Vol Report
Tennessee Stat Book
Jason Witten called it “nonsense.”
Heath Shuler blamed it on “parity.”
Two former University of Tennessee football star players came to the defense of UT coach Phillip Fulmer after the Vols’ walkthrough at Neyland Stadium on Friday.
Both were asked to share their feelings on fan dissatisfaction with the Vols’ 4-3 record and lopsided losses to Alabama and Florida.
“I think it’s a little bit of nonsense,” Witten said, visiting Knoxville with the Dallas Cowboys enjoying a bye week. “I think he has done a great job here for a long time.
“He has had some tough losses, but he’s a man of character and he’s going to bounce back on his feet.”
Shuler, now a congressman from North Carolina, had a similar message with a different twist.
“We’re seeing the parity in college football,” the former UT quarterback said. “Who would have ever guessed in such a short period of time South Florida would be where they’re at today. Kentucky is playing incredibly well right now. Vanderbilt beat South Carolina.
“There’s so much parity, it’s very difficult year in and year out to be on the very top.”
For Fulmer, the recent grumblings aren’t anything new or unexpected.
“When you have been at it as long as I have, you learn to weather those times,” he said just after having a short conversation with UT athletic director Mike Hamilton. “Anybody who has had any longevity in coaching has had years or games or whatever that haven’t gone quite like you would want them to go.
“The only exception I know of is (former Nebraska coach) Tom Osborne and everybody was always mad at him for not beating Oklahoma enough. That’s just the way it is.”
Fulmer has continually stressed to his team that the biggest game is the next one — week after week.
“We’re fighting through this and we’re sitting here talking about this at the same time we’re still in the championship mix,” he said. “We control our own destiny to some degree if we win.
“We’re planning to win the football game. We’ve got five to play and we’re only focused on this one right now.”
Witten’s parting shot was a plea for patience.
“I would just ask the people to hang in there with him,” he said.
Fun With Foster: UT tight end Chris Brown sent the message early this week that the Vols need to relax and have more fun on the football field.
Running back Arian Foster couldn’t agree more.
“When we’re down, we just try to make the best of it,” he said. “We go out there and play hard every down, but you have to remember it’s still just a game.
“I don’t know about everybody else, but I know I play my best when I’m having fun.”
It looked like Foster was en route to a really fun day against Alabama last week. The Tide couldn’t stop him, but the carries slowed as UT dug itself a hole on the scoreboard.
He finished with 91 yards on 13 carries (7.0 yards per carry) and caught four passes for 74 yards.
The Vols eventually lost 41-17, but Foster doesn’t hold any grudges.
“I don’t hate the guys across from me,” he said. “I don’t wish any bad on them.
“I smile, talk to guys between plays and try to get the refs to crack a smile every now and then. That’s just my style.”
Penalties No Fun: One thing that obviously wasn’t any fun at Alabama on Saturday was UT’s season-high 11 penalties for 81 yards.
“It was incredible,” Fulmer said. “We’ve been one of the least penalized teams in the conference. We had eight on defense for the year and all of a sudden we get out there and give up a couple.
“You just can’t do that. We’ve addressed it in practice and we certainly addressed it Monday when we watched the tape. We’ve been our own worst enemy at times.”
Sell It Elsewhere: Fulmer doesn’t believe South Carolina’s offense is as bad as Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier wants people to believe.
A couple of weeks ago, Spurrier called his team’s second-half offensive effort “putrid.” Last weekend, Spurrier said it looked like some of his players “didn’t give a (darn)” as South Carolina lost 17-6 at home to Vanderbilt.
“Coach Spurrier is the master of trying to make you think about something that isn’t that relevant,” Fulmer said.
On Thursday, asked about the “putrid” offense comments, Fulmer wasn’t biting.
“No, no, no, I’m not buying any of that,” he said. “We just need to play a lot better ourselves.
“I’m worried about our football team playing well.”
