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AUBURN, Ala. - Tennessee might have set a Division I-A record after a 14-12 loss to Auburn on Saturday evening at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The record: Most references to watching videotape in a post-game interview session.
Granted, that's always a popular explanation after any football game. But this time, it was off the charts.
It got so bad, I expected a coach or player to say: "I'll have to see the video before I know if we won or lost."
As you might guess, most of the references to videotape were provided by those with ties to the UT offense.
Quarterback Jonathan Crompton will check the video and figure out why his handoff to running back Arian Foster ended up in the UT end zone beneath Auburn defensive tackle Jake Ricks.
Offensive coordinator Dave Clawson will check the video and figure out why Crompton was missing receivers by 20 yards.
Head coach Phillip Fulmer will check the video and decide if he needs to change quarterbacks this week.
"Eight-for-24 (passing) is unacceptable," Fulmer said. "That's where I'll leave that until we get a chance to look at the tape."
I'm a football layman. I never played or coached the game. But I don't need to see the video.
UT needs to change quarterbacks. Better yet: UT needed to change quarterbacks Saturday.
At least, the subject came up for discussion. That's progress.
While UT was moving the ball downfield inch by inch against Auburn's unrelenting defense, Fulmer and Clawson said they had a brief discussion about whether a quarterback change was in order.
"We decided against it," said Clawson, citing Crompton's 14-yard, third-down scramble for a first down late in the third quarter, as though that one positive play overcame an afternoon's worth of mishaps.
Crompton was 8-for-23 passing for 67 yards. He missed receivers near and far. In fact, he missed receivers by such large distances, you couldn't tell if receivers were running wrong routes or Crompton was simply making sure he didn't throw interceptions.
Obviously, the answer is in the video.
But if you take Crompton's statistics at face value, there's no denying he's the least accurate passer of the Fulmer era. And he's getting worse, not better, with experience.
Not only is he inaccurate, he repeatedly locks in on one receiver. There's also a ball-security issue, as witnessed by the ill-fated exchange between Crompton and Foster.
UT didn't need much offense to win Saturday. It played great defense, and its special teams were outstanding.
All it needed was just a first down or two in the second half when it began possessions at the UT 37, the Auburn 44, Auburn 37, Auburn 38, UT 42, Auburn 46 and UT 46.
Has a UT offense ever done less with more?
It's worth noting that UT wasn't the only team on the field with quarterback problems. In the second half, Auburn's Chris Todd completed five of 11 passes for 30 yards and set up UT's only touchdown by throwing an interception.
But Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville at least tried to revive the offense by bringing in backup Kodi Burns.
Burns didn't do much. However, in the last three minutes of the game, on third-and-five from his own 10-yard line, he completed a 10-yarder for a first down. That enabled Auburn to run out the clock on the last three plays.
How fitting that the most significant completion of the second half was thrown by a backup quarterback.
Clawson was asked afterward about the progress of backup quarterback Nick Stephens. He said Stephens was improving. He said the same for another backup quarterback, B.J. Coleman.
That's good enough for me.
Give one of them a chance. Give both of them a chance.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 201
volcycle writes:
Well...he's right this time.
Sheepscape writes:
That's right, homers...continue to make excuses. Crompton must go. Fulmer must go. ETC. Wake up Vol nation.
TommyJack writes:
Ya think?
yeavols#228407 writes:
No need to make a coaching change either...you get what you want..so keep it
VOLKING writes:
Have to watch the film my a**!!! Losers...mediocre coaching and mediocre excuses. Fulmer can't even lie well nowadays. Sad.
eduardo writes:
By the way who got Manning to show up and give a public service announcement? We don't need anymore past lettermen coming up with some stupid advertisement about their support for their ole ball coach. Wait lets look at the tape to see who is actually in this guys corner. F$$lmer do the right thing and step down. This is a no win situation that has been given to the fan base. The only way it can be remedied is by you stepping down. Please!
dma38256#264746 writes:
Absolutely, right on......
TNVolsFan writes:
I agree it is time for a change... a change across the board. Crompton should have been taken out much sooner. The staff is slow to act and slow to a make a change. I am sure it is not Fulmers personality to change and he is going to stay the course and work like heck as he often says. That is the problem we are on a course to failure.
woodcutter writes:
Right on the money. A new quarterback and someone new calling the plays. Nothing like telling the opposition what you are going to run ahead of time. Well, thats been going on for several years. Come on 2014!!
RomeoSullivan writes:
Good one John. Only you left out the part about UT needing wholesale coaching changes, including OC and HC
budd#207344 writes:
We could have gotten a better qb perfromance out of somebody from the "Body Farm"
Only two more losses and milky has to fire phil
Go Vols
TNfaninMS writes:
Give it a rest. The kid is not what he was supposed to be. Bench him and get it over with. My goodness, what does it take to lost your position? INJURY? FUMBLE? What does Crompton have to do to lose his starting position? I guess he has to say " well we went out there and I decided to give the Auburn defense that one because they looked tired and needed a rest. I was kinda tired myself". Damit give me a break with the brotherhood phooey and play the best players.
