We're NUMBER ONE

The Hype is in Full Effect!

Now that our BasketVols have disposed of the bad Tigers, it's officially time for Memphis. Granted, the hype began when Tyler Smith was allowed to join the UT team immediately after his transfer decision. That day was when Tennessee jumped from Sweet 16 contender, to possible Final Four contender, alongside the Memphis Tigers.

Basically, since October, this has been the biggest game on our schedule, and the biggest game for ESPN since the last Tobacco Road game.

But is this game as big as a $10,000 ticket would make you think? Not to be Debbie Downer, but no. Is this the biggest regular season game this season for college basketball? Probably. Is this the biggest regular season game in UT history? I believe so. But it's not bigger than our 1st round game in the NCAA Tournament. It would be easy to say it is, but really, if we beat Memphis on Saturday, then 3 weeks from now lose to Stephen F. Austin, you'd more pissed than Big Red after he didn't get the ol' "you're going to Hollywood" line.


Don't get me wrong - my snack and drink line-up for this game is challenging my menu for the Super Bowl 3 weeks ago. I'm more pumped about this game than any basketball game ever, outside of the Sweet 16 game we won't talk about. However, let's all keep in mind that we shouldn't grab a chair and noose if we lose. We can lose this game, and still march in March to the Final Four. We can win this game, and not make it out of the first weekend. Keep it in perspective.

Tomorrow, I'll go in depth with some interesting stats from Ken Pomeroy's site.

And yes, the American Idol clip from above was a way for me to give an excuse to show this amazing Idol clip, which made me laugh so hard, a little pee came out.

This is Getting Disgraceful

Life is Under Control

Good news fans - I have time to once again devote to this blog. As I've alluded to in a previous entry, my life during the early months of the football season had some drastic changes. I drank more due to that, so couldn't put together a great blog.

But now, I'm back with a renewed sense of dedication and creativity. We'll be covering the BasketVols with great passion, and will begin talking recruiting for football.

So, stick with me this year, it should be far far more consistent, and thus, enjoyable.

3rd Time's a Charm

If you told me on September 16th that Tennessee would be 5-3 and 1st place in the SEC East, I would have laughed you back to the Tri-Cities, optimistic Vol fans. It's been a Johnny Carson style season (weird, wild stuff), but I'm happy to be where we're at. We are in the driver's seat, which, in the college football world (and ONLY in the college football world), it's the best seat to be in, even if you end up being there drunk. Which is what we've done at Tennessee. We've stumbled, crawled, and cried our way to controlling our own destiny in the toughest division in football.

But, when looking at this season's performance, can we expect to not drop the ball again? This is Tennessee's third time to control their own destiny in the SEC East. First, when sitting at 0-0 in conference play, and traveling to Florida. We saw how that turned out. Then, on September 29th, Auburn upset Florida, bring the Gators down a rung on the ladder, with LSU looming on showdown Saturday. That same Saturday, Tennessee had a game against rival Georgia, in formerly Richt-Neyland Stadium. The Vols blew the Dawgs out, and LSU beat Florida to give Tennessee it's 2nd chance to control their own destiny. A week later, we went on the road and beat a good Mississippi State team (good for them, not good like Top 25 ... yet). The 3rd Saturday in October was an embarrassment, and were once again dead men walking.

Until ... Georgia managed to upset Florida in convincing fashion. Their game ended about an hour before our game against Steve Spurrier. We came out and acted like we were taking the East right then and there. Boom! 21-0 at half, showing moxie on both sides of the ball, looking like a real Tennessee Volunteers team. But someone slipped some GHB in our locker room gatorade, and we came out playing like drunk sorority girls on casino night. The Ghost of 2nd Half Collapses once again made an appearance on our roster, much like it did in Berkeley, Gainesville, and Tuscaloosa. Luckily, Daniel Lincoln doesn't believe in ghosts.

Anyway, the point is forthcoming.

What makes any of us so confident that our guys will take charge this third time, and win the East? Is it the mere fact that we only have 3 SEC games left and odds are better because of it? Or is it because we have 2 of those 3 games at home, where we're undefeated this year? I personally think we might not make it past the next SEC game before we blow it.

