When Tennessee takes the field Saturday, it just might have a new starting quarterback.
Or maybe not.
Following Jonathan Crompton’s continued struggles in a 14-12 loss at Auburn on Saturday, UT coach Phillip Fulmer said backup quarterback Nick Stephens will split first-team snaps with Crompton during practice this week in an effort to determine who will start Saturday against Northern Illinois (TV: Pay-per-view, 7 p.m.).
“I’d much rather the guy we anticipated being the starter play well and execute like we want,” Fulmer said during his weekly teleconference Sunday. “But that’s not happening for us on a consistent basis right now. I think we have to take a look at our options.”
According to Fulmer, who said the competition is “legitimate,” the main criteria will be consistency and “the mental part of the game.”
Crompton, 1-4 as a starter counting a 2006 start at Arkansas, has struggled with consistency so far in his first season as UT’s full-time starter.
“It brings out the best in me and I have every confidence in the world in myself that I’m going to be fine and I’m still going to be the guy,” Crompton said Sunday night. “That’s just how I go look at it.”
Against Auburn, Crompton was 8-of-23 for 67 yards. During the fourth quarter, he was 0-for-6. Those eight completions were a team low since Rick Clausen went 8-for-20 for 69 yards in UT’s 2004 loss to Auburn in the SEC championship game.
The 67 passing yards against Auburn was Tennessee’s lowest total since the Vols had 67 in a 20-17 overtime victory over Florida in 1998.
Crompton’s best performance of the season was a 19-for-31 day for 240 yards and two touchdowns against UAB, the Vols’ only win this season in four games.
That victory also provided Stephens’ only game action since arriving on campus in 2006, aside from a junior-varsity game last fall against Hargrave Academy.
Against UAB, Stephens was 1-of-2 for 42 yards and rushed once for 5 yards.
Fulmer said he doesn’t have a deadline set to name a starter for Saturday, and both players are expected to play against Northern Illinois (2-2).
“We’ll just kind of have to play that by ear,” he said. “I don’t think it’ll go right up to game time, anything like that, but we’ll see.”
Wide receiver Gerald Jones, who attempted his first pass of the season Saturday out of the G-Gun package, also is an option. Fulmer said that Jones likely would see more time at quarterback this week. He also said that the number of plays available for Jones at quarterback will grow this week, too.
“It would depend on how (Stephens and Crompton) do,” Fulmer said, “but I think we’ll expand the package anyway.”
Fumble Explained: The fumbled handoff between Crompton and tailback Arian Foster that resulted in an Auburn touchdown was a result of Foster holding his right elbow too low on the exchange, Fulmer said.
"It hit Arian's elbow," Fulmer said. "He didn't quite have his elbow up as high as he should have."
Injury Update: Starting middle linebacker Ellix Wilson (shoulder) is probable for Saturday. Wilson injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter against Auburn.
Sophomore Nick Reveiz, a former walk-on from Farragut, likely would be the first option if Wilson can't play. Defensive end Gerald Williams, who began the season at middle linebacker, likely would remain at defensive end, Fulmer said.
Starting defensive end Wes Brown (knee) will be limited in practice this week, Fulmer said, but should be available Saturday.
Practice Report: Linebacker Rico McCoy did not practice Sunday night to finish a paper for a class, Fulmer said. Offensive lineman Vladimir Richard (knee) also did not practice.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 389
MattMoore writes:
Ha.ha.. gotta love this guy's knack for great comments for the media to feed on... "I'm still going to be the guy".. now that's comedy..
volfan4life25#231291 writes:
What a joke.
You can be the guy to help Fulmer load the moving truck.
alavol writes:
we need a quarterback other than crompton for Saturday, after this week, we will go down murderer's row. we need a clear general at the helm.
vtvol#210290 writes:
I love Crompton's bravado! Too bad he doesn't have the talent nor the football accumen to match it.
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
Eh? I don't even care. We cannot, I repeat, cannot, lose the tailgate Saturday.
orange_n_blood writes:
He wouldn't be the guy in a game of ping-pong
vol_in_tears writes:
Seriously, Crompton needs to stop talking to the media. I agree that his comments are funny at this point because they are so far removed from reality that he sounds like a complete jackal. If you want to make a point, JC, prove it on the field and keep your mouth shut.
FlaVol2 writes:
If Crompton is our best QB, we are in a world of hurt. It is hard to watch our RBs getting killed because TN cannot throw a pass consistently. I cannot believe where we are now in the SEC pecking order.
