Q: I wanted to express my sorrow in the untimely death of Mr. Lundy. He was great writer and I believe first and foremost a great human being. Mr. Lundy would always write me back when I had a question. I thought that showed so much class. Here is a great writer taking time to write back to a fan. I pray for his family also and for all of you guys, the writers at Knoxville News Sentinel who knew him personally. I know right now times are hard there. Be strong and know this many of us are praying for Gary's family and all of you at Knoxville News Sentinel

Randy Moseley

rany928@webtv.net

GRIFF: Thank you for your thoughts Randy. Anyone who knew Gary was touched by his presence. I believe the true mark of a man is how many lives he has influenced in a positive way, and Gary Lundy certainly stands among those at the top of the list.

I was fortunate enough to work with Gary the past 6-1/2 years. It made a difference for me both personally and professionally.

Gary was very devoted to his job, but he also walked that fine line of being a devoted family man. I remember many times he would be the last to arrive at a site, often catching a very late flight or an early morning flight so as to have more time with his family. Whenever possible, he brought his wife and son with him so that they, too, could be a part of his trips.

I remember one year when we were returning from the Fiesta Bowl, and we had a TWA flight through St. Louis that had been delayed on account of bad weather. The airline directed us to a ticket counter to book a different returning flight to Knoxville, as our original flight had already left.

While the rest of us marched like herded sheep as instructed, Gary ventured off on his own in the airport, determined to find a flight back. Sure enough, he succeeded, grabbing a flight to Nashville and hitching a ride back to Knoxville so he could be with his family. He beat the rest of us back by eight hours.

I said my final good bye to Gary in the press box at Vanderbilt on Saturday. As usual, he was one of the last ones out of the press box, working hard to do an extra story that day. Gary read my story before I sent it in.

Having had a read from him, I had no second thoughts about my copy for the rest of the night. If something was wrong, Gary would have caught it. That's the kind of guy Gary was. You always knew you could count on him.

I told my mother of his passing last night. She only met him once, when he gave her and my daughter a ride home from a Tennessee game. That was four years ago, yet she remembered him and his fine son, Christian. That's the kind of guy Gary was. Unforgettable.

I don't feel like I can do, say or write enough to pay tribute to this very fine, and very talented man.

I would encourage anyone who ever knew Gary, or regularly read his writings, to hold tight to your memories.

In some ways he is gone, but in many other ways I feel like he will always be there. Always.

Q: You keep saying, as in your last column, that Tennessee coaches have to let the UT players loose, as Chavis has done with the defense? Please provide more details or example by what you mean with how Sanders should let the offense loose?

You were so right about the need to play Schaeffer at the right time and place in the SC game. Your insights were right on with that call (though I am sure Fulmer does not read you column and take your recommendations), but still you know what you are talking about.

In order for us to have any chance against Auburn, I think you are right, the coaches has to take risks, even gambles, early and often.

vandergriffdonald@usa.net

GRIFF: Hold on a second, coach Fulmer is on the phone asking me what to do with the kick return team ... seriously, though, my thoughts are that the offense concerns itself too much with what the defense is doing.

For example, if the defense shows players crowded in the box, the Vols will check to a pass play. If there are seven or less in the box, UT will check to a run.

That's well and good, but what's to stop the defense from showing one look, and then anticipating what the Vols will call, changing to another on the snap? It has happened quite a bit.

Also, the Vols' two-minute hand signals haven't changed for years. Heath Shuler said last year he could still pick up the signals from his playing days. Tennessee attempts to disguise its calls by using four different players to signal them in, but don't you think an opponent could figure it out?

Anyway, I prefer the idea of UT calling plays that work and being relatively stubborn with it. The 1998 offense was among the most simple during Fulmer's tenure, but the talent and repetition led to a great deal of success.

My run game gripe is with the advice giving to the running backs: "Slow to the hole, explode through it..." Say what? How about "Explode to the hole and don't slow down?'' Folks wonder what UT's problem is in short yardage? It's simple, the backs aren't hitting the line hard enough.

Lastly, I'd like to see the Vols simplify their receiver position. As it is, the receivers are responsible for making a read. We saw in 2001 just how good UT can be when everything is clicking on all cylinders. But that year has been the exception, not the rule, and we're seeing young receivers like Robert Meachem struggle to make an impact despite their talent.