This team has had opportunity after opportunity handed to it, and thus far, has crapped it away each time. The talent on this team is plentiful, because you don't "show flashes" with no talent. We've shown flashes of being a great team, but it's been far too inconsistent, and it's been combined with scared playcalling on both sides of the ball. Arkansas is on tap, and we need to remember two things: 1. 2006 @ Arkansas, and 2. Cory Boyd just averaged 8 ypc on us. (Yes, I know, ULL is next, but we're talking SEC here) It's too late to fix things. It's going to be November on Saturday! NOVEMBER! You can't change scheme in November. Thought, if I was John Chavis, I would consider it. You cannot win games consistently when you have corners playing 10 yards off the receivers. You also will get picked apart if you continue to rely on Jerod Mayo and Rico McCoy in pass coverage. They suck at it.

So, someone, anyone, please make a logical debate for me on why this Tennessee team can finish up 3-0 to win the East with a nothing secondary put into bad schemes, a linebacking corps that has been the most disappointing unit on the team, and a coaching staff that won't even follow through on their word. Please, make me excited.

Fire Kurt Roper Immediately

A story I've been following intensely is the odd, weird story about Montario Hardesty not getting a single snap on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The same Montario Hardesty who had the best 2-game stretch in his injury-riddled career the 2 games before the Tide game. The same Montario Hardesty that coaches raved about in 2005, 2006, and again in 2007. The same Montario Hardesty who did not give up after rehabbing a ligament tear and made it back to his top form.

Phil Fulmer in the post-game interview said he didn't know Montario didn't play. That statement alone should merit it's own blog entry. Then, with a day to think about it, Fulmer said that Coach Roper told him it was because they used so many "open sets" and that Hardesty didn't catch the ball well. Okay.

Then, on Sunday night, Montario Hardesty did not show up to practice. Originally, Fulmer said he, nor Montario's roommate, knew where Hardesty was. Keep that in mind, because on Monday afternoon, Hardesty was at practice. Where had he been? According to the coaches - sick in bed. Where was his bed? Not in his dorm room? I would imagine his roommate would notice him being sick in bed. Anyway, this is the smallest lie of them all.

Next, in an interview, Roper said, "Yes, Hardesty should have played in the game." Really? "It is just one of those things that happened." Excellent. Did you take the Phillip Fulmer seminar for coachspeak excellence, Mr. Roper? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Then, I quote the Volquest article:

"Roper said today (Tuesday) that there was not any kind of issue between him and Hardesty leading up to the Alabama game that prevented him from playing. There was some academic business that Roper told Hardesty to handle and Roper said he did, but the running backs coach said Hardesty was not being punished in any way on Saturday."

Take a deep breath to let all the info marinate. First, Fulmer says he didn't NOTICE Hardesty on the bench. Roper then says he should have gotten Hardesty in, but Montario needs to keep working hard. Hardesty misses practice, nobody knows where he is, but yet he's in bed sick. Roper says there were no pre-3rd Saturday issues with Hardesty.

Now back to the present. I speak to a few people, plus include an opinion from Brent Hubbs, about the Hardesty/Roper stuff. The things I hear are that there WAS an issue before the Alabama game between Roper and Hardesty. Apparently, Roper had a task for Hardesty to complete by a deadline (a deadline AFTER the Alabama game). By Saturday at 2:30 EST, Hardesty had not completed the deadline, but 2:30 EST on October 20th wasn't the deadline. Regardless, because said task was not completed yet, Hardesty did not play in a game that will keep Tennessee out of the race for the SEC East.

What's my point behind all of this? Kurt Roper is a liar, and Coach Fulmer is too loyal. Even without the information from sources, you, I, my deaf aunt Sally, and everybody else knew there was more to this story. Kurt Roper is a lying piece of junk. He helped bring down David Cutcliffe at Ole Miss, and now he's doing his part in making a mockery of this program. Seriously, look at either theory.

1. Kurt Roper punishes a running back for not meeting a deadline in the future.

or

2. Kurt Roper forgets to play the #2 running back.

Do either of those options make you confident in his abilities? NO! Now, add in his weasel attitude, his lies to the faces of UT fans, and you have a guy who should be canned immediately. What a joke.

And yes, Mr. Roper, I would be more than happy to let you sit in with me during my workday. Even if I lose an account, you won't see me lying about it.

