Box score
Tennessee Stat Book
Quarterbacks C-
Matt Simms made a handful of nice throws to move the chains, but he also missed a few opportunities with errant attempts. The senior again left little doubt about his toughness while taking some big-time shots from the Crimson Tide, but the passing attack was largely absent.
Running backs B
Tauren Poole turned in another effort against Alabama's vaunted rush defense that few others have been able to match, but unlike last year, he wasn't able to break one really big run to help the Vols find the end zone. Devrin Young was active again and could be in line for touches.
Wide receivers/Tight ends C
Another week, another passing attack that really only included Da'Rick Rogers — and even the sophomore wasn't able to make much of an impact. Mychal Rivera had a nice grab over the middle for a first down, but that was largely all the production UT received through the air.
Offensive line C+
The switch at center was a positive one for the Vols, who didn't have any major issues with snaps from Alex Bullard. Collectively, the pass protection seemed to hold up despite giving up some hits on Simms, though some false-start penalties hurt the Vols.
Defensive line C
The first half saw the Vols limit Heisman Trophy candidate Trent Richardson to 37 yards and fluster Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron into a number of bad decisions. The second half saw UT's lack of speed and poise exposed to the point where Alabama's mix of running and play-action passing looked unstoppable.
Linebackers C
Freshman A.J. Johnson had yet another commendable effort and Austin Johnson picked up the Vols' first interception since the season opener, but the group didn't have enough speed and stamina in the second half. The result: big gains by Alabama's running backs and a number of big passing plays that came after McCarron rolled out of the pocket with plenty of time to throw.
Secondary D
Personnel changes didn't have much of an effect on this unit, which was supposed to be so much better after a much-needed offseason injection of bodies. Marsalis Teague was torched for the third consecutive week on a long passing play and McCarron was able to find a number of wide open players during the second half.
Special teams A-
Fitting that this group has its best effort of the season in a game that was too lopsided for it to have enough of an impact. Michael Palardy hit both of his field goals, including a 52-yarder that was the longest by the Vols since 1995, and the Vols bottled up potent Alabama return man Marquis Maze with a mix of short kicks and sky-high punts.
Coaching C
Derek Dooley certainly didn't show any fear on the road against another highly ranked opponent, twice rolling the dice on fourth down in the first half and also pulling off a fake punt. But his gamble in the third quarter cost the Vols dearly, though it did appear like Simms had actually picked up a conversion on a sneak.
Overall C
Effectively working off the same script with a few improvements, the Vols turned in a competitive first half and held its own with another highly-ranked opponent. Just like the last time, eventually the deeper, more talented side took over and kept the Vols winless in the league.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 147
BloodLustVoL writes:
This is obviously the same grade inflation seen on the undergraduate campus permeating into the football program.
jumboliyah writes:
we lose by 31 and yougive them a C? Your generation really doesn't get it do they Josh?
FWBVol writes:
I have to disagree about Simms. He was in over his head the last two games. As a senior quarterback he should be the most prepared player on the team.
Yes, Alabama has a great defense and they hit him pretty hard, but he was slow with a lot of his throws and was constantly staring down receivers. Simms is a VFL, but I think a lot of fans question if he's the guy that can get the job done.
If only Lane hadn't told Tajh Boyd to look elsewhere things might be rosier tonight.
Now that Worley's red shirt is gone it's time to play him and see if he doesn't have that same special something Bray has. Bray has the "IT" fans and writers always talk about. By now a lot of us don't think Simms has "IT."
volsreign writes:
Did anybody hear if Dooley said anything in post game interviews about why he blew Worley's redshirt and if he will start the rest of the year? It only makes sense to burn the redshirt if Simms is done.
allenf1#223463 writes:
The "Report Card" section needs to be moved to the funny papers where it belongs. Week in and week out you give grades that border on insanity. A C- for quarterback???? Simms is lucky you can't go lower than an F-. Overthrows or underthrows receivers. Never scans the field. Can't even sneak for 6 inches at a critical 4th down call. Secondary a D?? Teague alone deserves an F. You give an overall grade of a C to a team that doesn't pick up a single first down in the second half, and whose biggest play was a fake punt pass by our kicker. I don't know which is more laughable -- your article each week or our coaching staff game adjustments each week.
