Posted by ATLVOL1 on January 10, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From Scout:

Drayton, who joined the Vol staff as running backs coach on Tuesday, spent considerable time Wednesday trying to “re-recruit” Arian Foster. The 6-1, 225-pound junior rushed for 1,193 yards last season but is strongly considering a jump to the NFL rather than returning for his senior season as a Vol next fall.
“I had some great conversations with Arian and his family,” said Drayton, who was running backs coach at Florida prior to joining the UT staff.

The NFL Advisory Committee told Foster he projects to be a second-round pick in the next draft if he chooses to leave college early.

“He got a decent response from the draft committee,” Drayton said. “But we talked about what his long-term goals are … what he wants to do as a football player in general.”

After describing running back as a “prima donna position,” the newest Vol aide said Foster surprised him by saying he’s a “team guy” and that his goal is simply that “I want to win a championship.”

Still, Drayton appealed to Foster’s ego by pointing out that the SEC’s two premier running backs of 2007 – Arkansas juniors Darren McFadden and Felix Jones – are leaving for the NFL.

“I said, ‘They’re gone. So who’s the next guy?’” Drayton recalled.

When Foster replied that he didn’t know, Drayton applied the clincher: “I said, ‘You are the next guy. You could be the next guy that could be the premier back of the SEC, where you can improve yourself to a situation in next year’s draft where you can be a first-rounder.’

“I said that really believing that.”

While Foster was mulling the prospect of being the SEC’s premier back in 2008, Drayton continued his sales pitch.

“I told him, ‘Hey, if you’re all about becoming a student of the game … all about being the best you can be – attacking your weaknesses and making them your strengths – then you come back and you work on those things.

“He said he heard me. He said he was listening to me.”

The key, of course, is this: Will Foster heed what he heard?

You go Stan!

Posted by dfreeman on January 10, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen to that!! He sold me, when's practice coach?? LOL

Posted by KnoxVol_in_TX on January 10, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All I can say is...I hope it works.

Posted by jvol74 on January 10, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

that is a good, confident coach speaking.. we got a good one!

Posted by mdvol on January 10, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who is going to be the damn OC??? Come on.

Posted by RockyTopRooks on January 10, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does anyone think Hardesty is a more dynamic back than foster?

Posted by pdhuff on January 10, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, they're dragging this one out. Must be awaiting a fax. Every outlet from ESPN to every TV station around has proclaimed Clawson the next poo-bah.

Glad you're aboard, Drayton. Stay busy.

Posted by pdhuff on January 10, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RockyTop R - I've always liked Hardesty but staying nicked up gave Foster his chance and you can't fault a 1000+ yds. Hardesty runs North and South, not toward the stands. I believe he's faster then Foster who I surmise will be a workhorse back used some for blocking schemes in the pros. We'll see. I know he runs harder.

Posted by mdavis332 on January 10, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Randy Smith of Channel 3 news in Chattanooga said Clawson had been offered the OC and said this was a reliable source.

Posted by dfreeman on January 10, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CBS 6 Richmond ran with this!! Welcome Clawson!!

Clawson Leaving Richmond Spiders

Posted: Jan 10, 2008 05:55 PM EST

Multiple sources have confirmed to us tonight that Richmond football coach Dave Clawson has accepted an offer to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee.

The official announcement is expected sometime later tomorrow after Clawson meets with his players on campus.

Clawson interviewed for the position on monday....and had to wait until late this afternoon before it was officially offered.

This year's Spiders set school records for wins and points scored in a season while advancing all the way to the 1-AA national semifinals.

Clawson had agreed to a contract extention with Richmond last week...but sources have told us his deal with Tennessee is expected to be worth 400-thousand dollars per year....or about 100-thousand more than his extention was worth with the Spiders.

Speculation has already begun about a replacement....with Virginia defensive coordinator Mike London and South Florida offensive coordinator...and former Spider and Lee-Davis standout Greg Gregory heading the list

Posted by MisterVol on January 10, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know a ton about this Clawson, what do you guys think?

