Throw Dave Clawsen Under the Bus?

[VolByBirth]

I'm not saying to go against the HC, just put it out there for all to hear and get it on record. Doesn't mean he has to raise a big stink about it. Let Fulmer say no and then talk about something else.

I've reconsidered -- it's actually a brilliant idea. For Fulmer to outright say "no" to getting the ball in Berry's hands would just prove the game has passed him by.

Use the talent you have, while you have it....at least, that's my philosphy.

 

[Liper]

That's the same crap we've heard on Clawson since he was hired in January..
His performance since coming to Tennessee is what counts, and our offense has been putrid this year

Fair point. But what are our problems that he caused?

Our QB play was abysmal and Bill Walsh couldn't have done anything with that.

Our OL play is terrible, just like it has been since Stephens and Adkins took over.

Our RBs are avg.

Our WRs are avg.

Who is the magic man that is going to make that into chicken salad? I just don't see it.

 

[vol_in_ar]

if Crompton couldn't run his offense he should have played Stephens sooner

he should have run the ball in the second half against UCLA

the new blocking scheme he implemented for the O-line hasn't worked

he needs to play the best RB, not one that needs a few more yards to set a record

he needs to be scoring about 35 a game and we're not

 

[Liper]

if Crompton couldn't run his offense he should have played Stephens sooner

he should have run the ball in the second half against UCLA

the new blocking scheme he implemented for the O-line hasn't worked

he needs to play the best RB, not one that needs a few more yards to set a record

he needs to be scoring about 35 a game and we're not

Where to start...

How do you know he didn't want to play Stephens sooner? Multiple reports, including Chris Low, said that he in fact DID want to bench Crompton.

UCLA - maybe fair point. But defense lost the game, and the Foster fumble didn't help.

We're still using the same blocking scheme and he doesn't coach the OL. Flip flopping the line isn't a change in scheme, it's a change in where certain guys line up.

He isn't making the RB decision by fiat.

35 pts a game? Wow, by that standard every coach in the SEC sucks.

 

[Lexvol]

if Crompton couldn't run his offense he should have played Stephens sooner

he should have run the ball in the second half against UCLA

the new blocking scheme he implemented for the O-line hasn't worked

he needs to play the best RB, not one that needs a few more yards to set a record

he needs to be scoring about 35 a game and we're not

I'm with Liper. I don't think that Clawson had the option of starting Stephens. Asking for 35 points a game from a Soph. QB whose best receivers are all Sophs is unrealistic to say the least.

Stephens still plays like an inexperienced QB with lots of potential. He reminds me a lot of M. Stafford his first two years under center. His footwork is off because he is still not comfortable making his reads, and he does not keep his eyes down the field when he brings the ball down.

Finally, the game planning that has been done...up until this point anyway...tells me that the coaches aren't looking for 35 points a game out of this offense. Since the very first snap this year it is apparent that they are playing to manage the game (not very well I might add) minimize mistakes, and let the defense win football games.

 

[vol_in_ar]

Well I know we won, and the offense looked better

current D1 rankings


Total Offense 106th-- last week 104th-- 2weeks ago 97th
Total Defense 11th-- last week 21st-- 2 weeks ago 5th

 

[CaliVol]

Clawson doesn't belong in the SEC. The experiment is over. Send him back to Richmond.

 

[TNVol92]

Clawson doesn't belong in the SEC. The experiment is over. Send him back to Richmond.

Clawson or CPF cannot make or execute the plays for the team, They can only coach them and call them. Arian Foster and Jon Cromptons lack of execution has put this team in a bad position. Stop blaming the coaches for the twos lack of commitment to this team and their plays.

 

[VolsRule]

Clawson is the QB coach. The QB play this year has been terrible, and hasn't improved.

 

[cotton]

Clawson or CPF cannot make or execute the plays for the team, They can only coach them and call them. Arian Foster and Jon Cromptons lack of execution has put this team in a bad position. Stop blaming the coaches for the twos lack of commitment to this team and their plays.

What has either Crompton or Foster done to indicate a lack of commitment to the team?

 

[TNVol92]

Your saying Stephens has not played better than Crompton??? Are you Serious????? Some people are just crazy. I would like to know what your smoking or drinking so I could try some.

 

[TNVol92]

What has either Crompton or Foster done to indicate a lack of commitment to the team?

They both play when they want to and they both are not very enthusiastic at practice at all. When they play when they want, they are letting the team down. In other words they had high potential but dont use it.

 

[cotton]

They both play when they want to and they both are not very enthusiastic at practice at all. When they play when they want, they are letting the team down. In other words they had high potential but dont use it.

I started to list all of the problems with that statement, but there isn't really any point. Leave it at this: both of those guys have given a lot of time and effort and endured quite a bit of hardship to be at Tennessee. Criticize their play all you want; that is both appropriate and warranted. I don't know of any legitimate reason to question their commitment to the team.

 

[fergie]

There are several good posts on this thread. We wanted to get an OC outside the family. We did and we are not running the same offense whether it is totally what Clawson ran at UR. Crompton has been a disaster. I talked to three people who occasionally went to practice who said Crompton looked sharp but never translated it on game day. The OL was poor last year hence Cutcliffe went to the no huddle and quick passing game, but still averaged 32 points per game. It does appear the sophomore class is talented and showing on the field so if Fulmer goes the cupboard is not bare. Thought it interesting Foster not chosen a team captain. He has been very disappointing as a leader and running back. I think he will be remembered for his fumbles that cost us key games than his large amount of yards.

