, we did not win the SEC, therefore, WE did not finish. But we won the East, which is the first criteria for winning the SEC. And we finished the year on a winning note, something you UF not claim.

Posted by VOLstuckINky on July 24, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

when Tebow is carted off ... I'll laugh and not feel bad about it.

Posted by OrangePower11 on July 24, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whoa,
VolstuckinKY...

You are making Mc3rd_in_the_East look like a cross between Steven Hawking and the Pope. Besides, Vols should want UF's best effort/players, especially after last year.

No matter how much we love our teams, its STILL ONLY A FOOTBALL GAME!

Posted by BigMix on July 24, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John Tebow-Adams

Posted by peppervol on July 24, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm UTK class of '69. I partied with Frank Emmanuel,Bobby Petrella, Stan Mitchell, Joe Graham, Larry Seivers, Doug Archibald, Ron Widby(whom I played tailback against and defeated my Sr. yr HS Homecoming game), and yes, Kiner and "Hacksaw", among others. Can you say Clinch Towers and Bel-Aire apts? A truly magical time in my life. Who can forget Gary Melton doing cannonballs off the roof into the pool at Clinch Towers? Ah, college days and the "sweet bird of youth". Nobody loves the Vols more. That said, I totally disagree with the negative Tim Tebow comments. this young man is the epitomy of what college athletics should be. Really special football player; really special person.Genuine chance at back-to-back Heisman's? That's incredible, given the vast talent-pool that's out there today. I want to beat the Gators as much as any one,and when we do, we will have beaten one of the finest. Won't that be a great feeling? Cannot wait. Go our beloved Vols!!

Posted by volguy41nlouisiana on July 24, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pleasegetrid.......Not a true Vol fan...check the mirror mud whistle...I bleed orange...and just cuz we didnt beat Ark State by 50 we underachieved....you are a moron if you think everytime we line up...were gonna win or lose by some set score that you conjur up...take off your garanimals.....put the bottle down...and grow up skippy....tard!

Posted by BigMix on July 24, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pleasegetridof said: THAT is the main reason I have this post name.

....and all this time I thought you had that name because you were just a complete fuhking moron. When will I ever learn not to judge so quickly.

Posted by pdhuff on July 24, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ 2:09 - Enuf- No way.

Only 8 is enuf. Its gotten FSU and Penn St into a fine kettle of fish. How many times do you have to be reminded "Study your charts while staying the course"!!!???

Posted by invisiblekid on July 24, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack, if Adams drops one more column on Timbow, Urban Sombrero, the Great Saban, or their respective programs, I may have to get off the fence and start spending my time with the Adams haters. The Finebaum incident was almost enough and this is getting a little ridiculous. My guess though is we are getting ready for a 12 part series on what great guys Stafford and Richt are and how they spend their summer vacations complete with a slide show.

Posted by bigfan502 on July 24, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sgt, cool it pal...allow the Vols to lay low..of course we all bleed orange..but first we have to get off to a good start..that game last year led to the blowout by gators..last year before game at Cal, our fans were overconfident..just as now...Vols have to prove they can win at UCLA first of all, for last forty years we have been a flop on the West coast. The Golden state seems to reduce the Volunteers to easy pickings.

Posted by 1manningfan on July 24, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dc florida ,

all you bring up is tenn vs fl record, i was hoping you would fire back heres what im talking about!!

tenn has more bowl wins
tenns has more bowl appearances
tenn has all time more wins than UF
tenn has a better record against the gators only by one now 19/18 however most of uf wins to catch up didnt start till the 90's
tenn has more NATIONAL CHAPIONSHIPS
tenn has more SEC CHAPIONSHIPS
tenn has more NFL players all time than uf
tenn has more NFL players present day than uf

like i said before dont bring petty stats on here because ill just brought the whole house down on your worthless petty stats.

Im sure you get my point we all know what stats mean the most when it comes to braging rights. Good luck topping that!!! GO VOLS

p.s. if you dont believe me just look it up in the stat books, you should know all about that.

kindest regards

Posted by volguy41nlouisiana on July 24, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

1manningfan.......Three snaps and a ooooooooooooooooo in yo face.....nice post bro...lol...

Posted by TommyJack on July 24, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kid: I never said I liked the guy. He does seem to be overplaying his hand, I'll admit. Maybe he's enjoying his 15 minutes a little too much.
I just think peeps get a little too overwrought about him.

Posted by supersmo18 on July 24, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GGGAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!! CAN WE PLEASE NOT HAVE AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY YOU THAT PERTAINS TO HOW GREAT FLORIDA, ALABAMA, OR LSU IS, OR THEIR PLAYERS??? This is

goVOLSxtra.com,

NOT gogaytorsxtra, NOT gotigirlsxtra, and not gobammersxtra.

Please.

Posted by invisiblekid on July 24, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, wasn't implying anything about your allegiance for or against Adams. I absolutely agree about folk getting too cranked up over him and actually appreciate much of his work. Just saying that we are nearing the point where I am starting to lean further into hater's territory. It's starting to come across that he is sitting back and getting a kick out of not writing about the Vols and fueling the fire. The Manning comment in this particualr column was put there for no other reason.

Posted by TommyJack on July 24, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kid: Yeah, I think he would be well advised not to get too cute.

Posted by bigfan502 on July 24, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Invisiblekid, stay on the fence..you seem to calm some of these guys who go over the top. I would also ask the same of Tommy Jack. Stop this bickering, lay low and allow Vols to get off on a winning note on Labor day. You two seem even-handed...stay cool.

Posted by 1manningfan on July 24, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

weak comment, i want bigger stats than that. Is that all you got? Very petty again, keep looking i want big meanigful records because what i see you got alot of catching up to do in alot of major categories. you can keep fishing all you want but you will keep ending up in the same spot,were? Behind tenn in the major categories that are MEANINGFUL!!!

Posted by TommyJack on July 24, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigFan: Laying low, waiting for 9/1. Suggest you make your plea to our brethren that continue to feed the FL monkees. Enough.
Peace.

Posted by Bigger_Al on July 25, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that we've established that Bama and Florida fans love Tuscaloosa John's stuff. Shocker.

Maybe they can soon have him as one of their own.

Posted by volfan5521 on July 25, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

all you Gaytors can kiss my big orange a--!! Urban is having Tebow's baby.

Posted by pdhuff on July 25, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ 7:35- the answer is to open the door that's labeled silence. A small neon light inside says-

Ignore..........

Any brewski's around Borne these day?

Posted by invisiblekid on July 25, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigfan502, win or lose, I am with the Vols, it's Adams that I am not so sure about. If the Tebow lovefest keeps up or we see Adams submit a 12 part series on subpoenas, I'll probably move onto more interesting things and better writers.

Posted by philfan on July 25, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is disgusting to see the media go on, and on, and on about Tebow. I saw an interview with Tebow on ESPN the other day. It was like, What is your favorite color, Who is your favorite NFL quarterback, Which is your favorite NFL quarterback from the past, What cereal do you prefer, and on, and on, and on. You know, Tebow does not have to agree to all these silly interviews, unless of course Meyer is ordering him to do it for the publicity. The preseason polls will be unfairly influenced by this sick marketing strategy, and it will not go in Tennessee's favor. We need to take Tebow and company down a notch or two in September.

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