Did anyone see G. Williams break out? What a monster. Why hasnt he played more?
dcvolfan98 writes:
I don't want to watch the video. I might get even sicker. This is the worst since Sterling Henton ran the show. Remember that Andy Kelly was second string behind Henton and had a very nice career for the Vols once he was given the chance. How about giving Stephens and Coleman looks? Otherwise, why recruit them?
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Why don't we just tell Johathan he's no good and hurt his feelings? Something you writers evidently don't consider. It's all x's and o's to you guys i guess. You are right, ja, that we didn't need much offense, just a first down would have won us the game. We should be 3 and 1. Can we see the tapes of the entire season, or should we suspend the season and get rid of Fulmer right now? I don't care if Fulmer stays the entire 7 seasons of his contract. It would be an interesting 7 years wouldn't it. Now look back at the past and tell us you prognosticators predicted anything at all correctly? You critics merely live from week to week blowing off steam, trying to make others as miserable as you are. Get a life. Fulmer will be back. Worry about the economy or voting, something you can control more than a football score.
Volalumnus writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
DennisVols writes:
IT HAS TO BE DONE. There can be no excuses for not making the changes.
mlsoft#228820 writes:
I cannot bring myself to pull for my vols to lose. I do, however, continue to be utterly convinced the problem with our football program is coaching, and that has been the case for at least 5 years now. Before that, Fulmer was often outcoached, and he all too frequently cost us games in the win column. Fortunately, Fulmer was a great recruiter so the overwhelming talent advantage let him win anyway.
I still like and respect Fulmer as a person, but as a coach, I believe his time has passed. Clawson has been an utter, complete disaster, not being even minimally competent at either offensive coordinator or as quarterback coach.
After watching today's game, the only thing I can come up with to explain not even trying another QB is that our backup either has severe drinking problems or has secretly developed a paralytic condition of some sort. Otherwise, to have not played the kid was criminal. I hate to think that as bad as Crompton played, we have someone else on scholarship that is even worse.
VolPride_13 writes:
AMEN!!!
Exactly what I was thinking while suffering through today's loss!!
fredrickb writes:
Romeo,
http://muschampforut.wordpress.com
Maybe?
JACK8254 writes:
wanted for murder: jonathan CRompton. He has personally killed Coach Fulmer and killed this season. He and Foster ( would you loan your car to either one of these screw-ups?) have the abililty to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like no 2 i have seen. if AF is a second rd nfl prospect, then i am superman.
JMP_Vols writes:
Mr. Adams,
From your keyboard to Fulmer's stubborn brain.
tndrum#214683 writes:
I liked that new, fancy play we tried. You know, the one where the quarterback takes the ball and puts it in the stomach of the running back, who then runs toward the line of scrimmage to see if he can get some yardage. We messed it up, but gosh, that looks hard!
Ughh...
imnotwithphil writes:
The best QB on the team is Gerald Jones... and he can make things happen when the called play blows up (which is pretty often these days).
volsfan327 writes:
100% Correct! Hope the "Powers That Be" take notice!
OLDVOL writes:
I only hope the video is in Hi Def.
PaulTheVol writes:
We need a QB change but it isn't all Crompton's fault. Why don't we recognize that the change in coordinators has been a failure. Clausen is making Randy Sanders look like Mike Martz.
JACK8254 writes:
sure losses left: Bama, Ga. likely losses: SC, vandy, KY. six losses will ensure a change,more than 6 -well talk about ugly.
chattownvol writes:
7 3 and outs.
8 for 24 under 100 yards.
Staring at 1-3.
Aware that Florida lost.
The coaching staff had a quick discussion to make a change.... The discussion should have taken place during the week. (If we lay an egg and need some spark, at what time do we make a change?) Every team from here on out is going to stuff the box and DARE crompton to beat them. It's a sad day to be a Vol. There is such a thing as being loyal to a fault.
dougowen#209282 writes:
Tell me what would it have hurt to switch or stay in the G-Gun all 4th quarter? That is on the coaches.
TommyJack writes:
University of Tennessee 1793
University of Texas 1883
We are the UT, moron.
OLDVOL writes:
Watched the 1989 UT vs Auburn game on ESPN Classics this past week. Majors went livid when Hinton couldn,t manage the clock at the end of the half. Kelly played most of the second half and eventually became the starter. Criticize if you must, but Johnny couldn,t tolorate incompetence. Obviously Fulmer does.
GreerVol22 writes:
Again, in the interview with Clawson over a week ago, when he was discussing GJones, Clawson said he was amazed "how bright" he was. Taking that in context, it was a direct shot, I think, at Crompton.
Its a shame that Fulmer will not let Clawson call his own shots...
chattownvol writes:
bravo.
imnotwithphil writes:
Hey Tea-sip -
Shutup and go back to your own message board. Oklahoma will expose the short horns once again - as will the Aggies and whoever you play in your bowl game.
