Posted by TurboFan on April 15, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gerald sounds like he wants to be a leader of this team.

Posted by VolPride_13 on April 15, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GERALD IS NOT A FRESHMAN!!!

Posted by dfreeman on April 15, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD - yes he does and I like it!! I also like hearing Arian tell us that he likes the "wide open" offense! I can't wait to see it!

Posted by bigorangesob on April 15, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No he is Not a freshman

Posted by dburgVol on April 15, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Neither is William Brimfield a defensive tackle. They moved him to offense, unless I've missed something. We don't hear much about Wilson and Myers-White, the two new starting linebackers. I want to know how Chris Donald is doing.

Posted by agentorange on April 15, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

uh, unless gerald did something since fall to pass a whole crapload of hours, HE'S A FRESHMAN!Thanks for being a typical posting a-hole, VolPride. I don't know if the t-bar is still under vic and bills but alot of retarded posters hang out there. join em.

Posted by FWBVol on April 15, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Technically, Jones is still a freshman until the fall. Some people use the term rising sophomore, but until this academic years is complete, Jones and the other members of the 2007 recruiting class are freshmen

Posted by agentorange on April 15, 2008 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

my bad, i'm on my way to the t-bar. utsports has gerald jones listed as a sophomore. shut my mouth. that crow tastes good.

Posted by agentorange on April 15, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well, i'm confused. must be the 8 beers. i'll stick with FWBVol, though. to the t-bar with volPride. I'll stay upstairs with the Vol Burgers.

Posted by 4114 on April 16, 2008 at 12:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

we must stay the course CPF

Posted by sjt18 on April 16, 2008 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Jones IS a freshman academically.

Chris Donald according to some has played well and could be the back up to Elix at MLB.

Posted by kdt0725 on April 16, 2008 at 1:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Considering it's still the same academic year as last football season...he's a freshman.

Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 16, 2008 at 2:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Considering his freshman year of eligibility is up.... he's a sophmore.

Just to add to the confusion.

Posted by sjt18 on April 16, 2008 at 3:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dburg, I've also read that Myers-White is having an outstanding spring but might have come out of spring #2 on the depth chart had McKenzie not gotten injured. Both of those guys will play. Both are better athletes than Karl. Wilson is solid. Besides Donald, they may have Frazier playing some MLB.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 16, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 - Had Mayo come back, this linebacker unit would be praised as much as the secondary. As it is, it is pretty darn good anyway. The only question is the defensive line. I look for Ayers to have a big year. It is time for Mr. Bolden to play to his potential.

Posted by sjt18 on April 16, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What are your sources saying about Langley, Williams, and Brown? There seems to be a general consensus that Martin is a rising star.

Anything about Langley maybe missing some classes?

Posted by HotlantaVol on April 16, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm pleased to see that everyone is focused on the important aspects of this article, such as whether or not Gerald Jones has achieved sophmore academic standing. I was really afraid you people might want to talk some football. I think I'll head up I-75 a piece and see if there is a spot at the t-bar. I hear Vic has some nice Bills.

Posted by johnlg00 on April 16, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not terribly concerned by a flat practice or two at this time in the spring, though of course CPF can't say that. As a former educator, I know that it is not unusual for people learning new stuff to see peaks and valleys in a generally steep learning curve. One learns new things at a rapid rate for awhile and then there is a period of consolidation, which might even include a spell of regression, before the learning curve heads back up. I'm sure CPF knows this, but he also has to keep the pressure on for continuing progress.

Posted by 55Vol on April 16, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GF... you are right on. With Mayo, the LB unit would have been as good or better than some of the OSU units in the past 3-4 years. It would be refreshing to see Bolden make the kind of progress Williams has made. If so, our DLine would just about be ready to play SEC football. I look forward to Saturday.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 16, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm fixin to come back to K-town; what's the t-bar?

Posted by pdhuff on April 16, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen F - if the D-line doesn't come around, the only thing rising will be Phil's blood pressure.

Can we start 8 DBs?

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 16, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No problem starting 8 DBs, as long as nobody else starts any running backs.

WE have a long hot summer ahead of us, but UCLA will be waiting at the end of it, and hopefully we will destroy them on Prime Time TV!

