Dave Hooker audio:
- QB Jonathan Crompton on his UCLA debut
- TB Arian Foster talks about playing in the Rose Bowl where his father played
- Dave Hooker interviews LB Rico McCoy about DT Walter Fisher
- Dave Hooker interviews RB coach Stan Drayton
- Demetrice Morley on playing for UT once again after missing last season
- Eric Berry on preseason expectations, his offseason improvement and competing with UT WR Gerald Jones
- Dave Hooker interviews WR Gerald Jones about competing with S Eric Berry
- Dave Hooker interviews P Chad Cunningham
Tennessee Stat Book
UCLA Bruins
What do North Carolina State, Southern California, San Diego State and the Tennessee Titans have in common?
Aside from the obvious, they've all had equal billing on the marquee in Tennessee's film room this year.
The Vols' offseason film study for Monday night's season opener at UCLA (TV: ESPN, 8 p.m.) had a little bit of everything to get a feel for the Bruins' personnel and new coaches.
"It's kind of like a scavenger hunt, to tell you the truth," sophomore safety Eric Berry said. "We've really just been . . . trying to figure out what we need and been putting the pieces together."
Those pieces are far flung.
To get a feel for UCLA's first-year offensive coordinator Norm Chow, UT's coaches and players have watched film of his last three stops - N.C. State (2000), Southern Cal (2001-2004) and the NFL's Titans (2005-2007).
To get a look at UCLA's starting quarterback, Kevin Craft, they had to view San Diego State's 2006 games and Mt. San Antonio College's 2007 film.
And that, of course, is all in addition to the usual study of UCLA's 2007 games to scout the Bruins' personnel.
Tennessee's search for film is a bit unusual, but then again, openers are uncertain ventures.
"First games are hard, because you really don't know what you're 100 percent going to get," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "But that goes both ways."
This year it does.
In addition to the questions that accompany a season opener, the Vols have a brand-new offense, run by first-year coordinator Dave Clawson. And the Bruins, no doubt, have spent time watching Clawson's offenses from Richmond and Fordham as well as UT tape to scout players.
Clawson said he doesn't put much stock in any potential advantage the Vols' new offense might bring.
"I know what we're going to do, so I'm not worried about that," he said. "I try not to read into that too much. I'm sure they've watched film of Tennessee last year for our personnel and I'm sure they've been watching Richmond film for things we did last year. I'm sure it's a guessing game on their end, too."
Come Monday, it'll be an adjustment game.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis, who has spent the last 19 seasons at Tennessee, says the key to facing the unknown is to leave plenty of room for adjustments.
"You have to be able to adjust, and that's what we're doing," Chavis said. "Our game plan has a lot of adjustment in it. We're going to try to be as flexible as we can obviously without confusing our kids because the best thing that we can do is let our players go out and play."
That's what it's about for Clawson, too.
He said Tuesday that he wants to focus on parts of the playbook his group is comfortable with, which makes the inevitable adjustments that much easier.
"There is going to be a look, a blitz, a coverage that UCLA's going to run that we didn't see on film last year," Clawson said. "I think that's important in any opener that the players are comfortable with the plays you're running, they're able to play fast and if you do that stuff when new looks come up, you can fix them."
But the only certainty on Monday night is uncertainty, even if there aren't as many secrets as there used to be.
"Systems are systems," Fulmer said. "There's so much technology out there that there's not a bunch of secrets, unless you just all of a sudden change to the wishbone. Which we're not going to do."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 101
TNfaninMS writes:
Im not gonna say it but................
TNfaninMS writes:
someone has to.
TNfaninMS writes:
WTF.......When are we gonna hear about G. Williams or how we are gonna beat the ever living s--- out of the cubbies. Lets here for..............FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!! 5 more days LADIES/GENTS
TNfaninMS writes:
Where is everyone? Im lonely
nightxtr4in#451385 writes:
I wanna know about G. Williams too. I hope we get good news on him SOON!!!! Impact Player if he is ok'ed.
