ERA

It's a coach's responsibility to maintain the level of excitement expected around a program. His actions are paramount. Once you win a championship, there is no other time that you can capitalize on momentum to gain the top players and respect from your peers. It is the responsibility of the coach to make that happen and to build on the supposed successes. Fulmer has not. So what can he do? Win. That's all that's left to transpose the ironic negativity of the winningest percentage coach in the nation yet not for long at this pace.

Fact: Knoxville radio broadcasts of phone callers showed 95% of the callers wanted Fulmer fired. That's in his own town where the Orange nation stay faithful.

I guess that there must be at least one million JERKS! according to KevB1990's assessment in Tennessee alone. That's a lot of JERKS Kev. Wonder if they know that they are all JERKS? At some point or time, these JERKS will be telling you that you aren't a true VOL fan. They'll be saying that you are a FULMER fan and that you are only interested in FULMER's career rather than what's best for the VOL NATION. My, how the tables have turned. /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

Back to Fulmer... I believe that Fulmer,whether you agree or disagree, somehow lost respect of players and coaches across the SEC when the "Alabama Thing" happened. It seems that since that story broke, everyone has had a target on him. Missing out on the media days was an embarrassment for all. Say what you want, but the Bama game will be loaded for bear and guess who's the bear?

The Cosby Kid has a good act. I've listened to him over the years and he is very entertaining whether you love Phil Fulmer or not. I'm not a hater. I'm just a realist but the Kool Aid kids can't see the green forests for the orange tinted glasses. By the way, I just heard Cosby was going to get a rally started to drive around the stadium center honking their horns, very humorous indeed. He's by far, the tops when comparing him to Gator J who is nothing but an old egotistical blow hard. I can't stand the guy and if you want to know why Gator J is so popular, it's ratings. His blithering idiocy fills the phone lines up with angry Vol fans. What better way to chum the waters for sharks than throw a gator on a line... /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

Oh yeah Sol, I'll search the archives for some posts of my predictions from last year.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

So Stan, where are you now? You were very quick to jump on me because I had predicted this last year and reminded people after the California game. Aren't you going to stick to your principles and blast these other guys on the boards that agree with me? Are you hiding and admitting you were wrong or are you going to stand up and get on these other "Chicken Littles" as you suggest with your post? /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

And what about O'L KevB1990? Where is he now Stan? I'm just curios if you two are the same person because he has not stood up either? /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

Stop drinking the Kool Aid. It's ok to admit when things aren't great in Ktown. There are posts on this thread that are as good as any that I've ever seen in content and truth. Now, what are the tea sippers at the UT mansion going to do about it? That's the real question and I know the answer.... nothing!

Without fail, every NFL player or ex-player who was asked whether or not it would be an advantage to know the defense's signals replied it would be a huge advantage. If you could look over and know that your opponent was signaling a corner blitz, all you would have to do would be roll you blocking scheme that way and adjust your route to take advantage of the gap. It may make an advantage on just one play, but just one play sometimes is all the advantage you need. You don't think the Titans would've like to have known in advance the blitz package the Colts ran on fourth down yesterday?

 

The last team in the world who you would think would videotape an opponent would be the Patriots. What it reveals is more of Belichick's paranoia than anything else.

What he did was cast a needless shadow over the accomplishments of his team and organization. It raises questions on the legitimacy of everything they've won.

 

Kind of like being caught red-handed with steroids like Rafael Palmero.

You said it exactly right. Great post!

You know, I hate to be the one to say it but even if and when the streak does end is there any end in site for RBS ever making the playoffs? Not having won a game in so long makes expectations extremely low and who's to say that another 40-plus game slide isn't in order even if they beat Lighthouse Christian? I mean, a lot of folks probably thought they'd beat Pickett Co. and they didn't...

Dang Kev, if you can't be a positive RBS supporter, then maybe you should try another team. At least that's what you told me to do about Tennessee. So which way is it Kev?

/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> /laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> /laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

I think filming doesn't give them the edge for the Jets game, therefore, they still get the win for not being able to study it yet.

Two games for Belicheck probably. It would be nice to see a respected coach get the sour grapes of wrath that he deserves.

