Fulmer to resign as UT's coach
Not that, in this part of the country, you haven't heard yet but there's the link.
What's amazingly ironic - and I called it, incidentally, last week:
Previous UT football coach Johnny Majors had a disastrous year in 1992, personally and professionally. He had heart problems and surgery, which led him to step down for a few games early in the season. Offensive Coordinator and Asst. Head Coach Phil Fulmer stepped in and led the team to a miracle victory at Georgia which debuted the ascendancy of QB Heath Shuler. A couple victories later and UT's the toast of the country. Seeing the writing on the wall, Majors struggles back from his deathbed and returns to the sidelines in a bid to save his job. A loss to newly minted SEC team Arkansas in mid-October dashed UT's title hopes, and finally at the end of the month they lost calamitously to South Carolina - another newly added SEC team, at South Carolina. Days after the lost, Majors resigned effective immediately and Fulmer was hired as UT's full-time head coach soon after.
Sixteen years later Fulmer will resign after his own South Carolina debacle, although he will coach out to the end of the season (as he should). Who will take over for him? No interim this time around, so we're saved from a John Chavis-coached team...
Showing posts with label Tennessee Volunteers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tennessee Volunteers. Show all posts
Monday, November 03, 2008
The Impossible Wish
A East Tennessee man was fishing on the shore of Tellico Lake, when he saw bobbing in the water a bottle. Wading out a bit, he snagged the bottle and brought it back to shore.
The bottle was ornate and decorated, and as such bottles do, when the man opened it a big puff of smoke poured out and a genie appeared.
The genie stretched and yawned as the fisherman gaped. Finally the genie said, "Thank you sir for freeing me from a thousand years imprisonment in that bottle. To show my gratitude, I will grant you One Wish."
The man thought for a moment, scratched his head. Finally he said, "You know, I've always wanted to go to Hawaii. But I've always gotten seasick in big boats, and I'm afraid to fly. I wish that you could build me a bridge from right here in this spot to Hawaii - that way I could come and go as I pleased."
The genie frowned and rubbed his beard, pondering. "Well," he mused, "I suppose I could do something like that - but you know the Pacific ocean is a mile deep in spots... I don't think the supports would handle that kind of weight. Not to mention all the hurricanes, typhoons, and tsunamis. Shipping would have to be altered around it, and I can't even guess the effect on marine life all along the bridge. No, I don't think that's at all practical. You'll need to pick something else."
The man sighed and thought again - suddenly a smile lit up his face. "Ok, genie, I've got it. I wish that the University of Tennessee Volunteers would win another national championship!"
The genie stared at the man for a moment, then gazed west. "Let me ask you this. Do you want that bridge one lane or two?"
(Due credit goes to the guest minister at our church for that joke yesterday morning)
The bottle was ornate and decorated, and as such bottles do, when the man opened it a big puff of smoke poured out and a genie appeared.
The genie stretched and yawned as the fisherman gaped. Finally the genie said, "Thank you sir for freeing me from a thousand years imprisonment in that bottle. To show my gratitude, I will grant you One Wish."
The man thought for a moment, scratched his head. Finally he said, "You know, I've always wanted to go to Hawaii. But I've always gotten seasick in big boats, and I'm afraid to fly. I wish that you could build me a bridge from right here in this spot to Hawaii - that way I could come and go as I pleased."
The genie frowned and rubbed his beard, pondering. "Well," he mused, "I suppose I could do something like that - but you know the Pacific ocean is a mile deep in spots... I don't think the supports would handle that kind of weight. Not to mention all the hurricanes, typhoons, and tsunamis. Shipping would have to be altered around it, and I can't even guess the effect on marine life all along the bridge. No, I don't think that's at all practical. You'll need to pick something else."
The man sighed and thought again - suddenly a smile lit up his face. "Ok, genie, I've got it. I wish that the University of Tennessee Volunteers would win another national championship!"
The genie stared at the man for a moment, then gazed west. "Let me ask you this. Do you want that bridge one lane or two?"
(Due credit goes to the guest minister at our church for that joke yesterday morning)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Either Or
I'm confused: are they talking about police tickets from red light cameras, or tickets still available for the UT/Wyoming game next week?
