It was another red letter week for those of us comprising the most prolific roundtable in the Milky Way, all while the Great & Powerful one was in the process of spending more money in three days than I have in three years.
Each week we highlight the best of the best from the Big Orange Roundtable and we had some excellent answers to all of the questions I posed. Thanks to all of the participating sites for making this week’s roundtable a rousing success.
The first question dealt with the possibility of replacing the Great Pumpkin, the Battle Captain or otherwise known as Phil Fulmer.
1. Let’s assume the worst for a moment and say the Vols finish the season 6-6. Does Fulmer survive? If not, whom do you believe would be the best person to fill the head coaching vacancy? Even if you believe Fulmer survives, feel free to offer your thoughts on the Vols next coach.
Lawvol at Gate 21 had an interesting take, saying…
As I previously discussed in Week 2 (Question 3), I believe that Coach Fulmer’s new contract (which includes an automatic extension when he wins 8 games or more), while giving the Great Punkin more job-security on one hand, also sets a quantifiable standard of 8 wins which, if not met, could lead to his firing. It seems to me that it would be next to impossible for Mike Hamilton to keep Fulmer on as head coach if he failed to meet the 8-win mark in a given season. That said, I think Hamilton would do everything in his power to keep Fulmer in his current position at the helm of the Vols’ football program. For the record, at present, I would agree with Hamilton’s desire to retain Fulmer.
Independent of Fulmer’s own merits and accomplishments (which are considerable) — one of the reasons I have always questioned the “Fire-Fulmerites’” cries is that I have never heard any meaningful suggestion as to who would replace him. As I also said in Week 2, I think Fulmer is likely trying to groom Dave Clawson as his replacement down the road, which — depending on how things pan out — may be a great move. All that said, if Fulmer were to either be fired or retire, my short-list of candidates would include the following (in no particular order):
Bob Stoops: I agree with MoonDog that Stoops has an impressive record, despite his habit of losing in the bowl games. My only concern with Stoops is one of persona and style — a little too Spurrier-esque for me, but I could get over that I suppose.
Jim Grobe: I like what Grobe has done at Wake Forest, which is a tough place to win. I would somewhat prefer someone who is likely to stay a little longer — since Grobe appears to be roughly the same age as Fulmer, and probably won’t want to coach into his 60s and 70s.
Brian Kelly: I agree with 3SIB that Kelly could be another good choice in much the same way that Urban Meyer appealed to Florida — an up-and-coming coach on the rise. Of course, the same would be true for Clawson.
Brett Favre: I figure he’s been so dying to get back into someone’s game, why not Tennessee’s? Actually, I think that would be a horrible idea…
This overly short list only goes to show that I am really not sure who Tennessee would tap to take the head job, and only emphasizes why I continue to think that Fulmer is the best coach for Tennessee at present.
The View From The Hill also had a nice read on the matter….
Yes, Fulmer survives and I’m beginning to believe he’s going to end up leaving on his own terms. Granted, 6-6 will cause an uproar and the legions will be restless and calling for his head (as if they weren’t/aren’t already). The only unlikely scenario in which 6-6 get Fulmer fired is if those six losses are all like/worse than the Florida loss last year.
For me, I’m not sure I would have anyone else other than Phil as Tennessee’s coach, probably mostly because I have not really known Tennessee football under anyone else’s leadership other than Fulmer in my 20+ years of existence. So seeing someone else running of the program would and will be honestly slightly odd for me.
Phil still wants at least one more SEC Title and then he’ll ride off into the big orange sunset. He’s been a great representative for this university, and while General Neyland built Tennessee football, Fulmer has had everything to do with the recent success. Whether you want him gone or not, it’s tough to argue with his track record. Sure, you can try and twist numbers – especially in recent years – to use against him, but he wins, and does so without coming across as a tool like some other SEC coaches (our rivals would obviously say otherwise).
The only beef I have with Coach is the drought. I don’t care if we backed into the SECCG at 8-4 this year, if we won it I would be ecstatic. Like last year, if we had only finished LSU off, the painful effects of watching us get killed by Florida and Alabama would have been completely erased with a ’ship.
As for replacements, I had my candidates after the Gainesville trip last year. Ultimately I think Tennessee’s next head coach will be Dave Clawson, unless his offense is a complete and total bust (my bet is that it won’t be). My choice at that time was probably USF’s Jim Leavitt with what’s he done building that program and his connections to Florida.
I’m also going to steal a choice from the host’s response and say former Auburn/current Texas DC Will Muschamp. Except I’m going to use You Tube to point out why…his obvious fire and passion for strong, fast, hit-you-in-the-mouth defense, not to mention he stopped Tebow last year (language warning!)…
Our second question asked each site to offer their thoughts and show off their problem resolution skills.
2. With the off-field troubles many college football programs have encountered over the past five years, including Tennessee, what actions would you take to prevent players from getting into undesirable situations?
