Tennessee linebackers coach Lance Thompson has been a part of two national championship-winning teams, two SEC champions and two Atlantic Coast Conference champions. Yet he has rarely witnessed what he saw during an emotional team meeting last Friday.
"It was a great meeting," Thompson said Monday on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page. "It was one of the best meetings I've been in in 24 years of coaching."
The meeting seemed to have an effect. The Vols destroyed Georgia 45-19 a day later.
Thompson's fallen leader was one of the keynote speakers. Middle linebacker Nick Reveiz, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last month, refused to let his leadership be sidelined.
Thompson called Reveiz' speech fiery and inspirational.
"Nick tells his story of being a walk-on and people telling him that he's not good enough and people telling him he's too short. He doesn't buy into that. He doesn't believe in that," Thompson said. "He believes in what he believes in and he works his butt off and then he's having great success . . . playing at all-conference capacity.
"Me and (defensive coordinator) Monte (Kiffin), it was like tearing our guts out when the kid got hurt."
Defensive end Chris Walker also was impressed.
"It was really intense when Nick got up and talked," the junior said. "Nick is one of my best friends and he almost brought tears to my eyes because of the passion that he spoke with - he really wants to be out there but he can't.
"He just wants us to go out and play like it's our last snap, and that was something that was really powerful for me."
The emotion didn't stop with Reveiz. Graduate assistant coach Inky Johnson, who suffered a career-ending shoulder injury in 2006 as a UT cornerback, also addressed his team. Johnson still has little use of his right arm.
"Inky's story was powerful in that he lived it," Thompson said. "He just mentioned to them that you've got to play it like it's your last play because it might be. You can't ask for a better young man than Inky Johnson and we're proud to have him on our staff."
That's not the first time Johnson has delivered such a speech, but it may be one of the most important for a UT team that was 2-3 and 0-2 in the SEC heading into the Georgia game.
The record wasn't the only issue. Coach Lane Kiffin blasted his team after a practice before the Auburn game when he thought some players weren't giving their all. Moreover, receiver Brandon Warren was dismissed following a string of issues, the most recent of which was a public showing of frustration on the sidelines during the Auburn game.
"Anytime you have transition it's tough," Thompson said. "Certain guys buy in at a faster pace than others. When you're dealing with 85 young 18-to-22-year-old males, heck you've got a lot of issues that you've got to deal with.
"We've explained to them that the quicker you all buy in and get on the same page and we're all pulling in the same direction, the better we're going to be."
That, Thompson believes, is beginning to happen, thanks to the emotion displayed by Reveiz and Johnson.
"I think it really hit home with a lot of guys," Thompson said. "I think we're in a state where this team is really buying into what the new philosophy is under Coach Kiffin. You're starting to see some positive things but it's a week-to-week deal."
The source of the message was key.
"I think guys can take that and say 'Hey, that can be me.' " Thompson said. "I think that's powerful when it's coming from your peers."
Some of UT's coaches also addressed the team. The same coaches who have driven the Vols so hard since January shared things about themselves they never had before.
"It was much needed, just because our coaches were really transparent with us and they really opened up to us," Walker said. "That was something that we needed, and that was something that just brought our team closer together.
"Just to see our coaches open up to us and share their lives that we really haven't heard (meant a lot). Getting Inky to talk is always going to get us fired up, and we just wanted to come out with that emotion."
L.B. Report: Thompson said junior Savion Frazier did a much better job of managing Saturday's game, which was his second start in place of Reveiz. Frazier is responsible for calling the defensive plays and getting defenders properly aligned. UT's defense allowed only a 52-yard field goal on Saturday.
UT's starting linebackers had 18 tackles. Weakside linebacker Rico McCoy had nine tackles, a pass break up and a quarterback hurry. Frazier had seven tackles, one for a loss. Strongside linebacker LaMarcus Thompson had two tackles, one for a loss.
"I'm really proud of those guys," Thompson said. "We've got a system that's a linebacker system. The success of the defense depends on them so to speak.
"Rico has been playing at a really high level all year. LaMarcus Thompson continues to play solid for us."