Rockytop98 writes:
He's at the 40, 30, 20, 10, 5....TOUCHDOWN BIG ORANGE!! GIVE HIM SIX!!! I can hear it now...IT's FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
MrBamSeydu writes:
I heard there was an issue with the dates in which he took his math class at UT via CC of San Fran. It's possible that he won't get in on some random technicality.
DennisVols writes:
I for one like hearing Clawson talking about making adjustments.
My one big fault with coach Cut was when it didn't work (see UF, Bama last year) we continued to do the same thing as if, if we keep doing this maybe they will change their defense and it will work.
I got so flustrated watching our offense go out and run the same 3 plays they ran the last series that got us a 3 play-punt. Watching a defense play against us that seemed to know what was called in the huddle.
Our defensive problems last year were many, injuries, inexperience, effort just to name a few but one of the biggest problems was the offense failure to subtain a drive of any length (yardage or time) during the 2nd half (again the UF & Bama games)
This years offense will be exciting and will change as the defensive system we face changes.
rthestar#368358 writes:
gw is in
UT4ME writes:
rthestar,
Speak up! What do you really know, if anything?
ibvolman writes:
FREE G. WILLIAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
find out where rthestar lives in case it's a lie or GW isn't in
UT4ME writes:
This Gerald Williams debacle is really pissing me off...and I don't know all the facts, but if he is eligible to play per the NCAA (FACT, explained in detail by Chris Low of ESPN yesterday), and the SEC decides to jerk him around on a technicality after all he's been through, then Slive & Co. can go to He!! Also, given the commitment this man has shown to UT, where is the UT commitment to be ABSOLUTELY, 100% SURE they have him taking the right classes? I'm getting ahead of myself, I know, but like RichRollin, I want to know the deal and NOW. Selfishly, he'd be a great addition to our team, but I've started following this story from the player's point of view after reading all the stories of his long, difficult journey to UT. Low went on to list "Seeing Gerald Williams take the field for the first time in Orange" as one of the Top 25 things he can't wait to see in the SEC in today's blog on ESPN. Seems like everyone is rooting for this guy, except the SEC.
If he gets screwed again, this will hurt UT almost as much as it will this fine young man, as the recruiting slime across the country will be going out of their way to point out how UT blew it with GW after all he went through...again, the facts need to be explained, but facts won't matter to much on the trail if this does not turn out in his favor...
stevefrommemphis writes:
Don't show anything fancy against UCLA. Save the surprises for Florida and Alabama.
jacksfacts writes:
I can't take another opening game loss so I say show whatever you have to. Just get a W. UCLA's D is no joke and I think we'll see a lot of option out of their 2nd string qb. I have no idea what to expect from Clawson but I hope it involves a power running game and some deep throws down the middle to stretch the field. If williams is eligible I think he'll be 1st team all SEC and play like a maniac. GO VOLS 24-14.
BigOrangeVol writes:
OK, Neb. and Bama would use three plays, execute them to perfection and beat the snot out of you every week. Their opponents knew what was coming and simply couldn't stop them. It's not about who has the fancy new playbooks and formations or the up-an-coming new genius coordinator or guru head coach - never has been. It's always been about eleven men playing as one, execution, determination and desire. You people can rip Cut until your last breath but if one or two players don't do their job then no play will work.
miamiVOL writes:
sec office can kiss my grits
Reasonavol writes:
Bigorangevol
Scheme matters, see Meyer, see RichRod, granted team matters more and maybe talent matters most. But don't dismiss the pressure scheme options puts on a defense. Cut was a moderate offensive coach. A talented team with great scheme is better than a talented team without scheme.
BSweet writes:
It seems cruel irony that our game is the very last game of week 1 college FB. I understand the draw of primetime, but man, this wait is excruciating.
orangesox writes:
If you haven't read Lowe's blog on ESPN yesterday, you need to. It sheds some light on GW's situation. It basically implies that he's eligible right now by NCAA standards, but the holdup is SEC eligibility. It also says that he might end up elsewhere (mentions Oklahoma St. and ol' coach Troop by name) if it doesn't work out in his favor this week at UT.
orangesox writes:
Here's the link if you want it to that ESPN article guys.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec/0-1-25...
