Ask Griff: Colquitt, corners and more

Q: I've noticed that Dustin Colquitt doesn't work the corners on short punts, but punts in the middle of the field. Is coffin corner punting no longer coached or is Colquitt not comfortable with the corners? Our defense has played with more intensity than the offense in recent games. Against Alabama the Vols' offense didn't seem to match the intensity of Alabama's defense until the fourth quarter. The defense was ready from the get go. What gives?

Duckdogdad@aol.com

GRIFF: Colquitt simply isn't punting very good right now. He says it's a lack of work. He hasn't punted much this season because of the Vols' lengthy drives, number of field goal attempts and turnovers. That said, I think lack of practice isn't a good excuse. Colquitt needs to get back on track to regain the draft stock he had last year, when he was a likely third rounder -- very, very high for a punter.

I believe there's a direct correlation between the offensive intensity and the offensive expectations. Those guys can feel it when Fulmer is shutting things down and playing conservative. I've noticed that when UT really needs to move the ball, the execution is much sharper.

Credit John Chavis for being the difference with the defense. There's so much competition on the defensive side of the ball for playing time, and Chavis expects so much of his players.

What gives? UT's SEC East Division title hopes will give out if the Vols don't show up with intensity Saturday. South Carolina is going to bring it hard.

Q: What must Tennessee do to be rated above Georgia in any polls. The Coaches and ESPN polls rate Georgia above Tennessee for what reason? I think this will be a moot point after Georgia travels to Auburn but it still isn't right.

SteveJohnson@flocorp.com

GRIFF: It certainly doesn't seem to be right after the way the Vols outplayed Georgia in Athens. I know in the poll I vote in, the FWAA Grantland Rice Super 16, I have the Vols above the Bulldogs.

I think most national experts look at UT's flop against Auburn as a very bad loss. Georgia, on the other hand, lost only what appeared to be a very close game to the Vols.

You are correct when you say things will sort themselves out after Georgia plays Auburn. If the Bulldogs beat the Tigers, they probably deserve to be ranked ahead of Tennessee.

But if the Vols win out and beat Auburn in the SEC title game, I would say UT deserves to be back ahead of Georgia.

Honestly, it doesn't matter. The Vols won't be able to make a run for the national title, any way. An SEC Championship and a 12-win season is the best Tennessee can realistically hope for unless all hell breaks loose and a lot of the unbeaten teams start losing.

I don't see that happening.

Q: You've probably got a lot of e-mails about the UF situation. Give us the low down. And, my question is what would AD Griff do? Do you hire Spurrier?

I'm going to get eaten alive for this but .... I for one miss the days when we loved to hate Spurrier. I think Spurrier is good for the conference and what's good for the SEC is ultimately good for UT.

heath@gearyi.com

GRIFF: I would hire Spurrier back right now, and allow him to retain Zook and staff. The program needs a shot in the arm, and Zook and his assistants need an opportunity to win Spurrier over before he rebuilds the staff, or show their stuff as assistants so they can get new jobs should Spurrier decide to make changes. Having Spurrier now would bring some excitement and help nail down a great recruiting class.

Florida, however, has indicated it will go through some sort of process. I know with all the equal interview/hiring incentives and laws in effect, there is a certain model that must be followed.

The Gators would be wise to get the politics done and over with as fast as possible.

Whether or not Spurrier could return to dominance is a great question. Either way, I agree with you, it would be exciting for the conference.

Q: I live in Birmingham and I happened to catch your show with Adams. You slobbered all over yourself about how great Alabama running game was..blah blah ... and you give the Vols and overall C.

HOW ABOUT TRADITION and that BEAR MYSTIQUE, beating Bama is special, or it was.

I know you were a writer in Alabama. Did BAMA commit NCAA infractions? Why is Fulmer so vilified by the likes of Cecil Hurt? Does everyone in Alabama have sour grapes toward Fulmer and Tennessee ... did they fire Mike DuBose? How much respect did he garner?

I am surprised Cecil (who I liked until now) is so myopic in his thinking. Is Alabama still trying to get state sovereignty?

GRIFF: Allow me to get a napkin to ensure I don't slobber over myself while responding to your e-mail.

Alabama's running game is very strong, and to stop the Tide the Vols had to give up a lot in their pass defense. In part, that's why Spencer Pennington had the success he did - and he had many other opportunities for even more success.

I know Alabama committed violations regarding Antonio Langham because I covered that story and talked to many of the parties involved. The biggest violation was how the Tide's compliance department failed too handle the Langham and Gene Jelks violations.

As for this whole Albert Means/Logan Young deal, I would say there was enough evidence for the NCAA to slap some penalties on Alabama. I'm still not sure I agree with how the whole thing was handled.

Unlike Cecil, I don't blame Fulmer for getting involved. After all, Tennessee doesn't have many in-state division I prospects, and many of the players who can play at the SEC level that come from the Volunteer state come from Memphis.

Did Fulmer go over the top? Maybe. But ultimately, it's the NCAA's responsibility to get to the bottom of the situation.

I think many in Alabama do have sour grapes where Tennessee is concerned, and I think there are many members of the Alabama media who are adept at fanning those flames.

The Crimson Tide, however, will rise again. It's just a matter of time. As it is, I thought Alabama played its guts out against Tennessee, and the Vols were fortunate to escape with the victory.

Q: I'm really curious why UT didn't take advantage of having Frank Beamer's son on the staff. As far as I can tell, we missed a good chance to bring our special teams into the new millennium.

Virginia Tech is notorious for great special teams play and have turned many games completely around with blocked kicks and lengthy returns. Do you have any knowledge of any effort to pick his brain or have him consult on the "not so special, special teams?" Or did the Vols squander what seems like a no-brainer of an opportunity?

tnorthern@cox.net

GRIFF: The Vols did take advantage of having Shane Beamer when he served UT as a graduate assistant before taking a job on Sylvester Croom's staff at Mississippi State.

The magic isn't in the scheme so much as it is the amount of time spent on the special teams and the dedication and effort the players put forth.

I think part of the Vols' problem has more to do with personnel limitations at the key positions that often contribute to good special teams, particularly linebackers.