Quarterbacks D+
Jonathan Crompton had two chances to put more points on the board — once on the goal line and another downfield to receiver Gerald Jones — and failed both times. Crompton threw two interceptions, but limited his mistakes in a very limited role. His last interception came when no Vols broke open.
Running Backs B+
Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown ran for tough yards. Neither made a lot of tacklers miss. Brown showed he’s a dependable receiver. Still, some more speed out of the backfield would help UT break some long runs.
Receivers C
UT’s game plan wasn’t about its receivers. Part of that is a lack of confidence in Crompton, but the wideouts could get better separation downfield. UT’s tight ends got open and blocked well.
Offensive Line B
The Vols blocked well in both phases. UT couldn’t pass, yet rushed for 117 yards when Florida knew what was coming. The Vols only gave up one sack.
Defensive line B+
The Vols had three different linemen sack durable quarterback Tim Tebow, and he never appeared to get too comfortable in the pocket. Eventually Tebow wore them down in the trenches and UT couldn’t stop him in short-yardage situations on the ground. Wes Brown let a golden opportunity to end a drive slip through his hands.
Linebackers B+
Nick Reveiz didn’t get credit for many plays, but the junior always seemed to be around the ball and made two impressive plays in the backfield. Rico McCoy and LaMarcus Thompson combined for 15 stops.
Secondary A
The only knock against the backline was a sloppy return by Dennis Rogan after recovering a Tebow fumble, but he at least scooped up the football to give UT a second turnover. Eric Berry added an impressive diving interception. The junior safety also had 11 tackles — including a pair in the backfield on Tebow.
Special teams B+
Extra credit for not letting Brandon James back in the end zone for a third consecutive year, though the Florida dynamo was close on the opening kickoff to midfield. The Vols also tacked on a 15-yard face-mask penalty, but for the most part they were solid and even broke out a nice reverse for a big return of their own. Daniel Lincoln converted two short field goals.
Coaching B+
Tennessee’s coaching staff took a team with much less talent and stayed in the game throughout. You can knock the conservative offensive game plan, but the Vols are hamstrung at quarterback.
Overall B
Coaches and players don’t believe in moral victories. They should.
— News Sentinel staff
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 102
bugman (Inactive) writes:
special teams were not a B+. I was close enough to touch the players. They need work. cunningham was laughing after his crappy kicks. not cool.
munchie writes:
If we had even a decent qb it's our game. Sad that LK had to play to Crompton's weakness(es). WE NEED A QB!!!!!!!!!!
Hell, try Stephens--
McMinnVol writes:
I also disagree with the high grade for special teams. That opening kickoff return by James cost us 3 points - and could have been worse if not for our great defense. I don't think our return game was very good either.
I would give coaching an A. I thought they did an excellent job. They will never admit publicly that loss was a moral victory - don't penalize the coaches for that.
I believe the outlook on this season is much more hopefull than it was one week ago. Go Vols!
Elkabong1940 writes:
Put in Stephens!!!! He couldn't do any worse!
VolunteerLifer writes:
Great to see your scorecard for improvement in the O line, given the UCLA game.
Special teams are mediocre this year, not good, so far. But for that, I am grateful, for the past few years they have been poor or atrocious.
Coaches have real dilemma this week with QB. Change now? Has Crompton finally proved that he cannot play QB for Tennessee? Or did he earn at least one more week? One can argue that its not fair to fire him after his performance against Florida - that defense makes alot of QB's look bad. But, If he plays poorly in the Ohio game, then the coaches will have to replace him with Stevens during the Auburn week, which makes losing that game more likely if we are breaking in a new QB. What to do? What to do? I could go either way. I trust the coaches will make the right decision after they assess the situation. I don't envy them their decision.
vogols11 writes:
Lance Thompson was playing LB? That's what I call a players coach!
illinoisvolfan writes:
Outside of Lincoln, who seems to have found his excellent freshman form, special teams still are struggling. For Tennessee to return to an elite status in college football, their special teams HAVE to improve.
For example, when was the last time the Vols blocked a punt? I think it was against Georgia in Athens in 2006. As I recall, there wasn't even a rush on (even though the ball was inside the Dogs 10), the Tennessee man practically walked in unblocked. Before that, though, I couldn't begin to guess when the last blocked punt or field goal would have been.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
Crompton F, even my wife says he looks scared.
Coaching, defense A, offense B- (only for having Crompton in the game)
Receivers incomplete, you can't grade them if there's nobody to throw them the ball.
Special teams C+, Need to get the kickoffs into the endzone, better returns (the reverse was cool), better tackling, if not for the face mask, James scores.
Agree with the rest except the O-line was great despite a lack of depth.
