Crompton and Ainge (New Perspective on an Old Topic)

#1
utgibbs

utgibbs

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#1
Thanks to this year's NFL draft, we have some new perspective on an old topic.

Most of the Phil haters have to concede the 90's were awesome, but they maintain Phil just didn't get it done in the noughties.

During that time, we've had two NFL QBs who literally froze for lengthy periods of time while at UT. QBs with unquestionable physical abilities and work ethics, who just, for whatever reason, froze for a lengthy time while here.

We all saw what could have been if JC had reached his potential sooner. We all know what could have been if Eric Ainge had kept his.

I know a lot will say "coaching matters," and it does. I'm just not sure anyone could be prepared for the deer-in-the-headlight moments our QBs have had. I think we sometimes forget, these are young men, most not old enough to drink, just barely old enough to vote. I think sometimes that's the easiest explanation, and I think it's a testament to the coaches that both young men have gone on to greatness (i.e. getting drafted). That goes for CPF and CLK for Crompton's case.

So, it's these periods of really sub-standard QB play that we decry as proof of Phil's demise.

I'm looking for some parallels here. I honestly can't think of another situation where two future NFL draftee QBs have honestly just froze as Ainge and Crompton did while here. Maybe the common demoninator is Phil Fulmer, Randy Sanders, et al. But the Iceman did fantastic under them. And when they were on, we had great years.

Point is: I don't think any program can prepare for that. I think two young men needed time to come to shoulder the responsibility of our football program.

I'm looking for thoughts from VolNation.
 
#2
#2
Ainge lost his confidence after he got hurt and couldn't handle the QB battle with Clausen. Fulmer mishandled that whole competition and caused most of the problems that year with the QB's.

Crompton I think honestly just had 4 coordinators and may not have got much attention from Cutcliffe while he focused on rebuilding Ainge. Then obv. the Clawson experience screwed everybody up, and it took half a year for Kiffin to rebuild Crompton and get him performing well.

It all goes back to that 05 QB competition that messed with Ainge's head...so I think it's fair to blame some of it on coaching.
 
#3
#3
Funny thing is, we did better when Cut was OC.... So, how much of Phil's success could be attributed to Cut? Someone on another thread, a while back (around the time Kiff left and rumor was Cut was coming back), gave Phil's record with Cut and without. It was interesting.... (No, I don't remember what it was and am not going on a hunt for it)
 
#4
#4
Isn't it interesting that the Iceman was so much better than Crompton or Ainge, yet he's the one that didn't get drafted.

In fact, if I'm not mistaken (and I probably am) isn't he the only major multiyear starter that didn't get drafted since Andy Kelly?
 
#5
#5
FEARinSEC said:
Funny thing is, we did better when Cut was OC.... So, how much of Phil's success could be attributed to Cut? Someone on another thread, a while back (around the time Kiff left and rumor was Cut was coming back), gave Phil's record with Cut and without. It was interesting.... (No, I don't remember what it was and am not going on a hunt for it)
Click to expand...

I think it's something like 80% with Cut, 65% without him.
 
#6
#6
Ainge was bashed on this board for his "dink and dunk" style. But, there were some games we were down in the final minutes and came back to win or get into OT when he was QB. I may have been delusional, but I always had a level of comfort if we were less than 7 behind with 2 minutes left with Ainge as QB. I "felt" better being behind than ahead with the Chief's prevent defense. He would seem to find a way to lose it. Good luck to the 2 and hope they find a way to get some PT.
 
#7
#7
I liked Ainge better than I liked Crompton, not that it matters.....but it was amazing to see how poorly (overall) they played for both being highly regarded QB recruits. I think when Cutcliffe left that really hurt. Clawson was a horrible hire and that pretty much screwed our QB situation up
 
#8
#8
utgibbs said:
Thanks to this year's NFL draft, we have some new perspective on an old topic.

Most of the Phil haters have to concede the 90's were awesome, but they maintain Phil just didn't get it done in the noughties.

During that time, we've had two NFL QBs who literally froze for lengthy periods of time while at UT. QBs with unquestionable physical abilities and work ethics, who just, for whatever reason, froze for a lengthy time while here.

We all saw what could have been if JC had reached his potential sooner. We all know what could have been if Eric Ainge had kept his.

I know a lot will say "coaching matters," and it does. I'm just not sure anyone could be prepared for the deer-in-the-headlight moments our QBs have had. I think we sometimes forget, these are young men, most not old enough to drink, just barely old enough to vote. I think sometimes that's the easiest explanation, and I think it's a testament to the coaches that both young men have gone on to greatness (i.e. getting drafted). That goes for CPF and CLK for Crompton's case.

So, it's these periods of really sub-standard QB play that we decry as proof of Phil's demise.

I'm looking for some parallels here. I honestly can't think of another situation where two future NFL draftee QBs have honestly just froze as Ainge and Crompton did while here. Maybe the common demoninator is Phil Fulmer, Randy Sanders, et al. But the Iceman did fantastic under them. And when they were on, we had great years.

Point is: I don't think any program can prepare for that. I think two young men needed time to come to shoulder the responsibility of our football program.

I'm looking for thoughts from VolNation.
Click to expand...

Fulmer got it handed to him with Peyton Manning as his QB against the better teams (primarily only Florida b/c that was about it in the SEC during the 90's). He blew against the upper echelon in 1993, and he blew against the upper echelon in 2008. I don't think the QB really mattered.
 
#9
#9
VolFanHenry said:
Isn't it interesting that the Iceman was so much better than Crompton or Ainge, yet he's the one that didn't get drafted.

