Posted by rockytopjeff on September 23, 2007 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For all of you who said to stay home and protest Fulmer not being fired, SHAME ON YOU!! It is a pretty sad day when someone comes in here and says that "Texas" was a louder place to play. Get off your asses people and lets stay behind the Vols. We lost to 2 of the top 6 teams in the country, ON THE ROAD!! We will be fine people, NOBODY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY plays 2 top 6 teams in the first 3 games. The empty seats were a disgrace!!! I beleive in our players and the fact that they will get better. We are very potent on the offensive side of the ball.. The SEC and the entire country is changing. With the exception of LSU (Noboby will come close to beating them) The days of holding people under 300 yards is over. Its a offensive world now. I saw a very average team in Alabama, Georgia has a good defense, but is very vanilla on offense, and the Stafford kid is a trainwreck waiting to happen. Kentucky is pretty good, Arkansas is totally one dimensional, and Vandy is Vandy. And last but not least South Carolina in pretty decent, But they have a little payback coming from 2 years ago. I truly believe that we will finish 9-3 and the only team we have left that scares me is beleive it or not Kentucky. Stay positive people, We are really young and have a chance to become really good. So lets quit bitching and start supporting. I would love to see us set a record for attendance against Georgia, and since I live in Georgia, Whip their asses, Lets hang 50 on them again. I'll stop rambling now. GO VOLS!!!

Posted by wmpaul1010 on September 23, 2007 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

big VOLFAN in south florida, way to go vols i knew you had it in you.Not as loud as texas ??? gotta change that volfans, i'm yellin for ya down here

Posted by govols57 on September 23, 2007 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ok Jeff...you must not be the brightest crayon in the box. It's not that we aren't behind the vols, its because we all are sick of Fulmer. It's not just because we lost to 2 top 10 teams, it's because Fulmer always loses to top 10 teams. The inconsistancy over the last 9 years has been pathetic. This win over Arkansas State means nothing. Fulmer's God awful record against top 25 team is sicking. The Florida and the Cal loss is not just 2 games in a one season. It's just another reminder of how the game has past Fulmer. And if I hear anyone else say that the talent is down I think I'll puke! 56 players drafted to the NFL since 1999 with NO SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS!

Posted by EZVOL on September 23, 2007 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No, govols57, I think you are the one who is a few bubbles off plumb. Cal is a good team and Florida is a really good team. Both deserve their ranking so far. The reality of this sport is that great teams come and go in a cycle. USC and Penn State couldn't field a team a few years ago and look at the mighty Irish and Wolverines now. Some of us back our team AND coaches even during an average year. If you are a fan then act like a fan.

Posted by tenniskid on September 23, 2007 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

govols57...you are wasting your breath. This is the same guy who predicted a 44-21 win over Florida. I responded...be real. The die hard Fulmerites question everyone who wants a change, accused of being a fair weather fan or not a true vol, blah blah blah. Who says if you want a change you are not a true fan? A true fan wants what is best for the program and the university. Not the same crap we have been getting for eight years. Get real!

Posted by memphisvol95 on September 23, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

First, let me say I have a plethora of respect for Fulmer. He has been good for the university and college athletics. He honestly cares about the young men he coaches and how they will leave their mark on this world. That being said, it is time for change in Knoxville. Just because you respect a man, doesn't necessarily mean he's the best man for the job. The Cal and Florida game has proven that "the game" has passed Fulmer by. In the SEC, defense is the key. The Vols lack direction and fundamentals on defense. It also appears that the "West Coast" offense is here to stay and we need someone to bring that system to UT. I hope the university can figure out a way to keep Fulmer on staff - perhaps in the AD's office - but I believe his time should be up as head coach.

Posted by hdav06 on September 23, 2007 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I've only been going to the Vols games since the late 1950's, so I guess I'm rather new to this. It's just amazing the number of people who think you can be in the top 10 year in and year out. It just doesn't work that way for any school. Mental errors, defense, and special teams lost two games. And for those of you who think Fulmer is old school and his time has past, what was it General Neyland said about special teams and defense ?

Posted by leedsvol2007 on September 23, 2007 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All the Florida and Cal game proved was that they were superior to us in athleticism and in Cal's case more athletic.

Chavis has been repeatedly courted as a defensive coordinator by the pros and one of Charlie Weis's first hires at ND was David Cutcliffe. Prior to his heart problems he tutored Brady Quinn and he had a role in his marked improvement in play from his sophomore to junior years.

I don't think the game has "passed them by". Football is about speed, strength, experience. This leads to execution which make schemes work.

Our offensive line is getting better in these areas and the defense has got to have the time to do so.

We had similiar problems in 88 and 94 to what we are experencing this year. If this team comes on like they did we will be allright.

But not backing our team will only hurt our recruiting and could plunge us back to the 77 through 82 levels which were the lowest ebb of Tennessee football in my lifetime.