Posted by VOLS85 on April 16, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If we're talking about the same vic and bill's that was located on James Agee, it has been turned into "The Campus Deli" which serves Mediterranean and middle eastern style food (we all died a little inside when we found that out)...also the bar below it is called "The Carousel", and yes, you guessed it, it's a gay bar...DON'T GO, you might get molested

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 16, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, I have no reason to go there. Is Sam and Andy's still on Cumberland? I think the Last Lap is gone, but last time I checked the Old College Inn was still there.

Posted by TNisPeerless on April 16, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the tbar is actually the tbag

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 16, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 - if I see him again, I'll ask, but this was an indirect source so if they didn't discuss it with actual sources, I probably will not find out.
I do recall him stating the obvious that the Defensive Line was the key to the Defense, but that was just my friend talking. I agree with you that Martin will be a special player someday, but he's still green at this point. I was impressed with Langley out of H.S. too. I have not heard anything about grades.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 16, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer seems to be pleased with Brown, Ayers, Martin: "those three guys will give us a better speed dimension coming off the edge than we have had in a couple of years." All Williams continues to do is make plays despite being 8 lbs or whatever it was overweight. However, not much word on Bolden, which would seem to indicate he is bringing up the rear on the defensive line.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 16, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FWIW, word on Langley at VolNation is that he has missed classes and will be held out of the UCLA game. Not seen much as far as on the field performance.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 16, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've already made hotel reservations for Atlanta in late December just in case we play Clemson or another ACC school that will be actually be excited about playing in the Peach Bowl. Don't worry, Fulmer will tell you to be excited since it's the 8th time in the last 11 years that we are playing in Atlanta in the "postseason":

97 SEC W
98 SEC W
01 SEC L
02 Peach L
03 Peach L
04 SEC L
07 SEC L
08 Peach ??

My only concern is if the Peach Bowl passes us up and we have to go to the Music City Bowl.

Posted by pdhuff on April 16, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

True, workin, few places like downtown Atl at nite being part of the 20-odd thousand paid. 5-6000 freebies. At a huge tilt such as the memorable Maryland game. What an effort. Others may have my seat.

Wouldn't go back with a limo ride. My nephew against his better judgement scalped two for the '07 SEC CG for $225. He won't be going again.

Music City Bowl-much better- closer and colder. We might get, oh, Ill and the Zooker. LOL

Posted by VOLS85 on April 16, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sam and Andy's is no longer there, it has since been replaced by mcalister's...OCI is your last hope, and it has been renovated recently.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 16, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At least you're optimistic they'll make a bowl game Workin', that should make the "positive" folk happy. A suggestion on travelling to ATL, go up I 85 about 20 minutes to Lawrenceville. It may be a bit out of the way, especially if you're coming from the North or West, but the rooms are cheaper and that's where the Bass Pro shop resides.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 16, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Come on guys....work like heck!!!!

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 16, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Adding to Fulmer's frustration! coach Phillip Fulmer said "I'm not assuming anything," he said. "That's what gets your butt beat,like florida did us in gainesville"......have a nice day vols

Posted by spam247buster on April 16, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Longbranch is still on Cumberland, although it is across the street from where it was when I first went there (it has been located across 19th street from Taco Smell since '90 or '91). Also, Copper Cellar is still there on the strip. There's still a sign out front of the Tap Room, but I don't know if it's actually open-- I haven't been there since I was 18.
Other than that, the only businesses on the Strip that are the same as they were in the early '90's are some of the fast-food places, and Rocky Top Market (the Rooster sandwich dragged through the garden is still great late-night drunk food), and Pilot.
There still is a Sam & Andy's in K'ville, but it's on North Broadway. I think the rent got too high on the Strip for them to stay there. Darn shame.

Posted by pdhuff on April 16, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Invisablek - 2:58 pm - you brought back a few memories. Our plant was in Lawrenceville and I spent several long lunch hours wandering thru Bass Pro. Very nice one there. Know all about hwy 29 and 78 and 316. The crepe myrtle city.

I-85 Northbound in the afternoon is something to behold. Fleeing the city by the thousands.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 16, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatorfan8 - Vols have only have UP to go as far as the Florida game.....unless you plan on beating us by 40 plus this year. Not going to happen. We've got Fulmer on our side.

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 16, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I once saw a girl strip in front of the Long Branch. I took her home to meet momma.

Posted by IPOrange on April 16, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dupree also once saw a girl strip in front of the Long Branch. He took her home - it was momma.

