Tennessee football is on the upswing. The Vols have won three of their last four games, climbed above .500 and pulled themselves within a victory of being bowl-eligible.
But they have accomplished more than that. They have endeared themselves to their fan base. Throughout the season, I have received numerous e-mails from fans who have been won over by how hard their team plays. They have expressed their adoration after losses as well as victories. So what if the team is only 5-4 or that a losing season is still a possibility. This could be one of UT's most popular teams.
Newness contributes to that. But there's more to the team-fan connection than enthusiastic coach Lane Kiffin and his energized staff.
It's also about the players.
n Safety Eric Berry drew comparisons to the best players in UT history as a freshman two years ago. He became a first-team All-American a year later. Moreover, he did it on a losing team.
In the worst of times, Berry was the best thing UT fans had going for them. They won't forget that.
Nor will they forget how well Berry has conducted himself off the field. He has been a great player, a model citizen and a team leader. And no one will begrudge his leaving early for the NFL.
n Defensive tackle Wes Brown won't make All-American or play in the NFL. His chronically bad knees won't let him. But he has played at a high level and will leave UT with Berry-like admiration from the fans for the way he has kept answering the bell play after play, game after game.
n Running back Montario Hardesty also has overcome injuries, the most significant of which required knee surgery as a freshman. Lesser injuries further impeded his progress in his first four years at UT. But the way he runs now, he's more apt to hurt a defender than himself.
Hardesty's relentless, full-fledged assault on a defense is a how-to video for effort and determination. UT should name an annual team award in his honor.
n The success of walk-ons also has contributed to the team's popularity. The way Kiffin recruits, this likely will be his last UT team to start three former walk-ons: offensive linemen Cody and Corey Sullins, and middle linebacker Nick Reveiz, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in UT's victory over Ohio University.
On a team lacking depth, imagine where the Vols would have been if those three players hadn't gone to UT without a scholarship or had given up when a starting position seemed out of reach.
Kiffin's first rebuilding year could have been disastrous if not for players like that. Instead, UT has a shot at a winning season.
The losses have been as significant as the victories. After being manhandled by Florida and Alabama in back-to-back seasons, UT was competitive against both this year.
The Vols outplayed unbeaten Alabama, which prevailed by two points on a last-second, blocked field-goal attempt; they lost by only 10 to unbeaten Florida.
Never mind that they didn't have as much talent. They were competitive against their biggest rivals, both of whom are still in the running for the national championship.
UT hasn't won over all its detractors or overcome its recent history. Despite winning three of its last four games by an average of 24 points and almost upsetting Alabama, it's an underdog against Ole Miss on Saturday in Oxford.
There's work to be done beyond that. All the goodwill the team has built up wouldn't survive consecutive losses to Vanderbilt and Kentucky to end the season.
But it's not as though the Vols have to win their last three regular-season games to sustain their fans' endearment. They just have to stay in character.
If they do, the winning will take care of itself.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
UT's new $45 million football…
Images from Larry Murphy's book on…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 39
teampenny#658108 writes:
Why are we down on butts in the seats if everyone is feeling so good about the team? Yes they are playing better than last year, but as a team nothing to brag about yet!
VolInIndy writes:
woah
Laydbakvol writes:
No news here. But still enjoy reading about the team.
teampenny#658108, if you don't see any thing to brag about, you haven't seen the Florida, Georgia, Alabama, S. Carolina or Memphis game! Maybe it's your butt that was missing in the seats.
VolinCalif writes:
I think you are bass-ackwards my friend. They started playing as a team at the last Qt of the Auburn game. Anyone who hasn't noticed that improvement has not watched the games. So just maybe you should watch the film and learn how to study the plays. Study like heck and you may become a Vol.
vut56#231073 writes:
I protest many, if not most of JA's contributions, and state the reasons. Fair is fair and this article is deserved by his subjects/examples and timely in its truths. I could, with a little urging, re-script some of Kiffin's early comments, but this team has won me over, mostly on effort. Whatever happens, Coach staying with Crompton makes him a smarter coach than we are critics.