Analyzing the Idiocy

I've never been quiet with my opinions about Alabama football fans. Most Tennessee fans consider them the most delusional of all sports fans, and from January through August, it was at it's absolute worst. Alabama fans were saying Erik Ainge was overrated, that Bob Stoops would be their head coach, and once they hired Saban, that they'd win the SEC right off the bat. I could somewhat buy into the last point, because all of my analysis said they could, too. However, as the season has progressed, Alabama fans have been shockingly normal. Nothing too over the top, except a few nutzos here and there. We'll analyze those today.

From tidefans.com forum, a prediction for the game:
"I've got no feel for how this one will shake out, but I'll blindly call 28-24 in favor of the good guys."

So you think Tennessee wins? Right on.

Another prediction from tidefans.com:
"Mississippi State scored 21 on UT, so I'll say we score at least that
Bama - 27
UT - 21"

So you think Alabama will hold us to our 2nd lowest output of the season? Florida's D talent >>>> Alabama's D talent. Hell, Mississippi State's defense is as good as Alabama's, and we scored 33, you dolt. Keep in mind Ole Miss scored 24 on your ass, meaning we could put up 40+. Don't let evidence get in the way of your bias.

"More prediction from "12 Rings" on tidefans.com:
31-13 Bama. I think this is the game we punch the gas and keep it down. I'm not worried about (or)ainge picking us apart. They got smoked by two teams in games where there was little or no pressure on him. (he's only been sacked once all year) I'm thinkin this will be the game where our O begins to take shape. RTR !!!!!!!!!!!!"

Riiiiight. 13 points for a team that hasn't scored less than 20 to date? Against a defense that allowed 38 to an Arkansas team that has no passing game, and allowed 21 to a Florida State team that has half the offense Tennessee has? Makes sense ... in backwards land. Ohhhhh BUUUUURN.

From the "10 Reasons Alabama is better than Tennessee" list at 3rd Saturday in Blogtober:
"and the seats are literally 12 inches wide. (That ain’t pretty with Jim Bob and Looloo both going about 3 bills on either side of you.)"

Hilarious ... except for the FACT that Alabama is rated as the 2nd fattest state in America, and Tennessee is like ... 5th. Fifth isn't anything to brag about, fatty Tennesseans, but it isn't 2nd. Sooooo, get your facts straight, Bammer.

From the same list:
"If you like gals that are into Nascar and dipping Skoal maybe Knoxville would suit you fine. You want to see the best Knoxville has to offer? Check your local Saturday morning hunting show? She will be dressed as the Moose. I actually like my women a little more on the classy side. Of course there is more to our women than sundresses and class. You like a challenge? How about a future law student that can kick your tail in a debate on current foreign policy? More likely to find her in Tuscaloosa. Your future smokin’ hot business professional? T-town. I think you get the picture."

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhahahahahha. Seriously? I mean, seriously? C'mon you can't ... you aren't serious. Right? It's satire, amirite? I'm not going to type some ridiculously subjective statement saying UT coeds are prettier than Alabama coeds, because frankly, both universities have a great share of hotties mctotties. Period. Gun to my head, need to make a decision: UT wins. And I guess Alabama residents don't like Nascar and chew? C'mon. Just so you know, in 2006-2007, Alabama ranked as the 45th smartest state, Tennessee was 30th.

From the same article, on mindsets and what UA football did for the state:
"As a southerner, Alabama football helped put this part of the country on the map. It helped make us count again. It was a shot across the bow to yankees everywhere that we actually could do something good."

I like the last 6 words best, because it shows that grammar isn't something "you do good," either. "Do well," just so you know. Basically, this is why I hate Alabama fans. You're bragging that the only thing your state does well is play football. Your state is the BEST at putting guys in tight pants and ramming into each other. Fantastic! You can have that title! I love college football as much as ANYBODY, but let's keep it what it is: a game, a sport. If Tennessee never wins another game, the world will continue to spin, the state will continue to thrive, and I'll be living. Sure, the wins make it a bit sweeter, but really, when all you can brag about is being #1 in football history, being the 5th dumbest and 2nd fattest state, you have a problem. Catch up Alabama - you can love football AND excel at life. Try it.

The Third Saturday in October! 2007

This is the most important week of the year for me and many of my Vol brethren. Lately, younger fans consider Florida or Georgia bigger games, but even at 25, I know the hatred when I see it. Seriously, if you've always wondered why most of us hate Bammers, head over to tidefans.com and read what they have to say about Tennessee. Or, read this article from last season by me - fair warning, it's me without a censor button. I can't stand Bammers and I'd rather be 1-11 with a win over Alabama than 11-1 with a loss to them.

