Tennessee Stat Book
Tennessee's defense already has given up more points than any in school history, but critics are firing more shots at the offense. How odd is that?
Perhaps the turnabout is appropriate in a college football season that has been unusual at every level - nationally, in the SEC and at UT.
A UT defense that began the season on its heels against Cal and that couldn't catch its breath against Florida ended the season by holding SEC champion and national championship contender LSU to one offensive touchdown.
Sure, it helped that LSU had to play without its injured No. 1 quarterback, Matt Flynn. For all his athleticism, backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux is an absolute disaster when it comes to game and clock management.
But you can't argue that the defense at least improved over the course of the season. Now, fans seem more concerned about an offense that struggled more as the season went along.
Nonetheless, the offense still is averaging 33 points. Given this team's limitations, that shouldn't cause even the most critical fan to dispatch a moving van to offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe's home.
The Vols lost their best big-play running back, LaMarcus Coker, to off-the-field issues, and they didn't have a deep threat at wide receiver. They needed both.
They could have done just fine with an Eric Berry for the offense. He became a star in the secondary as a true freshman. No incoming recruit could fill that role at wide receiver.
If you want to fault the offensive coaches, they're vulnerable on a couple of counts: (1) Either failing to recruit an offensive player sufficiently talented to have an immediate impact or failing to develop young receivers quickly enough; (2) Not making the spread option an integral part of their offense.
In some ways, this offensive staff has excelled. In two years, Cutcliffe helped turn Erik Ainge into one of the SEC's best quarterbacks. You can blame Ainge all you want for his dreadful play in the fourth quarter of the SEC championship game loss to LSU, but he's UT's best pro prospect at the position since Peyton Manning.
Cutcliffe also deserves credit for game preparation. So does head coach Phillip Fulmer, who plays a role in that.
Consider what UT has done on its first possession in the last four games. In each of those games - against LSU, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Arkansas - the Vols scored a touchdown on their first possession.
That doesn't happen by accident. In fact, it's almost Bill Walsh-like.
It shows that Cutcliffe and the rest of the offensive staff are finding opponents' weaknesses, then putting together a series of plays that will exploit those vulnerabilities. They won't lose that ability in the off-season. They just need to build on it.
We kid a lot on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page, about UT's "G-Gun" package. But the success of the spread offense in college football is no joke.
I'm not suggesting that UT has to become West Virginia or Florida. But it needs to use some version of the spread option in more than a cameo role.
Now is the perfect time. The Vols will have to break in a new quarterback next season anyway. So why not include the spread option in the transition?
Freshman wide receiver Gerald Jones, a former high school quarterback, apparently can handle the role. As a quarterback in the shotgun formation, he gained 39 yards on two carries against LSU in the SEC championship game.
That's a great average. That's not enough carries.
There's another advantage to using the spread option on a regular basis. It prepares your defense for an offense it's bound to encounter during the season.
And the biggest encounter for UT will come in the third game against Florida.
But wouldn't it be refreshing for UT to do more than follow a popular trend?
With that in mind, I introduce my fantasy UT offense, which would put both Jones and Berry in the shotgun formation.
Like Jones, Berry was an outstanding high school quarterback who is capable of passing as well as running. You think two running/passing threats in the same backfield wouldn't put pressure on a defense?
Berry, who has had an All-SEC-caliber season at strong safety, wouldn't have to move to offense full-time. Just give him three or four series in the same backfield with Jones.
Champ Bailey handled a two-way role at Georgia. So did you-know-who at Michigan. And so could Berry.
I've already done my part. I've named the formation.
No offense to Jones, but you would have to call it the "Wild Berry."
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com
Phillip Fulmer through the years
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Tyler Summitt through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 87
Pocket_Passer writes:
Jones and Berry in the backfield together would make a seconday very nosey. Much like Tebow does with his 'play action' when he fakes to run.
Could you imagine the options? Oh wait, who are they going to throw to? each other?
gohawks1 writes:
John, I like the way you're thinking, here. Berry and Jones in the backfield together gives me a buzz just thinking about it. It probably won't ever happen because it's too progressive an idea, but you have my vote.
