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Coach Fulmer talks about starting the season 1-2 and how to overcome the mistakes they've made as an organization. Watch »
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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 »
Auburn Tigers
Tennessee's football team responded to criticism of a different sort during the weekly press conference on Tuesday.
This time, it came from CBS analyst Gary Danielson, who said UT didn't have enough star power on offense during the broadcast of last Saturday's 30-6 loss to Florida.
Sophomore receiver Gerald Jones disagreed, sort of.
Initially, Jones pointed out that tailback Arian Foster was projected to be a second-round pick by the NFL Draft Advisory Board in January.
Then Jones began to think.
"Then again he's kind of right," Jones said of Danielson. "We don't have stars. Sometimes that's good for a team. We have a team. That's what you need to win."
"As long as we've got a lot of people that can get together and get the job done, that's fine with us."
Jones also maintained that there are plenty of future NFL players on UT's roster.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer said he respected Danielson, but disagreed with the former Purdue standout who played 13 years as an NFL quarterback.
"I would disagree to some significant extent that we don't have playmakers," Fulmer said. ". . . It's not like we're a bunch of non-athletic guys out there.
"Would Robert Meachem make a difference in this team? He'd make a difference in any team at any level wherever he is, or Donte' Stallworth. But I think those guys are pretty darn good that are out there."
Danielson also claimed that UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton is not ready to win a championship.
"Who knows that yet?" Fulmer rebutted. "We're very early into the season and Jonathan's made a lot of good plays for us.
"Does he need to continue to improve like the rest of our team? Yes. He needs to continue to improve."
Jones Wants to Throw: Jones, who saw six snaps at quarterback against Florida, says the Vols need to throw the ball out of the G-Gun package to keep defenses honest.
"I don't think it can work if we don't at least throw one or two passes out of it," Jones said. "We have plays where I pass the ball, but just got to have confidence in me passing it.
"I've got to pass the ball to keep them honest, otherwise they're going to stack eight men, nine men in the box and just bring it. We got to keep defenses honest."
Jones, who earned player of the year honors in Oklahoma as a high school quarterback, completed a touchdown pass out of the G-Gun in UT's spring game.
He has yet to throw a pass in a game at UT.
Cunningham the Guy: After saying he'd look at walk-ons at punter this week in practice, Fulmer hinted that Chad Cunningham would likely start Saturday against Auburn.
"We'll see," Fulmer said. "I'm not sure this a game to take a young man that's walked on to your program and never been in a game and say go out there and punt. But we'll see what happens. "
Cunningham has started all three games this season while Britton Colquitt serves a suspension for an offseason arrest.
Not Tight: Fulmer backed off a postgame statement after the Florida loss in which he speculated that his team was uptight before the game.
"I said that kind of in emotion," Fulmer said. "Everything was running through my mind. We had good practices. Thursday was good and loose. Everybody was fine.
"I didn't feel any of that in the pregame. When we hit the thing it was a lot of energy and emotion when we came out of that tunnel. I probably overspoke there."
Being Mindful: Jones said UT's offense has the right mindset despite a myriad of problems in its first three games. But Jones admitted that a mistake can affect the Vols' outlook.
"You see our head get down," Jones said. "It's like, 'Oh, Lord, here we go again.' That's not the attitude we need."
Jones said the Vols are done making mistakes on offense.
"I think we're going to make a statement that we're not going to beat ourselves anymore," he said. "We could be 3-0 right now if we just do the right things.
"It's going to be a lot more focused during the week."
Injury Report: Defensive back DeAngelo Willingham said his sore left index finger didn't affect him against Florida.
"I never thought about the finger," the senior said.
That's saying something.
Jones suffered a compound dislocation while tipping a pass in practice last week that left his bone exposed and his finger hanging on by skin and tendons.
Drew Edwards contributed to this report.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 80
dvols writes:
we will be ok!
Volfan1 writes:
CBS could have saved two salaries by just using the sound from Mick Huber and the Gator radio network instead of Danielson & Lundquist. Same commentary....even when it was 0-0. Some of it deserved. Some of it the year long Gator/Tebow lovefest.
