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Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton (8) listens to a coach and back-up quarterback Nick Stephens (17) in the background. Tennessee lost 30-6 to arch rival Florida in Neyland Stadium on Saturday, September 20, 2008.
Lane Kiffin doesn't need to fall into the same trap Phillip Fulmer did last year.
It's Ohio week, the final scrimmage before the October "Month of Judgment.''
Kiffin's not blind, dumb or deaf. He hears some Tennessee fans clamoring for an exciting offensive game plan. It seems winning with sound, fundamental power football isn't enough.
Continue reading at Mike Griffith's "Ask Griff" blog.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 87
CRFVols writes:
Boooooooooring.
Vol86 writes:
What trap? At doughnut machine.
PennVol writes:
"Kiffin's not blind, dumb or deaf. He hears some Tennessee fans clamoring for an exciting offensive game plan. It seems winning with sound, fundamental power football isn't enough."
If we're calling the current offense "sound fundamental power football" then I disagree that we're winning when our record is 1-2.
gnm53108 writes:
"It seems winning with sound, fundamental power football isn't enough."
Uh...Mike we are 1-2.
Alot of Vol fans dont think we can win without some semblence of a passing game.Me included.
Although I would love nothing beter than to be able to just pound teams into submission.Just dont think we would have much sucess in the sec if thats all we got.
mytrifecta writes:
Uh Mike, we're 1-2. So, we're not winning with "sound, fundamental power football". We're losing with a QB who throws 1 pick for every 10 pass attempts.
gnm53108 writes:
You're quick.
And of course I agree.
djstatik writes:
"It seems winning with sound, fundamental power football isn't enough"? "WINNING" would be enough. We aren't winning and it's primarily Crompton's fault. He can't even execute the simplest of passes against programs ranked 75th or better. I think the guy has the tools he just doesn't have the gameday demeanor to play under pressure.
You could tell how frustrated Kiffin was getting with JC in the UCLA game. The kid couldn't handle the easiest of passing plays. Kiffin folded up into a fetal position and just tried to get it done with nothing but the run. UCLA put 8, sometimes 9 in the box, and that was it. Every SEC opponent is going to do the same.
Fulmer replaced JC with Nick last year, and that didn't do us any favors. We just need to get JC in a better position to not get us beat. That means more effective play action with high percentage, safe passes running routes that if your receiver can't catch the ball no-one can.
BrassMonkey writes:
"It seems winning with sound, fundamental power football isn't enough."
Hey I know everyone likes to count a 10 point loss as a win, but as far as I am concerned we have not been winning. I do not care how close you play a team. We are 1-2 and that sucks.
OrangePride writes:
What got Fulmer into difficulty was losing games to teams like Wyoming and South Carolina and posting a 5-7 record two of the last 3 years....not simply conservative play. Were he 8-4 with the conservative play, he would still be on the UT sidelines. So Kiffin needs to establish the best game plan to win....period. Whether it's the running or passing is not nearly as important as the final score. And just to prove the point, had it been 20-19 Tennessee over UCLA, how much brighter would the outlook be here in Knoxville. It can all begin going the other way with a win over Ohio and another over Auburn. GO VOLS.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
Wrong Griff, Lloyd Carr was fired for one reason only. HE COULD NOT BEAT OHIO STATE!
Exciting is nice but winning is better. We don't have the tools to be exciting this year and if JC is the best we have I'm starting to doubt the winning part. Kiff is doing his best with what he has. I for one think Nick deserves a chance but I'm not the coach. Kiff will get the vols back on top soon. Until then I'll just say what I've said for years "wait till next year"
GO VOLS!!! Beat Ohio!
PennVol writes:
Nice post about Kiffin's game plan. I think we're paying these coaches enough to figure out how to win with what we have instead of giving up on this season due to "lack of talent" or "trying to get better recruits" (as some are suggesting). Should be interesting to see what adjustments will be made on offense, but I'm hoping there are some smart ones that result in 1-2 good wins (Auburn, GA, Bama, Miss) in the SEC.
gnm53108 writes:
You sir are CORRECT.
gnm53108 writes:
Bama!
VolunteerLifer writes:
Griffith, you need to send a copy of this to Adams, after all he is the one calling for CLK to make a change at QB. Is Adams just another one of us fickle fans you complain about?
gnm53108 writes:
"Adams just another one of us fickle fans"
Adams a fan...of what?
lail#204076 (staff) writes:
In the case of blogs, they are a different content management system. we are working on a way to be able to add blog headlines to our top stories and the link go directly to the blog post, but that is not available yet.
In the case of stories you see from the Tennessean or the Chattanooga Times Free-Press, we do not have the online rights to use the whole story, but do have the rights to post three to four paragraphs and a link. We are part of a content sharing agreement involving several papers in Tennessee whereby we share content in print and online. You will see our stories on their Web sites and printed papers and their stories on our sites and in print.
Our intent in linking to the content of others is to make sure GVX is a one-stop source for any coverage you would want to know about whether our writers wrote it or not.
If you see a piece you think other Vol fans ought to know about, shoot me an email at lailj@knoxnews.com and I'll see if we can get on here.