Posted by pdhuff on April 16, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IPOrange-8:50 touche. She is now the return lady at K-Mart - She can watch Dupree corraling carts when TDTN is off.

Posted by IPOrange on April 16, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff -

Ole Dupree is so slow it takes him an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes, but he is a gentle, kindly soul.

Posted by et_vol_fan on April 16, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tough Schedule+New offense=8-4

Posted by sjt18 on April 17, 2008 at 3:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"However, not much word on Bolden, which would seem to indicate he is bringing up the rear on the defensive line."

invisiblekid, I read just the opposite about Bolden. Supposedly, he's not taking plays off... don't remember if I saw that here or somewhere else.

Usually the talk about Bolden has been how he isn't getting it done... silence is probably a good thing.

BTW, I saw the same thread on Volnation but haven't seen that info confirmed anywhere else. Did Hubbs or anyone confirm it?

Posted by sjt18 on April 17, 2008 at 3:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

et_vol_fan,

New offenses don't necessarily sink teams. If we were talking about something radically different then you might have a point. That doesn't seem to be the case. They have the players they need unlike UF when Meyer arrived. It took him several recruiting classes to get the right players for the spread.

Cut changed the O when he came back. They got immediately better so it does go both ways.

As for 8-4, who do you pick as losses?

I think they have good enough talent to beat anyone on their schedule. I don't think UCLA is going to be very strong and especially not in their first game. They lost 21 of the 44 players in last year's two deep including most of their offensive and defensive production. They lost all of their starters on both lines if I remember correctly.

IMO, the most dangerous games are UF, UGA, Aub, and Bama... I don't think UT will lose all four of them. There's an outside chance of winning all of them. Two of the 4 makes a nice season if they get the rest... 3 of 4 should get UT to the SECCG again and a BCS bid win or lose.

Some people are talking up USCe again... but I just don't think that Spurrier has been able to get the players he needs to break into the top of the East.

Posted by pdhuff on April 17, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18-losing starters if they weren't good sometimes doesn't hurt a team. I see UCLA as a "trap" game. It will be a comparison between mediocre Tenn and new-start Bruins. Hail-Chow & Rick N type! Look for misdirection to hurt us this fall.

It should be close to a pick. Maybe 1 1/2. Bruins.

UF-UGA-Aub-Bama - I'd be surprised if we win any of them. Could take 'em, but will have to be pleasantly surprised by trench play. Will be fooled if Gators don't rattle us for 40+ and if Richt wakes up, could be looooong day in Athens. We'll see. Keep the faith.

Posted by sjt18 on April 17, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah. I saw your prediction pdhuff. You seem to only see the problems on one side of the ball.

By most accounts, the Vols are improved from last year on the DL and in the secondary. They're about a wash at LB in spite of losing Mayo.

The remaining question marks are on O where UT returns 9 starters and something like 18 or 19 out of their two deep.

Posted by sjt18 on April 17, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

UCLA losses:

Top two receivers
8 of top 10 tacklers
3 of top 4 in sacks
2 of top 4 in INT's
Entire starting OL
Entire starting DL
And probably their best RB- Markey

One of their OL's is quitting with eligibility left due to chronic knee problems. Prior to developing those, he was thought of as a future 1st rounder.

Posted by sjt18 on April 17, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, I watched UF's spring game on ESPN. Their D doesn't look improved except for a RS Fr DE they recruited out of SC. At this point, a 2 QB system for them is a pipe dream. Newton looked absolutely awful.

I know you have been downing copious quantities of red kool-aid... but I just don't see it. I think UGA is probably being set up to be the biggest disappointment of 2008. They have the worst schedule in the SEC, their losses were more significant than UT or UF, and when you look at Stafford's career.... he looks like Casey Clausen. Gritty tough guy... that couldn't get it done in championship moments.

I really don't know how good UT will be but I'm more optimistic than you are choosing to be. I know there's safety in being the pessimist- you can never be disappointed but always might be pleasantly surprised... I just don't think it is realistic to always expect the worst nor is it enjoyable.

"IF" the O scores 33 ppg, I believe they'll win the SEC. I think the D will reduce ppg down to around 19-21 this year. That is good enough to win the SEC if you can score points.

Posted by pdhuff on April 17, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We'll see. I agree Stafford is a hit-miss but occasionally he flings one like the stunning pass to beat Bama. Talk about a dagger. What'd he have against us, 400+?