TheStupidPolice writes:
Gribble and Ward, you are under arrest for publishing stupid grades. LOL@ Simms C-. I guess if you compared it to Rick Clausen, drugged up Ainge, AJ Suggs, Joey Matthews, or Crompton at the Rose Bowl, then it might be a C-. I'm going to let you boys of this time with just a citation.
volfanz writes:
Who the heck is grading this guy?.....I give him a big fat "F" for failure to see the truth. A word of advice for this generation, stop coddling and being coddled! Man up and face reality, it's the only way to improve and move forward....Guess what, if you suck, admit it....if you are no good, admit it. I'm so tired of having to give out "trophies" to the losing teams and patting everyone on their backs to ensure they go home with a smile on their faces. You play to win, simple as that.....ok, I feel better now.
donald.evans#212851 writes:
Coaching a "C"? When we consistently come out of the locker room after halftime and implode you have to put some of that on the coaches who obviously fail to adjust and fail to inspire the players to put forth the required effort. I would give them a "D" at best after this debacle.
govols1234567 writes:
This is 2010 all over again... Great fights in the first half agianst strong opponents, then flake out 3 minutes into the 3rd quarter.
How can Matt Simms be related to Phil Simms? Just unbelievable.
Dooley looked like an idiot in the last minutes of the game. Burned Worley's redshirt so he could go in for 5 handoffs and completely gave up at the end. He made us look weak tonight. Not a lot of respect for Dooley right now. We have gotten nowhere...
Londonjohn writes:
Amazing. Texas Tech, a 28-point underdog just upset #3 Oklahoma on the road with nary a senior on defense. You have to love youth. Funny how our youth never seems to match up as well. Not saying that we should be winning these games, including Florida and Georgia, but we should at least be putting up a better fight.
tnfanincali writes:
Well that was pretty much what I expected. I hope we can bring something better against SC and Ark. If not, well, I guess we'll just have to wait till next year and hope that the product improves. I'm not one to call for Dooley's head, but Simms is another story. It's unfortunate that he gets thrown in against the #1 and #2 teams with the best D's in the country, but that was just pathetic. It's time to see what Worley can do.
Lane_Kiffins_Daddy_Wears_Diapers writes:
Simms is tough and he tries hard and those are two great qualities. The problem is he has the NFL name with high school arm-strength, high school ability to read the field and look off defenses and high school athleticism. In a pro style offense that UT runs, he has no chance against high-level competition.
flatrock writes:
please list your adjustments!
flatrock writes:
Classy. Real sad.
Dobervol writes:
Well, based on this "grading scale," with no apparent curve for playing maybe the best team in the nation, while ANY loss would be a big, fat "F", any win, even against MTSU, would be an "A". Only two letters needed, A or F (or W or L). In which case, we really wouldn't need a report card article, would we?
flatrock writes:
If you took Texas Tech's best QB, best WR, best LBer and best DB out of the game, my money says Oklahoma wins by, let's say 31!
flatrock writes:
Matt is obviously a very tough kid- and a football gym rat, but his lack of vision, slow release and flat trajectory give him very little chance of winning vs. any SEC team...Thus, the unexpected emergence of Worley. Let's hope he can improve as quickly as Bray did last fall. Go Vols!
TNVOLNTX writes:
Completely Agree! Well said!
volmanohio writes:
Simms should change his jersey # from 12 to '0', which reflects his talent level at QB.
lyafarre writes:
I, for one, think Crompton played one heckuva game.
lyafarre writes:
In all seriousness, though...a lot of ppl are fussing about Dooley "burning" Worley's redshirt. I think it's the right move. This year is all about rebuilding, and keeping Simms in there does nothing to help the team build. Putting Worley in helps develop a solid Nr 2 QB for next year, even if it means we won't have him aound for 2014.
DwayneElizondoMountainDewHerbertCamacho writes:
Do you not understand what the redshirt is for? IT'S SO WE CAN DEVELOP A SOLD NO. 2 QB FOR NEXT YEAR YOU DOLT!
thevoice writes:
I noticed the same thing about Dooley putting in Worley. What the hell was that? We better not see a peep from anyone at QB other than Worley. Another coaching gaffe.