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Phillip Fulmer through the years
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Comments » 81
GrandCanyonVol writes:
I don't care who you are, you cannot defend the play of this football team. Most of the time, there is just no fire. No fire at all.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
this is bs shuler should is a joke.... to defend this guy... parity this year... whatever how about all the other years fulmer has suck... if this is what we have to look foward to fire fat phil and hire someone that is going to make it fun instead of being so painfull
vol52 writes:
I understand that former players would defend their coach. However this program is falling fast. This is the year to make a change. If I thought there would be light at the end of the tunnel and not a train I would fight for Coach to stay. The longer he drags us down the harder it will be to compete for an SEC east title. We are competing with vandy for the cellar and I would not bet against a last place finish this year.
vines1975#551101 writes:
sorry shuler (weird to see his name today since they are showing the 92 south carolina game on sports south as we speak), but parity is not losing three games by a total of 114 points. that is inexcusable and sickening. i live in birmingham and am a huge vol fan. i had a terrible feeling saturday walking into bryant denny stadium and it proved correct. i felt good about our chances because we had improved (i thought) in the past three games. i have supported phil over the years, but i think change would be nice. go vols------take back neyland----and bring back ROCKY TOP
vines1975#551101 writes:
who would you guys like to see on the sidelines? i've given it alot of thought, and i'm not sure who i would prefer. we really need a good defensive mind on our staff. we have too much talent to not be able to stop anyone. our schemes are outdated and predictable. we also need someone that will let crompton run around and make plays. i think that kid will do alright given the chance and not be handcuffed.
yeavols#228407 writes:
ya..not buying it..parity is when you play an ok team or good team down to the wire. We had enough blowouts to make Michigan and APPY state game look insignificant. By the way, Michigan is right behind Ohio State. Tennessee is way below Florida with their 2 sec losses. It's maddening
rainman916#207652 writes:
I am tired of excuses for Phat Phil....UT has been mediorce since the championship in 98.....When does Bruce and the boys start?
GerryOP writes:
Jason and Heath, I commend your loyalty. But.....
All of a sudden there is parity? Naww!!!! I believe the new found parity - USC, UK, Vandy, USF, etc, etc - by hiring some good coaches and the coaches created the parity. Patience? Sure, but how much is required? My patience ran out with all of the paltry, lame and mindless excuses in 2005.
At other schools, guys like Spurrier, Saban, Brooks, and Miles step in to set things straight -- in front of the fans, the team, the TV cameras, and God! UT guys mess up, we see Ol' Phil clapping hands and generally pattin' the boys on the head and kissin' them on the cheek. A big difference!
If you look at our "glory years," we always had an on-field dominating leader. Mention names like Manning, Wilson, Shuler, Tee Martin, Henderson, and a few others and their TEAM efforts are reflected in the TEAM record. Back in the "old days," names like Reynolds, Kiner, and Steve DeLong come to mind! We have recently had some good players - Washington, Stallworth, Price, the Clausens, Witten, Meachem, and now Ainge - but they are not what you would call domineering team leaders! By domineering I mean guys who would grab a fellow player by the scruff of the neck and "suggest" that they either perform up to their ability ... all of the time ... for the good of the team ... or ....! Didn't go to class? Al wants to see you -- on South Stadium Drive! Trouble off the field? Have a chat with Peyton! Slack off in practice? How fast do you think Big John Henderson could chase someone down? Missed curfew? Hacksaw is checkin' out your car!
