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Strange: What happens next is up to players

By Mike Strange (Contact)
Originally published 09:59 p.m., April 19, 2008
Updated 09:59 p.m., April 19, 2008

The scoreboard hit zeroes. The horn sounded. It was over.

Spring practice, I mean. Within minutes, a stadium workman had stripped the big orange pad off the goal post and lugged it to a storage room where it will stay until August.

The Orange and White Game on Saturday brought the curtain down on a pivotal spring practice for Tennessee. As the crowd drifted out of Neyland Stadium, the coaches were already suffering coaching remorse.

"I wish this was one and we had 14 more to go,'' said new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson.

Only 14? Don't let your boss hear that.

"I'd like to have about 30 more days of spring practice,'' said UT coach Phillip Fulmer with tangible enthusiasm. "It's the best time.''

And now, for a coach, comes the worst time.

For fans, the countdown is on until the season-opener at UCLA on Sept. 1. For the coaches, however, the clock is ticking until early August, the first day of fall camp.

Until then, by NCAA decree, they have minimal contact with their players.

It will be nearly four months before Fulmer can again assemble his team on the practice field. And, make no mistake, for most coaches, the practice field is their favorite place. They absolutely revel in spring practice.

"Some of the guys are just starting to understand how to play the game,'' Fulmer said. "Now, it's over.''

A lot can happen between now and August, when the coaches regain control of their players' lives. Some of the possibilities make a coach pucker up.

What a football team does between spring and fall practice will say a lot about how it fares in the coming season. Fulmer and his staff met with the team on Friday to drive that point home.

"The leadership has got to be there,'' Fulmer said. "I told them I don't want any darn phone calls at two o'clock in the morning. About anything.''

Most of the players will stay on campus for summer school. They'll lift weights, go to class, work out informally on their own. Study videotape on their own.

On their own being the operative phrase.

"We're to the point now we know what must be done,'' said safety Demetrice Morley. "We don't need the coaches to tell us what to do all the time.''

They will at least have imposing figures like senior offensive lineman Anthony Parker telling them what to do. Parker, by now, knows the drill. And if he told me to lift weights at 6 a.m. I'd be there.

"You can either work extremely hard or you can get really lazy,'' Parker said. "It's a point where the older guys have to be leaders and encourage everybody to work hard.''

So off they go into this next phase. Parker signified the transition Saturday by getting his long hair cut off in the end zone after the game.

Teammate Arian Foster did the honors. It was Parker's first haircut, by his estimation, since before the eighth grade.

"I'd been thinking about it a couple of months,'' he said, tufts of his former locks scattered on the turf.

Thinking, perhaps, he'll be a little cooler through the hot months of lifting and running to come.

For now, there are recruiting trips for the coaches and fund-raising chores for Fulmer. Because of new NCAA legislation, head coaches can't go out recruiting during the month of May.

As much as he'd like to be on the road, Fulmer plans to turn the banishment into a positive.

"I made appointments with about 40 players,'' he said. "I'm going to look 'em in the eye.

"We'll have some heart-to-heart discussions.''

The importance of this particular spring and summer to Tennessee can't be overstated.

A familiar offensive system has been drastically overhauled by a new staff. Fifteen days of spring practice only go so far.

"There has to be carryover through the summer,'' Clawson said. "If we feel like we're starting from square one when we get to camp, we're in trouble.''

In the bigger picture, the 2008 season will be a reminder that it's been 10 years since the Vols last won an SEC title.

Fulmer described the spring as "fragmented.'' Besides the usual surgical rehab absences there were a couple of guys getting in trouble early, a few more missing practice later to attend to academic issues.

"When we get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team,'' Fulmer said. "We really can.''

For the next few months, this team will be pulling on its own, with no coach to pound out the cadence.

As to whether it pulls in the same direction, we'll find that out in August.

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       56 Comments

Posted by txvolsfan on April 19, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The summer is truly when Al Wilson and other leaders took their teams to another level!!!
CAN'T WAIT TILL UCLA
GOVOLS!!!!!

