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Adams: Loss to Nebraska led to UT's 1998 title run

By John Adams (Contact)
Originally published 11:32 a.m., March 1, 2008
Updated 11:32 a.m., March 1, 2008

Editor's note: The following is the first in a series of John Adams columns commemorating the 10th anniversary of Tennessee's 1998 national championship season. Throughout the year, former UT strong safety Fred White will offer his insight into what was going on with the team at the same time of year 10 years ago.

No one was talking national championship when Tennessee went through its winter workouts leading up to spring practice in 1998.

The goal was more basic, more personal. The returning players had something to prove.

So you couldn't fully appreciate the success of 1998 without understanding the failure that preceded it.

Never mind how much UT accomplished in 1997 - an SEC championship, 11 victories and a No. 7 national ranking - the season ended with a devastating 42-17 loss to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

The victory gave Nebraska the national championship in the coaches' poll. The defeat gave UT the impetus to win the 1998 national title.

UT had been a popular pick to win the national championship in 1997. And the team had prepared accordingly.

"We had Peyton Manning (at quarterback)," White said. "And a defense like ours. We ain't gonna lose. That's how we felt. So we worked out really hard."

A regular-season loss to Florida virtually killed UT's national championship hopes. It didn't affect the Vols' confidence. They were intent on showcasing their talent in the Orange Bowl.

White, who played mainly on special teams in 1997, went home to Griffin, Ga., before the bowl game. He remembers being kidded at the local barbershop about how good unbeaten Nebraska was.

"They had me boiling," White said. "I said. 'We're gonna kick their butt.' "

After hard, physical practices leading up to the bowl game, White was even more convinced his team would handle the Cornhuskers. Although Manning had bursitis in one knee, White had seen enough of his quarterback in practice to believe the injury wouldn't be a factor.

"We were gonna show everybody how good we were," White said.

Instead, Nebraska showed why it deserved the national championship. And the Vols received a painful lesson in what it would take to win one.

The shocking outcome was preceded by a series of mini-shocks - each one denting the Vols' confidence while reminding them they were in uncharted water.

"They were a different breed," White said.

As the teams went through pregame warm-ups, White couldn't help but notice how big Nebraska's offensive linemen were. In fact, they weren't any bigger than UT's linemen, according to the listed weights.

"But our guys weren't built like that," White said. "They looked huge."

The Cornhuskers played differently, too. They ran the ball, then ran some more, deftly knocking down UT defenders with cut blocks that quickly had the Vols playing tentatively.

"We always thought of ourselves as a physical team," White said. "We could fight and play with anybody. Bring it on. We're ready."

But they weren't ready for Nebraska.

White remembers being knocked down on kickoff coverage for the first time in high school or college. Taken aback, he conferred with fellow cover man, Eric Westmoreland.

"What's happening on your side?" White asked.

"I was on the ground," Westmoreland replied.

Nebraska began to take charge in the second quarter. As the teams prepared to return to the field for the second half, the Cornhuskers made it clear they were just getting started.

"We're about to wear you out," they told White.

"It wasn't really trash talk, the way they said it," White said. "They just said it (matter-of-factly), 'We're about to wear you out.' And they wore us out."

No matter how a game was going, White said he always expected his team would prevail.

"That feeling began to go away in the fourth quarter," he said.

White recalled all the work that had gone into the season - winter conditioning, spring practice, summer workouts - and wondered, "What did we do wrong?

"We were embarrassed."

They also were determined to do something about it.

"Nebraska was our measuring stick," White said. "They were stronger than us and just as fast. It was a rude awaking.

"But it was something we needed."

White stayed home only two days. When he and his teammates returned to UT, they began laying the groundwork for their unbeaten season.

"We had one of our best teams in '97," White said. "Then all of a sudden, we looked bad against Nebraska, lost those seniors, and people were saying we were going to be 8-4 (in 1998). We had to prove we could play."

Before they could play, they had to work. And as hard as they worked before the 1997 season, they realized they had to work even harder.

During winter workouts, the players went the extra mile on a daily basis. If a player missed a voluntary workout, teammates called him.

The message: "You better get your butt out here."

White credits his strength coach, John Stuckey, with providing added incentive when called for. Stuckey didn't mind playing the Nebraska card, either.

White remembers working out with Stuckey right in his face, shouting and prodding while bringing the weights to life.

"That's No. 50 (of Nebraska), who put you on the ground, Fred," Stuckey would say. "Get him off you, Fred. Get him off you."