In fact, if I'm not mistaken (and I probably am) isn't he the only major multiyear starter that didn't get drafted since Andy Kelly?
Click to expand...

wow i didnt realize this! why is it that casey didnt get drafted? i mean im pretty sure he could do better than the jamarcus russell's of the world
 
#12
#12
Ericvol2096 said:
Ainge lost his confidence after he got hurt and couldn't handle the QB battle with Clausen. Fulmer mishandled that whole competition and caused most of the problems that year with the QB's.

Crompton I think honestly just had 4 coordinators and may not have got much attention from Cutcliffe while he focused on rebuilding Ainge. Then obv. the Clawson experience screwed everybody up, and it took half a year for Kiffin to rebuild Crompton and get him performing well.

It all goes back to that 05 QB competition that messed with Ainge's head...so I think it's fair to blame some of it on coaching.
Click to expand...

This...

Ainge should have been and would have been forever resting on the bench after that 2005 LSU fiasco. No other Division I program of any worth would have allowed him to take another snap. Plus, he couldn't dinitively seperate himself from Rick Clausen or Brent Scheaffer in 2004. He caught lightning in a bottle in the second half of the 2004 Florida game and next thing you know, you have people jumping and dancing calling him the 2nd coming of Peyton Manning. I said it 5 years ago, and I'll say it again. Erik Ainge set UT football back 10 years...
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#13
#13
Rasputin_Vol said:
This...

Ainge should have been and would have been forever resting on the bench after that 2005 LSU fiasco. No other Division I program of any worth would have allowed him to take another snap. Plus, he couldn't dinitively seperate himself from Rick Clausen or Brent Scheaffer in 2004. He caught lightning in a bottle in the second half of the 2004 Florida game and next thing you know, you have people jumping and dancing calling him the 2nd coming of Peyton Manning. I said it 5 years ago, and I'll say it again. Erik Ainge set UT football back 10 years...
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

Is 05 the game he threw a pick from the back of our endzone? I remember being REAL pissed when that happened, jus can't remember who and when. I thought it was LSU tho.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#14
#14
Orangekush423 said:
Is 05 the game he threw a pick from the back of our endzone? I remember being REAL pissed when that happened, jus can't remember who and when. I thought it was LSU tho.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

Yup........just run the BALL !!!!
 
#15
#15
Ericvol2096 said:
Ainge lost his confidence after he got hurt and couldn't handle the QB battle with Clausen. Fulmer mishandled that whole competition and caused most of the problems that year with the QB's.

Crompton I think honestly just had 4 coordinators and may not have got much attention from Cutcliffe while he focused on rebuilding Ainge. Then obv. the Clawson experience screwed everybody up, and it took half a year for Kiffin to rebuild Crompton and get him performing well.

It all goes back to that 05 QB competition that messed with Ainge's head...so I think it's fair to blame some of it on coaching.
Click to expand...

That about somes it up
 
#16
#16
VolDad said:
What is your excuse for 1999-2004?
Click to expand...

They were great years. VolDad, you have been twisted by the Dark Side of the Force.

There is no doubt about Fulmer's future in the Hall-of-Fame. What I find so intriguing is how close Fulmer was to Legendary, and the difference between them. 2001 is a great example. A few plays in one game has had such a significant impact on his legacy.
 
#17
#17
utgibbs said:
they were great years. Voldad, you have been twisted by the dark side of the force.

There is no doubt about fulmer's future in the hall-of-fame. What i find so intriguing is how close fulmer was to legendary, and the difference between them. 2001 is a great example. A few plays in one game has had such a significant impact on his legacy.
Click to expand...

8-26 is what had an impact on his "legacy."
 
#18
#18
Ericvol2096 said:
Ainge lost his confidence after he got hurt and couldn't handle the QB battle with Clausen. Fulmer mishandled that whole competition and caused most of the problems that year with the QB's.

Crompton I think honestly just had 4 coordinators and may not have got much attention from Cutcliffe while he focused on rebuilding Ainge. Then obv. the Clawson experience screwed everybody up, and it took half a year for Kiffin to rebuild Crompton and get him performing well.

It all goes back to that 05 QB competition that messed with Ainge's head...so I think it's fair to blame some of it on coaching.
Click to expand...

I think you've nailed it where the coaching mattered the most. Having said that, I really can't think of a parallel at another school where the future NFL draftee lost the plot so thoroughly after an injury.
 
#19
#19
Volfan8282 said:
Fulmer got it handed to him with Peyton Manning as his QB against the better teams (primarily only Florida b/c that was about it in the SEC during the 90's). He blew against the upper echelon in 1993, and he blew against the upper echelon in 2008. I don't think the QB really mattered.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand your point. When Phil took over, there was a clear upgrade on and off the field. And that was saying something because they were good years.
 
#24
#24
BoseefusTheVol said:
HUH?! So u get to pick and choose what games mattered and then give Fulmer a record based on that? Brilliant!
Click to expand...

Spurrier was it during Fulmer's tenure in the 90's. Saban came into the league in 1999. From that point forward, Saban, Meyer, Miles, Tuberville, and Richt all exposed him for what he is. So, no, I'm not giving Fulmer credit for beating the Hal Mumme's of college football.
 
#25
#25
Volfan8282 said:
Spurrier was it during Fulmer's tenure in the 90's. Saban came into the league in 1999. From that point forward, Saban, Meyer, Miles, Tuberville, and Richt all exposed him for what he is. So, no, I'm not giving Fulmer credit for beating the Hal Mumme's of college football.
Click to expand...

Brilliant! So about 130 games that Fulmer coached don't count! Again, Brilliant!
 
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