Dave Hooker audio
Mississippi State Bulldogs
A collective sigh could almost be heard from Haslam Field on Thursday.
Following a week of practice with more contact than before, Tennessee's football team avoided the major pitfall of such a change - injuries.
"I'm really happy with the way they responded and we didn't get anybody particularly nicked up," head coach Phillip Fulmer said following the Vols' final full practice of the week.
Moreover, offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said UT's offensive line should benefit from the increased contact, especially in the running game.
"I feel like we've practiced it better and I feel like we've had a more real look at it," Clawson said.
Only 1 net rushing yard against Georgia last week was the impetus behind the move. Playing a physical team such as Mississippi State is another.
How much could UT's struggling offense benefit from a fast start against the Bulldogs on Saturday in Neyland Stadium?
"Do I need to answer that?" Clawson said with a smile. "I think you know how great that would be."
Injury Report: Senior defensive tackle Walter Fisher is listed as doubtful with a toe injury he suffered against Georgia. However, Fisher was listed on UT's official dress roster on Thursday.
"I think Walter has a chance (to play Saturday) from talking to him," Fulmer said.
That remains to be seen. Fisher didn't practice all week.
That could be a trouble spot this week against a Mississippi State team that is determined to run the football, often between the tackles.
Fisher has been one of UT's top three defensive tackles throughout this season, sharing time with Demonte' Bolden and Dan Williams.
"The ones that are out there are the ones that are important," Fulmer said when asked of Fisher's importance this week. "If he can play some and help us, that's fine. If he can't, then somebody else needs to step up and play."
Fulmer said junior Andre Mathis will be UT's third defensive tackle if Fisher can't play.
"Andre's made some strides," Fulmer said. "Andre tries really, really hard every day. That's never been an issue."
Mathis' rise signals a change in UT's tackle rotation. Sophomore Victor Thomas was the first off the bench last week when Fisher was hurt.
"He hasn't practiced particularly great all the time consistently," Fulmer said.
Moore, Denarius: Following a 60-yard reception against Georgia, Clawson said sophomore receiver Denarius Moore deserves more playing time.
"We've got to get him in there more," Clawson said.
Moore is known as a speedster, although Clawson has seen much more.
"The neat thing is he'll go out and hit people and block people (in the running game)," Clawson said.
Clawson said he's also noticed that safeties have taken note of Moore's deep-play ability.
"There's a little bit of fear," Clawson said of opposing defensive backs.
On Schedule: Running backs coach Stan Drayton wants to make sure his group stays on schedule.
On first down, the goal is a gain of at least 5 yards. On second down, he expects a gain of at least half the remaining yardage.
And on third down, Drayton wants what every coach wants - a first down.
"To give you a number, it has to be within the schedule of what we're trying to do offensively," Drayton said of in-game goals for his running backs. "Obviously at the end of the year, I would love to have individuals over 6 yards per carry. That's a goal we'll set individually, but if we're winning ball games and staying on schedule, regardless of what that yards per average is, we're in good shape."
No Big Ones: Tennessee has yet to allow an opposing running back to rush for more than 20 yards on a single play.
In fact, UT's defense, which ranks fourth in the SEC against the run, has allowed only one rushing play of more than 20 yards, and that was a 23-yard run by UAB quarterback Joe Webb in the Vols' 35-3 victory on Sept. 13.
"A lot of it's maturity," defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "We played with a bunch of young guys last year. For a fact, we didn't tackle as well. We're tackling good right now. Not great, but we're tackling good. They understand the leverage part, they understand the scheme and we've got some good players."
Praise For Frazier: Tennessee's next star at linebacker just might be sophomore Savion Frazier.
"I think really when you start looking at the guys that haven't played very much for us at linebacker, he's the one that's really up and coming," Chavis said. "I think he has a chance to have a really bright future."
Frazier has seen limited action, but he has eight tackles, three of which came on special teams. Chavis said the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Frazier's biggest strides have come in his understanding of UT's scheme.
"Physically, he's been there," Chavis said. "Now mentally, I think he's ready. I feel very, very comfortable with him being the game. I think Savion will have a really bright future here."
Drew Edwards contributed to this report.
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Comments » 89
coaltrain1300 writes:
first!
tnpterodactyl writes:
Well. Alrighty then. On we go. Don't practice well...don't play well.
coaltrain1300 writes:
neat story lets carry it over to the game now and see what they are talking about.