Q: I was surprised (but very happy ) to learn of UT's investment in Neyland Stadium. I agree with the sentiment that since it's an asset then it needs to be invested in as if it was a piece of capital. My issue is, how can one spend $100 million on one stadium and still have it look almost the same?

GoVols has an architect's rendering of the "new" stadium and other than a much needed "atrium/lobby" that has been added, it appears that no more seats were added and no more skyboxes were added. I can't believe that the price tag is so high for so little visual improvement. That being said, I think it is the right thing to do for the program and they shouldn't stop there. I have been told by some recent visits to our other football facilities that we have fallen back a bit and really don't have "world class" facilities anymore. Why wouldn't some of the $100 million be redirected at other aging issues (weight room, PT equipment, dining facilities etc) or let's not stop there and let's raise another $20 million and have a world class state of the art facility that will bring the first team All Americans back to Knoxville.

Other than our punter, I don't believe we have had many first or second team All Americans on our squads in the last four years. Talent goes along way in bringing home SEC and National titles. We must continue to provide the best facilities or risk loosing great athletes that are on the fence.

Upgrading the stadium is a start (and long overdue ) the rest of the facilities need it too. With Spurier now at SC, we could loose a Lenard Little to the Cocks instead of the Vols.

PS: Have you ever seen a program that has more injuries year in and year out than the Vols. This needs to be addressed either with different strength conditioning or more safety equipment (carbon fiber ankle supports-now being used in the NFL by some teams to reduce linemen ankle injuries) to help us get through a season with out losing half of our starters to injury.

Ken.Goodgame@Bernzomatic.com

GRIFF: The money is to renovate — not redesign the stadium. I kind of like the idea of keeping a traditional look to Neyland Stadium. After all, Tennessee uses its tradition to recruit. Having seen Michigan Stadium and Beaver Stadium (Penn State), I can tell you that Neyland has a considerably better set-up with better sight lines.

The Vols' facilities are still among the best, and the players like the convenience of Gibbs Hall being located across the street. The Knoxville community also strikes them as being warm.

As for the injuries, if you look closely you will see they happen everywhere, and there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason. I can assure you that UT is at the forefront with its equipment and preventative measures. For example, the Vols' offensive linemen are all wearing knee braces as a protective measure. My question, however, is are those knee braces putting more of a strain on the ankles? Instead of having both the knee and ankle available to give a little bit, it would seem all the stress is know on the ankle and lower leg.

That's just my two cents. I'm sure there are trained professionals who have put far more thought it into than I have.

Q: I've heard that the NCAA might institute a rule in the spring that allows football players to play five seasons like what was done for basketball. If this does pass, which seniors on the Vol squad would be eligible to come back? If any are eligible, what are your thoughts on who actually might return?

POPE4UT

Griff: The current seniors who did not redshirt and would be eligible if the rule was passed would be Derrick Tinsley, Cedric Houston and Jabari Davis. Is obviously not in effect at this time, so those players are moving on.

Looking ahead to next year's seniors who have not redshirted and have a fifth year available: Gerald Riggs Jr., Antwan Stewart, Omar Gaither, Parys Haralson, Justin Harrell, Chris Hannon, Cody Douglas, Jason Allen, Jason Hall, Albert Toeaina and Jesse Mahelona.

Q: Just got through reading your column. I guess I'm sorta kinda amazed at the vocal minority screaming for the coaches' heads ... and sorta kinda not ... this is southern football.

I get mad at the coaches as well from time to time, but to your point, the Tennessee football program is in capable hands and this year's edition has been a vast improvement over the last two. I hope that the team and coaches get enough positive input to keep it going. I think there are great days ahead.

So we need to recruit a stud running back or two. Who's out there besides the Coker dude that can break tackles and leap small buildings at a single bound?

Stay cool.

david.fowler@alcatel.com

GRIFF: None of the writers in attendance who voted at SEC media days — 88 of them — picked Tennessee to win the East Division. That says something for what the Vols have accomplished despite having the youngest starting lineup in the SEC and having injuries to their top two quarterbacks, half the offensive line and two of the top playmakers (James Banks and Kevin Simon).

Q: Why would UT waste a year of eligibility on Antwan Stewart for two easy conf. games, an SEC game and a bowl?

tmcfall@lanier.com

GRIFF: Stewart has already burned a redshirt year and it was not health related, so it's unlikely he could get a medical redshirt. In other words, he's going to lose this year of eligibility, anyway.