Erik Ainge used to be a rabid Brett Favre fan, even trying to emulate the former Green Bay Packer great.
That was until coaches discovered some Favre-like tendencies.
"I wasn't allowed to watch him before games because he could do things with his feet out of kilter; I would go play and do the same thing," Ainge said Tuesday from New York Jets training camp on The News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page.
Needless to say, Ainge's results weren't quite the same as Favre's. And despite some early comparisons to his idol as a freshman, Ainge soon turned into more of a technician than a swashbuckler under former UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe.
It will be even more challenging to ignore Favre now that he has been traded to the Jets. Now, Ainge and Favre share the practice field, but not the same approach to playing quarterback.
"You have to take some things with a grain of salt because he is so gifted physically," Ainge said. "You can't try to emulate everything."
Whatever chances Ainge had for playing as a rookie seem all but gone with Favre in New York.
Ainge is competing for the third quarterback spot on New York's roster behind Kellen Clemens and Favre, who started 275 consecutive games for the Packers.
"I am a very competitive person and of course I want to play," Ainge said. "But Brett Favre is the quarterback here and that is kind of the end of that conversation.
"I am not going to be upset that I am not playing over Brett Favre."
Ainge's departure last season following an up-and-down UT career opened the door for Jonathan Crompton, who will take over as the starter this season.
Ainge said he hasn't spoken to Crompton lately but feels certain the junior will be able to pick up a new offensive system under first-year UT coordinator Dave Clawson.
"He was always able to pick up everything that Coach Cutcliffe and I were doing and changing every week so I am sure he is doing fine," Ainge said.
Ainge said he has kept in touch with senior tailback Arian Foster, who has given positive reports on the Vols' offseason.
"He was joking (and) said, 'Maybe we will run the ball this year since I won't be there checking to pass plays on third and short every time.' " Ainge said. "He was pretty excited about that."
Being the nephew of Danny Ainge, the executive director of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, certainly helped keep the younger Ainge entertained this offseason, especially as the Celtics won the NBA title by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in April.
"I went to the championship game, game six in Boston," Erik Ainge said. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be in the locker room when they were cracking the champagne bottles and celebrating and all that, it was pretty wild."
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Comments » 57
TopperVol75 writes:
Good luck, Eric. You served us well. If I am first, that is great, but not my mission...get a life!!
mdvol writes:
Needless to say, Ainge's results weren't quite the same as Favre's.
Really?
And please change the headline that says "Ainge played like Favre".
andy112382#209793 writes:
Yea, who started that whole 'First!' stuff anywho?
Good luck, Erik! Make Tennessee proud and compete hard. Too bad the Jets play the weekend of the SEC title game, we'd love to have you come visit the players!
GO VOLS!!!
mdvol writes:
And remind them of the two picks he threw in the 4th qtr against LSU.
golfballs03 writes:
Erik Ainge is nothing like Favre. This is horrible attempt to contrive a story. I'm sure there is something else you can write about.
But seriously, hopefully Erik can learn as much he can from Favre while he's there. That's a great experience.
Need_2_Know writes:
Seems like only yesterday that Ainge was entering his senior year of high school and maintaining a blogspot. I was impressed with his maturity and intelligence when I read his posts, and I still think of him that way. He never quite had that break-out year that I always expected he would but part of that was the change in OCs and part due to some untimely and debilitating injuries. He still performed well enough to win us some games and I wish him all the best in his pro career. If the Jets system turns out to be a good fit, he may become much more than a journeyman QB in the NFL. Time will tell.
Reasonavol writes:
Why are people putting Ainge down. He was a solid quarterback with very little around him. Look at Mechem (sp) who went to New Orleans everybody thought he was all-world. His true abilities showed in the NFL. I would take Ainge any day over Casey Clausen. Manning, Martin, Shuler, Ainge. Granted the passes in the LSU game, both as a Soph and Senior were ridiculous. Not more ridiculous than Clausen fumbling sequential snaps against Florida. Granted he is no Farve, but I like his comments in the article. He is clear about reality. Who I am concerned about is Crompton. Why did Cutcliffe not like him? Does anyone know the story on that. He seems too arrogant. Linebackers can be cocky. QB's under promise and over deliver. Unless you are Broad way Joe.
CoverOrange writes:
Casey Clausen was a good QB that was worn down by Randy Sanders lack of OC abilities.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Orangebrewbasher writes:
Please, Please, PLEEAAASSSSSSSEEEE don't ever say casey clausen was a good QB. That boggles my mind
LiveFaith writes:
**Look at Mechem (sp) who went to New Orleans everybody thought he was all-world. His true abilities showed in the NFL.**
Uhhh, injured? Didn't I just see him on SC the other nite turn a 12 yd strike into a 50yd TD by torching the Cardinals D (pre-season D) and breaking about 92 tackles ... all while still recovering from another injury?