Posted by lpvol on January 10, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Clawson it is...
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/s...

Posted by cjraney on January 10, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Clawson sounds better than the Michigan retread. He'll bring some new ideas but not changes so radical that it scares Fulmer away.

Posted by BigOrangeVol on January 10, 2008 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Clawson Leaving Richmond Spiders

Posted: Jan 10, 2008 04:55 PM

Multiple sources have confirmed to us tonight that Richmond football coach Dave Clawson has accepted an offer to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee.

The official announcement is expected sometime later tomorrow after Clawson meets with his players on campus.

Clawson interviewed for the position on monday....and had to wait until late this afternoon before it was officially offered.

This year's Spiders set school records for wins and points scored in a season while advancing all the way to the 1-AA national semifinals.

Clawson had agreed to a contract extention with Richmond last week...but sources have told us his deal with Tennessee is expected to be worth 400-thousand dollars per year....or about 100-thousand more than his extention was worth with the Spiders.

Posted by MisterVol on January 10, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He sounds good, what's his philosophy?

Posted by BigOrangeVol on January 10, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dang, I got scooped by nine minutes! :-)

Posted by waterskier3 on January 10, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

let foster go... he is way to slow/fumbles for us... he's a 4 yard back and that's it... several times this year a normal tn back would have scored but he was caught from behind... bring in the creer and hardesty..... they seem to have more speed...

good or bad this is what we're going to have so recruit baby recruit......

i will wait until the official announcement.

Posted by knoxvegas75 on January 10, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pro style philosophy with spreading out the field.

a richmond he ran power I - 3,4,5 wide sets.

he was qouted in this video

http://richmondspiders.cstv.com/sport...

to say he loves to air it out and wanted in the alantic 10 a 3000 yard qb and 1000 yard wr and rb...can't wait for his wants out of an SEC team..

way to go phil

Posted by agentorange on January 10, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

from tennessean.com

KNOXVILLE – The search for the University of Tennessee’s new offensive appears to have narrowed to two candidates and school officials say a decision will be announced in the next 72 hours.

UT Athletics Director Mike Hamilton said Thursday a decision will be made by the end of the weekend and that the announcement could come as soon as Saturday morning.

Posted by FWBVol on January 10, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This might be one of CPF's best recruiting ploys ever...Think about it, you wait to announce the new OC until you have all the recruits on campus this weekend.

That makes them feel as if they are part of something special with being on campus for the announcement and press conference. Hopefully, they'll also feel a bond with Clawson, or whoever it is.

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And the KNS won't even say that? Amazing.

Posted by wesw33z on January 10, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

unless im mistaken, foster is on track to break the all time ut rushing record - if he comes back for his sr season. 4 yards a isnt bad. thats 12 yards every 3 downs :). personally i hope he comes back.

Posted by DingoVol on January 10, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where does this leave Loeffler?

Posted by ellisonfamily on January 10, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It seems that Clawson is definite. I wonder what will happen with Loeffler? If he works out, then we have guys with experience in Michigan, Virginia, and Florida. That pretty well covers the eastern U.S. With an offensive line that promises to be very good, and one of the best def. backfields in the SEC, there is reason to be optimistic. I have NEVER seen this forum so positive, but there is definite reason to be.

Posted by danthemanwells on January 10, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

so excited about Clawson. If we pull in Loefeller as our QB coach and he brings Ryan Mallett with him, this will be one of the best offseasons. Even if the recruiting class doesn't look great, a few things need to be remembered:

Demetrice Morley - former 5 star who won't be counted.
Ryan Mallett - #4 prospect last year. won't be counted.
Vince Faison - experienced athelete who won't be counted.

Those are some big contributors who would go unnoticed on the recruiting rankings.