And I had the same question that you posed about Jones gaining 39 yards on two carries, and then not getting another carry. What's up with that? If we had run that package again instead of attempting to pass down there near the goal line late in the game, we would be studying film of Hawaii right now instead of Wisconsin.
rubbervol writes:
I like these ideas and i also think we should start these with the bowl game.John Parker Ainge has had his good years,time to move on with the program and put some threats back in our game !!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
wow, "wild berry". I like it. Just let Phil fine-tune it down to where it'll fit the dink & dunk and I bet we'd cut that ole' Fla margin under 39 points. Turning this thing around already! Methinks this is not Cutcliff's bag of tea. Why not use the "anthill approach"? Snap the ball and they all scatter! I liked the Al Wilson defense, destroy 'em all, let God sort them out. Man, what hitting in the LSU game, where'd that come from? Berry & Jones, a two-headed fast Tebow. I can see the trophy case dusted off already. We'll get 'em next year. Rally under "Phil's 10 in a row has got to go". Fear the Phil, Badgers. Oh geez, its almost over. Merry Christmas!
rootin4volz writes:
Funny, but I was just thinking about this as I heard Doc, Jeff and Heather talking about the G-Gun this morning...They were saying that we, of course, went away from the "Davy Crockett Package" because it worked brilliantly the first two times and failed the second two, and that defenses could key on Jones once they figured out what we were going to do. But hey, put him in there to run an option and let's see how defenses fare against THAT!
BigVolinCarolina writes:
John Adams is smokin' crack if the thinks UT is going to deviate from anything other than what we've already seen. Let's face it: how many "packages" have we read about in the past--Eric Locke, Brent Schaeffer and now, Gerald Jones? These "packages" have typically been nothing more than 2 or 3 plays a game.
What UT needs is a renewed mindset: bust your tail and leave it all on the field. Our defense this year did turn it up a notch; however, giving up a ton of yards & nearly 28 points per game isn't going to cut it in the SEC.
And as for the offense, I don't believe that UT has resort to trick plays and overhaul the offense. However, we rarely have an element of surprise in our offensive play-calling. If you know the down & distance, you can almost best what we're going to do.
It all boils down to coaching! With the talent gap narrowing between SEC teams, the premium upon good coaching is all-the-more critical.
MANVOL writes:
I dont get on players but to say "he's UT's best pro prospect at the position since Peyton Manning." Is as crazy as thinking this coaching staff would consider anything Close to the "wild berry" which i like the idea. Eric will not stay in the pocket long enough for deep or intermediate pass plays to develope. If its Cutts coaching/teacning that has Eric counting 1.2.3 throw actually did his QB disservice. Pro QB's throw the ball deep.
chrisw2967 writes:
I would like to see anything except what we have seen the last 7 years cause it does not work anymore.you can call it "wild berry" or "straight out of Crompton" just as long as they get out of the 1800s and get up to date.
I dont see them putting Berry back there, cause it just might work.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
"Straight out of Crompton"--hilarious chrisw2967!
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Nothing is wrong with our pro style offense when executed properly. See the UGA game. Lucas Taylor leads the SEC in rec yards and that’s not by accident. It's even more incredible considering he's probably not half the pro prospect some other receivers in the league are.
The Spread Option is a fad in college football right now. Sure its fun to watch teams beat up on lesser teams with it but it can be shut down just as easily as any other offense. See WVA vs. S.FL or FL vs. Auburn.
And BTW, play calling is one of the most overrated criticisms of coaching there is. It’s all about execution. For every “bad call” Cut has made this year he’s made 10 “good calls”. My biggest complaint would be getting away form the game plan too quick sometimes.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Interesting, John, re the orangeberry spread. But, unfortunately, I'm afraid such radical thinking scares the daylights out of Fulmer and Cut.
Re your comment: "If you want to fault the offensive coaches, they're vulnerable on a couple of counts: (1) Either failing to recruit an offensive player sufficiently talented to have an immediate impact or failing to develop young receivers quickly enough..."
This point is personified by one issue that has stupefied many of us all sesason: what about Kenny O'Neal, who Trooper Taylor famously said is "faster than a "spotted ape?"
O'Neal was a JC player who was expected to immediately contribute at receiver. If you're not darn sure a JC can immediately contribute, why recruit him?
Tee Martin used to play 50-yard catch with Peerless Price. During games. For six points or huge gains at a time.
It was like those two mapped it out with their fingers on the ball in the huddle and the play called was "you go long and I'll find you...you jump up and catch it."
Tee threw it up there and Peerless found a way to catch it. Many times.
Not suggesting there's another Peerless Price anywhere, much less in Kenny O'Neal's uniform or any other current Vols uniform.
But if O'Neal's really that fast and can catch the ball, why not send him long?
Going long has nothing to do with receiver blocking and everything to do with explosive separation from the DB.
If O'Neal's that fast, Coach Taylor and Coach Cutcliffe, why isn't he being sent long? Why isn't anyboby being sent long?
Do we have nobody fast enough who can separate, get a step on a DB and stretch the bloody field?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
burntorangeVOLffle,
Your points are good. Especially about the play calling. It is obviously a factor... albeit one that is dramatically overemphasized. Our coach used to always say "Every play is designed to score if you execute it." It is kinda true.
Just like the defense is designed to stop every play for no gain... if you execute it. Except prevent defense... that is designed to blow a big lead into a loss.