VolinCalif writes:
Coaltrain
The handle sounds like an old L&N Steam eng. Are you from a RR background.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Somebody please help me out...who controls the offensive player rotations? If not Clawson, then who, and why not Clawson? Either he's in control or there's a split responsibility likely causing the confusion. It just feels like Clawson has at least one if not both hands tied behind his back. If that is true, and it seems like he's very tactfully signaling that it is, than no wonder the offense is such a mess. I don't know for sure, but something just doesn't seem right. And on top of possible meddling by the HC and resulting confusion the offense is trying to execute with an o-line that is not fundamentally sound. If only one or two things could be tweaked next year and we were stuck with the current HC, OC and DC, then I'd expect to see a new o-line, d-back and special teams coach on campus next year. Either Fulmer would need to assume o-line responsibilities to open up a special teams slot or we need to drop one of the two d-line coaches. Who else has a DT AND a DE coach with mandated staff size limits?
If Fulmer can't make these obvious changes than change him.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
The dreaded green jerseys over the spring and summer are a big contributor to this mess. Full speed contact would have either given Crompton the learning he needed or exposed him. Also I remember playing a vanilla defense in most or all scrimmages to give the offense confidence. At least one or more of those scrimmages should have exposed the offense to a real life SEC defense.
Practice soft and you'll play soft. We've seen this before, but apparently Phil forgot the lessons.
TNVolsFan writes:
To little to late. They should of had more physical practices before now. If you practice soft, you play soft. Period!!!!
CoverOrange writes:
5 yards on first
2.5 yards on second
____
3.75 yard average << 6 yard per carry goal
Drayton apparently didn't study math while at Florida.
Ironcity writes:
Stan doesn't have high expectations does he. 71/2 yards after two downs. I should like to see UT actually run the ball on two consecutive downs. that will stun Miss St.
JMP_Vols writes:
"I feel like we've practiced it better and I feel like we've had a more real look at it," Clawson said.
Awesome! Glad after months of practice and half the season we're finally getting a real look at it.
Sheesh, wanna get behind this guy, but some of his quotes....
BigVolinCarolina writes:
We may not be hurt by physical practices, but physical games sure seem to give us trouble.
Random thought: I think I'm just going to stop reading about UT football until there's a change on the field or a change in coaches. No matter how it's sliced, there's really nothing new to read about the state of our program.
fltapout writes:
Same old stories with the same old results.
"Great week of practice" quotes ain't gettn it done.
Football physical?
Now I can get some sleep.
CT_VOL writes:
As NIU said, "their offensive linemen were big and slow, which allowed us to shoot the gaps".
Frank
CT_VOL writes:
Dave Hooker, I am still waiting for you to publish a correction to your erroneous claim that Foster has a fumble rate of .01%. His fumble rate is 1.80%, which is high!
Dave Hooker, like the Vols, you continue to disappoint.
orangecountry21 writes:
savageorange
beachvol1 writes:
Hey Phil,
Have I missed out on the suspension of Gerald Williams for pulling a Mike Tyson on Moreno?? What is it going to be 1 game or 2 or nothing....probably nothing...just what you'd think the way you have gotten discipline off the field but not on the field now...
newtonrail writes:
Clawson obviously has overall control of offensive players in the ballgame.(Fulmer could get involved in the minutia if desired). What happens at Tenn and all programs to my knowledge is the position coach handles substitutions. Drayton for RB's, Atkins for linemen, Scott for WR's, and the TE's Coach during the game. They have offensive meetings during the week to set an order of substitution, as does defense. Also who plays when depends on "packages" they are running in some cases. Clawson can ask for certain receivers to come in, but they are normally in groups of three. With the amount of time Clawson has between plays to decide on play, call down, and get it signalled in accordance with new clock rules; he can't make many individual substitutions.
VOLKING writes:
Yeah, sure glad we haven't been bitten by the injury bug or we might really stink....sheesh.
SouthALVol writes:
Drayton said, "Obviously...I would love to have individuals over 6 yards per carry...But if we're winning ball games and staying on schedule, regardless of what that yards per average is, we're in good shape." What in the world is he talking about? Are we winning ball games? Have I been watching the wrong games on TV? Is 2-4 "in good shape?" Are we staying on schedule? I hope not because the schedule so far is underachievement and losses. I don't really like that schedule. How about the rest of y'all?
utmdm writes:
Key words per article "at least"
threehundredbowler writes:
I believe Drayton said IF we are winning ball games.He did not say we were actually winning.Will you morons please comperhend what is being said? You are too eager to find something to gripe about to actually read what is being said.
steve22043#233791 writes:
Lets let Hamilton go through the Alabama game, then send him and Fulmer off with some dignity. But we've got to get rid of both of them if we expect to ever be competitive again.
