University of Tennessee senior quarterback Eric Ainge doesn’t need anyone to tell him there’s a lot riding on this season. He’s well aware.
Sure, there’s the usual, big victories and championships are within Ainge’s grasp, but this is his last opportunity to cement what he hopes will be a lasting memory.
Ainge has seen the ups and downs in his career at UT. He’s gone from being an exciting freshman with tons of potential to a frustrated sophomore relegated to the bench to a resourceful junior that helped turn a program around.
In this Q&A, Ainge talks about how he hopes to be remembered after his career at UT comes to an end.
Q: What do you think your legacy will be at Tennessee?
A: One thing that is pretty obvious is being resilient, being a (freshman) All-American, and then sitting on the bench, then to come back and play great, then get hurt, then come back and play.
I think a lot of how people remember me and think of me will be on this season. It usually is. What’s the last taste in someone’s mouth?
A lot of it depends on how I play and, obviously, how many games I win.
Q: With all that’s riding on the 2007 season, is there pressure to perform in your final season?
A: It’s not pressure. I don’t come in here to workout so I can have a good legacy. That’s just a result. If I win football games, I’ll have a good legacy. Everything we do is to win. That takes care of the legacy.
Q: How would a successful senior season affect how you are remembered by UT fans?
A: It would be positive for sure. Coach (Phillip) Fulmer always said ‘There will be 10 percent that love you no matter what. You’ve got about 10 percent that are always going to hate you and are always looking for something negative. And you’ve got about 80 percent that are going to be swayed.’
That all depends on whether you’re winning or losing.
Q: Have you thought about how much it would bother you if you didn’t win a championship in your UT career?
A: It would bother me just because I’m so competitive but a lot of it (your legacy) too is what you do after you get out of college. If Casey Clausen was a Pro Bowl quarterback in the NFL, people would like him. I believe that.
People were Jason Witten fans when he was here but now he’s a three-time Pro Bowler for the Dallas Cowboys and everybody loves him. There’s a little more that goes into it than just championships but that’s the ultimate goal.
If you don’t get that, people are disappointed. We’re mad. Everybody’s mad.
Q: The Sporting News claimed you were overrated. Did that bother you at all? Did it bother your coach, offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe?
A: It bothered him a little more than it bothered me. That one guy, maybe he doesn’t believe that but I’m giving eight interviews right now and it’s going to be in the paper. Before you know it, it’s blown up.
People are overrated and underrated all the time but I don’t need a reporter to come in here (and work out) … to prove him wrong.
Q: Do you think fans put more pressure on you because you’re such a prototypical NFL quarterback?
A: I put a lot of pressure on myself (because of my gifts). I critique myself like that too. If you go in and make a bunch of great plays, when it’s not a great play, people say ‘Why wasn’t that a great play?’ That’s how we are, too.
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Comments » 5
Einstein writes:
Good Luck Eric. Let's go all the way and win it all. Hopefully the receivers will step up and by the way give the ball to Lemarcus Coker. My only worrry is injuries to key players on offense and defense.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Ainge has a good balance between cockiness and humility that will server him well at the next level. He has talent and is very coachable. Coach Cut will make sure that he has a great year. His maturity will be the key to this season's success.
FLVol writes:
I agree with Jcherrie, he has a an excellent balance between confidence and humility. Barring injury, this should be a statistical year for Ainge. I do beg of you Coach Cutcliffe, please don't call a quarterback run this year (SC ankle injury).
RangerForSix writes:
I thought this four year starter's name was Erik; not Eric? Oh well, it's just our Q.B's name.
Ainge will continue to be tough, we've all, already seen that. He's had two starts between 'the hedges', in both we were the underdog, he did enough to get the VOLS two victories. How many other U.T. Q.B.s have two victories between 'the hedges' in Athens? He's beat a tough Lou Holtz team and a tougher Steve Spurrier team AT South Carolina.
"Erik; Don't listen to the media, the fans, your buddies or anyone else, they are mostly front-runners. You know the type; (we're with ya win or tie.)
Listen only to your 'coaches' and your 'teammates'. They are the only ones in the foxhole with you. It's 'cool' you understand it's ALL about winning, period!" Go VOLS and good luck Erik...
VAVol writes:
Just win, Baby!!
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