Joel at Rocky Top Talk had this to say…
There’s not much you can do other than tell them what to do and what not to do and reward and punish them accordingly. As far as telling them what to do, they need to know that the more you flirt with trouble, the closer you get to it, the more likely you are to find it. When the sun goes down, trouble comes up, so stay inside and go to bed. Don’t go to clubs where drunk guys think they can impress their dates by provoking football players. Don’t be alone with chicks you don’t know yet. Better yet, don’t be alone with them anyway. Don’t drink and don’t even try drugs. There are plenty of other ways to have fun. Celebrating a national championship is one.
Prudish? Yes. Would following that advice keep one out of trouble? Yes. Is it practical to impose such restrictions on college football stars? That would be no.
Sometimes the adults have to crack down on the kids for their own safety and for the integrity of the program, but often, they just need to learn from the pain they cause themselves. It’s better for the team if players’ peers recognize problems and address them themselves. Leaders emerge. Chemistry develops. It’s a much stronger and longer lasting fix than having the authorities threatening the players at every turn. Dictatorships are often strong in the short term, but they always fall eventually, and a carefully cultivated force of volunteers will always triumph in the end.
I think that’s what Fulmer was doing in the spring, hoping that the team leaders would put a stop to the nonsense, because he knew that it would be much more effective and better for the team in the long run. It’s risky. In 2005, nobody led and Fulmer waited too long, and the whole thing just got way out of hand. This year, though, (so far) it’s turned out well.
What would I do? Probably the same thing The Papa’s doing. Teach and talk and train and explain and expect some of them not to listen, to insist on learning from their own painful consequences. Impose punishment when someone goes over the line. But as far as group dynamics goes, it’s better if they learn to control themselves rather than relying on someone else to motivate them toward integrity.
LawVol had a very definitive response, one that I strongly agree with…
There are a lot of college students that have done some things that are probably prosecutable if the law caught them. This is true regardless of whether they are athletes or not. So, on one hand I generally think that miscellaneous bad behavior shouldn’t automatically lead to dismissal from the team. Being given the opportunity to play at the college level, however, gives great rewards to the players. Along with those rewards comes increased responsibility — due to the fact that those athletes are on the front-porch of the university. Finally, I believe that true “criminal” behavior should be dealt with swiftly and strongly.
Bearing all of this in mind, my thoughts are that there should only be three rules of increasing severity — built on the concept that a team lives and dies as a group — for any team, which should be enforced without exception:
Rule 1: Never do anything that will embarrass yourself. — In this case I would lump things like not going to class, bad discipline in practices, being late to practices, and potentially recklessness in a game (such as unwarranted personal fouls), etc. The penalty for infractions would be that the player is publicly reprimanded in very plain and unfiltered terms before his teammates, and the entire team runs or does some other unpleasant drill as a result of the infraction by one of its members.
Rule 2: Never do anything that will embarrass your team. – This would include general bad behavior that falls under Rule 1, if it is repeated. In other words, repeat offenses of a Rule 1 violation calls into question the cohesiveness of the team, and thus reflects on the team. This would also include any “minor” entanglements with the local constabulary such as: drunk and disorderly, speeding, underage consumption, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, etc. — essentially anything which doesn’t involve fundamental dishonesty and/or risk to the physical well-being of others. The penalty for infractions would be a mandatory one-game suspension, being reprimanded openly in front of teammates, all members of the player’s squad losing privileges, the entire team doing twice as many laps or drills as for a Rule 1 violation, and the team captains being required to do an even greater penance — along with the offender. The offender would also be required to make some sort of public apology or public sign of remorse along with some goodwill public service (i.e. visiting the childrens ward at the hospital, raking leaves for the infirm, etc.).
Rule 3: Never do anything that will embarrass your university, its staff, students, and alumni. – This would be the most serious violation. This would include any real criminal behavior such as a felony. The immediate response would be an investigation by the coaching staff. If it appeared that the offender was not guilty of the charges, then the player would be suspended for the remainder of the season until cleared by law enforcement officials or the Courts, with the assumption that the player will be dismissed if not cleared. During that time, the offender would essentially serve as the lowest-level trainer and would be given the worst jobs associated with a football team. If the staff determined that the player was likely guilty, then the player would be immediately dismissed from the team, and a public statement issued explaining why. Regardless of the guilt or innocence of the offender, the entire team would have a major privilege suspended for at least half of the season. The members of the offender’s squad and the team captains would be treated as if each of them had violated Rule 1 by not taking adequate steps to prevent the offense or hold their teammate accountable. Again, the whole team would also be required to perform additional drills.
The goal of this system would be to instill mutual responsibility among team members and to emphasize that when one falls short, all fall short. I am responsible for my brother and my brother is responsible for me. No coaching staff can ever police or monitor players at all times — no matter how vigilant. When properly channeled, peer pressure can be a beautiful thing, and is the sort of thing which goes with a player everywhere he goes. This system is also meant to emphasize that, when you are in a position of honor (being a member of the team) then sometimes guilt by association is all that is required to warrant a penalty — it simply comes with the territory.
