Posted by volsfan327 on March 13, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

But we don't get the R-E-S-P-E-C-T we deserve, nice try! GO VOLS

Posted by TommyJack on March 13, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Excellent piece.

Posted by GerryOP on March 13, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You go John - great column! Don the kevlar (credits to ol' pdhuff for that phrase!), keep your head down, and watch your back! Thou shalt never question the loyal faithful and their beliefs! Good job, dude!

Posted by snowvol on March 13, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm in the media outside of Tennessee and have a radio talk show in which I don't ever let on my affinity for the Vols and a few other pro teams. I've lived and died with the Vols for nearly a half-century. Never, and I do mean never, have I come across more paranoid fans than fellow Vols fans. I am so sick and tired of their collective obsession with ESPN. Enough already.

Rather than, as you correctly pointed out, revel in the amazing coverage UT has received on ESPN (including last year's women's softball team), instead of hearing ALL comments from ESPN broadcasters -- namely, the ones who love UT and have gone on ad nauseum about the billowing greatness of the program, instead of really listening to the enormous amount of pro-UT commentary on Fox Sports Network (on radio), ESPN Radio, CBS and ABC ----- far too many Vols fans do exactly what you suggest: They moan, whine and complain in the "nobody likes us" lament.

The "ESPN hates UT and Knoxville" cries have grown dreadfully old. I honestly believe if ESPN did a two hour show solely on Tennessee athletics, going on and on about UT as THE place to go and play collegiate athletics, it wouldn't be enough for most fans. They'd still find something to bitch about.

Posted by utchris2003 on March 13, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Seriously? Did John Adams write this and use Pennington's name? Every fan base in the SEC is excessive and no matter the accolades, feels that they get short changed. That is just how we roll. It is more about pride in your team, then it is inadequacy.

Notes to Mr. Pennington:
1) Never ever use the word sillies in an article.
2) While ESPN host the Bracketology blog, it is Joe Lunardi's, not ESPN
3) Stop trying to impress John Adam's
4) You are not a Doctor. Impersonating one is a criminal offense. I just called KPD and alerted them to this. I also told them that you played football at UT because that seems to guarantee that you will get picked up.
5)See #1 above

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 13, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

agree with TJ-----great piece---way too much paranoia, insecurity and oversensitivity over here and concern over what others may think --its all opinion and everyone is entitled to one whether they agree with yours or not

Posted by murrayvol on March 13, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You're wrong John. Dead wrong! They ARE out to get us. All of them! The refs, Pearl's coaching fraternity, the media (specially them sneaky ESPN b*****ds), the Langoliers, the KPD, the liberal moles who visit this board, and God only knows who else. I'm telling you John it's hard out here and sometimes dangerous to be a Vol fan.

Better send me one of those tape sets. Will you take a check?

Posted by rootin4volz on March 13, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually, who needs ESPN and the National media to denigrate the Vols when we get plenty of it right here in the good 'ol KNS?

Posted by ggriggs939 on March 13, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who is dick vitale that we should be concerned about his opinion. He is just a loudmouthed ego who beats his own drum apparently believing that the louder he talks, the more authoritative he sounds, like some of the 'modern' music, substituting volume for quality.
I am not concerned about the situations that evolve as a part of playing the game where skill and chance play parts in deciding the game. It is the set up by sec officials to hamper the team's performance that we face regardless of where the game is played, even at TBA. Pick any game over the past 24 years and I can show you half a dozen or more mistakes made by the sec crews, all of which benefit the other team. I do not recall any instance of their discriminate officiating that evolved to the VOLS' credit.

Posted by rbatten9 on March 13, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice Knoxville's paper takes a shot at it's own fans. That now is funny.

Posted by newtonrail on March 13, 2008 at 11:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

John, you have to consider the number of people who regularly call sports talk shows and post on web sites such as this. Since I know how media savvy you are, I know you are aware there is a very small percentage that does the griping and moaning, blasting media, or coaches. Most of us sit back and silently observe. Until ESPN apologizes for costing Peyton the Heisman, there will be a vocal group of Tenn fans against them.( And they "Ain't" about to apologize). By the way, when are the Patriots going to quit cheating? Hmmmmm?

