I don't like to dwell, often, about posts specifically related to Tennessee Football. But somethings are just meant to be, and with the 1-3 start, there's without question some reasons to talk.
As you know, I was high on the Vols pre-season. I thought they had a tough road, but I thought they certainly had the talent to be not just competitive, but very, very competitive, not only in the SEC, but by season's end, the national picture. Then Norm Chow happened. Then Jonathan Crompton happened, and more Arian Foster than we know what to do with.
It's almost hard to find a place to start with how bad things are looking. I was high on Crompton coming into the year, I really was. Big kid, strong arm, but apparently, he's the dumbest person of all time, best said by Gary Danielson's comment, "I mean, is this kid coached to not throw touchdown passes..." after he apparently didn't see a streaking Denarius Moore all alone in the endzone last Saturday against Auburn.
This kid is so bad, it's unreal. It's almost like there's someone in the second row in a catchers outfit, crouched down signaling for the fastball, and Crompton just looks to deliver the heat up into the 2nd row each throw on the sideline. Apparently, this kid can't see the middle of the field. Apparently, this kid sees his first read as being covered, and throws the ball into the next zipcode.
I've never seen anyone like this. How do you not complete a ball in the fourth quarter? The Vols defense was as good as about anyone in the nation, especially in the second half of last Saturday's game. But the kid couldn't complete a pass to save his life, let alone the life of his team in the SEC race.
And the fumbles are out of control. Say what you want, but I know the position of quarterback. Execution was always another story, but I know the position. And the fumble on Saturday wasn't Arian Foster's fault. Sure, he didn't help Crompton out too much, but Foster didn't grab at the ball. It's Crompton's job to get him the football regardless how small of a cradle that Foster gives him to work with, and that I why I put the blame on Crompton.
If we had anyone serviceable at the quarterback position, we'd be 3-1 at least. And that doesn't include being down only 14-10 at halftime against Florida. Sure, anything could have happened, but we could have won that game with the way our defense played. Ok, special teams is another story as well.
But this is on the quarterback. He's miserable, absolutely terrible. I won't even get into what I think about the offensive coordinator. But at this point, at 1-3, the head coach has to do something to show the fans that there is something coming. Give us something to believe in. He has said that putting Eric Berry in the backfield might not give us anything that Gerald Jones can't with his package. Maybe that's the case, but if Eric Berry is lined up at quarterback, at least every fan that knows anything about the Vols would go absolutely nuts and would be more excited at that point in time than at any other time throughout the course of this season.
1-3 is terrible but honestly, I believe we are one terrible player away from having the ability to win the rest of our games, with the way our defense is playing. We don't need much if they keep this up. Not a whole lot at all. But just one time, please, just once, put in anyone. I don't care who it is, but we can't continue to be competitive with Crompton at quarterback, so we might as well try something else.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Into This Weekend, Status Update
First, I will begin with the status of No Owens Sports. It's central office is now moved to a secure location, which will most likely lead to a stronger array of posts weekly. This is good, this is very good, for all parties. That being said, let's dive into the weekend.
Before we get into college football, the playoff races in Major League Baseball are shaping up very nicely. Sure, the Cubs and Angels have more or less locked up their divisions, and the second place team in the AL East will more than likely get the Wild Card. Other than that, there's a lot up in the air, and plenty of drama to go with. The NL East is where it was last year, minus the whole meltdown and Carlos Delgado, apparently, acting like an MVP Candidate. That, and the AL East leading RAYS can't seem to get a sell out in their ball park, not even now. It's amazing how many, die hard, RAYS fans there are now.
The AL East is really a compelling race. I don't know if it's a true, "David vs. Goliath" type story, but it's pretty close. I mean, how does a team with Josh Beckett's salary not beat the RAYS easily. Or, the Yankees for that matter. I'd like to get into it, but you can imagine what this focus is today.
Tomorrow is pretty much the biggest day of my year. Fortunately, I don't have to go into the land of jersey, jean-short, weird chain-wearing land to see the game this year. I'm referring to Gainesville, not Roy Oswalt's family reunions.
Tennessee hosts Florida tomorrow at 3:30 Eastern tomorrow on CBS. The sad thing is, I have no confidence int he Vols whatsoever going into this game. Like, the Tennessee coaching staff has given me no reason to have any faith. The guys are terrible and it seems that we have an amateur as an offensive coordinator. All of this being said, UT, wins games like this that they really shouldn't or aren't supposed to.
