Derek Dooley has introduced a new word to the Tennessee football lexicon the past couple of years:
Affected.
It's a useful word. It comes into play when adversity or distractions rear up in your face.
Do you get affected? It's bad if you do. Your mind glazes. You're all thumbs.
Fragile teams are more likely to get affected, youth and inexperience being prime culprits.
Mature teams that have acquired battle scars are less likely to get affected. They keep grinding.
All of this is an issue this week. The Vols are headed to Georgia on Saturday afternoon, their first SEC road game of the season.
It will also be this team's first hostile environment. Beating N.C. State in the Georgia Dome was a good sign, but other than the burden of UT's history in the building, there wasn't any hostility.
"This is completely different from our first game,'' safety Byron Moore said Monday. "It's a real road game for us.
"We're gonna have to stick together out there, if things are good or bad.''
In other words, if things go bad, don't get affected.
This will be a measuring stick on the Vols' rebuilding progress. Two years ago, on Dooley's first visit to his hometown as UT's head coach, his team went deer in the headlights.
In no other game in Dooley's two-plus seasons at UT have the Vols been more affected by adversity right out of the gate. (First runner-up is last year at Arkansas.)
The 2010 Georgia Bulldogs weren't very good when Tennessee hit town. Mark Richt's team was on a four-game skid. A loss to Vince Dooley's kid might have been the straw that broke Richt's back.
So Georgia sprinted to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. It was 27-7 by the half and 41-14 at the end.
As if the Bulldogs weren't doing enough to win the game, the Vols squirted premium unleaded on the fire at every chance.
Eric Gordon fumbled both a kickoff and a punt return.
Matt Simms threw an interception and got sacked four times.
Center Darrin Gooch hiked a wild shotgun snap for a 23-yard loss.
Each of the above led to Georgia points. The only positive Tennessee took away was freshman quarterback Tyler Bray got his first SEC snaps in the final minutes and looked good.
Two years of scars and two recruiting classes later, the Vols are headed back to Athens. Waiting this time is a rock solid Georgia team.
"The good news,'' Dooley said Monday, "is a lot of our guys have been in these environments.
"So it shouldn't be as overwhelming as it has been in the past. Hopefully, you learn from it.
"You've got to learn to enjoy playing in that kind of environment.''
Most players say they do enjoy playing in hostile stadiums. It's an adrenalin rush — at least until adversity strikes.
"We know we're not going to be perfect down there,'' senior defensive back Prentiss Waggner said. "They're gonna make some plays on us.
"The main thing is we've got to make more plays than them and make plays when it counts.''
Sounds like a plan. But as Mike Tyson once said: Everybody's got a plan until they get hit.
Mike Strange may be reached at strangem//twitter.com/strangemike44 and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/strange.
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Comments » 42
CoverOrange writes:
As Saban said, don't think about the last play, don't worry about the play after this one, just execute this play. Rinse, repeat till the game is over.
mdvol writes:
I've read waaaaay to many articles this week about the "past". About "history".
Great teams have short memories.
VOLS handle all things Georgia...
WIN in the Georgia Dome
DRILL Georgia State
UPSET the Dawgs in Athens
rockypop writes:
The Vols are about to enter a gauntlet of ranked SEC teams which they have historically competed with equally and even dominated over the years. But, this is the new SEC, in which even the Fulmer teams of the 90's would have problems winning consistently. Add in all the problems the Vols have had, and you've got a mess.
In order for UT to get back to the relevance they enjoyed in the SEC in the 90's, it's going to take more than Top 20 recruiting classes every year. That won't even get you past fifth in the East. It's going to take Top 5 classes for 3-4 years just to catch up with Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and even Vanderbilt. And then, you've got LSU, Auburn, and Arkansas in the West to consider - not to mention A&M.
Compounding the problem is the uncertainty surrounding Dooley. I still believe he's the right choice, because he's making improvements, he's got a good eye for talent, and he needs another year with his own players and a stable coaching staff. He's building the program the right way, with the right players. And, if I'm wrong - then someone please tell me, who do you think UT can hire that will do a better job and will come?
BigOrangeFever76 (Inactive) writes:
md....could not have said it better?
Enjoy KnoxVegas while watching the Vols neuter the Doggies. I hope to be in Athens.
Vols 27 (Brodus hits 49 yarder as time expires)
Pups 24
CharlesM writes:
Darrin Gooch, there's a name that has disappeared...poor guy. Came in to help, played some 1 yr and now that we have a little talent he's riding the pine. Wonder if he is still enjoying his decision to come to Knoxville.
6972 writes:
"Affected?" New football lingo. Redneck version-psychologically distraught over the present distress. Let's hope that it is forever in days gone by. As in FOREVER.
Bigger_Al writes:
"The good news is a lot of our guys have been in these environments. So it shouldn't be as overwhelming as it has been in the past. Hopefully, you learn from it. You've got to learn to enjoy playing in that kind of environment.''