As for this blog, I again apologize to everyone that it's been sporadic. This has been the most insane month of my entire life, with a 5-year relationship taking a turn for the worse, and computer problems. I promise to the three of you who read this that I'll turn up the heat, especially this week.

Sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrry

Sorry I've been away. At least our Vols had a bye week. I'll be back on Sunday or Monday with post-Georgia thoughts. Life has thrown me the biggest of curveballs, but this Saturday is the most important of Saturdays for Phillip Fulmer and this program. I'm a bit buzzed right now, and since that Florida loss, I've seen more alcohol than ever. This blog's content goes to another level post-Saturday.

Phil Fulmer Hot Seat Danger Level - Post Florida

59-20 is all that needs to be said.

Neyland's Game Maxims Evaluation - Florida

Like there is ANY question on what the outcome of this evaluation will be? Gotta fight through the pain to keep the blog rolling. Maybe we'll get some attention.

1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.

This is pretty freaking clear - we allowed a fumble return for a TD, a punt return for a TD, threw an interception, had plenty of missed tackles and plenty of missed assignments. We made more mistakes in this game than every other Florida game this decade. So many mental mistakes. Oh, and the drops, too. Austin Rogers tried to catch a ball with one hand, when he had both hands available. FAIL

2. Play for and make the breaks and when one comes your way - SCORE.

Berry made a break and DID score - a 96 yard INT return for a touchdown. We stopped Florida maybe 3 or 4 times, and we rarely did much with it. We created a muff return for Florida, but they recovered on their own 1 yard line and quickly went 99 yards to score a TD. FAIL

3. If at first the game - or the breaks - go against you, don't let up... put on more steam.

We started to do this. Down 28-6, we started to make some things happen on offense, to pull it to 28-20, but a break went against us, and we quit. The players didn't quit so much, but the coaches did. You know, it ties in with playing green youngsters. Fulmer and Co. say this alot: "He'll make some good plays then 1 big mistake that gets you beat." Well, when down 30, we still saw the same piss poor players who got us down by 30. Why not try some new things with new players? There's nothing to lose when you're down 30. FAIL

4. Protect our kickers, our QB, our lead and our ball game.

I don't even know if this applies. Ainge had a clean jersey, our punters and kickers never got hit. Our lead? Never had one. Our ball game? We were at the mercy of Florida. It was their game, we were just livin' in it. FAIL

5. Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle... for this is the WINNING EDGE.

Oskie was good. Everything else stunk. Seriously stunk. We didn't cover, we didn't block, we didn't tackle. On Florida's first 2 series, we looked excellent on defense. I thought we had a chance. But no. Our linebackers stink. Our ends stink. Our secondary, even Berry, stunk overall. When you do 1 of 6 outlined above, there is no WINNING EDGE. FAIL

6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.

Kickoffs were awful again. Florida started past their 30 a lot - I think all but one time. Colquitt was told to punt away from PR Brandon James ... he didn't. Lincoln was good, but they decided not to try him on a 47 yarder. FAIL

7. Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.

Did we even BRING the fight to carry? Our defense started out with a fight. Our offense never did. For maybe 10 minutes of the 60, we looked we wanted to battle to the end of time. The other 50? Awful. Our coaches gave up in the 4th quarter, no doubt in my mind. FAIL

Obviously, this is the most embarrassing loss in the Fulmer era. Even more so when you consider what coaches and the team were saying in the preseason. They said they were nasty, they were cohesive, and they had leadership. I call shenanigans. Lies lies lies. This team is honestly worse than the 2005 squad. Absolutely horrendous, and changes need to be made from the top down. Enough is enough.

CHECK: 0
FAIL: 7

It's Time

I sit here, with a heavy heart and eyes full of mist. I sit here, with my head hanging, hands on my brow, wondering where things went wrong. What happened to us? Where is the pride of our university? Where is the fire? Where is the answer?

Tennessee football for me will always be connected in my thoughts to my family. From the age of 5, my father took me to home game after home game, every year until he could no longer afford that choice. Then, my father, my mother, and I would spend every Autumn Saturday together, no matter the opponent, no matter the other things we could do on those days. We sat together, with pride for the University of Tennessee, and watched every second of every game we could. With my mother in poor health, and my father working his body to the max, Tennessee football is a way for me to remember a lot of good times with them. The key word is "remember." Memories.