Draft picks would be out of the question. Though I agree they should lose a first round choice, I don't believe they will go that far.

You know...it's jerks like you that make me less apt to continue posting on this site. This site USED to be fairly civil when it came to posting opinions and making observations. We all could agree to disagree or come to some sort of closure on a topic where there are varying opinions.

 

In my honest opinion, Fulmer deserves the right to say when he wants to leave whenver that is...not the Haslams, not any booster, not any group of halfwit "fans" but he alone has that right. There are worse things in the world right now, like being Notre Dame with their "savior" of a coach and their new golden boy QB or Michigan and their entire state of disarray.

 

With the exception of 2 plays, Tennessee is in good shape for this season. All of your the sky is falling mentality is laughable and I would not be shocked to see the Vols go to Florida and get a win...because beating Western KY and Troy doesn't give mean the Gators have what it takes to win the East.

 

I still want to see more improvement on defense, but I'm not too worried about how the offense will perform.

 

ERA, you're what's known as a wolf. I know lots of you guys from the previous years after the 1998 NC. To say you guys are on the same level as Kentucky basketball fans who are never satisfied is an understatement. It's part of what goes with the territory of being a college sports fan...you've got passionate fans who live and die by the week for their team and just want to see a good product out there regularly and the wolves who will pick gnat droppings out of pepper just to find something wrong ever week.

I love it when you post Kev. You make a too easy target. In fact, you are so easy that I don't have to comment. The fact that you have stooped to "JERK" says it all. Thanks, you've done my job yourself. I'll give you a lesson or two on debating skills, if you would like. Not sure you would understand them fully but hey, I've trained many with much success. The fact that Muffin is pulling for you is like Al Gore endorsing your candidacy! Dang, I crack myself up!

Ah, and the threats of dropping membership have made their way to the college football threads. Looks like it's your turn for the $12 ERA.

 

As for the matter at hand......

 

The defense looked better last night. Not good, but better. Chavis went to his style of calling a game and was more aggeressive. The defense showed a little bit of fundamentals in the second half, forced some plays, and Rico McCoy reminds bit a whole lot of Raynock Thompson. It's going to take improvements in all areas for UT to have a shot in the swamp.

 

I hate to break it to everyone, but UT is not the program they once were. There has been a drop off. You can deny it all you want, but it is the truth. The question then becomes what is acceptable for the program to be at. I'm a donor and a season ticket holder. For the prices of donations, tickets, concessions, all of it, I want a top level product on the field. Consistent 3 and 4 loss seasons are not enough for me. Florida's program is miles ahead of the Vols, Georgia's is still ahead, and SC is dang close to catching us if they haven't already. And that's just in the eastern division. Everything about the program and the stuff surrounding it says they are a top 5 or 10 program right now except the product delivered on the field.

 

I am not a fan of a coach, player, or anything before I am the university and the team. If a player or coach isn't producing to expectations, then it is obviously time for a change. And yes, I know you all can say, just quit going to the games. And you know what? I've seen 6 bad quarters of defensive and two average ones against an average team. By no means am I ready to crown them back to being fixed. I hope I am wrong, but I'm just as worried about Tebow and company today as I was when I walked into the stadium yesterday. If things go south again, and changes aren't made....then I hope Hamilton enjoys Fulmer's donation because I can already tell you I am not the only person in that stadium who feels this way. We're not going back until something is done.

I'm strictly an armchair observer and float all over the internet comparing our offense and defense to other SEC programs and that's how I draw my conclusions. You, on the other hand, have much more invested than I. Therefore, your heart is in this team moreso than mine and your points should be much more prophetic given the "insider" type of fan that you are. I imagine if you feel this way, there must be some rumbling going on. As far as the seats, I've heard more about the drunken fan horror story sitting next to people that have great seats more often than not. Not really my type of atmosphere. Really though, I hope Fulmer and Chavis find something to turn it around for real. I think it would be great for him to stay IF he turns things around. What I'm saying is a nice "press conference" of changes that would be forthcoming at the end of the season would be a good start. Donating $1 million to the University under these circumstances and timing smells, even to the non brain surgeon types. It won't be long after the next loss that "Buying his job" will be muttered in the press. A perceived idea that he can ill afford right now. What's worse, The offensive coordinator has already been released two seasons ago. Who else could he blame this on? Cutcliffe is doing all he can do with what he has. For Ainge coming into his senior year without any bigtime receivers is, in my book, detestful and unforgivable. I just can't imagine that happening with such a program.

