Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on December 2, 2007 at 1:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Demonte', you and the entire defense almost won this game for us. That was a championship performance. Nothing at all to hang your heads over.

Yes, we need some serious work in a few critical areas. But you guys seriously put the hat on some LSU players tonight. Outstanding performance. You've earned this fan's respect.

Chief, we love you out here, and wish you and your family the best. You'll always be a Volunteer.

Posted by dfreeman on December 2, 2007 at 1:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

chief ain't going anywhere is he?? I sure hope not. That defense is going to be a beast next year!! Besides Hefney's play that was the hardest hitting defense all year!!

Posted by mparker on December 2, 2007 at 1:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

kinda surprised Demonte's comments were published. we know players feel that way, but usually the press keeps those comments out.

great hitting, you guys, clean, hard-hitting game. LSU is very athletic, but the D really stood up and hit.

Posted by utallvol on December 2, 2007 at 2:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why would they put Bolden's comments out there like that? Isn't that going to cause a few problems in the locker room?

Posted by invisiblekid on December 2, 2007 at 2:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The defense may have grown up some over the course of the season but apparently Bolden hasn't. I don't care how upset a player is, you don't throw your teammates under the bus like that, especially to the media. Hopefully, it's a matter of quotes being taken out of context. If not, then someone needs to remind Bolden that the offense bailed this defense out of a number of games this year.

Anyway, the defense did some good things in the game and I loved to see them come out so physical, but it was still a matter of the same mistakes we have seen the better part of two years getting them into trouble. The option game, 3rd down conversions, blown coverages, run defense, all of these things need serious improvement if this team is to be a champion again. With guys like Mayo and Berry, I think that is very possible.

Posted by RocketVol on December 2, 2007 at 6:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Call a spade a spade. The offense pulled another Jekyll and Hyde - looking brilliant at the beginning then completely abandoning what works. How this team goes from "playing to win" to "not to lose" is the worst thing about it. Defense was superb - this was a night of offensive first-down-failure and missed opportunity. By the way coach, Eric Berry is special now and may be your finest player - no "gonna be's" about it.

Posted by killer65forevervol on December 2, 2007 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tn. defense always plays tough and now, the DB's are starting to show promise. Too many new names on the DB side to list but next year will be "WOW" for defense. Problem is, with Cutcliffe's 80% pass offensive game plan, no wonder our D stays out on the field. Kudos to Chavis for having such a conditioned defense. That means Tn defense has to be the most determined and physically fit to have so much field time due to Cutcliffe's poor game plan. Wake up people, it was the same gameplan during the Clausen era that I am so glad its gone. 1st Clausen could not even run a 40 under 5.0 so how he got in the SEC I will never understand. Mr. Cutcliffe must change his gameplan next year to really see the full potential of our Defense although they give 110% of their heart in almost every game this year. I will assume Cal and Fla. being early season games were defensive flukes due to all the new young defensive players getting their game legs on.

Posted by fencevol on December 2, 2007 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Jarod, I think you are a GREAT player and young man. You REALLY need to look at the scores this season before you say "we give up alot of yards but not many points." The truth is we give up lots of yards AND points.

Posted by mtnvol on December 2, 2007 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How many LSU players were carted off the field? I lost count. Had to be the hardest hitting game I've ever seen!

Posted by beachdvs on December 2, 2007 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Being the eternal optimist, I sincerely believe that next year, Jon Crompton will give the Vols a much needed dimension, a dual threat running and passing. Let's rekindle the fear that Tee Martin and Heath Shuler put into opposing defenses. Nevertheless, Ainge should be praised for his gutsy and selfless play. A true Volunteer. Go get 'em Vols!

Posted by BigOrangeVol29 on December 2, 2007 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This defense does not have much to be embarrassed about from this game. I'm so happy to see their progression and how the Frosh really stepped up over the course of the year. Pure, plain and simple the offense let us down in this one. Looks like it's get 'em next year yet again.

Posted by TommyJack on December 2, 2007 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

beachdvs: You're not the eternal optimist. That would be Mbumburo. You're close, though. With you on the Shuler/Tee Martin part. Not with you on "ainge should be praised" part.

Posted by CrankE on December 2, 2007 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Demonte may just be saying what a lot of them are feeling. The defense got it done. The offense on the other hand screwed it.