Tickets won't go away
Tickets won't go away
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Same Song, Fourth Verse
Thoughts on Tennessee's 26-14 loss to Georgia this afternoon:
1) Nick Stevens appears to be about as good as any other QB we've had lately in their 2nd game starting, so I've been happy with his progress to this point. So far - no INT's, so that's a plus no matter what else. No major overthrows, underthrows or bad decisions - some questionable throws into coverage and not very mobile, but still head and shoulders above Crompton. I wonder how good the other guy, B.J. actually is that we've never seen? He could be even better, who knows.
My standard answer whenever anyone on the radio gripes why we're not using Lennon Creer - like it or not, he's still the 3rd string tailback. If he were better, he'd be the 2nd string or 1st string. That's how they're ordered, and it doesn't make sense to think Creer is going to run better than Hardesty and Foster just because he's there. That's why we don't see him as much, it doesn't make sense to play your 3rd string guy except in special situations when your 1st and 2nd string guys are out.
THAT SAID....
As we've seen with Stevens, obviously the coaches have no idea how to grade their players 1st string, 2nd string, etc. We went through four games with an obviously inferior QB and just now found the real starter. THere's probably no real reason to think he should've been 1st string and Stevens riding the bench. In the same way, who knows who among the 3 RB's is really best? I think it's obvious that it's not Foster anymore, and it should be a competition between Hardesty and Creer. But they don't pay me to make decisions...
3) I am beyond blaming the defensive guys for bad tackling and being out of position (or continuous "busted plays" as Bob Kesling kept alleging). I hang the Defense's bad play solely on John Chavis and the defensive coaches for the most haphazed defensive scheme in the SEC. Every down we play off the receivers, allowing them to get 5-10 yards on the sides at will. That's all coaching, and it's inexcusable.
1) Nick Stevens appears to be about as good as any other QB we've had lately in their 2nd game starting, so I've been happy with his progress to this point. So far - no INT's, so that's a plus no matter what else. No major overthrows, underthrows or bad decisions - some questionable throws into coverage and not very mobile, but still head and shoulders above Crompton. I wonder how good the other guy, B.J. actually is that we've never seen? He could be even better, who knows.
My standard answer whenever anyone on the radio gripes why we're not using Lennon Creer - like it or not, he's still the 3rd string tailback. If he were better, he'd be the 2nd string or 1st string. That's how they're ordered, and it doesn't make sense to think Creer is going to run better than Hardesty and Foster just because he's there. That's why we don't see him as much, it doesn't make sense to play your 3rd string guy except in special situations when your 1st and 2nd string guys are out.
THAT SAID....
As we've seen with Stevens, obviously the coaches have no idea how to grade their players 1st string, 2nd string, etc. We went through four games with an obviously inferior QB and just now found the real starter. THere's probably no real reason to think he should've been 1st string and Stevens riding the bench. In the same way, who knows who among the 3 RB's is really best? I think it's obvious that it's not Foster anymore, and it should be a competition between Hardesty and Creer. But they don't pay me to make decisions...
3) I am beyond blaming the defensive guys for bad tackling and being out of position (or continuous "busted plays" as Bob Kesling kept alleging). I hang the Defense's bad play solely on John Chavis and the defensive coaches for the most haphazed defensive scheme in the SEC. Every down we play off the receivers, allowing them to get 5-10 yards on the sides at will. That's all coaching, and it's inexcusable.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Random Thoughts
I know I don't update the blog nearly like I used to. Part of it is Twitter, where some of my brief thoughts and opinions now end up that I used to post here. Another part is lack of current events that I either a) understand enough to blog about, or b) care enough to blog about. Or c) want to keep good relations with online friends and relatives so I keep quiet about certain topics. Regardless, I hope to get back on the ball, soon. Here are a few thoughts I've had lately.
UT Football
UT Football
- It was very, very much Arian Foster's fault for the fumbled exchange Saturday. When one runs, it's natural to pump the arms up and down. Foster took a step, pumped the right arm up and the left one down. He took another step, started to bring the right one down and the left one up, in which to form the "basket" to receive the handoff. At the last millisecond, he changed his mind, stopped his right arm from descending and lifted it up again to put it on top and the left on the bottom. Unfortunately he chose too late and in the midst of moving the right arm back up, hit the ball in mid-handoff, knocking it out of Crompton's hand before he was ready. Now, was the handoff too early? Was Foster not expecting it so soon? Should Crompton have held on to the ball tighter? Those are questions only the coaching staff would know, who designed the plays and coach them. And they're the ones also saying it's Foster's fault. So why think different? Oh yeah... Crompton = scapegoat. Sorry.
