Video
Coach Fulmer talks about starting the season 1-2 and how to overcome the mistakes they've made as an organization. Watch »
Video
Coach Fulmer addresses the topic of negative comments regarding his coaching and the Vols' playing ability following the loss to Florida and the effects that it has on the players. Watch »
Interview with Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer.
1. Describe the play and attitude of defensive back Eric Berry through the first five games of the season.
A - "Eric is playing exceptionally well. From the secondary he has become a leader of our defensive unit. I'm very proud of the job he has done. Everyone knows Eric is a hard-hitting, tough football player."
2. Facing another strong SEC team Saturday on the road, tell what the Vols need to accomplish this week to bounce back against Auburn.
A - "Bounce back is the key wording. So far we have not played our best football. Defensively, we are playing hard and playing reasonably well. We never gave ourselves a chance in the last game. It's one thing and then another. We've got to keep the faith, work hard, fight the battle and get back on track."
3. Give your assessment of the defensive unit's play up to this point of the season.
A - "They're running around and playing hard. I'd like to do a little better and get off the field quicker after third downs. Other than that our defense has played pretty well. There are plenty of ways to improve, but the effort has been uniformly good."
4. What problems will Auburn's new, but improving, offense present Saturday?
A - "They played really well against a fine LSU team. They have settled on a quarterback, Chris Todd being the guy to operate their spread offense. They made a lot of good plays against LSU. They are a challenge but we've seen the same type offense three games in a row."
5. What must the Vols do Saturday to move the ball against Auburn's traditionally stout defense?
A - "They are very physical with fast, hard-hitting defensive linemen. The linebackers cover their area. They put pressure on the quarterback and do a good job stopping the run. They have a lot of good athletes flying around."
UT's new $45 million football…
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 128
WalkingClassic writes:
I have tried to be positive but not looking forward to this game
debaser11 writes:
Sounds just like John McCain explaining what to do about the economy.
DooleyNoted writes:
I haven't felt this bad about our football team since my freshman year in '88 when we started 0-6.
DooleyNoted writes:
At least McCain has Sarah Palin to fall back on unlike that idiot Joe Biden.
rblakeh writes:
Has UT played 5 games?
caskew#218608 writes:
Haha.....excellent question! Did we miss another loss or two somewhere??
CrankE writes:
4) Does UCLA run a spread offense? How's that three weeks worth of spread?
5) Uh, coach, could you please answer the question?
___________________
6) Coach, If the players are responsible for the loss, then who are you going to bench? If you're responsible, then what are you doing differently?
7) Coach, You indicate that we might go with another punter. Whom else on this team deserves to take a break? Arian Foster for the classless and brainless penalty on his first carry? Jon Crompton for his mismanagement of the clock?
8) Coach, end of the third quarter, the TD was being reviewed, why in the world did it take 13 seconds to have a play ready and run it?
jcvol#215939 writes:
I've got it ... maybe we need a new punter
Mansonlamps writes:
After reading that my IQ dropped about 50 points. I mean what was the point of even posting something that contains no information whatsoever?
mjaichele#464960 writes:
I feel so fortunate to have purchased 3 season ticktets this year, to the University of Colorado. My only question is, what happens to those "Victory or Bama" Cigars that will not get passed out this year.
tennisvol writes:
Yea, once we get a new punter, looks like smooth sailing the rest of the way. Good job, coach.
MrKnoxville writes:
Leave it to a hippy to come into a football forum and take a shot at McCain...by the way Sarah Palin drew a crowd of 60,000 this weekend to see her...she is living the American Dream right now.
vol4gzus writes:
I hate booing too as I think it is poor sportmanship. Yes, I know you need to voice your opinion as to disatisfaction with the team. However, as has been mentioned many times b4 by those much wiser than I, empty seats and low concessions get the attention more of sir Hamilton and others. Reduced ticket sales for 2009 speaks louder than booing to the powers that be sir.
Did you notice that our RB commit from Florida was staying with his commit though booing was seen UNFAVORABLY?
So your intent is to send a message to Fulmer etc. You are also sending it out over the airwaves too many listeners that read it a different way. So continue with your right to express yourself while your agenda my serve UT in a negative way even if you could achieve your desired result of a new coach at the helm.
Go VOLS beat the tigers!
behindenemylines writes:
Auburn is not a great team by any stretch of the imagination. If Tennessee loses this game prepare for the wheels to come flying off. "Bounce Back" is highly unlikely considering we have players that play for their "football family" Alumni, donors, former players, Students are TENNESSEE and if you only learn one thing while your playing at UT it should be the TENNESSEE FOOTBALL IS BIGGER THAN YOU ROBERT AYERS, CROMPTON, AND ANYONE ELSE IN THE LOCKER ROOM THAT WAS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT BOOING THAN GETTING EMBARASSED. I did not boo but those who did paid to be there and if that is how they let their feelings be known then so be it.
