Posted by HotlantaVol on February 13, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Best of luck, Big Al. You are one of the finest ambassadors of the University of Tennessee ever. Any team would be lucky to have you.

Posted by volmattna on February 13, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You are the man big AL. Detroit you better take this guy. He will turn your team around right away. Thanks for the memories BIG AL GO VOLS!!!

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Al Wilson is everything football, and The University of Tennessee should be about.I was born in 76', so in my time #27 was the best defensive player I've seen at UT.Al, when you are done w/ the NFL,I hope you find you're way back to campus.We will be needing a D-coordinator in a few yrs.

Posted by wewhite on February 13, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone who saw Al play before he was injured knows that he is as intimidating a player as Albert Haynesworth.

Posted by Chrisoda751 on February 13, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hope Al catches on with a team that has a shot at a Super Bowl. Indy could use some help.

Posted by jandjhome on February 13, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will always say this man was primarily responsible for us winning the National Championship.

Posted by sjt18 on February 13, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope if Al doesn't make it that he finds a home soon on the UT defensive staff.

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some more good news:Rivals is saying both Rufus Williams and Rae Sykes are on target to be mid term qualifiers next yr ,and should be ready for next spring.They both redshirted last yr and will have 3 yr's eligibility when they come back.

Posted by andefromtn on February 13, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Al, I hope you find a team that you're happy with and that you can make it all the way back to being the player you were. Good Luck

Posted by 48orangenation48 on February 13, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love you Al Wilson, best of luck.

Posted by bigbluevol on February 13, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Al Wilson is a beast. Good luck to him and, as sjt said, maybe one day soon he can join the UT staff. That '98 Florida game is one of the greatest individual performances I've ever seen.

Posted by Volunteerfan on February 13, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with everything that has been said on this post. Not to take away from the offense of the 1998 National Championship team, but I was a student at UT during that season and saw every home game. I honestly believe that our defense that year won us the National Championship. That defense was led by one AL Wilson who had the strength of a lion and the heart of a champion. He was a true leader on the field and more importantly off the field like when he was injured. Hope all goes well for you Al!!

Posted by sjt18 on February 13, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage, Did they mention how much they weigh or if they've been playing DT or DE?

Posted by brdteton on February 13, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Go lay some licks Al! One of the best UT players of all time!!

Posted by BluetickBlues on February 13, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bill Brasky has nothing on Al Wilson. Al Wilson is the most celebrated and beloved Vol defender of the Phillip Fulmer with good reason. His leadership and heart were and still are unquestioned. A true Volunteer legend. Agree with others that he single-handedly willed us to victory in the 98' Florida game. That may have been the greatest game ever played in Neyland Stadium...

Posted by BluetickBlues on February 13, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Era*

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 , Sykes will play inside at DT, and some at DE.Williams has had trouble gaining weight(do to illness) and will play rush end and some OLB.(3-4 style)Sykes is said to be around 255.(was 240)Williams around 220.Coffeyville is replacing all 11 defensive starters ,so both will play a ton.

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way ,Hubbs has been watching the team work out and 7on7 drills.He said Both Crompton and Coleman look very sharp.He also said Ahmad Paige has put on around 20lbs which puts him around 200lbs.6'3 200lbs 4.4 40 remind you of anyone.Say, Meachem?

Posted by frye on February 13, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Indy? Go move there, we live in Tennessee! How about Wilson, Bullock and Thornton. That would be fun to watch!

Posted by bigbluevol on February 13, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage, Ahmad has long been rumored to be a great talent. It sounds like the redshirt year helped him. I hope that he can be a big contributor next year. Glad to hear that Coleman has looked sharp. Has he said anything about Stephens or D Mo?

Posted by GerryOP on February 13, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big Al, if it doesn't work out getting back on the field, c'mon back to K'town, we need you! Consultant to the D-staff plus additional duties as "Discipline Enforcer!" Scariest words any guy would want to hear - "Al wants to speak to you - out back in the alley!"

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigbluevol ,Unfortunately I haven't heard anything about Stephens.I think he will end up being the step brother in all this.(hopefully he gets a fair shot)The only thing said about Demetrice is that he is in great shape, and is catching up on film.They can't do any hitting yet , but I cant wait to see the two missles(EB,DM) over the next 2 yrs.You will see a lot of teams doing their own version of the dink and dunk.

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP ,Agree 100%.Can you imagine letting Al down?Some have the ability to make everyone around them better.That was Al Wilson!

Posted by bigbluevol on February 13, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage, I think you're right about Stephens. I don't know much about him, but I was just curious about what Hubbs might be saying. I knew they weren't hitting yet, but it's good to know D Mo is in shape. Our safeties are going to be amazing this year.

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Excuse me.That still is Al Wilson!

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigbluevol ,I was honestly surprised he didn't go w/ Cut.If ,and that's a big if, Demonte Bolden plays up to his billing, this entire D could be special.I still think he needs to gain 20-30 lbs.All of our best DT's over the last 15 yrs or so have been 300+.2 of the very best John and Albert go 6'6 320 and 6'7 325.Bolden is 6'6.In my mind he should be much bigger than 290lbs.Simply an opinion.

Posted by bigbluevol on February 13, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe they feel like it will slow him down. But, if not, he probably could stand to gain some weight. I think the D could be great as well. I'm interested to know who the corners will be. I think Vinson would have a spot locked down, but since he's out for the spring with the shoulder surgery that could give someone a chance to grab his spot. I'm ready for spring practice to get here.

