A week later, the storm has passed.
Nu'Keese Richardson was a no-show for one Sunday practice. At the next he was laughing, joking and clearly at ease with his role.
The Tennessee freshman had been nearly invisible the week before against South Carolina and was an afterthought at receiver. Against Memphis on Saturday, Richardson was back in good graces with the Vols, and - for the first time - in the end zone as well.
The seven days in between weren't all that easy, but Richardson and UT both made it through in one piece and perhaps in better shape than when they started.
"I wouldn't say it was frustration," Richardson said. "I just had a problem I was going through, I had a lot on my mind and I just wanted to take the time off and just have a clean head, go (back) in with a clean head.
"I mean, it was just a blessing that Coach (Lane) Kiffin let me go out and play, let me play with my teammates. Just being out there with my teammates, knowing that they've got my back, that was the best feeling I could have."
The 14-yard touchdown catch didn't feel too bad, either, and it was a long time in the making for the Vols (5-4, 2-3 SEC).
After largely spending eight games in the shadows and struggling to make an impact, Richardson turned the night into a small coming-out party that doubled as a reminder of why Kiffin wanted him in the program so badly to begin with.
And though it was only three catches for 54 yards, they also illustrated why UT would work overtime to keep him if it had to.
"We try to teach our kids how to deal with adversity," Kiffin said. "That's what matters. It's always going to happen in football and in life, but how do you deal with it? Do you sit around and pout and complain, do you bring other people down? Or do you just control what you can control and go work extremely hard, and Nu'Keese did that last week.
"He had by far his best week of practice last week and it showed in the game."
It technically might not have been a full week of practice, though the Vols apparently are ready to put that issue behind them heading into a trip to Mississippi that could determine how high they can reach on the bowl shelf.
UT has played its best football during the past four games and the offense could hardly have been any more efficient than it was in piling up 42 first-half points against the Tigers.
The running game continues to roll, the offensive line has kept Jonathan Crompton clean in the pocket and the senior quarterback appeared to have a limitless supply of weapons open downfield in the rout.
Richardson still has plenty more development left, but he was certainly a dangerous part of the arsenal at the end of a trying week. And there's no reason to think that will change anytime soon.
"It wasn't anything planned, I was just in at the right time and he called the play and I came through," Richardson said. "Every week I feel like I'm getting better, I'm learning the system and still going out and competing at the highest level. I feel like I'm doing a good job of it.
"(Last week) just let me know that (Kiffin) is always going to be there for us, no matter what we're going through. For a player, knowing that a coach is always going to have his side, that's something good."
After a rough week, the outlook for Richardson and the Vols looks just as good.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammate Tennessee running back Montario Hardesty (2) on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at Neyland Stadium. ){kind=link}
Comments » 49
Pdiddy10 writes:
there is the number one wide reciever recruit from pahokee. why dont we even reruit him??? he would be perfect for our offense.
RECRUIT!!!!! BEAT MISSISSIPPI
CHITOWNVOL writes:
glad to see he is in better spirits
jboyle5555#228112 writes:
Not hard to figure, if you never been to Pahokee, very small town and take Nukeese 15 hrs from home.. well it is a tribute to the coaching staff if he stays with his head screwed on straight. They need to keep him to keep that recruiting pipeline open, lose him and it discredits the program for those kids in that part of the world. Urban would love it if he left, for no other reason than that, it is important to keep him in Knoxville.
kthompson#255227 writes:
I guess I think maybe Oku and Teague should sit out practice on Sunday so they can get the call to score a TD. I love the Vols, but to have him miss practice (unexcused) and Janzen Jackson to say something to reporters about other SEC players trying to hurt other players(this is just rumor) and get suspended for a game, that just doesn't seem right. But Love the direction the VOLS are going. Maybe Hitch can come back to the call in show and argue Crompton is a draft or free agent potential player. GBO!!
allvol32 writes:
Nu'Keese - you're a big part of the new Kiffin era at UT and Vol fans are very happy that you're here. I know that there are great things in your future Nuke...hang in there!
FlaVol2 writes:
That's the spirit Nu'Keese. Go Vols!!!