Dropped passes, interceptions, inability to run the ball, missed FGs, inability to sustain drives, etc. Tennessee's defense got our offense 2 turnovers that they did nothing with. One kickoff return gave them field position at the LSU 45 or something. Erik Ainge and that offense deserve to be held accountable for what they accomplished with what they were given. If that means boos, then so be it.

Posted by VolnFlorida on December 2, 2007 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Heffney and Ainge did way too much damage.
Neither one should return to knoxville. Just keep them both in Atlanta for the Peach bowl.Maybe they will figure it out by then. Glad they are gone!
Fulmer should play others in their place in the bowl game and get ready for next year. Berry is
amazing. He keeps this up, it will be hard to keep him out of the NFL after next year.

Posted by King30 on December 2, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I really believe the days of the drop-back passer in college football are over. Look around the country at the most successful qb's on some of the most successful teams this year (Brennan, Pat White, Dixon, Tebow, Daniel) and they've all got legs and a certain amount of quickness.
Unfortunately, Coach Cut's main recent successes have come from the Manning's and Ainge...not so mobile. So I'm hoping those aren't the prototypical qb's we're looking for.
It works better in the NFL because they've got 350lb gorillas protecting them, but the college game is one of more quickness than offensive lines that can just muscle d-linemen.
As we look to the future, it looks like we may have that edge with Crompton.
Let's just hope Cut can coach him up.

Posted by bloodrunsorange on December 2, 2007 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Defense looked like a Tennessee Defense should look. They hit hard and often. They multi hit and hit everywhere on that field. They hit the entire game! They have my respect! The offense on the other hand, shall we say, can use some work!

Posted by TommyJack on December 2, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

King30: Coach Cut hasn't shown that he can coach any other way. Peyton, Eli, Ainge. He's stuck on that offense. Why do you think we didn't see more of the G-man offense? He (Cut) isn't comfortable with it. Gerald comes in a couple times...does well, then disappears back to the pine. And another thing...what about fresh legs in the backfield? Did he ever relieve Foster? We have ONE back? Foster is a warrior, but the man can't go forever.
As for Crompton..I hope you're right. The few times I've seen him, he has the look of a deer in the headlights.
MEDIOCRITY SHOULD NOT RULE!

Posted by yemmusdarb on December 2, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually it won't be hard to keep Berry out of the NFL after next year. You can't be in the draft until you're 3 years removed from high school (you can be a RS Soph). But I'm sure he'll be gone the year after next.

Ainge is a dink and dunk QB. He doesn't have a good deep ball (under threw Rogers on the "no pass interference" play). 95% of his completions are 10 yards or less (not counting YAC). This is why he broke the school record for completions in a season, but is just barely over 3,000 yards. It's also why his QB rating is so middle-of-the-pack. His yards per attempt is too low.

Maybe next year Crompton will help us all remember what a deep ball looks like (40+ yards in the air is a deep ball, not 20). He seems like he's got better touch. Ainge throws alot of wobbley ducks, even on short completions.

Posted by jlange on December 2, 2007 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you want your SEC QB to run alot, then you better have 2 of them.

Posted by tngeoff on December 2, 2007 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CrankE,

I don't disagree completely with you said, but Bolden, like everybody else on the team did should use better judgement in post game comments that are said while passions are running high. I'm sure you, like me have been in losses where we wanted to blast the others who didn't deliver the goods, but even though he was totally distraught and the press really should have just left him alone until today, he said what he said and he can't take it back. He needs to use better team concepualization and tact. We still have a huge game to go and we need to be firing on all cylinders. The defense was impressive to me last night and I tip my hat to them. Bolden makes a valid point about other packages being used more, but I still saw some creativity that has been absent. We've come a long way and still more to go. JUST DO IT VOLS!

Posted by King30 on December 2, 2007 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jlange, I'm not saying I want a running quarterback, just a mobile one that doesn't require the o-line to give him 5 or 6 seconds to get his feet squared up and release. Ainge absolutely rushed his passes all year. No stepping up in the pocket or releasing to an edge to buy time (other than when it was a called roll-out).
If you can't buy yourself some time in the college game, it's all dink and dunk.
Hmmm...sounds familiar doesn't it?