Also, does anyone else feel like Fulmer took so long because he's trying to find his eventual replacement? I think that he wanted to hire a coach that would move up into his spot in a couple of years when he leaves, making it a lot easier on the school to get a coach who knows the system and knows what he's doing. Just a thought

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Foster is a power back in the SEC. Four yards here is six everywhere else. No one would be discussing this if he had not explored the NFL and our drug addicted backup hadn't taken his third strike looking.

Posted by rockyknox on January 10, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey danthemanwells, don't forget the tight end from Alcoa/FSU.

Posted by lpvol on January 10, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This article came out yesterday, but I haven't seen it posted on any of the boards and had some info I hadn't heard before...

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/sports....

Posted by TommyJack on January 10, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A Foster was an important part of our team. Anyone not seeing that, doesn't know the game.
All backs don't run 4.4 40's, nor do they need to in order to be effective.

Posted by hueypilot on January 10, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree Dan. Fulmer, for all the vitriol that has been spewed here about him, has been a good steward of the Tennessee football program and would have concern as to how and to whom he left it.
I think he is definitely looking at an OC who will be a quality coach and perhaps a man who can ascend to his job, if and when. Go Vols. I am juiced about the future of UT football.

Posted by danthemanwells on January 10, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

great point rockyknox. i forgot about Brandon Warren, another former 5 star. And Rae Sykes, a 4-star defensive end from last year. Thats 3 extra 5 stars, an extra 4 star, and Faison. Even better!

Posted by jevolball7 on January 10, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Of all the scenarios that were out there,this seems to be the best one that we could expect!! I have some problems with CPF but brains and business aren't the ones. Good job!

Posted by gdotallen on January 10, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just got off of the phone with a good friend who told me that his buddy over heard a conversation from someone real close to Fulmer in regards to him taking a flight to Virginia tomorrow (Fri). There appears to be a press conference or something in the works in Richmond to announce Clawson as the OC. Go Vols!

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree hueypilot but keep watching your master power light. If Fulmer is looking for someone who could ascend to his job this guy may be able to climb faster than he thinks given the hostile environment here the last few years.

Posted by getridoffoolmer on January 10, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

im glad there some people on here that agree with me about a. foster

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gdotallen, Hard to believe CPF would go to Richmond for a resignation press conference. Laughable.

Posted by MisterVol on January 10, 2008 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'd love to have Foster back, he gained over 1,000 yds. that is not a bad year, by any stretch. I like Hardesty, too and really haven't seen much from Creer besides kickoff's.

I'll take em' all!!!

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some people in here can remember what a power back can do when we commit to the run. ie. James Little Man Stewart UGA at Athens 1994.

Posted by bigbluevol on January 10, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

According to Channel 3 here in Chattanooga, Clawson will bring his WR's coach, Latrell Scott with him. We'll see if that turns out to be accurate.

Posted by AFVolunteer on January 10, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

texvol, you brought back some memories.... I was 10 yrs old and can remember my dad mumbling those words go litlle man go.... James Little Man Stewart... Its been awhile... Go VOLS

Posted by AFVolunteer on January 10, 2008 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigBlueVol, here is some info on Latrell Scott:

LEXINGTON, Va. - Latrell Scott, VMI's wide receivers coach the past three seasons, will assume the same responsibilites at the University of Richmond.

Richmond second-year head football coach Dave Clawson announced Tuesday that the Richmond native and Hampton University alum Scott has been hired as an assistant coach.

Scott joins the Spiders after serving the past three years in the same capacity for head coach Cal McCombs at VMI. Scott started his coaching career at Fork Union Military Academy during the 1999-2000 seasons before working at Western Carolina in 2001.

During his tenure in Lexington, Scott helped lead the progression of a solid passing attack. Last year, two Keydets averaged more than 10.0 yards per catch, including team leader Zohn Burden who had 57 catches, seven touchdowns. Burden was third in the Big South Conference with 5.18 receptions per game last fall. Burden posted his second consecutive 500-yard season in receiving and led the team with 57 catches for 595 yards and five touchdown and extended his consecutive games reception streak to a school-tying 23 games.

