Tennessee Stat Book
UAB Stat Book
Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. UAB
- When: Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, 12:21 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: $40
- Age limit: All ages
Matt Simms has enough reading to do for class and in his playbook to bother with a newspaper.
He barely watches television, and the Tennessee quarterback prefers to zone out in his car with a Led Zeppelin CD instead of listening to the radio.
Simms might not pay attention to the public perception of his first three games at the most important position on the field for the Vols, but that doesn't mean he's hiding from them or cracking from the pressure. In fact, going into his fourth start with UT on Saturday (TV: WVLT, 12:21 p.m.) against UAB, he's getting exactly what he signed up for out of junior college last year - and focusing on trying to give the fans at Neyland Stadium and his teammates what they want as well.
"I really try not to pay attention to that stuff," Simms said. "I do want to play well for the fans and be that quarterback that they want me to be, but the opinions that really matter to me are my coaches and my teammates and what they think.
"After the Florida game, Coach (Derek) Dooley brought me in his office and said, 'Hey, you didn't play well and you could have won the game for us.' I totally agreed. That's my point of emphasis this week is just to get the job done so my coaches and teammates approve."
His approval rating took a dip with a couple of untimely interceptions last week against the Gators, but the early results for Simms have mostly been positive given the lack of experience all over the UT (1-2, 0-1 SEC) offense - including under center.
The offensive line has struggled at times to protect him, the receivers have had occasional alignment and drop issues and the running backs have failed to pick up a couple of blitzes as the passing game has struggled to find consistency early. But the guy taking the snaps will always get most of the attention, and after completing better than 57 percent of his passes for 591 yards, three touchdowns and three picks, Simms wouldn't have it any other way.
"It's a tough position to play, but this is the position I want to be in," Simms said. "I asked to be in this position because I was tired of junior college and I wanted to be in big-time football, and hey, that's what I got. Nobody said it was going to be easy. I like the competition and I like the feeling that I need to improve each week or else we won't do well as an offense or a team.
"The biggest thing is you've just got to understand that you can't please everybody. Just know that the most important people I've got to take care of are my coaches and my teammates and how I treat them and how I get the job done."
Their faith in Simms as the quarterback to lead them appears unshaken, and the meeting he had with Dooley after the competitive loss last week might have only strengthened that belief.
Despite agreeing with the assessment that his turnovers cost them a shot at a big conference win, Simms also was able to clearly communicate with Dooley what happened and why he made some of the decisions he did. In turn, Dooley shouldered some blame as the Vols try to build some momentum with a brutal October schedule looming after the Blazers leave town.
"We're both in positions where we're going to get criticized, we're going to get scrutinized, so we've got to be on the same page internally," Dooley said. "That's important to me. There were a couple of plays out there that maybe we thought Matt didn't do right, then we realized we didn't explain it well enough because he was a little bit confused. I do that for our coaching staff, too.
"I think Matt doesn't get affected, which is good. He's got good physical toughness, he's got good mental toughness, he's got accountability - those are good qualities to have. He'll keep playing better because of it."
Either way, Simms has no plans to hit the eject button or flip on the television to hear about it.
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Comments » 67
mdvol writes:
Got to love CDD!
Simms is going to make big improvements and lead us to a big October. He'll throw for 3 TD's against UAB. NO INT'S!
We are going to surprise some damn people.
We will upset either Florida or Alabama.
Guess that means you.....Tide.
fronix5000 writes:
I really think he is getting better. He did make some very good throws/reads as well. I like his attitude and have since the beginning.
fronix5000 writes:
Hope so. and Thanks for not putting 'first' ... it is refreshing.
Chris4Vols22 writes:
Zeppelin....how unoriginal. What's wrong with kids today listening to that BS?
tnsportsman writes:
Simms is going to be OK and get better! This young team is improving each game and correcting their mistakes.
BIG ORANGE, read over and over and follow the Neyland 7 Maxims:
1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
2. Play for and make the breaks, and when one comes your way SCORE.
3. If at first the game - or breaks - go against you, don't let up ... put on more steam.
4. Protect our kickers, our quarterback, our lead and our ball game.
5. Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle ... for this is the WINNING EDGE.
6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.
7. Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Simms will be fine. First time at a big-time program, and two of his first three games were against top-10 teams.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
...and I really love Dooley's brutal honesty. He doesn't pull any punches.