No...compared UF with SC...as in my original quote that just because he won consistently at Florida doesn't mean he'll win consistenly at SC. No mention of UT in that quote at all...

 

If you want to try to put words in my mouth at least have a clue of what I said to begin with.

 

And it's YOUR (possessive) this time not YOU'RE (contraction of You are)...how your brain came up with that out of what I posted, e.g. my statement, is beyond comprehension.

You don't even see the underlying comparison you made...good grief. Your statement put them in the same category "IF YOU READ YOUR OWN POST THOROUGHLY". If you can't see that, it's not worth my time or anyone elses to debate someone not capable of seeing the ripple effects of his own malevolent comments.......... are you sure you are not Stan? we do have posters with two identities on this board.

NEXT!

Tennessee was right in the middle of a snake pit last weekend....Cal spent all summer focusing on the UT game and they had their fans in a frenzy...It would have been tough for anyone to go into that place and win.....With as well as Cal played and jumped on Tennessee,the Vols never quit and even had a shot there when they cut the lead to 38-31 and had the ball and the momentum...UT's offense is going to score the surprise is where has Chavis' defense gone the last two years....They gotta get that taken care of....UT will win tonite and be 1-1..Then bring on the Gators...If ya scared say ya scared....If you are Vol then be a Vol and quit whining.....The Vols will be fine....

This is a debate about Tennessee, not a "Who's scared?" thread. That's a childish analogy to say the least. Debate, calling out whining or scared is what my six year old would have said....good grief!

Seriously, I'm way ahead of you wingman on the info from this game. Work on another post unless you have nothing else to do, but judging by the number of your posts on coachT you dont. Suit yourself.

 

Halftime Stats

Total Yards:

 

Coffee County - 173

Cookeville - 112

 

Coffee County 2 Turnovers

Both of you are doing a good job. Wingman started this thread and the gentlemanly thing to do is to yield to Wingman. That doesn't mean not to post, it means you can add to it. Just my thoughts.

The Coffee vs Cookeville game has turned out to be what it was billed so far.

There is nothing to gain and everything to lose playing S. Miss. The Cal game was enough for schedule strength. Southern Miss is a tough team, I hope we don't end up with an 0-3 start.

Sounds like another is having doubts about the UT season. You're not alone. I listened to 560 am Monday and all day Tuesday. You would not believe the amount of calls that were, as the radio announcers say, "jumping off the cliff". Phone call after phone call was wanting Fulmer's head. Though they were mad at the defense "vanilla" was what they were calling it, their fury was directed straight towards Fulmer. They said there was no excuse and that the offensive package was sound and I quote... " for a college offense of the 1980's". The rapid fire and pace of Cal and many other teams they mentioned is in the present day form of a pro offensive package. They are pleased with Cutcliffe, but mad that Fulmer didn't have a break-away receiver for our quarterback. All the passes were mostly less than twenty yards. Most callers believed as the announcers that Coker coming back would help "a little" because they thought Arian Foster did a great job. Coker would essentially give Foster a rest to do his real job without much gain in the running back position except with a greater chance of Coker breaking for a big one. If he gets loose, he has the speed to outrun but his bigger problem has been the line not giving him the holes.

The above is what I heard on the radio. It does back up my stance on the status of UT football but sometimes, as we all know, the panic button can make things turn around. In this case, the panic button must have been pressed. Now all we can do is wait and hope for better results or start taking polls on who's going to be the new head coach? My money is on Fulmer pulling it out by a belly button

UT 0-1 could be 0-3...more>>>

Hey, forget everything I said earlier. I can see now. Everything appears to be just fine. Wow, I didn't realize the truth could be so clear. Yes...... yes, Fulmer is..... Fulmer is...... GOD! I can't believe that I once was a non-believer. It's so clear to me now. Aguiello, KEVB and Stan Trott are the arch angels of Fulmer. Kinda like the three Amigos' of Tennessee football. You know you're right when you have them on your side.