Posted by smashmouth98 on April 19, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

let's stay out of trouble and keep building towards a great year!!

Posted by DaddyVol on April 19, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, it might be a task becuase they have good coaches, but we are gonna handle ucla. GOVOLS!

Posted by Bigger_Al on April 20, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No telling what "Tuscaloosa John" Adams might write so that he can get a check from Bama Radio, but now is the time to get excited about next season!

Posted by DCSOvol on April 20, 2008 at 2:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I love you John Adams. Better an honest journalist than a homer cheerleader. I may not always agree with him, but I do respect him. He was dead on about Fulmer.

Posted by DCSOvol on April 20, 2008 at 2:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John Adams is one of the best writers in the Southeast. We are lucky to have him. During the good or during the bad, he is not afraid to tell the truth.

Posted by rockytop47 on April 20, 2008 at 3:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys are stupid! That was Mike Strange! Hello!

Posted by sjt18 on April 20, 2008 at 4:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSOvol, you can't be dead on when most of your justification for your opinion is either factually false or non sequitur.

Posted by hcjournals on April 20, 2008 at 6:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSO-

Your tone is not warranted. Chill out. The glass is half full. Go coach the YMCA team, then come back and tell us about how easy it is to coach...................

Posted by General_Fritter on April 20, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't give a fritter about John Adams. Mike Strange is the man!

Posted by khelton657 on April 20, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So far our team leadership appears headed in the opposite direction as UCLA's..thank goodness ....gotta love a team mutiny

Posted by General_Fritter on April 20, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

khelton657 - I can't find any news except 2006 news on a team mutiny at UCLA. I see where Norm Chow is now at UCLA. They are breaking in a new QB and their secondary is young. They've got a good DL even though they lost their speedster at DE.

Posted by DSaVol on April 20, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FOOLmer quote of April 19: "When we get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team,'' Fulmer said. "We really can.''

FOOLmer quote of Sept. 2: "When we get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team,'' Fulmer said. "We really can.''

FOOLmer quote of Sept 21: "When we get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team,'' Fulmer said. "We really can.''

FOOLmer quote of Sept 28: "When we get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team,'' Fulmer said. "We really can.''

FOOLmer quote of Oct 12: "When we get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team,'' Fulmer said. "We really can.''

FOOLmer quote of Oct 26: "When we get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team,'' Fulmer said. "We really can.''

FOOLmer quote of Nov 2: "When we get everybody healthy and pulling in the same direction, we can have a darn good team,'' Fulmer said. "We really can.''

FOOLmer quote of DECEMBER 24, 2005: "It was kind of like the Perfect Storm,"

History in the RE-making!

Posted by DSaVol on April 20, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey General - get a clue man - UCLA has TWO QBs who've BOTH started games the last 2 years. They are not "breaking in a new QB!" Chow is going to embarrass Chavis and on Sept. 2 all the blind loyalists will be asking "Why didn't we go get Chow?"

Posted by pdhuff on April 20, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Doldrums have settled over the land. Soon "ten years" type comments from Strange will be forgotten.

Orange koolaid will ferment quietly over the summer and then, the big "We're # 1 " foam fingers will reappear. Koolaid will boil.

Sept 1 will tell us if we're staying the course and working like heck.

Or for yet another "next year"..........

Posted by DSaVol on April 20, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

3,422 DAYS SINCE TN's LAST SEC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. 'NUFF SAID.

Posted by ThurmondEppy on April 20, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DSaVol- Just go away.

Posted by hueypilot on April 20, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

DSaVol!!! You're back. Still want that guy from out West somewhere? ASU or Arizona wasn't it? Is he even still in football?

Posted by DCSOvol on April 20, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DsA, while I don't think the sky has fallen yet, you quote Fulmer very well.

Posted by KnoxVox on April 20, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't this the same bunch that said Fulmer would never win the east last year?
Don't give much creedence to haters!