GerryOP writes:
Nobody said that this year was going to be easy, but the foundation is being built. Simms and Dooley are on the same page ... the future looks bright.
In order to go 10-2, our footVols gotta beat UAB tomorrow. Go Vols.
Matt channels the Zep? Dang! Even his daddy is a bit young to be tuning Plant and Page! This boy's got potential!
NoSirRee writes:
Not everyone likes Lady Gaga
AppreciativeAlum writes:
"After the Florida game, Coach (Derek) Dooley brought me in his office and said, 'Hey, you didn't play well and you could have won the game for us.' I totally agreed. That's my point of emphasis this week is just to get the job done so my coaches and teammates approve."
The first part is good. The second part is a bit troubling. It is hard to play well when there is any approval model in there at all. I would expect a quarterback to challenge the coaches on the game plan until he knew it would work and understood how it would work, and knew what he needed to do work it.
I don't really see what approval has to do with success on the field - it has a lot to do with getting on the field. On the field the orientation needs to change to doing the job well in an absolute sense.
Vol1973 writes:
OK Matt... keep focused and you will get better!!
Go Vols
rockytopatl writes:
I'll pick Florida. Yeah, let's upset Florida this year!
Volstate writes:
Us beat the Tide? Look dude I bleed orange too but not so much that I think we even stand a chance against Alabama. We are going to get freaking killed when we play the tide. Luckily, I've become used to it oer the years now so I only get mildly drunk after now :)
VOL1SG writes:
Gotta give Mr. Simms a little credit. At least he can see he needs to improve. We all do. Lets help the young man out a little bit and root for him. We are all human and make mistakes. Good luck young man and know this VOL FAN will be rooting for ya.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!
mdvol writes:
They said the same thing last year. Tide is going to kill us....blah, blah, blah.
GerryOP writes:
Ahhh, yeah pl3 ... just a tad!
rockytopatl writes:
We had a lot more talent and depth last year. That's what you don't get. Check how many Vols got drafted last year. They are all gone, replaced with freshmen. The Tide reloaded.
GerryOP writes:
Zactly...
TNvalleyVOL writes:
I agree totally...a leader in waiting would've understood the importance of this game and the opportunity it represented. He is a real mystery and there is nothing in his eyes on gameday. (See the debate going on over on the 'vocal leader' story)
rockytopatl writes:
I agree. I headed in a similar direction on another thread. Simms is facing his short-comings in a mature, up-front way. Crompton appeared oblivious to his, at least publicly. Simms has a bigtime upside and could be a pretty good quarterback before the season's over. If only the line could develop enough to protect him. My concern is that young line will retard his development more than any other factor.
mdvol writes:
Lot of football before we play Alabama but....
If every game was played on paper why should we bother to show up? UT/UA will be played in Neyland. Vols we be coming off a bye week while Alabama will be playing their 8th game in a row.
TNvalleyVOL writes:
and he gives the impression that he is just now realizing what he "got" himself into by wanting a big time program! MAN - this is TN and this is the SEC and we're all sorry that it took a missed chance at a life changing upset for you to finally see that. At Louisville you played in the shadow of basketball, but that is not the case here.
rockytopatl writes:
Keep looking for positives. I applaud your optimism.
But I'm a realist. That "lots of football" to play is the very thing that limits the Vols' chances as injuries will inevitably thin our already slim ranks.
I will watch every game and I will pull for Tennessee with all I've got. But it's apparent to me that the Vols have little or no chance against Alabama. LSU or Georgia, those are different stories. That's where a savvy fan would be predicting upsets.
vols2#227315 writes:
I have had enough of Simms at quarterback,if Doodley would spend half the time with Bray,UT would be winning SEC ballgames. If Simms could not play in the Big East, why do you thing he could play in the SEC. If not going to change quarterbacks, then go to the G-Gun with Teague.
mdvol writes:
I'm curious how one becomes a "savvy" Vol fan? Don't think I need that distiction to believe my Vols can beat anyone on any given Saturday.
And nothing lasts forever in college football. The Tide is not going to win EVERY game and there is no better place for that streak to end than Knoxville.
UTAlum88 writes:
Love my Vols. Best memories of my life were are my years at UT. Good times, bad times...100% behind you.
