Ask Griff: UT needs a Reggie White on defense

Cfoppiano

GRIFF: I'd say the last comparable player would be Shaun Ellis, who is having a great career with the N.Y. Jets.

One player can't change the outcome of a game, though Parys Haralson had a great deal of influence in the win over Ole Miss with 10 tackles and two sacks.

The Vols will need all four of their linemen to put forth a Reggie White-type of effort against Alabama on Saturday. If the Tide's run game is successful, this one will be a nail-biter.

Q: Regarding the not-so-special special teams, I was wondering what your thoughts might be on the following: Allowing Brent Schaeffer to return kicks when Eric Ainge is starting the next series, and, in general, giving some of the highly touted freshmen a chance.

I understand that Ben Greene and Ja'Kouri Williams have stellar credentials in this arena and ... the future is now. Corey Larkins puts forth a fine effort, but he's had plenty of opportunities with limited success. I believe the Vols, now more than ever, need playmakers with lightning in their britches to get the freshmen some decent field position. I applaud the move of putting Inky (Johnson) back there to get something happening and I think the coaches should open up the role just as they did QB in fall practice. With all the athletes UT recruits and gets, it would seem that there has to be someone on the team that could light things up. Griff, tell me please, have I lost all my marbles, or is there some semblance of sanity in what I suggest?

tnorthern@cox.net

GRIFF: There's plenty of logic in what you suggest. I suggest new personnel back deep as well. UT coach Phillip Fulmer, however, believes the problems are mostly up front with the blocking. Special teams have not yet cost the Vols a victory, but it has certainly come close, with James Wilhoit's missed extra point against Florida and Jonathan Hefney's muffed punt against Ole Miss.

Fulmer knows special teams is a trouble area. Knowing how obsessive he is about fixing weaknesses, I would be shocked if it didn't improve soon.

Q: I usually don't write to columnists, but I just couldn't keep quiet this time. I'm from Memphis and I'm a huge Vol fan. I listened to you and George Lapides on 56 WHBQ last week. I realize everyone is entitled to their opinion and I have no problem with that; but next time keep those opinions to yourself until after the game. You stirred up quite a hornet's nest with your comments about Ole Miss.

The Ole Miss team was fired up all week because you called them a patsy. Why in the world would you say something like that right before a football game?

It always drives me crazy when a UT player sticks his foot in his mouth and gets all cocky right before a big game; but you'd think a sportswriter would know better. Please don't do UT any more favors by bashing their opponents before they play the game. It's hard enough to win a game in college football these days without your stupid comments adding fuel to the fire. It was clearly evident tonight that Ole Miss was determined to make you eat crow. Thankfully, Tennessee saved your butt ... barely.

VMTENNIS

GRIFF: I appreciate your concerns, however, it's not my job to help or hurt Tennessee's football program. It's my job to report on them for the newspaper and provide opinion and commentary on the various television and radio interviews I'm asked to conduct.

It certainly didn't appear that Ole Miss was too fired up when the Vols jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. I believe bulletin-board fodder is overrated -- particularly when it comes from an independent source, such as a member of the media.

I felt the Rebels had played like Patsies to that point of the season, losing to Wyoming and struggling with Arkansas State.

I have more respect for Ole Miss after watching the team's performance against Tennessee and visiting the stadium Saturday night. Prior to Saturday, my most recent trip to Oxford was in 1997 when a 4-7 Alabama team found victory.

David Cutcliffe has done a good job with the program and proved to be a valuable hire. At the time he took the job, I did not believe it would be a good match. Cutcliffe has proved me wrong, and from what I saw Saturday night, he has the Rebels marching back in the right direction.

The stadium environment was considerably more hospitable than seven years ago, and the improvements to the facility have made it one of the nicest and cleanest in the SEC.

I will continue to speak my mind as long as I'm asked, without regard to how it affects any program. Free speech is what makes our country great.

Q: Being a Vol fan and living in Memphis, I enjoyed hearing you on the George Lapides' show. I also enjoyed and agree with you point about Ole Miss and recruiting.

After playing nice with you, I was disappointed, but notsurprised, to hear George "In case you didn't know, I'm perfect and smarter than you" Lapides go off on your comments and call them inexcusable. Once again, Lapides waits till his subject can't respond to attack them. My wish is that you would agree to do Lapides' show again only to come on the air and tell him to his face that you will notbeing doing his show ever again because of his inexcusable comments.