So, on balance, a good article. As for attendence, I note MS had a half-full stadium last week, and their record, thus far, outshines ours. Look at the glass half-full. Many of our ticket holders..or former ones..may be out of work,..or worse.
Good vibes.
gaj619 writes:
'Team Slug' seems a more appropriate screen name for you.
ArealVolFan writes:
Looks like Jawaun James is a Vol.
whatcanbrowndoforyou writes:
Not related but I just saw on scout where OL Jawuan James just committed to the vols. Roll on Lane Train!!
The_Greater_Pumpkin writes:
Great column John. Along with our beloved football Vols, you have improved as well.
jfink45 writes:
kiffin has done a good job in developing character. There has been no off the field incidents that were not dealt with quickly and firmly.Classroom attendance and achievement have bee monitored. Yet Kiffin has dealt gracefully with these 19-22 year olds. There was no mention of punishment when Richardson and Poole reacted by missing meetings and being sent to the locker room. Instead, he understood their frustration and handled the situation in an understanding manner that kept the team united. Also, by giving everyone a chance to compete for a starting position he has brought out the best in players like Reveiz, the Sullins and Douglass. Next year, hopefully he won't be as cocky. I hated it in Spurrier. I want to win with class!
JB0001 writes:
Can't understand the empty seats, however we do not have as many seats to fill.
The disruption of the season ticket holders for the new club seats, area, is not a small issue. There are several who did not renew their season tickets over that one. The club seats are too expensive for many of those people.
flashbone21 writes:
epic failure, idiot troll. how many other teams have played two undefeated #1 ranked teams this year?? and the jackson deal was after the sc game! the police werent even called and dont let us forget that the current staff had to purge fulmers trouble makers ( morley, warren) i guess if u dont like the unis or the gloves i think they still show black and white games on espn classic. d bag
Bufforange00 writes:
Its people like you that never accomplish anything in life. You seem to be very astute at embellishing/manufacturing negatives. You obviously occupy a low station in life or are an immature nobody going to the only place you feel you have any influence. Fortunately, vol fans here know you for who you are and what you are. UT will succeed or fail based on the merit of coaching and recruiting. I feel sorry for anyone stupid enough to let you get in their head.
UTMark writes:
I honestly hope you can find happiness somewhere besides trying to knock someone else down.
Voluvr writes:
ERIC...One more year.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Might be one of the best columns Adams has written in a LONG time. Gotta marvel at DaMan's unerring instinct for putting everything possible concerning the Vols in the worst possible light. He must have been a master propagandist in a previous life. Too bad there is no demand for that talent in this one.
VOLinATL writes:
As soon as CLK starts showing the same kind of character as the players (and I do see signs of it), I will withhold judgement.
tyler1 writes:
you would think in this article he would mention john crompton and how he has progressed
Ironcity writes:
To many night games and lousy home schedule.
USMCVOL4LIF writes:
I know its hard for some to not respond to the "low life" trolls. We all know they just like to cause controversy & see how many responses they can get out of their comments. I truly believe if everyone would try to ignore them, and stop responding, they might actually become bored and go away. They obviously don't have much of a life since they spend all of their time on our site. I could care less what any of them think about anything BIG ORANGE related! GBO!!
FearTheVols1252 writes:
Heard it here first??? Hardly! I’ve heard this several other times in other posts you’ve made. You seem to be running out of material to talk trash about. We’re on the up’s and you’re having a hard time dealing with that. What cracks me up is that trolls like you were the first to trash Fulmer when he was here and now you appear to be his biggest fans. Fear?? I think so! You got used to having Fulmer as your whipping boy. Now that we have a team who’s not afraid to take you on (in recruiting and on the field), it scares you. You lose your two biggest leaders this year and Cryin’ Meyer may be heading up North, though that move would disappoint me as I can’t WAIT to brand a power T on his arse! UT will soon regain control of the East… YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!!