- Is our defense an average defense with flashes of greatness (Lowest rushing and passing yards for Tebow ever, only 6 points given up to Auburn and held them practically motionless in the 4th quarter, 6 INT's)? Or are they a good defense with flashes of mediocrity (Bad, bad tackling on D and special teams, made average QB and receivers at UCLA look like All-Pros, missing assignments)? I think the former.
- Dave Clawson's "new" offense still hasn't had the time or personnel to run correctly. But the time is running out.
- Fans should never, ever, ever boo. Ever. Never. None. Too boo is classless, regardless who you're booing (ok, if you boo a ref for a bad call, that's different). But to boo a college player who could be taking classes with your son or daughter... no sir. I don't care if you pay $500/ticket to see UT play, you have no right to boo. Paying money for a ticket entitles you to see a football game, period, end of sentence. It does not entitle you to a good football game, or even a mediocre one. It gets you in the gates to watch A game, and if you don't like what happens on the field, that's your own gamble you've lost. Unless you have to Pay Per View you can always stay at home and watch the game, and boo to your heart's content. Don't ever confuse purchase of a ticket with assured quality performance. It differs in this respect from purchasing a ticket to a play or a concert - you assume a promise of some kind of quality based on the performers' talent and skill. But, unlike a sporting event, there is no random element of other performers working to keep them from achieving greatness. So live with your choices, and if you don't like the product don't buy the ticket. But don't boo.
More Later...
Monday, September 22, 2008
Some Actual Level-Headed Analysis of the UT-Florida Game
Tennessee / Florida Thoughts and Analysis (Link Fixed)
Also our defense held Tebow to 96 yards passing (a CAREER low) and 26 yards rushing (a 2nd place CAREER low). While overall not perfect, it's still an improvement over recent UF expectations.
Just like against UCLA (if the punt had not been blocked, or if they'd called a safety as they should've) there were several instances in this game that might've swung the game around - unlike last year when the rout was on early and often, and there was nothing UT could do about it.
It means that there are major problems, yes, but there don't seem to be whole-scale fundamental problems. The offense can move the ball through the air and on the ground, the defense can stop the pass and the run - it just doesn't follow through to their conclusions.
One big glaring thing, though - to essentially blame the loss on the punter is inexcusable. Chad Cunningham, 2nd string sophomore punter, pressed into duty because the starter is sitting out for DUI, had a 37-yard net punting average against Florida. While he admits he didn't place his kicks very well, keep in mind one of those kicks was returned 78 yards for a score, and another for 14 yards. The other two I believe were fair-caught. The point is that poor, poor coverage and tackling are what created that low average and not the punting of Chad Cunningham. To talk about replacing a kid who probably isn't supposed to be on the field punting for Div. 1 in the first place, and incidentally doing probably about as well as he could be asked to, is ridiculous. It also seems I remember 56 yards in 2 kickoff returns that weren't handled too well. Lay off the punter and concentrate on learning to tackle.
I would also add that in the first half (when we were not so far behind yet) we had an 11-play drive and and a 14-play drive. Yes, they both ended badly but it's a far cry from the 3-and-outs we seem to typically pile up in droves against Florida.
Last year's game was a disaster for UT; a year of cooling off has only confirmed that feeling. This year's game, however, shows very significant improvements:
* Play Balance Even considering the late hole, UT didn't end up as a pass-only team.
* Plays/Drive Largely due to the balanced playcalling, UT managed 2 plays per drive more. Florida also managed an extra play per drive, but a large part of that was not allowing the 1-play TD type drives. In both regards, UT actually did better.
* Yards/Drive UT improved their average drive distance by a full ten yards. Much of that was from the two drives with turnovers within 10 yards of the end zone. Florida's distance was actually decreased. Much of that decrease was due to some short-field plays and a rather bad UT punting game. But the defense performed much, much better.
...
Despite our initial read, UT played a much better football game than appearances would indicate. Florida deserved the win because they (a) have vastly superior special teams play (b) didn't have fatal miscommunications in their playcalling, and (c) effectively used the new clock rules to eliminate any possibility of a comeback. UT does deserve a lot of credit, though, for playing a hard-fought game and not giving up. Everything broke against them, but they did not "quit".