SmokeDog72 writes:
"It brings out the best in me and I have every confidence in the world in myself that I'm going to be fine and I'm still going to be the guy," Crompton said. "That's how I . . . look at it."
Is he serious? I am really beginning to think that Crompton is so damn out of touch with what is going on that he REALLY believes this BS.
This guy needs to be tested for goofy pills.
volfan4life25#231291 writes:
Coach Jim Leavitt ! ! ! ! !
The Bulls (5-0) scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, recorded two safeties, built a 31-10 halftime lead and had 354 of their 514 total yards in the first half against a Wolfpack team
Coach Jim Leavitt
Coach Jim Leavitt
Coach Jim Leavitt
Coach Jim Leavitt
Coach Jim Leavitt
Vols1998 writes:
JC, your the man, you have heart, passion and your tough as nails, but Dude, you can not pass worth a damn. Give Nick or Gerald the nod to take UT to a 9-3 season, no shame in it, you gave UT your all, I do not think anyone would argue that point. This is the time to do what is best for your team. I believe you bleed Orange, noone is questioning your loyalty, heck your wearing the colors that most of us dream of wearing. Work on your game, and come back with a freaking vingence!!!
Go JC and Go Vols!!!
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
You know when you go to a party, for all you older folk remember back to your younger days, and there was always, "That Guy" there. Well......
CT_VOL writes:
Both Phil and Crompton appear to have severe learning disablities.
Frank
GerryOP writes:
tngeoff, this is freakin' wierd. The main culprits keep stepping up to the microphone and embarrassing themselves ... and our University. Freakin' wierd.
The silence from Hamilton is deafening.
alavol writes:
totally agree.could not believe the passess thrown by crompton. somebody muzzle this guy. he makes the whole system sound ridiculous-he doesn't get it-he sucks.how about Berry?
OrangePower11 writes:
So Jonathan, competition brings out the best in you???
WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU CALL SATURDAYS IN THE SEC??? IS THAT NOT COMPETITION?
We've seen your best Jonathan. Thanks, but no thanks.
orange_n_blood writes:
Seriously the guy for what? The guy to take out the trash? The guy to hand out water for the people who can actually play football? The guy to write Fulmers "state of the orange address"? How in the world does he think he is still good enough to be a starting QB or even one that gets playing time? He is awful to the point I get sick to my stomach thinking he may throw another pass for UT.
Oenoboy writes:
Yeah, he's going to be the guy alright. The guy on the bench!
a10acfan1 writes:
maybe he watched the wrong film or maybe he's in denial. I had high hopes for "the guy" and was hoping he would lead us to glory, but my hopes have faded.
chrisw2967 writes:
he has the mouth to run but thats about it. he has all the confidence to be the guy in practice but on the game day he must leave all that confidence on the practice field.
he just needs to face it , he dont have what it takes to even be 2nd string let alone the starter.
Sorry Fulmer that fumble was all on your son crompton, the ball hit his elbow is a complete joke and you should be fired for making such an idiot out of yourself.thats why they have instant replay you moron
GerryOP writes:
Jonathen buddy, STFU and start playing some ball.
cdonsbach writes:
How delusional can a person be?
VolnSeattle writes:
He's young over confident and under talented! what a terrible mix
imnotwithphil writes:
"Fumble Explained: The fumbled handoff between Crompton and tailback Arian Foster that resulted in an Auburn touchdown was a result of Foster holding his right elbow too low on the exchange, Fulmer said."
Way to throw Foster under the bus coach! And way to show your protégé how to stab a teammate in the back! What a great teacher of leadership you are!!!
No wonder this team lacks leaders...
PS - I suppose Foster was the reason little Jon Jon couldn't get the ball witin 20 yards of his receivers?
a10acfan1 writes:
you would think after 3 yrs he would learn how to give an interview also. He sounds as lost in an interview as he does on the field.
ellisonfamily writes:
Crompton is a high level athlete at the highest level of football competition in the country. Does he really believe that 8 for 23 is really acceptable? I don't get it. Maybe CPF should forbid JC from talking to the media...or talking...at all.
chrisw2967 writes:
plus the headline reads like its a warning he is sending out to the vol fans. when will the nightmare ever end ? but i really dont know if he is trying to warn us or threating us
SmokeDog72 writes:
Crompton is just a product of his environment. He is "Staying the Course", "Workin' Like Heck", "Tryin to Get Better Everyday".