For someone who claims to know everything Lapides is blinded by his allegiance to Tiger High and Ole Miss. I would love to turn on my radio one morning and hear you put Lapides in his place. Lapides could definitely learn a little something from you and others at the KNS.

Contrary to a claim made against you yesterday, you are not a homer for the Vols and do criticize The Great Pumpkin and others at UT. Lapides, however, always sticks up for Tiger High and Ole Miss and fails to see any problems with those schools and their abilities or inabilities to compete with the big boys.

Thanks again for your prospective and please take on Lapides.

Ross.Dyer@state.tn.us

GRIFF: Thanks for your comments Ross. I would be a hypocrite, however, if I didn't accept the fact that George has an opinion, too. From what I understand he has been around a long time and has many followers. He's always been kind to me in our dealings, so I agree to do his show for free any time he requests. I would still do the same for him out of professional respect. Geoff Caulkins is a very good friend of mind and a co-worker who works with George, and I have a great deal of respect for Caulkins as a person and a writer.

Living in Memphis, I'm sure George has a different perspective on the Vols than a reporter who lives in Knoxville and covers the team on a daily basis -- just as I have a different perspective on the University of Memphis (or, Tiger High as you call it), and Ole Miss.

As for my criticism of the Rebel Flag -- it's important for me to note that I noticed Saturday night it is not at all prevalent any more -- George is from a different generation and has chosen to deal with the situation in his own way.

As for my future dealings with George, I don't feel the need to confront - as you suggest -- or entrap -- as his station manager did to me -- another media member. Frankly, I'm shocked his management would go to the trouble to tape me without my knowledge and then send the tape to the Ole Miss football program even against the wishes of George and Geoff. Perhaps the Memphis station thought it was doing the Rebels a favor. I'm sure the advertisers with Tennessee connections didn't appreciate that.

It's my understanding that George has told his upset listeners that I will not be invited back on his show. That is disappointing. I believe we must be tolerant of others' opinions and hear them out, even if we don't agree -- especially if you have asked for their opinions.

George should know that ultimately, logic, facts and perspective prevail. At least, that's how I try to deal with disputes on the radio show I host.

Thankfully it turned out to be a wonderful game and fans from both teams had good reason to leave the stadium happy Saturday night.

Q: To: Chairman University of Tennessee Music Dept

Not only was I disappointed in the performance of our football team on Auburn ... but also with the half-time performance of the Pride of the Southland.

I have watched The Pride of The Southland Marching Band probably longer than you, sir, have been alive. I have NEVER walked out on a performance until Saturday ... NOT even when the University of Texas band made our band look pitiful in the Cotton Bowl many years ago on a FREEZING January 1st.

The artists whom you used on Saturday certainly were talented, but I would rather see them perform in a concert setting where their talent could be better appreciated ... BESIDES THAT, my spirits needed lifting at that point in the Auburn game.

I thought the UT BAND was called "The Pride of The Southland MARCHING Band." I thought we got to sing the Alma Mater at half time, Silly me!

jenjenjohn@bwwonline.com

GRIFF: I'm not sure why you chose to forward this note to me, but since you did I'll give you my take.

The Tennessee band is indeed talented, but it is not as loud as many of the other SEC bands in my opinion.

Further, the Vols' band isn't the most creative when it comes to using Rocky Top to its advantage. Knowing fully well how much opposing teams get rattled by Rocky Top, I would expect a few bars of it each time UT makes a big play.

That said, my latest issue with the band is not a criticism, rather, I would like to defend it.

A couple of weeks ago at Georgia, a scoreboard operator was turning up rock and roll music over the PA system each time the UT band attempted to entertain the Vols' fans who had traveled for the game. The stadium music easily drowned out Tennessee's band.

When the Georgia band would play, the PA system and music would be turned down.

This happened in the 90 minutes leading up to the game, and I found it unfortunate for both the UT band and the fans. The stadium music was so loud I couldn't hear myself think, and I was in the press box.

I have called the SEC office to report this, because I think the Georgia scoreboard operator damaged what should have been a nice SEC environment with his/her obnoxious and rude tricks.

I say let the bands and the teams settle in on Saturday.