Packer: Martin aware of what Crompton is sensing

If there's anyone who knows how Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton is feeling right about now, it's former UT quarterback Tee Martin.

"This time 10 years ago we were just a week away from the season opener against Syracuse," Martin said from his home in Atlanta.

"I was just beginning to feel that it was my team. You have to realize that for my first two years at Tennessee it was Peyton's (Manning) team. I couldn't really ask questions in position meetings because I wasn't the guy who was going to play on Saturday. Finally, I knew that this was my team. I was the leader. I was the quarterback. I would be a huge part of how good or bad we were going to be as a team."

"Jonathan does have an advantage over where I was at this time. He's at least played some meaningful snaps. He was forced to play against LSU and Arkansas two years ago when Ainge was hurt. He's been there for a while. He knows the personnel. The big adjustment for Jonathan now is that the coaches are now calling the plays for his skill set. For three years he's sat in meetings and had to let Erik Ainge ask all the questions because Ainge was the guy they were trying to get ready for Saturdays.

"It's a big adjustment for him because now he gets to say what he's thinking, and he gets to ask what he wants to ask. He gets to tell the coaches that he doesn't like a play and would feel more comfortable running something else. It is critical that the offensive coordinator and quarterback think alike. And, the only way that can happen is for both to be able to open and honest with each other. For the first time in his career, Jonathan is having the opportunity to be open and honest about how he feels."

Martin should know very well how things are going between offensive coordinator Dave Clawson and Crompton because he visits with both on a regular basis. It's not that he's trying to tell either how to do his job. It's more that there are few people who can relate to both of them like he can.

"You have to realize that I played for multiple coordinators just like Jonathan. I sat behind a four-year starter just like Jonathan. And, I had my frustrations playing the waiting game just like Jonathan."

Martin's frustrations were so much his freshman year that he seriously considered leaving Tennessee.

"There was a lot going through my head when I sat behind Peyton. When he made the announcement that he was coming back for his senior season I had real mixed emotions. I knew that it was better for the team, but I also knew it meant another year of waiting for me. It was a big deal to me to be the starter for three years. I thought it would give me time to adjust to the role of being the starter, and then the chance to have success because of that adjustment period. When Peyton came back, I used that sophomore year as a chance to really listen and learn. I remember meeting with Coach (Phillip) Fulmer around that time and asking him where I fit in.

"My maturity really began that sophomore year. My freshman year I didn't ask Peyton many questions. But, that sophomore year I was asking him things all the time, and he was great about helping me along. Peyton was a great friend, and has been over the years.

"What gave me confidence was the Orange Bowl in that sophomore season. We didn't know if Peyton was going to play or not leading up to the game, so I prepared as though I was going to play. As it turned out, I got in late after the game had already been decided. I remember going into the huddle and the guys looked at me and said, 'OK, let's go.' It wasn't like I was the backup. They looked at me like it was my team. I think the success I had in that game gave me the confidence I needed heading into the offseason."

There were a number of plays in that national championship season that Martin could call the biggest. He came up with several in our conversation.

"I think that fourth down against Syracuse was a big one. I knew it was a big play, but I never felt pressure in a game. Our coaches had done such a great job of preparing us that it didn't bother me that we had to make something happen. I remember walking up to the line, knowing the game was on the line, and thinking that I'd done this hundreds of times already against a better defense than this one. Coach Fulmer would always yell in practice that it was fourth-and-10 and we had to make a play. When he yelled that, I was going against our defense in practice. Well, I always thought that our defense was better than anybody's else's, and if I could do against Al Wilson, Deon Grant and the rest of those guys, I knew I could do it against somebody else.

"To be real honest, our defense was so fast that it made the games seem like they were in slow motion. There were two big plays in the Florida game that year, and one most people don't even think of. Of course one was the scramble in overtime that put us in field goal range. There's another instance of how great coaching prepared me for that moment. When I came to the line of scrimmage I saw Florida was in a cover-2 defense. In other words, they were playing back so that nothing would get behind them. I knew nothing was going to be open, so I set up in the pocket and waited for the line to get close to me and the defensive backs to settle back in coverage. I never even looked at a receiver to throw the ball. When the defense got where I wanted them to go, I took off and put us in field-goal range.

"The other big play in that game was the Shawn Bryson touchdown run. It was a big play for me because I audibled into that play. I read the defense and switched into that play. Not many people know that, but our preparation taught me to make that audible. Against Auburn that year, my stats were horrible. But, there were a number of audibles that I made that helped us win the game."

Today Martin is helping to coach high school players at North Atlanta High School. It will come as no surprise that Martin is the offensive coordinator, preparing high school kids to make the same adjustments he did as a player.

"We run a spread with West Coast concepts," Martin said with a chuckle. "Yeah, I know I sound like a coach. I feel real good about how we can be on offense this year."

And, he feels real good about how Crompton will play this year, too.

"Listen man, Crompton's got all the tools," Martin said. "He's a great athlete and he has a great arm. He's got a great offensive coordinator and the best head coach in the business. They're gonna be just fine."

Mark Packer hosts the Locker Room, presented by Parkwest Medical Center, on Sunday at 10 p.m. on MyVLT2.