Bunker Mentality Proves Effective

#1
orange+white=heaven

orange+white=heaven

VN GURU
Joined
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#1
Last week, I posted a thread calling out the players. I told them no one believed in them and that how they responded to this fact versus Arkansas would set this team's character. While I have no silly illusions that a single one of them saw my words, they clearly felt the same things and, to their great credit, answered the call.

The TFP's Wes Rucker could not have missed the tone from the players after the game. In an article that does not appear in the free online paper, Rucker wrote about what he felt after the game.

I will risk some excerpts...
Jerod Mayo used to smile, laugh and joke while speaking with the media.

Not on Saturday.

Tennessee’s junior middle linebacker sat at the podium with a straight face following a 34-13 win over Arkansas.

By beating another opponent on the field, the Vols scored another victory in their late-season vengeance tour.

Anyone questioning UT’s ability to win the Southeastern Conference is the enemy. Never mind that the Vols, by in large, hadn’t lived up to their lofty recruiting rankings.

Just don’t mention it.

Never mind that Tennessee’s defense wasn’t putting up respectable numbers.

Just don’t disrespect them.

Never mind that California, Florida and Alabama each scored 40 points on the Vols. When Mayo said “you guys have tested us,” those guys aren’t the Golden Bears, Gators or Crimson Tide. Those guys are anyone who has ever said at any time that this team didn’t have the desire or talent to win the SEC.

“We feel like our pride has been tested,” Mayo said. “You guys have tested us. Every time you guys talk bad about us, we go out and play good, so keep talking bad.”
Click to expand...

The message was clear: Everyone in this lockerroom believes in you, and those outside don’t.

It’s become a very personal matter to these Vols.
“It seems like at Tennessee, nobody ever gives us a chance,” tailback Arian Foster said.

Junior defensive tackle Demonte Bolden of Chattanooga said simply questioning aloud whether UT’s defense could slow Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden was unacceptable.

Never mind that McFadden had more rushing yards against South Carolina (321) than Tennessee’s entire team gained in total offense (317) against the Gamecocks.

“I just feel like some things shouldn’t be said,” Bolden said. “If you’re in my own town, you’re not supposed to ask me, ‘Can you stop McFadden?’ Yeah, I can stop him. I’m not going to be no other person and say ‘no.’
“I just felt questioning me, asking those questions, is wrong.”
Click to expand...

And from Fulmer...
Fulmer was quickly asked about what seemed like defiance in his voice.
“I’m really not being defiant,” he said. “I am proud of what we’ve accomplished here. I am looking forward to Vanderbilt, and moving past any of the ... negativity.
“I hate negativity. I’m a very positive person.”
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And from Chavis...
John Chavis — another man familiar with scrutiny — said Fulmer also is a constantly successful person.
“Probably I shouldn’t answer this question, but I’m going say it,” Chavis said. “Say what you want to, but I don’t know if we really realize how fortunate we are to have the head coach that we have at University of Tennessee. He’s probably one of the most unappreciated people, but his record speaks for itself, and it starts there with his leadership.

“If it’s wavering up top, its going to waver at the bottom. And it never wavers. He never wavers. He knows how to win. He’s done it for a long time.
“He’s one of if not the best in the business.”
Click to expand...

“Coach Fulmer has told us for the longest time that it’s just us,” Mayo said. “None of you guys in here thought we could have won this game. I heard all the things, the coaches heard all the things.
“As long as the guys in that locker room believe we can go out and win every game, we’re going to get it done.”
Click to expand...

I'm not doing any dances for being ranked 20th in the country this morning, but if 'us against the world' will work for three more games, I'll gladly tip my hat to a gutsy bunch of kids who stuck together and pulled off an amazing season ending run.
 
#2
#2
orange+white=heaven said:
I'm not doing any dances for being ranked 20th in the country this morning, but if 'us against the world' will work for three more games, I'll gladly tip my hat to a gutsy bunch of kids who stuck together and pulled off an amazing season ending run.
Click to expand...

Amen.
 
#5
#5
Knew potential was there. Am glad to see it realized on Saturday. One more and then one more game.
 
#6
#6
I am glad the players won Saturday and found the way for inspiration. The question I have is: why does it take a couple of losses to inspire our players. I always played under coaches who were the inspiration and many of the players were self-motivated. Am I missing something here? The Vols proved Saturday that they have the talent, so talent is not the issue like many have believed. I believe what is lacking is a source of inspiration and motivation. Why wait until you have several losses to try and prove you are good and worthy? I hope the Vols can win out. It's only going to happen if the source of inspiration the players have found continues.
 
#7
#7
secfanclub said:
I am glad the players won Saturday and found the way for inspiration. The question I have is: why does it take a couple of losses to inspire our players. I always played under coaches who were the inspiration and many of the players were self-motivated. Am I missing something here? The Vols proved Saturday that they have the talent, so talent is not the issue like many have believed. I believe what is lacking is a source of inspiration and motivation. Why wait until you have several losses to try and prove you are good and worthy? I hope the Vols can win out. It's only going to happen if the source of inspiration the players have found continues.
Click to expand...

I think you can look at the head coach and the QB as reasons why we have come out uninspired and with a lack of vigor. Neither of these guys are the most inspirational individuals you'll ever meet.

But I tell you what, just from what I've seen over the past few weeks out of these young guys, 2008 could be a situation where this team could outplay their coaching and make some real noise in the national picture.
 
#8
#8
Rasputin_Vol said:
I think you can look at the head coach and the QB as reasons why we have come out uninspired and with a lack of vigor. Neither of these guys are the most inspirational individuals you'll ever meet.

But I tell you what, just from what I've seen over the past few weeks out of these young guys, 2008 could be a situation where this team could outplay their coaching and make some real noise in the national picture.
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no way........surely you jest........you think it's the coaches and and qb..........that is an absolute shocker...:blink:
 
#9
#9
I agree Rasputin. There are some young players who have stepped up with a presence and drive like I haven't seen in a while. Just their presence on the field will inspire other players to perform at their best. I just wish I could see more inspiration from the head coach.
 
#10
#10
Like I said earlier.....this team is like a blind date! You don't know what you are going to get until she opens the door! Guess I'll keep knocking until the right one answers. She looked great Saturday.... but the Maybeliene had to come off at some point! Her friends say she was a knockout 10 years ago and if you catch her on the right day she can still take your breath away.......
 
#11
#11
crimedawg12 said:
Like I said earlier.....this team is like a blind date! You don't know what you are going to get until she opens the door! Guess I'll keep knocking until the right one answers. She looked great Saturday.... but the Maybeliene had to come off at some point! Her friends say she was a knockout 10 years ago and if you catch her on the right day she can still take your breath away.......
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Nice post, crimedawg12.
 
#12
#12
crimedawg12 said:
Like I said earlier.....this team is like a blind date! You don't know what you are going to get until she opens the door! Guess I'll keep knocking until the right one answers. She looked great Saturday.... but the Maybeliene had to come off at some point! Her friends say she was a knockout 10 years ago and if you catch her on the right day she can still take your breath away.......
Click to expand...


So.... Phil Fulmer = Cybill Shephard?....:eek:hmy:
 
#14
#14
.............on the positive side she is a real nice girl and makes great money!
 
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