Posted by FWBVol on April 20, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI, the UCLA team mutiny occured last week. Apparently there is a longtime tradition at UCLA that all the players "go over the wall" one practice during the spring taking a cut day. Nuehuesel (spelling), who was part of the tradition in his day witht he Bruins, asked the players not to do it this year because they are learning a new system. The players didn't respect his wishes and went AWOL. I guess they don't care as much about football as the Vols.

Posted by cjraney on April 20, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSO-
I haven't read an Adams article since "the article." Just can't support a "journalist" who engages in half-truths, cherry-picking facts, and speculation presented as factual. Its amazing how much better I feel & I recommend this therapy to all Vol fans.

KHB-whaddya think buddy?

Posted by stroker on April 20, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You go cjraney
DCSOvol You cannot suport VOl FB and Adams. He went on enemy radio sports talk and trashed the VOls. It will be used against the Vols in recruiting. Vols and Adams an oxymoron.

Posted by givehim6 on April 20, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I remermber in '06 the team used the time off for summer looking at Cal. tapes studying for how to beat Cal. '07 vols just spent the summer how ever. We all know the way there first games turned out. Vols do not be lazy, ok. GO VOLS!

Posted by 55Vol on April 20, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DsaVol.you predicted a total flop last season and then provided excuse after excuse to back your self rather than just say you were wrong. You are farting dust old man...same s---, different day. Farting dust. Go to the Riverwalk and fall in.

Posted by DCSOvol on April 21, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No, John just had the courage to speak his mind. While I may not agree with his antics in Alabama, I respect anyone who will stand by what he writes, no matter the pressure he receives. That is referred to in other circles as integrity.

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 4:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSOvol, no probelm with him speaking his mind. It is the fabrications and non sequitur arguments I have a problem with. Basically, he built his case on a bunch of false premises then went to print with it... then basked in the afterglow.

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 4:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DSa said:

"UCLA has TWO QBs who've BOTH started games the last 2 years. They are not "breaking in a new QB!" Chow is going to embarrass Chavis and on Sept. 2 all the blind loyalists will be asking "Why didn't we go get Chow?""

It is you that needs to get a clue. No. They won't be breaking in a new QB. They'll have two QB's that have started plus one other starter return on O. OTOH, they lose their best two WR's and their whole OL plus the RB Markey.

Basically the same story for them on D. They lose 8 or 9 starters and 8 of their top 10 tacklers.

By virtually every direct account that's been given by pro-Fulmer, anti-Fulmer, pessimistic, optimistic, kool-aid drinker, delusionally negative, etc fan is that this team is better on D. They are cautiously optimistic with the O.

Of course, don't let silly things like facts get in the way of your blathering non-sensical tirades... you'd have to be taken seriously if you ever showed any balance, objectivity, or respect for facts.

Posted by wjackson on April 21, 2008 at 6:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You had to know DCSOvol was going to back John. He is in love with him. His own words. Hmmm. Something we should all know????

Posted by sjt18 on April 21, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great calls by DSa:

- "Foolmer and staff to not show up or perhaps hell freezing over."

On Poll: What will have to happen for UT to beat Arkansas?

-"More of the same. But what should we expect from a coach who said his defense saved the game after they give up 500 yards to a mediocre crowd like SC. Darren McFadden please prepare to secure your Heisman - consider it a gift in return for the one Mr. Stoerner bestowed upon the Vols several years ago. It's all just gotten way too sad for me to even rant anymore."

Prior to UT beating Ark and limiting McFadden.

-"And please don't spend any of your kids Christmas money on Atlanta tix or reservations cause it ain't gonna happen folks!"

re the 2007 SEC CG.

-"That reason still exists and no matter how loudly the supporters want to talk about eating crow today even they know in their hearts that things are not and have not been good when a solid win over a highly overrated GA team brings so much satisfaction."

That "overrated" UGA went on to finish 2nd in the nation.