Posted by sjt18 on February 13, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage, unfortunately I think Chavis is promoting the "play lighter" mentality.

Stephens has a gun. That's probably his best asset.

If I'm not mistaken, Paige has supposedly run a legit sub-4.4 forty. If he's gained anything close to 20 lbs of muscle mass then he'll be a force.

A little disappointing on both those guy's weight. Sykes really needs to be at least 30 lbs heavier to be an effective DT even under Chavis. Obviously there's time to bulk up... hopefully there's direction and will.

IMO, both Hall and Sykes need to return as legit SEC DT's now that UT all but whiffed in this recruiting class. Otherwise, UT will be out there in the very risky market of JUCO DT's. I say risky because if they weren't someone else's sign and place then they had other issues that prevented them from being recruited out of HS. Sometimes it is as simple as post-HS growth... other times it isn't so benign.

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you have the speed our LB's and DB's have, you would think he would want to push everything outside.The last 2 yrs we have been getting killed w/ iso's and the trap plays right off guard.It doesn't do any good to be fast if you can't get off blocks, or hold them for the LB's to run free.

Posted by killerb2121 on February 13, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My Brother in law is a huge FSU fan, every time I talk to him and his dad about the '98 game, they both say that when they saw BIG AL's eyes before the game, they knew they were in trouble!! awesome, eh.

Posted by volmattna on February 13, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

thats funny you said that killer. before the goergia game in 98 in athens. Me and some freinds sat in the goergia section. And when the team ran into the locker room before the game. Big al looked up at us and x his arms and said not today boys. his eyes looked yellow. WE new we were gonna win the game when he did that. And of course we dominated goergia again. WE LOVE YOU BIG AL!!

Posted by jamali76 on February 13, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll be glad to see Al back in the NFL,I just wish it was with the Niners.They have more pressing needs but I would be happy if it happened.Wherever he goes I'll still pull for one of the greatest players in UT history.

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hall is turning out to be a beast at Northwest Mississippi Community college.He is up to 275lbs, and is whipping some D-1 signees.Good story.http://www.timesfreepress.com/n...

Posted by thesavageorange on February 13, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/20...

Posted by orngejuice on February 13, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we all know what al was at ut. let me briefly point out that the final year with the bronco's he anchored a d that many espn folks (don't put much weight n 2 what they say generally) were calling one of the best d's of all time. salisbury was comparing it to 85 bears! they were a very dominant d up till the point when peyton went there and torched poor d. williams rip. this year, with no al, look at the drop off in not only run d, but overall. they guy is consistently underated. nfl execs, take note, whoever passes on 56 is in the wrong biz. can't believe al would even consider playing for a pathetic franchise such as the lions.

Posted by Hacksaw57 on February 13, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Al Wilson was the HEART AND SOUL of the 1998 National Championship Team.
I don't give a rat's you-know-what what anybody says otherwise, without Al we would not have accomplished the undefeated season and played for the NC. Sure, I know we had T Martin and a host of great offensive players. I know without the great fumble recovery by Billy Ratliff against Arkansas we would have been out of it. The GREAT running of Travis Henry And Travis Stephens all year long. But that team fed off of Al. I have only seen one other player that controled the destiny of a football team like Al Wilson did, and he didn't play for the Vols so I won't even mention him.

If he dosen't make it back into the NFL, UT SHOULD find a place for him back ON THE HIll. He deserves as much that consideration as ANYBODY out there - coach or otherwise.

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 13, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I met Al when he was a Freshmen at UT - year we played Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl. Nice guy (accept on the field) and one of my all time favorite players at UT.

Posted by VolFan32 on February 13, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Al Wilson should be the next Vol to have his number retired. Thanks for all the memories Al.

Posted by pdhuff on February 13, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP - put Al in charge of the long list of ride-alongs? Would it work?

Posted by cjraney on February 13, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice one nafslov. Maybe you could interview for the position of "Water Boy's Athletic Supporter."

You must have missed the link to the Bammer site on the home page.

Posted by va_vol16 on February 13, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i would love to see big Al go to the colts if that happened i would spend my weekends in Indy instead of knoxville

Posted by peerlessvolfan on February 13, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I live in the Detroit area and we need HELP with the Lions--I hope this is mutually beneficial for Al and Lions. It can't get much worse for the woeful Lions.

Posted by UTByrd on February 13, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I remember Big Al's first official tackle. I can't remember the running back's name or the team he was on. What I do remember is it was Monday Night Football, 4th down and 1 to go for a TD to win the game. The ball was snapped, the back got the ball and took off, Big Al got his line and met him in mid-air behind the line of scrimmage and drove him backwards for 3 yards. It was a thing of beauty, a picture of immortality. I wish I had a poster of that hit. Love you Al, Vol fan from Jackson, Tn. Hey Al, you ever hook up with Ed and Derrick when you're in town? Best wishes to you and yours. Go Vols!!!!!

Posted by UTByrd on February 13, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, Big Al's first professional tackle.

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on February 14, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There's a story out there about the NC game vs. FSU. Sun Devil Stadium is setup so that both locker rooms are in the same tunnel. Since we were the "home" team, FSU had to take the field first. They had to file past the Vols locker room, so they took the opportunity to pound on the door, run some smack, and generally act like a thuggish, Bowden-coached team.

To a man, the Big Orange sat there, quietly psyching up for the game. After the goons realized the Vols would not respond, they went on to the field. After a few seconds, Big Al broke the silence. "They have no f***ing clue what's about to happen to them."