CrankE writes:
I've got a revolutionary idea, rather than being a spread, fastbreak, run and shoot, fun and gun, yeehaw offense, let's get back to simply being able to run the ball with some authority. The glaring weakness of this team over the last several years has been in the area of rushing yards. Show me a team that can get it done on the ground and I'll show you a team that can take charge of the game and keep it for 60 minutes. Tennessee was never better than when they could run with quickness and power.
With a new QB to break in, now's the time for our coaches to simplify things and get back to this bedrock skill that we've lost.
DarthVol writes:
I would prefer our coaches learn how to STOP a spread offense, not incorporate it into their offensive system.
Our staff should run the offense they are comfortable coaching. I'll say it again...you don't have to be contrarian in scheming to be a good offensive football team. It's like when my wife tries to wear clothes made for women half her age...it's hard to pull off.
southernACmavs writes:
That would be great. But i would be happy if we could develop a WR . In 2years that could run a post. Why has Trooper been given a pass on developing player? Because he does the chest bump. Our WR corps are still not making the play when we have to make it. Blame players al you want ,sooner or later you have to coach them.............
GreerVol22 writes:
Great idea!...anything but Ainge...
vol4jesus writes:
greeerVaultootoo lay off the the young man please. Yes he has made some big mistakes, but has also made some big plays we all cheered about. Lets pull together and put on those chin straps one more time versus the Badgers. GO VOLS!!!
vol52 writes:
We will never change. We do best with a dual threat QB (pass and run) but the coaches are not comfortable with that. They want the clasical drop back passer QB. Any thinking out of the box is above and beyond the coaches on the Hill.
Volker writes:
Line Berry up at every position. He's a gamer. Just give him the ball....Can he kick?
RemembertheAlamo writes:
why not the "wild jerry berry" or "wild berry jerry"
webbofconfusion writes:
It is great that you all like this crapola that john dishes out... Remember that Tebow got hurt and Florida lost 3 SEC games. Oh and Pat White... yeah he is hurt too... and they lost their last game, before getting a chance to play in the NC.
I say we shelve the dingleberry and pound the rock next year. Spread the field occasionally, but let's keep in mind that niether Florida or WV are playing for a NC.
RemembertheAlamo writes:
darthvol....if we incorporate the spread offense then our defense could learn to play against it better....you think!
leedsvol2007 writes:
The idea of Berry and Jones on the field in the same set is intriguing but how much that could be used might be a function of how deep our secondary is next year. Don't forget that Berry is running wind sprints on every defensive play. So for every offensive play he would likely have to have a defensive play off.
Anyone who has played in the backfield knows the quarterback position is the best to run from particularly if the option is involved. You see better and if the threat of a pass is there and the rush lanes break down it is easy to run to daylight.
On the other hand everyone on defense takes particular delight in laying a big hit on the QB. Tebow has the size of a fullback and was lucky to make it through the year unscathed and we saw what happened to WV when White got hurt.
I think with Crompton we will see some spread looks next year. It was obvious as good as Ainge played that with a bum knee, broken finger, and sore shoulder he was told not to scramble.
Crompton is bigger, stronger and faster than Ainge so some spread makes sense with him. And Jones is special so his role at QB as a change-up should be expanded. But how much Berry can or will be used offensively is up in the air.
We all like to talk about offense but to win games you have to stop your opponents at least one more time than they stop you. Berry is a big part of that process so he shouldn't be forced to take on a big offensive role.
GoVols!
cgbtn writes:
MANVOL, According to the announcing crew for the championship game, 1-2-3 throw is too slow. They said Cutcliff told them that in his "rhythm" passing game, Ainge is supposed to have the ball gone in 2.5 secs. Do some arithmetic and figure out how far your run-of-the-mill 4.3 forty guy can run in 2.5 secs. Clue: It ain't deep.
vol52 writes:
"A contract extension allows him to aggressively recruit the student-athletes that will allow the football program to hopefully bring home another National Championship for you – the greatest fans in America."
That is what Mikey said about Phil in his e-mail. Lets see how well Fulmer does with one added year of security. And a little extra cash. NC here we come!
vol52 writes:
How are the Outback ticket sales going?
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
chrisw2967, you nailed it---"cause it just might work." Our coaches are not smart enough to incorporate anything new. We run a play that gains big yardage, and we never see it again. We have a player that makes something happen, and we never him again. All we get is the usual "maybe we should have used him more."
Just wait and watch Wisconsin's quarterback. He's a fifth year senior, and we will get to see how a senior quarterback should perform. Ainge will still be scared to death from the LSU game.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
I want to know when Fulmer is going to give his "miracle" thirty minute speech to the Federal Reserve. I want the housing slump and the credit woes to end. Fulmer is such a genious, it might only take a "miracle" ten-minute workshop.
