Tennessee Stat Book
A chance at an SEC Championship doesn't seem to have subdued the sting from a season's worth of criticism.
Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer and defensive coordinator John Chavis had some poignant comments for those who had them all but run out of town earlier this season.
"It's really a different world that we live in as coaches," Fulmer said when asked about the recent coaching dismissals. "It's almost a Burger King attitude, 'I want it my way.' I don't mean that in a bad way, but it's different now."
As the Vols spend the week preparing for LSU in Saturday's SEC championship game, Chavis took the time to vent during an appearance on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page.
"This coaching profession, to be quite honest with you, I hope to be able to do it for a few more years, but I'm glad I'm on the end of my career," Chavis said.
Chavis said he still loves the association with his players, but made it clear that he wasn't pleased with some other aspects of coaching.
"Because of the attention and all the media coverage and the internet, it's tough on families," Chavis said. "It used to not be that way, but that's the way it is now. For young coaches getting in, that's something they're going to have to deal with.
"I'm kind of glad I'm on my way out."
Fulmer suggested wins and losses should just be part of the equation when evaluating a coach.
"There's so much more to this business we're in than people realize, because we're affecting young people's lives," Fulmer said. "You're changing people's worlds."
Soft Comments: A day after criticizing his defense at the Knoxville Quarterback Club, Fulmer clarified his statements about soft coverage played against Kentucky last week.
Fulmer said it was individual players in isolated instances that played too far off their assigned receivers, not a second-half game plan based on soft coverage.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis confirmed Fulmer's assessment on the The Sports Page.
"You may be shocked to find out we ran more pressure in the second half than the first half," Chavis said of the Kentucky game. "We didn't back off."
Tailback Talk: Fulmer said Montario Hardesty's condition is significantly better than it was Sunday. The sophomore tailback suffered a re-aggravation to an ankle he sprained last week and didn't practice on Tuesday.
If Hardesty can't play or travel, Fulmer said UT would take freshman Daryl Vereen as its third tailback in case of an emergency situation. Fulmer said freshman fullback Kevin Cooper and walk-on senior Roy Olasimbo could also play tailback in a pinch.
Junior starter Arian Foster said he's plenty willing to carry the ball 30 times if necessary.
"This is a championship game and it requires championship performances," Foster said. "If that's part of it, then that's part of it."
A heavy workload might well be hoisted on Foster's shoulders, especially if Hardesty isn't healthy enough to play and UT's coaches aren't 100 percent comfortable playing freshman Lennon Creer in such a significant game.
However, don't confuse Foster's willingness for healthiness.
"Like I got hit by a car," Foster said, when asked how he's feeling this late in the season. "I'm hurtin' but that's part of the game."
Spin Master: Coach Trooper Taylor said he isn't as disappointed in his receivers after watching the tape of last week's game against Kentucky.
The Vols dropped a handful of passes in the second half that ended drives and allowed the Wildcats to pull back into the game.
Taylor said some of the drops appeared to be tipped at the last second, and added that UT's receivers should be glad that fans are upset with them for the drops. That, he said, shows how far expectations have grown this season.
"You ought to be excited that people are disappointed when you don't make the play," Taylor said.
Taylor said he was pleased with sophomore Quintin Hancock and freshman Gerald Jones, both of whom had touchdown catches. Aside from the scores, Taylor said he was happy with Hancock and Jones' attention to detail, particularly run blocking.
"You'll see some more of them this weekend because they've earned it," Taylor said.
Also expect to see more of UT's four and five-receiver package. Taylor said that set seems to cause opposing defenses problems, as they have to add one or two defensive backs.
Well Kemped: Sophomore defensive back Ricardo Kemp said an element of surprise helped him register two sacks against Kentucky. Kemp said UT traditionally blitzes defensive back Nevin McKenzie from the backside, but instead sent Kemp into the backfield last week.
"The first time I came through, I didn't believe that nobody touched me," said Kemp, who also had an interception against the'Cats.
Slade Says: Coach Larry Slade said he expects freshman Dennis Rogan to play more cornerback this week since fellow freshman Brent Vinson has been slowed by an ongoing shoulder injury.
All-Frosh: Safety Eric Berry was named to the rivals.com All-Freshman team. Placekicker Daniel Lincoln was named to the second team.
