Fulmer debate extravaganza (merged)

[Big Orange 1]

Originally Posted by knoxvols1

The NC was luck! Played against low Fla St. team with a third string QB (that was favored to win). So, tell me that's not luck!?!? He won two SEC Championships 97,98 but should have won two more 99 (which was basically same team as 98) and 01. One one NC but should've played in two more (again 99,01). Add in the fact he inherited an already successful program and basically ran it down! Most of those against Fulmer are so because of all the let downs. Include the above plus the two Peach Bowl debacles. That's why we harbor the feelings toward him.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Ok, so what you're saying is, you have ill feelings toward him because he didnt win enough games? or the right games? And, based on your above comment if you were an Alabama fan you would discount their NC vs. Texas because Colt McCoy was injured? You would say they were lucky because the same guy blocked 2 field goals vs Tennessee that year?

[VolsRule]

How did fulmer beat a top 5 UF team in 2001, but then lose to an average lsu team in the SEC title game??

[volfanecs]

Originally Posted by VolsRule

How did fulmer beat a top 5 UF team in 2001, but then lose to an average lsu team in the SEC title game??

Tennessee was in the title game. Does that count for anything? Why am I bothering to ask? Beat UF, win the East, nothing.....but lose, he is a terrible coach.

[Big Orange 1]

Originally Posted by volfanecs

Tennessee was in the title game. Does that count for anything? Why am I bothering to ask? Beat UF, win the East, nothing.....but lose, he is a terrible coach.

You're exactly right. Forget the 152 victories and championships, lets focus on being upset at Memphis in '96 or the Vandy/Wyoming games. But, whatever you do don't bring up losing to KY this year to a hater. Remember, it's ok to lose to them because we really werent that good and its better to lose to them this year and just get that ole streak out of the way. It had to end sometime. Even if it was to an absolutely horrific team. Oh, and uh, dont bring up the Army debacle in Knoxville either.

[Gramps]

Originally Posted by volfanecs

Tennessee was in the title game. Does that count for anything? Why am I bothering to ask? Beat UF, win the East, nothing.....but lose, he is a terrible coach.

After FL win in 2001 was the first sign I saw of Fulmer not doing a good job and the program went slowly downhill from that night.
Fulmer allowed himself and his players to return from FL and appear before the local media waving roses, bragging theg were going to the Rose Bowl to play in the BCS Championship game.
Fulmer forgot to keep himself and his team focused on the SECCG against LSU. They were going to the Rose Bowl.
Saban and LSU made showed Fulmer he should never overlook anyone, especially a championship game.

[VolsRule]

that choke against lsu still makes me furious! I lost $50 on a bet with a drunk lsu fan in the parking lot before the game. Unfortunately, he was still around after the game to collect.

[knoxvols1]

Originally Posted by Big Orange 1

Ok, so what you're saying is, you have ill feelings toward him because he didnt win enough games? or the right games? And, based on your above comment if you were an Alabama fan you would discount their NC vs. Texas because Colt McCoy was injured? You would say they were lucky because the same guy blocked 2 field goals vs Tennessee that year?

EXACTLY! Beating Vandy and Kentucky and then a lowly Miss. St. or Ole Miss or other lowly SEC (west) teams and a few UNLVs, Marshalls or University of Ohio teams and then get handed by mediocre teams in the last Two Peach Bowls was completely devistated. I do remember how PO everyone was after the second Peach Bowl fiasco! If he would have spent more time coaching than complaining about getting a "New Years" bowl the maybe, just maybe the outcome would be different. And yes, I think we all can agree that Bama was lucky with the two blocked FG's that year. Like Bobby Bowden said the year we played them, "It takes luck for any team to make it to the NC game".-in reference to the Arkansas game.

[2ironVol]

In retrospect, ties should have been cut with Fulmer after the 2002 debacle. Upon seeing the rest of his tenure at UT following the 2002 season, it is easy to point to that season as a real indicator his time and come and gone. He took the job in 1992 with tons of momentum and a talented and deep roster. He capitalized on the momentum Majors had built in the program by taking it to new heights. For whatever reason, he really didn't know how to follow the national championship.

