Exams ended last week, but that doesn’t mean the cram sessions are over for Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton.
The sophomore has two weeks left before offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe leaves to take over at Duke following the Vols’ Outback Bowl game against Wisconsin on Jan. 1 in Tampa, Fla.
And Crompton — the leading candidate to replace Erik Ainge next season as the starting quarterback — wants to soak up as much knowledge as possible until Cutcliffe’s very last day.
“There’s no doubt,” Crompton said. “He’s one of the smartest guys in the country at this game. You want to learn everything you can from him.
“Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to do that after January first, so I’m going to try to get everything I can out of him before then.”
Crompton, who completed seven of his 12 passes for 97 yards in seven games this season, said he’s happy for Cutcliffe to be able to be a head coach again.
“He had to do what’s best for him and his family,” Crompton said. “We all respect that. You can’t blame a guy for trying to be a head coach. That’s what you get into the business for. He’s going to do what’s best for him, and I wish him the best of luck.”
Receiver Austin Rogers felt the same way.
“(I’m) definitely happy for him because he’s getting to move up to be the head coach, like most coaches want to do, and he’s getting a little pay raise, too,” he said. “We’re happy for him, but we’re definitely going to miss him.”
So will Crompton, who grew close to Cutcliffe during their two seasons together.
“We had a good relationship,” Crompton said. “He was here for two years, I got to know him really well. It was tough when he told me he was leaving, but he’s got to do what’s best for him and I totally respect that.”
Practice Report: Tennessee held a 60-play full scrimmage Monday afternoon on Haslam Field.
“We had a chance to play fast,” UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. “I think when you do this, it makes them understand how important practice really is. As far as the fundamental work that we do, the individual work that we do, the communications that we need make them understand why you practice.”
Like last year, Fulmer said the Vols will hold another scrimmage once they arrive in Tampa, albeit with fewer plays.
Rogers and fellow receiver Josh Briscoe did not practice Monday, nor did starting tailback Arian Foster, in order to rest from the rigors of 13 regular-season games.
Fulmer Happy With Line: While Tennessee’s four sacks allowed jump off the stat page, Fulmer said he’s pleased with the way UT’s offensive line blocked for its running backs, too.
Even factoring in those four sacks for minus-44 yards, UT averaged 4.4 yards per rushing attempt this season.
“The sack total obviously stands out, but we’ve averaged about 4.6 yards per rush,” Fulmer said. “You could look at the overall rushing stats a little bit and say well that’s not quite where we want to be. But we threw it a lot. Per rush, we’ve had a very good year.”
Schedule: Tennessee has three practices before breaking for the holidays.
The Vols will resume preparations for the Outback Bowl on Dec. 26 in Tampa.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 62
IceVol writes:
Umm...duh
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Friends, my heart screams "GO VOLS!" but my wallet says bet against them in this bowl game, all things considered.
I've $100 that says we get beat by at least a TD.
Hope I'm wrong and lose that bet...but I don't think so. Mama didn't raise no fool.
jobrando#216494 writes:
News Flash...Crompton transfers to Duke... What a story book ending.
heathut15 writes:
can crompton be a better qb than ainge and who will be the off cor for the bowl game
rootin4volz writes:
Last chance to see Cut in action on a Tennessee Sideline...I got 2 40-yard line tickets to the Outback...Section 136 Row B...Drop me a line at daboalley@gmail.com! Serious inquiries only, please.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
How about a progress report on our defense?
heathut15 writes:
i think they will play good they need to get jones a little more involved in the offense i think he has a little skills
heathut15 writes:
rootin4volz i am going to e-mail you about those tickets
cdldoc#211897 writes:
jobrando, you're not too smart?
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Good call, cdldoc...the thought of Crompton transferring to Duke is incomprehensible.
gohawks1 writes:
Crompton's Mama didn't raise no fool, either.
jobrando#216494 writes:
HECK...maybe i missed that called
BigVolinCarolina writes:
12Times, with all due respect, you need to learn how to spell. Some grammar might help, too.
Did I see that you called UT fans "hicks"? The state of Alabama has the copyright to that term, I believe.
And as for Crompton, he'll make John Parker Wilson look like a middleschooler next year in Neyland Stadium.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Bricker865 brings out the whoopin' stick! There really is no comparison between Crompton and Matthews.