"That gave you the extra edge to lift that weight," White said.

The voluntary workouts, the exhortations from Stuckey and all those 5 a.m. morning runs did the job.

"When we got ready for spring football, my body was ready," White said.

But the Nebraska game was still with him. He watched the videotape over and over, wondering how a team seemingly so talented, confident and prepared had been beaten so soundly.

He wondered the same thing on that 15-hour drive home from Miami with his parents.

"Anytime my team lost, I spent the next two days trying to figure out how we could have won the game," White said.

Neither he nor his teammates had an answer this time. No matter how many times they played the game in their mind, the conclusion was inevitable. They had lost convincingly to a national champion. But they had gained something, too.

No one would realize how much until a year later.

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

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       82 Comments

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Excellent article. Many have said that after the Nebraska game, work in the UT weight room was never the same.

Posted by va_vol16 on March 1, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

johns weak attempt to suck up

Posted by bordenride on March 1, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

O.K. John so you gave us a re-hash of a succesful period of time when the team came together and worked hard. Is this your way of saying I am sorry for the dis-respectful Fulmer bashing article? How many lineman have you lined up agaisn't offensive or defensive? How many plays or players have you dealt with on the sidelines? Not to mention off the field. Sorry, but that article you recently wrote just let us all know how little you really know about athletes,coaches and the game of football...

Posted by thesavageorange on March 1, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack ,It needs to return to that.It seems(the last few yr's)we have tried to get smaller weightwise,and faster.They say Clawson is taking on that Stuckey type of attitude.I hope the player's take on Fred's attitude.He wasn't the biggest or fastest ,but he played w/ passion.

Posted by volfan73120 on March 1, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bordenride, That was a good post. I agree.

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Savage: I'm with you. I think (and hope) that a lot of things will change with Coach Clawson. Coach Cutcliffe was granted HUGE authority by Dr. Fulmer. Hope the same goes for Clawson.

Posted by 55Vol on March 1, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

News flash John Adams.....same coach... besides you would side with those that said we were simply lucky to win that one. Nice reading but I'm not buying this. Geez.....

Posted by jcvet on March 1, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Then in 99 Nebraska kicked their a$$es again. Probably what should have been the best UT team ever. Coaching is everything.

Posted by General_Watermelon on March 1, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One Question: How much does a coach from Richmond know about the commitment needed in the weight room to win it all?

Posted by bordenride on March 1, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volfan73120, thanks for the support. We should let these writers know that we're not the dummeys just reading and taking in all the subjective garbage they want to write about. Sorry but some of us went to college to. And some of us played varsity sports as well. If you want to get rich go write for some tabloid in England. Maybe write about rugby players having swing sex parties,,etc...

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General: I think (hope) that the coach from Richmond knows the discipline, effort and dedication it takes to win it all. Maybe 1 or more of these has been missing lately. Here's to hope.
Here's to coaching, not just mentoring.

Posted by RocketVol on March 1, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It has always disturbed me that it took a beating like that, or job-on-the-line media hounding like pre-Georgia this past year, to motivate a bunch to play like champions. Why isn't this message going through the conduit paid millions to do it? I realy hope the new coaches can get it done - and I hope their enthusium is not thwarted by the top.

Posted by vol52 on March 1, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It was the spring of 98 when Fulmer told us tradition does not graduate. I now believe Tennessee has lowered it's standard regarding tradition.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 1, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good article. Why do you write football articles like this in March? Johnny you might want to wait until August to write stories like this. If you don't you may get a writers block.

Then again...

Posted by kaplan on March 1, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Editor's note: The following is the first in a series of John Adams columns commemorating the 10th anniversary of Tennessee's 1998 national championship season. Throughout the year, former UT strong safety Fred White will offer his insight into what was going on with the team at the same time of year 10 years ago.

Posted by nafslov on March 1, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Another good article from John Adams......funny I showed a couple articles written by Mark Packer to my 12 year-old son and his comment...."Was this written by a "grade schooler" with NO knowledge of UT sports ?" !!!! I told him "No son ,just one of the local sports clowns" !Keep up the good work John ! Go Vols !

Posted by cjraney on March 1, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The title of the article sounds interesting. I would read the article if not for my self-imposed boycott of John Adams' material.
Go Vols. Beat Kentucky.

Posted by agentorange on March 1, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

boycott hall's salvage and any business advertising on this site until John Adams is fired. read tennessean.com

Posted by EDis4UT on March 1, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks kaplan. I kinda see now why a story like this was written on 1-March.