In 2003, VMI led the Big South with 209.1 passing yards per game. T.J. Snelling was third in the league with 3.09 receptions per game while Burden ranked fourth (3.00).

A three-year starter at tight end during his playing days at Hampton, Scott earned All-America honors following his senior season. He played on two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship teams and appeared in two NCAA I-AA playoffs.

Scott earned his B.A. in sports management in 1999. The 29-year-old native is a product of Lee-Davis High School.

Scott becomes the second VMI assistant to leave the 2004 football coaching staff. Linebackers coach Will Holthouser was announced as defensive coordinator at Gardner-Webb in December.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

foster gained 1000 north to south but he gained another 4 or 500 east to west

Posted by FWBVol on January 10, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the OC was going to be DeBord, it seems as if Fulmer would have made the announcement by now as he's out of work right now.

It would be common courtesy to let a departing head coach tell his team before making the formal announcement.

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VC, when you disguise a run with a pass block scheme that's what you get. We had to do that all year this year and last to protect an injured Ainge.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

first clawson now scott, both from (2 or 3 ball)heck lets go to tennessee tech or carson newman for a qb or tight end coach.......what are we doin here playing the lottery picking number hoping to hit it big time or going after div. 2 recruits?

Posted by Rockytop98 on January 10, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome to all that come the door is wide open! GO VOLS!!

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

like i said before texvol, your as dumb as a bag of hammers.... 4 sacks all fewest by far in the country and 2nd they werent disguising nothing with hardesty in there running north to south very quick and with power

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AFVolunteer, My daughter was also ten at the time. She has a poster of Little Man signed from" Little Man to Little Woman" hanging on her student apartment....in Athens! I threaten to repossess it every time I visit her.

Posted by lpvol on January 10, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This info about Scott came from another board:

Latrell is a solid, up and coming coach.

He grew up in Richmond and graduated from Hampton in 1999. He had a very good career as a player at Hampton. He was a 3 year starter at TE and a 1-AA All-American his senior year.

He is still really young at 30 and Clawson is very high on him. At Richmond he was hired as the assistant head coach, wr coach, and recruiting coordinator. he has really turned the recruiting program around with Clawson. The talent they have brought in has been a huge upgrade over the previous coaching staff. The HS coaches accross the state seems to really like him.

I have had amny conversations with him and can say he is a really nice young man. He is very bright, articulate, and very personable.

Positives:
He is young.
He is African American.
He can relate to today's college players better than most (heck he looks like one).
He has had good success with young WRs in limited time at Richmond (FR Kevin Grayson had 68 recs for 970 yds & 7 TDs and was CAA Rookie of the Year this season).
He has a very good rep in the mid-atlantic and can recruit the Tidewater area for UT right away.
As recruiting coordintator at UR he knows the job and has the HS contacts, he may not have recruit the same players at UR but he works with the same HS's and coaches.

Negatives:
He is unknown nationally right now so he will have to develop as a recruiter at least outside of the mid-atlantic / Virginia areas.
He is still relatively inexperienced as a coach, he is only ~30 years old.
He has no 1-A experience.

Overall, I think he would be a very good hire for UT. Of course I am biased but Clawson thinks very highly of him. He was pursed by several 1-A coaches but Clawson was able to keep him at Richmond by promoting him to assistant head coach and convince him hat it was in his best interest to stick with him. From what I can tell he is pretty darn loyal to Clawson.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

if we were going to hire guys like this why not george quarles????????????

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volunteer_cowboy, Your'e not making sense. Aren't you the guy that said that guy from Illinois was a Muslim?

Posted by RealistVolFan on January 10, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I really hope its all rumors. I want that Mallet kid

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

google him his dad lives in the middle east

Posted by mdavis332 on January 10, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't it funny everyone has the story but KNS. That's bad really bad. Also, where is the story on the recruits coming in for the weekend.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

go to www.scout.com for recruits visit dates

Posted by BigOrangeVol on January 10, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Take anything out of The Tennessean with a grain of salt! Our new UT beat writer, Bryan Mullen, is a complete idiot. Last year he was the Vandy beat writer and stunk at that so when Chris Low left we got stuck with this stooge.