Recruiting Ripple: The Vols won't just benefit while recruiting the state of Georgia after a dominating win over the Bulldogs. Offensive lineman Jacques McClendon said UT also will benefit in his hometown of Chattanooga, a border town that has plenty of Georgia fans.
"Hopefully it sends a message to these recruits that Coach Kiffin is over here trying to get something done," the senior said. "He's doing a great job, bring in some great players."
Vote For Crompton: Fans can text message "VOTE" to "345345" on their wireless phone for a chance to vote for UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton for the AT&T All-American Player of the Week. Text messages must be sent by midnight on Wednesday.
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Comments » 89
SmokeyHound writes:
we will need one of these again as we face the best team in the nation in two weeks...nick satan and alabama/ im serious...we need aanother inspirational speech so we can at least come close to beating bama...
PS - COME ON ERIC BERRY! GET AN INTERCEPTION!!!
EVERYBODY GO TO THE ALABAMA GAME!
BEAT ALABAMA!!!!!!!
jst4tdyvols writes:
the guys sure came together as a team.Wow they looked great.GO VOLS.
SmokeyHound writes:
i sure hope we play like we did against georgia and pull it over to the bama game. i really really want an upset. I have to obnoxious friends that r bama fans and i want to kill bama. everybody go to the alabama game and support your volunteers! spread the word
tenuscvol writes:
A win over Bama would rock the SEC and the nation and would put the Kiffen name in the lore of the greatest of UT wins EVER...even if he never won another game this year (of course I can say that knowing that we will win many more.)...I live in Alabama and was in Legion Field in 1994 when Payton did it by beating bama and I would have a WODERFUL Christmas if we can pull it off. I'm confident the coachs will give them the best chance possible and if John plays like he did against Georgia, and there are no special team blunders, there will be a chance....
GoVols! Beat Bama
IdahoVol writes:
Since the coaching staff (other than Inky, who is young) doesn't have a lot of history with the Bama rivalry, I would love to hear about Johnny Majors giving the team some of the history. Love him or hate him, Johnny bleeds orange and hates the Tide.
mattnchatt writes:
I want to beat Bama sooo bad this year.
Win the turnover battle.
Be sound in the kicking game.
Match their defensive intensity with our own.
Give the ball to Hardesty early and often.
GO BIG ORANGE!
FWBVol writes:
Yes, Johnny bleeds Orange and hates the Tide, but according to the UT football media guide his record was, if I counted right, only 4-12 against Alabama. Alabama was to Johnny what Florida was to Fulmer...his choke game.
wayoutwill writes:
Dear Santa, Please wrap up a nice Volunteer victory over the Tied&Crimson Faced Elephants this year and you can keep that sweet 16 I was wanting to get,however,I'd still like to get that 1/2 gallon of 'shine that you always send from bootlegger's lane.Thanks Santa,your fave Vol fan
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
Fulmer only chokes at the buffet line now.......watch out for the chicken bones big boy!
wayoutwill writes:
FWBVol-you're telling off on your age if you needed to look at a book to tell you that Johnny was miserable against "the tied";but that's cool,great fans come in all sizes,shapes and age,your right about that though,Johnny had a rough time on the third saturday and maybe a big part of it was getting too fired up on Monday before the game and the team running out of some staem before gametime,of course,those ole bama boys was purty good at beating everybody they played back then and it looks like they are up to their old ways under Saban,I think the greatest rivalry in football is that Vol vs Bama game and going way back into Vol history right up to this year's team,"ain't nuthin' like a win over 'Bama!GO VOLS!
wayoutwill writes:
You know what rayem,I BELIVE!
VOL03_NC writes:
Think we can get Witch Doctor down to Bama and Hex their water with Vodka. Maybe they will all have a "flu like symptoms" and do not play as well. Or we can just have another game like UGA and we JUST BEAT EM!!
GO VOLS!!!
OrangeBlur writes:
I've got some of that good ole Cocke County dew down here in SE Tenn. Nothin as smooth as E. Tenn dew. May draw a big horn off my quart after the Tide upset (hoping).
Touching write up. Nick and Inky are very inspirational.
TENNESSEE is FOOTBALL.
