Friday, March 31, 2006

  Pearl on CBS crew covering Final Four
Pearl on CBS crew covering Final Four - Friday, 03/31/06
  Fulmer allows Ash to return
Fulmer allows Ash to return - Friday, 03/31/06: "Ash, a lineman, returned to practice yesterday after being dismissed from the team last Nov. 17 for a violation of team rules. "
  Donor $ and RV lots
newsobserver.com | Sports: "VOLS PLANS RV LOT FOR FANS: Tennessee plans to provide well-heeled Volunteers football fans with a donor-funded. $600,000, 50-space parking lot for recreational vehicles on game days."
  Sports Soundoff
Sports Soundoff: Funny article from Alabama.... "Isn't it funny how Tennessee and Auburn fans are calling about how many times they did this or how many times they did that against Alabama? They say Alabama fans live in the past, but all I see is Tennessee talking about the past and Auburn talking about the past. In the past 20 years, let's see how many SEC titles and national championships these teams have. Editor's note: Since 1985, Tennessee has won or shared five SEC titles, Auburn has four and Alabama three. Alabama and Tennessee have one national title each in that time period."
  Asumnu makes transition to gridiron
thedailytimes.com - Asumnu makes transition to gridiron: "The senior Vol basketball player is now working out with the Tennessee football team. Asumnu, who just finished his basketball eligibility two weeks ago in the NCAA tournament, will have one year to compete under NCAA guidelines."

Thursday, March 30, 2006

  Toeaina sheds big frame but not big dreams
Toeaina sheds big frame but not big dreams - Thursday, 03/30/06: "“I was getting a lot of feedback from NFL scouts, who were saying that I would never get my weight down because I wasn’t disciplined enough,” said Toeaina, who’s reshaped his body and is now down to 329. “I just wanted to show them. I had a lot to prove.”

And still does.

The enigmatic Toeaina came to Tennessee with a big reputation and even bigger frame. He was a 6-foot-6, 365-pound behemoth that was supposed to dominate from day one.

Rated as the country’s top junior college offensive line prospect, Toeaina had his moments.
"
  Colleges play, public pays
Colleges play, public pays | IndyStar.com: "The top spenders in football recruiting: Tennessee ($837,000), Georgia Tech ($618,437) and Nebraska ($525,337)."
  WRs boost stock - Vols Pro Day II
Scout.com: WRs boost stock: "Pro football is all about speed, and two former University of Tennessee receivers boosted their market value with NFL scouts by posting good 40-yard dash clockings during Wednesday’s Pro Timing Day at the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center."

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Vol ball gets complete makeover - Wednesday, 03/29/06
Vol ball gets complete makeover - Wednesday, 03/29/06: "KNOXVILLE — It's the catchphrase being thrown around Tennessee football practices almost as frequently as last year's 5-6 record.

Fast-break offense.

Thanks to new offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, it's being said by everyone involved with the Vols' offense, from quarterback Erik Ainge to receiver Robert Meachem and the entire offensive line."
  Cutcliffe leads quaterback Ainge in developing tempo
thedailytimes.com - Cutcliffe leads quaterback Ainge in developing tempo

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

  Follow the trail to Neyland Stadium
thedailytimes.com - Follow the trail to Neyland Stadium - By Haywood Harris: "If you're looking for clues that suggest Tennessee will rectify last season's football problems, a visit to Neyland Stadium for the Orange and White game a week from Saturday would appear to be in order.

Thinking back to last April, there were indications -- pretty much disregarded -- that difficult times could lie ahead for Phillip Fulmer's squad, despite what eventually turned out to be overly optimistic expectations."
  Map Game Day, Your Way
MapGameDay.com - Map Game Day, Your Way
Good site that has satellite maps of college football venues

Monday, March 27, 2006

  Manning Bowl opens NBCs first Sunday night matchup
Ben Roethlisberger, Daunte Culpepper, Eli Manning, National Football League - CBS SportsLine.com: "NBC's first Sunday night matchup will be a brotherly quarterback feud between the Mannings as Peyton brings his Indianapolis Colts to the Meadowlands to play Eli and the Giants at 8:15 p.m. EST."
  Parker, Zolman carry Lady Vols
Parker, Zolman carry Lady Vols - Monday, 03/27/06
  Snap judgment
Scout.com: Snap judgment: "Offensive football was an unqualified disaster for the 2005 Tennessee Vols except for one area – place-kicking – and that could be a concern heading into the 2006 season."