Also our defense held Tebow to 96 yards passing (a CAREER low) and 26 yards rushing (a 2nd place CAREER low). While overall not perfect, it's still an improvement over recent UF expectations.
Just like against UCLA (if the punt had not been blocked, or if they'd called a safety as they should've) there were several instances in this game that might've swung the game around - unlike last year when the rout was on early and often, and there was nothing UT could do about it.
It means that there are major problems, yes, but there don't seem to be whole-scale fundamental problems. The offense can move the ball through the air and on the ground, the defense can stop the pass and the run - it just doesn't follow through to their conclusions.
One big glaring thing, though - to essentially blame the loss on the punter is inexcusable. Chad Cunningham, 2nd string sophomore punter, pressed into duty because the starter is sitting out for DUI, had a 37-yard net punting average against Florida. While he admits he didn't place his kicks very well, keep in mind one of those kicks was returned 78 yards for a score, and another for 14 yards. The other two I believe were fair-caught. The point is that poor, poor coverage and tackling are what created that low average and not the punting of Chad Cunningham. To talk about replacing a kid who probably isn't supposed to be on the field punting for Div. 1 in the first place, and incidentally doing probably about as well as he could be asked to, is ridiculous. It also seems I remember 56 yards in 2 kickoff returns that weren't handled too well. Lay off the punter and concentrate on learning to tackle.
The Only Story Today Where You'll Find the Words, "Volunteers Improve"
Helping hikers' havens: Volunteers improve Appalachian Trail shelters
Fourteen years ago, while hiking the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mike Crabill and his 12-year-old son stayed at the Double Springs Gap trail shelter. It rained that night, and the shelter was packed with 17 people.
Last week, Crabill returned to the Double Springs Gap shelter, this time as part of a volunteer construction crew that spent 10 days making extensive improvements to the three-sided stone structure built in 1963.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Holes in the Space-Time Continuum
I've got it figured out.
Yesterday, I kept having some odd dizzy spells. I'd turn my head, and about a second later the world would turn to meet me. Needless to say, it was quite disconcerting.
I'd be tempted to blame it on stress, or simply the fact I've had a head cold the last week or so I'm still getting over.
But I have deduced the real reason I was dizzy yesterday - the Swiss particle accelerator/atom smasher/supercollider/doomsday device went online yesterday. And I'm convinced it's altered the fabric of the universe in some way that is causing me to have dizzy spells.
See, yesterday there were three earthquakes - one in Iran that destroyed, like, 200 villages, one in Chile and Indonesia. Today there was another one near Japan. Coincidence? I wonder...
I also have made a startling realization...
Somehow...somehow...this black-hole creating machine somehow opened a rift in the space-time continuum, causing a rip in the reality fabric to happen about a week ago. Across the world in southern California. I'm convinced that that rip allowed the UCLA defenders to jump ahead 1-2 seconds in time, and let them block our punt. Also make all those miraculous catches in the 2nd half by conveniently blinking about 10 steps ahead of our defenders. It caused the ball to disappear out of Arian Foster's hands and reappear on the ground ahead of him. It also moved the ball ahead of Daniel Lincoln's foot on all his missed field goal tries.
So see, it wasn't us - blame the scientists!
Yesterday, I kept having some odd dizzy spells. I'd turn my head, and about a second later the world would turn to meet me. Needless to say, it was quite disconcerting.
I'd be tempted to blame it on stress, or simply the fact I've had a head cold the last week or so I'm still getting over.
But I have deduced the real reason I was dizzy yesterday - the Swiss particle accelerator/atom smasher/supercollider/doomsday device went online yesterday. And I'm convinced it's altered the fabric of the universe in some way that is causing me to have dizzy spells.
See, yesterday there were three earthquakes - one in Iran that destroyed, like, 200 villages, one in Chile and Indonesia. Today there was another one near Japan. Coincidence? I wonder...
I also have made a startling realization...
Somehow...somehow...this black-hole creating machine somehow opened a rift in the space-time continuum, causing a rip in the reality fabric to happen about a week ago. Across the world in southern California. I'm convinced that that rip allowed the UCLA defenders to jump ahead 1-2 seconds in time, and let them block our punt. Also make all those miraculous catches in the 2nd half by conveniently blinking about 10 steps ahead of our defenders. It caused the ball to disappear out of Arian Foster's hands and reappear on the ground ahead of him. It also moved the ball ahead of Daniel Lincoln's foot on all his missed field goal tries.