Yesterday’s example of the week about the UT/Ole Miss game:
Headline- “Vols leave no-name teams behind”
Like Texas, West Virginia, Xavier and Gonzaga are no-names!
Text article- “With the start of the league schedule, there will be no more Lincoln Memorials or Arkansas-Monticellos for the Vols.”
Hey Brad we didn’t play those teams!
Text article- “When it comes to Ole Miss' top player, there isn't a ton of tape to study. Point guard Chris Warren is a freshman from Orlando, Fla., and has made an immediate impact. He leads the Tigers in scoring.
I’m pretty sure that the Rebels didn’t change their name to the Tigers this week either.
Text article- “While the numbers are impressive, there is one unknown with the Vols. Tyler Smith is a transfer from Iowa and Price is a transfer from Arizona. Neither has competed in the rough and tumble SEC, but both said they are looking forward to the challenge.”

Uh… J.P went to the second round of the NCAA tourney as a freshman at Arizona. Tyler was on the Big-10 All-Freshman team, third team All Big-10, lead Iowa in rebounds and steals, started 29 of 31 games and was second on the team in scoring and steals. I think that they are up to the challenge.

You get the picture. The Tennessean is only good for shredding and putting into my compost bin. That is why all Middle Tennessee Vol fans come to the KNS for our UT news!

Posted by Ironcity on January 10, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When Foster runs North South he is a beast. The key is getting him away from trying to take every run to the house. For the most part he did that this year until we played Wisconsin. A new coach might be just what Foster needs. Hardesty's fast and strong but he has zero shiftyness. He and Foster really complement each other well.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what about Al Borgis? did he get a call

Posted by danthemanwells on January 10, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hardesty is considered our shifty back. At least that's what Trooper said one day on Sports Talk.

And BigOrangeVol, we did play Lincoln Memorial and Arkansas-Monticello. The former was a preseason game and the latter was our second game of the season

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Baptized in Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ, Obama has been an active member for two decades, regularly attending services with his family under Wright's spiritual mentorship."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,3...
Just for starters VC, I've got better things to do than do advanced googling for you. However we are both Vol Fans so I felt obligated. My father lives in Alabama. Does that mean I'm a Bama fan?
Go Vols.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He was OC of the year a few years ago. in his best season he had the best two running backs in the country in his arsenal and 3 first round picks in his backfield. jason campbell also

Posted by utmdm on January 10, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Get off of Foster's back. He was a solid performer for us and in the center of several key plays. The staff made the judgement to play him so we should accept their expertise. Foster was key with blocking and pass catching. Maybe the other backs did not prove these skills in practice. Could be our all time rushing leader and all we hear is complain/complain.

Posted by Ironcity on January 10, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cowboy get off the Quarles kick. He may be an amazing coach but UT should NEVER hire a high school coach. Let some other programs do that.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:38 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by VOLINSC on January 10, 2008 at 11:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope we can also get Loeffler and he wasn't part of a package deal with the other mich coach.

Does anyone know if it was a package deal?

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Geez guy, I grew up an Auburn Fan, my Mom's alma mater, until I found it politically expedient to go to UT and convert to Volism so that I could one day argue this point with you. I'm not running for thread guru either.

Posted by danthemanwells on January 10, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fellas, this is a FOOTBALL post. take the obama talk elsewhere. and remember that a devout Muslim won't pretend he's a Christian to get in office.

Loefller wasn't a package deal with Deboard. One could go without the other, so we can still get Loefller is we want him. Loefller and Mallett are the package deal

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No kidding. You would think just saying that you appreciate Arian Foster's work would be innocent enough.