Posted by volengr on March 13, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's why we're looked upon as insecure rednecks. Rednecks are naturally insecure. I wish we could separate ourselves from our redneck fans, but I have some redneck friends. You just have to put an arm around them and tell them it's okay. We're not all Vol fans, and sometimes people are non-bias in their opinion - shock. It doesn't mean they're out to get you. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise many now to know I'm a big John Adams fan. Thank God everybody in the knoxville media doesn't drink orange kool-aid.

Posted by anthony on March 14, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We just want what Rambo wanted! Respect and to be loved and liked and appreciated! Not to be berated and put down by our own fans and people like John Adams. Is that too too much to ask? Heck it's only a game, can we get on with out other lives too. Gosh, Doc, we don't want to get over our delusions of grandeur, we want them to be ignited!@!!!!

Posted by anthony on March 14, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here again, we are just supposed to shut up and take our lumps!! So the jolly ole Roger ESPN, the KNS , and all of the talk show hosts can have their gig!! It just proves one thing, and that is that we are the greatest!!! And that they are the ones who are paranoid of us.. How's that for respect and turning the tables. These critics have no rules to play by, only tradition and what they think is right and wrong. We should be pissed, and angry, and upset, and bleed Orange. We are not adulterous , nor play games with our feelings. And we love fans who love their teams like we love ours, not bleeding heart politically correct hypocrites, do gooders, and people who throw the Heisman trophy away because of spite and hatred of UT. Doing that special of Peyton after the ballotting just did it for me. To heck with ESPN, and the way they treated the McNab issue. They are jokes. And look at the way Pat doesn't want to play UConn. Who are these guys trying to kid. Stay UT fans, i like you just the way you are. It's a fine madness!!!

Posted by LargeOrange on March 14, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOp, Pennington doesn't need kevlar, I am as big of a kool-aid drinking faithful as they come, but I have no quarrel with anything he said in this article. It was lighthearted and funny, but truthful. I think the best thing he said was, "Love your team. Enjoy their wins. And stop bringing yourself down searching for Grouchy Grumblers. If you look for the negative, you'll surely find it." If he needs kevlar is it to protect him from the naysayers, the few, the loud, the negitive. How many times have you and your negative buddies, made references to the effect of "Tennessee is a joke, a nation-wide laughing stock, blah blah blah. This is of course is not true and you don't hear us "orange kool-aid drinkers" saying that.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 14, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ggriggs939 you need to be institutionalized---you are a real sick person

Posted by cdldoc on March 14, 2008 at 1:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Did you ever watch a basketball game on TV and wish Dick Vitale would just SHUDDUP? His constant blabbering is a real distraction to some good games. I can't even hear the game noises at times because he just talks too much. Bigmouth!

Posted by dalvol on March 14, 2008 at 1:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I remember that my psychology teacher once said that, "just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean that they're not out to get you!"

Posted by calivol on March 14, 2008 at 1:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To Pennington and Snowvol...A-M-E-N

Posted by trl_x on March 14, 2008 at 1:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good article. All the media conspiracy theories are ridiculous.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 14, 2008 at 2:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have always believed that ESPN intentionally promoted Charles Woodson for the 1998 Heisman by constantly replaying his interception, KO return , and all, for weeks leading up to the bowl games. I think this is a fact. What I don't believe, is that they did this to slight Peyton or Tennessee. Remember they are owned by ABC and ABC pays big bucks to show the Rose Bowl which Michigan was playing in that year. This was simply marketing to hype the Rose Bowl that year. It sux because obviously Payton was much more deserving than Woodson as I think is clear from their NFL results, but it is not a anti-Tennessee bias at work but just a pro-ABC agenda. Look at ESPN and see how they promote games that they or ABC are going to televise, through ads and even Sports Center pieces, take this year's TN v Memphis BB game as an example. It's not that ESPN set out to screw Payton or Tennessee, it was all about the ratings and money for the Michigan Rose bowl. That is my opinion and I think Tennessee fans should put it behind them. I admit that I have not, and will not watch another Heisman presentation as long as I live, because it is so political, but I don't harbor hate towards ESPN anymore, they are just trying to get ratings and dollars. I can understand that. It doesn't matter if I like it or not.