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 71
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
to all UT coaches: THANK YOU
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Coaches.. remember that there is a silent majority out here who believe in you and respect all you have done for this program. When we look at other programs and see the quaqmires that they have created, there are many, many of us who know what we have and appreciate it.
alfrizzle097 writes:
Teams that fire a winning coach more often than not get what they deserve. See Alabama for god knows how many years. Arkansas will get what they deserve. Ole Miss. Nebraska......
UTvols12342000 writes:
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
2007 SEC East Champions!!
GO BIG ORANGE!! SEC champs next!
Hello all my fellow UT fans. I am born and bred east TN, got my BS from UTK, and lived in knoxville for 18 of my 35 years. Since July of this year, I have been living in Holland. I terribly miss the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains and all my east tn brethren.
I have been daily reading this site for the last 6 months when I moved and now I just need to post this. This is the only UT football conversation that I get and I crave the constant bickering on here. At first, I hated (yes, hated) some of the negative naysayers on here. I also thought some of the pro-Fulmer supporters went too far the other direction.
And then I started realizing how many of the posters were living all over the country and all over the world like me. And after months of reading all the bickering and bantering that goes on daily at this site, I came to this conclusion. We are all one Big Orange family. All this immature, foolish arguing on here reminds me of days in my youth when me and all my buddies or family would sit around the TV and argue about what we should do, shouldnt do, etc. Some were for the coach, some were against. Some said we run too much up the middle everytime, some said we should.
Believe it or not, sometimes when reading your posts, I feel a lil bit of an east tennessee autumn breeze, can see bright blue skies standing atop the stadium looking down on the TN river, and see the beautiful mountains changing through all the brilliant fall colors.
While I dont necessarily agree with everyone, I have come to respect you all.
Now, after the craziest and wildest college season I can remember for the nation as a whole, I would just like to congratulate this years football TEAM for their gutsy, never-say-quit attitude.
I wish everyone a wonderful Holiday season back in the states.
NOW BEAT THOSE TIGERS!! bring home the SEC championship
Jay from holland
RTYAB
UTvols12342000 writes:
btw, its really funny hear to hear all my Dutch friends singing Rocky Top with me. and my neighbors probably dont like it much when I sing or scream from 3am-6am. thats when the games usually are for me.
J
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Criticism of the coache's coaching job is one thing and fair enough...but much of what passes as criticism is personal attacks and ridicule and way crosses the line of respect. Yes these coaches are well paid, but they also work incredible hours and devote much of the life and energy to this work. A degree of respect is owed to them even if you believe that there is a better coach to do the job or if the current coach can do better. Let's keep it civil and respectful.
ODA751 writes:
UTvols12342000 (Jay), I know how you feel. I live in Mass now and it might as well be in the Amazon for all the SEC football I see here. I have found a good place to watch games. If you haven't been there, go to ESPN 360. They've showed a lot of the UT games this year. You can even watch on replay if you don't want to watch at 3:00am. Well, have a Merry Christmas and Go Big Orange.
UTvols12342000 writes:
hey tngeoff en Chris
I do feel a strange, upset brewing tingle in the air tngeoff.
I will check out the ESPN360 chris. I found some games on Yahoo sports.
btw, does anyone know where I can find a video feed online for the championship game? I would really appreciate that. It is very difficult to be up at 5 am, trying to be quiet, and only get listen to Bob Kesling. thank god its been an exciting season or I would have slept through every game for sure with that kind of commentary.
TigerVol writes:
Cry me river. I am not a Fulmer hater, but the comments on here are sad. Yeah he makes 2 million dollars, but thats ok because he works long hours. I work long hours everyday and I am not crying when my boss says we need more. I hope we win a championship Saturday because if not...we are looking at 10 years of not having any. I don't care who is the coach as long as we win championships and compete for a National Title...which we haven't in a while. If Fulmer and his staff can't take critism then he needs to retire and go find a 2 million dollar job that fluffs you all day. WHAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
rockytopjeff writes:
utvols12342000,
How can you possibly stay awake at that hour listening to Kesling.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
errr.....Phil - Chavis, "different world". I know you didn't notice but things are always evolving. Uh, many linebacker run like gazelle's now, drop into pass coverage effectively, not lost, etc. Defensive ends don't run 5.9 40s any more, except for a few. Many CBs man up because they know d-line pressure will make their job MUCH quicker than 5-8 seconds of agony! Dropping back (keep them in front of you) results in 400+ yards every outing usually. Oh, you've witnessed that. I see. I agree with TigerVol, the last thing these coaches need is fluffing, they need a slow turn into the 21st century. Feel better now, ready to beat LSU. How?, have to get back to you on that. That's why Phil gets the big $$$$$, hope the scoreboard shows he's worth it Saturday.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
whynot, YOUR wrong. I looked at it too. You must not be counting the times when we sent more than 4 at the QB. We did very successfully in the first half and backed off in the second half. Pressure is from two angles......more than 4 at the QB and press coverage by the secondary.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Holland's just fine; they expect you to act your age there, the government stays away form dictating morals.