Go Vols.
Mobbdeep4life writes:
Inky does seem like a great guy. I remember the year before when Jason Allen was injured and Inky came in and stepped up his play. Jason Allen mentioned how proud he was of Inky's play and so was I. I didn't realize at the time how serious his injury was but he could have lost his arm. I see him on the sidelines and I can still see that competitive spirit. I think he is a positive influence on the team and is a nice link to the old Tennessee tradition. I hope he can stay on the staff but I'm not sure how the grad. assistant process works. I believe he would make a great assistant coach one day.
JV67 writes:
Glad to hear Inky is still around the program. He practiced what he's preaching. Lit the Air Force player up bad on the hit that wrecked his shoulder. This kind of fire is what our program has been missing for some time now. GO VOLS!!! BEAT BAMA!!!
Voluvr writes:
I wouldn't trade any player, coach, or where the program is right now with any team in the country. These are the good times.
Go Vols! Stomp Bama. We are going to win.
wayoutwill writes:
I heard of that mountain shine from Cocke Co.;never drank any that I knowed about!Orange blur,I bet it's as sweet a drink as there is!I wouldn't mind trying a little bit of crimson sweet revenge 'shine come the third sat. of '09!GO VOLS!BEAT "BAMA!
V0LUNT33R writes:
I know we all want to beat the dreaded tide, but don't get upset, if we can't upset them. They're the best team in the country, especially now that UK hung cryptonite around Tebow's neck. We are most definitely in rebuilding mode, after all. Let's hope for a win, but stay positive with a "moral victory." I think this team has improved and bought in enough to at least expect one of those.
wayoutwill writes:
BTW,before some "know it all" tries to correct me,lemme say for the record that when 'Bama meets the Vols;it's always the 3rd Sat. to me!
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
I agree that Fulmer is a "HUGE" vol fan, no pun intended. But when I pay for season tickets year after year,(and dont make nearly as much as Phil), and see what he has done to this program, it makes me mad. Now, as for the class act, I have personally seen Phil and his family try to take advantage of his celebrity and by doing so, really screw others over in the process. Last December my family and I were dining at a local Maryville restaurant and he took a little temper tantrum when he and his wife could not be seated ahead of everyone. He really showed himself. That was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. I gave him the benefit of the doubt but you should have seen the way he acted. There were a lot of disappointed people other than me. He has done a lot for kids, I agree. He did win a lot of games, I agree. Cant agree on the class act though.
tallen writes:
1995 in Birmingham tnuscvol no offense.
notoriousBIGorange writes:
Phil Fulmer is and always will be a class act and a VOL legend. He has NEVER done anything to disrespect or tarnish the legacy of UT. I don't give a damn about what CPF did one night at a restaraunt in Maryville (who gives a f*** about that) we have all had our bad nights. I fully support CLK but I also fully respect CPF and what he did for the program.
Let's stay positive and look to the future which is very bright with this coaching staff.
DirtyVolsack writes:
Whether we win or lose this weekend, I am extremely proud of our team. Not only for what the have done on the field, but what they continue to do off of the field. If you all have time and want to read an inspiring article. It shows the true character of this unit and that they are al looking at the bigger picture and supporting the community that supports them every saturday. Please take time to read.
http://tennessee.rivals.com/content.a...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Just give it your all, Vols.
Let the pig fly to the correct WR's in Orange and White, not to DB's in the Crimson.
Amd somehow correct some of the misadventures in the Not-Very Special Teams.
Razzle writes:
If you are talking about the Vol players, believing you can win is the first step in doing it.
forkball writes:
Like to buy stock in Nick Reveiz and Inky Johnson.