Posted by Cherokee on March 14, 2008 at 2:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, but I thought this article reeked of condescension. And it SEEMS as if he basically scoured the chatrooms, picked up on the musings of a few folks, and then painted the whole fan base with a rather broad brush.

All in all, not one of JP's better offerings. JMO, I think he is much better than this column showed.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on March 14, 2008 at 2:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok ok, I have to admit, there is a lot of truth to this article and it is pretty funny. That being said, ESPN does consistently cast us in a negative light. I don't even know what happened with Payton and the Heisman, but I do know that when we lose a game, there is a 10 minute break down of what we did wrong coupled with plenty of highlights to drive home their point. On the other hand, when we win a big game, we get about 20 seconds of air time. If it's basketball, they'll show 2 Lofton 3's and maybe the other team missing some free throws and talk about how we "escaped" another close one. Case in point, the way they covered our win at Florida this year. They emphasized the fact that we were down by 13 at the half and the majority of the highlight time was spent showing the Gators' 1st 9 shots, then briefly mentioned that we overcame that deficit to win the game. They didn't even mention that the game clenched our 1st outright regular season SEC championship in 41 years or that we had clenched it at all! Then they added insult to injury by putting the Calathis to Speights dunk on the Top 10 when it really wasn't anything to write home about. Any one of these things alone wouldn't be a big deal, but all of them together and many more just like them, game after game after game, seem to be too much to just be a coincidence. I don't think that UT is the only team that gets no love from ESPN. It isn't personal. It is political and driven by money I'm sure. But it is foolish to think that it is harmless. ESPN is THE authority on sports. They are basically the only game in town when it comes to uninterrupted nation-wide sports coverage and they can leave a lasting and damning impression on kids and where they choose to go play ball. How many other universities have ESPN taken it upon themselves to launch investigations against to try and get them under sanctions? I'm sure it doesn't help that Reece Davis went to Bama or that Jimmy Dykes went to Kentucky or that Lou Holtz coached at South Carolina, but I'm sure it doesn't help either. The great thing about UT sports is that our athletes keep doing our thing, staying competitive in ALL sports, and gracefully accepting the accolades when they do come. Not all of the media outlets give us a bad rep, but the ones that don't are the ones that only provide regional coverage. I think that's why everyone from the SEC states and the greater south predicted UT to beat Memphis on the ESPN poll! Because they are exposed to unbiased coverage.

OK I guess it's time for me to get off the damn soap box, but I know there are a lot of ya'll out there that agree with me!

Posted by slovog on March 14, 2008 at 6:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ya' know how Pennington changes a light bulb?

He gets up on the ladder, puts the bulb at the socket, then waits on the world to revolve around him.

IMO, he is the weakest of several poor writers on the KNS staff. And in light of that, it's ironic that most of his pieces have a very arrogant tone.

Thanks for telling Vols fans how to feel, Pennington.

Posted by Ironcity on March 14, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John, prety accurate. It appears you hurt some feelings.

Posted by jowemedo on March 14, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I've been around as a Vol fan for many years and I don't remember any of this "They're out to get us" talk before the Peyton Manning vs Charles Woodson fiasco. There is no doubt in my mind that ESPN and ABC influenced the Heisman voters that year and Vol fans have never gotten over it. Never before had a defensive player ever won the award nor will they ever win it again until another worthy candidate is slated to play in BCS bowl on ABC.

Posted by pdhuff on March 14, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I try to show as much excitement as Phil. He's the standard bearer. He leaps, I leap. Hands on knees, hands on knees. He's wary, I'm wary.

Never take the cap off during a game. See, its easy and answer reporter's questions with pap.
If they press, I study the charts and mention stay the course. They'll leave every time after that. Ennui.