Posted by agentorange on March 1, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mike hamilton should pull all university of tennessee advertising from all scripps-related media. send him letters/emails regarding same.

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

agent: Don't be ridiculous.

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CJ: You're peeking, aren't you? Come on, admit it.

Posted by VenomousVol on March 1, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love the idiots who come on here, read the article, then put in the comment section don't read the KNS. Give it a fargin rest! Ain't nobody stupid enough to fire a columnist who gets as much attention as Adams. You morons need to get over the fact that somebody picked on poor little Phil. Nobody is above criticism, not even St. Philip. I bet some of these same idiots that go nuts over a columnist calling out Fulmer would cheer a column bashing President Bush.**NEWS FLASH** NOT EVERYBODY LOVES PHOOLMER!

Posted by Vol13 on March 1, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Johnny Long ought to be run out of town with Fulmer and Mike Hamilton. We've been soft ever since John Stuckey became ill and ultimately had to resign his post.

BTW, it's ironic that so many of you morons who disagreed with John Adams recent article are over here still crowing about it. We have the dumbest fanbase in the the SEC by far. I wish you would have the same passion for getting rid of Fulmer and maybe we could get our football program back on track.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 1, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hate to bust your bubble guys, but boycotts NEVER work. I never found one that did. I doesn't mean that I'm glad they don't work. Most of the time I wish that they would make a difference. Just being realistic.

Posted by VenomousVol on March 1, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These people yelling boycott probably run to the mailbox in the morning to see what is in the KNS today. No other paper covers the vols as closely as this one, thats why the fools are on this site now. If its about UT, vol fans are gonna read it, they are all blowing smoke.

Posted by Volfan1 on March 1, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ED,
Uh...boycotts DO work. Evidently you don't know enough about them. Of course, they must be organized properly, but they do work.
BTW, you CAN comment without reading the article.
It's called scrolling down.
I don't mind reading other writers from the KNS, but not Adams, no matter how much he is trying to suck up. An apology is appropriate, not a history lesson.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 1, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh Adams! What did you write that damn article!

VenomousVol,

I know I'm beating a dead horse here. As I stated here before, I didn't totally disagree with Johnny's article. I took offence to the tones of a writer attacking a man personally. Like when he blamed Fulmer for some of the former VOL players for getting into trouble in the NFL. That's BS!

My God, when you have your own peers writing a column about you being out of line (a.k.a. David Climer; Tennessean) which very very rarely happens - your practicing 'yellow journalism'. These guys stick together like glue. If you think most fans are going to sit back and say NOTHING you're crazy.

And I'm no "PHOOLMER" kool-aid drinker either. If he announced today he was starting to plan for his retirement - I would not lose a lot of sleep over it. It also doesn't help this not the first time Johnny has thrown knifes at Fulmer's back.

Just take chill pill man, it's all good...well, I don't know about all...

Posted by Vol13 on March 1, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams shouldn't apologize to anyone. His initial article was DEAD ON and FACTUAL. Adams didn't make any of our malcontents go out and get arrested. The program is Fulmer's ultimately responsibility and he has to be accountable when things go bad just like he gets to take the glory when things go good. It's a two way street.

Don't like the message so let's just shoot the messenger. That's the Tennessee fanbase for you.

Posted by LongtimeVol on March 1, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, regarding your admonition to agent at 1:43.

You are are quite the idealist, aren't you? Uh, if not for the ridiculous postings on this site, what would we read?

Agree Vol13, many on this site appear to have stronger literary sensibilities than desire for excellence in the football program with their hatred of Adams and support for Fulmer. Never ceases to amaze me.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 1, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Volfan1:

I have no problem with you and other fans if you never read Adams column again. That's wasn't my point. IMO, I never heard boycotts of a person, place or thing ever working. I may be wrong, it's just my opinion.

I agree that Adams owes Fulmer a PUBLIC apology for some of the things he said. As you well know that's never going to happen. What a "journalist" admit they were out of line? No way! I know how prideful and arrogant some of these people are. Adams would resign before he had publicly admit he was wrong.

Okay.. that's all I'm going to say about is. I'm going back to the basketball side of the UT world.

Posted by rootin4volz on March 1, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah...but where's the apology to Fulmer?

Posted by VenomousVol on March 1, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ed,

Just sick of all the whining about a opinion column. It is what he is paid to do. People have said it was wrong to bring up Goodrich/Little, maybe so but they do reinforce the stereotype of UThug. I remember Goodrich getting in trouble for being drunk at the Rocky Top on Cumberland and raising cain over some chicken wings. If he had been booted off the team for that Things could be a lot different.

