This team

[justingroves]

This team has gelled. No team wins in 3 close games like USCe, Vandy and Kentucky without showing something. This ballclub has proven to be something special. I had thought they quit after the Bama game. However, props must be given to the coaching staff and the players for nutting up and playing. Enough cannot be said about a team that picks themselves up off the mat and finishes strong. But, it doesn't downplay that the team put themselves in a position to have to pick themselves up.

True, they failed miserably when they had a chance to take control of the East twice, but the third time they jumped on the opportunity and ran with it.

This season is yet to be finished. The SEC Championship game will go a long way in telling us where this football team is headed. Right now this time is 1 for 3 when given the chance to do something special. I plan to set back and hope and pray UT will finally play a full 60 minutes without a mistake.

 

[tdtnvols2004]

Im still trying to figure out why they can not play 60 minutes of football the same way they play the first 30. Is it conditioning or what? But it has shown numerous times this year.

 

[DC Vol]

Im still trying to figure out why they can not play 60 minutes of football the same way they play the first 30. Is it conditioning or what? But it has shown numerous times this year.

I don't know if it's conditioning so much as it's focus. Fulmer has never been the type to "keep the dogs" on someone. I've always seen him as a nice guy... no one to run the score up on someone else.


But with the BCS you need to run up the score, and I don't think he has factored in the psychological advantage of a huge, convincing win (not only to the fans, but the team itself). But the consistent numbers of scoring vs. scored on in the 4th quarter speak volumes about a weakness in the team.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Im still trying to figure out why they can not play 60 minutes of football the same way they play the first 30. Is it conditioning or what? But it has shown numerous times this year.

It looked to me like the defensive strategy changed in the second half. Several plays, I saw that we were rushing only three down linemen with no blitz whatsoever. And the corners and linebackers were playing very soft coverage. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Chavis (and not the players) has been letting our opponents back into games. It doesn't seem like a conditioning issue.

 

[Business]

I don't even try to figure this bunch out anymore. I just sit back and watch. I've learned to bring the Pepto Bismol with me to the couch when watching though.

As much as I don't like Coach Fulmer's mentallity when we get the lead if we win there's nothing I can say. I'm just going to shut up and watch the game Saturday.

 

[volfan2024]

They'll be ready.:thumbsup:

 

[volfanbill]

the run up the score theory has lost a lot in the BCS world. The trick now is to just go through the season unscathed. You do, however, need to do whatever it takes to stop allowing the opposition the chance to get back in the game in the second half.

all in all I like this team. A lot. I don't know what will happen Saturday, but this team has come together quite nicely and for once you can truly start to imagine, as the Chicago Cubs do, next year. Our secondary will just get better in the offseason and through spring practice, our WR's will gain more experience. Hopefully Jones will (has) emerged as a deep threat. All we really need is to improve on the front seven on D. If that happens, and Crompton, Stephens or Coleman steps up to fill in Ainge's shoes we could have some fun on Rocky Top for the next few years.

 

[Etownvol]

Good post, but I never thought I'd be hearing about close games with vandy or ky....things change though..and KY isn't the suck team they have been in the past. Neither is Vandy really, considering they beat USCe. Anybody can be beaten at any time, right? Can't wait til Saturday!!! 2007 SEC champions has a nice ring to it.

 

[jakez4ut]

they've stayed true to form down the stretch. ball control and rely on the defense. they only do what they have to do when they have to do it.

i really think the goals are as follows: reduce chances for mistakes on offense, win TOP, take advantage of any scoring opportunity. defensively, take chances early, protect the defense late. our depth issues in the def. front aren't resolved, though seeing guys like Ben Martin getting p/t now is a good sign.......

i'm like JG....this team is growing up before our eyes. they're still a work in progress, still got some issues, but this team has gotten "better" as the year has gone on, if in nothing else, than the mental toughness part of the game.

we'll fine out early on next season how much these guys have really developed when they get to see some more of that spread offense we seem to have no answer for.

but for now......they've done a good job of putting a season back together.

 

[SF_VOL]

I don't know if it's conditioning so much as it's focus. Fulmer has never been the type to "keep the dogs" on someone. I've always seen him as a nice guy... no one to run the score up on someone else.

"NEVER"????? Wow. How short our memory must be. Let me think. I remember when I was an undergrad at UT and we used to detroy people with CPF leading the way. Cases in point:
1993- UT 55 USC 3, UT 48 UK 0, UT 62 Vandy 14
1994- UT 52 UK 0, UT 65 Vandy 0
1995- UT 52 MSU 14, UT 42 SMU 0

Look at the year we won the National Championship:

UT 49 USC 14, UT 59 UK 21, UT 41 Vandy 0.

Pay particular attention to the UK and Vandy scores from the past. We detroyed them. Not the case anymore. What a decline in performance. What happened? We used to have a killer mentality on defense and our offense used to make people look stupid. There was a time when the VOLS practically dared other teams to step foot in Neyland. They would tear their heads off and run circles around them. Not anymore my friend.