I try to save "work like heck". That is all.

Posted by tripper on March 14, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My 11 year old son really enjoyed your article. Thanks for the use of capitalization and parenthetical expressions to emphasize and amplify your points. Your attempt at satire only demonstrates your inabilities as a writer and failure as a columnist to create even an ounce of substance in your articles.

Posted by jimr07 on March 14, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff- i wondered who the first anti-fulmerite would take a dig at him in a column about basketball.

Posted by PennVol on March 14, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with the article. Everybody's got their own teams to pull for, even the ESPN analysts. Every team gets their share of "approval" and "rejection". I dare say that none of us have a burning desire to show our respect for any other team. Do we respect Florida after they won the last 2 national championships or LSU for winning the BCS? Not so much! We can't expect everybody to be as passionate about our Vols as we are.

Besides, at least in basketball it will all play out on the court. As for Manning and Woodson, it's easy to see who has become the better player.

Posted by adamsck on March 14, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There is of course a lot of truth to this. UT fans (me included on occasion) have long felt ESPN (and other nat'l media) didn't give UT the respect it deserved. That is hardly news and certainly not worthy of an article in the KNS.

When I read "articles" like this I always ask myself what the motivations are for writing and printing the article. In this case its certainly not "news." There are no real "facts" being reported. Its simply one man's opinion. Why would Pennington take the time to write something like this? Why would Adams take the time to opine about midnight runs? Whatever we think of the substance of these "articles" they are fairly well written and it took considerable time and resources to publish them.

Then it hits me. The KNS needs to sell ads. How do they accomplish that? By getting UT fans riled up with swill like this. How do I respond? I giggle sillily. And yes, I did just use the word sillily in response to Pennington's use of the term the "sillies."

A better story would be for KNS to look inward and ask itself who it serves by printing stuff like this and sutff by Adams where he proposes midnight runs for CPF. Or God forbid, report on how spring football is going. Heck, maybe even interview the new assistants. That would serve the UT fans that faithfully support your paper. In reality, the only interest the KNS EVER has at heart is KNS. And right now, the KNS figures that bashing UT fans is in its interest.

Congratulations Pennington in riling up a lot of UT fans out there. I won't be among them. Instead, I'll take my 4 year old daughter to the game in ATL this afternoon. She'll be dressed in a UT cheerleading outfit with UT crocs on and madly waving UT pom poms. And if by chance we see Adams or you down there, we'll even be polite. But my daughter and I will know that if the four of us are in the same room alone, there will only be 2 UT fans present. And for that reason, we'll keep you at arms length. Because the fact is that neither of you are one of "us."

The KNS has long made its living bashing UT. Long before you or Adams were the KNS, Majors, Fulmer, etc. have been its targets. Now you've decided to go after the fans directly. Very shrewd business decision I'd say. Guaranteed to sell papers and ads.

Long live my alma mater, the Vols, and the chip on my shoulder that UT doesn't get the respect it deserves from the nat'l media and the KNS. You guys keep publishing this drivel and I'll just keep on supporting my Vols.

Posted by BOASoldier on March 14, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I could care less about what everyone thinks I do however find it funny that the ones on here that usually post negative comments about how UT football is no longer any good to the rest of the sporting world and how no one respects us because of the lack of Fulmer's coaching ability are now applauding a columnist that is telling them how much the rest of the sporting world does respect us... that's some funny crap right there. thank you gentlemen for doing that cause now i have a quote from you all supporting an article that asks us to stop being negative and support our team just cause we love them. Good article John I think those it was intended for didn't even get that it was intended for them.

Posted by tigervol9802 on March 14, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Excellent article.

Posted by KennesawVol on March 14, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AS I've said before - just win and the media bias takes care of itself.

When Dick Vitale is commentator on a game, I automatically hit the mute button. Like the crowd noise, but it's not worth having to listen to him for it. He's just yet another yankee blowhard!!

Posted by raleighncvolfan on March 14, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good job John. You hit the nail on the head here.

