TankTalk

If what happened ... actually happened, there is NO excuse for a coach to lay a hand or fist for that matter, on a player.

Is Woody Hayes coaching up in Sunbright?

Nobody has told me to back off anything. I wasn't present at this meeting, but heard there were some outstanding track covering. It does put me in a peculiar situation, when all I have on one side is anonymous posters complaining. Nobody has called me, nobody has been willing to go on the record complaining, etc. If someone wants to step up, I would be happy to do something with it.

I am not educated enough about Cookeville's opponent, other than what I have read. I know with the returning talent, and a transfer or two, people are really buzzing about them. If I had to make a "from the hip" pick, I would take the Owls.

I certainly didn't mean to make this confrontational, just giving my opinion. I liked the Cookeville coaching staff and their kids. They play really hard and seemed to execute really well. I just question whether they have enough talent in their depth to be a real contender this season. I do, in all sincerity, wish them the absolute best this year.

It's not my job to keep up with who Cookeville is or isn't playing, I was just watching the game and the scoring. Best of luck to your team this season.

Oak Ridge shuttles players in from the first series, they dominated play tonight once they got into the tempo of the game. Cookeville's first score was due to a pair of punt fakes, one was on fourth and 20 something. Their second drive was impressive, taking it the distance and doing some nice things. From my point of view, however, it was Oak Ridge's best effort and they were all over the 'Cavs. Did Cookeville have any key players out? They had good numbers, but I am wondering if they are indeed the favorite in their region from what I saw tonight.

Trust me, I wouldn't lie to ya ...

Hope tonight's scrimmage doesn't alter your perspective too much, the Wildcats rolled 42-14 tonight over Cookeville.

He is not playing football this year.

I noticed it and expected a little more fireworks to be honest. I know if I had put that box on my sports pages, I would probably be sending out resumes.

As serious as Oak Ridge fans are about their football, it amazed me that there hasn't been an outcry about the Murphy Fair preview of this year's Wildcats. I noticed it immediately, but didn't say a word because I just knew the rabid Wildcat nation would explode. In the box giving a brief recap of the team, it made Oak Ridge look a bit weak when it comes to their playoff history. This is directly from that box: "LAST TIME IN PLAYOFFS: 2003-lost in first round to Jefferson Co., 19-7. PLAYOFF RECORD: 2-7. BEST YEAR: 1999, 2001-second round losses each year." Huh? How could one of the top teams in football history, carrying enough pride on their sleeves to choke a 500-pound gorilla, get that kind of screwed-up playoff history account? I know I am kinda new around here, but I am pretty sure the Wildcats are better than 2-7 all-time in the playoffs. I am also sure that their best year was not 2003, since they have seven recognized TSSAA championships and one Litkus National Championship. Anywho, since none of you Wildcat faithful wanted to express your concern over that, thought I would stir the proverbial pot. On a positive note, I think it is quite wonderful that Murphy allows booster clubs to sell his book for such a nice profit. I know Oak Ridge has done well their sells and every bit helps when funding a program.

Anyone that thinks Alcoa dominated Oak Ridge, wasn't there. If anyone thinks OR will go to the spread and toss the ball around in the second series of a regular-season game, they are smoking something they shouldn't. No matter how many "DI players" Alcoa has, if OR has their full compliment of players they would wear them down in the fourth quarter of a regular-season game and win. But that's just my observation.

Oak Ridge made tremendous strides in a few departments, but the main one was maintaining some intensity. There were some nice hits by both teams with neither backing down. Warren should have made a move instead of trying to roll over little Revel, who popped the ball out by standing his ground. Both teams had scoring chances, but turnovers killed them. Alcoa has a tremendous looking team athletically. I was very impressed with how much Lindsay has improved as a running back since the last time I saw him play, which was two years ago. I always thought him a better linebacker, but in this particular scrimmage he was a much more effective runner than defender. After a little mishap, Gulmire didn't get a snap, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the OR running game is going to be very potent by the time the season rolls around. After OR's first series, they started tinkering with some new things, including four wides, the shotgun, etc. Running backs helping on pass protection, especially when Alcoa blitzed, is a major concern in my book. Thankfully there is time to work on it. The secondary played outstanding, especially J.J. Wells early. Danny Parris returned a long INT, which was indeed called back. Alcoa got OR on a couple of reverses and draws, other than that, the OR defense was pretty solid. I would think it's something to build on for both teams. OR wants to get better each time out. I think that was accomplished tonight.