What's interesting about the last point is that up until about five or six years ago, games that UT shouldn't win didn't exist. They should have business winning every game and every team they play should expect that anything than their best is going to cause a rout in the favor of the Vols.
So say the Vols come out, control the line of scrimmage on offense, run the ball well and win the game. What does that mean? Does it mean the Vols are back in the scene and have the ability and swagger to run the rest of the table in the East? Who knows. Regardless of the outcome of this game, the coaching staff at UT still needs a tweak, barring the Vols ripping off 10 in a row, which seems unlikely, especially right now. So even if the Vols pull the upset (pull the upset at home is a pretty terrible concept) it shouldn't all of a sudden mean that Coach Fulmer is the man in Knoxville.
Mind you, for any SEC non-believers out there, while the Vols and Gators play at 3:30, don't forget that LSU@Auburn is a prime time game, so too is Georgia@Arizona State. I still think that LSU is a force that no one is really paying attention to yet. Watch out. As for Georgia, they are running into a pretty mad ASU team after losing last week. Not that that means anything to the Dawgs or anything but we shall see.
Outside of that, here's my favorite story. So we know what happened to Ohio State last weekend. Which we all knew, but riddle me this...Terrelle Pryor is about the worst thing that could have happened to that team this year. If Pryor wasn't in the picture, there would be no quarterback controversy as proven Todd Boeckman wouldn't be forced into trying to learn some new offensive schemes. Also, he wouldn't lose his rhythm throughout the course of a game, with the high demand to get snaps for Pryor. In my opinion, Ohio State is a worse team with Pryor than they are with him right now. I don't know what he was thinking when he didn't go to Michigan, but as of right now, that would have been a move that would have benefited both parties, in my opinion, if that's possible.
I enjoy the weekend, as best as possible.
Before we get into college football, the playoff races in Major League Baseball are shaping up very nicely. Sure, the Cubs and Angels have more or less locked up their divisions, and the second place team in the AL East will more than likely get the Wild Card. Other than that, there's a lot up in the air, and plenty of drama to go with. The NL East is where it was last year, minus the whole meltdown and Carlos Delgado, apparently, acting like an MVP Candidate. That, and the AL East leading RAYS can't seem to get a sell out in their ball park, not even now. It's amazing how many, die hard, RAYS fans there are now.
The AL East is really a compelling race. I don't know if it's a true, "David vs. Goliath" type story, but it's pretty close. I mean, how does a team with Josh Beckett's salary not beat the RAYS easily. Or, the Yankees for that matter. I'd like to get into it, but you can imagine what this focus is today.
Tomorrow is pretty much the biggest day of my year. Fortunately, I don't have to go into the land of jersey, jean-short, weird chain-wearing land to see the game this year. I'm referring to Gainesville, not Roy Oswalt's family reunions.
Tennessee hosts Florida tomorrow at 3:30 Eastern tomorrow on CBS. The sad thing is, I have no confidence int he Vols whatsoever going into this game. Like, the Tennessee coaching staff has given me no reason to have any faith. The guys are terrible and it seems that we have an amateur as an offensive coordinator. All of this being said, UT, wins games like this that they really shouldn't or aren't supposed to.
What's interesting about the last point is that up until about five or six years ago, games that UT shouldn't win didn't exist. They should have business winning every game and every team they play should expect that anything than their best is going to cause a rout in the favor of the Vols.
So say the Vols come out, control the line of scrimmage on offense, run the ball well and win the game. What does that mean? Does it mean the Vols are back in the scene and have the ability and swagger to run the rest of the table in the East? Who knows. Regardless of the outcome of this game, the coaching staff at UT still needs a tweak, barring the Vols ripping off 10 in a row, which seems unlikely, especially right now. So even if the Vols pull the upset (pull the upset at home is a pretty terrible concept) it shouldn't all of a sudden mean that Coach Fulmer is the man in Knoxville.
Mind you, for any SEC non-believers out there, while the Vols and Gators play at 3:30, don't forget that LSU@Auburn is a prime time game, so too is Georgia@Arizona State. I still think that LSU is a force that no one is really paying attention to yet. Watch out. As for Georgia, they are running into a pretty mad ASU team after losing last week. Not that that means anything to the Dawgs or anything but we shall see.