Posted by pdhuff on March 14, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jim07 7:55am. Not really a dig at Phil. That's what he does.

Basketball isn't mentioned until pargraph 6. The gist is in paragraph 3.

And the truth is in paragraph 4.

Posted by drwfocus on March 14, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Williams: to KNS writers: just the facts please.

Posted by Bigger_Al on March 14, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We are only paranoid because everyone is out to get us.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 14, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)

write something this positive about the football team. Or are you Adams' puppet?

Posted by orangebloodgmc on March 14, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with Largeorange, UTChris, IBleedOrange, Newtonrail and Cherokee.

ESPN? Well, they pay Vitale and Corso to speak for them. That says a lot about who they are.

Posted by goeltzd on March 14, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If John Verbose closed his mouth for five seconds he would explode.

Posted by GerryOP on March 14, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I repeat John, thou shalt never question the loyal faithful and their beliefs!

Posted by cjraney on March 14, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Knoxville media is far more negative in its coverage of UT than any of the national sources. Could this possibly be related to the "negative condition" to which Mr. Pennington alludes?

Funny how some of the more consistently negative posters on here were the first to congratulate the writer on this article.

Posted by mtnvol on March 14, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My problem is not so much with what "Adams Lite" had to say. We all probably should get a life to some degree. However, the tone did seem condescending. "Fan" is short for "fanatic" afterall.

But what I was really surprised by was when he called Stuart Smalley from SNL a "one of my self-help colleagues." DUDE! Colleague? Partner? Associate? Anything you need to confess, A.L.?

Posted by 02champs on March 14, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep...Pennington's still an idiot.

Posted by cjraney on March 14, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Of course it is KNS' prerogative to publish whatever stimulates interest, whether positive, negative, fact, opinion, hometeam or otherwise. However, "The" John Adams article and subsequent radio interviews stepped over the line from journalism to personal agenda and/or sensationalism, IMO. This is b/c of selective reporting of the relevant facts and stating opinions not directly inferable from fact. And of course calling for a UT employee to be fired.

Just my opinion but that was the last JA article I have read or will read. Can't support that type of "journalism". Go Vols. Win the SEC tourney.

Posted by drum56 on March 14, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree!

Posted by mparker on March 14, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dear Mr. Sportswriter:
America is not a 'happy place', as several studies have shown. The maladies you attribute to Vol fans actually afflict almost every fan of every major sports team.

As an example, I live in a state where the fans and talk show hosts constantly bitch and moan. Now, to my 'outsider' eyes, the teams do well with limited available talent. But to the locals, they will always look back to one really good year....sound familiar??

So, vol fans, we have company. Everywhere. It is the nature of the workaday stress and balls-to-the-wall society we live in.

I'm not sure we need a sportswriter to tell us we are all over the edge, most of us know it pretty dang well.

Posted by sg23 on March 14, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

thank you mr pennington, every time i hear someone call into sunday sportstalk and start out by saying "why don't E S P N give us more respect" i want to puke

Posted by VolCane7979 on March 14, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said sir. We should all remember that it doesn't matter what people say, but what the Vols do. Tennessee has been very well respected by the selection committee since Pearl took over, which is clearly more important than the opinions of ESPN pundits. People seem to forget that.

Posted by 1974Vol on March 14, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree largely with the article and it was written well with a little tongue in the cheek as it were, but on the other hand Vol fans did not make up the "Trailer trash" remark, or the "hillbilly/pig elevator" spot that ran on ESPN. So, yes ESPN does cover the Vols well and often when they deserve it (when winning!) but right after the Manning snub there was some hatin' on Vol Nation going on from the boys in Conn.

Posted by brokebackvol on March 14, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's true - many Volfans have a chip on their shoulder, and that comes from a loyal fan who has learned from living outside of East Tennessee for 15 years that UT commands a lot of respect in the sporting world, and wins ALOT more than they lose. Just be proud of our favorite team and ignore the petty jabs from the rest of the world.