DennisVols writes:
Talk is cheap UT. Saying your going to fix those problems is begining to sound like a broken record.
If you're going to talk the talk you had better be able to walk the walk
samjrr writes:
Go Vols
shane6#638715 writes:
first to be last
DennisVols writes:
So who's finger was it Willingham's or Jones?
shane6#638715 writes:
Dang! Yall are quick!
mdvol writes:
Time to let Eric Berry play both ways.
shane6#638715 writes:
Didn't Berry play QB in high school? Hmmmm. Maybe line him and Jones in a 2 back set and direct snap the ball to which ever is on the weak side. Let Warren clear the way...
ChuckG writes:
Sounds like G. Jones is still smoking them tweeds if he thinks we are a few plays away from being 3-0. I can see him saying 2-1, but 3-0 no way. Florida toyed with us. They played 3/4 of the game like it was a scrimage. Those guys could have named the score. I do not care if they had 95 yards of offense - they were 8-13 on third downs and showed very little of their offense. The game was down right depressing. I have very little hope that things will change any time soon. Maybe if Crompton had shown me anything that would be different, but the bottom line is I just can not see him getting it done. He is amazingly erratic with his passes, locks on to his recievers, and displays zero touch on short passes. I am honestly not trying to bash the guy just telling it like I see it. I guess I might have a little more hope if he were a redshirt freshman, but he has been here going on four years so I really do not see where he is going to all of the sudden turn into a top-notch SEC qb much less even a servicable on.
volwalk writes:
DV, I agree, reading some of these quotes I start to get a little excited then quickly get flashes of UCLA,UAB and FL.
COME ON VOLS--QUIT TALKING--ESPECIALLY YOU FOSTER AND JOCRO--GO DOWN TO JORDAN-HARE AND KICK SOME SPREADEAGLE ARSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vols05 writes:
"We could be 3-0 right now if we just do the right things." -Gerald Jones
Ha! No kidding genius, how long did it take for you to figure that out? The only problem is that you aren't doing the "right" things. That starts with the coaches all the way down. By letting players that get personal foul penalties and arguing with the ref and then the head coach and sitting him for only one play when he should have sat the rest of the game play again you won't win. No discipline at all. We will go to Auburn and get smoked too, and we will hear more excuses and "looking at the film" and "working like heck" to get better. Blah! I am sick of it! It is pathetic!
CoverOrange writes:
Ya know, I was kinda embarrassed during the Florida game every time CBS showed Fulmer after an offensive screw up. The almost tossing of the papers/almost slapping the thigh move, the grimace followed by repeated adjusting of his hat. It was almost like he was trying to act mad but wasn't sure how without coming off looking like Spurrier.
One thing that appeared to me, no players stood near him and he talked to no one except on the headset.
BillsBrother writes:
Maybe CPF is getting a bit smarter. I have not read once this season where he has said that he would have to look at the film...
UrbanCryer writes:
i dont like danielson one bit. to say UT has no star power is dumb. they have play makers but the coaches will not get the ball in thier hands or limit thier play. here are some examples i have noticed this year(and years past)
1) Foster is an ok back. runs hard, good leader but lacks breakaway speed and dances in the backfield too much. hardesy and creer have proven they are more talented but for some reason cant get on the field as much. could it be that fulmer likes to play upperclassmen. no surely not!
2) Gerald Jones must absolutely have the ball in his hands on "O". he is an absolute playmaker. he sould return kick offs, punts and play "O". if they are going to run the g-gun they must let him throw or it WILL NOT work!!
3) our WR's were good last year, now they are almost non-existent why is that? has rogers even caught a ball this year.
4) we got a freshman all american TE from FSU and UT cant figure out a way to get him the ball?!?!??!?!?!
5) no pressure form the d-line
6) chavis wont let the DB's run press coverage. im sick of watching these poor guys have to play 10 yds off the ball and run backwards at the snap. they are supposed to be the strong point of the team, yet wimpy wont let them play. if he is scared they are going to get beat deep them find another cb who can defend. and besides it doesnt matter if you score a TD in 20 plays or 1 it is still 6 points.