GO VOLS!!!
beatfla2009 writes:
Whoever wrote this article has benn reading to many post from this site, the special teams did a good job but he overranked them, and why does the idiot take a stab at logan, he did pick up the ball, he could have just fell on it like he is taught, he did get i am guessing here i can go back as i recorded it, but i think he almost returned it for 40 yards what is sloppy about that you idiot,sure if he would have cut back inside he may have scored but we do not know that, jeeeezzzz what does a player have to do to get fan acceptance in Knoxville.
Elkabong1940 writes:
Doesn't Crompton know he stinks? If I was he, I would tell the coach to put someone else in.
GahLee writes:
What is the grading based on?
That particular player/tandem/groups potential and how close they came to playing at their best?
Or is based on a national level?
If that's the case, then the grading is laced with sugar.
QB-F
RB-B
OL-B
WR-D
DL-B+
LB-B
DB-A
ST-B
C-A-
al2476 writes:
Coaching should have got an "A", for that was an excellent game plan and was carried out perfectly. Last years coaching staff, would have gotten beat by 40 points or more.
VolFanInAtl writes:
I hate the use of the word "talent" when refering to foolball teams. One cannot exceed their talent level. You can't get more talented.
Florida was bigger, somewhat faster and more experienced but their "talent" level was not a level above ours, as many (including vol fans) seem to think.
Anyone can win or lose on any given Saturday.
spencer1989#206886 writes:
I'm struggling to stay behind the QB after this game. In my mind....I firmly believe that if we had a QB in for this game, that we would have seen a big "L" hanging in the Gators record. All that said, this team will get better as the year goes.....And to me, they won the battle and the war. I wonder if Urbiepoo is reconsidering throwing his name back in his ND dream job now that the VOLS will be kicking his butt next year and for years to come.
GahLee writes:
The Gators have way more talent than do the Vols, what we all seen Saturday was a team that played with a lot of heart, and a great defensive scheme.
they are much better than us in the talent department, agreed that anyone can beat anyone, but you can't say that they don't have more talent than us...they got NFLers sitting on the bench.
rob403161#233391 writes:
Lance is TOUGH!!!
mdvol writes:
Crompton went from an F to a D+ in one week.....Wow! Don't blame the receivers. I mean, would you run your guts out knowing there is NO WAY you are going to get the ball thrown to you?
volsfannsc writes:
Don't see special teams getting a B especially on kick and punt returns. Coverage was horrible- lanes kept collapsing. I would upgrade the O Line because they were truly playing hurt, against the #1 ranked D, and were giving away 20 lbs. per man. Receivers ARE running poor routes AND Crompton is still making throws he shouldn't- not making throws he should. I truly feel for this kid. Four offenses schemes in four years (one of which included death threats) but the reality of the situation is we need an SEC QB that can get the job done- a field general. Kiffin proved himself to me with his gameplan and he sees Stephens at practice. Until I am shown otherwise, I have to believe in Kiff's angle. Any of us can armchair coach, but if we were any good at it we'd be making a couple of mill a year, right? No coach wants to loose and I think CLK has a handle on this thing. Give him some support, and some time, and things will work out well for us. I'm not sure if Fulmer recruited poorly, but he definately recruited for a different offensive set. It's changing. Give it a little breathing room. GO VOLS
GahLee writes:
Our receivers have not played that great either...in particular Gerald Jones, he seems to always be running the wrong route, look at the route he ran in the end zone Saturday, granted at one point he appeared open, but instead of stopping at the sideline he ran completely out of bounds!
Our passing game is absurd, just think of how great our running game would be if we could throw the ball?
Florida knew we were going to run the ball, no matter the situation, 3rd and 20, and we still ran it well.
When we get a passing game again, it will be lights out.
VOLorado writes:
good thing the officials didn't notice.....
I sure didn't see it, but if it's online, it must be true
great job coach!
VolFanInAtl writes:
rubbish
You've been listening to too many commentators instead of forming your own opinions. Either that or your definition of the word "talent" includes more than just aptitude.
Maybe on average their aptutude is a bit higher than ours... but not as much as you've been lead to believe, we're plenty talented.
As for NFLers on the bench... that's depth, not talent... and it's yet to be seen.
dwa7#337691 writes:
FIRST........yaaaaaaaaaaaaa
prediction UT 33
Ohio ........9
in a close one
mdvol writes:
Only thing I worry about is Kiffin getting the idea he gets a pass this year because of our QB situation. I worry about his comments that imply we have no talent at UT and it will take "three years" (his words) to build it back up. I'll accept his "next year" comment about Florida but as far as the rest of the games I'm expecting a winning season and bowl.
tloutn writes:
Have to give coaching an A for this game. The most telling moment was after Crompton's first pick. Last year, this group would have folded and the rout would have been on. This staff was able to refocus the team and held them together.