I'm humbled

Has it occurred to you that there are fans just like you, with that same determination to be excellent, in Tuscaloosa, Gainesville, Baton Rouge, Athens and other places around the SEC? Do you think that Tennessee has a monopoly on loyal fans, and fat-walleted alumni? You seem to think that all you have to do is wish really hard for a good team and it will be delivered to you. What you "don't settle for" is completely irrelevant to the discussion. You can set the bar as high as you wish, getting over the bar is the payoff. What Tennessee can produce is the relevant issue. Tennessee high school football is below the caliber of the other SEC contending states--Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Florida. Tennessee's recruiting classes have been highly-ranked, the only problem being the bringing in of low-academic types who have to be "farmed out" to junior colleges and military academies. I am not a Fulmer fan but if you think that you can go find a head coach who will solve the problems, I think that is simplistic thinking.

Yeah, i guess I didn't know that LSU and Georgia amongst others were such highly academic sports oriented SEC schools. What was I thinking? Trying to blow me off with drivel will not work. Obviously, you are a supporter of Phil or you wouldn't care so much. Excitement brings athletes, amongst other things. Fulmer is as exciting as a turtle. He's a good guy, but he's not fixing problems. Cutcliffe is the only good thing going for him right now and that was a total accident. He would have been at Notre Dame had his health not stopped that move. By this time next year, I suspect he'll be head coaching another university. Sol has it right, the ones bankrolling the changes expect more. Starting off a season already knocked out of championship contention after the first game is unacceptable for most anyone. But hey, I get it, I'll just wait till next year as you obviously suggest. Waiting till next year must be a complexity since I can't seem to accept anything but simplistic reasoning! yeah right!

I'm not a UT supporter, but I think some of you Vol fans may be hitting the panic button a little early. I thought Tennnessee looked like a darned good team. You gotta remember that this Cal team had more offensive weapons than Tennessee will see again this season. With Tedford in charge of their offense, they are very "blue collar" and not at all like the image of a "West Coast" team. Their wide receiver corps can hardly be topped and they had two TBs who ran both fast and hard.

Seems to me you couldn't wish for a better QB than Ainge, A. Foster looked good, and I doubt that Berry will be out of the starting lineup again. It looks like the defensive front may be an issue.

I guess it comes down to what you choose to define as success. I think 8 wins would be a lock, 9 wins with some breaks, beyond that a bit of a stretch. If something happens to Ainge, all bets would be off.

Yes, you have a FEW good players. Not a championship contending team. If you are content with average or a non contender, we have nothing in common. I don't settle for anything less, average is not acceptable to me. If I can't contend to the championship game or at least have a shot, I'm not satisfied, nor are most of the UT faithful. All you have to do is look at the track record. It speaks for itself. I like Phil. I think he is a good guy, just not the coach he once was nor the recruiter that he used to be. The recruit sites give him near top billing but either the billing is wrong or he can't coach them up to expectations....you make the call.... I know what the answer is.

So I guess if Spurrier said that you were a woman...I'll have to see "ready to contend" in SC before I believe it. Just because you can win in Florida consistently don't mean you can win South Carolina consistently.

Just asking a question. Are you comparing UT with SC? Are you saying that UT can't bring the personnel in that Florida can while saying UT is on the level of a SC? You're statement says you are and THAT is exactly what I'm talking about.

Sol, you've spelled it out as well as possibly could be done. Cutcliffe is the man when it comes to offensive preparation but when you don't have the personnel to execute on all cylinders, it is what it is. Not to bring political boards into this discussion but the similarities are staring us in the face. The old cronie mechanisms are in place and obvious. Promising players that if they come to our school, their brothers and cousins will get to play too. That's absurd!!! You see what the Clausens had done, the Colquitts have run their luck into the ground (you nailed that analogy by the way) and bringing Cutcliffe in was a patch that beared no threat to Fulmer's job. A new young bright offensive coordinator could upset the apple cart at UT while Cut was a loyalist and would not take Phil's job. It smells something awful. Fulmer, for the most part, had been keeping the pool clean in the early years but looking back over the last five to seven years, a lot of players have cost UT with federal, misdemeanor charges that, quite frankly, not only became a distraction but weighed on families minds as to whether their kid was going to be looked after.