Perhaps 12Times should have practiced his abc's instead of watching AL football, in addition to getting his facts straight.
hdhurst writes:
12Times...so much for trailor park trash, at least we "hillbillies" can spell down here. Geez..another one of the so-called experts on here trying to be a know-it-all, and it up making an arse of himself by throwing trash at someone else. Oh, by the way, best wishes to YOU this holiday season!!
rockytopjeff writes:
where is bama playing new years'day? I seem to forget
abrown#232236 writes:
Geez -- a coach that is INTERESTED in talking, mano a mano, with his players before he leaves. Wow -- what a concept. There is a reason that you want guys around that are part of the family -- they conduct themselves right. Screw all of you that would bring in a hired gun. I'm all for new ideas and shaking it up, but not at the expense of killing our tradition of loyalty and patience with coaches. I'll rue the day that the State of Tennessee becomes a "johnny Comes Lately" culture. Not who we are, and not who we want to be. Why is Georgia patient with Mark Richt, while Arkansas ran Houston Nutt out? Do they really think that they're better of now?
orangesox writes:
I am a die hard Vol fan. I was born in Franklin, TN but have lived over half my life in Alabama. I have never felt so sad to be a card-carrying, tax-paying citizen of Alabama as when I just tried to understand the grammar challenged garbage 12TIMES just posted. I think i'm going to call my Congressman and demand he raise my taxes to help people like 12TIMES at least learn to spell better and if nothing else, insult others more intelligently.
I would like to thank 12TIMES, though, for reminding me why it is I never converted over to the dark side. I'm sure all the rest of the Bama Nation must be very proud of him.
LargeOrange writes:
Posted by mbumburu "I've $100 that says we get beat by at least a TD. Hope I'm wrong and lose that bet...but I don't think so. Mama didn't raise no fool."
Last time I checked TN was a -3.5 point favorite, if you know someone giving TN +7, I will take a big piece of that. Are you sure about how your mama did? According to Vegas you may be a fool.
IceVol writes:
I wasn't impressed with Crompton this year(1 under thrown TD pass and 1 int but then he didn't play much either) he didn't worry me much either. But let us not forget how he played against LSU in 06, lots of potential there. I think he will surprise the nation next year and put up very respectable numbers. Anyone know anything about his competition Mr. Coleman?
leedsvol2007 writes:
In significant playing time in 2006 against LSU and Arkansas Crompton has shown that he has the physical tools and mental makeup to be a great quarterback.
And he is a powerful runner. He has had 3 years to get ready for the starting position and should be fully ready after a spring and fall as the #1 guy.
In my mind he is more of a Shuler and I think you'll see some spread packages and option to take advantage of his skills.
He is a lot more like Heath Shuler than Joey Mathews.
utchris writes:
It is amazing to me that 12times figured out how to turn on the computer, much less log on to the internet and correctly spell out the website just so we could realize that no matter how bad of a season that a VOL fan could ever endure, it would never be as bad as being a Bama fan.
txsvol#372416 writes:
If Phil is satisfied with the O-line, he's about the only one. I don't care what the average YPC is, 4.4 or 4.6. WE DON'T MAKE THE YARDS WHEN WE NEED THEM, AND WE CAN'T RUN THE BALL/CLOCK TO PROTECT OUR DEFENSE. For proof, LSU ran 80 plays in the SEC Championship Game. We had 66. They ran the ball 47 times for 212 net yards, where we ran the ball 26 times for only 94 yards. And, their starting QB was injured! But, we were fortunate to even be in the game in the first place! What was it? Six total points difference between SC, Vandy and KY? mbumburu, the Vegas 800 numbers touted on Saturday morning sports shows ad nauseam don't perform any better than the 3-7 odds that Tennessee loses a bowl game, just based upon our usual past performances in them! (Thankfully, we had FSU with a third string QB, and aTm with Coach Fran, who is almost as innovative a game day coach as CPF.) I hope that we can change the usual outcomes in our recent bowl games. We did dominate Michigan five or six years ago, and Wisconsin is also a Big 10 team (of course, so is Penn State). Go Vols! SAVol
BigOrangeJeeper writes:
I could see that our freshmen qb. I can not think of his name but I think he might transfer.
thevol writes:
SAVOL is that really you? I think the negavols of the free site have rubbed off on you. Doesn't even sound like you at all, maybe the changes are coming at the right time. Formerly Ambrozia.
bigvoltrumpet writes:
i think it will be a pretty solid bowl performance from our team. i would love to see a bit of Crompton too!
Sadly this is going to be the first bowl game I have missed since 1996 :(
I do have 2 tickets I am trying to get rid of though. $120 for the pair, if you're interested shoot me an email at exit112@comcast.net
iowavol writes:
Do what we do and do it well - Badgers gget beat soundly. Hope to see Crompton play the second half. Don't know if he has the smarts Erik has, but we know he has more courage (run against LSU last year inspired Teaboy), better legs and appears to have a stronger arm.
ctownvol writes:
Crompton will be just fine and B.J. Coleman will be a stud! Big arm and very smart.