He needs to shut the hell up and go "Man the Charts"!!!!!
FireJohnAdams writes:
From the article: "It hit Arian's elbow," Fulmer said. "He didn't quite have his elbow up as high as he should have."
*******************************************
It was Crompton's poor ball handling, not sticking it in there, and Foster looking up field rather than paying attention to taking the ball...
ellisonfamily writes:
I'm a Braves fan...and they stink. My Vols are sinking quickly. Guess what everyone...my fantasy football team is 3-1. I am thrilled to have a winning team. And wait...maybe JC is playing in the fantasy footbally league where he can start himself every week!
a10acfan1 writes:
I just figured out how he got to be starting QB. He's been practicing against Chavis' mustang package all spring and fall.
Displaced_Vol_Fan writes:
My thoughts exactly Power. If what they are doing on Saturdays is not competition, then what in the heck is? I'm all for having confidence, but I am also all for reality and "The Guy" needs a healthy dose of it. When you are judged by wins and losses, you sometimes just have to step back and say "I'm not The Guy". If he really loves UT, then he should voluntarily step back and tell the coaches he's not getting it done, try someone else. Surely this guy can't honestly believe he is a good (or even passable) QB.
Caspian writes:
This is starting to remind me of Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction". Fulmer is only further damaging his own credibility by putting the fumble on Foster. Everybody with two eyes and more than two brain cells could clearly see that Crompton botched the exchange.
Vol737 writes:
IF Nick Stephens comes out and lights up N. Ill and then UGA the next week, then there is a serious deficiency in evaluating talent on that coaching staff. Remember when Jamal Lewis was a freshman? Yeah, we had to get killed by FLA before Fulmer figured they better put him in. I would love nothing more than for Phil to turn this around and win out (yeah, I know, pipe dream) and go 9-3. But to do it, you have to bench Crompton now and leave him there.
Ironcity writes:
Crompton needs to have confidence in himself. Fulmer on the other hand needs to find a QB that can run 3 plays in a row with out crapping in his pants.
Displaced_Vol_Fan writes:
In response to my own post:
Crompton doesn't love UT, he loves himself. I wish he had enough compassion for his teammates to bench himself. I would feel awful if I was the reason my team was looking bad.
DennisVols writes:
The grunts and grimiches from Fulmer during his show today where loud enough. You could feel his discomfort. Too bad they don't allow Kesling to ask tough questions.
Crompton's play is unacceptable. It is that plain and simple.
Thought I was going to choke when I heard Fulmer utter that "stay the course". The course is 1-3 coach!! Are you sure that is the course you want to stay on?
BigOrangeDave writes:
If Fulmer trots out Crompton as the starting QB on Saturday, then the 60,000 that actually show up should just get up and leave!
When your offense is this offensive, no game is a sure victory, even this weeks.
murrayvol writes:
Crompton & Fulmer are doing the best they can. Unfortunately.
Somebody needs to contact John Feinstein about a sequel to "Season on the Brink."
volthrunthru#658770 writes:
Uh...Gerry,,,
the entire reason for the newly reopened quarterback competition IS that Crompton has played ball.
Your other comment is appropos for Crompton, Gerald "SpokesMouth" Jones and a lot of the others on that team who shoot from the lip, but only beat pansy teams.
I think Stephens will do just fine, thank you. Hopefully the pressure is high enough on the new OC that he can teach Cutcliffe's guy, rather than continue with a qb, who---had he been the FIRST of the over-mountain men from NC to Tennessee---
would have screwed up so much nobody else would have left NC.
Betcha the message boards, phone lines and smoke signals from the other side of the mountains are spewing venom about how unfair the coaches are treating that Mountain-Man-Legend. And maybe Phillip and Clawsen need to wear body-armor when outside, if you look at what the Crompton boosters' attitudes on message boards have been for the previous three years. The comments and animosity they exhibited regarding Eric Ainge and David Cutcliffe are the work of scumballs at best, white trash at worst.
Hopefully we will be able to get back to Tennessee football---i.e., football of the winning variety, with a guy from Ohio via Texas that Cutcliffe thought highly of, as QB...
instead of psycho-dramas and stage door parents and bubbas rippin' & snortin' & cussin' & rearin' 'bout thet thar Carolinee bawee that themuns wuz uh-screwin' over in Knoxvull, ovur thar in Tennysee.
