BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The media couldn't see Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer on Thursday. But they did see a different side of him.

If that reads like double-talk, what do you expect? This is a legal matter.

I won't bore you with the details. You probably already know that many Alabama fans, including one with a law degree and forum, believe Fulmer and the NCAA wrongfully conspired to put Alabama on probation. There's a lawsuit to that effect, and somewhat of a countersuit as well.

That brings us to the different side of Fulmer, who addressed the SEC media via teleconference Thursday.

"Why am I not in Birmingham (for SEC media days)?" he said. "I'm the defendant along with the NCAA and the American Football Coaches Association in a frivolous lawsuit in Tuscaloosa; on the recommendation of (attorneys), I'm not going to fuel that lawsuit."

It's not so much what he said in his 7-minute speech as how he said it. He sounded disgusted and angry. He sounded as every defense attorney wishes his defendant would sound, wrongfully accused.

Fulmer was reading a statement, which probably had been prepared by both a publicist and an attorney. In that sense, he was an actor working from a script, but his emotion at least seemed real.

Players might see that emotion on the field or in the locker room. The public doesn't. Instead, in a press conference setting, Fulmer often comes across as calculating and contrived. You really don't know what he's thinking.

You knew Thursday. And if Tennessee fans had been there to hear him, they would have stood and cheered.

On Monday, their coach was perceived as a man on the defensive, afraid to go to Birmingham because he didn't want to get a big, bad subpoena. On Thursday, he was on the offensive, responding passionately to his critics, even swinging back at times against "rogue" and "radical" attorneys.

You want to win over a crowd? Insult a lawyer or a journalist.

Fulmer went a step further. He said he didn't have time for lawsuits or attorneys (even if he does spend a lot of time with one of his own). He couldn't be bothered with such trivial matters because he had to get his team ready for Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

That's just what fans want to hear.

They care more about defense than depositions. Beating the rap isn't as important to them as beating Alabama, Georgia, Florida and anybody else who could put them in another Peach Bowl.

Amidst all the Peach Bowl jokes and the difficulties UT has encountered against Georgia and Florida, Vols fans shouldn't lose sight of what Fulmer has done to Alabama. Alabama fans haven't.

In 1992, Alabama was an unbeaten national champion and had won seven consecutive games against the Vols. The next year, Fulmer became UT's head coach, and the series turned topsy-turvy.

Fulmer, who is 8-2-1 against the Tide, hasn't just beaten Alabama. He has beaten them with one of their own. In 1998, he won a national championship with an Alabama quarterback, Tee Martin of Mobile.

So even if Fulmer weren't on speaking terms with the NCAA, he might be the most unpopular man in Alabama.

What Fulmer said Thursday will have no more impact in court than what his arch-nemesis, attorney Thomas Gallion, has said on Alabama talk shows. But at least, Fulmer doesn't have to worry about a pregame speech for Alabama. He simply can replay his oratory on rogue lawyers.

Just make sure you don't lose the tape, Coach.

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