OneManGang
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Tennessee vs The Maxims vs Ole Miss
Just because we, the fans, expected what happened Saturday doesn't make it any easier to deal with. The 3rd-ranked Ole Miss "Care-Bears" (have you seen their mascot adopted after Colonel Reb was sacrificed to the gods of Political Correctness? Sheesh!) did exactly what everyone said they would and walked the dog on our beloved Volunteers.
So what's the problem?
Well, there's the fact that while Tennessee's defense played well enough to give the Vols the opportunity to win the game, we witnessed just about the worst performance by a Tennessee offense in many a year. In this writer's opinion, this game finally drove the point home to even the most Orange Positive among us just how deep a hole was dug by the last year of Sir Philip of Winchester, the Californicator and the Spawn of Vince.
There is a "Give 'Em Six" DVD tribute to John Ward and Bill Anderson. On it, Anderson recalled his year on The Hill as an assistant coach on then new Head Vol Doug Dickey's staff. He said Dickey had to emphasize and build his future teams around his defense as there simply wasn't very much talent on offense. After that 1965 season, Anderson un-retired back to the NFL and signed with the Packers for the 1966 season. He wears a Super Bowl I ring. The Vols, meanwhile, are back to the future.
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They weren't supposed to be there but circumstances dictated otherwise. There was word of Big Trouble to the east and Brigadier General Bob Hasbrouk was ordered to move his tanks of the 7th Armored Division to help hold the line. Hasbrouk's boys found themselves deployed around a sleepy crossroads village named St. Vith. Armored divisions of the time were organized into three "combat commands" (CCA, CCB and CCR) which were fluid combinations of tank and infantry battalions. CCR was set up as a "rest and refit" outfit only to be sent into combat in desperate situations. As soon as Hasbrouk set up his headquarters he found the situation to be somewhere beyond desperate.
St. Vith was a few miles behind the front line on 16 December 1944. That sector of front was held by the Golden Lions of the 106th Infantry Division. The 106th was a "green" division, just arrived in Europe and on its first rotation in the front lines. Worse, they were spread out over nearly twenty miles of front. After a thirty-minute German artillery barrage, remembered by all who experienced it for its intensity, the men of the 106th were hit by no less than six German divisions. The 106th Division shattered, as did the 28th Division located just to the south. Hasbrouck was able to add the remnants of the 424th (106th Div.) and the 112th (28th Div.) Infantry Regiments to his perimeter just in time for the Germans to arrive.
The Germans had a strict timetable. St. Vith was to be taken no later than noon on 17 December. The men of Hasbrouck's scratch command, in one of the epic stories of American Arms, held off EIGHT German divisions, four of them elite Panzer divisions, for nearly five days. They lacked the means, though, to conduct any kind of offensive operations. They finally withdrew in good order to link up with other American units holding the northern flank of what became known forever as the Battle of the Bulge. They bled and died gaining the American Army the one thing it needed to beat back the massive German force: time. Between St. Vith and the much better-known stand at Bastogne, the German timetable was fatally disrupted and by early January, 1945, it was the Nazi horde that was on the defensive.
Germany surrendered on 7 May 1945. Supreme Commander Dwight Eisenhower's message to Washington and London announcing this is a classic of understatement. It states, "The mission of this Allied Force was fulfilled at 0241, local time, 7 May 1945."
We fans are witnessing the desperate battles being waged by Head Vol Butch Jones' defensive troops for time. Time to recruit. Time to practice. Time to learn how to win.
Better days are ahead.
So how did the team do compared to the Maxims?
1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
Three interceptions and one fumble by the Vols on special teams would seem to cover this. Tennessee going three-for-sixteen on third down conversions brings to mind a Japanese adage about being stung by a bee in the face while crying.
2. Play for and make the breaks. When one comes your way SCORE!
The Vols started drive after drive in the first half in decent field position and did squat. Tennessee's offensive firepower, which could be compared to a Carrier Air Group supporting an armored division back in the heady days of the late '90s and early 2000s, is now approximately equivalent to a Red Rider BB gun.
3. If at first the game or the breaks go against you, dont let up PUT ON MORE STEAM!
Playing offensive line is a state of mind. One has to be just plain nasty and stubborn to get the job done. It seems that Tennessee's line lacks that critical confidence. They are shell-shocked and their play indicates a greater concern with not making a mistake than making the block. Hesitation gets quarterbacks maimed and runners cut down nine yards behind the line.
4. Protect our kickers, our quarterback, our lead and our ballgame.
From last week: There was absolutely no improvement from last week. None. In fact, the argument can be made that Tennessee's pass protection has regressed. I can think of nothing to add.
5. Ball! Oskie! Cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle THIS IS THE WINNING EDGE.
Depressing stat: Tennessee gained ZERO, ZIP, NADA, NOT ONE DAMNED net yard rushing. How do you do that? We shouldn't complain, though, as at one point the Vols were sitting at a negative 18 yards rushing. Kicked by a mule in the nose then stung by a bee in the face while crying. Unreal.
6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.
Aaron Medley was responsible for all of Tennessee's scoring. Darr had a reasonably good outing. All of that was offset by a fumbled kick return that set up the Care Bears on Tennessee's 28. Six seconds later ...
7. Carry the fight to Ole Miss and keep it there for sixty minutes.
Tennessee's defense fought for 33 minutes. They deserved better.
No matter how much mortar you use, a brick wall one brick lengthwise thick will not stand very long.
Head Vol Jones has his work cut out for him this week to keep the defensive troops' morale up while shifting assets around trying to find some combination that produces positive offense. Given the paucity of talent and the inexperience on the offensive bench, this writer does not envy the man.
Brick by Brick, Baby!
MAXOMG
Suggested Reading:
Hugh M. Cole, The Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge (The U.S. Army in World War II series)
Trevor N. DuPuy, Hitler's Last Gamble
Charles B. MacDonald, A Time for Trumpets
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