Does that explain it?
-- jack lail
khelton657 writes:
Look at how different the expressions are on Crompton's and Stephens' faces....one looks like " What's going on ??? "..the other is " I'm gonna kick some butt..."
gnm53108 writes:
Thanks.
Volways writes:
That's some funny stuff! There is something about Crompton that always cracks me up when they show his face. Always!
crimsonviper writes:
Thanks That's cool.
p.s..How about giving John Adams a wedgie and tell him to get with the program.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
JC looks dazzed & confused & Nick looks like "you SOB".
Also looks like KSN really reads these post. Thanks for the info staff. Now if you could just block the trolls. Better watch what some of you say about Adams, they know who you are.
GO VOLS!!!
ctexorange writes:
I like our chances this year! We should finish 12-1 ( Moral victories count as victories these days at UT ) Go CLK!!!
TrouserCough writes:
So...he's saying Crompton is really a good quarterback? Interesting
Razzle writes:
The truth is, the Vols don't consider last week a victory nearly as much as you Flori-duhs considers it a loss.
Tenn_Dawg writes:
Have not posted on here in a while but I have visited everyday to read the back and forth between Gators and Vols.....good stuff.
Observations on the game:
1.) The Vol defense looks downright nasty. Of course your defense last year looked good too but I do think it is better this year.
2.) Hardesty is a stud. Too bad he was injured a lot during his career. He is definitely one I would trade a Dawg or two straight up for.
3.) Eric Berry....nothing else needs to be said. Well maybe not..I would trade five Dawgs for him.
4.) Tennessee played hard and I agree with most that they out hit the Gators.
5.) Tebow...what can you say, you know its coming but it still can't be stopped. Glad he is leaving after this year.
6.) I can see both sides of the Urban/Kiffin pi$$ing match. I did not see any urgency to go balls out to win the game from Kiffin but then again allowing Crompton to be more aggressive probably would have been disastrous.
7.) Florida really needs some playmakers outside of Tebow.
8.) I really liked the orange pants.
The UT/Auburn game is really shaping up to be a monster game.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Well, when you finally get enough drugs into someone's system to stop the panic attacks, they tend to have that glazed, zombie-like stupor.
givehim6 writes:
I am one of those Vol fans that was around n 98' and can remember the hay days of great Vol football. Would love to see those days again. I also remember the pre season prediction of 8-4 well we already have 2 loses and only 1 win, so we need something new. Yes UT is playing better than we did last year, but I for one would like to see 3 wins for the next 3 games. GO VOLS!
boonhower writes:
Have we had one day yet since football season started when there hasn't been at least one Coach Fulmer reference on the KNS page? Just one? I doubt it.
TommyJack writes:
Is Grif one or two doors down?
mlsoft#228820 writes:
I thought Griff incorrectly gave PF a pass on why he was fired. PF was the greatest coach in modern UT Football history, and bought both honor and glory to our program, lifting it "to the next level."
The problem came when he became complacent, lazy, or whatever the inner problem was, and he began neglecting the things that got both he and the UT program to the highest level. His recruiting began to fall off, and his actual coaching of the talent he had (never one of his strengths), fell completely by the wayside. He became satisfied with mediocrity, and thought everyone else, all the UT fans, should be also.
That is why Phillip is no longer with us.
I still honor and respect him for what he once did, but it was past time for him to go. PF was always a class act and a gentleman, and I hope he does not turn into a bitter old man like Johnny Majors did.
Just my opinion, though.
mlsoft
the10sevol writes:
urban & timmy.
GBO
OrangePride writes:
No, CTEX, moral victories count as losses. But what they also count for is validation that the hard work and better coaching is beggining to show signs of paying off. They further validate that this coaching staff outcoached, outschemed and outworked the great UM. They also build confidence in the players that they are better than a lot of people might think. Most of all, they set the stage for real victories as we move forward. So keep up the good work CLK, staff, and VOLS!
topgun writes:
First, it's not surprising that KNS wants to keep the VOL nation in a turmoil. Bring up CPF, constant stuff about UT insulting anyone, and irrelavent stuff like --UT "assistant coach" rips a sign from pore old UF grandmother, in a wheelchair, while quoting the holy scriptures, and holding her bible in her little gator-loving hands. Bad, bad, mean, old UT man, etc., etc., ad nauseum.
With these approaches, KNS gets more Fulmer hater posters, more troll posters, cr@p sells papers, keeps John Adams happy, etc. Is the OHIO game still on or are we going to watch reruns of the UF game???? Has KNS mentioned Ohio half as much as UF this week?? Nuff said on the ulterior motives of KNS.
However, I do have a legit question for anyone. Today, I was watching the UT news conference (following UF game) of CLK where someone asked him about the opening kickoff situation. Lane said something like "you are going to get me fined--do you think we wanted to kickoff against the wind to...??" I did not catch what happened while watching the game on TV and have not been able to find out anything about it anywhere else. Apparently, the refs did something that wasn't in UT's favor? What happened??
