Posted by nicksjuzunk on March 9, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's get it on!!

Posted by tngeoff on March 9, 2008 at 4:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It will be interesting. I do believe we will have a high powered offense and that Crompton will shine in it. The defensive line is very concerning. The defense gave up a lot of yards and a lot of points last year. Without a dramatic change we will be involved in too many shootouts. Yes...we have some very talented young players on the d, but only time will tell if the scheme, the new players and the defensive line are able to make the improvement we need. Like Nick says, "Let's get it on!" This season will be a huge chapter in Tennessee football.

Posted by pdhuff on March 9, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Telling season coming up. Believe Crompton will be fine and show needed versatility and leg strength to run. Both were missing last fall.

The Gordian knot is the d-line play. With near-zero QB pressure last fall, this must be addressed. Cannot count on everything going your way in cliff-hangers. Trip to Ga will be crucial to confidence. Cannot win by giving up 400+ yds usually.

Defense must step up. Period.

Convince us, Clawson. Big job ahead.

Posted by WNCVOLFANOF8 on March 9, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This week will be like Christmas morning, you anticipate it for so long your about to bust. Finally my man Crompton gets his shot, been waiting for this since he left Tuscola over three years ago.

Posted by tngeoff on March 9, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WNCVOLFANOF8.

I'm with ya'. I am very anxious to see him do his thing. I'll never forget his debut in that LSU game where he knocked that defensive back into the cheap seats!

Posted by invisiblekid on March 9, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the Mayo loss will hurt but there will be addition by subtraction with the departure of Karl. Not meaning to get a dig in on Karl but I think Meyers-White or Wilson will offer more athleticism. The entire defensive line is a question mark IMO. Can Ayers step up and be consistent and can Brown stay healthy? I have pretty much given up on Bolden developing into a leader and dominant player after his behavior following the SECCG. Hopefully, Williams can continue to develop along with getting solid contributions from Langley and Martin. We'll find out soon enough.

Posted by IPOrange on March 9, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

D-line is the biggest concern. Where's the beef?

invisible kid - I am inclined to agree about Bolden, but I hope he puts it all together this year. I can't remember what he did after the SECCG, though. Refresh my memory - what behaviour are you referring to? (Not disputing you, just can't remember...)

Posted by invisiblekid on March 9, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2007/d...

IPO, in case the link doesn't work here are a couple of excerpts :
_____________________________________________
Bolden ran the gamut of emotions during the game, saying he felt there was no doubt UT would win - until Ainge's first interception was returned for a touchdown.

"We was trying to keep them down," Bolden said. "It was just embarrassing. That's just embarrassing to me."

After that, Bolden said he felt the game was lost.

"I didn't feel it (that UT was going to win)," Bolden said. "I'm not a quitter. I never will be a quitter, but I didn't feel it."

Bolden declined to name exactly whom he was talking about but added, "If we could have exchanged a couple of players, we could have had some things done."
_______________________________________________
Just my opinion, but you flat-out don't throw a teammate under the bus like that regardless of the situation. Bolden has been touted as being a dominant player and a leader and he has come up short on both accounts. Down to his last chance and I hope he proves me wrong this year. If not, it could be another nail-biter of a season.

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on March 9, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At first I said wow, an informative article about football. Things that I actually care to hear about. It's what I've been waiting for. Then I realized nobody at the KNS had anything to do with it. Big Suprize!

John Adams Sucks!!!

Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on March 9, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

On another note, I agree with you guys about Demonte Bolden. I was at the SEC championship game and didn't hear about his comments until the next day. I went from being so proud of our teams effort against a superior opponent to being completely disgusted with Demonte's comments. Then he goes out and can't pass 6 hours of school, talk about letting your team down. Twice he missed games for academic's last year. He is not a player we can count on and that is sad. He is a very talented player we really need this upcoming year. I hope he redeems himself and I will be pulling for him all along the way. Unlike our A$$hole newspaper editor I believe that kids this age are going to make stupid mistakes. What's important is if they can learn from them and grow as human being's. Lets hope that Demonte has learned from this and has become a better man.

Go Vols and Go Demonte! Were behind you!

Oh, and Fire John Adams Please!!!!!!!!

Posted by IPOrange on March 9, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, I remember that now. I thought Bolden referred specifically to Ainge by name, but apparently he only insinuated it. Not good for team spirit.....

Posted by TommyJack on March 9, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IP: I don't think he used any specific name..just frustrated with, IMO, the offense, play calling..probably wondering why the G-gun wasn't used...Hell, I was wondering the same thing....Not one of Cut's better efforts.

Posted by IPOrange on March 9, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agreed, TJ. When re-reading the article, I realized that. We may be assuming that he was referring to Ainge just because the article insinuated that he was. It does seem likely.

I got worked up over the game, too, and may have even expressed my frustration on some earlier posts. Being openly critical of a team mate, though, opens the door for dissention in the ranks. Those guys have to work together, play the games together and rely on one another. I'm just thinking that calling out a team mate by means of the press may not be the best course of action for the team.