Posted by THE_VOL on April 21, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And the kool-aid flows......

Posted by cjraney on April 21, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kool-aid river take my mind.....(apologies to Willie)

Posted by VOLstuckINky on April 21, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

drink up boys ....

Posted by givim6 on April 21, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18: Thats giving DSa a good ol smackdown thats well deserved!

As far as Adams is concerned. He's a rabble rouser. He's talented, but he's is still a JERK.

Good writers write the truth as they see it. Adams writes and speaks to incite and enflame, regardless of what the truth may be.

Posted by bigfan502 on April 21, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The game with UCLA on September 6th, will be the VOLS , I Count 12th time to play in California. For some reason the VOLUNTEERS have only won two games...count them...only two games. The VOLS appear to play like they have that deer-look in the headlights, each time. It appears they are intimidated in La-La-land. The local sports media seem to pick up on that and show little respect, thus the local crowd are not that enthused and relatively small crowds show up to see the VOLS in action. And as the local sportswriter for KNS, TOM SILER, once complained that the Los Angeles media virtually ignored The VOLS, as there was not one word in Media about the Tennessee-Bruins game the day before the game. C'mon VOLS, pay them back for not respecting your team...AS "BEAR" Bryant was quoted as saying, " you win games by out-conditioning your opponents." YOU HAVE THE SUMMER TO GET READY. Let your goal be to win the UCLA game. As Coach Bryant once said, " We should win if we can keep our minds off Hollywood." Hollywood is a myth..you are not going to see any stars.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 21, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 went off like a midnight train. Dang. You da man!

Posted by General_Fritter on April 21, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heh DSA - aren't you the guy that said free throw shooting doesn't matter? You and Calapari need to get together and have a tea party.

Posted by volguy40 on April 21, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigfan502...just for your info...on Sept 6th...you will be watching reruns.....the game has been moved to 9/01/2008...go vols and FLUCK FORIDA

Posted by DCSOvol on April 21, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, I just refuse to give in to the weenies who bash Adams for speaking his mind. Also, I don't think Adams went after Fulmer without some gas in the tank. I think he, in his own perspective, has had enough of Fulmer, and is willing to say so. Being the editor of the KNS, he knew he was taking a big risk, and I don't think he did it lightly.

Posted by sjt18 on April 22, 2008 at 5:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's only worse if Adams didn't do it lightly. Trying to justify a "fire him" position on what players did years after they left UT was worse than ridiculous. If he'd been a lawyer, he'd have been laughed out of court or maybe even disbarred for some of his fabrications.

I truly have no problem with him as a journalist saying what he believes and supporting it with fact (although he should count the costs before doing so). He could have made all kinds of good points about how a lack of discipline and misplaced loyalties had cost the Vols under CPF. He could have said the game had moved beyond Neyland's Maxims but Fulmer hadn't.

There are ways to make a strong case without resorting to the tactics he used.

Posted by sjt18 on April 22, 2008 at 5:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"No, John just had the courage to speak his mind. While I may not agree with his antics in Alabama, I respect anyone who will stand by what he writes, no matter the pressure he receives. That is referred to in other circles as integrity."

No. Integrity would be building a fair and truthful case to back up your opinion... not defending arguments that are so obviously NOT HONEST.

Again, there is a case to be made against CPF. I don't personally think it is strong enough yet but it can be made. It is simple enough to just say "He can't win the big one".

Posted by pdhuff on April 22, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 -has the reason Tenn has not won the SEC in nearly 10 years laid at Adams' feet or the beloved Fulmer?

Just curious.......

Posted by Colliervol on April 22, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Norm Chow will embarrass Chavis." You mean sort of like he embarrassed all those NFL defenses during his tenure with the Titans? Yep, he's another Bill Walsh for sure. Personally, I haven't seen anything special out of Chow since he left all that talent at Southern Cal.

Posted by bigfan502 on April 22, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This upcoming season should be named " THE RODNEY DANGERFIELD TEAM, especially when they play in California...THEY GET NO RESPECT.