 

[VolDad]

Clawson or CPF cannot make or execute the plays for the team, They can only coach them and call them. Arian Foster and Jon Cromptons lack of execution has put this team in a bad position. Stop blaming the coaches for the twos lack of commitment to this team and their plays.

Correct. It is all the fault of those two.

Forget the poor special teams play that has resulted in blocked punts, returns for touchdowns, or returns deep into our territory.

Forget the fact that our defense has been ineffective on 3rd down.

Forget the penalties that have killed our drive or prolonged our opponents.

If it were not for Crompton and Foster we would be undefeated. :crazy:

 

[VolDad]

They both play when they want to and they both are not very enthusiastic at practice at all. When they play when they want, they are letting the team down. In other words they had high potential but dont use it.

So I guess these 2 slackers play despite the coaches objections. Gee who is running the ship over there? :crazy:

How old are you?

 

[Liper]

Correct. It is all the fault of those two.

Forget the poor special teams play that has resulted in blocked punts, returns for touchdowns, or returns deep into our territory.

Forget the fact that our defense has been ineffective on 3rd down.

Forget the penalties that have killed our drive or prolonged our opponents.

If it were not for Crompton and Foster we would be undefeated. :crazy:

Exactly. That is why it is a team game. We've played bad as a team, but not bc anyone is uncommitted.

Frankly, what you've demostrated is that it is an 'institutional' or 'systemic' problem, not a problem with any particular player.

 

[poosey]

So...something is amiss right now, I have a hard time believing it is Clawson.

Fulmer...book has been out on him a long time.
Adkins...our OL under he and Stephens has been terrible since they took over.
Talent...obvious there has been some drop off -- though it is tough to have the kind of talent we had for a while that underachieved in its own right.

Now, add Clawson and all of that is supposed to change overnight, and if it doesn't it's all his fault? That doesn;t seem to follow.

"One would hope in Fulmer's twilight, we will eventually see some f**ing twilight.":jpshakehead: poosey, August 2006
:swoon3:

 

[poosey]

....It does appear the sophomore class is talented and showing on the field so if Fulmer goes the cupboard is not bare.

His talent cupboard will never be empty, Fulmer sucks but he isn't Bill Battle. Close and progressing quickly but not yet. Let's do all of us a favor and fire his half-empty cupboard ass and be done with it". poosey, December, 2002
:dance:

 

[TNVol92]

Correct. It is all the fault of those two.

Forget the poor special teams play that has resulted in blocked punts, returns for touchdowns, or returns deep into our territory.

Forget the fact that our defense has been ineffective on 3rd down.

Forget the penalties that have killed our drive or prolonged our opponents.

If it were not for Crompton and Foster we would be undefeated. :crazy:

Not undeteated, but we would not have lost the UCLA game and the Auburn game. If it was not for those to we could be 5-2 or 6-1 right now.

 

[vol_in_ar]

Not undeteated, but we would not have lost the UCLA game and the Auburn game. If it was not for those to we could be 5-2 or 6-1 right now.

either one's better than 3-4

 

[The Dude]

Clawson is the QB coach. The QB play this year has been terrible, and hasn't improved.

Actually the QB play has improved. Fulmer's boy was sent to the bench and now the QB play is better. Not great, but better aka improved.

 

[GmanTN]

Why throw Clawson under the bus so Fulmer can drive over him as he uses him for the scapegoat. This is just another stupid blunder by Fulmer but as long as his buddy the AD Hamilton don't apply pressure Fulmer will continue being mediocre. Is it just me as anyone else noticed Fulmer as slacked on his job since Hamilton became AD?

 

[Oracle69]

:clapping:

I thought Dave Clawsen was a good hire. He seemed a lot like Pearl on paper, lots of success at a lower level, had some new innovative ideas, and was motivating and energetic.

I don't think any offense can succeed with a hopelessly inept quarterback. That said he is also QB coach and the QB performance is partly his responsibility.

In 2006 and 2007 in 27 games Cutcliffe's offense only failed to score more than 14 points 3 times. In 6 games Clawsen's offense has done it 4 times.

Clawsen may be a good coach in time but he was not ready to coach in the SEC.

I will say right out I was a Cutcliffe guy, hated to see him go but at the same time I was excited to see what someone new could do.

In 3 out of Cutcliffe's last 4 years as OC we went to SEC championship game. Almost beat Florida in 06 and would have gone. We have never not been competitive in the conference with Cut as OC. This year and in 05 we were a national joke. Without Cut we have made it 2 out of 8 years including this year where we will not go.

Completely aside from QB issues there has been some just awful coaching decisions, questionable play calling, lack of cohesivness, poor fundamentals, and just bad attitude that ARE coaching issues.

I don't want to treat Clawsen like Auburn did Tony Franklin he seems like a really nice guy but he definitely wasn't what we expected. Anyone think that he should come back next year?

:clapping: :thumbsup: :salute: Best post I've seen yet! I am standing and applauding my monitor for this post that will undoubtedly be over-analyzed by the homers. I agree 110% with your analysis.