volsfannsc writes:
I enjoy reading everyone's enthusiasm about beating Bama- but I truly hope that these same posts don't turn around and snarl at Kiffin or the team should they loose. I remember the hype'd posts on here after WKU and how we were going to be 9-3 and then the so-called 'fans' turned on this team after the UCLA game. Please keep in mind that we are re-building this year. There will be ups and downs. The coaches are new, this team is new, the system is new, and I hope everyone realizes that. I'm not trying to be a wet blanket on the Bama game. Last week they showed they have the potential to stick it to BAMA, I just hope that most of you are not fair-weather fans and turn on this team if the result is not favorable. The key to the GA game was the emotion (as described in this article) and even with great coaching and great athletes, emotion is difficult to maintain especially with a young team. I see this game having the potential to be a final of 20-23 going to the team with the most attitude and the most emotion, and I pray that's UT. We have a great thing brewing in Knoxville, so please dont get so caught up in the hype that you turn on this team if there is a let-down. Keeping it real- GO VOLS and hang 23 on BAMA!
gvegasvol writes:
You're an idiot!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
How's everything in the Peach State this week?
Martinez is very popular.
smoky50 writes:
He probably choked on a Krispy Creme when he saw the score of the GA VOL game. I dont think we had that many TD's all last year. GO VOLS!
Vols033 writes:
Bama is on the road.
Vol_in_Texas writes:
Them good ol' boys put shine in their water coolers. Vodka will shurly mess wit them...
Play like a team, eliminate the special teams mistakes, and it could be the upset of the year!
Go Smokey, Tree that Elephant!
WytheVol writes:
Chuck, and the rest of you Fulmer haters. Those of us who still respect Fulmer are not idiots and don't need to go soak our heads. You have your reasons for disliking him as we have our reasons to continue to respect him. I nor anyone else on this site has to follow you or your thoughts. You people make us ALL look foolish with the name calling. There is no reason we cannot RESPECTFULLY disagree. Calling people names, etc is so freakin childish. Lets just all agree to disagree on the matter of CPF, as recruits and the like actually look at this stuff as us turning on our own kind. I have NO problem with the fact that you hate Fulmer, thats your opinion and you are entitled to it. But PLEASE, discontinue the name calling and derogotory remarks to those who don't feel the same. I respect your opinion, you don't have to call people names for not agreeing with you.
As you can see, most of us who still respect CPF, carry that same respect for CLK, as we are true VOLS fans (with the obvious exception of a select few). My plea is that we stop bashing Fulmer and Kiffin, and stop the degrading of each other for not sharing the same feelings. The past is the past... Some good some bad. What I see is a bright future.
6Mill$Pumpkin.. I can see where you are coming from, I would lose all respect for someone for doing that as well if I saw it with my own eyes. Again, have no problem with you or the fact that you lost respect for him on or off the field. I just hate to think of our fans with the likes of other teams classless fans (which I will respectfully not name), etc... with the way we act on here sometimes.
kthompson#255227 writes:
Me and my girl went to the Lane Kiffin Football Clinic for Women last June (which was awesome). When CLK introduced the coaches and got to Inky, all of the women stood and cheered and cheered. CLK said dang Inky you got a better reception than me! He realized right then and there (if he didn't already) what Inky means to the fans of the Big Orange! Inky is awesome and what an inspiration.
BillyVol writes:
I saw my first college game ever last Saturday, and I am very glad that I did. I moved here 3 years ago, and I have never seen so much excitement about College football. I have become a Vol fan, and am proud of it, and I am old enough to appreciate players like Crompton, and the rest of the team. I am enjoying the ride, even during the bad days. I sat here reading all the posts, and I am glad for those posts from true Vols. I enjoy all the great posts, and ignore the ignorant posts.
WytheVol writes:
We are proud to have you as a Vol fan. Welcome to The Big Orange!
gnm53108 writes:
Welcome.
I have to warn you.You're gonna be doing alot of ignoring on this board.
Go VOLS!
Docrok writes:
I have always been a fan of the Vols and always will! That being said I never really liked Fulmer as coach! I felt like he was a true Vol and tried to make the Vols the best he could though I always felt his teams underachieved! That being said I still respected the man for being a true Vol! However I lost that respect this season when despite the Universities attempt to treat him with respect and loyalty he still went out to Fl and Alabama and places as such and trashed the University! Trashed what Kiffin is doing now! One could understand the obvious spite Majors felt for Fulmer because he felt Fulmer betrayed him! But Fulmers hate for Kiffin is unwarranted as he has no ties to the University prior to Fulmer being fired! Yet he trashes the UT program and coaches to other teams fans! Now irregardless of how he feels about the direction he was going, the facts are simple the program had slipped a long ways and a coach is retained based on performance not just loyalty to the University. Class can be best observed in difficult situations and in a difficult time Fulmer did not show Class! And that is how I will always remember Fulmer!
vol4gzus writes:
Pitiful poster name and post. Classless and should be removed. The man is gone and has been gone! When are some of you posters going to get over it?