Outside of that, here's my favorite story. So we know what happened to Ohio State last weekend. Which we all knew, but riddle me this...Terrelle Pryor is about the worst thing that could have happened to that team this year. If Pryor wasn't in the picture, there would be no quarterback controversy as proven Todd Boeckman wouldn't be forced into trying to learn some new offensive schemes. Also, he wouldn't lose his rhythm throughout the course of a game, with the high demand to get snaps for Pryor. In my opinion, Ohio State is a worse team with Pryor than they are with him right now. I don't know what he was thinking when he didn't go to Michigan, but as of right now, that would have been a move that would have benefited both parties, in my opinion, if that's possible.
I enjoy the weekend, as best as possible.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Vince Young Is A Certified Whack Job
Before we get into today's topic, let me remind you of something outstanding.
The other day I was watching ESPN and the best thing ever came across the bottom line: Michelle Wie to Enter LPGA Qualifying School.
It's about time her own tour figured out she's terrible.
As many of you know, I am a huge Vince Young fan. I love the guy on the field. I think he has an athletic ability and a drive synonymous with about no one I've ever seen. At the same point, he apparently has a mental condition stronger than anyone I've ever seen to go with it.
You know there are issues when the cops are called to find the franchise player of a football team because he's gone missing without his cell phone. I mean, what if this was a false alarm and he just went into Waffle House to grab a bite and his phone was just in his car charging? Is it in his contract to have his phone on him at all times? How much would my new favorite player Chad Ocho Cinqo love that concept? He'd duct tape one of those TAG phones to his helmet.
So Vince is a "Me" guy. He's not a "Team" guy. What gives? Now that I go back and think about it, it was the same thing in college. Except being a "Me" and "Team" guy was the same thing because he was that squad. So today, there are all of these character issues with Vince, and I'm not even going to speculate as to where they really, deeply come from. But what I do know, is that whatever this is, is affecting him to be a game changer on the field.
Living in Nashville, I have to listen to all of these Titans fans and Nashvillians say things like, "I knew all along we should have drafted Jay Cutler." Because Cutler looked good against the Raiders on Monday, who are about the worst team ever (no offense to some readers), he apparently is the best thing since sliced bread. Sure, Cutler may have a better career than Vince, but he wasn't the value pick at #3. In that draft, there were four guys capable of going #1 and none of them played in the SEC.
And to further address my point, Young is the perfect quarterback for the Titans. Why? Look at the Titans and how the organization has been structured since it's been in Nashville. Be a power running team, play solid defense and with on that side of the ball, and keep the budget down. So when you aren't an offensive minded team, basically by business structure, how perfect is it to draft a guy who has the ability to go the distance from the moment he takes the snap? That's an added dimension that you are getting a fairly reasonable value, all things considered, and the guy has won more games than he's lost as a starter in this league with a couple of those wins coming with the natural ability that he possesses.
Sure, he throws some bad balls. He threw two awful picks this past Sunday. But at the same rate, he also had two key balls dropped by his receivers. Does he turn the ball over too much? Yeah, but he's also got a defense that allows you to make a few mistakes. They are that good, believe me. So to me, all things considered, Young is the perfect guy for that team, as a player.
The issue now is how do you take control of your team as a quarterback. It's funny because in the past two weeks, I've heard so much about the two quarterbacks in this state and their reactions to adversity (Vince and the Vols Jonathan Crompton). Vince is a good kid, I think. He's cocky, but he can be, and he's got the swagger of a star. The question is, where is it? Where has it gone? And why is it effecting him on the level that it apparently is, off the field. Because what I see is a guy bringing his off the field problems down the tunnel and on the field on Sundays.
Maybe things are pretty bad at home and in the old neighborhood in Houston as has been speculated. But I saw an interview once with of all people Keith Richards where he said something along the lines of, "Getting out on stage every night is the only time I get some piece and quiet." Meaning to me, that life can be demanding, but he gets out there to do the thing he loves to do, and lets everything else go, and nothing matters. Maybe when he's back on the field in 2-4 weeks, he can use his love of the game of football to get him through whatever other problems he's been having.
The other day I was watching ESPN and the best thing ever came across the bottom line: Michelle Wie to Enter LPGA Qualifying School.
It's about time her own tour figured out she's terrible.
As many of you know, I am a huge Vince Young fan. I love the guy on the field. I think he has an athletic ability and a drive synonymous with about no one I've ever seen. At the same point, he apparently has a mental condition stronger than anyone I've ever seen to go with it.