Friday, March 24, 2006

  UT Announces Plans For Orange And White Football Game - Sports - Chattanoogan.com
3/24/2006 - UT Announces Plans For Orange And White Football Game - Sports - Chattanoogan.com: "KNOXVILLE -- The 2006 Edamerica Orange and White Game is slated for Saturday, April 8, and plans are underway to create a day the entire family can enjoy.

The day begins with Fans Day at Thompson-Boling Arena, including an autograph session with the team on the arena floor from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The first 7,500 fans receive a free fan pack."

Edamerica Orange and White Game???????
  ESPN'S Colin Cowherd steals material from blogger
Michigan Football Forum: ESPN'S Colin Cowherd "Borrows" M Zone Material

Coliln Cowherd from ESPN radio completely stole a bit he used on his show from Michigan Bloggers at MZone. He gave them no credit whatsoever. They called him out on it and this was his response.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

  QB outlook
Scout.com: QB outlook: "After watching Tennessee’s first full-scale scrimmage of the spring, offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe felt a little better about the quarterback position than he did beforehand. Ainge was 14 of 23 for 178 yards and a touchdown. Crompton was 10 of 16 for 106 yards and three TDs. Hardegree was 13 of 19 for 87 yards and a score. All told, the three combined to complete 37 of 58 passes for 371 yards and 5 TDs with ZERO interceptions."
  A Basketball Tradition? Is Bruce Pearl the guy? Maybe so. UT’s betting he is
:: Metro Pulse Online ::: "Pearl took his first-year team to the SEC East title and the NCAA tournament, where the Vols were accorded a No. 2 seed. Though they lost their second game in the tourney, the fans stayed behind them, praising their accomplishments rather than dwelling on their loss, and taking a wait-’til-next-year approach that hasn’t been evident around UT basketball for decades."

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

  Make the quick fix or risk a quick fall
SportingNews.com - College Football - Make the quick fix or risk a quick fall: "Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee. The '05 Vols were the biggest underachievers of the past two decades. So Fulmer, like Coker and Franchione, retooled his staff and started over this spring. The only difference: He brought former offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe back into the fold instead of searching for new ideas.

Then again, when Cutcliffe had the Tennessee offense rolling in the 1990s, it didn't matter that everyone in the stadium knew what it was doing. This, though, will be Cutcliffe's biggest test. He must rebuild quarterback Erik Ainge's confidence and give the offense an identity again -- something it hasn't had since 2001. And he has to do it fast.

Boosters -- and eventually administrators -- get antsy when change doesn't result in change.

When a quick fix doesn't translate to a quick fix."
  Ainge hoping to regain glitter in spring drills
Ainge hoping to regain glitter in spring drills
  Split personality
Scout.com: Split personality: "Tennessee’s offensive football team spent the entire 2005 season looking for its personality … only to discover that it had none."

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

  ESPN.com - NFL - Phat Cat: Jags give Henderson six-year extension
ESPN.com - NFL - Phat Cat: Jags give Henderson six-year extension: News of former Vol John Henderson
"JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Defensive tackle John Henderson signed a six-year contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday, locking up another cornerstone of one of the team's defenses."
  2006 Recruit
Scout.com: Super Sawtelle Talks Recruiting: "Darris Sawtelle, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound, offensive tackle, from Brother Rice high in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., will be one of the most sought after prospects in the Midwest in 2006.

“Right now I have scholarship offers from Tennessee, Michigan, Michigan State, Toledo, Nebraska and Arizona State.” Darris Sawtelle said.

“I grew up a fan of Tennessee for family reasons. My grandfather, Darris McCord played for the Vols and he went on to have a 13 year career with the Detroit Lions. "
  Slow Day
Slow Day....open thread. Who must have a good Spring Practice? How will the Basketball team do next year? Who does well in the NFL Draft?