BTW - I've been to a couple of games in Austin - the atmosphere doesn't begin to approach a big time college football environment. You're a small time program in a small time conference. Once our program recovers - we'll get back to a program that can routinely kick your @ss. In the meantime, you are welcome to try your luck with LSU, Bama, Florida or Georgia.
FWBVol writes:
eduardo, you act as if Peyton Manning is just some other letterman that had some good memories at UT and was done instead a multiple time Pro Bowl, MVP and record setting quarterback. Manning knows more about football than most of us can only dream about. That said, I was willing to give Crompton a little more time until the second half today.
The kicker were the two possessions that started on the Auburn 37 and 38. If we get a first down on either of those we are in position to attempt the game-winning field goal.
I still support Fulmer, but if he doesn't change quarterbacks this week I'll join the crowd and call for his job.
The upcoming game at home against Northern Illinois is a perfect time to play Stephens or Coleman. Give one of them a chance to start and get some real game experience before heading to Georgia in two weeks. I think that's the only chance we might have of salvaging what's left of the season.
It's hard to judge how Dave Clawson's new offensive scheme might work with the problem Crompton presents at quarterback. The philosophy of getting the ball in the hands of the playmakers sounds great, but right now Crompton has shown no ability to do that.
I will say this, I think the look at the video line was to give Fulmer and Clawson a chance to sit down and talk to Crompton about their intentions of giving one of the other guys a chance. I really don't think a coach should announce a change at quarterback in a press conference until they have a chance to tell the guy losing his job in person.
Hunter writes:
*****Clap, clap, clap, chew gum, clap, clap*****
"We're a gosh darn good football team. Jonathan has worked like heck all offseason and works like heck in practice. You should see his practice chart! Jonathan Crompton is our QB, Dave Clawson is our OC, and Western Sizzlin is my Sunday lunch of choice. And that's the way it is, cause THE BIG ORANGE PUNKIN SAYS SO!"
Can we just get Fulmer and Spurrier to fight in the Octagon instead of having our teams play in November. Save both teams the embarassment.
This defense and John Chavis don't deserve this debacle and I truly feel for them.
jdpvol writes:
Look at Cutclif's record at Duke of all places and look at Fulmer's record, Sanders is gone, Cut's gone and whose programs are on the upswing and whose is not? Just a thought. No excuse for not making a change today no excuse none at all can be excepted other than stubborn arrogance.
imnotwithphil writes:
The University of Tennessee was founded in 1794.
Texas became a STATE in 1845.
We're the original - utexas is the copy.
Oh yeah - most of the folks that founded your state were not only from Tennessee... they were from East Tennessee...
heck writes:
Here's some perspective on being a leader...
CROMPTON'S COMMENT AFTER LOSING
"Just a missed exchange," said Clawson, declining comment until after watching the play again on film. "The exchange wasn't the way it should be and we paid for it... You would like to be able to do something," said Crompton. "Like I said, tough times come and go. We're in a tough time, and we're going to get through it as a team."
TEBOW'S COMMENT AFTER LOSING
“I’m sorry. I’m extremely sorry,” he said. “We were hoping for an undefeated season. That was my goal, something Florida’s never done here. But I promise you one thing: a lot of good will come out of this. You have never seen any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of this season and you’ll never see someone push the rest of the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of this season, and you’ll never see a team play harder than we will the rest of this season.”
dvols writes:
why isn't this guy a coach:
please just cool pictures!
GerryOP writes:
WeLoveTennesseeVols, take your meds, get some sleep, and call your therapist in the morning.
UTME06 writes:
Remember the Alamo? Utex would be Umex without the VOLS from Tennessee.
SFOrange writes:
UT 24 Northern Illinois 17
A-62,382
raynochonspeed#212632 writes:
Penultimate? It does not mean what you think it means - unless you mean 'second to last', in which case...you don't make sense.
GerryOP writes:
jack8254, your intent is good but your conclusion is wrong. The answer is that if Fulmer will not "voluntarily" retire, throw him out. Now.
TommyJack writes:
UT 24? Are they gonna lock the teams in the stadium all night?
ect1983 writes:
With all due respect Mr Richardson, Phul Philmer had a personality bypass a long time ago........so the phrase ..."....Fulmer's personality..." is an oxymoron. Most teams reflect the coach's personality......That is why we have what we have......Please retire , Phul.
PS....NOTE TO JOHN ADAMS>>>>>> HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN HOW TO WRITE A REAL SARCASTIC FIRE FULMER COLUMN ????? TRY TO AGAIN.....SOON
ncvol17 writes:
Georgia rests a week and then Stafford will show us what a true SEC QB is
tripper writes:
Can Crompton actually throw the ball over the d-line or does he just like to get his balls batted around?
jdcvols#230433 writes:
A Break? NIU will give us a fit next week in front of the 60,000 fans. Crompton is by far the worst QB in history of UT FB. He is totally a joke and it will be a waste of time to give him any practice time. We need to develop a QB for next year.
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