These memories, which I will carry with me until my grave, were brought to me by a lot of characters, but mostly led by University of Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer. He led my now alma mater to a national championship, 2 SEC titles, and numerous numerous Saturdays of victory. I have been and always will be proud to wear orange.

This is why I'm so saddened to say what we all want to say. The thought alone depresses me. Coach, it's time. You know it is. You know in your heart of hearts that it's time. You've done all you can do. At some point in every person's life, he faces a moment of clarity, where he realizes he is human, a mortal. Tonight, no doubt, you're sitting with a heavy heart, knowing what I know. What we all know.

I consider you a good man with a kind heart and the best of intentions. But it's time. You and I share a bond - we're legit Tennessee Volunteers, we spent 4 years on the same campus, dealing with the same student issues. We are brothers in orange. We bleed it, we live it, we love it. And for that reason, it's time. And you know it.

There is no other image this century that epitomizes what's going on in our football program, and the image will never be forgotten by me. After Florida went up 14-3, the camera was on you, Coach. What did I see, in the FIRST quarter? You let out the biggest sigh, your cheeks filled with air. That sigh was a sigh of confusion. This game, this new game of college football, has passed you, Coach Chavis, and even Coach Cutcliffe, by. The look on your face told the story, and I knew then, in the 1st quarter, down only 11, that we stood no chance. And that hurts. I talk 365 days a year about the memories you helped bring me and my family. And today, I was hurt.

It's time, and you know it. It hurts just to say it, to type it, to think it. I'm literally in a state where crying is a possibility. My memories are becoming tainted by a more recent pain. I can't let that happen, and you, with as much love for this university, can't either. You need to leave as head coach with warm memories of your years in that position. Tennessee is us, and we are Tennessee, and I never want either of us to lose that.

But it's time.

Knocked the F Out

In response to Orson Swindle's entry about Joey Kent getting demolished in 1996, I'm posting a video that a fellow UT fan posted on YouTube, this one of Kelvin Kight getting knocked the F out by Eddie Moore. Rex Grossman at his best, making ridiculously ill-advised throws, typically resulting in hatred from his receivers. Rex was trying to be Brett Favre on this one, I believe. If we continue with that analogy, then Eddie Moore is a bottle of painkillers.

Orson, this week, I hate your guts. This week, I think dirtbags find you disgusting. And your feet smell like 3 month old carrot soup that was left in the fridge. Trust me, it's bad.

It's Florida Week!

The greatest week of the year, Florida Week, is here! I hope to have a lot of content for this game, but to kick it off, here is a quote from Johnny Majors, that applies to this week and sums up how I feel.

"They don't have any respect for ya'. Make 'em remember you for as long as they live ... the way you hit. And the way you knock 'em down downfield ... the way we hustle. Attack attack attack ... always attack."

Neyland's Game Maxims Evaluation - Southern Miss

Every week I'll be looking at every one of Neyland's 7 game maxims and dissecting the game to see how well our Vols did in achieving those goals. The win over Southern Miss was so necessary, and if our team all around plays like against Florida like we did in the 2nd half against USM, we'll upset Florida in the Swamp.

1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.

This maxim is a bit misleading. Does the General mean turnovers? I don't think so. I think he means mistakes all the way down to man on man blocking, or missing a cut as a running back. For the most part, though, this can be determined by looking at penalties and turnovers, and any other glaring mistakes. Tennessee had 2 late 4th quarter fumbles (Crompton and Creer) in a game where the outcome was not in doubt. Southern Miss had 3 turnovers, plus two other fumbles they recovered. Tennessee had 6 penalties to USM's 5. Pretty clear that Tennessee made less mistakes. CHECK

2. Play for and make the breaks and when one comes your way - SCORE.

Tennessee scored 10 points off two Southern Miss fumbles, and they were when the game was close. It was 20-16 when Tennessee recovered a Southern Miss fumble and took it to the house on the ensuing drive. Tennessee also scored a safety after a big blitz and hit by McKenzie. CHECK