Brillovol writes:
Agree, except for the suspension part. It is feasible that Crompton is playing himself into a pro prospect!
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
Hitch is a joke!!!! I turn the radio off when he and his son Roger call in to ramble on and on. On another note, I thought Jackson was suspended for an off campus issue in a bar? Underage drinking, argument with a bouncer?
OrangeDew writes:
Dunkley was an official visitor at the USCjr game. He is being recruited.
KiFFiNOMiCS writes:
Hey Nuke here is a quote from the baddest man on the planet for your situation last week:
"Alot of people look at the negative side of what they feel they can't do. I always look at the positive side of what I can do."
--- Chuck Norris
Fear the Norris
kjvols writes:
Nuke is an 18 year old kid a long way from home,problems happen. Glad to see a coach with a plan
smyrnavol writes:
Sir i am now unemployed and on crutches for more months than i thought i could be , but i will never be as unhappy as you! GO VOLS!!!
DennisVols writes:
For several years we watched and waited on who the next UT player would be to get arrested or suspended due to some sort of infraction due to grades or behavior.
Since Kiffin’s arrival this team has performed at a higher level and not just on the field. The teams GPA went up higher in one semester than ever recorded. We have seen stories about players volunteering to visit children’s hospitals. We haven’t seen police reports or other discipline issues. Some players were dismissed from the program after they failed to buy into the new higher, tougher standards imposed by Kiffin, other just quit because they didn’t want to compete for their jobs.
UT is now 3-1 over the last 4 games. Their only loss came because of a blocked FG in the final seconds of a game against the #1 ranked team in the nation. Our QB, who the majority of UT fans thought were a wash out, now leads the conference in TD’s.
UT has improved in every area since Kiffin was hired, even a defense that was nationally ranked last year is better this year. Don’t discount the improvements off the field as not being important to the improvement on it. To a person every player mentions the same thing when referring to Coach Kiffin “he’s got our backs”. They play hard for this coach, they don’t play down to their opponents and compete already with the so called elite teams in this conference.
Yes there were some bumps along the way. The losses to UCLA and Auburn came at a time when this team was still trying to find it’s self. Kiffin has proven to many that he can come into the toughest conference in the country and coach. He connects to these players and this will lead to greater success in all phases including the recruiting wars.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
VolinCalif writes:
That was the original rumor. But was never verified.
Cldvols1 writes:
Hang in there Nuke it'll get better! Go Vols!!!
Cldvols1 writes:
Nicely put!
wayoutwill writes:
Nice quote and all,but make no mistake,Brock Lesnar is the baddest man on the planet,an idiot that will flame out quickly,but it's a trade-off with Lord,you got to be an idiot but I'll let you kick everybody's arse and be married to a beautiful centerfold model!I'll make that deal anyday!
westknoxvol24 writes:
Perfect
wayoutwill writes:
It's not right!"kiff" is gonna wind up having to put a set of 22's on everyone of those hot shot's SUV's now!Can you imagine what this is gonna cost the "shotcallers" on Snob Hill!
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
I am a big Kiffin fan, but this does make him look really bad. One of his pet media freshmen recruits(Nuke) skips practice on a public pout. Does Kiffin punish him? No, he babies him, praises his next practice, and rewards him with more playing time. But when Tauren Poole, who has earned his stripes the hard way, displays unhappiness with not getting reps in the second half of the Memphis game, Kiffin humiliates him publicly by sending him off the field, saying that he should keep his feelings to himself. Isn't that stinking out loud hypocrisy? Poole moved the ball well in the spring, so what's the deal? We could really need the guy next year. Hardesty will be in the NFL, leaving only two RBs, plus Williams if his recovery goes well. We have only one head coach. But as a fan, I do not get this, and I do not like it.
BlakeyWakey writes:
Nu'keese Richardson Reminds me of Reggie Bush's style of running.. he is all over the field!!! He is going to be REALLY good!
richvol writes:
I see your point and agree to an extent but I think an upper classman like Poole should be held to a higher standard than a freshman 15 hours away from home.