You know there are issues when the cops are called to find the franchise player of a football team because he's gone missing without his cell phone. I mean, what if this was a false alarm and he just went into Waffle House to grab a bite and his phone was just in his car charging? Is it in his contract to have his phone on him at all times? How much would my new favorite player Chad Ocho Cinqo love that concept? He'd duct tape one of those TAG phones to his helmet.
So Vince is a "Me" guy. He's not a "Team" guy. What gives? Now that I go back and think about it, it was the same thing in college. Except being a "Me" and "Team" guy was the same thing because he was that squad. So today, there are all of these character issues with Vince, and I'm not even going to speculate as to where they really, deeply come from. But what I do know, is that whatever this is, is affecting him to be a game changer on the field.
Living in Nashville, I have to listen to all of these Titans fans and Nashvillians say things like, "I knew all along we should have drafted Jay Cutler." Because Cutler looked good against the Raiders on Monday, who are about the worst team ever (no offense to some readers), he apparently is the best thing since sliced bread. Sure, Cutler may have a better career than Vince, but he wasn't the value pick at #3. In that draft, there were four guys capable of going #1 and none of them played in the SEC.
And to further address my point, Young is the perfect quarterback for the Titans. Why? Look at the Titans and how the organization has been structured since it's been in Nashville. Be a power running team, play solid defense and with on that side of the ball, and keep the budget down. So when you aren't an offensive minded team, basically by business structure, how perfect is it to draft a guy who has the ability to go the distance from the moment he takes the snap? That's an added dimension that you are getting a fairly reasonable value, all things considered, and the guy has won more games than he's lost as a starter in this league with a couple of those wins coming with the natural ability that he possesses.
Sure, he throws some bad balls. He threw two awful picks this past Sunday. But at the same rate, he also had two key balls dropped by his receivers. Does he turn the ball over too much? Yeah, but he's also got a defense that allows you to make a few mistakes. They are that good, believe me. So to me, all things considered, Young is the perfect guy for that team, as a player.
The issue now is how do you take control of your team as a quarterback. It's funny because in the past two weeks, I've heard so much about the two quarterbacks in this state and their reactions to adversity (Vince and the Vols Jonathan Crompton). Vince is a good kid, I think. He's cocky, but he can be, and he's got the swagger of a star. The question is, where is it? Where has it gone? And why is it effecting him on the level that it apparently is, off the field. Because what I see is a guy bringing his off the field problems down the tunnel and on the field on Sundays.
Maybe things are pretty bad at home and in the old neighborhood in Houston as has been speculated. But I saw an interview once with of all people Keith Richards where he said something along the lines of, "Getting out on stage every night is the only time I get some piece and quiet." Meaning to me, that life can be demanding, but he gets out there to do the thing he loves to do, and lets everything else go, and nothing matters. Maybe when he's back on the field in 2-4 weeks, he can use his love of the game of football to get him through whatever other problems he's been having.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
And Now, The NFL
With the obsession that No Owens has with college football (and now Sarah Palin), it's tough to really get fired up about the world's biggest league, the NFL. What's interesting is there is actually a lot to get fired up about in the NFL.
First, lets start with the New Orleans Saints. As most teams in the NFC continue to struggle to find themselves, the under achieving Saints from last year have added yet another offensive weapon in Jeremy Shockey at tight end. Not to mention, Robert Meachem has decided he wants to show up. So, if Reggie Bush can figure out how to be an NFL back, the Saints will have the best offense in the NFL. Yes, that's right, the NFL. They will be more balanced than the Patriots should the Saints find a consistent running game. Now, you have a hurricane in Louisiana, that tends to bode well for the Saints. Can their defense stop anyone? Probably enough to keep it under 28 points per game, because I get the Saints score more than that per game.
After insulting the Patriots, we might as well get to them. It's going to be interesting to see just how smart their coaching staff is. Why? First, it's hard to have the kind of success they had offensively two years in a row in the NFL, especially running their style of offense. Ask the Rams. Keep in mind that the Pats and Colts run two very different types of offenses. The Colts are much more balanced, making them better suited for the long term, which is why their 11+ win consistency hasn't been met by the Patriots. Not to mention their defense isn't a bunch of hungry rent-a-players. They are players built to stay/last. That being said, of the two super powers in the AFC, I like the Colts to have the better year, assuming they can stay healthy. They are going to need to find an alternative to Marvin Harrison going forward. Personally, I can't believe they let Early Doucet get away from them. He would have been a perfect fit to be the next Marvin. But what do I know?