I hate when he talks like that. He's got a veteran team now, and he needs to stop saying "hopefully", and "as overwhelming". Stop talking like a Sociology professor and start exuding confidence like a real football coach.
rockypop writes:
Sorry, BOF - You're dreaming. UT doesn't have the firepower this year. 2013 could be a watershed year if everybody stays - and they should, because to this point, none of the guys who are projected to go to the NFL after this year have proven they belong.
While the Vols have historically done pretty well against the Dawgs, this year looks like last year. UT has a decent starting 22, but no depth.
GA 42 Vols 21. And, I hope I'm wrong.
Richmonds_Wannabe_Brother writes:
That 2010 game was painful. Not only did the Vols throw gas on the flames, so did the officials, and Eric Gordon got a raw deal. That punt Gordon "fumbled" should have been a penalty on Georgia for not allowing him the opportunity to field the ball. That's the rule, BTW. He bobble it after calling a fair catch, and when tried to move to catch it the Georgia guy knocked him down and they recovered it. By rule, when a fair catch is called and is muffed, they have to allow the receiver the opportunity to catch the ball, as long as it hasn't hit the ground. It would be different if either, it hit the ground, or he didn't call for a fair catch. The Dogs didn't need the help.
Richmonds_Wannabe_Brother writes:
Do you think Dooley is a handsome man?
smokeygrowl writes:
Boys,We dont have a chance to win this week. Im sorry but if we had a great coach maybe. with Rambo and them boys all back OUCH
Classof72 writes:
I hope for an inspired effort from the Vols. Ok, there's no reason to expect one, but we can hope for it. Maybe they won't quit.
BigOrangeFever76 (Inactive) writes:
I think Toddy wants to see CDD's backfield in motion......
Vols20 writes:
Well said! I agree with you.
snowvol writes:
These quotes sum up UT football these days:
Dooley: "So it shouldn't be as overwhelming as it has been in the past. Hopefully, you learn from it.
You've got to learn to enjoy playing in that kind of environment.''
Prentiss Waggner: "We know we're not going to be perfect down there... They're gonna make some plays on us."
We've got Coach Dooley talking about how, hopefully, it won't be too rough on the team. And Mr. Wagner explaining that they're going to make plays.
How about having a coach who says i.e. "These kinds of environments don't affect us. We're ready for them. It's about us making more plays than they make." And having players that don't explain to us the other guys are going to make some plays.
Could anyone ever imagine Al Wilson saying something like that? Not a chance.
BigOrangeFever76 (Inactive) writes:
I hope you are wrong too, Pop!
Wait a stinking minute....I KNOW YOU ARE WRONG. We have just as much a chance of beating UGA as they have beating us. We are TENNESSEE!!!!
My prediction stands:
Vols 27 (Brodus hits 49 yarder as time expires)
Pups 24
volpreacher writes:
Got a plan. Hire the Packers/seahawks referee crew. Maybe they'll favor us. Just kidding. I think if we can put together a decent defensive game we will win
HeyWhitey writes:
I hope all you guys predicting a upset are right. Vols have talent to hang around in the game, I think what will decide the game is the coaching staff. Unfortunately I don't think this staff can get it done. Think UT gets pounded.
69grad writes:
A voice of reason...finally.
The1 writes:
Dawgs are better on paper, but the better paper team doesn't always win. Dooley is no Saban, but he is probably as good or better than Richt.
DwayneElizondoMountainDewHerbertCamacho writes:
Dana Holgorsen...give him $5 mil a year.
CharlotteVolunteer writes:
So you want the West Virginia Offensive Guru and pay him more than Saban? This to me seems to put us in an Arkansas point of view of being great until we run into the great defense. Maybe he could hire a great D-coordinator but the spread and the SEC hasn't worked out so well so I disagree. I believe in Dooley for one more year if he beats "MSU,GA or SC, Mizzou, Vandy, Kentucky" or if you're going to keep attracting Alabama personel go after Kirby Smart.
allvol8 writes:
I will tell Mr Hart you are willing to fund his salary..
laraccoon writes:
their not really a veteran team .Their not as green as last year but very few seniors and hardly any atarters that were red shirted just a bunch of young kids who have played a couple of years with several who are playing their first year in this league. hardly a veteran team .
asmith writes:
the only chance this team has is to score at least 30. i don't see that happening.
CrankE writes:
Yup!
Coach Dooley could do as you suggest, but he doesn't believe it and therefore can't make his team believe it either. You can't give away what you don't have. He's more like a manager stating where we are and then stops. By contrast, I would expect a strong leader to clearly state which way we're going to go.
Dooley's words speak to the tenative nature of his leadership which thus rubs off onto the team and they way they play on the field.
Say that reminds me, "You're not going to have Tennessee to kick around anymore." Where did that quote go? I'll bet CDD is hoping that people just forget this quote, but I'm not going to. He said it and I expect him to fulfill it or hit the frickin road.
What Dooley said in August, his career will live or die by in October.
CrankE writes:
"The 2010 Georgia Bulldogs weren't very good when Tennessee hit town. Mark Richt's team was on a four-game skid. A loss to Vince Dooley's kid might have been the straw that broke Richt's back."
An excellent point.