I agree, Ainge certainly had his tough moments, but overall a very positive career at UT. I shudder when fans trash ex-players whose workout and conditioning regimens for 4-5 years require more discipline than those same posters could muster in 3 entire lifetimes.
Gotta respect your guys no matter what IMO.
iowavol writes:
Ainge will probably make it on the cerebral part of the game. I wish him best. And, oh yeah Andy, it doesn't matter who started it - it only matters that evertime some puts first on their post, they are dating themselves - as in the under 12 age group. Reminds me of my boys in their first vacation - I'm first, no I am, no you're not, yes I am...and so on... I think they were 7.
ZR writes:
If Ainge had a thenth of the toughness Casey Clausen did, Ainge would have not have played scared and choked so much. When times got tough late in the game, even the Cutcliffe version of Ainge got nervous and threw it up for grabs. SEC Championship game is a great example, as is losing to Florida in Neyland in 2005 (flung 15 yards from Meachem into 3 Florida defenders. Vols needed 15 yards to kick a FG and win).
Clausen's Sophomore year was one of the best year's ever by a Tennessee QB, it got him preseason ALL-SEC over Eli Manning. Ainge may be better, but Clausen delivered on 4th and 19 and Ainge choked.
But Clausen regressed each year because Philly Fullmer kept a tight leash on Randy Sanders. Why? If the deep cut in his back has healed, ask John Majors. He knows.
gnm53108 writes:
Good luck Erik.
Proud of all our former VOLS.You gave me some great memories that I will cherish the rest of my life.
Now,Where are them Bruins.
budrhon writes:
Sounds as though some folk will never forget Ainge's last game against LSU. Tough way to be remembered. It is what it is though. Perhaps he'll (Ainge)get his shot when Favre gets $40 million from the Jets to stay retired after a season or two. He better hope the Jets O line is as good as the one in Green Bay or his season might be real short.
gnm53108 writes:
givim6...hahaha.
newtonrail writes:
Ainge played well for us for 3 years. Casey Clausen gave it his All for four.. You got that foreverorangeeeeeeee!! I would like to see you play with some of the injuries he played with, and still managed to succeed.
gnm53108 writes:
newtonrail...Would have loved to see Casey with a better offensive cord.I think he did a great job and I'll always remember him for that Alabama game.
Sanders was just in over his head.Atleast at that time of his career.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!
andy112382#209793 writes:
iowavol, good point. Kind of goes along with the whole 'we should thank people who get whacky hair cuts, tattoos all over, piercings in places no one should have piercings because otherwise we might think they were normal' - more of a public service letting us know their age group.
Stumps writes:
how did Clausen end up in this discussion?
Ainge was OK, but not consistent, and he never delivered on the promises - he was suppose to be a deep ball threat that could score quickly.
Personally, I will always remember Ainge as the guy who single-handedly blew the 2007 SEC championship. Thanks. Best of luck with the Jets, who have already cut Pennington, so my advice would be to rent in NY, not buy.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
clausen did a lot with frankly limited physical tools. damn, some of you are fools. clausen came within one play of so of getting us to the NC. If Battle holds the interctiption....
As for Ainge, everyone equates 'tall' with 'deep ball'. Erik was all about managing the game and getting the ball out to the playmakrers quickly. As we all know, the talent level has been down for a few yeara. Good talent, but not great talent.
In my view, as time goes on, Casey will get more credit than he does now, and Erik will settle into the list of 'okay' qb's.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
Casey had ALL, I mean ALL, the talent around him. Kelly Washington, Donte Stallworth, and Jason Witten to throw to, while travis stephens and cedrick houston were running the ball. If Ainge had half that much around him while at UT we probably would have won a NC. I'll Never forget the Pro scout's quote at the NFL combine on Casey: "He has a weak arm, he runs slow, not very accurate, and on top of it all, he probably has the worst attitude of anyone out here." LMAO
Orangebrewbasher writes:
Please, I mean Please try to defend Casey some more, I can go on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on about how bad Casey absolutely sucked. LMAO
jasonn1970 writes:
Ainge played like Favre?!?!?
I want some of what Dave's been smoking the past 4 years.
19 days until a refreshing new era begins.
Sheepscape writes:
Did Casey have that level of talent in 2002 and 2003? No, of course not. Washington was injured in 2002, Witten left after that rotten season as had Stallworth after 2001. Casey was the starter only halfway throughout 2000 and therefore only played with extreme talent for 1.5 years of his career. Travis Stephens wasn't here either after 2001.
Casey had balls of solid rock, evident by playing in the six overtime game versus Arkansas in 2002, and diving for the pylon in the overtime epic against Bama in 03.