Posted by pdhuff on April 22, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Colliervillevol 9:00am - true, the little I watched the Titans, it was possibly the worst offense I had seen in pro football.

We can hope he doesn't readjust too quickly to the college game again. There was a rumour that Vince Young couldn't grasp anything he tried to teach. Who knows!

Posted by cjraney on April 22, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCSO-
So when Adams speaks his mind about Fulmer its called "integrity" but when Vol fans speak their mind about Adams they're "weenies?"

Posted by sjt18 on April 23, 2008 at 2:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff, CPF has been the HC at UT during that period and even though he's been to 4 of the last 7 SEC CG's... it is his responsibility. You know I've said that many times... and been fairly specific in my charges that he failed to lead, failed to discipline, and failed to see the need to replace Sanders about 4 years before it was finally done.

OTOH, Adams yellow journalism could cost UT in future recruiting or national stature... you know those DT's you keep talking about that apparently almost never grow up in Tennessee... Some of the recruiting gurus openly speculated that a few of the prospects UT "almost" had went elsewhere because of doubts about CPF's job security.

Posted by pdhuff on April 23, 2008 at 5:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18-2:54 am -fairly said.

Also it should be the "DT's" we wish we could talk about, that is the ones we don't have. And any "job security" issues CPF may have had or does have can be answered by him simply looking in the mirror. $38,000.00 per week can do that to one.

Enjoy the doldrums and don't work too hard.

Posted by sjt18 on April 23, 2008 at 5:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, FSU's best WR just got arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and marijuana possession... I guess Fulmer should be blamed for that one too. He probably recruited the guy and that influence caused him to commit crimes two or three years later.

I wonder why Adams didn't make that connection? If CPF is responsible for the problems guys have after leaving... shouldn't he be responsible for problems that guys have at other schools if he recruited them?

Posted by sjt18 on April 23, 2008 at 5:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff, DT's come from the strangest places these days... The way Chavis plays them light almost any highly recruited DT would have to go one a Jarrod Shaw/Dan Williams diet plan before he'd let them play. I don't like it but due to Chavis' philosophy bulking up former DE's is the better way to go.

Cory Hall is a guy I think we'll all end up enjoying talking about. Not many people agree but I think Aaron Douglas looks like a better DT prospect than TE. Thomas, the OL UT picked up this year, has the right frame and physical make up for an SEC DT.

DE looks decent for the future. Fowlkes will probably end up there. Bohannon could eventually be a DT or DE. I'm guessing that Walls will be a DE at UT. Walker and Martin have 3 more years.

Rufus Williams seems to be a true DE. He apparently hasn't gained any weight. However, Sykes is supposedly around 250-260 now. He could potentially bulk up and play DT.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 23, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

$38,000 a week and worth every penny. I wouldn't give you a fritter for any other coach in the country. I like Fulmer because he likes fritters almost as much as I do.

Posted by pdhuff on April 23, 2008 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen F - 6:46pm- It is unfair to invoke the "liking the Fritter rule" in making a point.

There is simply no logical retort.

Game and match!

We must all bow to the King of the Glazed.

Posted by bigfan502 on April 23, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Please boys, cut down on the critical remarks about the KNS writers..its only hurting the VOLS. It could put a bad taste in the mouth of future VOL recruits...All coaches will tell you that you win with the best talent. Even the "BEAR" once said, " its funny the better players I have the better coach I become.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 24, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why bring up Bear Bryant up - he's got to be dust by now? 1982 - you kdding me? Fulmer is the new kid in town.

Posted by pdhuff on April 24, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen F - Bear Bryant and Fulmer should not even be in the same sentence.

Per your keen insight big Phil will hoist the Grail. UCLA should tremble at his coming.

How many gallons of koolaid has Dupree turned out so far?

Posted by General_Fritter on April 25, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dupree is still screaming like a little girl and running naked all over Halls Crossroads. He ain't right I tell you.

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