So see, it wasn't us - blame the scientists!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Way to Go, Erik!
Not Favre, but Ainge leads Jets
Funny, I didn't know there was a 3rd string guy ahead of him. I never heard of Jesse Chatman being on the team - I thought it was just Ainge, Clemens and Pennington when Favre came on board. He's farther down the depth chart than I thought.
Maybe this performance will move him up a bit in the coaches minds.
With Favre sitting out, fourth-string rookie quarterback Erik Ainge led the New York Jets to a 27-20 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason finale Thursday night.Congrats to Eric, even though he probably just saw the only playing time he'll see all season.
Ainge was 10-of-16 for 131 yards.
Favre’s backup, Kellen Clemens, alternated series with Brett Ratliff until Ainge took over for the two-minute drill at the end of the second quarter.
The former University of Tennessee standout drove the Jets 67 yards for the go-ahead score on their first possession of the third quarter. A 39-yard catch-and-run by Jesse Chatman started the drive. Ainge then tossed a 6-yard TD pass to David Ball to give the Jets a 17-13 lead.
Funny, I didn't know there was a 3rd string guy ahead of him. I never heard of Jesse Chatman being on the team - I thought it was just Ainge, Clemens and Pennington when Favre came on board. He's farther down the depth chart than I thought.
Maybe this performance will move him up a bit in the coaches minds.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
The Only Way It Would've Been Sweeter...
...is if it had been UConn....
But no matter - the Tennessee Lady Vols win their EIGHTH Total and Second consecutive National Championship and with a 64-48 win over Stanford.
Nothing more need be said :)
But no matter - the Tennessee Lady Vols win their EIGHTH Total and Second consecutive National Championship and with a 64-48 win over Stanford.
Nothing more need be said :)
Friday, March 28, 2008
Futility
Last night the UT Basketball Vols lost to Louisville in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The closed out a 30+ win season with a regular season SEC Crown and a 1 week #1 ranking.
Is that satisfying? Not even close.
This group had the teamwork potential and depth to make a deep run in the tournament, but once again proved that Tennessee basketball is ultimately about lack of discipline and schoolyard hoops that they always have been known for.
Multiple turnovers, little focus, bad passes, poor shooting, ticky-tack hand check fouls....I'm highly disappointed and not a little bit upset.
I'm mostly disappointed, really, in our new wunderkind Bruce Pearl. SEC Coach of the Year, Pearl worked magic since the day he stepped onto campus but in the games it counted most he couldn't come up with the words or plan to reign in the Wild Bunch.
From last year's Butler and Ohio State games, to this year's Arkansas and Louisville - the games with the most on the line - we looked helpless, lost, bereft of leadership and a plan. When UT doesn't have a plan, they fall back on the old blaze-it-down-the-floor-and-put-up-something most kids learn on the playground.
True, it looked a couple times during the game we were going to pull it together and wipe off Louisville's lead. Both times we fell apart around the 3-pts down mark and let the Cardinals build it back up to 10 or more. They let their momentarily success get to their heads and lost focus.
So, except for those nice milestones mentioned earlier - 30+ win season, #1 ranking, SEC season championship - we progressed no further than we did last season. Lost early in the SEC Tournament, lost in the NCAA Sweet 16. Normally I'd be happy with even that progress. But not with this team.
We had the best first 10 players I've ever seen on a Tennessee team, and maybe the best in the country. We had the potential for so much more, but failed to take advantage of it.
I think we may have just seen UT's best shot at making the Final Four evaporate. One of the best UT players ever, Chris Lofton, is graduating. As are JuJuan Smith (2nd best player on team) and Jordan Howell. It's even possible, now even more likely after this loss, that Tyler Smith (3rd best player on team) may go pro early. We could be left next year without our 3 best players and an inexperienced freshman class coming in.
You think Florida had trouble this year after losing so many of its talented leaders? Yikes.
But.
How many people said in 1997 after Peyton Manning played his final game as a Volunteer that UT just lost its best chance ever to win a football National Championship? I probably did, as did many, many other Big Orange faithful.
You may remember a motley group of no-name scrubs led by Tee Martin and Al Wilson that went defied the odds, went 11-0 and won the 1998 National Championship. So there's always hope.