3. If at first the game - or the breaks - go against you, don't let up... put on more steam.

This is probably the maxim that Tennessee achieved the most. Southern Miss was giving us fits in the first half. Big plays, mobile QB, screens that went for 15 yards. Southern Miss was leading 16-10 late in the 2nd quarter, and were down only 17-16 at half. Then the coaches, players, and fans revved it up. It was a different team in the 2nd half, as evidenced by the 2nd half score of 22-3, and holding USM to 100 yards in the 2nd half. CHECK

4. Protect our kickers, our QB, our lead and our ball game.

Our kickers were protected, Ainge took a few hits early, but none were big, none were sacks, and he had a clean jersey in the 2nd half. Once we took the lead in the 2nd quarter, it was for good, and the 2nd half was dominating. We played our ball game, turning to a power running game with Arian Foster in the 2nd half. Lennon Creer then sped around tired defenders to ice the game. CHECK

5. Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle... for this is the WINNING EDGE.

Our oskie wasn't good, as evidenced by Rico McCoy's ridiculous attempt at THE PLAY at the end of the 2nd half. I know our coaches don't teach that, as you could tell by Fulmer's eating of McCoy's soul, that started with "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?!" We didn't cover well, we didn't tackle all that well in the 1st half, but it was good in the 2nd. We blocked well, we did some gang tackling. This one is tough. For me, one McCoy play stands out more than his 2 big hits. In the 1st half, Fletcher took a screen out of the backfield and McCoy pursued. Fletcher juked him and McCoy slid on all fours without touching Fletcher, so, although it's close... FAIL

6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.

Another tough one. Daniel Lincoln was 3/3, with a long of 47, which is very encouraging. The punt game was good, with Cunningham putting it inside the 20, even when he didn't have the length we're used to. However, kickoffs were continually short, and our coverage was awful. Southern Miss started their drives 7 of 13 times past the 30 yard line. We did recover a fumble on one of their kickoffs, so this is so hard to call. We failed in only one aspect of the kicking game. CHECK

7. Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.

I feel this maxim is hard to interpret. Does the General want us to leave our starters in for blowout 4th quarters? Does he mean in close games, never ever give up for a second? I truly don't know. I believe he means, regardless of who is in the game, play hard, fight hard, and win the battles. Did we do that? We scored 10 points in the 4th quarter. On Crompton's fumble, it was a pass play with less than 5:30 left in the game. Creer ran hard with GREAT blocking until the end of the game. We gave Southern Miss nothing in the 2nd half. CHECK

I truly enjoyed analyzing our play using this outline. I think it's a unique way to gauge how well we achieved our goals. You know Fulmer preaches the maxims, as he has the players recite all 7 before every game. He breathes them, and so should the team. This week, after a 39-19 victory over CUSA favorite Southern Miss -

CHECK: 6
FAIL: 1

Phil Fulmer Hot Seat Danger Level: 0-1

Was That Really a Fumble?

An interesting piece of NCAA rule has been posted on Volquest by someone, and carried over to Volnation by yours truly. But before I get into the conversation about the Ainge "fumble," I want to make it clear that Cal deserved to beat us, and this play, in the end, was not the reason our Vols lost. However, I think it's interesting to discuss the rule of this play, and the complete ignorance of the rule by Kirk Herbstreit and the officials.

Here is the play in question:



And here is the NCAA rule regarding a play like this. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE VERY END OF THE RULE!

"If a Team B player contacts the passer or ball after forward movement begins and the ball leaves the passer’s hand, a forward pass is ruled regardless of where the ball strikes the ground or a player (A.R.
2-19-2-I)."

So, now, *if* Ainge's forward motion has begun, the landing point of the ball, whether backward or forward, is irrelevant. Is Ainge's arm going forward? It's hard to tell, but I believe it is. Why? Because of the trajectory of the ball after the hit. If Ainge just has the ball in grasp without forward motion, does the ball fly UP like that? I don't think so. The call on the field was a fumble, which is baffling to me. The officials should know this rule, and should call that incomplete.

In the end, this play wasn't why Tennessee lost, but could it have changed the game? Sure! That early momentum can change everything after that moment. Like a butterfly effect, if you will. Still, Cal won this game because they were more prepared and wanted it more. I do wonder how it would have gone if this were called correctly.

Your thoughts?

Countdown TMinus 1

How Does UT Stop the Cal Passing Attack?