So, thanks for stoppin' by Heath and Jason. You are both winners. Sorry you can't hang around longer. Next time bring Al, John, and Hacksaw with you!
volsrock writes:
I've read several players make the statement "it's just a game". It is "just a game" when you're in high school and before, when you get to the next level, and big money becomes involved, it's no longer "just a game". When your coach's job is on the line, it's no longer "just a game". When the local economy is affected, it's no longer "just a game". Lots of businesses in this area have their bottom lines affected by the Vols having a bad year. When they lose restaurants do less business, stores sell less UT merchandise, etc. It's easy to convince yourself it's just a game because that's what you're told when you're ten, when you grow up, it's for real. When you realize it's for real you show a since of urgency in every game and you don't just give up.
cltvol writes:
They were screaming for bear bryant's neck in 69-70. Its ugly, but Fulmer and co. can cycle up. Miles and Meyer will fade, just as Spurrier was fading his last yrs in FL as the league, including Vols caught him. It may take a while longer, maybe more years, but Vols will be back on top. Hopefully, nobody gags, restaurants stay open, (the discretionary money cycles to other choices Dr. Friedman), same store sells Titans and Nascar stuff, and domestic violence doesn't trend up in Big O Country in the process.
Southland writes:
Hamilton is a good guy and a good athletic director He will fire the coaches when the time is right which will be at the end of next year. He should never have given extensions on the contract but he is growing into his job and will stop being afraid of CF Witten should still be angry that he was only used half as much as he should have been. Shuler should be mad that he was allowed to play on athletic ability and not have to learn a play book When he got to the pros he tried to rely on athletic ability without knowing the plays and he never had a clue as to what was going on on the field It is true that Spurrier was fading at Florida. Want proof Fulmer was starting to beat him. Thats all the proof you need. Spurrier was burnt out and he had the good sense to go do something else for a while
yeavols#228407 writes:
Want to hang around for a while and see how it goes? Just ask Bobby Bowden and JoePa how it's going. Like a loaf of bread, it gets stale and moldy. Time for a new loaf.
invisiblekid writes:
All this talk of equity and parity is making me feel like I am in an economics class. I can totally agree that parity has shown up in today's game. No argument against that fact with KY beating LSU, the rise of South FL, Stanford's win etc.. Talent is more evenly spread and that may explain part of the reason for the parity. I believe the bigger reason is that we are seeing a number of talented young coaches come up through the ranks with new ideas and older coaches who may have been at lower levels making it to the big time of Div. I football. The spread offense also seems to be levelling the playing field as well.
There are a couple of problems I see with trying to use parity to explain the Vols recent problems however. Sheer ineptitude on special teams for years isn't a result of talent being more evenly distributed. Making untimely turnovers and penalties has little to do with the talent on the other side of the field. The reasons behind an offensive showing in 2005 which was bad on a near historic level for the program can't simply be explained away by saying everyone is just better. It's the same thing this year with the defense. It isn't a matter of UT simply being on equal footing with other teams now, it's a matter of the Vols performing to historic lows in one or more phases of the game from one year to the next. The bottom line is this, if there is indeed more parity in football than ever before, then what is Fulmer doing to stay ahead of the curve? Right now, it doesn't look like much of anything.
doegem writes:
Parity? Spoken like a true Congressman. (I'm still annoyed that he couldn't beat Penn St.)
Just a game? Tell that to Al Wilson. I agree completely with GerryOP. The Vols have never gotten sideline leadership from the coaches but their dominate teams had dominate field leaders.
As Bill Curry famously said, the gist anyway -- if you are only playing for your school, your fans or your self, you will quit when asked to block Dick Butkis one more time -- but if you have 11 guys who give everything they have because they just WILL NOT let their teammates down, then you have a chance for greatness.
I believe this attitude can be instilled by leadership -- from somewhere.
gmccown007#392764 writes:
What if I were to GUARANTEE you that I can give all of you the name of the ONE and ONLY coach in the whole of America that can return Tennessee to ALL of its heartbreakingly long lost days of glory? Now, if I could "do" such a miraculous, seemingly impossible thing, would you immediately "sign up" and --- with all of your heart --- "get on board"? Or would you --- with the NEGATIVITY that has now engulfed the VOL NATION --- and indeed, is now threatening to DESTROY it --- INSTEAD join --- GLEEFULLY, no doubt --- in the FLOOD OF NEGATIVITY that would almost certainly follow an idea so "wild" and, no doubt, certain to be PERFECT? Perfect, that is, once all EMOTION is completely wiped away.