Mark Richt began his dynasty with that 2001 win over UT. Without that win, Richt's career just wouldn't be the same. In 2010-11, UT had the chance to end Richt's run and loosen the state of Georgia for UT recruiting.
A win over Georgia might have been a tremendous boost to the stock of both Dooley and UT.
Instead, it's now 2012 and Richt has strengthened his position and has a team that could contend for the national title. Tennessee by contrast is STILL searching for that first conference win that actually matters.
signalcorps writes:
These are our Precious times
hikerdude writes:
The Vols have gotten better in the last two years. The Bulldogs have gotten way better. Ga 49 UT 21
TKO writes:
Wonder if the employees get a free coke and hot dog.
south_alabama_vol writes:
The next four games will decide Dooleys future with UT
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Defensively GA has tons of talent and if Jarvis Jones isn't in Brays face; he will be blowing up screens and runs left and right..Our defense isn't well versed enough in all the variations of the 3--4 to confuse GA and our pass rush is pitiful..On the plus side Chaney has started to use TE's and the FB on flares outs that are hard to defend and it's been pretty successful for 6 yard gains and a TD by Downs..Only chance to win is if Bray and Hunter have BIG games..I hope Bray throws to CP more but he has overthrown CP alot lately and Brays long balls aren't near as accurate as they were against NCState!!Zach Rodgers is the wild card and Chaney would be smart to use him or Howard in a 3 WR set because like against other defenses Rodgers has taken advantage of his deceiving speed..I think you can pretty much forget about us having a good run game because our Oline just can't seem to grasp the concept that you don't have to knock a guy back;just merely get leverage enough to turn him..Also in the 2 back set our FB isn't hitting the gap and too often he ends up drifting outside the tackle which does nothing to help when Neal is running inside the tackle where it's designed to run..
calvolfromkingsport writes:
Sorry Whitey, but the staff is not out on the field playing. The staff no doubt gets em ready and calls the plays but unfortunately for the Vols, too many coaches in the last 4 years coupled with a gambling AD brought the program to this point of rebuilding. How long did it take for Bama after Dubose, Price, and Shula, I think it was about 8 to 10 years before they got it right. Patience is truly a "winning" virtue.
TKO writes:
0-4.
ClearVol writes:
Thats why UT pays Dave Hart. I agree that the recruiting has gotten better and I think CDD has a good eye. But on gameday, the day-to-day coaching habits become glaring. If you watch football at any level, the way they practice is typically the way they play.. If a coach goes easy on his 5th graders for a week, they look slow, sloppy and sluggish on gameday..Same for 20 yr olds. Its real basic: we seem to have some very good kids-now they need to raise the expecation level.. COACHING!
GBO
SCVFL writes:
Winning is as simple as this:
1) The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
5) Ball,oskie,cover,block,cut and slice,pursue and gang tackle...for this is the WINNING EDGE.
7) Carry the fight to the opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.
This only three of the most famous 7, but it would be enough to beat Ga.
GO BIG RNG...VFL
trl_x writes:
"'The main thing is we've got to make more plays than them and make plays when it counts.'
Sounds like a plan. But as Mike Tyson once said: Everybody's got a plan until they get hit. "
To continue the boxing analogy, last year the Vols had a glass jaw. They were knocked out in the first round (quarter) against Florida. This year they stood toe to toe for 3 rounds. That's progress.
If that game (Gators) made them tougher they can hang with UGA. This team has talent. But if their confidence is shot, they'll be blown out.
Go Vols!
JonGrudensAgent writes:
I am pretty sure Dooley has lost the press conference at this point.
Just look at the headlines on this website.
Dooley can't find any flaws with the opponent.
They are scared of UGA's big play ability.
They are scared of their freshman RB.
They are scared of their QB.
Coach a team scared and the team will play scared. There isn't a single person in that locker room who has a shred of confidence in what they are doing at this point. This game is over 4 days before kickoff.
voloffaith writes:
Where is your line..."mr.Gruden a Mr. Hart is on the line..." New name for an old poster...no not going to go back to find old poster child name....
pcorange writes:
It didn't take long at all once they decided to pony up and hire a real coach. It absolutely did not take 8-10 years once Saban arrived. He had a 6-6 first season, then recruited a good enough class to start winning. I believe his first NC with Bama came in his third season. This is Dooley's third season at UT, and we'll be lucky to win 2 games in the conference. .500 overall is doable, but only because we loaded the non-conference schedule with cream puffs.
tovolny writes:
Hold the DAWGS to zero ROMPS, and by golly we WIN. Just one game please...please...please don't give up a ROMP. Play, otherwise, the average of the last three games (minus the ROMPS}, we upset the those red coated, shinola eating canines.
papavol writes:
even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and again. Dooley still hasn't found a nut.. 0-11 against ranked teams. Anybody that knows anything about football would be able to coach and team and win against lower competition. 3 years and your biggest win, thus far, is against Vanderbilt. I wish Dooley the best and hope that he can find a way to win, but i just don't think its going to happen. I just have zero faith in his abilities as a head coach.
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