VolNotes:That Other Gear

[orange+white=heaven]

In the NFL, the veterans are always telling the newer guys about how playoff football is a game played at an entirely different level. Faster. Harder hitting. Way more intense.

Welcome to the Tennessee v. Alabama football game.


Try as Saban, and the CBS suits in New York, might, to downplay this rivalry, when the whistle blows the level of play steps up to a notch that rookies will not have seen.
It is a game with a character unique to any other.

I have loved this game for such a long time for these very reasons. So, to all my Tennessee brethren, I say to you, savor this.
Even if it is being called by 'The Daves'. This moment is ours only once a season. It is as rare as a Christmas morning, and for me just as precious.

VolNotes...


TNsean:Fulmer v. Saban

The two coaches are a study in contrast. Fittingly, they will stand on opposite sidelines Saturday when No. 20 UT (4-2, 2-1) faces Alabama (5-2, 3-1) in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

From loyalty to media responsibilities to work style, Fulmer and Saban are distinctly different and have found their own success by taking different roads.

Loyalty is also a major distinction between the two. Fair or not, Saban has been criticized not spending enough time at one program. He has been the head coach for four teams in the past nine years, including a two-year stint in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.

On the flipside is Fulmer. He is the longest-tenured head coach in the Southeastern Conference and is in his 15th full season as the Vols' main man. Before that, he was a player at UT and held several different coaching titles with the program. In all, he has been a Vol for more than 30 years.

"You have to appreciate Fulmer for that," said Paul Finebaum, who hosts a popular syndicated sports talk radio show based in Birmingham, Ala. "On the other hand — and I don't want to turn this into a Phillip Fulmer charity roast — but I don't know many people have come after Fulmer to go somewhere else. Saban has pretty much been in demand everywhere he's been. They're clearly different from that standpoint."

The rivalry between Alabama and UT was upped a notch when Saban signed the contract. The Tide is paying Saban to win games, and a victory over rival Tennessee would have boosters smiling.

Both coaches agree that they would rather the focus be on the players and the game itself. But with all the subplots heading into Saturday, even they admit they understand the hullabaloo.

"If I were a fan, I might be the same way," Fulmer said.

TNsean:Notes

Nevin McKenzie has made a special impact on the Tennessee football team during his first year in orange.

"Nevin's done a really great job," UT Coach Phillip Fulmer said. "We're actually trying to get him more snaps on defense at linebacker. It's just a matter of learning and continuing to work and improve. He's a really good tackler and a really good athlete."

"I asked him if he wanted to be a fast linebacker or a slow safety," Fulmer said with a laugh. "He chose the fast linebacker."

Best so far: Fulmer didn't pull any punches when asked about the quality of Alabama's talent on Thursday.

"We're playing one of the most physical defensive fronts that we've played," he said. "And probably the best offensive front we've played this year. (It is) the best group of receivers that we've played as a whole. So it's a heck of a challenge for us."

Neither team in this series has been shut out since 1980. Alabama defeated UT 27-0 in Knoxville that year .

The last time the Vols had a 100-yard rusher against Alabama was 2001 (Travis Stephens)

On opening possessions of the last three games, UT quarterback Erik Ainge is 10 of 11 for 126 yards and two touchdowns . . . Ainge is tied for 19th on the SEC's all-time touchdown passes list. He is tied at 53 with former Auburn quarterback Pat Sullivan.

This one is long, but interesting..
TFP:How good is EA?

just a couple of tease quotes

"I think Ainge is a top quarterback," Hefney said. "I can't say that he's better than (Brian) Brohm and all of them, because I haven't seen all of them play. But as far as watching Ainge for four years, I think he's one of the best that I've seen."
Yet, somehow, Ainge's pro-prospect status seems to be in question. Barring injury, no one doubts he'll be drafted, but is he a first-rounder? Or will he even be taken on the first day?

"Let's see what everybody says about Erik at the end of the season, and then after the combines and workouts and all of that," Taylor said. "I like his chances then."

"Erik's playing outstanding," Fulmer said. "I don't know that you can compare anybody to Peyton Manning, but (Ainge) is playing at a level in this league -- and I think in college football -- as well as anybody has played the position in a long time."

"Of course I think his name should be up there, but It's not surprising that it's not," Vols junior tailback Arian Foster said. "It's wrong, but it's not surprising in the fact that the media is real funny.
"I guarantee you if he had the exact same statistics, and we happened to pull out victories versus Cal and Florida, he would be in the Heisman race right now."

TFP:Notes

Demonte Bolden's junior-season surge now includes a leadership role in one of Tennessee's biggest rivalries.

"Demonte has continued to exemplify what we've asked him to do as far as being the type of player we thought he would be when he came here," Fulmer said. "He's rapidly closing in on that, and the best thing about him is that he's got a great attitude about working towards getting there.
"The players were quite pleased with that, when I announced it to them. They recognize that there are other guys -- along with the seniors -- who are trying to lead by example."

Fulmer said freshman Eric Berry is on the verge of making more big plays at strong safety.

"Eric is consistently learning," Fulmer said. "He's got great ball skills. As he continues to get a feel for defenses that we have, and the offenses that we play against, I think we'll continue to see more bigger plays from Eric."

Alabama will be Tennessee's first opponent that runs a 3-4-base defense, but Fulmer didn't sound overly concerned. He said most college teams have multiple defenses.

"You get all kinds of different fronts in this day and age. Every defense has its nuances to it that you've got to manage. There's 11 over there. It's just a matter of trying to manage their 11."

Enjoy this one Vol fans...

Go Vols!!!

 

[myrobbins7]

Thanks OWH. Good read for a Friday, one more day before the bama beat down!

 

[volbreaker]

Thanks once again....great read.

 

[Duckcrazed]

Great read...Got my blood boiling this am...Can't wait for a big win tommorow.

 

[utvolpj]

I honestly believe there's no game CPF and staff would rather win than bama. He will have the boys ready this weekend!

 

[Plano Vol]

I'm all a'quiver! GO VOLS!

 

[DenverVol]

I'm about to burst out in Rocky Top! GO VOLS!

 

[vader]

Great read, as always. :hi:

 

[volley]

Thanks!