I have --- literally --- been sitting in that once hallowed stadium for OVER 55 YEARS!!! NO ONE'S blood runs any more orange than mine! NO ONE'S!!! Consequently, there is NO PRICE (other than my immortal soul) that I would not pay for a return to those once halcyon days of glory.
Want to return to such days of triumphant joy? Admittedly, now, only for a mere handful of remaining years? Or do all of you prefer to merely continue to endlessly, fruitlessly bicker? There is only the tiniest window of opportunity now left. But that window DOES exist. With no blasphemy whatsoever intended, there is a "savior" available to us. Incredibly, he is even a native son. Tennessee born and bred. Further, he is, regardless of one’s prejudices, the GREATEST football "genius" alive. WITHOUT QUESTION!
Now, mind you, we do not always see eye-to-eye. Collectively, or otherwise. But who cares? Particularly, for such a magnificent ultimate "prize"? I have sat around a hundred tables and heard it repeated a thousand times.
"Native son or not he would never take the job. Besides, there is no one alive who hates Tennessee any more than he does”.
I promise you, folks. Neither statement is true. Now, it IS true that out of high school, he “refused” our recruitment. But only because he was determined to remain a quarterback.(Tennessee still ran exclusively single wing and not being a Tim Tebow “type” (of that day or any other), he knew his running skills simply were not adaptable to U-T's offensive sets. And, mind you, he was more than "right".
Once he became a coach, though, he has been ready --- more than once --- to come back to Tennessee. Justifiably, though, he has never judged it "right" or "proper" to do the asking. And, indeed, why should he have?
Of whom are we speaking? Well, the one and only one man who can save the "train-wreck" that is now Tennessee football. Steve Spurrier.
By the way, time is running out. Like Lou Pinella with the Cubs, this would, guaranteed, be Spurrier’s last hurrah.
At this stage, it would probably call for one dollar more than Lou Saban. In case you have forgotten, the man who just handed us our a$$.
I don’t know about you but I will never forget that pain. Never.
I’m good for the first $100,000.00. Anybody got a dollar?
agentorange writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
yeavols#228407 writes:
flush
agentorange writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
yeavols#228407 writes:
agentorange..pick up a dictionary or a thesaurus..tard and gay is TRITE
doegem writes:
Now I know no one here is going to mistake Fulmer for Bear Bryant. It IS true that Tide fans were calling for Bryant to retire after a couple of 6-5 seasons and losing to Vandy. It is also true he followed those seasons with one of the greatest decades ever in college football in the '70s -- 8 SEC championships and 3 National championships.
Maybe they cut him some slack because he had already won 4 SEC titles and 3 National titles in his first 10 years! Fulmer's accomplishments in the '90s pale in comparison -- heck, Fulmer's decade of the '90s pales beside Spurriers.
But, be that as it may, there are two GIANT differences between Fulmer's program and Bryant's (not counting the obvious coaching differences)-- Bryant was not allowed to recruit black athletes, an obvious disadvantage.
The second difference is Bryant knew that to change results he had to change methods which led him to totally transform his offense to the wishbone.
Fulmore will not change. He never ceases to declare that he will stay the course -- IF he can just get those lazy players to do better everything will be fine.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Let's be real here..Arkansas left a nice christmas gift on the field in 1997. If it wasn't for that, there would be nothing to brag about for Fulmer. By the way, Fulmer hasn't even come close to Spurrier, JoePa, Bowden, and the newbies Meyer or Saban or even Tressel. SO all this phooey about Tennessee not being able to find someone else or no one else can compare to FULMER...You haven't even done your homework.
mjohnsonvols writes:
Thanks shuler and witten for being true TN fans. The rest of you guys suck.
Go Vols beat the cocks!!!!!!!!