It's so painfully obvious how the Great Pumpkin left the cupboard bare at QB. To have to call a game based on what your QB can't do is painful to watch. Every play, Florida had 8,9 in the box and our O-Line and backs did a fantastic job grinding it out.
What if's and could have been's......
Raynoch writes:
LaMarcus
DannyVol writes:
At this point I think it would be best to give Stephens a chance. Unless there is a bad attitude problem that we don't know about, it would only be fair. He has not publicly complained although considering Crompton's play it would be very tempting.
Supposedly the two were so closely locked in competition during fall camp that a starter was named rather late. Maybe Crompton practices okay but falls apart during games. Maybe Stephens would have no such drop off. How do we know unless we give the kid a chance?
Kiffin_fan writes:
Finally someone with some sense. The only QB controversy there is has been by the media and the message boarders. JC is our QB and thats not gonna change. I know he is a senior but how do you develop a QB? You let him play through his mistakes and learn. He's never been given that opportunity. Four games last year and he's jerked. Now thats what I call developing a QB. I think we UT fans have been conditioned over the last several years that you have to switch QB's if they make a mistake. That is not the way. I say we win 2 extra games this year because our Coach is sticking with his man. So like it or not JC is our QB. Go Vols!!!!
I saw a team grow up saturday right before my eyes! I hope we all watched the same game! We are not winning the SEC this year, but the future finally looks bright instead of gloomy.
ExpatVol writes:
A few comments...
RB - A+... UFL knew we were running it on almost every play and they still did good
OL - A... see above
Coach - A... its a L but I love the quote at the end 'We'll see'm next year.'
We just need a QB... plain & simple.
GO BIG ORANGE!!!
mtvols writes:
Hmm, I didn't see our LB coach playing in the game.
The receivers grade should be lower than a C. If G. Jones hadn't run out of bounds we would have scored a TD on that one.
I disagree with the negative posts about special teams. Everyone forgets that Lincoln had a bad year last year and surprise he is 4 for 4 this year on field goals. Cunningham is punting well and we didn't give up a TD to Brandon James this year, did we! I don't know how Rogans return of 40 yards was sloppy.
I keep seeing comments about Crompton having 4 OC in 4 years, so that just means that Stephens has had 3 in 3 years. Not an excuse. Give Stephens a chance in a game.
volsfannsc writes:
Your expectations are off the map. Kiff was lucky to get a few of his recruits in early. He needs his style players to run his style offense. Regardless of the coaching change, Crompton was going to be your QB. The QB Fulmer recruited ended up at Clemson because he wasn't a Pro Style QB. Upon arriving at Clemson, he was medically evaluated and received shoulder surgery immediately. Their words, "his arm was a can of noodles". Under the old regime, it was week by week as to who was incarcerated.
An aircarft carrier takes forever to turn 180 degrees, but once turned it is the mightiest ship in the fleet. You will see constant improvement for the next three years.
VolFanInAtl writes:
Precisly. If I were one of Kiffin's players I'm not so sure I would like him poo-pooing my "talent" level. I wouldn't like my fans doing it either.
We're younger at some positions, lack depth and suffer from injuries but this team has the aptitude (a synonym for talent) to be very successful this year.
DennisVols writes:
One grade left out
Future= A
This team played with heart and stayed comepetitive throughout the game even with the short commings. This years recruiting class and the one coming this Feb. will shape the future for the Vols and it is looking grade A.
You don't hear Kiffin making excuses for the loss to UF but you hear Meyer making excuses for the win. First it was a sudden break out of the flu that hadn't been mentioned before the game and now he is saying he played conservative because he felt the Vols weren't playing to win. How funny is that. Not playing to win? If you don't know anything else about CLK you do know he plays to win. The facts are Meyer got out coached, his 4th year team did not have an answer to CMK's defense.
Better play at QB and receiver and this team is 3-0 right now. But we have to play the hand we where dealt. This was a 1st year coach that exposed a 4th year NC coach's weakness and now he is spouting excuses for why they could not deliver the beat down everyone seemed to claim was coming to UT.
Wonder what excuse Meyer will use next year when the beat down is coming from UT and not aimed at.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
krheavol writes:
Why is everybody satisfied with losing? I think the guys played well. I think Hardesty ran hard and Brown caught the ball well out of the backfield. There was no since of urgency on the offense to go for the win. David Cutcliffe left to go to Duke he must of known something about Crompton and Stephens to take a job at a sub-par program like that. Wish he would have stayed so we could have gotten Pryor! Go Vols love the recruits we are getting with the new staff!
SEAL_9821 writes:
Fair statements
rusty_shackleford writes:
"Coaches and players don’t believe in moral victories. They should. News Sentinel staff"
I said is Saturday night and I still believe it to be true .... moral victories are for losers and sports writers. You Play To Win the Game!
volsfannsc writes:
GREAT POST! You see things with a realistic view.
