Dave Hooker provides us with several podcasts each week. This one is a little over 11 minutes and he interviews QB Jonathan Crompton, WR Gerald Jones, DE Gerald Williams and coaches Latrell Scott and Larry Slade. You can get the link here.
I haven't had a chance to review the podcast you posted, Tom, but I thought I'd make a few remarks on this game. First of all, it's Friday and normally my co-workers would be hating me for blaring Rocky Top over my computer but today I simply don't care. I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm certainly not just a fair weather fan and I will be rooting for the Vols no matter how bad it gets but my enthusiasm is probably at an all time low. I really feel the program is in shambles right now. When you have fans leaving at halftime of any game then you have serious problems. When the players lash out after the game at the fans, you really have problems. This season reminds me of an ugly divorce thus far. What's a football team without its fans? Despite what any player might say, fans are what drives the program. To have an attitude of "we don't care, they never played anyway" is simply acting oblivious to reality. I don't necessarily agree with booing college kids but booing dumb coaching is fine with me when it happens over and over again. The booing, however, isn't what Fulmer should be worried about. For a school that invests 2mil. in recruiting every year, Fulmer needs to be worried about the fans that truly matter in a very real way-the wealthy boosters. When you see stuff like has happened this season, the patience starts to wear a little thin. That said, I believe this game amounts to a "must show up" for the Vols. I say 'must show up' because they didn't seem to bother against Florida. Fulmer and the Vols have to make this one close and I think everyone on that staff knows it. If Auburn shellacks the Vols, I think Fulmer's fate is sealed. Granted, I think he will be allowed to finish the season but even with a turnaround, I think he would have a hard time saving his job. When you consider that the Vols have to travel to UGa in a couple of weeks as well as play a very tough Bama team still yet, the chances of a turnaround aren't real good. All of that said, I think the Vols do keep this one close with inspired defensive play led by Eric Berry who never quit against Florida. Auburn 13 Vols 7
... that is IF Berry gets a pick 6. Against the Auburn defense, our offense will do nothing without a miraculous turn around from what I have seen so far. Prediction: After third interception, Fulmer finally sees the light and has Crompton riding the pine pony. Too little, too late. Auburn already has 21 points by that time off of three short field starts. Auburn 21 Tennessee 7
CRAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP. I would have wagered differently if I had known that Peyton was going to be on the sidelines. Let's see if he can motivate them. Please Peyton. Retire from the NFL and come home to coach the Vols!
Well, at halftime it appears that Peyton as well can't make a difference with Crompton. I think that the pistol range might be calling me... This is pure crap! Thanks Crompton... you're helping me score 15 points in the contest that I would rather lose!
My sentiments exactly, Tom. I'd be even happier if he would just come back and take a few snaps per game. Heck, I would be a better option than what we have right now I believe. At least I'd make sure Foster got the ball on a handoff.
No eligibility left. However I do have. At 50 years old, I couldn't do any worse than Crompton... well maybe I could. But I bet Stephens couldn't do any worse. Give him a chance. This just became a rebuilding year. Let's make the best of it!!!!!!!!!!
The Vols definitely showed up but Auburn was just a smidge too tough at home. I only saw the second half but I thought Tenn played very hard on defense and would have won the game if they could have stopped Auburn on the last first down....which I was sure they could do. The road to the SEC East this year is vastly different for Tenn than last year and a game away at a tougher SEC West opponent plus no Ainge at Qb does seem like it will be the difference maker. Probably could have caught Georgia looking ahead if not for the a** kicking laid on the Dawgs by Bama. The Dawgs will heavily anticipate playing the Vols now for certain. I hope my Gators are more awake now that they have tripped over Ole Miss......again. :shock:
I don't understand the hoopla surrounding Auburn still. My boss and I were messaging back and forth during the game. He wanted to know what I thought of Auburn's QB tandem.. I told him it was like watching your buddy choose between am ugly girl and a ginormous fat girl at last call. Either way, it's just sad and hopefully neither will be there tomorrow. Watching Auburn, I see UCLA but they have (slightly) more depth due to UCLA's incredible string of injuries.. but a good D with ZERO offense. El JOCO sent me a message earlier in the day saying that it is a good thing for Auburn they don't play a team like BYU who would hang a 50 spot on them... I have to agree. It isn't that their defense isn't all-everything... because it is.. but their offense is just garbage. 2 QBs who can't throw, just blah... UT's problems are coaching related, there is no doubt about that... Both JOCO and I discussed that UT is awfully talented and it is hard to imagine them losing the way they do...to the teams they do.I really hope things get better for you Vols fans.. I dont know if you need new assistants (which I would say should be done at a minimum) or if you need to clean out the whole damn closet...
Thanks for trying Dave but the Auburn defense didn't stop anything yesterday. They are just barely better than the Tennessee offense. By the way, I believe there are actually two teams in division 1 with worse offenses. Vandy would have dropped 50 on them. BYU would have had to put the scrubs in at halftime to keep from winning by triple digits. Fulmer and Clawson actually discussed whether they should make a change at QB during the game yesterday. Here is the problem with that. The Tennessee faithful have been begging for that to happen and Fulmer has been against it. If he makes the change now, and offensive production becomes a reality, he is held totally responsible for every game lost this year. Fulmer has gone too far now to allow himself to make a change. He has backed himself into a corner and has not a clue as to how to get out of this situation. Take a look at this site.
Tom, Cheer up. At least you can take comfort in the knowledge that with new coaching comes a chance to jump back up the ladder. I have new coaches, and no hope for at least a couple of years. The guys running the show know what they are doing, but without complete rebuilds of both lines and all LB's we will never get anywhere. I'm sure you know it takes a LONG time to rebuild your lines from scratch... So just remember... there's always somebody who is feeling lower than you. 8)
So Scott you are saying I should enjoy Turkey Day and my A&M nephews might as well just have an extra piece of pie because that's the only joy they'll be getting??
I'd say they better have enjoyed the last two Turkey days, cuz the next few will be ugly. That will be apparent after this coming weekend. I expect to be blown out by at least 40 at OSU... Army was blowing us off the line for gosh sakes!!!
First of all, Tom, let me pay you an apology. I gave you quite a hard time last year for wanting rid of Fulmer. I now see the light at the end of the tunnel and realize that it is a freight train wanting to obliterate the UT football team forever. Muschamp isn't a bad choice. He may actually be the best option available. Do you think he would take the job?
No Aquila... You owe me NOTHING! That was your opinion and you have no need to apologize for your opinion. As for Muschamp, I truly believe he took the job at Texas knowing that it was a better launching pad for better jobs. I believe that a head coaching job is his objective and landing one at a major university in the SEC would be something he couldn't refuse.