OwensboroVol writes:
Fulmer must go. He is playing old football and because of parity, we need new innovative football.
utmandy#237917 writes:
The last people I want to hear from is two quiters. Their past doesn't point to putting the university first, what do they care?
Ironcity writes:
Parity is losing games by a couple of points. Bad coaching is losing by 3 to 4 touchdowns every other game. I like Phil but either he goes or at least send some of the defensive coaches out of here (Chavis).
raynochonspeed#212632 writes:
Hey gmmcown007, how many times are you going to cut and paste that moronic diatribe in the comments section?
I don't know what's worse: the ridiculous notion of Spurrier coaching the Vols, or your creepy Unibomber typing. Or rather, YOUR crazy (and I mean it) CAPITALIZATION and PuncTUatION!!!!
newtonrail writes:
utmandy, to call two of Tenn.'s great players quitters because they left early for NFL for draft is ludricrous. In hindsight, both would have been better off NFL wise to have stayed another year, but they didn't. Go back to your sewing circle.
BigUn writes:
Always count on Fulmer to make a stupid comment:
“Anybody who has had any longevity in coaching has had years or games or whatever that haven’t gone quite like you would want them to go."
How many years and counting is it now coach? I would list all the games that "haven't gone quite like you would have wanted them go" since 1999 but it would take up to much space.
Face it Phil, you rested after the 1998 season and thought you were God's gift to UT football and college football. You let the program deteriorate to the point where we are 2-6 in bowl games, including back to back Peach Bowl blowout debacles, a lost against Kansas St in the Cotton Bowl and an Outback Bowl game where our players looked like they could have cared less to be out there.
Please coach, for the sake of the entire University of Tennessee program, step aside and let someone more capable of dealing with the changing face of college football bring us back.
utmdm writes:
utmandy, way off base there. we would like to see them all stay, but these 2 are not quitters.
surfmaster writes:
"We control our own destiny to some degree if we win". Really? what degree is that exactly? You either control your own destiny or you don't. Right now, we are firmly planted in the "don't" category.
I guess we are also still in the National Championship hunt "to some degree" and I still have a chance at hooking up with Cindy Crawford "to some degree". Keep dreaming coach.
cdldoc#211897 writes:
After the team wins 35-14 tomorrow you guys will feel different. You just have the pregame jitters. KILL THEM HENS!!!
injunvol writes:
bob stoops - bob stoops - bob stoops - bob stoops - bob stoops - bob stoops - he is the man for this mess - but at this point i would take ol bobby johnson heck at least he has vandy competing with no talent
injunvol writes:
the one main point in this article that PROVED fulmer has lost touch with reality - still in the championship mix - for what the celler of the east - the man has no clue anymore
brokebackvol writes:
Most of you are idiots - you obviously don't know your butts from a hole in the ground about football, since YOU aren't making 2 million a year. Shut up already and just support the Vols, or go someplace else.
TommyJack writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
dowdpat#654244 writes:
Brokeback Vol? That's too easy! Are you Fulmer's camping "partner" on his trips to Wyoming?
FWBVol writes:
yeavols, there was nothing given to UT by Arkansas in the 1998 game. Billy Ratliff blew the play up and forced the o-lineman into Stroener and forcing the fumble. And, by the way, the officials didn't apply the rules correctly on the ball Arkansas kicked through the back of the end zone for a safety. If they had, Ratliff's play wouldn't have been needed. Almost every team that has won a title has needed some help. I believe it was Colorado that had the five downs a few years ago when they won (it may have been someone else). Florida got some help last year with teams ahead of them getting knocked off enabling them to play for the title.
I agree with Heath Shuler, there is parity in college football. I'm 49, and I've never seen anything like it. My dad will be 75 and has followed UT since the General was "The Colonel," and he too has never seen anything like it.