Posted by danthemanwells on January 10, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh, no way texvol. you'll get KILLED for saying something like that

Posted by VOLINSC on January 10, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI - KNS finally posted an article on Clawson and WR assistant

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 10, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

listen im sorry but i oy or anybody shouldnt vote for barack hussein obama. he wouldnt lay his hand on the bible to take his oath but instead on the kuran and besides anybody with the last name obama (bama) shouldnt get any votes from tennessee!!!! GO JOHN EDWARDS

Posted by texvol on January 10, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dantheman, I agree about with your opinion about package deals. However why do you think that Mallett and his family would even consider the difficulty here to compete when he could be 'the guy' at other high profile schools? Just maybe he wants to be an SEC QB?

Posted by dburgVol on January 10, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Drayton seems to be a sufficient hire to replace Taylor. Just hope he keeps the wise-cracks going like Taylor.
"You couldnt lose sight of Casey Woods on a curvy road for two days!"
Glad to have ya Drayton, glad you lost the blue color from your wardrobe.

Posted by andy112382 on January 11, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If Drayton is considered a newbie in recruiting and unknown as someone said above and STILL lands in the top 25 as a recruiter on rivals.com, we got on HECK of a guy.

Speaking of which, anyone been to rivals.com to look at last years Florida class, pg2, shows the coach responsible for specific recruits:

http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/...

Posted by danthemanwells on January 11, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

texvol,

Mallett's family said he'd pretty much go where Loeffler went because of their relationship

Posted by utmdm on January 11, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Did I hear something about one of our prospects decommitting and turning to W VA?

Posted by calivol on January 11, 2008 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Volunteer_cowboy, you are one scary dude. And that's coming from somebody who is not an Obama supporter. But let's at least get our facts straight here. First of all, will you please stop saying Obama's dad lives in the Middle East. For one, he died 25 years ago, so he no longer lives anywhere. And besides, Kenya is not even in the Middle East. But thanks for trying, Miss Teen South Carolina. And this whole "Obama is a Muslim" thing is just laughable. You honestly believe an actual Muslim would get baptized and say they have "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ"? Cowboy, you can't honestly be stupid enough to believe that. Or is it forwarded e-mails you believe? Because, hey look, I found your forwarded e-mail...you know, the one you copied and pasted onto this board. And, oh wow, turns out all if it can proven wrong, point by point...imagine that! http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/...

Now that we've proven volunteer_cowboy is an idiot, can we please get back to the important stuff...like who is going to fill out the rest of our staff, why Florida fans continue to perpetuate the myth that Drayton was fired, and how the hell UGA alum Mark Schlabach can leave the Vols out of his preseason Top 25?

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 11, 2008 at 12:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i heard something about bell

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 11, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i agree ut football is more important

Posted by andy112382 on January 11, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Antonio Bell said Nebraska and WVU are now his leaders

Posted by inquiry on January 11, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who's Steve Roper?? Oh man do we have a good one now for running backs coach.. you go boy..

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on January 11, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ellisonfamily, agree that there's something in the air here. It's a feel-good/feel-hope atmosphere finally.

But I don't understand your confidence that we will field "one of the best def. backfields in the SEC" in eight months.

That would be a miraculous turnaround. Right now, after this season, we have one of the worst in the nation. See the stats at http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2007/Inter....

Not trying to be negative. These coaching changes give us all hope, no doubt ... but let's all not reach for the kool-aid just yet about next season's expectations.

Posted by inquiry on January 11, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sorry, I forgot already.

Who's "Mike Roper" anyway..?>? Go duke.

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on January 11, 2008 at 12:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

morely is coming back along with berry we will get johnson back from injury and vinson plus a couple more from injuries

Posted by brdteton on January 11, 2008 at 2:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TJack, I am trying to be a much nicer person in '08 and do apologize for any prior name calling.

It also doesn't hurt that I totally agree with You on Foster's value to the team.

Of the top three backs from the start of the season, Foster is the guy that didn't leave us hangin'.