You can buy Heinekin from a pop machine, and of course they have the famous 'coffeshops' and red-light districts.
The interesting thing to me is that those things are such a normal part of life that there is no 'naughty excitement' attached. Even Puritanical Americans get over the giggly 'oh my's' pretty quickly.
Back to football:
Someone was making fun of Fulmer and Chavis for griping; look, I think the media reflects us: we all seem to have a need to gossip and tear people down. It's really f*cking sad. The next time you read some trash report on this site or any other, just remember it wouldn't take much for that to be you or your family under the spotlight.
We have become a nation of 'desparate housewives' and gossipy old women.
mj54 writes:
Apparently whynot missed the 12 yard cushions being given by our DB's when KY was inside the 20 yard line.
Ridiculous assertion by Chavis to say that and just another reason that coaches comments get called out now.
It's just now with the internet we can see how stupid the comments are sometimes and then have an outlet to disagree.
I'm sorry Chavis doesn't like being called out by having the worst defense in UT history, but if he doesn't want to take it, then have his guys perform better and stop making excuses and obviously false comments.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
more pressure in the second half??? that just means the players haven't matured at all since the fla or cal or ala loss... if the coaches are playing press and the player decides to do something else then someone else should be on the field.....
to all vol fans i just ask is winning the east all you want i mean don't you want nationally be respected or feared... no one fears us in bowl games, no one gives us respect that we are a top tier team and you know why because of the performance of the coaching staff over the years......... so if that makes you happy then have a great year but for me we deserve better than a 8 win season that any average coach could get against our schedule... just wait till auburn and lsu and ga and fla and ala are in the same year........ you better support them then....
coaches prove me wrong show me that you can motivate, coach and win a game against a top 15 team...........
VAVol writes:
Go Vols! Kick some serious LSU butt!
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
If we win Saturday....we will be SEC CHAMPIONS!!!
The National Media still respects THAT and if we beat LSU on Saturday and earn that title, we will have all the respect in the world.
Go get you a taste of Sugar VOLS!!!!
TommyJack writes:
how old is Chavis? Anyone know?
GoVol writes:
If Chavis is publicly stating he recognizes he is close to the end of his career, then he should go ahead and hang it up now. When folks see the end, the effort is usually not there. I know he won't leave soon because he wants to see this young talent we have on 'D' for 2 more years. We will probably suffer in the recruiting for the next few years for 'D' players though.
jlange#632002 writes:
Chavis will be here with CPF and Cutcliffe for 5 more years. Like that? Great. Don't like it? Live with it.
auttat writes:
Haha!! I would love for people to say some of the stuff that they say on this site to the person's face. I bet Chavis could have your foot up your own a@% before you could say Uncle!!
It is so interesting to know that so many of you know what plays were called on the field. Can you tell me how to subscribe to the NCAA In-Helmet feature? I hadn't heard of it until now.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Chavis graduated in 1979, so he is around 50. I believe we are being too critical of Chavis. CPF got a free pass in 2005 and Chavis deserves one as well. This is the first time in recent memory that we did not have a dominant DL. They improved over the season but what we had over the past 10 years. At this late in the season, stats do not mean anything. It's all about W's and L's. I still believe we need to win the SEC champ game and at least be competitive in the bowl game to call this season a real success. Remember, all of us have our own opinions and goals for this team....
eanderson#655202 writes:
So, tell us touchdowntn, govol, volnflorida, and all you other whiners, how many years did you coach in the SEC, or anywhere for that matter?
leedsvol2007 writes:
Years ago my dad who played in the 40's on a national championship high school team and then played service ball with a number of professional players at the end of World WarII told me that you judge a team by its tackles and guards.