Monday, March 20, 2006

  RIP Smokey VIII
ESPN.com - NCF - Smokey VIII, Vols football's most victorious mascot, dies

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Smokey VIII, the bluetick coonhound mascot with the most victories in Tennessee football history, died Friday from complications from high blood pressure and kidney disease, university officials said.

via -EDSBS
  UT wilts under pressure
UT wilts under pressure - Sunday, 03/19/06: "GREENSBORO, N.C. — In a season that was magical at times, Tennessee's basketball team will be left with four or five minutes that it would like to forget."
  Parker slams into history
Parker slams into history - Monday, 03/20/06: "Dunks are first ones for NCAA tourney"

Friday, March 17, 2006

  Close first-round win can be springboard for high seeds - Friday March 17, 2006 5:04AM
SI.com - Writers - Stewart Mandel: Close first-round win can be springboard for high seeds - Friday March 17, 2006 5:04AM: "Close early victory can be springboard for high seeds"
  Lofton lofts in winner
Lofton lofts in winner - Friday, 03/17/06: "GREENSBORO, N.C. — Chris Lofton's one shining moment yesterday was all Tennessee needed.

After struggling through a nightmarish shooting game, Lofton buried a fall-away jumper from the corner with 0.4 seconds remaining, as Tennessee lived to see another day in the NCAA Tournament with a 63-61 first-round victory over Winthrop before 22,073 at the Greensboro Coliseum."
  Defense dominates
Scout.com: Defense dominates: "Tennessee reached the unofficial halfway point of its 2006 spring practice schedule Thursday after an extended workout at Haslam Field."
  Vol trainer resigns
Scout.com: Vol trainer resigns: "Tennessee Head Athletic Trainer Keith Clements made it official Thursday, announcing he has resigned to accept a medical sales position in the Knoxville area. His resignation from UT is effective April 10."

Thursday, March 16, 2006

  Victory
Vols win 63 -61 in final seconds
  Vols out to prove critics wrong
Vols out to prove critics wrong - Thursday, 03/16/06: "UT looks to show doubters they deserve No. 2 seeding"
  Pearl's shining achievement
USATODAY.com - Pearl's shining achievement: "We have a lot of pressure'

Now there are questions of whether Tennessee's relentless effort, created by a team of just 10 scholarship players, has come at a price. 'We know we have a lot of pressure being the two seed,' senior guard C.J. Watson said, 'especially with us not playing great down the stretch.'"
  Vols football: Allen back on road to NFL
Jackson Sun - www.jacksonsun.com - Jackson, TN: "KNOXVILLE - Former Tennessee defensive back Jason Allen believes he has a chance to be a first-round draft pick, as predicted before a hip injury prematurely ended his senior year.

Allen and several other former players, including running back Gerald Riggs, defensive ends Parys Haralson and Jason Hall and offensive guard Rob Smith, worked out in front of NFL scouts at the university on Wednesday hoping to improve their stock before the draft on April 29."

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  UT success will depend on Lofton
UT success will depend on Lofton - Wednesday, 03/15/06
  AP names Pearl SEC coach of the year
AP names Pearl SEC coach of the year - Wednesday, 03/15/06: "Lofton voted first-team All-SEC"
  Fulmer's fuming
Scout.com: Fulmer's fuming: "Tennessee football’s 2005 signing class was ranked No. 1 but this spring – pardon the potty humor – it’s playing more like No. 2.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer suggested as much following Tuesday’s practice at Haslam Field, singling out defensive tackle Demonte Bolden as one of the heralded ’05 recruits who has not lived up to his press clippings.

“Demonte Bolden was terrible in the last scrimmage,” Fulmer said, referring to last Saturday’s workout at Neyland Stadium. “He watched the film and was shocked. He came out here today and did the little things to try to get better.”

The head coach believes his 2005 signing class has plenty of talent. What it lacks is consistency. That had the low-key Fulmer unusually animated on Tuesday evening."

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

  BRUCE PEARL NAMED SPORTING NEWS COACH OF THE YEAR :: Chris Lofton named Second Team All-America
BRUCE PEARL NAMED SPORTING NEWS COACH OF THE YEAR
"Chris Lofton named Second Team All-America"
  Summitt says No. 2 seed a 'slap in the face' for UT
Summitt says No. 2 seed a 'slap in the face' for UT - Tuesday, 03/14/06

Monday, March 13, 2006

  UT won't second-guess
UT won't second-guess - Monday, 03/13/06: "Nobody — not even Coach Bruce Pearl — was expecting a seed that high. But nobody was apologizing afterward, either.