Fan favorite Lamarcus Toker (sorry, couldn't resist) couldn't keep off the tweed. Thank goodness he wasn't our starter, leaving us 'high and dry' mid-season.

Dynamic Montario Hardesty has not been able to stay healthy for much a game, much less a season. Love the guy, I hope he beats the bug..

Then comes Foster. I don't know if I have seen a back catch the ball better out of the backfield in the last 5 or 6 years, getting over his dancing and hittin' the hole and mostly losing the fumblitis this year..

All in a 6 foot 225lb. guy that should of averaged over 100 yds a game this year(see protect a lead, run the ball Cut').

I like (hopefully to be) the new OC in Clawson and a run the ball set up the pass mentality. Keep the Spread off the field and knock the head off the snake when it on the field!

So yeah, I think Foster is good, and with 2 big boys returning up front, he could come back and have a HUGE year, along with the Big O.

Lets have a great 2008 across the board.

GO SPORTS!!!!

BOO POLITICS!!!

There is another page for that.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 11, 2008 at 4:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Obama should be the new OC.

Wait. Politics and football don't mix! Why the heck are we talkin politics!!??

Posted by pdhuff on January 11, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, I told you the site mentalwanderings.com had some relevance on gvxtra, we just haven't figured out what it is. Kinda like figuring out at last that we have a OC (I guess we do but remember we get delay of game penaltys with no-huddle) finally!

Best of luck to Clawson. Hit the ground running and do your thing. Keep expanding until Phil pulls you back in. Then you'll know your perambulatory boundarys. Make Chavis a buddy. Pound the fritter (TJ).

Posted by H1Gator on January 11, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

good luck drayton-- i hope that you can do for tenn what you did for fla...nothing.....which is why meyer let you go, 3 yrs and nada..

Posted by tngeoff on January 11, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

*Boys. I just gotta' second buy want to say that Drayton sounds incredible! Bring it on!

H1Gator. If you could hear my uproarious laughter at what an absolute imbocile you sound like, you would understand that your sense of humor is appreciated. Now go back and relive your great game with Michigan. You know...you and Arkansas, the only two SEC teams who lost...adn you to the Big Ten (11) that everybody else beat. By the way before you come back with some stupid comment about a game last year that you played and won remember, we beat the bejeebers out of the self proclaimed National Champions. Nos. Go back to gatorland and fantasize about how great your team is.

* Hold Harmless Clause - "Boys" - Commonly used expresssion with no implied or otherwise intentional nor unintentional gender bias.

Posted by tngeoff on January 11, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff.

Just got a second but have pounded three fritters this am as I anxiously await the BIG NEWS. Keep on poundin' 'dem fritters!

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 11, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anybody have any update on Rae Sykes? Also, what about big dl Corey Hall that we signed last yr but lost to academic detour?

I apologize for asking 2nd time if someone already answered me on another thread about Sykes, but I couldn't find that thread again.

Posted by bigbluevol on January 11, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just to clear something up: Clawson is coming from Richmond. That's 1-AA or now FCS. That's a big difference from Division 2 or 3, as some people keep saying.

Posted by sjt18 on January 11, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

orangebloodgmc, I think I saw where both were doing well in football. UT is still hopeful of getting both back next year. I'm not sure if they'll have 2 or 3 years of eligibility left though.

I believe it is Hall that will definitely become a DT. Both could.

Posted by sjt18 on January 11, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Obama- was born to a Muslim family. Was baptized and has been a pretty long term member of a UCC church in Chicago. I'm a Baptist pastor... but the UCC church he belongs to is almost as scary as Islam. They are pretty blatantly racist. I think it is Grace UCC... look it up for yourself.

Edwards- made millions suing primarily small businesses, insurance companies, and doctors with often frivolous lawsuits. Huge hypocrite. Want to know what is wrong with American politics and the legal system? He's a case study.

The ONLY Dem worthy of anyone's real consideration for a vote is Bill Richardson.