If Fulmer does not get this team better and moving back toward the championship level this season he will be gone. The Trustees will not allow him to stay.

In the interim lack of support just shows we have a bunch of spoiled fans who are quitters and can't handle the bad with the good.

Not the attitude we want our players to have.

Posted by DadwasaVol on September 23, 2007 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

West Coast offense? Why? The Vols are averaging 35 points a game.

Posted by texan on September 23, 2007 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lack of support and criticism are not synonymous.

Posted by texan on September 23, 2007 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

memphisvol95, You are right on when you say defense wins in the SEC. It wins everywhere as well. The top teams in the country right now USC, LSU and FLA all win with both offense and defense along with great special teams. I do not agree however that we should find a place in the AD. He should get out of here first and learn to think outside of the box. Maybe then he could return and help contribute to this program like Doug Dickey and Bob Woodruff did.

Posted by jcvet on September 23, 2007 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh god the Fulmerites are actually out after that so called game last nite. UT football is over for a long time.

Posted by pjhaddix on September 23, 2007 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Boycotting games has it's worst effect on the players. Let's not punish or demoralize them any further (which only leads to lack of confidence and losing more games), if your target is the coaching staff. There's gotta be a better way to get your point across. Going to games doesn't make you a "Fulmerite", it shows your commitment to being a supportive, helpful 12th player to the other 11. pj

Posted by rockytopjeff on September 23, 2007 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tenniskid, how many season tickets do you actually BUY each year, you must be one of the scalper clones that buy tickets on the street. I actually pony up my donation to the VASF and buy my tickets and parking passes. I get really sick of people who know everything and don't give 1 red cent to the university. I said we would be Florida, this is true. I missed that one, but I don't claim to be Lee Corso. AND I WENT TO THE GAME, Did you? I was really wrong in my prediction because Florida is alot better than I originally thought they were. They had The Swamp jackup up before that game, They wanted to bury us and they did. They gave out the basketball national championship rings and everything. It was a HOT hornets nest and we got waxed. I am not a "Fulmerite" I agree that we need some "Adjustments". I don't think we need wholesale changes. We have a young team that will get better. I am just one of the people that give $5000-$6000 a year to this university and have a little bit of optimism about our future. If we did get rid of Fulmer, who would we get? Those of you that think Spurrier will come here are on crack. Bo Pellini isn't interested. and John Gruden? That's a great laugh there. We'd be like Bama, on PROBATION! The SEC has evolved, and I truly beleive we are evolving with it. Florida is just ahead of us for now. So until we go 3-9 and have bottom tier recruiting classes, get off your high horse and look at the BIG PICTURE.

Posted by tenniskid on September 23, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RTjeff, with all due respect, I too am an alumnus, give to the university, and consider my self a true fan, too. Why is assumed that is you want change, you are not a true fan? I am looking at the big picture, not simply the Florida game, and that is why I don't think we need to wait until we are 3-9 to make changes, we already had that scenaro in '05 and from all indications we could be heading that way again. Again, I reiterate, look at the last eight years and ask yourself if this is what the university and supporters are happy with. As far as "who will we get", wasn't that same question asked about our basketball coach?

Posted by rockytopjeff on September 23, 2007 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tenniskid, Point taken, and well put sir. I just think that the one true mistake Fulmer made was ever scheduling these monster games early in the year, we have no preseason like the NFL and we are risking our entire year so that IF we run the table, we have a better strength of schedule. I know that we have a lot of talent and we will be better as the year progresses. I whole heartedly agree about Coach Pearl. It just bothers me that everone is seemingly jumping ship when the hardest part of our schedule is behind us. I just would like to see more people support what we have now instead of what we would like to have. If we go-6-6 then I say by all means , lets make changes. But to fire Fulmer now would mean disaster. NO TEAM benifits from a mid season firing. I also would like to apologize for my tone earlier, it was a bit harsh. Lets just hope that we can go into the off week and make major progress.

Posted by 55Vol on September 23, 2007 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jcvet...if you cannot stand behind the players then go and root for your love child Tebow and stay off here. Thanks team for the win!!

Posted by jawbreaker on September 23, 2007 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rockytopjeff, I am not taking issue with you, and I am not getting into the keep Fulmer/fire Fulmer controversy at this time; but, I would point out that California and Florida's games against the Vols were their 1st and 3rd respectively, as early in their seasons as the Vols. So, I think the playing field is even in that regard.

Posted by smith7206 on September 24, 2007 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Can we please find whoever taught Ainge to read the defense like this and hire him as coach?