'I think we were rewarded for our entire body of work and going out and playing teams nobody else wanted to play,' said Pearl, whose club had key road wins at Texas, Florida and Kentucky, but wound up losing four of its last six games."
  For now, we live in a hoops state
For now, we live in a hoops state - Monday, 03/13/06: "Who knew we lived in such a state of college basketball grace?

Memphis is a No. 1 seed.

Tennessee is a No. 2 seed.

Belmont, even as a No. 15 seed, is rubbing elbow pads with greatness."

Sunday, March 12, 2006

  UT Vols get welcome surprise with No. 2 seed for NCAAs
UT Vols get welcome surprise with No. 2 seed for NCAAs - Sunday, 03/12/06: "KNOXVILLE – Tennessee’s basketball team received its highest seed in school history today and will head to the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Washington, D.C. Regional."

Friday, March 10, 2006

  Former Vol Leonard Scott wins World Title in track
IAAF International Association of Athletics Federations - World Indoor Championships 2006 - News: "Less than a half hour after winning the World title in the 60m, Leonard Scott was understandably beaming."
  Brown key to tight end turnaround
thedailytimes.com - Brown key to tight end turnaround: "Luke -- who took over coaching tight ends after Greg Adkins moved to offensive line duties -- has a unique task for the coming season. In the great lore of Vol football, the tight end is a rarely-mentioned hero.

Last season was no exception. Brown finished as the only Tennessee tight end to register a catch -- finishing with 14 grabs for 141 yards. The unit's faltering production and apparent lack of faith from the staff caused Vol head coach Phillip Fulmer to actively recruit the position in the offseason."
  Volunteers hope to reverse tournament fortunes beginning today
View from Rocky Top » Volunteers hope to reverse tournament fortunes beginning today: "The Tennessee Volunteer basketball team begins tournament play today, taking on South Carolina in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals at 1:00 EST"
  VOLS HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH MOVEMENT :: Sears Among Early Lombardi Award Candidates
VOLS HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH MOVEMENT :: Sears Among Early Lombardi Award Candidates:
Tennessee senior offensive tackle Arron Sears has been named one of 44 players making up the preliminary Watch List for the 37th Rotary Lombardi Award"
  Lofton aims to shoot Vols deep into tourney
TSN: Lofton aims to shoot Vols deep into tourney - College Basketball: "'You have to put Chris Lofton in the class of J.J. Redick with the way he's shooting the ball,' Alabama coach Mark Gottfried says."

Thursday, March 09, 2006

  Vols' receivers have 'clean slate'
Vols' receivers have 'clean slate': "KNOXVILLE - With a new coach comes a new start.

That's the mind-set Trooper Taylor has this spring as he takes over as position coach for Tennessee's wide receivers.

'I think they feel like their slate is clean,' Taylor said. 'We're gonna start from ground zero, and we're gonna work from there.'"
  Pearl re-signs with UT through 2012
Pearl re-signs with UT through 2012 - Thursday, 03/09/06: "Tennessee rewarded first-year Coach Bruce Pearl with a raise that pushes his annual salary to $1.1 million and extends his contract by two years through 2012, officials announced yesterday."
  McClendon eligibility restored
Buzzfans.com - sports: "COLLEGE FOOTBALL -- Officials have restored eligibility for Tennessee football signee Jacques McClendon after he and his mother repaid the cost of tickets to a Lady Vols basketball game that were deemed an illegal benefit.

McClendon, a star offensive lineman from Baylor School in Chattanooga, was temporarily declared ineligible after the university reported the secondary violation to the Southeastern Conference.

As expected, league officials accepted the punishments, and McClendon's eligibility was restored after he and his mother, Stephanie McClendon, paid $74 -- the cost of two tickets and two meals at the Tennessee women's basketball game in February given to them by a booster, athletic department spokeswoman Tiffany Carpenter said."

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

  College Football's Most Hated :
Poll: College Football's Most Hated : Fanblogs College Football Blog:

Fanblogs has a list of College Football's most hated Coaches and Broadcasters. Currently Spurrier is #1 and Fulmer is #2.

Vote Here
  Offense's new attitude has Vols QBs smiling
Offense's new attitude has Vols QBs smiling - Wednesday, 03/08/06: "The junior quarterback knows Tennessee's offense is nowhere near where it needs to be. Neither is he, for that matter.
But there's a noticeable difference that seems to have Ainge smiling more this spring than he did for much of last season.