In 2002, we could have landed a high profile big name coach and been in the national title hunt the very next season considering the sh**load of talent that was on that team

[2ironVol]

Originally Posted by Gramps

After FL win in 2001 was the first sign I saw of Fulmer not doing a good job and the program went slowly downhill from that night.
Fulmer allowed himself and his players to return from FL and appear before the local media waving roses, bragging theg were going to the Rose Bowl to play in the BCS Championship game.
Fulmer forgot to keep himself and his team focused on the SECCG against LSU. They were going to the Rose Bowl.
Saban and LSU made showed Fulmer he should never overlook anyone, especially a championship game.

I remember it vividly. I couldn't believe players had roses in their hands.

Quite frankly, it all started coming unglued after the national championship season as far as team management was concerned. We still had a ton of talent, but there seemed to be something missing with the game management. Plus, internal turmoil started being a standard obstacle every season afterwards.

[Ashevillevol]

This is the thread that will never die, perpetuated by pirates who don't do anything. He is probably laughing his arse off that we continue to obsess over him.

[PimpVol]

Coming up on 4 years of the Great Debate.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[VolsRule]

Originally Posted by Ashevillevol

This is the thread that will never die, perpetuated by pirates who don't do anything. He is probably laughing his arse off that we continue to obsess over him.

he's sitting around with all those UT millions, paid on the way out after years of mediocrity, laughing at getting paid a boatload of money for doing nothing!

[Big Orange 1]

Originally Posted by knoxvols1

EXACTLY! Beating Vandy and Kentucky and then a lowly Miss. St. or Ole Miss or other lowly SEC (west) teams and a few UNLVs, Marshalls or University of Ohio teams and then get handed by mediocre teams in the last Two Peach Bowls was completely devistated. I do remember how PO everyone was after the second Peach Bowl fiasco! If he would have spent more time coaching than complaining about getting a "New Years" bowl the maybe, just maybe the outcome would be different. And yes, I think we all can agree that Bama was lucky with the two blocked FG's that year. Like Bobby Bowden said the year we played them, "It takes luck for any team to make it to the NC game".-in reference to the Arkansas game.

Bobby B said that? Hmm did he say anything about Miami an Kansas St. losing the last weekend of the year and FSU backing into the NC themselves. I love how you base your opinion on CPF by two peach bowls. If his record wasnt good enough for you, you may want to jump ship. HE brought the 1st NC to Knoxville in 47 years, whether you or Bobby Bowdwn think he was lucky or not. It makes me sick when I hear any so called "fans" say 1998 was lucky. You not only are discounting the job by CPF, youre also slinging mud at Tee Martin, Travis Henry, Jamal Lewis, Peerless Price, Al Wilson, etc. Go roll with the Tide why dont you.

[GmanTN]

Originally Posted by Big Orange 1

Bobby B said that? Hmm did he say anything about Miami an Kansas St. losing the last weekend of the year and FSU backing into the NC themselves. I love how you base your opinion on CPF by two peach bowls. If his record wasnt good enough for you, you may want to jump ship. HE brought the 1st NC to Knoxville in 47 years, whether you or Bobby Bowdwn think he was lucky or not. It makes me sick when I hear any so called "fans" say 1998 was lucky. You not only are discounting the job by CPF, youre also slinging mud at Tee Martin, Travis Henry, Jamal Lewis, Peerless Price, Al Wilson, etc. Go roll with the Tide why dont you.

Syracuse
K Jeff Hall hit a 27 Yard field goal as time expired to give the Vols a key road win. This was the second game winning kick of Hall's career (Georgia 1995). In his first game as a starter QB Tee Martin went only 9-of-26 for 143 yards, but led the Vols into field goal range for the final kick. HB Jamal Lewis led the Vols with 140 yards rushing and a touchdown. WR Peerless Price had two touchdown receptions.