Fla should be a 9-3 - 10-2 team. I've never figured out why we seem to go into dreamland playing them. I thought it was Spurrier at one time, but it continues today. Maybe it is talent along with coaching. Fla seems to wear out toward the end of the year. I wish we played them in late Oct instead of the bunch we play.

I could be wrong on the Dogs, but they are deep and fast. No kool-aid, just believe in giving credit where its due. They finished #2. That's not kool-aid, that's doing it!

If the "D" can hold teams to your 19 ppg, I agree. We'll know by the 4th game. If not.......

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 17, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt, once again I agree with your analysis, but in addition to our O and D, there is also special teams. Its weird that we may have some questions at the beginning of the season about our punters/kickers, usually an area of strength for us. On the other hand, I feel a little better about our return game than I did going into last season.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 17, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Spam247buster, thanks for the update on places on the Strip. I have to shake my head and grin to hear you guys tell how much its changed ... since the 90's, and I was thinking early 70s! I remember when the Copper Cellar first opened as one of the new places on the strip. But its good to hear that there is still a Sam and Andy's out there somewhere and I may have to go to North Knoxville just to find them.

Posted by gatorfan8 on April 17, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yall bit*&%es cant win against us ever so forget it

Posted by sjt18 on April 17, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

orangeblood, You are probably right. IMO everything except kickoff's will be OK. I think Lincoln can get the FG's down. Cunningham might be a yard or two short of a Colquitt but net yardage should be good. Return teams should be very good.

Posted by sjt18 on April 17, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff,

I hate UF but in all honesty UT should be their biggest hurdle. LSU and Ole Miss play at the Swamp. Arkansas is their other West draw.

By the time UGA plays them they will have played a stretch that goes like this: @USCe, @Az St, Bama, open, UT, Vandy, and @LSU. During the same period, UF will have had this: open, @UT, Ole Miss, @Ark, LSU, open, UK.

UGA will be beaten up. UF should be in better shape.

FWIW, I'd much rather have UCLA and Neuheisel this year than ASU and Erickson. ASU has had the talent to compete for the Pac 10 for several years. He got them to 10-3 last year and in contention. They bring alot of players back. Erickson has been a winner everywhere he's gone. Neuheisel has run two programs into the ground.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 17, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18, hope you're right on Bolden and I haven't seen the Langley info confirmed anywhere else.

Posted by westennvol on April 17, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

any word on Chris Donald? Saw him a bunch in HS football, highly recruited, but no stories or even if he is still alive?

Posted by invisiblekid on April 17, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Biggest concern I see with us against UCLA is not so much they beat us but we beat ourselves. With the travel and the atmosphere of being on the big stage on Monday night, it almost sets up like a bowl game and I don't need to remind anyone of some of our recent bowl adventures.

Posted by westennvol on April 17, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

why do damn gator fans always get on our message board? geez, guess they r thru stroking each other's heismann's so, the welfare line must be full of them today....

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 17, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'kid, you have a point that we have some young players who may have some jitters and make some mistakes, opening on the road on TV. But their talent should make some positive excitement as well.

You wrote:

"I don't need to remind anyone of some of our recent bowl adventures."

Well, our most recent was a W, wasn't it?

And in the big hoopla away game just before that, we were leading in 4th quarter vs. what would be proclaimed best team in the nation; an L, but a creditable performance in numerous ways. Nonetheless, those '07 Vols are history.

We could look back to bowl games even further distant if we wanted to, but those would have nothing to do with Coach Clawson, Eric Berry, Crompton, Rogan, Willingham, Creer, Ben Martin, Dan Williams, etc.

Posted by invisiblekid on April 17, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OrangebloodGMC, fair points about the win over Wisconsin and the fact that our current players don't have anything to do with events that took place 8 years ago. However, I am not going to overlook the fact that we have a 3-5 record in our last 8 bowl games with a couple of the constants in those games being the head coach and defensive staff. The Vols have shown up flat for bowl games and not shown up at all for big games on occassion. The SECG was indeed a very credible performance, but the team tightened up and made mistakes when it counted the most.

Getting back to UCLA for a minute, notice that I didn't say we were going to lose or that I see any problems with matching up against them. I just believe that this is a big game on a national stage and, IF some of the Vols recent history is repeated, it could make for a long Monday night.