When You're Strange
Matt Simms and Derek Dooley both indicated Saturday they needed to see the videotape before passing judgement on the Orange & White Game.
Of course. That's what quarterbacks and head coaches do.
They study every nuance of every play. And then they study it again.
The rest of us, thank goodness, are not weighted down by such oppressive detail.
We watch 2 hours and 7 minutes of football at Neyland Stadium. Then we go our way, opinions formed, to dinner or to mow the yard or to write a column.
However, I would caution against carving first impressions of what we saw Saturday in granite.
First off, it was a spring game.
The squad is split. The rules are skewed. No-holds-barred football this is not.
"You can never define (your team) by a spring game,'' said center Cody Pope.
"As we go into camp we'll see a lot more what this team is made of when we line up.''
Yet even as spring games go, this one was especially unrepresentative.
To say Tennessee is a program in transition is a gross understatement. That transition will continue apace over the next four months.
I asked defensive end Chris Walker to try to project the difference between what we saw Saturday and the team we'll see Sept. 4 against UT-Martin.
"Miles,'' said Walker.
"We're going to come miles from what people saw today.''
UT fans hope Walker is right.
The attrition generated by having three coaching staffs in less than two years has robbed the Vols of depth. More jobs than not are up for grabs. Projections for 2010 are grim.
Dooley admitted Saturday that spring practice ends with Tennessee in catch-up mode.
He's been playing catch-up ever since he was hired in mid-January.
"We spent the first half of spring figuring out what we had,'' he said. "I wish we now had another spring practice honing in on what we need to get better at.''
The NCAA, however, has specific rules limiting teams to one spring practice.
So here's a general idea of what's on the docket for Tennessee's program over the next three months until fall camp opens.
For the coaches - recruiting.
Not to diminish the players who were giving it their all for Tennessee on Saturday, but some of the most important folks in the stadium were not in uniform.
They were the ones gathered along the sidelines before kickoff. They could be identified by their name tags and the presence of a smiling Orange Pride hostess lurking nearby.
This football team needs an infusion of both quality and quantity. By my count there were about 60 scholarship players on the spring roster. Even after the rest of the new signees arrive the Vols will still be well under the 85-scholarship limit.
"They know we're thin in a lot of areas,'' Dooley said of the bevy of prospects on hand Saturday. "Hopefully, that'll be attractive to them.''
It should be. But they can't help until 2011.
Still, some immediate help is on the way. I noticed several members of the 2010 signing class in attendance. A guy like offensive lineman Zach Fulton will get a chance to contribute from the moment he moves into the dorm.
"We might,'' said Dooley, "have to force their hand a little quicker than in some years.
"But that's why they're coming here.''
As for the existing players, they'll be hitting the weights and, according to Dooley, "eating buckets of chicken.''
Dooley lamented the team's lack of girth, especially on defense. Buckets of chicken? Walker doesn't object.
"You see a bunch of guys who look kind of thin right now,'' he said. "We're going to be bigger, faster, stronger, and we're going to have a different confidence about coming back into fall camp.''
And the team that comes into fall camp will be different by the time it leaves fall camp.
If ever Tennessee football was a work in progress, this is it. Saturday was just a passing glimpse.
Mike Strange may be reached at strangem@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6276.
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Comments » 27
98memories writes:
Help is on the way. May be some studs not on campus yet.
Razor784 writes:
Not that many true freshman will contribute anyways, unless a lot changes in the next 3 and 1/2 months, it's going to be a tough season
RoadTrip writes:
The Berry twins are orange through and through. Which brings up the subject - was it cool or what to hear the crowd yelling "Eric Berry" at the game today?!!!
GBO!
GerryOP writes:
Yup, just a glimpse of what is to come. Everybody played, everybody contributed, and we got to see our footVols in Neyland.
It's hard to even visualize the daunting task in front of Dooley and the coaches in the next few months. But he's "our coach," the guys in uniform are "our guys," and we need to remain to be "their fans."
140 - Fear The Dooley Dude... And Keep The Faith...
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Wow, those guys don't look like 8th graders.
clvolfan writes:
OH NO !
We'll have to watch the film.......seems like I used to hear that a lot. I know it is spring, and they can lean a lot from film now, however I sure hope that doesn't become the norm to hear after the games. I don't believe that will be the case, because I have all the confidence that this staff will do a good job of figuring what goes, or went on during the game.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
And I for one loved that little glimpse. While he needs some work, Bray will be very,very good. Milton will a be a key player down the road. Walls and Hughes will be terrors, as will Gordon, Myles, and Waggner.
One thing that kills me is how everyone cries about the depth issue. While it's bad now, it's going to improve by the start of fall practice. Nobody seems to acknowledge that the line is going to add three guys (Stone, Fulton, Pair), the receiving corps is going to add 3 (Hunter, Rodgers, and Rivera the TE), as well as Nance at QB. I'm hoping Nance was underrated and can be a solid #3 QB. The key is JUCO DT John Brown getting eligible and being solid. I think Propst and Crump could add depth at LB, and if Loften is eligible, he could push for playing time. I'm not going to proclaim a big year for these guys, heck I'd be happy with 6-7 wins. The main thing is we're gonna have a young team getting alot of experience, which will pay huge dividends down the road. I truly believe Dooley has us on the right path, and with a recruiting class stocked with linemen on both sides, we're 2-3 seasons away from taking back the SEC East.
crimsonviper writes:
Great post GerryOP.
UTSmokey04 writes:
The article is correct; we will all draw our own conclusions but it's obvious our defense is going to carry us as usual. I do agree with the poster that said DT John Brown is a key. A three man DT rotation would be nice.