Posted by sjt18 on January 11, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope that by Monday Drayton and Clawson are on a plane to California to visit the RB Scott.

I think Drayton was his primary recruiter... he's the #1 rated RB. He had previously narrowed his choices to UF, Colorado, and a couple of other schools. Sounded like good weather and facilities were important to him.

Posted by sjt18 on January 11, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, I don't plan to vote for any of the Dems only that Richardson is the only one that would have a snowball's chance.

I'd vote for him over Rudy.

Posted by TommyJack on January 11, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

brdteton: Remeber, New Years Resolutions are made to be broken! HaHaHa. I like Hardesty too...just hope he can play a little, Avoid the spread, win in the line, throw VERTICALLY.No more Broke-Back Mountain fumblerooskies (yeeow) Pound the fritter.

Posted by GoVol on January 11, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope Foster stays simply because a team needs to be 3 deep at RB in the SEC to maintain a decent running attack. Foster had a very good season for us, not great, but very good.
We could use his senior leadership should he decide to stay.
There were serveral times when I could see a clear difference when Hardesty ran the ball...quicker, more illusive, and broke tackles.
Having all the RB's is the best option, simply because it gives you more options.

Posted by sjt18 on January 11, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If Foster moves on, UT will have someone else emerge. They might still get the RB from Ark, Poole is in, and Drayton may be able to pull one in. The reasons and way he left UF would have to cause a good RB to wonder if he really wanted to go to UF. "Young man do you want to be the feature back in a pro-style O committed to running the ball or Tebow's wingman that gets what is leftover after he and Harvin get their touches?

Also, they have Hawkins and Vereen that RS'd. Vereen is another guy that UT found that many thought was underrated. After taking over at UNC, Butch Davis pursued Vereen hard.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 11, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep, I wanna see Vereen in action. Should A. Foster go, I think we could roll on with Creer, Hardesty, Vereen and Poole. I look forward to seeing Hawkins play, but think he will be healing this spring.

Does anybody know if FLA lost asst. coach Holliday in addition to our taking away Drayton?

Posted by sjt18 on January 11, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I read that they did but I'm not sure. The UF fans were downplaying his importance though ESPN and others said he was actually a candidate to replace RR at WVU. If a guy is ready to be a HC... he has to be doing something important where he's at, right?

Posted by sjt18 on January 11, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Holl...

That's Holliday's bio on wikipedia. Again, UF fans were downplaying his departure but a guy with that kind of experience is valuable not only to his position group but all over the field.

Add WVU to the list of schools with solid tie ins in Florida.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on January 11, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt, thanks for the info.

Posted by gator4life on January 11, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Doc Holiday did take the ASST HC job at WVU. That is a much bigger loss to UF than Drayton. WVU reportedly gave him a 5 year contract (not allowed by law in FL). Drayton will be missed as a recruiter but not as much as Holiday because of his ties to south FL.

Posted by wkb12 on January 11, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hardesty is better..let him go. Lennon is better...let him go.

Posted by philfan on January 11, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like a good hire to me. I hope he realizes this is the SEC and is not too cock sure of himself. If he can beat Florida and Alabama, I am on board 100 percent.

Posted by RocketVol on January 11, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff, nice 8:21 post. I think Drayton gets it. As evidenced by South Florida and Pitt, the spread at its best can be stopped - and once stymied it has zero flexibility to recover or adjust. This was obvious in the Michigan game against UF. You know Rodriguez and Carr discussed the Pitt game over dinner, prior to the Capital One Bowl - and Rodriguez let Carr know exactly what it takes to stop the spread. With RR standing looking on in Orlando, UF was done, their goose was cooked. I think Chavis needs to pay very close attention to those pivotal 3 games involving Rich Rodriguez, they hold the key to UF's demise for years to come.

Posted by jk4vols2000 on January 12, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hardesty is a better runningback than foster. He is quicker and as strong, he just needs to stay healthy.