Posted by budd on December 2, 2007 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This team will not improve until Cutcliffe learns to make adjustments and quits being lazy. This game plan stunk. He did not do the work on this that he needed to and it showed. The finger should be pointed at him

Posted by waterskier3 on December 2, 2007 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

defense gave up 1500 yards and how many points in three games this year( 150 or so)??? what a stupid comment...

its funny we win b 2 and fat boy supporters say it doesn't matter the score it was a WIN... we lose because of stupid play calling and coaching and everyone says its ok because we should have WON... THIS NEWS IN A LOSS IS A LOSS.... WE STILL SUX!!

Have fun playing in atlanta and eating mor chicken.....

Posted by bd330794 on December 2, 2007 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Impressed with the D especially in the second half, except for the lack of coverage on the td pass to byrd. This defense has gotten better every game. Berry is everywhere he is going to be fun to watch the next couple years. This is a very young defense, Karl and the X man is all we loose. And on offense Ainge and brown are the only losses. This is going to be a "Darn Strong Football Team" next year. Hopefully Morely can make it back. We add Brandon Warren on offense. I like the different dinamics Crompton and Jones can bring to the QB position. We need a big bowl win to carry some momentum to next year. Looking good.......

Posted by Basketball_Jones on December 2, 2007 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

1st off Crompton is not guranteed the starter, as many has said he always looks like he just got caught in a bad moment with his gf "shocked". 2nd is Mayo a senior? and how come Hefney can't wrap a preson up. He comes at them like he's Ronny Lott and thinks he can just know everyone down with a shoulder shot. I am so glad he'll be gone next yea.

Posted by Basketball_Jones on December 2, 2007 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

1st off Crompton is not guranteed the starter, as many has said he always looks like he just got caught in a bad moment with his gf "shocked". 2nd is Mayo a senior? and how come Hefney can't wrap a preson up. He comes at them like he's Ronny Lott and thinks he can just know everyone down with a shoulder shot. I am so glad he'll be gone next yea.

Posted by bd330794 on December 2, 2007 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah Heffeny hasnt always been a plus this year when he was on the field

Posted by bd330794 on December 2, 2007 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mayo is a junior. Hope some agent doesn't get in his ear. We need him back, and he could use another year it could really bolster his draft status.

Posted by wisonsinvol on December 2, 2007 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Jlange, agree. That's why teeboy will not finish his career unless Myer stops running him so much. However, it does add another threat that four or five times a game can be utilized. Crompton could average 10 ypc next year counting just his real attempts (sans taking a knee and sacks). As for the defense, I sure hope Mayo comes back but doubt he will.

Posted by ryangrif16 on December 2, 2007 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bolden-

Where was your defense againt Cal, FL, and Bama. That shows you what kind of teammate you are.

Posted by Pullingguard on December 2, 2007 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Boldens comment should not cause lockerroom problems, for the person he was talking about is moving on, he's a senior..Bolden spoke what probably many other players were thinking, that was; Ainge did not play a good game and made plays that determined the outcome of the game.. Pure and simple.. Or he could have been talking about Cutcliff who certainly did not excel at making the correct calls from the pressbox. Lot of head scratching and changes need to be made for the 2008 Vols season.

Posted by ncvol17 on December 2, 2007 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anybody think post Ole Miss Cutcliffe is no where near the play caller Pre Cutcliffe was? Where has the Offensive play calling magic and high powered offense gone?

Posted by murrayvol on December 2, 2007 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This young man was spent emotionally and physically. He had a lot on his mind after a tough loss and unfortunately said most of it. A taped replay of what some of us have said immediately after a loss like this would not be a fun video for the wife & kids. The good news is we weren't being interviewed and nobody gives a damn anyway.

In retrospect Demonte probably wishes he had defaulted to an old Coach Fulmer standby: "I need to look at the film."

Posted by Ironcity on December 2, 2007 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

beachdvs hit it on the head. Ainge was gutsy however he is limited by his lack of mobility and his inability to make a play after the initial reads. I don't believe we have to have a QB that takes off 10 times a game but I believe we have to have a QB that is able to run upfield and pick up three yards when the receivers are covered. The roll outs seem to not work because there is no concern that the QB will make a play with his legs. I do believe our offense will be more dynamic next year. Maybe its me but I think it pertains to a lot of us. I am usually glad to see our star postion players (Hefney, Ainge and Dee Ends) go after 4 years. I think I start focusing on there limitations instead of their strengths. Here's hoping they all succeed and that there replacements play great.