CLK, please, please, give Nick S. a little game-experence playing time. What are you going to do if your love-fest guy gets hurt??
Finally, KNS seems to think by the comment in the article "winning with sound..." that a 1-2 start is winning. Isn't that , well, er, kinda of, like "LOSING?" GO VOLS!!
the10sevol writes:
thanks, jl. is kappy still there, he hasn't removed any of my posts lately? tough gig satisfying the Big Orange Nation, huh?
GBO
the10sevol writes:
"meant to distract us from last weeks victory"?
it really bothers you that Vols are looking forward, while you are focused on the rear-view mirror, huh?
by the way, "objects in mirror are closer than they appear".
GBO
the10sevol writes:
a morsel of insight in a sea of confusion.
disagree on the orange pants, though (old school, reeaal old, lol).
thanks for the post.
GBO
GaGATOR writes:
Judging from the blog, it looks like all #8 needs is some good coaching, too bad your offensive coach is no ware as good as your defensive coach. I’m sure you will try to score a years worth of points on this school of 8100. And I’m also sure their coach will coach to WIN and not just coach to see that they are not blown out. Maybe with so much time on his hands during the game your coach can make some notes on coaching to WIN. So enjoy your last win for a month, like the man said “Judgment October” is right upon you.
I was amused Sunday, that your poll consensus thought ya’ll would go 6 and 2 in the SEC, after your 13 to 23 win over the GATORS. Well, let’s get real. Enjoy you win against Ohio, because you have no chance against Auburn, Georgia, and Alabama.
Sorry to say it’s only a 50-50 chance you can beat South Carolina. Then comes
Mississippi, NO CHANCE. Then you finish up with Vandy and Kentucky, again only a 50-50 chance of winning these. If you run the table against the 50-50 teams you will only be 3 and 5, but most likely you will lose 1 of the 3, leaving you 2 and 6 in the SEC. Which ironically is just like beating the GATORS 13 to 23, I love the new math in Tennessee.
murrayvol writes:
He's not old (at least by todays standards) yet, but he is bitter and will be for as long as it takes to get old.
CapitolC writes:
LOL at gator fans - sound more sophomoric than Memphis fans just before their world crumbled; Desperate to squeeze out one more winning season before next year.
GBO - gators are cheap luggage
crappieking writes:
GaGator = Dchbag Troll. You're reign in the SEC is coming to a end. Enjoy it while you can.
volatil writes:
At least our math is better than your grammar, ware like Andre are you kidding me? The truth is UT was a QB away from beating your team this year. Now run along and play with your little lizard buddies.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Griff; check this out-
FNS = Free Nick Stephens
This something Stephens did last year 4 of the 5 longest plays from scrimmage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mULAQh...
50 days until Crompton Elgibility is over, good ole rocky Whew his elgibility is done...
CHS52VOL writes:
Marsalis Teague was our leading receiver in the WKU game, and Zach Rogers played well in the 1st 2 games. To the best of my knowledge Crompton has not thrown a single pass to Teague in the last 2 games. If we are so short on receivers, why don't we play these 2 guys. Because they are freshmen? What? We play the guys who give us the best chance of winning. In this instance I say, "Hogwash".
odtn#267368 writes:
Crompton looks like Alfred Newman (Mad Magazine) with his expression, "What, Me Worry?"
Stephens' is a look of steroid induced rage like Danny Bonaduce.
panties4tebow writes:
So what this article is saying is.....Fulmer got caught in his own trap!!!!
Nutz writes:
This coaching staff is a band of misfits. Review their history (individually of course) and you'll understand. 'Lanie' is an egotistical brat that continues to be indulged by his daddy-Ogeron (hardly a stand up kind of guy)and they are working with a group of franchise players. Whatever happened to good ole' Rocky Top? Neyland is rolling over.
REVOL writes:
Griff is right. Kiffin needs to stay with the same game plan he used at Florida. Run the ball, play with discipline (no or few penalties), "safe" pass plays, play swarming defense and protect the football. That will beat most teams and should be especially true against Ohio. Don't even think about Auburn until Sunday. Go Vols! Beat Ohio!
REVOL writes:
At least you got your handle right.
Hardrocknox writes:
your an idiot , why are you wasting your time here ? are you stupid or something ?
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
peanuts
time will tell on this crew, but after the UCLA game it was very apparent to me that Kiffin is writing off 2009 and 2010 and has sold Mike Hamilton that 2011 he will deliver. Well I woudl have taken the approach and said, i am goign to yank that piece crapton out of the backfield and put in stephens, win a few more games and pound my chest that UT is better...well folks here it is:
WKU: WIN
UCLA: LOST ( SHOULD HAVE INSERTED STPEHENS=W)
Florida: Lost and coached to loose
Ohio: Win
Georgia: Loss
Auburn: Loss
Alabama: Loss
Memphis; Loss (just wait- just like Manning year)
South Carolina: Loss (Norwood knocks crapton out)
Vandy: Win
Kentucky: Win
Sad, Sad Sad...peanuts proof was seen last week, this week is a Stats game for Crapton the dumbest QB in SEC history
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