Jimmy Hyams said that the rumor he heard was that Jackson failed a drug test...if so then this is a lot tougher punishment than Fulmer ever inflicted to a drug user on a first offense.
cheeze writes:
Kiffin screwed up with Poole and this will come back to haunt us at some point.
tennesseebee writes:
Great catch, 'Keese. Bide your time and be patient. Trust in these coaches. This is the first of many for you and it is alot more action than you would see @ fla (gators).
illinoisvolfan writes:
It's still better than being a Gator.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Well, he did grow up in florida and had urbancryer as a role model, so a bit of that at this stage of his life might be expected. But, don't fret, gator, in good time Kiffin will squeeze the meyer influence out of him yet.
Don't look now, gators, but something is gaining on you. And it ain't only Nick Saban.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I gotta say that was one weird post! You sound like the team is conspiring against Oku and Teague. For one thing, Oku is behind two better players at a position that doesn't allow for as much rotation as does wide-receiver. He has had several carries nonetheless and returns all the kickoffs. Teague has already scored at least a couple of TDs this year. He is rotated frequently, as are all the receivers, and, though talented, he is by no means the "go-to" guy in the receiving corps. I'm glad you admitted that what you said about Jackson was a rumor, since it doesn't match up at all with the OTHER rumors we have heard about the reason for the suspension. BTW, I would ALSO argue that Crompton is a potential NFL QB--wait and see.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
It's haunting me at this point.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You seem to share a common misconception with many fans. The essence of good coaching is not treating everyone the SAME, it is treating EACH situation with each player FAIRLY. Unless you are with the team all the time, you can't possibly know ALL the details of coach-player relationships. No player can feel that he is bigger than the team. I agree that Poole could well be a key player next year IF he does what the staff expects ALL the time, not just when it suits him. I don't know all the details in the cases you have cited, but I do feel that the staff has shown that it can handle each situation according to its merits, not according to any uninformed impressions I might have about them.
agilemobilehostile writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
givehim6 writes:
Nuke just had to grow up a bit, typi Fr. reaction. Nuck will be OK.
UT_VOLS75 writes:
Awesome post, I really enjoy reading your comments. I may be going out on a limb, but..I'm thinkin' top 3 recruiting class this year! Go Vols!
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
John, my post spoke to the issue of fair treatment, not equal treatment. It is true that I am not with the team all the time and am without knowledge that Coach Kiffin possesses. But there is no report that Poole has placed himself above the team. To the contrary, KNS reported during spring scrimmages that Poole had bought into Kiffin's system with a positive attitude, that he was adopting Coach Grand's methods and working hard, and that he was making plays with good yards against our first defense. These are not uninformed impressions. They are the best reports that we have about Poole. We have no reports that Poole has missed any practice or team meeting or that he has violated any team rules. And unlike some of our other players, Poole has never complained to the press about his playing time. So I am not able to feel that the staff handled this situation on its merits. Unless Poole is fumbling the ball in practice, and I've seen no reports of that, he had every right to expect carries in the second half of the Memphis game and others. Maybe Kiffin thinks that he is being a good coach to Tauren Poole. Speaking only as a fan, it just does not look that way to me.
wayoutwill writes:
There is only one word to add to this post:AMEN!
notoriousBIGorange writes:
"We"?? Do you have a couple of lizards in your pockets or are you just happy to see me?
At least our coach isn't a whiner, but in about 3 months UF will be looking for another Head Whiner.
DC_Vol writes:
Are you sure you don't mean Meyer of the University of Florida??? I believe Meyer was just fined $30,000 for breaking "The Muzzle Meyer Rule" for criticisizing referees. Meyer is who you meant right?
TnScooby writes:
OMG.....It's back, the MOST IGNORANT TROLL EVER!...LMAO!....Gotta say that you are freakin' HILARIOUS!...."We' ?.....The whining will all come from SEC East schools starting next year!...LMAO!....The only whining "We" ever hear on here is from the trolls!!!!...And the volume of troll whining is getting LOUD!...LMAO!....
pammyvol1000 writes:
I thought Poole was hurt. Not fair that he playing Freshmen over him. He should be the #2 guy right now. Not Brown.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
All I was trying to say is that we know ONLY what makes it out into the open and that there may be other issues we don't know about. Given Kiffin's track record so far--and as far as we KNOW--he gets the benefit of the doubt from me.