7) 3rd down play on "d" in disgusting. i have no idea what the coversion rate is but it seems fairly high. did UF even punt last weekend.
8) no special teams- you can figure that out for yourselves
9) whatever the o is doing well during a game the coaches want to do the opposite. EX. if they are running well, all they do is pass. if they are passing well, all they do is run.
10) throw the mustang package in the trash, it stinks, period.
11) fire chavis, fire chavis, fire chavis
coach fulmer it is not 1965 anymore, you can let underclassmen play. players know if someone behind them is better and their feelings may be hurt for a little while but they are big boys and will get over it. please do what is best for the university that you love so much and play the best players at ALL times, unless they need a blow.
rblakeh writes:
"Jones (I'm thinking it should be Willingham) suffered a compound dislocation while tipping a pass in practice last week that left his bone exposed and his finger hanging on by skin and tendons."
Holy phooey! Who threw that pass? Whoever it was, the first two or three series on offense need to focus on breaking the opposing team's defensive backs' fingers.
Vols05 writes:
Just listen to the Phillip Fulmer locker room show and his postgame comments. I promise you will hear it.
movol53 writes:
OK the BYU coach seems to be doing a good job. Did he and Urban ever match wits on the football field? It would be interesting to see if those two had played and what the outcome was. Some of you young ones with a lot of time on your hands should research and see who, if anyone, beat Urban while he was at Utah. Was it BYU and who was the coach then?
jon_hudson#647384 writes:
I brought my 9 year old daughter to her first UT Game, how embarassing and a dismall experience. The so called fan behind me kept telling his wife he was ready to be an Oklahoma State fan now, sell there tickets, sell there RV, If Florida scores another point he was gone, begged ref to throw more flags, cursed, booed and it was only the end of the first quarter. When my daughter cheered, he was demeaning. When his wife cheered he was demeaning. There more to the UT experience than just the team. It is the shear size of the stadium, a sea of orange. I remember being in a coat and Tie, sitting with a date in a pouring rain while we got pounded by bama in 1980. I got over it. I was sad when Majors was gone, and Fulmer is not my favorite coach, but I wish Hamilton would give Fulmer a lifetime contract to get some of you dead beat fans out of here. You do not deserve to wear orange. I know a little girl that may not continue the legacy because of a few fans like the one who sat behind us in HH. Go Cowboys or what ever there nickname is. I was born a vol and stay a vol now matter how bad the team is or who the coach is. Our university is much more than this.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Does anyone know about Fulmer meeting with Johnny Majors? I don't have the details but someone does..
4114 writes:
The only " star " that got showed up against Florida was on the sideline. That is where that game was lost before the VOLS ever took the field.
indianacurly writes:
auburn beat florida last year ... and the year before
CrankE writes:
Ah, Gerald "overnight" Jones:
"We have a team. That's what you need to win."
OMG!! If you guys are such a great team, then why did you look so dismal in the 2 losses? That pack of losers, that non-team from Florida just drilled your A55, Gerald. Get your butt out of your head!
__________
"As long as we've got a lot of people that can get together and get the job done, that's fine with us."
What job? Define done? Does this mean you're happy with the "job" you've "done"? As a team, you've yet to show ANYBODY that you can get any particular job done-where a football game is concerned. Is it safe to assume from your comments that 1-2, unranked and facing heaps of ridicule is fine with you all?
You know, sometimes a little ridicule can be a good thing to shame a man into repenting of the error of his ways and making a change for the better. It seems clear though that many of you guys are positively stiff-necked, unteachable, and shameless. And if you can't be shamed, if you aren't ashamed of the repeated debacles, then you might just not have any pride either.
What an absolute disaster this season is turning into. I would say that it's 2005 all over again, but at least they won 5.
bluechip68 writes:
Gary Danielson knows more about football than any of those other jokers calling or commenting on games. That's an absolute fact. Agree or disagree with him, the guy knows his stuff - inside and out.
DennisVols writes:
Berry was an outstanding QB in highschool here in GA. Also was outstanding on special teams as well.