Southland writes:
wouldn't it be wonderful to actually see a fun offense for a change. man, someone please email this to Cutcliffe although history shows that he studies other systems so he can reject them just like when the coaching staff went to the Titans to study how they used the tight ends after Nebraska stomped us in the dirt, but did they do anything differently, No that would make too much sense. Fun Fun article that made me giddy
TommyJack writes:
The Dink & Dunk is (already has) going to affect our recruiting of quality WR's. The good ones want to go deep
movol77 writes:
I like G. Jones. He is incredibly talented! However, someone better teach him how to tuck the football to his chest or there will be drive killing fumbles to come. It's scary to watch the ball flap out with his arm (tucked between wrist and elbow) while he is running through traffic.
juicetke#226846 writes:
Mr. Adams,
Are you available to coach?
Sincerely,
Mike Hamilton
waterskier3#226480 writes:
i'm so glad the season is over with... are you kidding me..... coach cut does get some credit but look at the games we lost and he never made adjustment to counter the defense knowing what ut was going to do...its amazing he can script the first drive and its always different plays but as the game goes on he goes back to the usual Bs offense that's been around for years...
we'll lose the bowl game, fulmer gets a raise, assit coaches get extensions and the FANS HAVE TO SAY WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR....... Nothing ever changes........
hey BB is here lets go read about some real winners
movol77 writes:
ESPN the Mag has Cutcliffe listed as the 3rd most intriguing assistant coach to be consider for head coach openings.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns...
Fred08 writes:
I can't wait to see Crompton at QB for the next 2 years. He should be able to line up in the G-gun somewhere, instead of Berry (he should stay at D-back IMO). Let's get Crompton and Jones in the backfield together. Both of those guys can run and throw...talk about keeping a defense on their heels...we could snap it to either of those guys on any down and expect fireworks.
movol77 writes:
What is Crompton's 40 speed? I know he's strong but he seems a tad slow. Perhaps it's just his big frame that makes him look slow?
Fred08 writes:
Also, I think we did okay against Arkansas' spread offense...did we not? I just don't think we were prepared enough at the beginning of the season...for any offense (see Cal game for reference).
movol77 writes:
Will Morley make it back?
agentorange writes:
Glad you're trying to coach the team now, Adams. ESPN's style of sports coverage has turned the sports media into fortune tellers, know-it-alls, and lynch mobs. It no longer report facts, interesting stories or gives many fact-based (ie reasoned) opinions. It's all tabloid phooey, guessing and arbitrary ranking. Boooooooooooo on you.
KCSD writes:
ESPN the Mag has Cutcliffe listed as the 3rd most intriguing assistant coach to be consider for head coach openings.
Where, when, and how fast can we unload him. He's already tried that at Ole Miss and flopped. Get real.
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
We should have ran that "coker" play with G Jones during the LSU game, they were over playing all night and It would have worked. You get this sense from Fulmer any kind of trickery is not respectable.
ellisonfamily writes:
We are assuming Crompton at QB. Remember, we have a hot shot from Texas who could end up there. Next year at QB could hold some surprises. Also, I'm figuring that CPF does not read John Adams' articles to get coaching advice. Maybe that's too bad.
kkebean#233101 writes:
Far Too many poster's on here agreeing with Adams!!!!
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
The play to O'Neal was run right in front of me at SECCCG and I saw exactly why he doesn't play. He got jammed very easily at the line, nearly tripped, and then made very little effort to go after the ball.
When you see that kind of effort and hear the coaches say that he can't get lined up correctly on half the plays...it is easy to see he was a wasted scholarship..no matter how fast he is....
missrvrvol writes:
Good Article. Now if you could go to Fulmer and Cut and explain the spread offense to them, it might just work.
chrisw2967 writes:
why are they (coaches) seem to be trying to make Crompton another Tebow ? Crompton probably runs a 4.9 40 , he is slow on take off and even slow at landing. I think he could be a good QB but I think running him will be a big bust. Im not bashing Crompton or anything but hes not a running QB.
Tenn never sticks to nothing that works because they have no confidence that it will work twice.
We got way too much talent at Tenn and alot of it is going to waste.
Fulmer dont care to run up the middle even when its not working , he will still run it.
ORANGEASIAN writes:
Adams is not only looking for a raise, but wants to be coach. What's next AD ????
calvolfromkingsport writes:
tngeoff
I totally agree. I think Crompton will impress many next year. He is a big strong tough guy. He's got a great arm and he is quite the bulldozer.
agentorange writes:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007...
College playoff brackets. vote for Vols to beat Ohio State
LargeOrange writes:
tngeoff - Do you really think Crompton has more power than Tebow? I sure hope you are right. What does Tebow run the 40 in?
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