One of the most talked about matchups of this Saturday's game is the Cal passing game against a young, talented secondary of Tennessee. A lot of fans have asked how UT plans on covering Jackson. I'll tell you this right now - Tennessee will do just fine covering DeSean Jackson, but I'm worried about Lavelle Hawkins and Robert Jordan, who will have far more favorable matchups than Jackson.

So how does Tennessee attempt to slow it down? Here's a diagram I created, with a good bit of explanation after.




This is Cal's base passing personnel against Tennessee's base 4-3. I actually believe we'll see Tennessee play more Nickel than normal, but still, our bread and butter is the 4-3, with athletic linebackers who can blitz or drop into coverage.

First, let me break down the personnel for each team.

On the field for Cal is DeSean Jackson at the X, Lavelle Hawkins (705 yards) at the Y, and Robert Jordan (571 yards) at the Z, or slot. Nate Longshore (QB) in the shotgun with RB, Justin Forsett. Craig Stevens, who, regardless of his KO last season on the opening kickoff, is a good receiving tight end, on the same side as Jackson.

For Tennessee, I have Berry in, not Gaines, but I believe Berry takes the main snaps. Marsalous Johnson will be the RCB, who draws the X in Jackson. You know the rest of the guys out there.

In this diagram, the main thing to notice is the defense is in a Cover 2, but not a true Cover 2. I fully expect Johnson to take a short zone, with safety Jarrod Parrish take a high zone, which creates what's called a bracket coverage on DeSean Jackson. This attempts to keep Jackson, and the play, in front of them. These 2 will be responsible for everything DeSean Jackson does.

On the other side of the field, you have a more true Cover 2 aspect. Berry or Gaines will be the LCB, drawing, usually, both the Y and Z receivers. Over the top, Hefney is playing a zone coverage, deep. SLB Ryan Karl should drop into coverage, as well as MLB Jerod Mayo. They'll be responsible for Robert Jordan and/or Craig Stevens and/or Justin Forsett. WLB Rico McCoy could also drop into coverage, but I believe John Chavis will elect to send at least 1 LB, if not more. In this example, McCoy blitzes off the egde, which brings a 5 man rush.

This is where Craig Stevens must take advantage. However, against a team like Tennessee, where the linebackers are very fast for their position, Stevens may not have an advantage. So, Tennessee might blitz Mayo instead, and zoning Stevens' area with McCoy.

What are the weaknesses for this type of coverage? The main thing is dedicating two players to cover one. This creates mismatches at other places. I imagine Cal might notice the bracket coverage on Jackson, and send Stevens on a route to the outside. If Marsalous Johnson jumps it, then you have Jackson versus Parrish or Nevin McKenzie.

Another problem arises, too. Cal's three wide receivers know the job for each position, and can be moved around freely. Jackson could line up in the slot, where he becomes a receiver running a route in Ryan Karl's area or Jon Hefney's area. One thing is for sure - John Chavis has had great success in the past in shutting down a star receiver. Minus Marcus Monk, there haven't been many star receivers who have killed Tennessee. Peter Warrick in 1998 is a perfect example.

Lastly, the most important key to this coverage is that Johnson, Berry, and Gaines need to jam the receivers at the line to immediately corrupt the timing of Nate Longshore and his triumvirate of receivers. Is this something the Tennessee corners can do? Absolutely. Look at the size of the Cal receivers and the UT CBs.

WR DeSean Jackson - 6'0", 166
WR Robert Jordan - 5'11", 165
WR Lavelle Hawkins - 6'2", 181

CB Marsalous Johnson - 5'9", 180
CB Antonio Gaines - 5'9", 180
CB Eric Berry - 6'0", 200
CB DeAngelo Willingham - 6'0", 195

So, while Johnson and Gaines give up a couple of inches, they have 15 pounds on Jackson and Jordan. All 4 of UT's listed CBs above run a 4.4 or better. While Cal has the advantage on paper, I think the combination of athleticism at the position and a Chavis gameplan can slow down the Cal passing game.

We'll find out in ohhhhhhh 44 hours.

Phil Fulmer Hot Seat Danger Level - Preseason

This will be a weekly Wednesday update. We know Fulmer isn't close to being fired or resigning, but he can't rest on his laurels, either. So, I give you, with my out of this world photo editing skills, the first edition of the Phil Fulmer Hot Seat Danger Level.