I've got to believe Bray is the starting QB for UT-Martin. The offense was very vanilla today but loved seeing the orange and white running around.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
I remember when Cody Pope was recruited out of California, a long time ago. I always thought the guy would become a great Volunteer. Now's the time, Cody. You're like the wampeter of our carass in Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle. Do it, dude.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Hey Gerry, all kidding aside...I think Tennessee will bring it all year long. The guys seem to know what they're doing, and nobody is holding back. Power to the great Tennessee Volunteers!! !!!
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Oh yeah, Coach Baggett got to tell Denarius Moore to catch the football or ride the pine. How could D-Mo forget? I don't know. But it is obvious that he does forget sometimes. Moore got to remember to catch the ball everytime. Moore is our best receiver, but man, I say Oh-poop every time the pass goes to Moore. Sometimes he makes great plays. Sometimes he don't make any play at all.
Mtnbiker writes:
I went to the game, my First Spring O&W game, and I was impressed by how many people was there. It was my Dad's first time in Neyland Stadium, we both thought Bray was the better QB. We do however expect Simms to start this Fall, but one can always be wrong.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"Thin in a lot of areas"...
Personally like Dooley's cold-water approach. As a fan who's eager to get out of this depression Tenn football is going through, one tries to be realistic.
Realism says we'll be perhaps over-tested several outings this fall, but hope their hearts stay in it till the final gun.
Just do the best they can and Corch, "Get us some linemen, D and O who are good-uns"!
Battles loom over the horizon....
.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
My 1st reactions after going to the game:
1.Montori Hughes, Marlon Walls and Gerald Williams on the line were beasts.
2.Darren Myles and Anthony Anderson's names were called a lot in the secondary.
3.Yes Bray had the better performance, but Simms had the best drive of the day in the 3rd QTR, going like 90 yards for a TD.
That kicker Rome looked sharp and should be 1st string till MP gets on campus. Then it's his to lose.
4.GREAT day for football yesterday. Glad I went! Can't wait for the players still in HS to get there!
kd45music writes:
Spring games mean nothing. You don't need to watch a Spring game to know we'll be taking our lumps this year. We're outmanned at nearly every position except maybe safety. Here is all I expect to see from this year's team - guts and effort. If they fight hard and don't back down and never quit, I'll be satisfied with a 4-8, 5-7 record. Well, maybe not satisfied, but at least seeing the orange light at the end of the SEC tunnel.
cumberlandVOL writes:
4-8? so we'll just beat UT-martin, UAB, kentucky and vandy? and then possibly memphis? you're saying no chance against UGA (who we drilled last year) or south carolina or ole miss? let's have a bit of a positive attitude. i'm thinking an identical record as last year.
UTSmokey04 writes:
Let's not count LSU as this for sure loss either. If anyone watched their spring game, that's not an offensive threat by any means. Our defense can keep them from lighting up the scoreboard.
South Carolina, if you listen to Spurrier, has a QB issue. The freshman outplayed Garcia. Anyone really threatened by them?
Georgia, turnover, just like us. Sure, a few more starters back then us, but they will have a freshman at QB as well.
In short... Tennessee is a 6 to 7 win team next year and heading to Nashville for the Music City Bowl against a Clemson, Florida State, or whatever mid ACC team they send.
alavol writes:
that was cool; also Eric's enthusiastic reply to the crowd!
Cldvols1 writes:
When Sept 4th arrives I expect UT to be much better and more disciplined than they were this spring. More weight, more athletic and more driven to succeed in the SEC. I anticipate anywhere from 6-8 wins this year, book it! Go Big Orange!!!
murrayvol writes:
But Mike, it's the only work we have to judge at this point.
Georgia_Dave writes:
Just got back home to GA, couldn't wait to read what everyone said in postings and columns. Agree with how most of you saw it.
1. Tyler miles ahead of Simms.
2. Defense miles ahead of offense.
3. OL bad need of help, maybe James will help.
4. Good thing QB's were not live or would have spent day on their back-Corey Miller was unblockable!!!!!!
5. Can't wait to see DaRick, James, Palardy, etc
6. CDD better get to recruiting post haste.
7. Best part of day-seeing Peerless, Mose, Will, Al, et all back in Neyland-welcome back
8. ERIC BERRY, (da, da, da, da, da!!!!!!)
9. As a CN grad (77) loved seeing Ken Sparks getting long overdue award in TN.
10. My prediction: VOLS win 7.
GBO
gohawks1 writes:
Dooley said the boys need to Eat Mor Chikin, heh heh.
Poole was impressive, and the D-backfield looked sound. Jackson hits like a mack truck. Need depth at DL and experience at OL and QB.
I don't see 7 wins, Georgia Dave, but I like your enthusiasm.
DennisVols writes:
I was at the game and Bray was by far the better of the two front runners. He does need to bulk up but his passes were far better. On one play in the 1st half had Moore not turned too soon he would have caught a 60 yard pass and streaked down the sidelines. Probably due to playing 3 years w/o a QB who can throw that distance.
Bray just seemed to have better control of the offense yesterday. Saw him check down to his 2nd and 3rd recivers a couple of times and was able to throw on a line to the reciever cutting across the middle on time and on target.
He is going to be a great one at UT.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
tnsportsman writes:
I agree completely cumberlandVOL!
BOOK IT, The Big Orange will be 8 & 4 at least in the regular season! I was at the game and saw nothing to disprove my prediction!
With the exception of FL, AL and LSU; who on our schedule will UT not be in the game with?
Dooley will have a hard hitting and good basics team. With renewed special teams and less turn-overs and mistakes The Big Orange will be in most all their games!
GO VOLS!
drummerman11 writes:
it's a damn scrimmage game man!.....
drummerman11 writes:
take care of your own house, you just threw your own QB off your team fellow!...
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