It takes longer to rebuild today because of the NCAA rules restricting scholarships and the tougher academic standards. Johnny Majors brought in 100 freshmen his first year at Pitt, and yes, out of that class came Tony Dorsett. But only Johnny can tell you if he would have recruited Dorsett if there had been the scholarship limits there are today. Look at what Johnny did, or didn't do, his second time around at Pitt.
I believe UT needs to finish strong. I want the Vols to win, but most of the coaches that fans want who are winning big, UT would be hard pressed to get. Bama got lucky with Saban because he was stinking it up in Miami.
Everyone was so big on Charlie Weiss and look what he's done at Notre Dame.
I'm amazed at how many fans want to believe unnamed Vols a few weeks ago saying the program was going in the gutter, but are bashing Witten and Shuler for standing up for Fulmer. I'd say those guys know a little more about football and the workings of UT and the SEC than 99 percent of us posting on this site.
ballou1024 writes:
Hey I'm not defending the program but the problems in defensive backfield is there because we lost Inky,Morley,and Fellows. If we had those guys we would win the SEC hands down! We have to suffer thru this and hopefully the young guys can learn on the job and get better in a hurry!
BahamaVol writes:
thanks Shuler and Witten...if both of you guys believe in him so much, why did you both forfeit your senior year to enter the draft. Go sell it somewhere else...we're all stocked up in here.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
I absolutely despise Fulmer. He literally makes me sick!! So, tonight, bet your life savings on TN, because they will look unbeatable. They have nothing to play for, so that pathetic excuse for a coach will have them fired up. Wait and see!
DarthVol writes:
Well said, IVK.
OldNumber7 writes:
Shuler, you just stuck your foot in your mouth! If there is parity in talent - then that means coaching ineptitude CANNOT hide!
Fulmer with equal talent coaches at the bottom of the SEC. If talent parity exists - explain the blowout losses this year.
trace5254 writes:
UT fans are starting to get delirious...wanting Steve Spurrier to come to UT. You are a desperate bunch and I love it!
Phil will be your coach next year - he'll somehow pull out enough wins to survive...meanwhile you will drift back to the mediocrity of the 70s.
And one last comment - Fulner and integrity do not belong in the same sentence.
Roll Tide!
eddiehaskel writes:
a proposal: if the cocks beat ut by more than 10 points, fullbelly leaves tomorrow. if he wins by 10, he stays at least until the end of the year. anywhere in between, week to week contract.
dhollland writes:
I have been a Fulmer supporter. This past summer I met the man in person. He is full of personality and seems to be an overall great guy.
This said, I would like to see UT atop the SEC East standings like everyone else.
Yes, I believe parity has some to do with it. But as some of you have stated 3 loses by 114 pts...that is not parity.
Who would UT replace Fulmer with? That is my question. Why replace him if the next coach is also doing about the same as Fulmer? The expectations here are crazy high. I am not sure they can be met bu anyone
cgbtn writes:
CHUCK0303, We don't need to worry about umpteen years. Saban is a whore. When someone offers him $4.001M, he'll be out of there.
powert#205805 writes:
I am not defending Fulmer at all, but did I really see someone call Lamar Alexander honest? Come on. Let's stick to reality.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Getting Bob Stoops would be a WET DREAM..just another add on to the big list of champions. WHo would want to leave their program that's already established to come to Rocky Top?
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
Everyone saw the team that handled Georgia. That was about a complete game as we have had in some time. Then we all saw the team that took the field against Alabama. People that has to come down to coaching. We were not prepared.
Something is wrong on Rocky Top.
Colliervol writes:
You lose all credibility when you put honest and politician in the same sentence. That breed is extinct.
As far as the article goes, I agree with Shuler about parity and the fact that no team is going to be at the "very top" all the time. However, we have been far from the very top for a very long time. Bottom line- No SEC championships since 1998 and no BCS games since 2001. How many more Peach Bowls do we have to see before we sniff the "very top" again? (Only this year I figure it's Music City or Liberty Bowl.)
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