IndianOutlaw writes:
I have never, nor will I ever, criticize or called the coaches or players stupid names like many posters do. I have since being a HS junior in KY, a UT student in 66 and alumni been involved with UT football. My father in law played for Captain Neyland. I have always respected Coach Fulmer and his staff but I now believe it is time for him to do what Lloyd Carr, another Tennessean, did at Michigan last year. For the good of the Team, School and State announce your retirement and leave with class give the administration time to find a quality replacement. Don't go out like Johnny did. It's over. When I witnessed the 2 season ticket holder couples in front of me leave early in the 3rd and say hope to see you next year we won't be back to watch this junk. When I see another season ticket holder rip their shirt off, it's time. Go with Class, but you must go for the good of all and mostly yourself, I really don't what to see you as a bitter old man like Johnny.
Thanks for the good times and let's forget about the bad.
OrangeAndWhite4Life writes:
Last time I went to "The Plains" my beloved Volunteers made a goal line stand and stopped the Tigers/War Eagles on 4 straight plays. I can only hope for the same on Saturday. Luckily, I don't have my hopes up too high.
GO Vols !!
jclowers writes:
Don't worry everyone we will have a new punter going in to this game. All of our poor tackling, turnovers in the red zone, erratic (at best) quarterback play, no leadership, bad coaching, dumb play-calling, lack of intensity, poor execution, bad run blocking, no pressure from our defensive front, etc. will be solved by blaming it all on Chad Cunningham. We were going to blame it all on Randy Sanders like we did in 2005, but we just realized he's at Kentucky.
vol4gzus writes:
To the writer(you know who you are)try and get over your bitterness it will eat you alive. How about a positive post for every 3 negatives?
On topic,I watched Auburn/LSU sporadically and agree another uphill battle. Question is which UT/Auburn team shows up. Auburn team vs. Miss St or LSU? Tenn vs Fla/UCLA?
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
"Yada Yada Yada" I'll listen when you can step up in a big game.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
gobigorange1 writes:
A friend of mine roped me into going down to Auburn for this game six months ago. Now I have to drive for five hours and hope we don't have a repeat of last weekend. For the love of all things holy, please let our hotel room have a mini bar.
MrKnoxville writes:
5. What must the Vols do Saturday to move the ball against Auburn's traditionally stout defense?
A - "They are very physical with fast, hard-hitting defensive linemen. The linebackers cover their area. They put pressure on the quarterback and do a good job stopping the run. They have a lot of good athletes flying around."
Coach Fulmer has no answer for the question since he stated the obvious about Auburn's defense.
Can someone in the athletic department call Lane Kiffin and get him here ASAP?
Fla_Vol writes:
Halleulah, Amen!!!
auttat writes:
Well Dang! If he is answering questions about the Auburn game, I guess that means he is still the coach!!!
DemocratVol writes:
Over 965 people have signed my petition in a little less than 18 hours. I hope you will sign, too.
Enough is enough. Let's send a message to Mike Hamilton that we expect more from our football program. Please sign my petition.
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_per...
KennesawVol writes:
You took the words right out of my mouth, my friend.
MrKnoxville writes:
If he would see this is bigger than him like Carr did it would be a great thing...he is going to end up like Bobby Bowden with the game being 2 steps ahead of us every BIG game we play.
Lane Kiffin...let's get him from the Raiders for the love of God since Al Davis is done with him. The man can recruit the big guns and develop a player to beyond his potential...I lived in LA when he was at USC...the big NFL caliber names loved him man!
Fla_Vol writes:
and that was 60,000 standing (no seats) in 90 degrees under a blazing Sun in a retirement village
mjaichele#464960 writes:
Tennessee will beat Auburn, it makes perfect sense. I would bet a case of Moose Drool on it I am so sure.
cdonsbach writes:
LOL
Yeah she can tell him how to build an igloo, cook a moose, and take money from BP.
luckymacy#423360 writes:
Priceless, non homer, hit the nail on the head analysis:
and just think, they didn't blame the punter but they did blame the coaches...I think these guys could have coached our team better than our coaches did...
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?ti...
VolunTampa writes:
"We've got to keep the faith, work hard, fight the battle and get back on track". Uhhh, Coach, which track is that, exactly? And in order to get back on track, don't we have to have been on it in the first place?
cdonsbach writes:
WOW! She must be the best thing ever!
utvol1961#212938 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
skinalive#242458 writes:
We are on the track.....the train track and we are tied to it while the Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and probably Vanderbilt expresses prepare to run over us.
cdonsbach writes:
Have you guys seen The Rock on campus?
It has "Fire Phil" on it.
Here's a link to a photo of it:
http://loserswithsocks.com/2008/09/22...
rockytop4ever writes:
Now that we have that pesky punter problem out of the way can we play some damn football please?
cdonsbach writes:
Clay Travis of deadspin.com has a funny review of the UT/Florida game up:
http://deadspin.com/5053223/college-f...
An excerpt:
"Florida had outscored UT 58-0 since the third quarter of last year's game. And I'd seen all those points in person. This is no rivalry anymore."