QB Donovan McNabb gave the Volunteer defense fits, putting up 300 yards with a 22-for-28 day

Gators
Tennessee broke a 5 game losing streak against the Gators. Florida K Collins Cooper missed a FG in overtime and set off a wild celebration at Neyland Stadium that saw the goalposts and CBS cameras disappear.

Auburn
In a rematch of the high scoring 1997 SEC Championship Game, the Defense needed a score by DE Shaun Ellis and a 4 play goal line stand from inside the 1 yard line to secure the win. They did so without senior captain Al Wilson, who missed the game with a shoulder injury.michael cerrone had 2 sacks

Arkansas
Tennessee fell behind 21–3 in the first half, but capped off a season-saving comeback with a Travis Henry touchdown run in the final seconds.

Henry had 197 yards rushing and the deciding touchdown. The key play of the game and possibly the season occurred in the 4th quarter. Arkansas was nursing a 24–22 lead late in the game and was attempting to run out the clock. DT Billy Ratliff pushed Arkansas G Brandon Burlsworth into QB Clint Stoerner, causing him to stumble and fumble. Ratliff recovered the ball and allowed Tennessee the chance to drive the field and score the game winning touchdown.

SEC Championship Game Miss ST
Tennessee won its second SEC title, in a defensive struggle. The vols were held to 249 total yards and scored 3 TD's. They were down late in the 4th quarter 14–10, but scored two touchdowns within 32 seconds of each other on passes by Tee Martin. This win secured a berth into the National Championship game for the Vols.


For anyone who thinks that luck is not involved in a Championship and to think our NC did not rely on some luck of the draw that season, needs to read the bold part.

[PimpVol]

Originally Posted by GmanTN

Syracuse
K Jeff Hall hit a 27 Yard field goal as time expired to give the Vols a key road win. This was the second game winning kick of Hall's career (Georgia 1995). In his first game as a starter QB Tee Martin went only 9-of-26 for 143 yards, but led the Vols into field goal range for the final kick. HB Jamal Lewis led the Vols with 140 yards rushing and a touchdown. WR Peerless Price had two touchdown receptions.

QB Donovan McNabb gave the Volunteer defense fits, putting up 300 yards with a 22-for-28 day

Gators
Tennessee broke a 5 game losing streak against the Gators. Florida K Collins Cooper missed a FG in overtime and set off a wild celebration at Neyland Stadium that saw the goalposts and CBS cameras disappear.

Auburn
In a rematch of the high scoring 1997 SEC Championship Game, the Defense needed a score by DE Shaun Ellis and a 4 play goal line stand from inside the 1 yard line to secure the win. They did so without senior captain Al Wilson, who missed the game with a shoulder injury.michael cerrone had 2 sacks

Arkansas
Tennessee fell behind 21–3 in the first half, but capped off a season-saving comeback with a Travis Henry touchdown run in the final seconds.

Henry had 197 yards rushing and the deciding touchdown. The key play of the game and possibly the season occurred in the 4th quarter. Arkansas was nursing a 24–22 lead late in the game and was attempting to run out the clock. DT Billy Ratliff pushed Arkansas G Brandon Burlsworth into QB Clint Stoerner, causing him to stumble and fumble. Ratliff recovered the ball and allowed Tennessee the chance to drive the field and score the game winning touchdown.

SEC Championship Game Miss ST
Tennessee won its second SEC title, in a defensive struggle. The vols were held to 249 total yards and scored 3 TD's. They were down late in the 4th quarter 14–10, but scored two touchdowns within 32 seconds of each other on passes by Tee Martin. This win secured a berth into the National Championship game for the Vols.


For anyone who thinks that luck is not involved in a Championship and to think our NC did not rely on some luck of the draw that season, needs to read the bold part.

Exactly. Most every champion has had some lucky breaks. That type of breakdown could be done for nearly any season. Would be interesting to see.