Crompton Quote Machine, Fulmer’s Buyout

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Since he’s been running his mouth more lately than he has the Tennessee offense, Vols’ quarterback Jonathan Crompton has become the Knoxville media’s go to guy.

Tennessee Vols QB Jonathan Crompton

Yesterday Crompton was asked about the open competition this week between him and backup quarterbacks Nick Stephens and B.J. Coleman to determine the starter against Northern Illinois on Saturday.

Crompton has to this point been the worst quarterback in Volunteers history, completing just 52% of his passes for 648 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

Among the many gems Crompton uttered, this is unquestionably my favorite.

“I knew the second the game was over that I’ve got to go to work and got to get better,” Crompton said. “I’m my own worst critic. I know when I’ve got to get better.”

Let me get this straight. If Crompton knows he needs to improve, why didn’t he do so after the first game against UCLA? For that matter, he should have been striving to improve after every game this season.

That’s what players do – they watch film, identify the problems, work on correcting those issues during practice and hopefully don’t commit the same mistakes in the following week’s game.

Obviously in Crompton’s case, he hasn’t figured out what the problems are. I don’t question his ability or his toughness, and I don’t want to call him mentally incapable because I’ve never met him.

But I am questioning his ability to process information quickly, and any quarterback beyond little league has to do that or he can’t play this game.

Much of the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of offensive coordinator Dave Clawson, who at this point has been a failure.

Clawson hasn’t adjusted his play calling and moved Crompton out of the pocket, giving him more time to read the defense and make an accurate throw. Crompton has proven that he can’t read defenses and make needed adjustments in the pocket.

As of late yesterday, head coach Phil Fulmer announced Crompton and Stephens will see playing time this week against NIU. That may sound like welcome relief to Vol fans, but it doesn’t solve the problem.

If Crompton turns out to be the Vols’ best choice at quarterback, Tennessee is in trouble. After a 1-3 start and a tough schedule remaining, if you think the howling is loud now, wait until Tennessee finishes 4-8.

Fulmer’s Buyout Would Be $6 Million

With calls for Athletic Director Mike Hamilton to fire Fulmer growing by the minute, the university has to consider the financial ramifications such a move would entail.

Tennessee Vols Head Coach Phil Fulmer

As per the details of Fulmer’s contract extension signed earlier this year, his total buyout as of January 1, 2009 would be $6 million, paid over 48 months in equal installments.

The university’s financial obligations wouldn’t end there. The rest of the coaching staff would be entitled to an additional $3.55 million, although that figure could be reduced if those coaches obtain other coaching jobs.

So basic math tells us if the university fired Fulmer and replaced the entire staff, it could potentially cost $9.55 million just to get rid of him.

But that’s not all.

In hiring a new coach and staff, the Vols would surely have to offer at least $2 million to lure an attractive candidate to replace Fulmer. Couple that amount with possibly $1 million or more for assistant coaches, and the university is looking at expenditures of nearly $13 million.

Suffice it to say, the university would rather see Fulmer turn the program around and save the money. But anyone in business knows sometimes you have to take a loss to rid yourself of old inventory, and Fulmer is growing older with each passing day.