Q: I read where you said you think the problem with Tennessee's running game last year was the absence of a good fullback. I think you are wrong here's why.

Tennessee played Florida a few years ago and went to a single back offense with Travis Henry (at Knoxville, when Henry was a senior). Florida was heavily favored, but Tennessee came out and dominated the first half of that game and barely lost on a questionable catch at the goal line at the end of the game. Florida was favored by almost 20 points and Tennessee looked great that game with almost no pass offense with a very green offense. Tennessee also used the same set when they crushed Miami in the Sugar Bowl when Testaverde was the Miami QB. My point is Tennessee has used that offense with great success in the past.

Not only that Georgia and Clemson used that same offense against Tennessee to dominate us (Georgia has for several years now), and Georgia is becoming a national power with it. Tennessee has a host of highly touted wide receivers and no experienced fullback, and yet you think the fullback is the key to the running game.

I can not see how you think that is more effective then what I described as the offensive set (with either three wides and a tight end or four wide receivers) and this seems to match better with our personnel to boot!

Last1samurai@aol.com

GRIFF: Mr. Samuri, not to cut you down to size, but you are not taking hundreds of other games into account.

I could quickly remind you of numerous key blocks Troy Fleming missed (vs. Maryland, and on the goal line vs. Georgia) that proved very costly.

I would agree that other offenses have had success without dominant fullback. But when Tennessee has been at its best playing power football, a fullback has been in place.

You make a good point about Travis Henry's exploits against Florida in 2000, but I would suggest that was the exception and not the rule. Henry's performance against the Gators -- a home-state school that shunned him during the recruiting process -- was one of the best individual efforts I have ever seen in college football. If you review the tape, you will see there was not adequate blocking.

Remembering Tennessee's two most successful seasons over the past seven years, the 1998 Vols featured Shawn Bryson and Phillip Crosby, while the 2001 Vols had Will Bartholomew.

I don't cotton to the theory that a fullback must also be an excellent pass catcher. It's a nice bonus, but if that fullback can't pick up a blitz or kick out an end he's useless. Remember, the Vols will run 20 to 30 times a game, versus a fullback catching two or three passes a game.

Phillip Fulmer has state numerous times over that for Tennessee's system to be most effective, it must be balanced with run and pass. Sometimes that may mean four-wide, one-back. But other times, particularly in short yardage and goal-line situations, it means having a powerful lead blocker.

Q: I'm sorry, but Fulmer should have given his raise of 7.5-percent ($125,000) to his (assistant) coaches. If it were me, I would have been embarrassed to take it after the bowl loss.

Tom Solomon, nov1944@verizon.net

GRIFF: No need to apologize Tom, I'm sure you didn't have anything to do with UT athletic director Mike Hamilton's decision to give Fulmer the raise.

It's important to remember that his raise was given before the bowl, when the Vols were ranked sixth in the country and were coming off a monumental win over Miami at the Orange Bowl. To that point, the team had overachieved in the eyes of many.

The reason the raise was given before the bowl, I believe was to avoid the comparisons to the pending contract of over $2 million that LSU coach Nick Saban received.

I would agree with you, however, that a couple of the assistants are underpaid when compared with their peers. That's especially true of UT defensive coordinator John Chavis. It's shocking to me that Georgia's defensive coordinator makes more money annually and has a three-year guaranteed contract, and Chavis does not.

Q: The Xtra site is looking good! I'm excited about the team. It seems there is more heart and pride in this year's edition. I hope field leadership continues to develop amongst the players. ... Burnett is starting to sound like Mr. (Al) Wilson. I love having the two new gunslingers at QB. It seems like the receivers' mouths are watering.

I suppose you have to wait until the pads are on but how about some in depth on the running game, particularly at fullback. Have we got anyone of Bryson's caliber back there?

I'd also like to hear about the offensive line. Are they coming together as a unit? Can they be special this year?

I love it! I think the Big Orange clan is in for some good times over the next couple of years. I think ten wins this season is a realistic goal.

David Fowler

david.fowler@alcatel.com

GRIFF: Burnett is a vocal leader and a fun player to interview and get to know. The Vols have many leaders, each with their own attributes. There may never be another Al Wilson, just as there may never be another Peyton Manning or Casey Clausen.

The fullbacks, Cory Anderson and David Holbert, look good early on. Hard to compare them to Shawn Bryson - he's a different kind of player. More speed, less size and power.

Offensive line looked strong before Saturday scrimmage. Good depth and competition at guard was hurt by Cody Douglas' ankle injury. Can they be special? Takes a lot for that to happen. Having a tailback step up would certainly help. I also believe 10 wins is realistic.

Q: Sent you an e-mail last week and did not hear back so I thought I would send it again. (Paul) Finebaum (Slimebaum) stated on his radio show that he would like to go toe to toe with Phillip on the 50-yard line at Neyland Stadium or any other place, anywhere, any time. This is not a rumor as I heard it myself. Can we schedule this on Pay For View?

JHaml100@aol.com

GRIFF: Ham, I didn't hear any of those comments, but knowing Paul as the hilarious entertainer that he is, they don't surprise me. I worked in Alabama for seven years and read Paul's columns in the Birmingham Post-Herald. He recently has launched a successful radio career. In my opinion, the line between entertainment and journalism is sometimes blurred for the sake of ratings in many cases, so I don't wish to single out Paul. No one can argue Paul's wit or success. It's true his methods are not always viewed favorably in the journalistic community. Of course, neither are Howard Stern's or Jerry Springer's, and they are two of the more popular figures in our culture. There's something to be said for his maverick ways and his knack for finding the hot buttons in the Alabama sports society. To that extent, he's a success. Indeed, it's to Paul's credit that I, or anyone else, would dedicate column space in his name. That's normally a media no-no. However, Paul has become a part of the story where Thomas Gallion's various cases are concerned. Personally, I don't know how the Gallion vs. NCAA story will play out. I'm still gathering information. I'm not in a position to form an opinion on the case.

Reporters are told to report the news, and not make the news. Paul, however, is a talk-show host and columnist, and forming opinions is a part of his business. My business is to act as an informed observer.

I have no personal beef with Mr. Finebaum. I think he's clever and entertaining. I'm not sure calling him names is appropriate, but knowing Paul, he would only ask that you spell his name correctly.

Got a question for for Ask Griff? Email Giff at knsgriff@aol.com. Mike Griffith is entering his 12th year covering SEC football, his seventh on the Tennessee Vols' beat. He can be heard on Monday mornings from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on WKVL-850 AM.