He doesn't get that pick-6 in the championship game.
UT loses to Florida state, no 1998 national title.
Fulmer is fired after 2005.
Goodrich doesn't make the NFL, end up in Dallas, and kill two people while driving drunk. Ending up in prison.

I know it is a stretch, but it is possible.

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LongtimeVol: Thanks. I take pride in my ridiculousness. You don't think boycotting KNS, advertisers, etc is not a bit over the line? Over an op-ed piece? Come on man. This is Amurca.

Posted by bordenride on March 1, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey venomousVol I am not whining. I just say Adams dicscredits himself all the time. He does not know football,does not know coaching, and has no experience in lining up agaisnt 250 llb. linebackers with 4.4 speed. Sports writers in general are the guys as kids were always picked last when you chose up teams in your back-yard. And don't even try to argue that fact. Even sports writers with enough brass admit this.....

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kingsport: lmao

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bordenride: Sooooo, you propose only ex-jocks be sports writers? Is that your position?

Posted by pdhuff on March 1, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, where you pushing carts in 1998?

Posted by tngeoff on March 1, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hootenanny on Adams column.

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Goeff: Is that my cuzzin?

Posted by TommyJack on March 1, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Naw, I was still selling dirt. Sold enuff that now all I have to do is annoy peeps on this board. lol

Posted by tngeoff on March 1, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack.

It is. One tough hombre too!

Posted by b on March 1, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

STFU, Adams--you moron!!!

Don't give Fulmer any credit, you Fool!!!

Leave Knoxville!!

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 1, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET OFF JOHN ADAMS' JOCK!!

You're sitting here reading his articles, but yet you hate him sooo bad just because he bashed your precious Fulmer (the same guy 9 out of 10 of you wanted fired after UF beat us up and then again after Bama drilled us).

It's just like cable... if you don't like what's on the screen, change the channel but don't whine and b*tch about it like a bunch of girls. If you don't like Adams, DON'T READ OR COMMENT HIS ARTICLES!!!! Get over it.

Posted by WaltGoVols on March 1, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams needs a new job. He should -never- have called for the resignation of Coach Fulmer. He should not be allowed to forget that he made a fool of himself.

Go away, Adams. Start somewhere else and show you can learn from your mistakes.

Walt UT '81

Posted by WaltGoVols on March 1, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yemmusdarb sends:

"EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET OFF JOHN ADAMS' JOCK!!

You're sitting here reading his articles, but yet you hate him sooo bad just because he bashed your precious Fulmer (the same guy 9 out of 10 of you wanted fired after UF beat us up and then again after Bama drilled us)."

John Adams should never have gone after Coach Fulmer's jock.

Can anybody tell me how many people John Adams has supervised?

One copy boy? Two?

He had no business calling for the resignation of Coach Fulmer because (maybe comeone can say) I don't believe he ever held an executive position over dozens of people and millions of dollars and -now- he has no business on the Knoxville News-Sentinel staff.

--No--one--who--claims--they--care--about--Tennessee Football--should--be--showing--disrespect--for-- Coach--Fulmer--on--an--open--forum--.

Cry in your beer. But keep it to yourself.

I don't mean Adams. He's a scribbler. -That's- his job. He doesn't need to have any particular loyalty to anything except driving people across this site.

Walt, UT 81

Posted by why36knot on March 1, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams is a classless opinionist who is too lazy to write something fresh and new. He pulls out garbage like this and the next 10 will be and fills space in the newspaper. He relies on records provided by others and he insinuates rather than writing the truth.
He is so blinded by his dislke of Coach Fulmer that he clouds every thing he says bout him with accusations and innuendo.
As long as he writes this trash and as long as they provide a comment section, I will comment in kind in rebuttal of his negative slant on sports at the University of Tennessee.

Posted by volfan_in_mississippi on March 1, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why does the fire Fulmer article have to come up again? I did not like that article, but this piece was well written and the first part of what looks to be an interesting series.

Why can we not just enjoy this story without regard to any previously written Adam's story?

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 1, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

exaaaactly volfan_in_mississippi

moral of the story: move on! get over it!

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 1, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WaltGoVols:

What you posted makes no sense whatsoever. So John Adams isn't an executive, therefore he can't write his opinion and state that he feels we need a new head coach? I didn't know you had to have people "work under you" to share an opinion.

