Florida Gators
A quick glance at Tennessee’s roster reveals that Stan Drayton doesn’t have a number.
That’s a pretty good sign the first-year running backs coach won’t suit up for the Vols on Saturday when No. 4 Florida comes to Knoxville.
And despite the fact Drayton spent the last three years on Urban Meyer’s staff at Florida, Tennessee’s coaches don’t think Drayton’s knowledge of the Gators will have much impact on the outcome of Saturday’s game (TV: WVLT, 3:30 p.m.).
“I think it’s way overblown,” says UT defensive line coach Dan Brooks, himself a former Florida assistant. “Stan’s not going to play any plays. He knows the personnel, but then you have (new) guys mixed in. It’s not like they hide anything. We’ve got every play they run on film. I think it’s way overblown.”
Drayton was candid about Florida when he was introduced at UT in January, telling how Meyer initially was upset that Drayton would leave his staff to join division rival Tennessee.
“I can’t go into too much detail, but it was a little rough, a little rocky,” Drayton said then. “He had a coach that was getting ready to entertain a situation at his rival school. I understood that completely.”
Drayton declined interview requests this week, however he said following last Saturday’s 35-3 victory over UAB that he wanted to avoid being a focal point this week.
“I’m going to try not to make it personal because ultimately it’s about winning for the ‘Power T,’ ” Drayton said. “These players, they play for the ‘T.’ You can’t make it a personal game. It can’t be for Coach Drayton. I can’t make it a personal game for me, either. It’s about getting these guys ready to play and win an SEC football game.”
When it comes to preparing for Florida’s unique spread offense, Drayton’s no secret agent.
Drayton did share insights on Florida with UT’s defensive coaches this week. Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell said the Vols have also called defensive coordinators from Hawaii and Miami, Florida’s first two opponents this season, as they often do to prepare for other games.
“Stan’s not going to play one snap come Saturday,” Caldwell said. “They’re going to operate their offense, and we’re going to operate our defense. We’re going to have line up and go play.”
Defensive coordinator John Chavis said those conversations with Drayton haven’t brought any major revelations about Florida’s offense.
“I’ve talked to Stan a little bit about it, but not anything that we didn’t already expect,” Chavis said. “He kind of confirmed some things that we thought, but not a lot. Not anything we spent a lot of time with. We’re going to rely on what we see, we’re going to rely on how our scheme fits their scheme and what we try to do to take away what they do best.”
It’s hard to determine exactly what Florida does best.
The Gators boast perhaps the fastest group of skill players in the country, including wide receiver Percy Harvin and speedsters like Jeff Demps, Chris Rainey and Brandon James, who all line up at different places on the field.
Twelve different players have carried the ball in just two games this season, and four of Florida’s top five in total offense boast a 40-yard-dash time of 4.4 seconds or faster. And junior Tim Tebow returns as Florida’s leading rusher, one of the SEC’s most efficient passers and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
Knowing what the Gators are going to do is one thing. Stopping them is another, no matter how much insight Drayton can provide.
“I don’t think there’s anything that he could tell us that we don’t see on film, unless he still had a headset where he could tie in and listen to what play they were going to call,” Chavis said. “And then that still might not help at all, either.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 77
Major_Magilicutty writes:
I believe we beat UAB 35-3, or does KNS cover UT football games?
Ironcity writes:
I think Drayton can give UT a lot more then Chavis wants us to believe
papavol writes:
GO VOLS
HighlanderVol writes:
I think you right Ironcity . Chavis is not going to say yes he has help us a lot. No 1 would .
LasVegasVol writes:
Either way, still gotta stop 'em.
GerryOP writes:
You're right Ironcity! Coach Fulmer tends to lean toward the Junior and Senior guys for PT and Chavis is doing the same thing with Drayton. Letting him know that he is the FNG!
The big time players of a few years ago used to brag about telling the opponents "Here's our play, try to stop us!" Likewise, Chavis should be saying "You're danged right Drayton gives us inside info about UF and we use every bit of it!" But, nooooo, Chavis has to play the game of "Naw, it's no big deal. We already know everything we need to know." Not sure whether Chavis is being arrogant or is simply ignorant!
Won't matter anyway. Our guys are gonna take the game into their own hands and skin some Gator. Send 'em back to Gainsville with their tails tied around their silly gator-chomping jaws!