'I think one of the biggest things right now is our offense is having fun again,' Ainge said.
… There's a sense of urgency and a new tempo about practice and about the way we do things that's kind of making it more fun for us on offense.'"
  Bruce is my Homeboy

eBay: Large Bruce is My Homeboy T-Shirt (item 8769565177 end time Mar-22-06 16:38:41 PST)
Funny Bruce Pearl T-Shirt

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

  PAUL FINEBAUM: THE EDSBS INTERVIEW
PAUL FINEBAUM: THE EDSBS INTERVIEW: "This isn’t a friend of mine I’m trying to elevate here. Don’t count Phillip Fulmer out. I’m amazed at how quick fans turned on him. We were talking about coaching combinations the other day. Somebody called in, and I said that Tennessee may have one of the best basketball/football combinations around. The caller asked, “You’d take Phillip Fulmer and Bruce Pearl over Mike Shula and Mark Gottfried?” I said, “Yeeeeeah?” And he answered, “Did you see what happened last season?” And that’s kind of the world we live in. You forget that the guy has one of the best resumes in college football coaching history. You saw that on the recruiting trail. Players can’t see past that, and in the fishbowl of Knoxville another year like that and he’s done."
  What’s wrong with this picture?
Tennessee Basketblog » What’s wrong with this picture?: "The Associated Press has Tennessee ranked 14th this week. That’s down from 11th last week.

But what’s with the ESPN-USA Today coaches poll? It has Florida ranked at 14th, ahead of Tennessee at 15th place."
  Vols count on Cutcliffe to cure offensive woes
ESPN.com - NCF - Maisel: Tennessee goes back to get to the future: "KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- What I Did On Winter Vacation, by Phillip Fulmer.

Don't ask.

The End."

Monday, March 06, 2006

  Special team's changes
Scout.com: Special team's changes: "A wise man once said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” He should’ve added: “If it IS broke, try anything.”

That’s the situation facing Tennessee football’s special teams. It isn’t just broke; it’s shattered."

Sunday, March 05, 2006

  VOLS MAKING TEAM UNITY A SPRING PRIORITY

VOLS MAKING TEAM UNITY A SPRING PRIORITY :: The Vols return to the practice field next week for Tuesday and Thursday sessions: "'One-on-one doesn't win,' he said. 'Football is a team sport and I think we learned a great lesson about living on your past laurels or looking past the time you are here. It's about the team and being a part of the team, having a chance to be around special people and having a special event happen to you while you're here.

'You're only as good as the guy lined up next to you or behind you or in front of you. That's the essence of what this team should be about.'

The Vols return to the practice field next week for Tuesday and Thursday sessions before staging their first spring scrimmage Saturday, March 11."

Friday, March 03, 2006

  Quarterback questions persist as Vols enter spring - Friday March 3, 2006 1:57AM
SI.com - NCAA Football - Quarterback questions persist as Vols enter spring - Friday March 3, 2006 1:57AM: "KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Tennessee Volunteers, coming off a disastrous 5-6 season, had a familiar question to answer as spring practice began Thursday.

Who is the starting quarterback?"

Thursday, March 02, 2006

  LOFTON SETS 3-POINTERS RECORD AS VOLS FALL TO KENTUCKY, 80-78 :: Chris Lofton breaks Allan Houston's single-season 3-pointers record with 101
LOFTON SETS 3-POINTERS RECORD AS VOLS FALL TO KENTUCKY, 80-78 :: Chris Lofton breaks Allan Houston's single-season 3-pointers record with 101

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

  Vols lose defensive back
WBIR.COM - Vols lose defensive back: "Rising senior Corey Campbell has left the Tennessee Vols football team in search of more playing time.

Campbell will transfer to a school closer to his home in Spring, Texas, and have one year of eligibility remaining."
  Vols football: Fulmer: 'There is a sense of anxiety'
Jackson Sun - www.jacksonsun.com - Jackson, TN: "KNOXVILLE - Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer spent a long offseason watching video of his team's disastrous 5-6 season.

No wonder he's eager for spring practice to begin this week.

'There is a sense of anxiety to hurry up and get started and get back on track,' Fulmer said in an interview this week in his office."

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