RangerForSix writes:
You know why the W.R.'s don't look as good? Ainge threw absolute strikes. When our wideouts 'had a DB in their earhole', Ainge stuck it in their hands. Even then, too many drops. This year the ball isn't consistantly hitting the 'well covered' receivers in the hands and they're not big enough to 'rebound the pass.' The only receiver I've seen that could 'get separation' lately at UT was Meachem, although not -v- Penn State.
If your 'receivers can not get separation' and the quarterback can't throw 'earhole-covered strikes', and the running game is stuffed...WTH are you supposed to do? Change quarterbacks again? We have the same line, same receivers, same backs, no offense?? Ainge and Cutcliff put together 19 wins in '06 and '07, damned good in the SEC!
Clearly the best conference in the nation...Stephens anyone? Or ride the Crompton? Can't wait too long if JC can't get it together, because it's "Just Win Baby"...
VolinCalif writes:
Chuck
That is a big part of John problem. Just look at how long he has been waiting. Only a couple of Min's playing in almost 4 years.We both know that pratice is not game exp. John should have finiched games lsat year once they were won. Yes there were several and he would have been better prepared for starting.
VolinCalif writes:
You have to practice spelling also.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Florida had Tebow, the punt returner, the speedster Hardin, and a linebacker. Were they supposed to win? Yes, and by how much? It was supposed to be by a bigger score. We almost scored two more td's. That's 20 to 30. Not what we envisioned was it?
WVVOLFAN writes:
chuck: nice job of not bashing Crompton. I would hate to see what you would have said if you were trying to bash the kid. I think he is being done a great diservice by not being fully prepared for the games. he showed great heart and competitivness during FL. I thought it was great when he took that big hit and came up talking smack.
He has a lot more heart for the game than you do.
Kindest regards!
tnvolfnly writes:
Okay, somebody who's actually been around for years please answer this okay.....really I want an answer from somebody...I've only known Tennessee football since 1992 (which means I obviously know nothing other then "FOOLMER BALL").....But I understand a winning tradition. I moved to Tennessee finally this year and now the reality of dealing with this team and all of us fans on a daily basis has pointed several things. One Fulmer really does need to go, Crompton is not the best QB (Execution, yea right!!) he can't throw the ball...well, hard maybe....but my 11 year old daughter can do that. Announcers keep wanting to make comparisons to other UT teams, but we don't have a Shawn Bryson, or a Travis Henry, or Peerless Price, or a Whitten anymore. Our recruits are seeing something wrong and our current players have blind faith in a system that is old and just doesn't work anymore - I know I'm preaching to the choir - but have I at least figured this out yet?????
Striker writes:
Everything will be ok, they told us so. Just like Bush has told us so. It may take longer than 8 years, but everything will be ok.............
Or you'll die of old age and wont care about it anymore, so they are all right, everything will be ok........
ClassicVol writes:
When i first heard Danielson doing a football game i didn't know who he was. I was like this guy looks for more stories instead of just focusing on the game than anyone i've ever heard. He is and has always been terrible.
LostinNCVol writes:
Butch Davis come and save us!!!
richvol writes:
Chuck- You are 100% right.
Additionally, Fulmer needs to put a gag order on all his players until they produce. Just shut up and let your playing do the talking.
Volgrad777 writes:
Mawmaw Kelly , i agree with you totally.
As for Gerald , i think leaving him off kick offs is ok , Rogan can handle it , and it gives him a little break.
The recievers appears to be coaching to me , i dont think Clawsons boy is worth a nickel , they arent getting any seperation at all , those guys last year worked their butts off to get open. Also , the routes are rather elementarty.
Warren must not know the offense that well yet of he would be in the game more. Although its appartent Fulmer loves Luke Stocker.