You just have to focus.
Is that satisfying? Not even close.
This group had the teamwork potential and depth to make a deep run in the tournament, but once again proved that Tennessee basketball is ultimately about lack of discipline and schoolyard hoops that they always have been known for.
Multiple turnovers, little focus, bad passes, poor shooting, ticky-tack hand check fouls....I'm highly disappointed and not a little bit upset.
I'm mostly disappointed, really, in our new wunderkind Bruce Pearl. SEC Coach of the Year, Pearl worked magic since the day he stepped onto campus but in the games it counted most he couldn't come up with the words or plan to reign in the Wild Bunch.
From last year's Butler and Ohio State games, to this year's Arkansas and Louisville - the games with the most on the line - we looked helpless, lost, bereft of leadership and a plan. When UT doesn't have a plan, they fall back on the old blaze-it-down-the-floor-and-put-up-something most kids learn on the playground.
True, it looked a couple times during the game we were going to pull it together and wipe off Louisville's lead. Both times we fell apart around the 3-pts down mark and let the Cardinals build it back up to 10 or more. They let their momentarily success get to their heads and lost focus.
So, except for those nice milestones mentioned earlier - 30+ win season, #1 ranking, SEC season championship - we progressed no further than we did last season. Lost early in the SEC Tournament, lost in the NCAA Sweet 16. Normally I'd be happy with even that progress. But not with this team.
We had the best first 10 players I've ever seen on a Tennessee team, and maybe the best in the country. We had the potential for so much more, but failed to take advantage of it.
I think we may have just seen UT's best shot at making the Final Four evaporate. One of the best UT players ever, Chris Lofton, is graduating. As are JuJuan Smith (2nd best player on team) and Jordan Howell. It's even possible, now even more likely after this loss, that Tyler Smith (3rd best player on team) may go pro early. We could be left next year without our 3 best players and an inexperienced freshman class coming in.
You think Florida had trouble this year after losing so many of its talented leaders? Yikes.
But.
How many people said in 1997 after Peyton Manning played his final game as a Volunteer that UT just lost its best chance ever to win a football National Championship? I probably did, as did many, many other Big Orange faithful.
You may remember a motley group of no-name scrubs led by Tee Martin and Al Wilson that went defied the odds, went 11-0 and won the 1998 National Championship. So there's always hope.
You just have to focus.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Quick Takes on the Traumas of Life
I'm in a big blogging lag, without the will to post much at all. A lot's going on in our life these days and it seems like the more my offline world throws at me, the less I feel like blogging. When things get boring, I'll get back to posting I suppose.
In a nutshell: flu and flu scares, science fairs (Brainyboy 1st place!), Valentine's Day Simple Machine Project, end of basketball and beginning of soccer, church drama, Atomic Horns drama and new opportunities I hope to advertise soon, almost-teenage birthday sleepovers, "Spiderwick Chronicles" quite good, and once again no chips for Lent. No chips, snacks, popcorn, crackers, nothing good. It's starting to make me hallucinate, but I'll get through it. I've lost 7 pounds so far, which is good.
Anything else? Oh yeah, I opted against surgery on the bulging, herniated disk in my neck and will be starting Physical Therapy soon, and will have steroid epidural injections in my neck the first of April. Yeah, there's that little decision that was on me all last week...
One final thought: UT suspended punter Britton Colquitt and revoked his scholarship for his umpteenth DUI and alcohol-related arrest. Critics once again all over coach Fulmer for not keeping control of his players and the program. All I have to say is there's a young man here with a serious, serious substance abuse problem that is nobody's responsibility but his and his family's. That's where the focus should be, getting him into treatment and rehab so he can hopefully live with this addiction. I've seen the tragic, tragic results of alcoholism and the only thing it brings is grief and regret.
In a nutshell: flu and flu scares, science fairs (Brainyboy 1st place!), Valentine's Day Simple Machine Project, end of basketball and beginning of soccer, church drama, Atomic Horns drama and new opportunities I hope to advertise soon, almost-teenage birthday sleepovers, "Spiderwick Chronicles" quite good, and once again no chips for Lent. No chips, snacks, popcorn, crackers, nothing good. It's starting to make me hallucinate, but I'll get through it. I've lost 7 pounds so far, which is good.