GreerVol22 writes:
Eaze up on that old boy from Bama guys. He earned the nickname 12TIMES the hard way.
...# of times dropped on his head as a baby
...# of times he tried to get past sixth grade
...# of paternity test done to figure out who his daddy is
...# of time he's actually had a hot bath
...i could go on but you get the point, so lighten up..its Christmas.
guitarch882000#661629 writes:
Bamaboy.... 12times....Heard mister Saban's been talking to West Virginia Re: the new coaching job...Why would he want to leave Bama?....Hmmmm?
drwfocus writes:
Me thinks 12TIMES is really a Big Orange fan and his idiotic post is his idea of how to rev up the VOLS fans and team. Or, Bama fans and team both fear in Crompton a butt kickin' coming the next two years! And if Nick Stevens ever gets a real chance, a butt kicking coming the next three years. I am really afraid if any player transfers it will be Nick.
TommyJack writes:
cdldoc: Glad to see that you're back on the meds.
orangebloodgmc writes:
None of these guys are going to transfer, especially now, because they would have to sit out a year. They've BEEN sitting; its their time to play right now.
DSaVol writes:
Forget all talk of Crompton transferring (unfortunately). He's already redshirted and would lose a year if he left. Therefore only 1 season to play. Ain't happenin'. Good to see the old tradition continuing though - the backup QB is once again everybody's favorite player. The kid has barely played in 3 years - hasn't done much when he did - and will be working with a new OC, VERY average WRs, a slow RB, and an OL that will be severely challenged to help him when he takes off from the pocket. Good luck with all that. Now, is there really any good reason for Cutcliffe to still be at TN???? Why is this program still paying a guy to coach one meaningless game while he's working on putting a staff together for another school, recruiting for another team, etc. Seems we should have at least ONE offensive coach that could handle things for the next two weeks. Or maybe even the HEAD COACH could do a little work and try to remember one or two plays. Novel idea I know.
agentorange writes:
we almost beat lsu with crompton, dsavol. and that lsu team had the #1 overall pick in the draft.
todd#529269 writes:
12times..........you have a long way to go to even it up with the liar!
TommyJack writes:
First things first. The bowl game. Anyone running the ship over there? Need a leader. Anyone seen the Large One lately? Step up Phil...times-a-wastin.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
Hire Taylor!!!
CoverOrange writes:
Why would a Bama moron fan remember Joey Mathews? He started one game and it wasn't against Bama. Low class to call Joey "trailor trash". He was a good kid.
DSa, your second to last sentence explains it all. Phil stopped working on the sideline in 92 and he doesn't want to mess with a winning formula.
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
Just tell Cut to go on to Duke and put Trooper in as OC for the bowl game and see how he handles it. If we loose Trooper we will loose more than a coach, I personally, would like to see him get the OC job. Fulmer needs to find out why we had so many peaks and valleys this year.
TommyJack writes:
12times: What would you know about TN football? You singlewide livin, old washing machine on porch ownin, bocephus listnin, tobacky spittin, wife-beater wearin, graveyard shift workin, bear bryant worshipin, war eagle hatin, jimmy swaggert watchin, 2 toothed showin, bad beard growin, love-hate knuckled tatooin, loser.
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
12times You can kiss this hicks A$$.
jlange#632002 writes:
What do you get when Bryant Denny Stadium is packed to capacity? ...a full set of teeth
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
12times - Mcdonalds on Cumberland - Parking lot- 1PM. You wear red I'll wear Orange!
hoskinsfive#468391 writes:
P.S. I look just like Eric Westmorland.
TommyJack writes:
Hoskins5 is ready to knuckle up!
TommyJack writes:
TDTN: You better check for cooties!
TommyJack writes:
ooooooe-wee Touchdown. I bet she was a big haired woman too. Wears crimson polyester and steel-toed workboots.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Sjt18, good analysis, as always. But about rb for next year, don't sell short Vereen and Hawkins, and remember Poole is coming in, too. And I'm not bashing Foster (there must be some reason he got over 1000) but I'm not so sure that Creer is not our most explosive star-quality rb. Sure Creer had lots to learn as a true freshman this year, but I would like to think they will give him equal opportunity next year and may the best back win.
TommyJack writes:
LazzieFrat. I plumb forgot about mullet wearin...good one.
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