RoadTrip writes:
Bray won't play unless Sims gets hurt. Bray is probably headed back to Cali after the season. Sims has potential if he will work hard and get better each week. Needs to stop making the big mistake and throw it away.
For one I am glad he is playing behind a young OL. The big guys are going to be one great group starting next year. After a year of the offense playing together, they should jell nicely for next season. That will take the pressure off the defense. I am more worried about special teams other than kicker/punter. That area stinks it up.
GBO!
rockytopatl writes:
I was trying to be polite, but if you want to take it the other way, fine.
Savvy is not posting a hundred times the same laughable swill that we're going to upset Florida or Alabama with this team. If you want to know the truth, it's delusional. Particularly to keep repeating the prediction after Florida won by 14. When you miss one, it's best to shut up instead of continually reminding people how far out in left field you were.
The Orange Kool Aid you've been guzzling is the very beverage that will have our overly excitable fanbase calling for Dooley's head if the other extreme happens -- a loss to UAB, or Vandy or Kentucky.
And any of those could very well occur. I'd prefer this coach be allowed to stick around long enough to build a team that has a chance of playing with the big boys again. People come on here and read that swill and think we must be pretty good. The truth is that this is easily the worst Tennessee team since at least 1988.
Savvy is hoping for week-to-week improvement and picking your shots. Alabama ain't one of them.
Go Vols!
OrangePride writes:
Simms threw two really bad interceptions, we know. So does he and so does CDD. But he also threw for some good yardage and two TD's and had precious little time no matter when he went back to pass. Both the OL and DL could not athletically match up last week and it really showed. Let me tell you, if Simms had had the kind of time Florida gave it's QB, he would have had a lot more completions and TD's. He is getting better each week and I think by season's end, he is going to show us a lot more than some people here think. Now let's go out and beat the heck out of UAB. GO VOLS!
orangecountyvols writes:
OK 227315,
Let's say we go with your idea and play Bray. What happens if he fumbles or throws 2 or 3 interceptions?
What also happens if this same offensive line gives him the same protection ( or lack thereof ) that Simms has had and he gets sacked or even worse, gets banged up?
Then I am wondering what the response would be about Bray. Predictably, fans here have all the answers so the game being played on Saturdays is actually boring since we would already have the necessary game plan and we'd know the results...........as a result of the high degree of advice given on our message boards.
My only comment about post game analysis, is that it's easy to say we could have or should have done this or that. More importantly is to make those adjustments and/or decisions during the course of the game and not have to resort to trying to win a game that has already been played.
AppreciativeAlum writes:
Attitude wise Sims is better than Marino, but not as good as Aikman or Montana.
When things went wrong for Marino he would look at the coach with pleading victim eyes. Never saw that with Aikman or Montana.
So I am not saying he is bad, I am just saying he is nodding when he does not understand. Maybe the coaching staff needs to coach him in an environment where he is not movitvated to nod... or change his motivation from wanting approval to having to win the game.
The alabama guy is not as good as Sims and never will be. He just has to win the game and he works out how his team is going to do it the week/year before. Sims ought to be able to duplicate that.
So yes, Sims is better than Marino in body language.
jumboliyah writes:
Nice first sentence...it makes no sense...sad when a UT athlete speaks in better English than a journalist writes.
prince564 writes:
If this were true that we don't have a chance why not give the boys off this year to practice, and all of hurt players will get better. We will not put any of the player's in harms way this year. There is a saying "What does not kill you makes you stronger", I hate loosing as much as anyone, but we have lost before and it will happen again. I also know win or lose these young man will learn invaluable lessons this year that will make them that much better a player next year. I also think we could win every game and end up in a BCS Bowl. This is why we play the games on the field, not on paper, Xbox or PS3. So play on Big Orange I will always be true to you and BLEED ORANGE!!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Love your spirit MD, but we said similar things about Oregon - high humidity, heat, jet lag they can't handle, etc.
We should just hope to win a couple before the Bama game.
TNvalleyVOL writes:
I'm gonna choose to be optimistic too...maybe we'll be reading Pat Forde write something like this: http://es.pn/bkIPvK
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Your correct;There isn't a Dan williams or wes brown to plug holes and stop the run..Our offense line is practicly all fresman
everydayisorange writes:
Excellent response! Remember, not everyone with vols or other references in their names are TRUE VOLS FANS or even fans at all!
rockytopatl writes:
Yeah! We'll march to a BCS bowl this season. Another brilliant prediction!