Another thing a good coach does is not air all a team's or player's dirty laundry in public so no one is ON RECORD with a position it would be difficult to go back on later. As I suggested on another thread, there doesn't have to be anything wrong with Poole for him to not get playing time at RB with three other healthy RBs who are apparently better than he is right now.
I can understand why a player with the kind of competitive streak you want is not happy not to be playing. However, that kind of decision is seldom up to the player himself, and how he handles, or fails to handle, that frustration is sometimes itself a reason why he does NOT play. You can decide for yourself whether you think the coaches know best how to handle their players, or not. I suppose Poole also has to make that choice; I hope he makes the right one.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
He is a great talent and another one of Kiffin's great recruits...And he one of the COOLEST names on the team...I am always commenting on his name!!! GO 'Keese!!! Hang in there, dude!!!
allvol32 writes:
Idiot alert - what does it take to ban the worst troll on this site KNS?
Fans from other teams posting? I have no problem with that. Idiots who have nothing to contribute and only post the same repetitive negative BS over and over? I have a problem with that. It hurts your web site KNS - take care of business please...
mvuniv = just a turd in the punch bowl of life.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
John, I appreciate your replying to my posts. But you have gone from first accusing me of harboring some misconception about equality(not my words) to talking about maybe this or that. You've spoken about what we do not know, and I have spoken about what we do know. Your replies completely fail to respond to the information about Poole with anything but maybe and blind faith in our head coach. I strongly support Coach Kiffin, but not when everything convinces me that he is wrong. Let's just say that is the difference between us. I wanted and expected to see Tauren Poole play in our Homecoming Game. Coach Kiffin claims to feel depressed that our guys played so poorly in the second half. Tauren Poole did not play poorly. Kiffin did not even give him that chance. There is every reason to believe that Poole would have played very, very well. And there is every reason to believe that he earned that opportunity.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Please correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Poole come out of spring scrimmages with the best numbers of all our RBs? So John, exactly what basis do you have to say that Poole is not as good as the other three running backs?
smokies_old_soul writes:
agreed - i'm happy for the kid having a nice game and all - but why no disciplinary action for blowing off the sunday practice ??
that makes no sense at all.
hope kiffin is not adopting the urban meyer selective suspension program (remember marcus thomas 2006 ?)
utvolz#637682 writes:
I trust our coach and there may be other issues with Tauren that has pushed the CLKs buttons. I too think Poole is a great talent and deserves to play, but he must win the PT on practice to receive it on game day.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
I am glad that you brought up the issue of winning "PT in practice." I just recollected to John that Poole had the best performances of all our RBs throughout spring scrimmages, according to KNS reports. Please correct me if I am wrong. Comparing and contrasting Poole's player conduct to others, I believe that witholding PT in the Memphis game was a travesty and that Poole rightfully showed his unhappiness. There are no reports of verbal abuses, helmet throwings, skipping practice, complaining to the media, etc... just "unhappiness." Well, I am unhappy also.
navarrebeachvol writes:
hey English major, he's the head coach. he can play whoever he wants. The days of seniority are over. Spud.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
No problem, steam. We can agree to disagree on this. Sorry if you took my replies as "accusations". If I mistook your position, I apologize for that, too. I hope that, whatever the problem may be between Poole and CLK, it is resolved in a way that permits him to remain with the team. I too think he has shown some talent when he has had the chance. I just disagree that CLK has NO REASON for treating him the way he has, so I conclude that there must be reasons we DON'T know, and no one should necessarily be surprised that we don't know them.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I don't HAVE any such reason, as I have said. I have merely said that, based on how he has handled all other such situations, CLK must have reasons that seem right to HIM, and that we don't necessarily know what those reasons are. Why do YOU think he would not play the guys he thinks give us the best chance to win? I don't want to put words in your mouth, but, if you have a theory, I would be glad to hear it. Just tell me something besides the idea that it just doesn't look right to you.
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.