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
Assuming that Bray plays next year and leaves for the NFL, that means Worley plays in 2013. Removing his redshirt maans nothing in regards to him being here in 2014. If he is good enough to go to the NFL after 2013, he is leaving with a year of eligibility even with a redshirt. It MIGHT mean that we don'g have him in 2015, which would be possible if he redshirts sometime.
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
Actually, I think most of us understand what redshirt is for. It has NOTHING to do with developing players other than getting them actually game time. Most coaches will tell you that players develop in practice, not games. Yes game experience is generally important. Redshirts are ONLY for adding a year to a student athlete's eligibility to play college sports.
For the most part, redshirt freshmen are no different than true sophomores when it comes to development. To me, getting an recruit to enroll early is more important than redshirting or not when if comes to the speed of their development. Early enrollment AND redshirting would be the best of both worlds when you are talking about a key backup/development project like QB usually is.
If you want to see the importance of redshirting, I think that I heard that Boise has 30 seniors on this year's team, 25 of which are fifth year. That is one of the ways that they can be so good with second tier recruits. They get good athletes, redshirt them across the board, and get them for 5 years. It is similar to the Butlers in basketball. Not only does no one leave early for the pros, they stay an extra year!
tnbigg writes:
Way to go special teams! A historical atrocity making waves! This game was another example, to me, of the inexperience and lack of depth that Dooley inherited. The first half was incredible. Why the second half letdown again? Just like last week, this isn't Warren County Tech...this is ALABAMA. You know, ranked # 2 in the nation with another serious shot at another National Championship under what is rapidly becoming one of the most prolific coaches in history (Saban - Hating him does not diminish his ability for all the haters). I love Simms passion, but even I at this point have to hope for a change. It is a shame that we lost such incredible talent to injury this year, but that happens. Next year these young men with those that will be added through recruiting will be challenging for the SEC East. Bank on it! Even in these dire circumstances, a bowl game is not unattainable this year! Keep the Spirit and keep attacking Vols!
xvolx writes:
If there is a grade lower than F, it should go to Teague and Simms. I noticed that Texas nor Morehead St. wanted Matt Simms.
vol98champ writes:
Flatrock, you took the words right out of my typewriter. I am very proud of this team, very proud of Dooley, and thankful that this team with its 4 best players gone can play with Bama for a half. I'm not saying we could beat Bama with them, but we would have had a lead going into the third quarter and a great DB might have made a big difference. At least I don't think Saban would have abandoned the run game if we had JJ back there.
volinlm writes:
As has been said before, 6-6 is probably the outcome of this year. That was the prediction and with the injuries, hopefully it's true. Playing 16 freshmen on both sides of the ball with too little experience, too little weight, etc., is it any wonder that can't hold up to a team that has 23 seniors, 25 juniors,31 sophs, and a ton of freshmen...and they are all good players. The Vols made mistakes, but they will get better. I will say that Kiffin really screwed UT by dropping Tajh Boyd.
jobrando#216494 writes:
I give overall C for first half and F for second half....combined D-
jobrando#216494 writes:
Not even Middle?
jobrando#216494 writes:
Your mistaken...it was Johnny Majors
seaplane#216536 writes:
Our weakest link is the same as it was last year; defensive backs. Can't cover (lack of speed) and can't tackle. Emphasis needs to be placed here.
SandySpringsVol writes:
I guess KNS grades on a curve.
Simms should get an "F". Desire and heart aren't enough to offset lack of ability and poor decision making. Palardy's pass on the fake punt looked better than most of Simms' throws all night.
Since we're still clearly in rebuilding mode, it would be nice if what I suppose will be the backup to Bray had some solid game experience under his belt. Start Worley and let him get the on-the-job training he needs.
Vol_N_Texas writes:
F Period
D60 writes:
C- for QB and C for coaching get real,Simms couldn't QB his way out of a out house and Dooley couldn't coach his way out of one
volfan7 writes:
Effectively working off the same script with a few improvements, the Vols turned in a competitive first half and held its own with another highly-ranked opponent.
Are you serious? We have not been able to hold our own, first half or second half, against any credible SEC opponent. Scoring two field goals, and no touchdowns, is not being competitive. It is being pathetic and laughable.