On topic, thanks Inky and brother Reveiz for your 'potent messages.'
WytheVol writes:
I can truly respect your opinion and why you have that opinion. Again, I am not knocking anyone who does or does not like Fulmer. I can see what many are talking about. Your post was not disrespectful to any one fan or individual. I have no problem with people venting or telling what they dislike about Fulmer, etc.. All I was really asking for was some classy posts, such as yours. I just think there is no reason we cannot respectfully disagree, without the name calling. You have your opinion and everyone else has theirs. Alike or not, we are all entitled to them and there is no need to slap everyone in the face for what they believe. That being said... excellent post. A true legit reason for your loss of respect for the man, without calling out everyone else who disagrees.
I believe that Fulmer is bitter, and has expressed that in public forums. I wish he hadn't done that myself. I don't disrespect him for being bitter. I understand. I have said it before and will say it again, he couldn't see that his better days had passed as a coach. I don't disrespect him for that. His recent display has been less than commendable, but I look at the whole body of work, not just the latest to form my opinion. My opinion is that he lost the urgency to study and keep up with the times. It cost him his job. I don't have a problem with that either, as complacency can be any industry or individual's biggest challenge. It happens to everyone. Unfortunately, most people with any pride about themselves take offense when that is pointed out to them. Once he realizes what HE did wrong, I feel like he'll make a concious effort to correct his hostile mistakes. But he may not either. Either way, I haven't lost respect because I know that he is not a bad man who wanted the UT program to fall into obscurity, during or after his watch. It happened, and he shares a large role in the blame for that. But I don't hate him for it.
That is my opinion. I don't expect everyone to agree with me still respecting the man. But I don't expect to be called an idiot, foolmorite, etc... either.
gnm53108 writes:
Thanks for the prayer yesterday.
Hey,are you the one I got a fertility prayer from back in feb?
tennezz writes:
Suck it up guys lets beat these Crimson Tired Efnuts!
gnm53108 writes:
I'll confirm that YES,it did work.
Thank you.
notoriousBIGorange writes:
Go soak my head in a whiskey bottle like the coach before CPF?? Yeah, that's the kind of example we need to set. I'm not a FULMERITE, I'm a graduate and am proud of what CPF did and what CLK is building. I also don't kick a proud VOL like CPF while he is down. Respect him, leave him alone and look to the future of this program, which is very bright
DC_Vol writes:
WytheVol,
I appreciate your commentary! I am concerned about one item in your post. When and what did Fulmer say that expressed negativity with UT or Kiffin in a public forum? I follow the Vols with passion, but I have not heard anything reported, atleast not on this website, where Fulmer bashed UT or Kiffin. I really hope this is not true because this would indeed tarnish his legacy. Fulmer did provide one of the greatest seasons in UT history with the 1998 National Championship. Although the program had declined in recruiting and performance in recent years.
VolInSabanLand writes:
I have to completely agree with you, vols444. I think the intensity with which majors wanted to beat bama was a huge stumbling block to his career at UT. He was so tight and went into such a shell when it came to that game that he ruined many excellent shots at the Tide. I thought I might be the only one who observed that, so thanks for the confirmation.
nashvols writes:
You're an idiot.
DC_Vol writes:
Great post!
Thanks for such a positive remark regarding UT football. I love the fact that UT gave Inky a job in the football program. We don't often hear about fan reactions when they interact with our great coaching staff. Any other positive rememberences or experience from your time at the camp would be great to hear!!! Thanks again.
gnm53108 writes:
I have heard "rumors" about some things going on behind the scene,but havent heard anything in a public forum.
And I,like you,hope those rumors are false.
TurboVol writes:
Put the speeches on plaques and mount them on the stadium for all to see...
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