I have found this to be true. The greatest backs and receivers, and quarterbacks cannot work their magic without blocking.
On defense without pressure from your down lineman and controlling the line of scrimmage a defensive coordinator life is difficult.
Most great teams in college feature outstanding tackles and ends defensively and usually unless they are exceptionally talented are juniors and seniors.
We were in a year when most of our up front talent was from junior, sophomore and freshman players. During the season the play of our front 4 improved dramatically. As this has happened Mayo, Karl & company re-emerged because the improvement of the front has allowed them to run to the football.
Countervailing some of the improvement on the front has been the necessity of playing Rogan,Vinson and Willingham before they were ready to assume a leading role. This will pay dividends in the future but is a problem that cannot be fully solved for now.
Its not the schemes but maturity and experience that are causing problems for the defense.
But give them credit they have played hard, made some big plays, and the improvement that we have seen has enabled us to get to the championship game.
In short whatever liabilities our guys have they have attempted to overcome with tenacity. They are winners and the young guys will be seasoned and better next season.
And good coaching has kept them moving forward.
GoVols!
Stumps writes:
geez.
are we talking about the defense that stood Vandy up for 3-and-outs in the 4th quarter?
are we talking about the defense that hammered Vandy for loss of yardage forcing a 49 yard field goal try?
are we talking about the defense that stopped Arkansas's Hog Wild offense cold?
are we talking about the defense that prevented the 2-point conversion last Saturday?
if "what have you done for me lately" is the benchmark, then this defense deserves more praise than criticism. Give it rest, folks. I'm proud of the way they've risen up.
auttat writes:
"...when by 40." Please don't argue with this fool! He has clearly proven his intellect already.
VolsFan17 writes:
UTvols12342000 try www.channelsurfing.net. They stream live television for free. I've watched a few games on there this year and the UT/UK game was carried on there last week, so I'm sure that the SEC Championship game will be on there. Hope it works for you. GO BIG ORANGE!!!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
VolnFlorida, it is not about love and kisses. Until this year, our defense has not been the major problem. Chavis has been consistent over the years and doesn't deserve the harsh critisim.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Here is a real positive, SPECIAL TEAMS. After a few mistakes early in the season, special teams have played a huge role in the 5 game win streak.
It has been a LONG time since we blocked kicks, had good returns and our coverage has really gotten better as the year progressed.
Not sure who gets the credit here, but I believe special teams is coached by commitee.
eanderson#655202 writes:
volnflorida, again, how many years have you coached?
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Having lived outside of Tennesee for many years especially in another SEC's backyard, it is unreal the abuse you take when we lose. I can't imagine living in Florida as a TN fan and listening to the phooey. VolinFlorida is likely upset because that was the most important game of the season for him/her and others. I do not agree with his comments but I could certainly see his frustration of the TN-FLA game coming out!
eanderson#655202 writes:
I also live in Florida and have for over 21 years. I too was frustrated w/ the UT-UF game, but I'm no coach, nor was I ever a player, so who am I to judge, especially so harshly, people like Ful, Cut, and Chief who have given us so much to cheer about over so many years. Are they fading? Doesn't look like they are to me.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Hate to break it to you guys:
Florida is a lot better than Tennessee
Cal is a lot better than Tennessee
Alabama is a lot better than Tennessee.
There is no disputing that. And "IF" you want to use the "IF's" and "But's" in your reasoning why they are not, it is only fair that you can also use the "IF's" and "But's" to show that South Carolina, Vandy, and Kentucky are better than Tennessee also.
VolsFan17 writes:
To all of you that think Chavis is a horrible coach, keep in mind how many players on defense have been lost between last year and now due to injuries and also the number of freshmen playing on D. When you take all of that into consideration, I think he's done a pretty good job rolling with the punches.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Don't agree with the double standard comment but it does work both ways. Back in the 1960's and early 1970's, we could go 1-10 as along as we beat BAMA. Thankfully, we never did go 1-10, but that game was the focal point of the season. Several UT coaches were let go because they could not beat ALA. I'm not defending his comments in any way and really should not put words in his mouth either, but the FLA game has replaced ALA as the most important game on the schedule. I believe he is using that game to vent. Remember, all of us are just offering opinions and some will critize players, coaches and fans and others will sing praises to the same!