Anything else? Oh yeah, I opted against surgery on the bulging, herniated disk in my neck and will be starting Physical Therapy soon, and will have steroid epidural injections in my neck the first of April. Yeah, there's that little decision that was on me all last week...
One final thought: UT suspended punter Britton Colquitt and revoked his scholarship for his umpteenth DUI and alcohol-related arrest. Critics once again all over coach Fulmer for not keeping control of his players and the program. All I have to say is there's a young man here with a serious, serious substance abuse problem that is nobody's responsibility but his and his family's. That's where the focus should be, getting him into treatment and rehab so he can hopefully live with this addiction. I've seen the tragic, tragic results of alcoholism and the only thing it brings is grief and regret.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Some Football Thoughts Going out of the Bowl Games and into the NFL Playoffs
- I don't see a very bright immediate future for the Tennessee Volunteers. This might seem an odd conclusion based on the evidence:
- We lose a senior QB in Eric Ainge, two good tight ends, a couple of experienced defensive linemen, possibly a middle linebacker if Jerod Mayo turns pro, and a vastly overrated defensive back in Justin Harrel. Those are the main losses.
- We return the entire receiving corps, the entire running back corps, the freshman defensive player of the year in Eric Berry, and two good kickers. The junior backup QB is serviceable and experienced, and some new QB's will compete for the starting job
There are four coaches to replace, including the offensive coordinator, the receiving coach, the running back coach and the tight ends coach. None of them will be easy, and there are very few good, young, innovative OC's out there to be had.
While every unit should improve next year, I don't see the talent in any of them to improve to the point of being an elite unit. The receivers are all very good 2nd and slot receivers without a real go-to deep threat. The RB's are injury prone and nowhere on the level of Travis Henry/Stephens or James Stewart/Aaron Hayden. The offensive line's strength was pass protection which was a huge plus (only 4 sacks allowed all season) but couldn't run block and the defensive line was way, way too porous. The defensive backs will still be very young even with Berry. Daniel Lincoln faded down the stretch at place kicking, and Britton Colquitt was inconsistent at punting and kickoffs, and played injured most of the season.
The few real brights spots are the linebackers, G-Man Gerald Moore (when used efficiently) and punt returner Dennis Rogan.
Still, after losing Peyton Manning in 97, nobody thought the 98 squad would amount to much with a new starting QB. See what happened there :)
Still again, after winning the BCS championship in 98, the 99 team had huge expectations and underachieved in 99. So there's that, too.
To me, it all hinges on who the new Offensive Coordinator is and how he motivates the offense to over-achieve (or at least achieve its potential) - Florida Gators? *snicker* So much for the Heisman ;) They won the National Title last year with Chris Leak, right?
- Tennessee Titans? One and done, unfortunately. They remind me of UT a lot in that they do just enough to squeak by, but not nearly enough talent to really win well. A nice trip to San Diego then home for the offseason. Maybe I'll be surprised. Right.
- Indianapolis Colts? How horrible can a knee bruise be to keep Marvin Harrison - one of the top 5 receivers in the NFL - out for 45 weeks???. Ok, it wasn't 45 but since he was on my fantasy team it seemed like 45. Closer to 10, but still. And he's again questionable for next week's game. With a thigh bruise???? Why don't they just call it what it is as a big boo-boo and be done with it?
- New England Patriots? Boring. Brady to Moss. Boring. How dare Brady break Manning and Marino's records?
- TONIGHT'S BIG ORANGE BOWL MATCHUP: Virginia Tech vsss.. Knaasnasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssatrdaf cawctvuaw
Sorry, feel asleep.
Lack of Updates
Hey folks, all my 2 or 3 regular readers out there - I'm still here. Twittering, commenting, but not a lot of posting.
I would love to get back to more deep, philosophical posts but have found it difficult to string coherent thoughts together. Maybe it was the stress of the month-1/2-long holiday. Maybe it's a hundred other things. I'd love to be able to write prolifically, but every time I want to start a post, I can't think of a thing relevant to discuss.
But I am here, and the site's not going anywhere. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The Atomic Horns performed New Years Eve and I somehow mustered up my best Elvis impression for the celebration. We have two more gigs coming up at the end of January and first of February I'll be posting more info about if people want to come...
UT beat Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl and we didn't screw up too awful much. Go team, go. Titans are also in the playoffs, but will lose to San Diego on Sunday so there's that.