One of the things that bothers me most is the DBs. They in my opinion are the most talented group in the nation. This said , we continually sit back in a stinking relaxed zone on people and let them have 10 yard throws. FOR GODS SAKES CHAVIS LET THEM ON THE BALL AND , MAN UP!!!!!!! Then , bring the freakin house at somebody. What can it hurt , we cant get off the field anyway on 3rd down.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Johnny Majors once said the best job in America is being a College Football Coach. You know where you stand all the time..win and everybody is happy..lose and you will "lose" your job. This mess that we are in is 100% on Fulmer's shoulders. He is responsible and has driven the program back to the Battle days. It started at halftime of the 2001 SEC Champ Game and continues today. All he has to do is WIN football games. He SHOULD be spending 365 days a year focused on 12 60 minute blocks of time. If you do your job, then you get possibly TWO more 60 minute blocks. You would think with all of the fan support, all of the money one needs and full support of the university that he would work like heck to be successful in those precious 60 minute blocks. Just WIN Fulmer and all of this goes away> It is that simple and clear.
AlpharettaVol writes:
I second your thoughts.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
and Fulmer, DuPree knew you should have avoided #25 on Florida...and we know Dupree is not the sharpest tool in the shed!
chad_t31 writes:
These posts are getting more and more ridiculous. Hire BYU's coach?? Are you freakin' serious? They've had one good year in the last 20, albeit most of that was with Lavell Edwards, but damn...just because a school has one good year doesn't mean their coach is brilliant. Skip Holtz?? Hell no. Leave him at ecu. Greg Schiano? Nope. Not interested.
GoVol writes:
So Jones says they are tired of beating themselves and all they have to do is 'focus'.
So, why were you not 'focused' the first 3 games? Just curious? Answer: it is called poor coaching. It all starts in practice.
Also, I remember some comments from Fulmer about 'promising we'll play better against FL'. So, if they had not played better then we would have lost by 45 points? Wow, coach you are really earning that big salary now!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Danielson is OK as a color analyst, I suppose, but Lundquist is a disaster! He should have retired years ago. He doesn't know players' names, he miscalls the action, and usually seems at a loss for anything informative to say. He must have a lifetime contract or dirty pictures of CBS execs. There is no way he should be calling the featured college football game in the premier conference in the country on a national network!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Maybe if we got rid of the scoreboard.
wildberry14 writes:
yeah gjones we could be 3-0... also, we would never lose a game if we just werent so bad.
Lofton4Three writes:
I'm about sure the compound dislocation came on a 5 yard out pass from Crompton to the TE. Has anyone else noticed that Crompton has what appears to be an inability to tone down the short throws? That my friends, is a big sign of fear and panic.
tonyfred#409061 writes:
So the fans are wrong, the announcers are wrong...everyone is wrong except Fulmer and his Keystone Cops team. They are a National Championship team according to them but we are all too stupid to see it.
Why, If they just played better they would be undefeated. GENIUSES. Uhhuh.
IDIOTS!!! IDIOTS I TELL YA!
I am sick of them disrepecting the dedicated fans who pay hard earned money to watch the sorry c*rap that they have been giving us. I will not spend another NICKEL on this team. I dont care if they win all of the upcoming games.
I am done with them.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I believe Crompton will settle into a groove. Geaux Vawls.
KENVOL writes:
The players need to "SHUT UP" and just play ball. That seems to be more than they can handle right now. Try winning a few games. That will shut up everyone.
OhioVolFan writes:
No Phil we dont think that you have all of a sudden gotten stupid, we pretty much think that you have been stupid all along. Its just that you were able to out-talent everybody in the SEC. Now that you are going up against Richt, Meyer, Saban, Miles, and Tuberville on the field and on the recruiting trail you just arent as successful as you were when you were going up against Goff, Donnan, DiNardo, Terry Bowden, Dubose, and Brad Scott. For example how do you have two guys who would become future 1st team all NFL DTs (Haynesworth and Henderson) on the same D-line and not even win one SEC title?? Pure coaching. Does anybody not think that Peyton would have won at least two Heismans with Spurrier coaching him?? Al Wilson saved him in 1998 and hes been living off of it ever since.
knoxtenor writes:
Joke I heard on Fox Sports Radio last night:
Phil Fulmer will resign from UT football tomorrow to become the new director of FEMA: Officials were impressed by his ability to evacuate 100,000 people so quickly. lol
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