Upsetting T Trent is not a good thing ... whew. I found out today and man did I deserve it.

"The Tank" would love to have something in tomorrow's issue. He would also love to have some folks go on the record and call him as early as possible with some info and nice quotes about the legitimate concern. I will also contact Carringer in the AM to get his take on the situation. I am concerned about a photo, however. Running black and white during the week ... and trying to show the brown may not be as mentally effective as I would like. I have seen Blankenship Field - it's not what you would expect from a program like Oak Ridge. With all of that said, I do in fact think we need to get something in the sports pages about the field conditions. I just want to make sure I get both sides of things and without something other than posts from those equally concerned, the article may not be very strong.

Whew, was without power until around 3 a.m. last night. After a slow first series, Quarles and his plug-and-play system were sure impressive. Oak Ridge stopped the young Rebels on the first 10 plays rather easy. The Wildcats moved the ball down the field, but a fumble on play 8 or so ended their threat. The next few series were simply a domination by the Rebels. They played much better and were the better team, no question about it. They reeled off four scores, before Oak Ridge could answer late in the action as younger players were playing for both teams. The part that really shocks me is the play of Oak Ridge's secondary. I really thought, with all of them returning from last year, they would be a team strength. I find myself scratching my head when I watch them now, wondering what has happened. Due to sun location, I walked the Maryville sidelines and took photos and really wanted to say what a classy program they have. Never heard a bit of trash talking, the players seemed to really be in tune with the game and respectful of Oak Ridge. Before people start trying to send a U-haul to Stanton Stevens house, I actually came out feeling better about the Wildcats than when the scrimmage started. I thought some players looked really good and while Spencer Gulmire was hurt, they decided to let him play a little and he ran the ball well. Some others looked good as well, but it was the first live action with their new system in place and it's not like it was against 'easy' competition. Oak Ridge will be the kind of team that will make progress week-to-week. I have seen the trend before and thankfully, their schedule looks like the kind that will accomodate a team learning new things. Now, if we can just keep folks from hitting the panic button too soon, everything will be OK.

Now he said those without a successful background in sports ... I was all-county in hoops! hehe. And besides BBall, weren't you the one that said the Seminole verbal wouldn't stand a chance of playing there?

I will never be a rich man, but I thank God every night that I have spent the last 15 years covering athletes in east Tennessee. I appreciate the kind words ... really glad I sic'ed Tatia on those whatever happened to stories. If you have any you want us to do, let us know.

Couldn't agree with ya more. thumb

Now we know people who are on that little ol TV show don't know much about sports. Haven't you appeared a few times? And if I ever said an outstanding team like Alcoa never had a chance ... you should throw me off. They have an awful special group of athletes over there right now and with Oak Ridge not winning the passing league, the Tornados are probably favored to win by at least 8 touchdowns.

I think disrespecting the man hired to lead the young men on Friday night ... is every bit as sad as disrespecting any player - which Goose has never done. You have disrespected that certain head coach several times ... although it slowed down a bit when he found out who you were.

It was confirmed at tonight's Oak Ridge practice, that the Wildcats will play Alcoa next Tuesday in scrimmage action. It is tenatively set for 5 p.m. Tuesday at Ben Martin.

Or maybe he is just wanting opposing coaches to think about having to stop the pass? Let's be honest ... do you think Spencer Gulmire will not be the center of the offense?

Doesn't Coalfield owe Clinton a few players? Or at least a couple of first-round draft picks.