99gator writes:
if drayton can't help you, i'm sure jimmy ray stephens is available. maybe, y'all can get some more insights from him.
Volalumnus writes:
I Think Meyer and TBow could yell their offensive plays out before the play and the TN Def players still would start out in bad positions to stop it anyway.
MrBamSeydu writes:
At least we're admitting that even if we knew what plays they call, we still couldn't stop them. GREAAAAAT!!! That's just awesome to hear.
Can we PLEASE fire the entire staff and start over? I can take a few "down" seasons to get the program refreshed and renewed. I mean, it's nothing we haven't been dealing with since 2000 anyway.
2000, 2002, 2003, 2005.....
I mean, we considered last year a good year and we lost 4 games.
mdvol writes:
5 of the last 6 games in Knoxville have been decided by 5 points or less. Vols are 2-4 in those games.
volindaphne writes:
Where is Gerald Williams? Will he play Saturday?
TommyJack writes:
It's time for The Chief to retire to the reservation. Actually, it's past time.
CoverOrange writes:
99gator, not to rain on your parade because I also think Jimmy Ray was a bad hire but Jimmy was a Spurrier asst and came to UT after Spurrier left UF. Anyway, we were 2-1 before Meyer showed up and Jimmy left.
99gator writes:
turbofan
it was a joke because i know jimmy ray is not very popular in knoxville
vol1994 writes:
I am not going to get into a debate about the coaches, who should go, when they should go,etc but as far as chavis- He plans to coach 4 more years and hang it up.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
OldSouth-
No way! Can you post a link to a story on that? I have a hard time believing that. At least, I hope that's not true. There's no crying in football!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
gatorfan8-
You didn't fire him you dumbazz. He quit and came to UT b/c Herban Cryer doesn't know how to use a RB in his offense. Who wants to be a RB's coach on a team that let's the QB run it 3 times as much as the 1st string RB?
IBleedOrange444 writes:
OldSouth-
Wow, that's sad, and disappointing, and kind of funny all at the same time. The funniest part, though, was down in the comments where the author of the column states that the ousted running back who provided the scoop "is happily pursuing a career as a rap artist now". Ha ha, good luck with that homie!
DennisVols writes:
Unlike Zook the crook who was caught faxing UT's playbook to the Gators the week before the week.
I still can't believe they allowed him to leave rather than a tar and feather party.
yeavols#228407 writes:
I just want to say..I have been a loyal VOL since my graduation and before then..but I am holding a funeral this weekend..I just want to say good bye ..this year is especially hard..I thought after 10 years we could at least get a BCS bowl, or win the SEC, or some respect..the only thing we can get at this point is Vanderbilt looking forward to play us...is there any hope? I just can't find any...
utkedu writes:
I am amazed by the way that so many UT fans on this site have completely given up. Maybe they will be proven right on Saturday, but it is a rare thing that UT plays a top 5 team at home and I hope these young men take advantage and pull off the upset against Fla.
Just curious, if UT beats Fla, as unlikely as that may be, does Fulmer get a break from the haters for a while? I am not saying I would be completely against a coaching change if UT ends up with 3+ losses this year, but for the anti-Fulmers, would anything short of an SEC Championship get his job security in tact?
yeavols#228407 writes:
UTKedu..you haven't seen the UCLA game? the team that played BYU and lost 59-0? have you seen us play against the worst team in some pitiful conference..UBA? UTKEDU..even you say "IF UT beats UF"..sounds like you are on the fence..pick your fight and stay with it..i stayed with mine
thevoice writes:
34th!! Watch out "1st," I'm coming!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TJ7:09 - It may be a insurance thing about the twins keeping him on.
utkedu7:57 - nine years of trying to win the SEC has had its effect.
Go4Two writes:
Touchdown
Dayton decided to come to tennessee. He thought he had a better chance to develop under Fulmer. Meyer runs some type of Funky do running game that does not bring in top running backs
kicknwing writes:
has anyone else heard the rumor of skip holtz possibly taking over at Tennessee if Fulmer gets the boot. I heard it today on a gamecock radio station and at first wrote it off, but the more I thought about it, the more I think I like the idea of it. I've always been a huge supporter of our head ball coach, but man if we get hammered by the dang gators again like I'm sure we will then something has got to change. It just feels like we our behind the power curve in the conference and i'm tired of losing sleep at night because of TN football. Although Jon Gruden sounds intriguing, I think Skip would be able to do tremendous things for Tennessee. Just wanted to see what everybody thinks about that.