And obviously you can't be a Vol fan if you don't have total, unabashed faith that our band of spirited freshmen will on each and every football Saturday overcome a wave of 5-star recruits and All-Americans and teams that are three-deep. Every week, we will open gaping holes for our running backs, give our quarterback all day to survey the field for our gifted wide receivers and our special teams will magically become truly special. You must remove "Vol" from your online identity if you don't believe with all your heart that we will win 'em all, paint every SEC town we visit orange and finish the regular reason 10-2.
What are you people smoking?
Let's win today and get ready for LSU. And we'll see who has this prediction thing right at the end of the year.
SECProudUT writes:
Very well put rockytopatl, I can not understand why the fans (or want to be coaches) can not realize, seeing what a young team the coaching staff is working with, that we will need time to get back to the level of the top 10 programs.
To mdvol, don't bet your house on us beating Bama. I would hate to see you homeless.
copia69296 writes:
And after 2 years, we have a decent graduating QB and 2 Jr QBs for the next 2 year project.
I wonder what it feels like to pull for a team that doesnt always seem to have a QB project in progress.
BillJanis writes:
Matt, many more fans support you, than the small percentage of loudmouths that don't support you. Don't let it bother you. They don't see a win, and automatically if they see an interception, it's all the QB. Many more fans see a team building, and a team jelling and getting to know themselves. We also know you had THREE starts in the SEC and have done as well as you have.
I say bravo. Carry on and keep improving! Go Vols! Let's take out at least ONE team we were not supposed to. A Georgia, an Ole Miss, or an Auburn. Lets win the games we should, and the Vols suddenly have a very good year under your leadership on the field.
CroKev writes:
Sounds familiar...
RollTideJoe writes:
Gotta love your loyalty, but Ingram won't fumble deep in his own territory....and Bama won't mess-up an onside kick, to let the Vols back into the game like last year, so I wouldn't count on that upset too much if I were you. Granted, Alabama has a target on its back this year so every team scheduled the week off before playing them...which never should have been allowed by the SEC office (and has already been said won't happen again) and that makes it hard when you've played consecutive games and are banged-up versus your opponents that are rested...nevertheless the Tide has too much for the Vols (home field or not). Also, LSU, Arkansas, and S. Carolina are bigger fish to fry this year than the Vols. I'm sure the Vols will work their way back into things, but right now anyone but a fool wouldn't give them much of a chance. It will take 2-3 years to get back competitive.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Only crawdads look to see where they've been.
Let's dispatch this crew today and be ready for some more "deep" water.
Simms is a C+ QB now and trying hard. Avoid those picks and he'd be all-world.
Beat the Blazers!
mybolognahasasecondname writes:
Simms is better than the experts think. He's going to keep getting better and end up playing on Sundays.
What's all this phooey about Bray going back to Calli?
Mule_Days_King writes:
BS, huh? They just happen to be the best rock band of all time.
I think you need to un-bunch your panties.
Mule_Days_King writes:
That's what I keep hearing too. People keep saying he's gonna transfer after this year. Not sure what to think of it. Maybe some folks "in the know" on this site can provide a little insight into it.
MGBMan writes:
"Simms intercepts critizism..." What a dopey headline, even by KNS standards. After reading some of the headlines on this site I have to wonder if news organizations in general have a policy of letting middle school students write their column headlines. If not, I think jouralism schools are a waste of money. Rule #1 for headline writing: any article that mentions a gun must contain 'shoot' or 'bullseye' or similar language, i.e. Restaurant owners TARGET new law on concealed carry; Handgun owners shoot holes in new law. Please, God, put some adult supervision into the editing process.
OTPVol writes:
After seeing John Crompton's odyssey, I will never again doubt these young men have the potential deep down inside somewhere. He can listen to Pavorotti if he wants to.
bryanvolsfan writes:
We gotta give the guy a chance, he's played against 2 top 10 teams back to back which would be hard for any QB let alone a juco-transfer. I really like how Dooley is so UP FRONT and HONEST! Atleast he doesnt sugar coat anything!
Bray looked like a deer in headlights against UT-Martin, and we would not have a chance of beating anyone if we had a TRUE FRESHMAN under center. We need to support SIMMS this year, let stand behind the coaches decisions they know alot more than people here on message boards!!!
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