MidTennVol writes:
So first play should now be the G-Gun from the wishbone, right? Short pass on a slant across the middle to Lucas Taylor after the LBs bite on Jones running...
gnm53108 writes:
Good Lord,the closer I get to monday the more I'm gettin like General_water.
JUST HIT SOMEBODY!
Rip the head off of anything not wearing Orange and White!
And pass the freakin cold frost brewed koolaid.
Go VOLS!
kwvolsfan writes:
Got the Koolaid chilling in the fridge....got the hot wings in the marinade..got the timer set on the telly, and the beer is on ice....Now just need to see some ORANGE & WHITE on the field...
Gawd come on MONDAY night.....IT's FOOTBALL Time In Tennessee.....
ALSO FREE GERALD WILLIAMS....SET HIM FREE....
GreerVol22 writes:
Don't hang the season on whether G. Williams is playing or not....and all the offensive adjustments in the world don't matter a lick if you can't cover a kick...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Greervol-7:29 you old logical hater, you. Take another slurp, you'll be okay.
Speaking of kick, I hope our punter does great. What pressure! Man
Sister story on Tennessean.com-spoprts. UCLA digging down for QBs but this kid threw for a mile almost in JC.
We'll know soon.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
Richrollin @ 6:19... Amen Brother! Unleash the fury that is GW!!!!
Waldorf writes:
I'm just trying to remember the last time Chavis made an in-game adjustment.......
Greyback_Vol writes:
All this uncertainty has sure got me ready for Monday! Can't wait to see what it looks like and how it unfolds.
It's almost here. Go Vols!
Waldorf writes:
Wait, wait general -
Last year against Cal I believe after playing zone and getting ripped to shreds the whole game he started going man and sending the linebackers sometime in the 3rd quarter. Threw Cal off completely. Then the next series he went back to zone for the rest of the game and well, we got shredded again.
threehundredbowler writes:
UT ,I would like to believe,is and has done everything they can to see Gerald Williams makes it to the playing field.GW should have seen to it also.There is such a thing as studying while in High School and earning passing grades.Gerald Williams is to blame,not the coaches,SEC,or the NCAA.We need to start putting blame where blame should be.I hope everything works out for him in life as well as football.
SemperVol writes:
-RichRollin 6:19-
JACK LINKS! What about the office linebacker commercials?....You're posts crack me up.
-threehundredbowler-
He's had a 7-10 split sorta challenge to get dressed up in the Orange over the last 3 years. I love his tenacity to get in the uniform though.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
An interesting blog about the UCLA game and scheming for the "Clawfense". Discussion about defending "spread" offenses. Of note: Failure to wrap up a tackle opens the door for touchdowns when defenses are spread thin.
http://www.bruinsnation.com/2008/8/28...
Yep, thats why Florida smoked us last year. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN, EVER!!!
SemperVol writes:
Over in VolQuest.....
Fulmer said. "Gosh, it's been a month since it's rained, but today it was good. Probably would have liked to have had some more, hard rain (today on the field). Got to handle the wet ball, throw the wet ball, catch the wet ball.....
That last sentence cracks me up.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
go vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is the firs time in a long time not sure what to expect.. don't really know if we'll win them all or lose 4 or 5 games......
what worries me is that if fulmer doesn't let the new OC be himself and call plays as he sees fit during a game we'll still be predictable.
SemperVol writes:
On Marlon Brown, the 4-star prospect from Memphis:
For the 6-foot-5, 205 pound wide receiver, who grew up a Vol fan, the television will be on ESPN Monday night watching the Vols and UCLA play so that Brown can see the Vol offense in action. Brown said he talks with coaches from all the schools in he is interested in including Vol receivers coach Latrell Scott.
Would be a nice in-state pickup.
NJVol writes:
I have to agree that I don't understand how there can be so much indecision with G Williams. You would think a UT Compliance Officer would have been assigned Gerald Williams as his own pet project. Basically, the only thig he would have to do is make sure GW does everything necassary to be eligible. Right classes at the right time and hopefully he gets the grades.
I could see if he didn't make the grades. That would be on GW, but if its because of some timing issue with the class, that is inexcusable on the part of UT administration.