SouthALVol writes:
I think we have plenty to gripe about. Even if we come into this season with an untested QB we supposedly had a veteran offensive line intact from last season and a running back on the verge of becoming the alltime leading rusher in UT history. I grew up in Alabama in the 70's as a UT fan losing to Bama basically every year. I have plenty of loyalty and patience, but I can't understand what is going on. My patience is wearing thin.
HeckuvaStandpoint writes:
"From a contact standpoint, you'd like to think that more physical contact will make a heckuva difference from practice to game"
BSweet writes:
"The neat thing is he'll go out and hit people and block people(in the running game)."-Clawson on Denarius Moore
First, that comes from Troop's coaching last year. Credit where credit is due, Trooper was adamant about his receivers being complete players and blocking. If they wanted playing time, they had to do their part.
Second, why is this "neat"? It should be expected of receivers and not seen as a nice extra. Perhaps this is just another in the long list of problems with this team, low individual expectations.
If you accept mediocrity, don't be surprised when mediocrity is what you receive.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
come-onnnnnnnn Turbofan, he talking a minimum of 5 and 2.5 and whats with your no 3rd down- you assuming we alway throwing there--------you're stretching it in your attempt to be critical
coaltrain1300 writes:
my black labs registered name is Stepps Carolina Coaltrain. When he was little he felt like a train hitting you if he jumped on you. He is black so I named him Coal. When my internet life was growing 10 years ago it was my screen name for everything. Stepps' Klassy Kemen is my yella female that I got from Shuler so if you see it that is me as well. For what its worth. I have nothing to do with the railroad.
CrankE writes:
VOlstuck, Tuberville never beat UT while at Ole Miss. Fulmer is 3-4 against Tuberville.
Seasons with double digit postseason loss: 2001, 2004. Didn't those two teams win their bowl games? The SEC Championship game still counts as a regular season game.
Fact check please.
I don't think anyone really needs "more" evidence or convincing that Fulmer needs to be gone.
OldNumber7 writes:
Volstuckinky, I appreciate you posting that info - it is the real story. If there are any minor errors - it isn't appreciable. In 2001 Tennessee choked against LSU's backup QB in SEC title game and on Georgia's final drive at Neyland. Longest interval without SEC title (Battle) - wasn't there a good coach at Alabama most of those years?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
They may be washing the riderless horse.
Leading it could be Mr's Croom and Saban.
Shortly we will know.
CoverOrange writes:
Yes, if 2+ yards remains, Clawson always passes.
utdm, 3.75 is way less than 6. Mathmatically, if you always go half way you'll never ever get there.
volfan007 writes:
How many people do yall expect to be at the Miss. St. game?
I know a guy that was trying to sell two tickets to a room full of men....nobody wanted them....nobody. He also had 4 very good tickets to the Alabama game...he was going to sell them for $300.....no takers.
So, what do yall think? about the attendance?
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Thanks for posting that. Those numbers are nothing short of astonishing.
Remember Mike Hamilton's justification for 8 regular season wins as the basis Fulmer's automatic 1-year extension? "Historical average" at UT.
Perhaps Mike Hamilton should look at our history of what we've done to coaches who didn't get it done on the field. Based on those stats, Fulmer has had more than enough time to "right the ship" eventhough he's won a national championship.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
After a conversation with the black lab and the rambling beagle, I have a theory that the author of Phil's save-my-bacon late season pushes (agin the lesser teams) has departed for the Tarheel State.
Its kinda like when you finally get rid of that old recliner, the new one seems strange and unsettling.
We are strange and unsettled.
cjraney writes:
I don't think Clawson has much control over how practices are run, just like it appears he doesn't have much control over personnel decisions.
dirtdobber1 writes:
3 cheers for the MUSTANG PACKAGE. Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!
CharlotteVol writes:
I'm with you Ironcity. Clawson has a "throw first, run second" mentality, just like our old friend Randy Sanders. On paper, we should be able to run the ball well - an experienced, run-oriented o-line...strong group of RB's... But without giving them the ability to get into a rhythm, we end up with what we have - an ineffective running game.