What I do know is that I think this is the year for the Jaguars in the AFC. Assuming the Patriots are going to be down a little this year, and assuming the Colts are going to have issues with their health, look for the Jaguars to take a Wild Card birth to the Super Bowl. They aren't built to win their division, but they are built to win a Super Bowl. Stingy defense and a solid running game to go with a great quarterback that will be recognized as one of the league's best at year's end. Maybe not in your fantasy league, but overall. This guy is a player. And as much as I hate to want a Gator to succeed, I think Fred Taylor is one of the best running backs of all time never to get any credit. I think a ring would do a lot for his creds, and potentially get him into the Hall.
And of course, I can't get out of this without talking about the Packers. I hate to draw comparisons to the college game, and it is ironic, but look at LSU last year. LSU went into the year with all the talent in the world coming back, but sans their quarterback. And Matt Flynn (now Packer clipboard holder) had to keep it simple and not turn the ball over. That's what he did and they won a title. I think what we've seen from Rodgers, as I've said before, is that he just needs to be an expert in this offense and facilitate. He's not flashy and he doesn't have to be. Leave that to Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and James Jones. One thing to watch for is this...Ryan Grant will be the biggest bust of all fantasy drafts. Figure it out for yourself, but he's not the best running back on that team, and won't be the starter come week three.
Going into the season, if I was forced to pick a Super Bowl match up, it would be New Orleans and Jacksonville. Apparently, the Panthers are going to be back this year as are the Eagles. I'll buy into the Panthers, but I'll believe the Eagles when I see it. What I do see is an interesting year in the NFL. You should too.
First, lets start with the New Orleans Saints. As most teams in the NFC continue to struggle to find themselves, the under achieving Saints from last year have added yet another offensive weapon in Jeremy Shockey at tight end. Not to mention, Robert Meachem has decided he wants to show up. So, if Reggie Bush can figure out how to be an NFL back, the Saints will have the best offense in the NFL. Yes, that's right, the NFL. They will be more balanced than the Patriots should the Saints find a consistent running game. Now, you have a hurricane in Louisiana, that tends to bode well for the Saints. Can their defense stop anyone? Probably enough to keep it under 28 points per game, because I get the Saints score more than that per game.
After insulting the Patriots, we might as well get to them. It's going to be interesting to see just how smart their coaching staff is. Why? First, it's hard to have the kind of success they had offensively two years in a row in the NFL, especially running their style of offense. Ask the Rams. Keep in mind that the Pats and Colts run two very different types of offenses. The Colts are much more balanced, making them better suited for the long term, which is why their 11+ win consistency hasn't been met by the Patriots. Not to mention their defense isn't a bunch of hungry rent-a-players. They are players built to stay/last. That being said, of the two super powers in the AFC, I like the Colts to have the better year, assuming they can stay healthy. They are going to need to find an alternative to Marvin Harrison going forward. Personally, I can't believe they let Early Doucet get away from them. He would have been a perfect fit to be the next Marvin. But what do I know?
What I do know is that I think this is the year for the Jaguars in the AFC. Assuming the Patriots are going to be down a little this year, and assuming the Colts are going to have issues with their health, look for the Jaguars to take a Wild Card birth to the Super Bowl. They aren't built to win their division, but they are built to win a Super Bowl. Stingy defense and a solid running game to go with a great quarterback that will be recognized as one of the league's best at year's end. Maybe not in your fantasy league, but overall. This guy is a player. And as much as I hate to want a Gator to succeed, I think Fred Taylor is one of the best running backs of all time never to get any credit. I think a ring would do a lot for his creds, and potentially get him into the Hall.
And of course, I can't get out of this without talking about the Packers. I hate to draw comparisons to the college game, and it is ironic, but look at LSU last year. LSU went into the year with all the talent in the world coming back, but sans their quarterback. And Matt Flynn (now Packer clipboard holder) had to keep it simple and not turn the ball over. That's what he did and they won a title. I think what we've seen from Rodgers, as I've said before, is that he just needs to be an expert in this offense and facilitate. He's not flashy and he doesn't have to be. Leave that to Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, and James Jones. One thing to watch for is this...Ryan Grant will be the biggest bust of all fantasy drafts. Figure it out for yourself, but he's not the best running back on that team, and won't be the starter come week three.
Going into the season, if I was forced to pick a Super Bowl match up, it would be New Orleans and Jacksonville. Apparently, the Panthers are going to be back this year as are the Eagles. I'll buy into the Panthers, but I'll believe the Eagles when I see it. What I do see is an interesting year in the NFL. You should too.
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