SandySpringsVol writes:
"When the UCLA Bruins lost a game by 59 points back on Sept. 13, one had the creeping feeling that the 2008 edition of the Tennessee Volunteers wasn’t going to amount to much. After 60 minutes of football on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, those feelings were confirmed." - CollegeFootballNews.com
Couldn't have said it better myself.
MrKnoxville writes:
Putting their lives on the line for the Republican cause LOL...God Bless everyone of them.
dinovols#278873 writes:
Fan's have a right too Boo who ever they want to Boo especially, when you spend your money and drive 3 hours from Atlanta to see this mess they put on the field and a coaching stuff inept and dumb as hell and a total embarracement to the state of Tennessee, Alumni and Athletics
GoVol writes:
5. What must the Vols do Saturday to move the ball against Auburn's traditionally stout defense?
A - "They are very physical with fast, hard-hitting defensive linemen. The linebackers cover their area. They put pressure on the quarterback and do a good job stopping the run. They have a lot of good athletes flying around."
Fulmer didn't even answer the question!! Guess what - to some of idiot Fulmer lovers....he didn't answer it because he simply doesn't know. Fulmer is so pathetic and a loser!!!
msvolsfan writes:
ESPN's Chris Low hit the nail on the head. "The harsh reality is that Tennessee is an average football program right now." Thanks Chris, many of us realists on here have realized this since the 2005 "perfect storm". Cutcliff was simply brought in to cover Fulmer's rear and now he has jumped ship. Can you blame him? I used to watch UT football games and get excited, no matter who we were playing, because I always thought we had a chance to beat anybody, and we used to have the talent to do it. Now, with our program slipping into the abyss, I watch each game with nervous anticipation of the next big mistake. aka a boneheaded personal foul on third and short or a fumble inside the opponent's 5 yard line. How sad is this? I used to look forward to watching our games because they were fun to watch. Now, I have to drink constantly just to make it through our games without destroying my $1,200 tv. What does that say about the state of our football program? Seriously though coach, enough is enough. It's time to gracefully step aside before we become Kentucky, Mississippi State, or Ole Miss. Notice how I left Vandy out of that group. Yes, they're actually pretty decent this year and may beat us. Bobby Johnson has done more with less while Phixable Phil has done much less with more as of late.
pms151 writes:
just watch the 89 auburn game being played on espn classic right now and you will know what we have to do to win.
Oenoboy writes:
That's reassuring. Less than 2 years running a state with a population less than Memphis? No thanks. Stick to football boys because your political logic is dumbfounding. Besides, this is a football board.
volingreensboro writes:
Here we go, a perfect example of the FINE democratic party, your "change" candidate has nothing to promote, your only ammo is to talk about Palin's daughter, not even Palin herself. CLASSLESS. Everyone in this country with a teenage child, could be in the same situation. What is wrong with you people?
MrKnoxville writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Phowell23 writes:
Blah blah blah, we gotta hit the practice field and get better talk. Let's talk details on how we are going to improve this team not that "well we haven't played our best football". We all know this Fulmer. Tell us something we don't know.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
It is really bad when my LSU fan friends here in Baton Rouge actually feel sorry for me and offer condolences. They talk of Gerry DiNardo and their lean years. Sad when UTs program is on par with the failings of an Ex-Vanderbilt coach.
You know, the optimist in me is looking deep for silver linings. I'm hard pressed at this point. I'm sure we will surprise someone this year and win a big one. It might be Georgia, Auburn, or Alabama...but think about it...Do we want a program where winning a big one is a "surprise", where South Carolina is a probable loss, and where Vanderbilt and Kentucky are toss-ups? Heck, I don't count any of the non-cons as sure things!!!
I wasted so much energy this preseason defending Fulmer. My optimism, in my mind, was justified by a 10-4 team that (yes) backed into the SECCG, but did it with heart. I'd rather see a team that pulls out tough victories like we did with Vandy, KY, and SC, even though they should have been won handily, than a team that gives up and loses them all. All indications at this point is we may not have the talent on offense to even pull out the squeakers. Coaches need to get a pair and try one of the back up QBs. It's that simple. For the good of the program, at least give the appearance to young recruits that they have the opportunity to outshine an upperclassman and get the starting job. Build a foundation for the future.
It is time to step down Phil. It has been a heckuva run. You WILL go down as a Tennessee great. Don't let your pride get in the way. Go down with respect before your reputation has been completely tarnished.
I have a lot of ill feelings toward the persistant negativity of some in the fanbase. I think some simply want your head on a stick. Some want to embarass you, drag your name through the mud. I've even seen the attitude on this thread. Don't sink to their level by being stubborn. Do the loyal fans who have class a service by stepping aside, assuming another role in the program, and let a young, energetic guy come in and fire up the players. I truly think that is what this program needs. We aren't on life support yet.
Thanks Phil for all you have done, but it is time.
airvols#371403 writes:
Nothing like listening to two loosers this week, Phil Fulmer and John McCain.
IndianOutlaw writes:
Mr. K and Volingreensboro, I was going to post but your comments aimed toward our enlighten and compassionate Democratic kin sums it up. As our old friend Rodney King said. Why can't we all just get along. and BTW the is a football board, I think
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.