VolFanNC writes:
They have really been preparing fo rthis for a year. I don't think anything Florida does they will not be prepared for....I am guessing at some point Florida will do a fake punt...etc...but everyone on TN will have seen this before.
Funny point is that they may want to talk to the teams that beat Florida last year. I don't think Georgia, Michigan, LSU or Auburn were running the spread....I think they just decided to run the ball, throw to their tight ends, and throw it deep every once in a while. They basically played with intensity and had good line play with few mistakes....hopefully all the trash talking this week will get the players to actually play with some passion. Ton of recruits coming this weekend, a loss probably spells the end of recruiting this year...a win spells a great recruiting year.
Volalumnus writes:
utkedu
I don't consider myself a Fulmer hater, but for me the position should be that Fulmer has lost his Job and if he wins the SEC championship then he can win it back, but he has had too many embarrassing loses at this point and his refusal to get rid of chavis is inexcusable.
It not what he will do more than what he has done.
Maybe he will do it, but this level of faith in the program has become to low.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Does anyone know how to bet in Vegas? I need some quick cash and this should be easy. a split with anyone who knows.. iam betting big!
GerryOP writes:
utkedu, I think you are jumping to a conclusion. I do not believe that many are giving up on the Vols. But, many of us are fed up with Fulmer and Chavis. We have listened to 10 years of Fulmer's inane excuses for failure, and now, after UCLA ('member, fans do not understand?) and the above article we are hearing the same phooey from Chavis. Pompous, arrogant jerk!
This team needs to do the same thing the '98 team did. They nodded their heads and yawned as the coaches slathered them with blather and then went out on the field and used their God-given talent to kick some butt! That is what this team should have done in Pasadena and that is what this team needs to do Saturday. This team has enough Senior leadership to do exactly what the guys did in '98!
Guys, get out their and skin some Gators! Start taking orders for Gator-skin wallets, purses, and boots!
yeavols#228407 writes:
I AM BETTING BIG..I have given up..I have no recourse..if you can't beat em..join em! easy! Does anyone have a betting line? what's the spread? I need some advice! Hurry..wallstreet has plundered..
GerryOP writes:
Whoops! Last sentence should start with "Guys, get out there..."
yeavols#228407 writes:
By the way...we keep getting everyone's rejects inlcuding Florida's...coaching that is..the players don't want to come here
CoverOrange writes:
99gator, 7:13, I know. Just didn't think it funny because the analogy didn't quite make a good punchline.
Here's an idea for a trick play. Line Warren up at FB, Gerald Jones at TB, Double TE, one wide. Are we running or throwing? Not even Crompton would know.
VolFanNC writes:
yeavols....Odds are still 7 points for gators, but I am still not completely buying into this being a loss. Fulmer has put everything on the line for this game. All the big recruits are coming. My guess is that they have been steamed about this all year and this is the only game they really spent all summer caring about.
Both offensive and defensive lines are better this year. DB's and safeties are better...RB's are playing better...only thing is really Crompton and coaching. The promise by CPF is that Crompton would get the ball out quickly this time....so will see. I also believe that they have left some plays out of the book in the first 2 games, like Eric Berry at QB....Gerald jones making a throw...Gerald Willaims at DE...etc...
I do believe if they lose it really is the end of CPF...he has put too much into this game especially on the recruiting side.
In other words, I think they will realy leave everything out there this time, instead of looking beat as soon as adversity hits like last year. Call me crazy, but CPF pulls out games like this when his back is against the wall and everyone writes him off.
DarthVol writes:
DennisVols: Jack Sells did the faxing. Zook did the recieving.
Volin68 writes:
No advantage? Riiight....
kicknwing writes:
Old South, I agree that Lou hates TN and for good reason, but heck Lou probably hates a lot of SEC teams because over his years at USC he lost to a lot of teams. And besides Skip has his own career to think of and what better team could he possibly coach for. I mean we are in the toughest conference and the toughest division in all of college football. Maybe I'm just wishful thinking, but it's just a thought. Something to take my mind off the play of our team in the opening games.
gohawks1 writes:
VOLstuckINky - I gotta go with gatorzz on this one. I don't wish injuries on Tebow or anyone else playing the game.