HallowedHill writes:
Dry your tears. The first half was a classic SEC defensive battle. Holding the most talent-rich team in the country to 6, in their house, is a major accomplishment.
We were rolled in the 2nd half, which is what every prognosticator predicted. We obviously still have a ways to go, which will require great recruiting, a healthy team, and a little luck.
I hate taking a beating, especially by any of our SEC opponents, but we need to forget about last night and focus on a beatable South Carolina.
Next Saturday is a MUST WIN for us. Get Worley as prepared as possible and lets kick some chicken butte!
GO VOLS!
HallowedHill writes:
Blame that on the Kifster - he turned down Cam Newton and Tahj Boyd. Clearly those guys haven't made any waves in the NCAA (insert sarcasm).
KFDLaw writes:
The grading of the entire team has been generous. We have a secondary who focus on tackling the guy after he catches the ball, rather than breaking up the play. We have a quarterback who cannot seem to do anything right. Last night if he had moved his left arm forward a few inches after he hit the pile it could have been a game changer. We have a defense that gives up when they get down a couple of scores, and this has been the way they have played all year. Worley should have started and not have been put in to do hand-offs out of his own end zone. I would have given everyone but Palardy a D last night, including the coaches.
SummerfieldVol writes:
As bad as it hurt to watch the second half I did . It is obvious that Matt is not a quarterback. I watched and wondered why we ran the ball and ran dive plays where it a passing down, then it hit me the OC doesn't have confidence in his quarterbacks throwing ability to throw no more than I do, so his only option was to run the ball. At least it seems they have fixed the center problem, now they have to fix the quarterback problem. The answer is who plays best in game conditions, most look good in practice because they know they are not going to be hit. Matt might be ok if he had all day to throw,but when he has 3-4 sseconds to find a receiver he can not do it. Play Worley now and get him some game experience. We are a passing team not a running team so when we lose the ability to throw we are in deep trouble. The defense I thought played very well, but you can't play 45 minutes of a 60 minute game and look fresh. One thing about the defense playing so much of the game is they are sure getting alot of game experience. The defensive backs are not up to speed I don't know if it is lack of ability or coaching as of this moment I am leaning lack of good coaching. I mean I don't think much of our defensive back coach. That is what he is getting paid to do coach the backs on how to play the position.
atlglb writes:
Unbelievable lack of class or decency. Sims is a young man out there trying to give it his best. I wonder how SpongeBobOrangePants would feel if he had a kid on the team taking those types of comments!
Orangeblood13 writes:
Dont understand why we burn worley's redshirt so he could hand off 4 x
cheezvol writes:
Obiviously most of this coaching staff is not ready (and never will be) for prime time. How many times are they going to run the same 4th and short plays? Need more throwing on first down!
tmcretired writes:
Giving the coach a C is a joke he has been F- why they hired him is the big question. I really would have liked Bray to start the last two games he has not played a tough SEC team yet it's easy to look good
chl1958 writes:
Saban set us up. He knew our major weakness was our secondary,yet he hardly passed in the first half. Then,BD came out passing in the second half. Game over! Our margin of defeat, same for Lsu and BD. Same game plan! We are too weak and too slow with too many injuries! Keep the faith. Go Vols!
retiredgrocer#1397986 writes:
Do-leaves half time pep talks must be totally un-inspiring.
rtrchatt writes:
Someone tell that supposed journalist WR that UA is in West Alabama and not North Al. BS Wis complaining about Bama running a 4th down play inside the five lol... Yes we should have taken a knee and played the game like little girls or kicked another fg and won 40-6. At least the Bama reserves were playing the last 9 minutes of the game. Thankfully social media exists for WR, unemployed without it.
5 in a row and my cigar box is closed until Oct 2012. Good smokes just like back to back 31pt wins against the Vols.
TommyJack writes:
Ol' TJ will try to defer til the end of '12.
TheFuj writes:
Know that AL had a tough defense. Just expected more from Simms being a experienced Sr.
Receivers are lost except for DaRick.
Why keep playing Teague? Would rather mistakes happen from a freshman than an experienced Jr.
Bottom line another loss. A win against SC sure would help the year. They have a very tough defense as well.
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