Posted by Oenoboy on March 14, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a Vol fan 1st and foremost. I was raised in Knoxville and went to school at UT. I happen to live in Louisville now and have adopted the Louisville Cardinals as my second team. I follow them and cheer for them as long as they are not playing the Vols. When UT played UofL at Freedom Hall a few years back, there were some pretty surprised folks sitting around me in my season ticket section when I strolled in wearing orange. That was the game we had in hand but blew in the final seconds.

Pulling for two teams the way I do, I see the difference of how ESPN treats UT compared to another team. Sorry John, we're not paranoid. I believe the fact that ESPN actually led an investigation against us shows there is no doubt. Name a case where a respectable news organization has led an investigation about a person or organization without absolute proof of the accusations in their hand.

I believe at first it was about ratings and still do in sports other than football. Then the Peyton and Trailer Trash controversies came up and since then it has been personal on both sides. Here's a good example...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns...

I hate preseason polls but fact is, UT's Football team will be ranked in the top 20 by every other media and coaching poll. Things like this are commonplace.

Where I agree with John is that we are not slighted outside of football beyond the norm for a school not associated with a bigger market.

Posted by Chainsaw on March 14, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice article, John. You made some valid points using a humorous style. Good work.

Posted by smokey90 on March 14, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As Creed from the Office once said, "Becareful, this is want they want you to believe."

Posted by Volfan1 on March 14, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Does "Dr." John need to see Dr. Kevorkian?

Posted by Oenoboy on March 14, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To add to my prior post about the media being at odds with UT and especially our football program, the KNS is the worse. I believe they need a completely new sports writing department. The fact they attack the school and fans on a regular basis is ridiculous. UT players get in trouble drinking beer, smoking a little weed, or fighting and are labeled as felons and the program is singled out as one of the worse in the nation by John "Osama Bin" Adams.

How about...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...
or
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...
or
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...
or...I could go on all day but won't.

Posted by agentorange on March 14, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

the fact that someone in the media quoted one these squirrely posts (mine included), which are sometimes written in the middle of a delusion drug or alcohol binge, is deeply disturbing.

Posted by BOASoldier on March 14, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Stick to the Polls John Adams ... I mean Pennington... they are some of your best work.

Posted by volinSmyrna on March 14, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This article sums up my feelings for the KNS to the "T".

These guys would rather spend their time on their own web site reading what people post about their articles (translation - EGO) than they would actually being out doing their jobs. They just wait to get a police report about an athlete to write about. Then when there are no police reports, they write about the fact that people other than them have opinions.

The ego these guys must have is simply amazing. They think they have been there so long that they can write whatever the heck they want to. I thought newspapers were supposed to write stories their readers were interested in reading. Instead they have turned it into a forum to spew their agendas and rhetoric. Well guess what? The posters on this forum have turned this forum into their place to spew their agendas and rhetoric.

The same freedoms that give you the right to print your "stories" in the newspaper give these posters the right to issue their feelings. I'm sorry that everybody doesn't always agree with the ever-wise, all-knowing sports staff of the KNS.

Personally, I could care less what ESPN or any of its "talking heads" think about the Vols. What I do care about is how the "local paper" takes such time and effort to tarnish the home team every chance it gets. You can say that it is not true all you want, but how then is it that so many people here say they are tired of it. Something must be going on, and something needs to be done about it.

Posted by LongtimeVol on March 14, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Article is dead on.
Anthony, dude, one word. Decaf.

Posted by TommyJack on March 14, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Most of the above posts confirm exactly what Pennington was saying...

Posted by mtnvol on March 14, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Since the KNS Sports Page is now filled with opinion pieces, I'll share mine...