GerryOP writes:
Phil, you're doing a great job! Just a few reminders of some things that need improvement over last year:
1) An onside kick to start the game is legal and some teams still us it. It really deflates a pumped up team. Some teams never recover -- October 20, 2007 - Tuscaloosa, AL - 41-17
2) Those West Coast boys tend to be fast. Run the scouting films at full speed and drop the 5-yard-shadow/matador defense -- September 1, 2007, Berkeley, CA - 45-31.
3) Drop our infamous "prevent offense." That offense was almost absolutely devastating last year ... to us -- 2007 - Kentucky, So Carolina, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin.
4) When leading late in a very important game, never, never, never give your QB the chance to throw a 2nd interception -- December 1, 2007 - Atlanta, GA - 21-14.
5) Demand that every player give 100% on every play in every game ... or turn in their equipment and hit the road -- September 15, 2007 - Gainesville, FL - 59-20.
6) Don't be so arrogant as to flash your "2007 SEC East Championship" pinky ring in public. Also, wearing your "2007 Highest Ranked 4-Loss Team" tee shirt with a tie is rather gauche.
I know Phil, "Nothin' but danged distractions...."
VolFanNC writes:
Free Gerald Williams!!!
I read the blog on ESPN, but I thought that Gerald Williams took summer classes and was enrolled at UT in Late June and Early July. I remember reading articles about him in summer classes. So the new rules shouldn't apply....right?
Anyhow, doesn't the SEC need to rule on this by Friday?
I just don't understand this. I read multiple times this was a done deal. Grades are in order...etc...
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.d...
Moaninglikeheck writes:
GerryOP
I like how points 3 and 4 kind of conflict. Kind of sums up the lameness of Fulmer bashing. "Don't play conservative when you have the lead, but don't let your quarterback play aggressively either." Danged if he does, danged if he doesn't.
LanceR24 writes:
this has to be one of the funniest things i have ever read on ESPN read 2&4
By Mark Schlabach
ESPN.com
Five Things You Might Hear This Week
Armanti Edwards Edwards
1. "Man, I wish that guy was our quarterback."
LSU coach Les Miles as he watches Appalachian State's Armanti Edwards at Tiger Stadium.
2. "What in the hell was that?"
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier to his son, Steve Spurrier Jr., the Gamecocks' new offensive coordinator.
3. "Only 11 more to go."
Syracuse fans watching the Orange lose to Northwestern on Saturday at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill.
4. "Boy, I wish we were playing Alabama."
Louisiana-Monroe coach Charlie Weatherbie, whose Warhawks open the season Saturday at Auburn.
5. "Take me home, country roads."
Rodriguez, the former West Virginia coach, who opens his Michigan tenure Saturday against upstart Utah at Michigan Stadium.
TommyJack writes:
PD, 8:19: Erik Ainge threw for a mile too. Unfortunately, there was heavy collateral damage in the stands.
AGR776_VOL writes:
Does anybody know where you go to make your picks for the Beat John Adams contest??
SemperVol writes:
RichRollin-
I saw that the game Monday night is actually sponsored by JACK LINKS.....'tis a good omen.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec/0-1-26...
Looks like G Williams made it!!!
auttat writes:
Moaning, it says Williams is still waiting to be cleared. No new news in that blog.
SemperVol writes:
I know, Moaning, do not toy.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
LOL, OK...It isn't April 1 but I was bored and wanted to stir some action on the board.
Hopefully we hear something this morning.
auttat writes:
Moaninglikeheck, major props on response to GerryOP. He didn't respond, though...oh well.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Well, we will have an answer on Gerald Williams, good or bad, tomorrow. According to savage's posts from yeserday, the SEC has promised a ruling by tomorrow and if they don't provide it, then it is too late and he'll have to watch this year from the sideline or go elsewhere. I am starting to think that the SEC is out to get us now with the Gerald Williams situation, the Brandon Warren situation, the everybody in the East except Vandy gets a bye week before they play us situation, the subpeona ambush situation, etc...
If they don't clear Gerald it will be a black eye on the SEC and college footabll as a whole. The kid has done everything asked of him now for 3 years and he keeps getting screwed at the last minute every year.
FREE GERALD WILLIAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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