Posted by govols57 on September 24, 2007 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Some of you guys are unreal! Fulmer gets paid 2.1 million dollars a year to do what? Constantly lose to FLorida, Georgia, LSU, and Auburn? When is the last time we won a decent bowl game? The 2004 Texas A/M doesn't count because they had the worst defense in the country that year. Don't get it twisted I am VOL till I die and that's why Fulmer disappoints me so much. How can you year in and year out be ranked in the top ten in recruiting, send multiple players to the NFL and constantly lose? Fulmer is 0-3 vs. Meyer, 1-3 vs. Richt, 2-5 vs. Supurrier, 1-3 vs. Saban and 1-2 vs. Miles. I mean what more does Fulmer have to do to make all of you realize that he is a mediocre coach? Look at how many games he has lost to teams in the top 25, hell, look at how many times he as lost to unranked teams.

The worst thing that could have happen to Fulmer was winning the National Championship because it proved to Fulmer that his way of coaching could win. Do you really think that people like Al Wilson, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, Travis Stevens and Peerless Price were all products of great player development? Fulmer had great talent in the 90's and thats why he won, it nothing to do with coaching. Now the playing field is either equal or better and you see how that has worked out the last 9 years!

Posted by tenniskid on September 24, 2007 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

RTJeff, no offense taken. We are all passionate about the program. I agree, coaching change mid-season is a train wreck. Let's see what the remained of the season brings.

Posted by hueypilot on September 24, 2007 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So I guess in your world, govols57, you are pretty pissed that the Vols won the whole enchilada in 98 because that kept Fulmer, who you infer is a mediocre coach in the irons up until now. If I understand the logic of some of the "fans" on this thread, they want Tennessee to have a poor season so that will prove that Fulmer and his staff are deficient and have to go. I look at it a little differently. Since I support UT with my money and my attendance, since I went to school there, since I sent three children there who got five degrees there, since I sponsor a non-athletic scholarship there, call me crazy but I actually want Tennessee to do as well as it can do, and I don't want them to lose games just so the mob can be appeased by having Fulmer fired. Wow, am I a weirdo. The Fulmer situation will play out how it plays out, and nobody on this thread will have anything to do with it. I would hope that Fulmer will tire of this mindless criticism and decide that he doesn't want to work forever and call it a day and Haslam/Hamilton/Peterson and others will decide on his replacement. But I don't want my school to fall flat on its face (you could argue they already did that in Gainesville and I won't disagreee, I was there) just to feed the bloodlust of those who want Fulmer gone, damn the cost. I am as concerned with how it plays out as when and if it plays out, and to the benefit of both the University and it's favored son who has served his alma mater so well as a student athlete, assistant coach, head coach and ambassador for the University.
He and the university deserve to make this transition with compassion and dignity, and not some sort of vindictive knee-jerk appeasement to "fans" who's only obvious demonstrated committment to the university is that they have access to a computer. It probably is time for a change, but it needs to be done properly. We don't want to be Alabama.

Posted by clcvol on September 24, 2007 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

smith7206, you do realize that it was cutliffe who taught Ainge how to read the defense, much like he did with Peyton

Posted by govols57 on September 24, 2007 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Huey,

I am not saying Fulmer is a bad guy, he is quite the opposite having met him several times. He is very gracious, caring, and genuinely kind. However, that same attitude carries on to the field which results in disappointing loss after disappointing loss. As far as you donating money, congrats, you and 100,000 other people do the same including Fulmer (Job Security). I want UT to be great every year, I don't want them to do poorly. However, Fulmer's all time record against FLA (5-12) is very upsetting and when you throw in all the other coaches he as lost too and the loses to all of the unranked teams...what do you want me to say? Great job!!! The guy makes 2.1 million a year and is one of the best recruiting coaches to ever coach in D-IA but for some reason he can't beat all the other big boy teams in the SEC. Should I be content with that just because he has been loyal to his alma mater? And as far as not being Alabama....Hamilton will wish he shelled out 4 million to Saben after they embarrass us this year. Don't get me wrong I want UT to win because I hate Alabama but with Good ol' "We're working like heck to get better" out there it doesn't look good...as usual.

Posted by hueypilot on September 24, 2007 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not saying we should be happy with finishing second, 57. I thought you, like some here were advocating rooting for losses so Phil will get canned. I can't do that. I am as concerned with how the process plays out. I think Alabama has looked like hell in this entire Perkins, Curry, Stallings, Dubose, Price, Franchione, Shula Saban (Wow, when you look at that, it has been a train wreck, hasn't it?)and I'd like to see us avoid that if possible. Granted you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs and even Jeremy the Wise, had his Zook, just as Georgia had to kiss a few frogs before they found Richt (Who doesn't exactly look like Lombardi, now does he) so I'd like to see us do this correctly. I think it's all in Phil's hands. If he refuses to consider retiring, it'll be messy. My candidate is someone young who can bring some energy to the program. That'll be Hamilton's job, with a lot of big bulls pulling the strings. But I don't want to see a crash and burn scenario to get Phil gone. I guess I'm being optimistic to think we can do this neatly.