For people not to recognize his contributions during the Randy Sanders era belies a lack of understanding of the game.
Sheepscape writes:
And I might add, he broke his collarbone in that six overtime Arkansas game as well.
drwfocus writes:
FUWLH
Orangebrewbasher writes:
Sheep,
I didn't say anything about his toughness, I'm just pointing out that he was not a good quarterback. When I said he played with stephens and that bunch I was referring to the one year TN had a NC quality team(not to mention the defense might have been the best TN has ever had that year.) Yeah, he didn't have those players the other years, and we were a very average football team.
Sheepscape writes:
Yeah, we were really good in 2001 no question. That year will go down as one of Coach Fulmer's biggest missed opportunities. Win the SEC that year, and people are probably a little more forgiving now.
I still think people don't give Casey his due, but you are welcome to your opinion.
NJVol writes:
I can't stand that people are always hating on one game or play and can't let it go. It is always, "He was great, but remember that interception...fumble or whatever". Get off of Clausen's back. People always go back to that Florida game with the fumbled exchanges. I was there and I was pi$$ed at the time (also remember it wasn't a nice sunny day). Clausen did so many more positive things than negative. He wasn't given opportunities, because of Sanders and his WRs leaving early for the NFL. Think about it, Washington, Witten and Stallworth all left early. Think of what Clausen would have done if they stayed. His leading receiver his SR year was
Mr Waste of talent, James Banks for God's sake.
And who cares what NFL scouts said about him. I care what he did at UT, dot what he was supposed to do or not do in the NFL.
Same could be said for Foster's fumbles, Stephen's fumble, Ainge's interceptions....
Move on people
lilmoorevols writes:
Casey Clausen was the "ICE MAN"
BillBrasky writes:
"I didn't say anything about his toughness, I'm just pointing out that he was not a good quarterback. When I said he played with stephens and that bunch I was referring to the one year TN had a NC quality team(not to mention the defense might have been the best TN has ever had that year.) Yeah, he didn't have those players the other years, and we were a very average football team."
What in the heck are you basing your opinion off of?!? Casey won in the Swamp twice, won at Miami, won overtime games, played hurt, wasn't afraid to take a hit(unlike Ainge), never made excuses even though fans(like you) never embraced him...he was clutch in the heat of battle and when we needed a big play he usually delivered....to say he wasnt a good player is ignorant...you obviously dont understand the game....you cant a be a 4-year starter at an SEC school at QB and NOT be a good player...especially at Tennessee....go crawl under a rock..
TommyJack writes:
We will never know the extent of the harm Cutcliffe caused by playing an injured Ainge over a healthy Crompton last season. Unforgiveable.
Sheepscape writes:
Well, given that Ainge was injured on bone headed calls in 2004 and the ridiculous draw play in 2006 I'm not sure what the last few years would have held.
Ainge's injury in 2004 cost us much more than we realize on face value. Not only did we lose the Notre Dame game on Clausen's second half pick six, but we were given the fool's gold in the Cotton Bowl that Rick Clausen could compete in the SEC. The folly of QB rotation when not contrasting styles(Schaffer and Ainge were effective, Clausen and Ainge were not) bore out in 2005. The draw play against Carolina in 06 was utter folly. Ainge was never meant for that.
I know people are high on Crompton, and I will wait till the season to make my own judgment. I'll say this, against LSU and Arky in 06 he was less than 50% completion percentage. He had two touchdowns against LSU which is good, but not great...and one of his two scores against Arky was a junk score with literally seconds on the clock. His mop up duty in the last couple of years isn't really germane to his experience as a starter with a full playbook. I'm hoping that since he is now a junior, he is matured and ready to go. If he isn't we are in serious trouble.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
I'm more concerned about Foolmore insisting that we do a wetball drill "every Tuesday" (see Casey and Scott Wells fumblerooski party) just like we work on suprise onsides kicks "every Tuesday" (see Saban catching Foolmore with his pants around his ankles). LMAO!!!!!!!!!
bobbarbilly writes:
Learn all you can from your idol this year Eric because he will surely retire again next March with all of the hype starting around November.
Sheepscape writes:
givim6,
I suppose my primary point is that if Ainge was as bad as his detractors claim, then Crompton should have passed him on merit. I am not immune to arguments from the other side. We just don't know what Crompton is going to give us yet. I rely on his stats from his action in 06, which cannot be denied. I am also willing to give him benefit of having more years under his belt so hopefully his percentage will improve.
I'm glad you are confident, and I really really hope you are right. From what I have seen of him in game situations, he has some drawbacks. Taking care of the ball is paramount, as anyone who has even played at the Jr. High level knows. I don't mind a turnover here or there if someone is out there trying to make a play, but too many of them will kill a team regardless of talent. We'll see. UCLA seems to be regressing with injuries, so hopefully we can get some good work there and against UAB.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Ainge with Favre like tendencies, now thats hard to believe. Thats like comparing a lion to a sheep.