I can't find a single interested cell in my body of the presidential elections. I don't care about any of the candidates. Can they all just go away and let us elect David Palmer? Yeah, yeah, fiction, right. Whatever.
The floor's open - what should I post about?
I would love to get back to more deep, philosophical posts but have found it difficult to string coherent thoughts together. Maybe it was the stress of the month-1/2-long holiday. Maybe it's a hundred other things. I'd love to be able to write prolifically, but every time I want to start a post, I can't think of a thing relevant to discuss.
But I am here, and the site's not going anywhere. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The Atomic Horns performed New Years Eve and I somehow mustered up my best Elvis impression for the celebration. We have two more gigs coming up at the end of January and first of February I'll be posting more info about if people want to come...
UT beat Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl and we didn't screw up too awful much. Go team, go. Titans are also in the playoffs, but will lose to San Diego on Sunday so there's that.
I can't find a single interested cell in my body of the presidential elections. I don't care about any of the candidates. Can they all just go away and let us elect David Palmer? Yeah, yeah, fiction, right. Whatever.
The floor's open - what should I post about?
Monday, December 03, 2007
Does This Mean It'll End in Sudden Death Overtime?
I'm not sure I like the implications of this...
(click to open more legible version)
(click to open more legible version)
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Possibly the Most Hollow Victory in Years
Just go read Big Orange Michael to read everything I would've said, but can never put it quite into the right words.
One thing - if you don't like the announcers...seriously, mute the TV and turn on the radio. As bad as Bob Kesling is, it's not terribly awful when you can see what's going on the field and get an idea of down and distance yourself. And you get the great benefit of Bobby Scott color commentary, up-to-the-second injury reports and other insider info, and just good old-fashioned "homer" game coverage. If I want an objective game call I'll go listen to a Pac-10 game.
One thing - if you don't like the announcers...seriously, mute the TV and turn on the radio. As bad as Bob Kesling is, it's not terribly awful when you can see what's going on the field and get an idea of down and distance yourself. And you get the great benefit of Bobby Scott color commentary, up-to-the-second injury reports and other insider info, and just good old-fashioned "homer" game coverage. If I want an objective game call I'll go listen to a Pac-10 game.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
HUGE Coaching Blunder of the Game
Forget everything else.
Fulmer WASTED our 2nd timeout to "ice" the USC kicker.
There has never been any conclusive evidence that "icing" a kicker has ever really affected them in kicking a field goal.
We now have a little over 1 minute to score at least a field goal. And now we have only 1 time out. Traditionally that time out is used to set up the field goal at the last second.
If we run out of time getting downfield into FG range because Fulmer wasted that timeout.........................
Fulmer WASTED our 2nd timeout to "ice" the USC kicker.
There has never been any conclusive evidence that "icing" a kicker has ever really affected them in kicking a field goal.
We now have a little over 1 minute to score at least a field goal. And now we have only 1 time out. Traditionally that time out is used to set up the field goal at the last second.
If we run out of time getting downfield into FG range because Fulmer wasted that timeout.........................
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
My Missing Kentucky Home
Should I read anything into the fact that the UT football schedule printed in today's Knoxville News Sentinel lists all the games Tennessee's played so far, plus the games yet to play - but it leaves off Kentucky as the last game of the year?
Seriously, it stops with the home game vs. Vanderbilt on Nov. 17. We are supposed to play the 'Cats the following week in Lexington to close out the regular season. If both UT and UK win out their remaining games, that game will decide the SEC East title.
Judging by the way Kentucky's playing this year, plus the fact we haven't lost to them since the 1984 season and they're due... I wouldn't mind just skipping that game, myself, thank you.
I blame "Small Mike", the serial sports radio caller that hates Philip Fulmer and really just hates UT and himself, too. There's no real reason to blame him, he's just convenient.
Seriously, it stops with the home game vs. Vanderbilt on Nov. 17. We are supposed to play the 'Cats the following week in Lexington to close out the regular season. If both UT and UK win out their remaining games, that game will decide the SEC East title.
Judging by the way Kentucky's playing this year, plus the fact we haven't lost to them since the 1984 season and they're due... I wouldn't mind just skipping that game, myself, thank you.
I blame "Small Mike", the serial sports radio caller that hates Philip Fulmer and really just hates UT and himself, too. There's no real reason to blame him, he's just convenient.
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