After all, Stephens was acknowledged as a star in one of the best high school football states in America, at one of the highest levels. And he has been patiently waiting for the opportunity.
He did not play versus pint-sized high schools in small towns on the side of the NC mountains.
Also, I like the fact he has had to adapt---having moved from Ohio to Texas and won his starting job there, and achieved success in new surroundings, rather than got named starter there because he was a bubbah kind of guy. He has endured in K'ville, learned two systemns, and against admittedly tired troops from a lesser team, in his only college opportunity, he did better than Crompton. The other qb, BJ Coleman, is said to have technique problems, and did not acquit himself as well in his few plays. Coleman is a Tennessee kid.
Being from Tennessee and scoring more points than the opponents will get you a win.
One more thing: betcha the coaches do not have to simplify the offense as much for Stephens, despite the fact he has a year less at UT than MountainMan, as they will have to simplify it if they keep MountainMan as Quarterback.
GO VOLS! Turn the season around. You can do it! You know how, and you now have the opportunity.
It's a brand new season, one-game-at-a-time.
tmccace#332562 writes:
Crompton is obviously struggling, but there is no need to pile on the kid. I mean, I really hoped that Crompton would be a great qb for Tennessee. He committed early and, from what I hear, he has always been a fan of UT. Unfortunately, it just isn't working out. I think we need to go in another direction and see what Nick Stephens can do. I wish Crompton all the best.
TX_VOL_FAN writes:
what if Crompton is the best QB that we have? what if all the other QBs are behind him for a reason? what if they're worse? OMG!!! How horrible would that be?
HOWEVER, it's worth it to find out. Tee Martin wasn't better than Peyton, BUT he lead us to a NC. He beat Fla, Georgia, and Bama, and he went unbeaten. I think Tee Martin learned from Peytons mistakes. So, maybe Stephens will learn from Cromptons mistakes. At least he's a soph and he has 3 years to grow.
DennisVols writes:
Just on the Atlanta news!!!
K. Moreno has a bruised elbow and is questionable for the UT game in 2 weeks.
OrangeRush writes:
Yeah he's "still going to be the guy"...as long as the guy he has in mind is the guy who prompted my to destroy my TV set during the Auburn game.
FWBVol writes:
I agree, we can all state the obvious that Crompton isn't the guy, and even maybe roll our eyes at some of his comments that are over the top. But we should never call some kid who is doing his best names.
I don't like the Foolmer stuff either, never have, never will. You can express your unhappiness with the job he's doing without getting personal with the name calling.
Stephens does need to start Saturday so he'll get some experience before the Georgia game.
ect1983 writes:
"Stay the Course " Sorry I missed that.....just glad Phul Philmer is quoted that we ar going to work like heck this week......think Saban talks like that......or throws his punter under the bus one week and his TB the next....WHEN WILL PHAT PHIL JUST GO AWAY ???? Please everybody-----quit killing Crompton, Foster,et al.....PHUL PHILMER IS THE CULPRIT
cdonsbach writes:
Won't matter if we can't score any points but I hope that we take the dawgs to the pound.
orangesox writes:
Agreed. Crompton may in fact be the best we have, but how will we ever know if the others don't get a chance? I really feel for Crompton, but the facts are that he's just not getting it done right now.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
very classy post. I say move Jon to OLB. He can hit, he's tough and fast. Sometimts kids end up at QB because they are the best athletes at their school. Thing is, they really are NOT QB's.
IMHO, that is what has happened to Jon. Sure, he can throw a ball 50 yards. Hell, I could toss one for 40 when I was his age, and I was no QB. He just des NOT have the touch and the field awareness.
Move him to D, or to tight end.
Urban_Weiner writes:
What an Arrogant piece of $H!T, he still has not realized that he sucks! He still thinks "he's the man"! WOW! What a punk! All about himself, not the team!
We need to be splitting practice time between Stephens and Coleman while expanding the G-gun! For the NIU game let Stephens play the 1st Q and Coleman play the 2nd with like 4 drives of the G-gun. Whoever does the best plays the second half of the game and rest of the season while splitting some time with Jones! With a new QB in the backfield and expansion on the G-gun, UGA wont know how to prepare and each week the QB will get better (like he's SPOSE to) and the G-gun will get more advanced!
O and an article on "volnation" said Berry really would like a chance at QB! I mean seriously, he is an incredible athlete and we have depth at DB's, right now we are rotating 3 safeties! I mean just go crazy with it..Jones, Berry, and Creer in the backfield!! WOW
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