Anyway, I am excited about what Crompton will bring to the table next year. His mobility factor adds a facit to the game that we haven't seen for some time now. As someone stated earlier, the Sears Tower had more mobility than Ainge, and then there was the comment about timing him with a sundial :-).

I can't wait to see what Clawson does with Crompton and others (like Gerald Jones) on offense, assuming Crompton wins the QB job. That's not yet a given, either, but I do believe he is the one to beat.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 9, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Last thing on Bolden, I agree with the sentiments wholeheartedly of JohnAdamsMustGo, hope he uses his experiences from last year to mature. Also agree with you TJ, the SECCG wasn't one of Cutcliffe's shining moments. The second interception I lay on Ainge but the first was a telegraphed play call to paraphrase Zenon, the LSU DB.

As far as Crompton goes, I think it's his job to lose. If the competition is close, I think Fulmer nudges Clawson to give him the nod and rightly so. I have high expectations for the offense this year. It sounds like Clawson is simplifying things somewhat and his resume says he works his system to the players instead of the other way around. Just a gut feeling, but I expect Foster to have a big year and Jones to go to the head of the class at WR along with Paige being a breakout player.

Posted by firefulmer on March 9, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fellows, nothing to worry about. By the 6th-7th game, Fulmer will finally figure out who the starters should be. By then, Fulmer will have pulled out the "charts". It's obvious we have a playmaker in Gerald Jones, but you will be able to count on one hand the number of times we see him. Adams, keep telling it like it is...keep up the good job!!!

Posted by thesavageorange on March 9, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack ,Agree w/ frustration.It wasn't just the championship game either.Last season we scored 267 1st half points and 154 2nd half points.(not including the 2 overtimes)I like Cut, but he struggled mightily in second halfs this yr, even when we won.(see S Carolina/Wisconsin etc...)

Not to defend Bolden though.He was hyped as the next Henderson/Haynesworth , and hasn't shown any signs of dominating and playing hard every down.

Posted by WNCVOLFANOF8 on March 9, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's good to see who firefulmer is, you been doing alright John Adams, no need to hide behind the username. You and your cohorts are a cancer to this team following your either behind the whole team or your simply that stuff that gathers around the drain of a shower that tries to spread scum all over the walls.

Posted by grvol on March 9, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hopefully this Clawson guy will bring some good coaching into the mix. Fulmer should step aside and let him work.

Posted by zjcvols on March 9, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The offense should be explosive (Let Clawson coach Phil) the secondary will be the best in the SEC. Dan Williams and Demonte Bolden will be better with Walter Fisher and Donald Langley providing backup (not worry about DT) Chavis always produce good LB corps (Chris Donald, it's go time), but will Ben Marting become the elite pass rusher he is made out to be, because if he is, I think this team can challenge for the SEC crown, honestly I do. Solid WR corps, need better depth from the RB's (Creer, your time to shine) and O-Line will be the best in the SEC, top 5 in country with tons of depth. It all depends on pass rushing and if Clawson will get the green light from Fulmer.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 9, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://cfn.scout.com/2/725244.html

http://www.volnation.com/blog/

Couple of nice breakdowns on the upcoming Spring. Adams and company appear to be biding their time until after practice starts.

Posted by utwick on March 9, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One good(?) thing is that Clawswon has no past history with our quarterbacks and can be as unbiased as possible naming the starter. Hopefully, this will be a real competition for that position and the best man will take the reins. I hear that Stephens has a very good arm and have heard a lot of praise for Coleman. The facr that Cromptom has been there the longest might not make him the starter. Hope that the players get through spring without major injuries and that some positions are filled prior to September.

Posted by utwick on March 9, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, I meant Crompton.

Posted by tngeoff on March 9, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid.

Great links. Thanks!

Posted by GerryOP on March 9, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

With a new QB and I new OC I look to this season as a new beginning. Crompton should win the QB job and do well. Clawson appears to be bringing a refreshing approach to the offense and should excell. His stating that he designs his offense around the talents of the players was all I had to hear! Looking forward to the season!

Posted by Grim1 on March 9, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

think about this..The VOlS could ONLY win 5 games this year and win the SEC east....really...beat FL,GA,SC,Vandy and KY....The Vols could finish 5 and 7 and WIN THE SEC EAST!!!!! then get blown out by Miss ST. in the SEC championship game and not even go to the music city bowl because we finish the season 5 and 8...."BUT DANG IT...WE WON THE EAST...GIVE FULMER A RAISE AND KEEP HIM FOR 5 MORE YEARS"
guys..we can't ride a NC we won 10 years ago forever.
Tennessee is a joke to the rest of the nation,
if we were so damn good why don't we have USC to play instead of UCLA? why not Virginia Tech or West Virginia? or even TCU or Boise ST or even Utah or BYU?
even when we play non BCS schools...it's always someone we can beat the crap out of...WHY?
why can't UT play the REAL elite of collage football?

back in the late 90s we would have killed them all, now we have to play UAB or southern Mississippi.

Think of the money we could make playing Nerbraska ,Texas (sure we get Oklahoma but that is in 2012)
if Tennessee is as good as you guys think..we could play Michigan, Ohio ST and Organ every year
and do a cupcake team at home coming..but we don't.