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
I am glad he is gone. I'm looking forward to Compton for two years.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Ainge had a great OC. His downfall was he didnt play as gutsy as he should have, totally opposite of Favre. He has all the tools to be a great QB, but to be great you have to be able to handle the pressure, which if he had of had the guts of a Favre or Tebow, we would have beat LSU in the title game. But I hope Ainge proves me wrong. Playing with Favre might rub off on him.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Isnt Crompton a senior?
Orangebrewbasher writes:
"you cant a be a 4-year starter at an SEC school at QB and NOT be a good player"
Let's see, Brandon Cox was a three or four year man at Auburn, Freddie Kitchens, and Zow at Alabama was a three or four guy, David Greene was a four year starter four Georgia, and they were all very terrible, at least Greene was a good "System Quarterback". The point is that even though all of these guys might have won some big games in their tenures, most of it has to do with the tallent around them, and Casey was our example of that. Basically, i'm saying that if Peyton had played wiht the tallent Casey did, we would have killed the SEC, expecially the Ron Zook led Gator teams that you are so proud of, they were not that great.
jgvol8 writes:
Crompton is a junior
jasonn1970 writes:
The Vols had a great run of QBs from Shuler thru Manning and Martin. There hasn't been a great one since. At least Casey Clausen did win some big road games - especially the '01 Florida game. If Ainge had anything like Clausen's composure he might have been a great one. Maybe Crompton will be the next great one(?)
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
-Crompton worries me, I think he may have 'happy feet' and try to force the ball. We'll see.
-Ainge....wan't prugh the center that missed the block that got Erik whacked against ND?? Some of you will remember the Prugh story (illness, etc). I think he was in on that play. I do agree that Erik was not the same player after that. He used to run the ball (a little), after that, no way.
-Clausen...again, I'll stnad by the argument that Casey did a lot with a weak arm and slow feet.
And now to whine: in 2001, I was REALLY looking forward to seeing John Henderson matched up againtst that big boy from Miami. I had a feeling Big John was going to eat him up. yes, that will always go down as the 'might have been' year for UT. I thought we had a great shot against Miami.
I was worrited going into the sec title game because of Rohan Davey and Toefield. Turns out Mauck was more dangerous, and Davis was quicker than Toefield. dammit, I'll always hate that game.
orangesox writes:
Clausen gets a bum rap. He was a decent QB, just not a physically gifted as some others. That kind of makes some of his accomplishments that much greater...Also, what's with Workin's "Fulmer with pants around the ankles" fetish?
BillBrasky writes:
Let's see, Brandon Cox was a three or four year man at Auburn, Freddie Kitchens, and Zow at Alabama was a three or four guy, David Greene was a four year starter four Georgia, and they were all very terrible, at least Greene was a good "System Quarterback". The point is that even though all of these guys might have won some big games in their tenures, most of it has to do with the tallent around them, and Casey was our example of that. Basically, i'm saying that if Peyton had played wiht the tallent Casey did, we would have killed the SEC, expecially the Ron Zook led Gator teams that you are so proud of, they were not that great.
Not one QB you named started for even THREE years except David Greene, and he beat UT at least 3 times...he might have been ALL-SEC, I'll have to check...
Casey Clausen started AT TENNESSEE for basically 4 years...he was much better than Ainge and he wasn't a wuss....Clausen and Crompton seem to have that same mentality of being mentally tough and physically tough, and they both love competition...and Clausen was money in tough environments..get your facts straight...you're probably one those blockheads that thinks Tee Martin was better than Manning because we won a NC in 98'..
murrayvol writes:
TJ @ 10:48: Perhaps not, but we'll have an inkling by close of business in September.
budrhon writes:
Kosmo I believe your opinion is the one that is moronic and stupid. Granted the Bowl game against Wisconsin was the last game, but ppl will remember the SEC Championship loss to LSU more so than they will a meaningless Bowl game. Ainge's INT against LSU will be thought of more because of the missed opportunity the Vols could have had more so than his stats against the Badgers. Five years from now most ppl will think of two games from Ainge the LSU game I believe in his Sophmore year in Baton Rouge and the SEC Championship game in 08. The question one has to ask is which game was more important the SEC Championship game or the Non-BCS Bowl game? I'll give you a few minutes to ponder on that one. If you looked at my post I was not siding with anyone. Just making an observation. I hope Ainge has a successful NFL career, but if Favre is healthy over the next few years and the Jets O-line holds up, Ainge will be another clipboard carrying sideline signaling QB. You can now go to bed!
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