Oh, and all the dashes really do not make your emphasis on a terribly written post stand out any stronger. Nothing you said connects with anything I said, nor anything anyone here has said. Please do not repond to this because, quite frankly, I don't want to hear that Adams can't call for Fulmer to be fired since he... used to have a goldfish..... or maybe because he's never ice fished before.....

I mean.... wow... really.

Posted by pdhuff on March 1, 2008 at 9:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yemmusdarb -9:01 I could buy maybe Adams icefishing, but I ain't getting in no shack on Lake Woebegone with ol' Phil, 12" ice or not!

Hard to trace missing with only floating fritters to go on.

Posted by tngeoff on March 1, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams boycott gets column posted Nationally:

http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm...

Posted by rabidvolfan on March 1, 2008 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John? What was that? Who cares about what happened 10 years ago? I like most of Adams articles but the one problem I've always had with Adams is that he is too much of a sheep. Now you sheep want him run off.

Posted by movol77 on March 1, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Why can we not just enjoy this story without regard to any previously written Adam's story?"

Very simple. You don't spit in someone's face one day on the next encounter pat him on the back. If someone sucker punched you on one day, should you act like it never happened on the next encounter?

John Adams is responsible for John Adams. Most of us can't take him seriously until he seriously corrects his sucker punch article from last week. Right now JA looks like a journalistic twerp.

Posted by WaltGoVols on March 1, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yemmusdarb sends:

"WaltGoVols:

What you posted makes no sense whatsoever. So John Adams isn't an executive, therefore he can't write his opinion and state that he feels we need a new head coach?"

Not unless he has been in a similar position - no he cannot - with any credibility.

Remember when he scoffed at Coach Fulmer using group punishment - suggesting that it doesn't work?

I went through recruit training at Parris Island and group punishment was the order of the day and it -definitely- works.

Walt

Posted by WaltGoVols on March 1, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yemmusdarb sends:

"exaaaactly volfan_in_mississippi

moral of the story: move on! get over it!"

That is certainly an alternative for people who don't stand for anything.

Walt UT '81

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 1, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've been through basic training, too. But again, that has nothing to do with bashing a journalist for writing an article which contains his opinion. If you don't like him, don't read him. Standing for something and jumping on a bandwagon are two different things.

I've never been an executive, but I've thought "We need a change at the top at UT!" So am I not entitled to that opinion?

And by the way, I think that Adams' article would be considered someone standing for something, would it not? He's entitled to his opinion. He doesn't have to have been a former head coach, President of the US, or an executive with 200 workers beneath him to have the opinion that Fulmer needs to go. Do I agree with his article? Not in it's entirety. However, this is a free country and all he was doing was expressing his opinion.

All you people are doing is jumping on a bandwagon. I'm sure everyone at one time or another has thought we needed a coaching change. It's like when you call your sibling a name, it's okay. But when someone else does it, it's not okay.

Adams writes solid material for the most part and, maybe, he shouldn't have said some of the things he said. But he did. So my one and ONLY point to this entire argument is: move on, get over it. That doesn't mean I don't stand for anything, it simply means I'm mature and respect his opinion.

Posted by LongtimeVol on March 1, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, of course I think those things are way over the line and ridiculous. My comment to you was with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 1, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PS: I even respect your opinion, Walt, because you've done it respectfully for the most part. You don't like Adams. I don't mind him. We're all Vols fans in the end.

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 1, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

movol: Noone sucker punched anyone. Noone spat in anyone's face. Those are two comparisons that are way off from what the issue is at hand. He wrote an article. You're getting all worked up over one man's opinion. Stop being a woman... that's what women do.

Posted by TommyJack on March 2, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LongtimeVol: frequently slow on the uptake here.

Posted by DarthVol on March 2, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess there wasn't an Al Wilson there to WILL that team to victory. Oh, wait...

Posted by Vol13 on March 2, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Whether or not Adams has coached football is pointless. If that is a requirement, then the next time one of you thinks you are running a little fever, then by all means go to the doctor. Don't take Tylenol and get some rest. Go see a doctor. Since you aren't a doctor and never have been, then you are not qualified to diagnose yourself.

Apparently, some of you think that coaching is a lot harder than it really is. Who do you think is going to have more leadership savvy? A guy with an MBA or a guy with PE degree? I know the answer.