I tried to watch Adams Lite's little TV show the last time I was in Knoxville. While I have much respect for Jimmy Hyams, I thought the show was a bit silly. Hyams looked embarrassed and I noticed he was gone by the last segment. Adam's Lite looked like Chris Farley, only chubbier. The conversation was straight out of the freshmen table at any high school: simple and based largely on emotion (except when Hyams spoke). It wouldn't have surprised me if A.L. asked who would win if Superman fought Batman.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 14, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

couldnt agree more with Pennvol above----generally speaking the koolaiders are always whining about us not getting enough RESPECT yet never ever give others any respect when due----the posters here generally arent good losers or good winners----will always make excuses and talk trash to those who may beat us and never give due repect ----you cultists need to quit expecting what you are never willing to give----if the sporting nation generally doest like us its because the preponderance of attitude on this board certainly gives them plenty of reason----perception of UT fans in general does our school no favors---become more fairmined and less overly biased and perhaps there may less reason for others to withhold credit to us-----you reap what you sow so i hear

this article was dead on and if you're oversensitive to hear any columnists thoughts then get off this site and quit reading the articles rather than whining that noone want to read them as you yourself are by being here.

Posted by volinSmyrna on March 14, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Like I said earlier, I couldn't care less about getting respect and publicity on a large level. What I have issue with is the bias from the local paper. I do not live in Knoxville anymore, and the best way to keep up with the Vols is online. I don't expect blatant homerism, but on the same vein, I don't expect blanket negativity. We see far too much of the latter from the KNS. That is my main issue with this article and the articles on this site in general. Do not discredit your readers. I don't know. Maybe this attitude is what they are looking for because it attracts so much attention. Trying to belittle your readers doesn't seem to be the idea in the newspaper business.

To those people that have a grudge against ESPN (for whatever reason)...GET OVER IT. No way in the world can anybody that is rational can say that this season's basketball Vols have not gotten publicity. This article was dead on in that regards. And if you are just hanging onto the fact that Peyton didn't get the Heisman....GROW UP!

Whatever side of the fence you are on, understand this. Everybody has ideas and opinions. As hard as it is for people to understand, some people have different opinions that you do. In this case, do not trash the other simply for not believing the way you do. It is rather childish.

That is all.

Posted by JWilly on March 14, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Generally, I agree with Pennington in this. however I do believe that for some reason ESPN does seem to have negative bias against the SEC in general. Seconds after the LSU Natl. Champ. FB game, the lead guy for ESPN was asking why SoCal was left out of the Natl. Champ. picture. It seemed obvoius to me from his body language he was not a bit happy with the outcome of the LSU/OSU game. In 04 when Auburn was left out of the Natl. Champ. game, they got no love from ESPN until OU laid an egg in that game. Also, I do believe that ESPN rubbed salt in the wound when Peyton got the royal shaft in the Heisman race (a CB in a run league was picked over the 2nd highest rated QB in college FB history, unbelievable!). They replayed Woodson's insulting comments over and over. I will never have any regard for the Heisman Trophy again. Maybe I'm just a small guy, but I watch ESPN telecast games with the sound off and turn to other stations for comment.

Posted by foreverorange on March 14, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

While I agree that a lot of us vol fans can be whiners sometimes, I know some ga, fl, al, mich, ohio st., and ky fans that do the same thing, the only difference is the mich and ohio st fans never have to complain about espn too much because they get pleny of love from the big-ten biased ESPN. If you don't realize by now that ESPN is biased towards the big ten then you don't know anything. They make it way to obvious.

Posted by cdldoc on March 14, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To Pennington: Sometimes when you think people are out to get you - they are. Vols 27 foul sand USC 13 fouls and their first close game. That says it all.

Posted by pdhuff on March 14, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, is respect earned in Boerne, not just handed out?

What Pogo said......

Posted by TommyJack on March 14, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Indeed.

cdldoc: What does it say? Honest question: What possible motive would officials have for favoring SC? Perhaps you've missed it, but we play a VERY aggressive brand of ball.

Posted by spam247buster on March 14, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only problem that Tennessee fans have is that the local paper subjects us to idiotic columns like this from spineless jock-wannabes like Pennington and Adams.
Hey Pennington, you might have been an athlete if you could have kept away from the Krispy Kremes when you should have been exercising instead.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 14, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

spam247buster--thats pretty lame if thats the best
u got---whats to suggest they are jock wannabees???--just what is spineless about this article---i think it a more legit and right-on article than the one about Jordan Howell busting out his slump scoring 4 points to include a layoff---hasnt scored since

cldoc----generally discrepancies can be explained by one team actually fouling much more than the other-- guess you have never considered that

Posted by bmaples on March 14, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Excellent article, and dead on. Plus a nice light touch about it. Good job.