You can't run effectively if you don't call running plays consistently. Heaven knows with the inexperience we have at QB, it is beyond reason to think we need to be pass-first minded.
tnpterodactyl writes:
That is freakin' hillarious!
orangeinbama writes:
I am a firm believer that you have to play each practice or game snap like it is the most important play of the game. You must bust chops and win each and every play. Spring & Fall practice you pit offense aganist the defense, challenge their manhood, and demand more when they get beat, and praise them when they win the battle. Hug em when they win the war. You will never ever hear me blame a coach & say too bad "so and so" got hurt because of a "physical" practice. You dont want to go to war when the guy beside you has nothing but paintball experience. Seems that the toughness is missing and our running game suffers. I expect to see some improvement this week.
gslaton#227127 writes:
Until the opposing team fears the qb's ability to complete passes regularly, they will put 8 or more in the box every time to stop the run. It is working and until Stephens (or Crompton) have a good game or two of 10 to 20 yard passes, they will load up. Every opponent will do the same. Before Ainge became consistent, opponents played him the same way. Last year, they couldn't and the run game did well. Hitting in practice notwithstanding, success starts with the qb being consistent. So far, the Vols have struggled with that...although Stephens can get there.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Agree.
This malaise has the fans I know not even looking forward, much less getting hyped for Saturdays.
Friend of mine couldn't give his NIU tickets away and got face for the Bama ducats. He said he could have possibly made more by going to K-town, but he's just not interested anymore.
Phil's understated demeanor has swallowed the Vol Nation.
CharlotteVol writes:
well said gslaton. I agree with you that defenses are stacking the box because they know we are shaky at QB. I also feel that our game plan must prioritize getting that running game established, either by forcing them out of the box by making some early throws, or by wearing them down by running it, mixing up the middle with end around, G-gun, etc.
In the "spread offense" Clawson brings, we telegraph our running plays. There is no creativity to our running game because it isn't the priority.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
wow... i knew the program has been in decline but OMG.... Did someone send this to hamilton??
nothing else needs to be said just hand this to fulmer and ask him.... would you let a person continue to run an $80M program with this type of performance against the best
TommyJack writes:
Please ignore the gator interloper.
beef4davols writes:
I am loving how all of our coaches keep "wishing" they could get certain players in the game. First Warren now Moore. It is quite simple. Take one player out of the game and put the playmaker in. What is this unseen force that is keeping that from happening? (other than pass blocking)
fltapout writes:
Sporting News mentioned this guy as a replacement for Fulmer. Here is his profile. Does anyone know about him?
http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-f...
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
So if youre Clawson, and you see the O line cannot block at all, its 3rd and 2, what do you do if youre him? I dont blame him for throwing on 3rd and short. If our all world line could live up to the hype, we could have more options at that time. Execution is what is killin us in that scenario, not his playcalling. We cant execute 3rd and short to run. Simple as that
richvol writes:
Position coaches should have input into who plays but I believe that whoever is in charge of the offense should be the final word on who gets the most snaps... not Fulmer.
The reason that Saban and Meyer are so successful is due to their insistence that they get everyone's best effort...from the players to the coaches. Saban is famously tough on his assistant coaches and will not hesitate to replace one if he doesn't get his players up to speed.
Fulmer,on the other hand,is famous for never replacing an underperforming assistant coach or player. He literally has to be forced to make any kind of personnel decision. I mean really...look at how our secondary has performed over the last several years. Additionally,the offensive line has not been feared since 2001. This BS about how well we ran the ball last year is BS. We were so inconsistant it was ridiculous and it's even worse this year. How many 3rd and 1 failures does someone need to see to know the truth?
The OL is fat and slow. I'm sure they are strong but it's speed,technique and execution that win the battles in the trenches. Lombardi ran his plays over and over and over until they got it right and then he ran it some more... see Jerry Kramer's book.
The tough physical practices should have been going on all the time. You don't suddenly become tough after six games...another example of Phil being out of touch with what it takes to develop discipline and execution in a team.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
Good point, Volguy. It's very easy to sit on your sofa and armchair quarterback, but I don't think nary a one of us has the detailed knowledge of each player's pros and cons that our coaching staff has. Not excusing anyone, but that's the way it is.
It all starts at recruiting, that is where we are failing, that is where are past laurels rest, and I'm not sure the answer is as easy as a new coach. Maybe, maybe not. might be the deathlock that all the OTHER coaches have on their in-state talent. Ya think?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Chavis - Savion Frazier- good athlete, but doesn't quite understand out schemes.
Huh!
Send him to Ga or Fla for some ojt. They know our "schemes" very well.
No runs over 20! By then they're back ro Berry and Company on Slades's 2-9 dropback.
Get ready, Bulldogs, here we are.
PPV or Kesling?
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