Spurrier, even at his age, brings excitement. He ramps peoples blood up and brings much expectation. Urban has those exact same qualities. Kentucky has found new life with Brooks as he leads the charge to bring the K team to a worthy adversary. Vandy's Johnson is known now as the guy, when he gets a top player, exploits their expertise to high draft picks while keeping them mostly out of trouble. Fulmer has lost that excitement. Talking to the hardcore fans around here, they agree to some level, but hate to go through the change. Change always hurts unless someone steps down or retires. UT needs the excitement. I hadn't heard ANY excitement out of a harcore UT fan over the last three years.

There is an old saying that I totally believe in. "The team is a reflection of the coach." It's a mirror. Take a look at any team and you will see what the coach is made of. Do you see a fire in the belly? You can only use Peyton's and other former greats names so long to inspire. Championships and leadership brings the players to come play. We, right now, do not have that level of expertise. Phil has been the right guy from the day he took over till around 2001. Since then, it's been a slow and steady graphed decline. If my performance curve looked like Phils over the last six years, I would not receive a raise. Phil gets them every time they come around and usually sets records. Phil Fulmers teams have reached mediocrity. Mediocrity is fine for league ball, but travel teams will not put up with that moniker. That, to me, says it all.

You know, I hate to say that I picked against Tennessee today but I was betting with my head rather than the heart. The third quarter is just beginning and Cal is up ten points. I said this last year and, for what it's worth, here we are at the crossroads already in game one. Fulmer will literally have a stroke this year. The schedule is the fourth hardest in the nation I believe, anyways, I picked UT to win only half their games and possibly could go under .500 this season. We can argue about which games but when you look just across the SEC, Fulmer is already behind. Urban Meyer's Florida, Nick Sabans Alabama, LSU's Les Miles, Auburn's Tommy Tuberville, South Carolina's Steve Spurrier, Georgia's Mark Richt, Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson and Kentucky's Rich Brooks and these are the coaches and teams that can beat UT today. Ole Miss and Miss. State haven't made the grade yet while Arkansas beat UT last year but they lost some players in turmoil so they are in question. I'm telling you, this could be the swan song for Fulmer. Cutcliffe could find himself a head coaching job anywhere in the country and it might just happen. Fulmer may be out on an island all by himself unless there's divine intervention. A loss tonight could be the start of the slippery slope. Let's hope he gets it turned around before it's too late. It's been a long time since the national championship and can any of you remember the last SEC championship he had? ....I thought so.

Grissom will probably struggle this year. They lost a large number of seniors off last years team. They had a losing season last year and with the loss of all those starters they may struggle this year even more.

Ouch! Guess they still have some rebuilding to do. Sounds like a tough year ahead.

I WAS FIRST GRADUATING CLASS FROM THAT SCHOOL. IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME EXPERIENCE. ANYWAYS, THE TIGERS ARE ALWAYS GAME. WHAT'S THE SEASON LOOK LIKE AND WHO ARE THEIR TOP PLAYERS?

Let's play a game....

 

 

Someone tell me which profile page these letters came from.....

 

 

TN-NC-MS-TX-FL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus question:

 

 

Now put them in correct order.

WAIT!......WAIT!!!..... IS IT.......................................ELA??????????????

The #3 ranked Daphne Trojans will visit #6 Foley Lions at Ivan Jones Stadium in Foley on Thursday,October 4th . ESPN2 will televise the game live at 8/9pm and will highlight the nation's top prospect in WR Julio Jones. Daphne will bring their share of star power, with highly recruited RB Reggie Hunt, QB Coley White and OL Teavis Durgin. Last year's game lived up to the hype as Daphne snatched an exciting 42-41 victory at a packed and roaring Trojan Stadium. Pics from last year's game...FHS@DHS Photos

Good Post!

OK Bama fans and players. Spell it out. Name the state champions for each division for 2008!