Same old Vandy? Johnson doesn’t think so

Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson just chuckled a bit at the question.

In the middle of SEC Media Days last week in Hoover, Ala., Johnson deftly defused a question about the perception that his Commodores were “still Vanderbilt” despite winning a combined nine games the last two seasons.

“I wasn’t aware of that perception,” Johnson dead-panned.

Still nursing a streak of 24 seasons without a postseason appearance, the Commodores have higher hopes than usual heading into this season.

According to a story published by the Tennessean in July, Vanderbilt’s season-ticket sales were ahead of the previous year’s pace by nearly 40 percent.

Each of the last two years, the Commodores have knocked off SEC East powers — Tennessee in 2005 and Georgia in 2006. They came close to an overtime upset at Florida and flirted with a bowl berth, going 5-6 in 2005.

Because Vandy returns 17 starters from last year’s team that finished 4-8, Commodores fans — and players — have raised expectations and changed their perception of Vanderbilt football.

“The mindset of the program has changed,” All-SEC linebacker Jonathan Goff said. “I just believe that coach Johnson and his staff have done a great job with recruiting and changing the mindset of the team.”

Johnson sees the changes, namely on the roster.

When he left Division I-AA Furman to take over for Woody Widenhofer in 2002, the cupboard was nearly bare.

Slowly, Johnson has recruited Vanderbilt into contention with players like quarterback Jay Cutler, who became an NFL first-round draft pack.

This year, Vandy has 17 starters returning, including preseason All-American wide receiver Earl Bennett.

Bennett, a junior, is within striking distance of the SEC’s record for career receptions. The Alabama native hopes the Commodores are within striking distance of some the SEC’s elite, as well.

“Our chances are very high this season,” Bennett said. “We have a lot of returning starters and guys who have been working extremely hard this offseason.”

Johnson calls Vandy’s offensive line the best he’s had in five seasons. Quarterback Chris Nickson returns after amassing nearly 2,800 yards of offense.

A pair of East Tennessee players — tailbacks Jeff Jennings and Cassen Jackson-Garrison — will try to bolster the running game.

On defense, Vanderbilt returns two starters on the line, two of three linebackers and three of four starters from the secondary.

“I think we’re much more talented than we have been early in my career at Vanderbilt,” Johnson says. “We’ve won some pretty big games in the last couple years. More important than talent level, or whatever, is our confidence level. I think our guys feel like they can compete in this league.”

Bennett certainly thinks so.

During the Commodores’ session with the media last week, he peppered his comments with talk of reaching the BCS.

That’s a tough task for any team, let alone one that has won three or more conference games just three times since 1982. It’s even more difficult considering the SEC East produced five bowl teams in ’06.

“When you play in this league, you got to scratch and claw to get the victories,” Johnson said. “I mean, the people at the top of the SEC East and SEC West are there for a reason. But we’ve had some quality wins the last couple years. … It’s not just Vanderbilt like it used to be.”

Drew Edwards may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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