KevDVol writes:
"Attendance at a record low. Wins vs WKU, Ohio and Memphis. Wins against two SEC teams having a horrible year. 2-3 in the SEC. 5-4 on the way to 6-6. Playing one of the worst schedules in UT modern day history. As underachieving a team as you will see based on this coming NFL draft. Blah, blah, blah."
DaMan, Lane Kiffin did not make out the poor schedule that you seem to be blaming him for. More importantly, we play in the SEC so 8 of our games are pretty much set. You would have to be a complete fool to argue that we are not more competitive in our conference. This time last year we had already lost to eastern div. rivals Florida by 24, Alabama by 20, South Carolina by 21 and Georgia by 12. And, yes there will be defensive players drafted but I don't think you can argue that our defense has underacheived. You can talk about player or coach character issues and rumors but no arrests or public embarrassments. Attendance is better than it would have been if Fulmer's skid had been allowed to continue. Your strongest arguement seems to be that this team will finish 6-6...unlikely, but still better than last year. It is ok to still like Fulmer. I still like him. But don't be blind...we are in a better place now and moving in an exciting and better direction...UP!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Great advice, USMC, and I try to follow it, but sometimes it is just so hard to pass up. They make it SOOOOO easy to ridicule them.
VOLinFL writes:
Has EB officially declared one way or another?
pbnichols writes:
"Hardesty's relentless, full-fledged assault on a defense is a how-to video for effort and determination. UT should name an annual team award in his honor."
I think this is the best idea JA has had all season!
LVVOLJJ writes:
Trolls, Trolls go away! Don't come back anyday. We ignore your ilk!
Laydbakvol writes:
Daman you are sad little man.
easymoney writes:
we have had 2 or 3 games that it rain a lot, which always drive down attendance. The South Carolina game was missing many USC fans, because I-40 closure over the mountains from NC. Other routes added anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours according to which way they chose to use. The re-routing and the rain kept many fans from the Tenn/SC game. Attendance is probably down from the fans from NC and SC because of the I-40 also
easymoney writes:
Also I forgot to mention that Night games, especially night games in the rain drive down attendance. I drive from Atlanta, no matter what, but there are fans that live at a distance that would drive for a day or afternoon game but do not care to drive home 1 to 3 hours after a night game. Especially when you can watch the games on TV. Also with 4 loses I know fans that have chosen to stay home and watch it on TV.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
I didn't even bother reading this GARBAGE!!!! I JUST CONSIDER THE SOURCE!!! NOT A RELIABLE ONE!!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Ummm...not that I know of..I personally hopes he stays another year but if he doesn't, i understand.
easymoney writes:
DaMan....what kind of team will you guys have after you lose TeBlow? I want to hear it first from you about your gators team next year?
CoverOrange writes:
As USMCVol4Lif suggested, please ignore the trolls. Damaniac is sitting there with his fingers in his ears going "lalalala" to any rebuttal you offer. Just remind yourself that he doesn't matter and move on.
CoverOrange writes:
Oh, and if some enterprising young KNS intern would want, they could go find out which seats went unsold and correlate that to visitors, students, media (yes the media counts in attendance), un-renewed season tickets from last year. etc. Just a thought. Instead of guessing.
BTW, good article JA.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Pretty good article...but Adams probably finished it with the feeling that he'd forgotten something or someone. What could it be? Oh yeah, QB Jonathan Crompton.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You're right, TurboFan. It's just a case of mind over matter; if we don't mind, he doesn't matter.
TheVolMan writes:
Congrats on a thoroughly moronic post.
KD writes:
Character was defintely proven yesterday at the gas station. Go VOLS!
Psychovol writes:
This isn't on Kiffin. There's always a few bad apples and it's his job to make sure they don't spoil the bunch. I believe he's done plenty to demonstrate he'll do exactly that.
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.