Posted by RJ_Vol on March 14, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is this not the same guy who was calling for CPF's head early on in the 2007 season? Did they win the SEC East in one of its better years AFTER(all caps for emphasis...not a scream...italics not possible) he said that? Did we soundly beat Georgia, the number two team in the country? Did we come within a hair of beating the eventual National Champion? He deserves the criticism. He put it out there and I'll make sure he remembers it.

Posted by slovog on March 14, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the rest of the country is less concerned with Tennessee sports than most of the posters, and the guy who wrote this piece, would like to think. ESPN is concerned with ESPN, plain and simple. They are perpetuating their own existence. Many of you don't, or can't, get it.

ESPN is the best of sports, and at the same time the very worst of sports. The very reason that we have 12+ televised college football games per week is the same reason that Manning didn't win the Heisman. It's called overexposure.

Overexposure. If you look in the dictionary, you see John Pennington's big fat mug right under the definition. If he gets ONE article published, it's more than is warranted.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 14, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Most fans could be described as passionate about their respective team and, many times, passion and logic are mutually exclusive.

Personally, I do feel that Pearl was slighted in the COY deal. It is called Coach of the YEAR, not coach of the last ten games, which is ostensibly the basis for Gillespie sharing the award. I believe there is still some bias against Pearl by his peers. It wasn't that long ago that guys like Stallings were rubbed the wrong way by Pearl's brash style.

ESPN has absolutely nothing to do with that though, they have given the Vols ample respect and air time this year in basketball coverage. Football may be a different animal though, find one regular contributor on College Gameday with ties to the SEC or South. I don't see it so much as a lack of respect for the Vols or SEC as much as a general bias for the Big 10.

Just an opinion though, we all have one and that's what makes things interesting. Imagine how boring it would be if everyone said the same things and felt the same way on every subject.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 14, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey brokeback, is your "T" pink?

Posted by anthony on March 14, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

this is a fine how do you do!! You can't even read your big orange newspaper without someone else throwing a little more refuse on you. I wonder if Alabama fans get articles like this, scolding and chiding them for caring?? What are we supposed to do, move to another state and root for somebody else?? Heck..where else do they have trailers in the south?? YOu know, where trailer trash can roust@

Posted by calivol on March 15, 2008 at 1:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To answer your question invisiblekid, Rece Davis, Ron Franklin, Gene Wojciechowski, Mark Schlabach and the college football editor for ESPN.com are SEC grads, just to name a few. Ivan Maisel is from Mobile. Chris Low now writes for ESPN.com. And myself (a UT grad) and BCS guru Brad Edwards (a Bama grad from Mississippi) are the primary college football researchers here in Bristol, which means we're watching games all Saturday with Rece, Mark May and Coach Holtz and are constantly feeding them information to use on the air. Trust me, there's no lack of southern/SEC influence in ESPN's college football coverage. I could go on about the number of directors and producers and behind-the-scenes people who are SEC grads, but I won't bore you. Just know that those of us from the South are loud and proud and we make our voices heard at ESPN.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 15, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for the information calivol, I didn't think about the guys behind the scenes for lack of a better term. I will defend my statement by saying that most of the faces out front on College Gameday have Big 10 or ND connections. It's only natural that a former Ohio St QB and Indiana coach might lean torwards the Big 10 a little more.

To clarify my position, I don't buy into all the conspiracy theories about ESPN and believe it's a simple matter of winning more games for the football team. Don't get embarrassed on nationally televised games and ESPN may throw some more of that "respect" our way.

BTW, Franlkin is my favorite announcer and Low has been my favorite writer for years now.

Posted by catahoulaleopard on March 15, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Vols know how to work it to win the game and win the attention of the press! Go Big Orange!