Our third question amounted to knowing whether we had stones, or do we enjoy kissing our sister.
3. The Vols have rolled through UCLA, UAB, Florida, Auburn, Northern Illinois and Georgia. We’re No. 3 in the polls and up next is Alabama. With 3:16 left in the 4th quarter the Vols are down 20-17 and it’s 4th and one from their 29-yard line. Do you kick the field goal or go for it?
Jon at Fulmer’s Belly offers his thoughts…
This question is loaded with no answer to many variables. Have we had any success running the ball? How’s the weather? Is it windy? Rainy? We know Daniel Lincoln can hit it, he’s been clutch in similar situations (see SCar last year).
Ultimately, I just don’t trust the defense in key situations. See UGA 2001, and like every game against LSU. The best bet here is to go for it, get the clock down, and hit the field goal later if needed. If we can’t make 1 yard in that situation on a fake hand off bootleg (which always works, by the way, although no one ever uses it), then next week, they shouldn’t be allowed to play with the T on their helmet.
Jai (Vols, Bitch) at Losers with Socks had a great take on the subject as well…
On that third Saturday in October, a victory will be forever woven into the fantastic tapestry of Tennessee football. Here is what I would do if I was the Battle Captain. I would lean (he ain’t heavy) on the Ghosts of Tennessee Football past, bank on glory and go for the first down. Second, I know that Arian Foster’s fumbling ass would be standing next to me on the sideline, not carrying the ball. Lets face some facts, sometimes a person just has a lot of trouble either catching, or maintaining possession of an item. I think it it would be a temporary paralysis, like getting bit by tarantula. Dropping things like a pigskin, football, dinner plates, drinks or the “rock”. When my beloved Vols are driving or need that tough yard, putting the ball on the ground or shot putting the ball into the stands just won’t work. Hence why Foster should not carry the ball when the game is on the line.
Our fourth question asked if Stan Drayton would have any impact as the Vols prepare to play the GAYtors.
4. What impact, if any, do you believe Stan Drayton will have as the Vols prepare to play Florida?
CincyVol at Third Saturday in Blogtober had a good take on the matter…
I think Stan Drayton will have a good amount of impact on how the Vols handle Florida. He knows their sets and plays they can run, but I don’t know how much that can help the defense come game time. I do know that he wants to beat Florida very badly. I think that will have more impact than his overall knowledge of what they run. Foster has gone on record saying Drayton is a “hard headed guy” which makes you believe he’s going to really let the guys know how much he wants to win that game. The amount of preparation and how far he pushing the guys that week will really help with the outcome more than because he knows their offense. I think that will be his week to shine, as far as motivation and getting the players really into it, although I don’t know how much our players really need motivation to get up and play Florida. Drayton was a solid pickup for us, and I’ll be looking more towards what he’ll do for us this season than what he’ll be able to do against Florida.
Thomas at Your Mother Slept with Wilt Chamberlain was succinct…
Honestly not much. It’s a completely different system the Gaytors have and completely different athletes. I do believe we will attempt to cram the ball down their throats though. I’m sure of that.
Our last question asked everyone’s opinions on the Vols special teams.
5. We’ve discussed the Vols offense and defense, but what about special teams? Give us your thoughts on Tennessee’s kicking game and special teams in general.
Will at Southeastern Sports Blog had an honest and detailed response…
I had a lot of faith in Daniel Lincoln, felt he had the arrogance you needed from your kicker and he was backing it up. Then he went to the SEC Championship Game and lost that faith by missing two kicks, including one that should’ve been automatic. So he still can be good enough to be a real asset for the Vols, but that big-game consistency is going to need to be seen to be believed again.
I’m not worried about Chad Cunningham unless he does something incredibly stupid. You think back to David Leaverton at UCLA or young Britton in Gainesville ’05, and there’s proof that you don’t have to have just a lower punting average to really hurt the ball club. That said, I think Chad will handle the pressure fine and won’t kill us.
Special teams as a whole were a significant contributor to the 2005 debacle, and kick returns against the Vols have been more frequent in the last three years no doubt. So whether the solution is to put better players out there or for the coverage team to simply make the plays they’re supposed to make…the Vols have room for improvement.
However, Dennis Rogan is the most exciting and dangerous return threat we’ve had since Terry Fair, and has plenty of time left to get into a class of his own by the time he’s done. The Vols have a chance to make “putting the special in special teams” an exciting factor instead of a bad joke.
There you have it ladies and gentlemen, another stellar week in Big Orange country. It’s 0500, I’m exhausted and I’m about $5,000 poorer than I was 72 hours ago. I don’t know who will host the roundtable next week, but I’m confident they will do a splendid job.
Thanks again to all of the participating sites.
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