VolsFan17 writes:
All I want for Christmas is an SEC Championship!!!!!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
marc_ash, I am happy and certainly thankful that we got better as a team as the season progressed.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Does playing head to head not count? That sir, is undisputable fact! Come on marc, your feeding the fire!
jdcvols#230433 writes:
marc, no argument about the goals. That is clear. Win your division, win the SEC Champ game and take whatever is left. I circle the FLA game every year as the one I want most!! Can't help it, it used to be BAMA but it's FLA for me.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Posted by marc_ash on November 28, 2007 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE, what determines if a team is "BETTER" than another? If they beat that team? So, is La Monroe BETTER than Bama? Is KY BETTER than LSU? How about Stanford...are they BETTER than USC?
Please, let me know what the measuring standard is of a team being "better" than another. Because where I'm standing FL has more conference losses, has given up more points than TN in the last 8 weeks, has scored less points than TN in the last 8 weeks and is third in their division and not playing for an SECC title.
So sorry, there is disputing your theory since you have nothing to base your comment on.
--- It is not rocket science. I play you, you beat me, you're better. I beat you, I'm better. It's not that hard marc_ash. Here is how it works: At th end of the game, look up at the scoreboard. If Tennessee has more points, then they are better than their opponent. If the opponent has more points, then they are better. The Tennessee fans used this reasoning in the South Carolina, Vandy, and Kentucky games. You cannot have it both ways.
eanderson#655202 writes:
I want SEC championship 1st and NC 2nd. All else is fun stuff.
eanderson#655202 writes:
For those who want access to UT games check out SlingBox. Since I live in FL I'm gonnal buy a Slingbox for my son who lives in K'town so I can get access to UT games via his DVR.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE
you arrogant ass, mabye Florida is a LOT better then UT. I wonn't buy either Bama of Cal. A couple of plays turned those games. Even the FLA game came down to an INT before the landslide.
That's akin to saying we are TONS better than UGA, which we are not. We might not even betat them if we played them right now.
Here, a damn primer for you: college football is a game of emotion, it isn't the NFL where it's all technical. Got it? Are you sure????
God, what an a$$ you are.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
What's funny as hell is that I am quite certain many of you suck a whole lot more at your jobs than John Chavis does at his.
JC has been a champion, he's had top-rated defenses, he's sent tons of players to the pros. Even undrafted players are coveted by the NFL, because Chavis has taught them how to play.
How many of you studs can make the same claims in YOUR professions???? Oh, okay, I will count 'employee of the month' awards for kissing your bosses fat butt.
eanderson#655202 writes:
oh it's time for an 8 team NC playoff. no, that would spoil all the fun the rest of us are having on this blog.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Typical Tenneesse fans here. No credit given to the teams that spank the Vols and when the Vols win, they are the best out there. How will you determine who is better this weekend between LSU and Tennessee? The answer is simple; You will look at the scoreboard at the end of the game.
Posted by sjt18 -
"Being outplayed on one day does not make the other team better. Have you ever lost to someone that you were better than? I have"
-Okay then it is fair to say that South Carolina, Vandy, and Kentucky are better than UT? According to your reasoning, they are.
Is UT alot better than UGA? Is UT alot better than Ark?- Apparently they both are. The scoreboard said so when it went 00.00.
VolsFan17 writes:
I say that at this point, right before we play for the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP, if you are on here with negative comments...YOU ARE NOT A TENNESSEE FAN!!! If you have negative comments, please save them for after the bowl game. Now is not the time.
wskeen#212984 writes:
Pleasegetridof......Interesting that Fla, Cal and Bama aren't playing for championships
thesavageorange writes:
marc_ash :Don't waste you're time with PLEASE, b/c he will not give a simple strait answer.I had the same convo with him yesterday , and he never answered the simple question "Is La monroe better than Bama , and is Stanford better than Usc.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Posted by wskeen on November 28, 2007 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Pleasegetridof......Interesting that Fla, Cal and Bama aren't playing for championships"
Then you should be embarrassed that you got thumped by all of them.
Posted by marc_ash on November 28, 2007 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Answer SJT's question: Given your mentality GA is better than FL, FL is better than TN and TN is better than GA.
-How is that not possible? They all presented different match-up problems for one another.
Amazing how the attitudes and confidence of the fans can be after winning 3 nailbiters against SEC bottom dwellers.
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