I got news for you. Fulmer hasn't managed anyone either. He's never fired a soul in his coaching tenure unless you count Mark Bradley. And he's had countless assistants who weren't performing up to standard in many a year. Fact is that if this were a corporate business performing for shareholders (and it is essentially) then Fulmer would have been axed or stepped down himself long ago.

Posted by pdhuff on March 2, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vol13 8:06am - great thoughtful insight. Won't be appreciated by all.

Posted by hulingmtt on March 2, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If Adams had never written the Fulmer article, all of you would be loving this one.

Revisiting an amazing (off)season, what's so wrong with that? Better than revisiting this past season...

"Well, Cal opened our eyes and we really worked like heck only to get abused by Florida and Alabama"

He's not giving Fulmer any credit? It's from Fred White's perspective!! Maybe you should be mad at Fred White!

A column is an OPINION. I've noticed here in East TN that a lot of people get too worked up (see: Boycott) if someone's opinion doesn't line up with theirs. Grow up people. I can't believe people are still mad about this.

Posted by TommyJack on March 2, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vol13: As we speak, The Faithful, along with Dr. Fulmer, are meeting to discuss your banishment from this board. Be advised, it could go either way. My guess (as a nay-sayer) is...you're gone.

Posted by mparker on March 2, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

UT played hotdog ball in the first Nebraska game. there was a lot of showboating by defenders who made plays in the first half. Gee, ther wyore out, waht a surprise.

Add to that the main goal of the offense was to not get Peyton hit. He took very quick drops, very quick passes. Stil, it was a game until Jamal Lewis got hit on a nice gain and fumbled.

UT wsa the perfect team for UN to embarras that year.

The second meeting between UN and UT was very differetn. Both teams hit hard, both teams played hard the whole game. UN got a few timely pass plays to keep long drives alive to win it.

UN had very good players, and played with great confidence. They owe a lot to UT. We gave them 2 shots at NC's (97, 2001), we made Eric Crouch look like a Heisman guy...glad some of that time is done.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 2, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And here I thought this article was about Fred White giving some insight on what it took to win the NC in '98 instead of another referendum on John Adams.

If 42-17 provided the motivation for the '98 Vols to work hard then 59-20 and 41-17 should do the job just fine for the current group of players.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 2, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker,

I remember in the first game I thought we were playing Bryant in the 70's. The way they were shuffling in and out fresh lineman - I could swear that they had 120 guys dressed out. That wasn't a football team we played, it was a freakin' army!

Second game was much different, we had a chance in that game. Poor play calling and adjustments on the Coaching staff. Reminded me alot of the Kansas St. debacle we would have the next season in Dallas.

Very frustrating!

Posted by invisiblekid on March 2, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, I am suprised someone hasn't accused Adams of being unfair with this article. After all, he does point out it is the 10nth anniversary of the Vols winning their last title.

Posted by TommyJack on March 2, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Kid: Anyone mentioning 10 yrs. should be banished. Boycott like heck.

Posted by pdhuff on March 2, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tommyjack, how long is the banished list?

Would not the right way to do it is say, "All are welcome". (As long as they toe the company line and hoist their shakers)

Posted by TommyJack on March 2, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: I'll defer to your wisdom, especially if they have to shake their pom-poms. All are welcome.(conditionally)

Posted by bmaples on March 2, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John -- Good article. I'm looking forward to the series -- great idea to connect with White for the inside scoop. Thanks!

Posted by bordenride on March 2, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13... you have just discredited yourself bigtime..
Your a %^&*%$^&* idiot. You have know idea what a fact is. Not to mention that you don't have the where-with-all to even hold down a non skilled job. Get off this site please....

Posted by bordenride on March 2, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13... you have just discredited yourself bigtime..
Your a %^&*%$^&* idiot. You have know idea what a fact is. Not to mention that you don't have the where-with-all to even hold down a non skilled job. Get off this site please....

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 2, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bordenride:

you've got Vol13 there! he totally discredited himself, huh? he has "know" idea what a fact is, huh?!! we all "no" what you're thinking! just say "know" to drugs!!!!!

idiot. you just made yourself look like a complete jackass.

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 2, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13: good post-- read mine, we're pretty much on the same page.

Posted by bordenride on March 3, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yemmesbard or whatever your down syndrome name is... What did your basic training include? Sticking your head up the ass of jackass's? I mean since you seem to be so up on them... You think basic training is tough? Try a 50K mountain trail run with 18,000 feet of vertical climbing. And doing it in under 6 hrs. I might add. Get off my cloud! Retarded Wimp!!!

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