Posted by NYCVOL on December 2, 2007 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bolden is funny. More like a joke. How could he possibly feel the need to speak poorly to the media about the offense. 45, 59, 41. Hmmm...those are some outstanding defensive numbers, right big guy?
I find it sad that after one decent game by the defense, he feels the need to bash the offense. Ridiculous. LSU did some running right through the defensive front.
Team is a word Bolden might want to research.
Go Vols!

Posted by tshipley7963 on December 2, 2007 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's face it people Coach Cut and angie cost us the game . yeah our defensive backs blew a couple of plays by allowing them to complete some passes, but you can expect that when you play the whole game.3 and out, the defense gets tired I don't care who they are. Go Vols

Posted by TurboFan on December 2, 2007 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes Ainge threw interceptions at critical times. I would still take him over Ryan Perrilloux, Matt Flynn or John Jim Billy Bob Parker Wilson Dennis the Menace. No QB is perfect every throw. If we had had a running game that could reliably produce 4 or 5 yards a carry, we wouldn't have had to rely on Ainge to make so many tough throws. Erik wasn't alone out there.

Posted by jweaver3 on December 2, 2007 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

waterskier3, WE STILL SUX? YOUR GRAMMAR SUCKS!!!
If you don't like UT then stay off our site and stop non-supporting our team!!!!!
GO VOLS
WIN THE BOWL GAME
Let's keep this young defense improving for next year
TXVOLSFAN

Posted by THE_VOL on December 2, 2007 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only embarrassment yesterday was DEMONTE BOLDEN trying to speak the English language! Which was only slightly more embarrassing than DEMONTE BOLDEN trying to stop the run. Yeah we need to change some players alright and DEMONTE BOLDEN is one of them!

Posted by pdhuff on December 2, 2007 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Demonte, you cannot exercise your right to free and truthful speech if it does not follow company policy. Read the manual! So what if you were out there for 12 minutes or so longer than LSU. Phil will have to make you take over the course -Lemmings do not speak their mind- subtitled - get on over the cliff. Don't point out NO SEC RINGS for NINE years. Shhhh... Blindly press on to our tenth anniversary of not clearing a spot in the trophy case. Talk up Ga win (good), forget Fla and Bama. Company line, my man. Fulmerites will eat you alive. Just stand up and say Next year! They've been saying it for 9 years now, what can another 5 or 6 hurt. Whew. Spinners, step forward.

Posted by tngeoff on December 2, 2007 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff,

Maybe for starters Demonte can try real hard to remember California, Florida and Alabama. Then remember how many players didn't exercise their right to free and truthful speech even if it didn't follow company policy after Bolden and the others on the defensive line spent the game flat on their backs looking up at the sky after most plays while the offense fought bitterly to try to keep the defensive line in the game. Maybe you could lead the real "lemmings" over the edge. You know, the "lemmings" of convenient truth. Run pdhuff, run!

Posted by BigOrangeJeeper on December 2, 2007 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That was A real D we all saw out there on saturday. They should be proud. If their progresion continues they will be a really good D next year.

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on December 3, 2007 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ncvol17, I'm with you on that totally. It often seems like Cut either doesn't really believe in a running game or else doesn't know how to call it. (GA and AR games might be an exception -- have to look at our rushing stats on those.)

The fact is that the last top 20 rushing offense we had was in 1999 -- with Jamal Lewis carrying the ball and Randy Sanders the OC.

The offensive line is outstanding with pass protection, of course. Seems like that's where they've been coached intensely -- protect a passing QB in the pocket.

But how about blasting some people off the line and opening some holes for our backs? It's just not their forte and hasn't been for some time.

Remember when we used to have a fullback? Guys like Shawn Bryson and Will Bartholomew? When we actually tried to run the ball and coined the phrase "pound the rock?"

When was the last time we actually had a fullback in the backfield?

Im my mind, the jury is still out on this no-huddle offense.

But I'm out of my depth here as I never played the game or coached...just some observations of the results we've had.

Posted by DickeytheSimpkins on December 3, 2007 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

when did Tenn describe their defense as bend but don't break? I heard Chavis get hot about that one time...