MoralVictory writes:
Wow, it seems the Gators were off and the Vols played hard..and yet Gators are 3-0 and Vols 1-2. I think the Vols can only beat 1 SEC game on their schedule..Vandy or Kentucky..Florida didn't even blitz Crompton and never threw down the middle or deep. I've read all the Florida blogs and they view the game as them putting their hands on UT's forehead and playing swing all you want. We lose that game 10 out of 10 times.
ChatVolFan writes:
Have to applaud the heart the team showed. If we only had a 2-diminsional offense... maybe (hopefully) something will break out soon. If not, it'll be a long year for us Vols.
Yes, I'll still cheer.
Go Vols!
Orangeblood13 writes:
screw moral victories, I'm proud of our young men, but take a win anyday over moral
Let's blow Ohio up!
Orangeblood13 writes:
need a qb bad
TommyJack writes:
at least.
golfballs03 writes:
Recievers should get docked for that Gerald Jones mishap, not Crompton. BTW, Jones has been pretty lackluster in his 2 games back. What's wrong w/ Teague?
Also, since the Vols were not going to throw downfield, why not incorporate Oku into the passing game out of the backfield? He's a slasher who could have broken for some big plays...
TommyJack writes:
Forecast for FL....Tebow leaving, Urbee leaving, Ugly Linebacker leaving, bandwagon fans will get on the FSU, Miami bandwagon. Gotta love it.
Vol86 writes:
Grades:
Fulmer C-
Kiffen B+
Media F+
Meyer B- would be a B but he is still crying
DRAGtheWATERS writes:
"The only knock against the backline was a sloppy return by Dennis Rogan after recovering a Tebow fumble, but he at least scooped up the football to give UT a second turnover." Statements like this is why KNS has no credibilty when it comes to sports writers. sloppy???
The DL grade needs to be split between ends and tackles. The ends A The tackles C- they were blown off the ball all day. Is Janzen Jackson's name anywhere in this report?
Moral victories are for the Vandys and Kenluckys not at UT.
GO VOLS!!!
DancingOutlaw writes:
Crompton has reverted. he looked ok at wku, and i realize wku is probably about a 2A HS team. but he was throwing to space, reading progressions, etc. in other words i could not watch the game on tv and guess where he was going to throw when he got the ball. at the ucla game i started to see that. on his picks it is OBVIOUS. he IMMEDIATELY begins to stare down his intended receiver from the get go. watch his 2nd pick in the UF game. he looks at the receiver first, gives a cursory glance left, then goes back to right. the safety shades on that and gets the pick. he's gotten back into 2008 stare at the receiver and hope no one notices mode. buddy they are noticing. i think he just panics in the game, i'm sure they work on that during practice but it doesn't translate to the field. i feel he gets flustered and decides who he's throwing to before the ball is snapped. then he has to concentrate to get it there, hence the staring. he is a weak link for sure. is stephens any better? doubtful. if he can't impress 2 HC staffs over crompton i doubt he will be a marked improvement. does it hurt to try him? yeah probably, we throw off what little offensive gelling we've accomplished. i also don't feel that qb controversy is good for the team at large. i think it's good to have the defense seriously pissed at one qb instead of 2. you'd think keeping eric berry from spearing you in the locker room would be motivation enough to get better. we have to find crompton's maximum level of comfort and stay there, and force teams to beat us in the box. hardesty and brown ran hard, if we can keep them healthy this team can still go places.
copia69296 writes:
Just a thought... If Crompton and Stephens were close but Crompton won, noting it cant be that much worse...
Why not play Stephens since he will be next years senior QB? There is no given that any freshman QB coming in will be good enough to start. Why not build what you have.
Cldvols1 writes:
Hey d-bag, get over it yall won! We're tryin to get hyped about future opponents and ur still stuck in the past. Sucks that you guys didnt blow us out dont it and that yall were exposed for future opponents! Your a sad case, so sad!LOL Go Vols!!!
volsfanlostinthebigeasy writes:
I AGREE 100%..... kudos to our boys in orange and the coaches. Just imagine how well the game had went if we had a quarterback. Heck of an effort. GO VOLS!!!
Madkels writes:
Not so fast there sparky.
1) It wasn't the receivers fault when Crompton didn't put a little air under ball on the first interception that should have been a TD. The DB for Florida was beat, had his back turned, and was out of position. He adjusted well but the ball was thrown on a line and he went up and got it.
2) It wasn't the receivers fault when Crompton missed the receiver open briefly in the end-zone that ended up out of bounds because the ball was delivered too late.
3) It wasn't the tight ends fault when he was wide open in the end-zone against UCLA but Crompton threw to a covered receiver in the back of the end-zone.
So it really boils down to a the coaches lacking confidence in the QB.
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