However, I'm all for ringing his bell with a good clean hit at every opportunity. Knock him down, pick him up, dust him off, and knock him down again on the next play! Let's see some dirt and grass stain on the boy's uniform, and some sod stuck in his facemask.
vol4good#206163 writes:
I will never forget the way I felt going into the Georgia game last year, I admit that I didnt give TN much of a chance, but wow didnt they show up that day. Maybe just maybe that team and it's grit will show up again this Saturday. No matter how bad things look now, the Tennessee history will carry us on, new coach or no new coach. Play your best on Sat fellas, I will be there and I will not leave or quit until the game ends!!! GO VOLS!
RJ_Vol writes:
If fan base turns on this team:
UT = Texas A&M, Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA, Miami...
In other words, these are schools w/ fan bases that had ridiculous expectations and drove their program into oblivion. We ARE in the hardest division in America. How on Earth are we going to win every game? NO coach is going to come to UT (for any amount of money) if we fire CPF on these terms. Also, all of these rumors absolutely squelched recruiting during a good football season last year. Are we going to do that again? I'm not real sure if the so called "fans" on this site are fans when they are critical of the team during its biggest game of the year. Who needs enemies when you have friends like these? Now my opinion is that most UT fans are awesome and that a few are termites trying to eat at the structure of the program. Yes, UCLA was bitter. But it's one game. The negs needed that game after "suffering" through last year. As for me, my can is going to be parked at the Vol walk an hour early and I'm going to do my best to let that team know that I'm behind them. Go Big Orange or go home!
CT_VOL writes:
This is beautiful! Look the the Florida player's head getting crushed by the mighty vol!
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/s...
CT_VOL writes:
This is beautiful! Look at the Florida player's head being crushed by the might vol!
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/s...
dburgvolfan writes:
Can someone tell me if Drayton will be playing this weekend? I couldn't tell from the article.
volsare1 writes:
im so tired of our own fans bashing the hell out of team players coaches and everything else down the line go cheer for another damn team you idiots
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
OldSouth, Skip is a big boy now --I dont think daddy hating Tenn as you suggest would have any effect givewn an opportunity to coach this program if ever offered---and again why is that "haten" Tenn if he truely believes it if picking against us---is he supposed to lose credibility by kissing orange azzes just to make some folks happy rather than give his honest opinions???????
dburgvolfan writes:
I had high hopes for this week's game, but after reading this I'm afraid our defensive gameplan may look a lot like last year's. It looks like Chavis and his coaches don't think they need any assistance, especially from someone that was actually at fl. last year. I will be at the game supporting the team, but now fearing the worst (a repeat of last year).
Volin68 writes:
You tell 'em RJ. I hope none of you fair weather boo-birds are sitting near me at the game. Please sell your tickets to some real fans. You wimps probably don't remember the 70's. The General would stomp your butts and then feed 'em to ya.
utkedu writes:
For all of those who responded to my question about this team, thank you, but only one or two of you focused on the question I asked. What does it take for Fulmer to get job security back? Is it a National Championship, an SEC Championship, a win over Florida, or is it not possible?
For those who accuse me of being on the fence, fine, I am on the fence. I think UT has the talent to win on Saturday and I think my trust in this team and coaching staff (despite the poor job they did against UCLA) can be regained, so I am not making final judgement until after this game. So sue me. If UT wins the next two weeks, I imagine all of you will be back on the bandwagon, and if not, then fire the staff and you have my blessings. So, for those of you who have given up and want a coaching change prior to the start of the SEC schedule, I don't expect you to post on this site on Saturday evening unless UT loses, but please forgive me if I take the risk of hoping one more time that UT has a miracle to surprise us with.
GerryOP writes:
TurboFan, here is an idea for a series of trick plays!
1st & 10, Crompton hands off to Poole up the right side for 5 yards! 2nd & 5, Cromton hands off to Creer up the middle for 4 yards! 3rd and 1, Warren goes straight out 5 yards, cuts across the middle. Crompton rolls out and flips it to Warren who grabs it and turns straight downfield for a TD! We recruited these young kids to play some ball, let 'em friggin' play! Next series we still got Hardesty, Jones, Foster and a couple of other experienced heroes to do some shi ... er ... stuff!
In short, stuff it down thier freakin' Gator throats. A couple of series like that and them Florida punks will roll over and play dead like good Gators -- just as if Jungle Jim was ticklin' their bellies.
Turn Williams loose on D and Timmy Tebow will wish he was back in Malaysia or wherever workin' for "tips!"
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