For all that we tend to criticize Coach Cut for the hyperconservative offense that seemed to choke off player potential in games, I think he did a good job of preparing Ainge for a shot at the pros.  Rumors were that Mike Martz was very tough on the South's offensive squad during the practice sessions - that it was more a matter of enduring the practices than displaying skills in them.

If Ainge managed to take a rough week and turn it into a good performance when it counts, that'll drive his stock up.  Being able to perform under pressure under a new coaching regime will also help him.  Getting a clear advantage in the number of passing plays was partly due to the last-minute drive, but probably partly due to winning the coaches' trust during the week.  That's one way they can subtly communicate that this is the player they most liked to work with, so I hope that's the case here.

Many of the NFL teams take a closer look at the practice habits and off-field routines of the players than the actual on-field performance, so Ainge probably did very well for himself.  He's a class act, a hard worker, and he nailed the game.  Good for him.

didn't appear to have too bad of a day on that highlight tape.  The safety was clearly a breakdown in the O-line.  To be fair, Woodson does hold to ball too long at times, but half the defensive line was waiting for him at the point of his dropback.  That's not exactly holding the ball for too long.

It'd be good to have a good Woodson day, eclipsed only by a great Ainge day.

I kinda hoped the kid would make it, but the last couple of outings have to hurt his chances pretty badly.  I think a pro career is going to be a hard road in the early goings for him, as everybody will now assume that he's a "system" guy whose success was due mostly to Jones and hosting teams to one of the world's most popular vacation spots in the fall.  

(Seriously, how many 20-year olds would be thinking of the game when they're greeted off the plane by leis and hula girls in the tradition of Fantasy Island?  I don't know that this actually happens, but it should.  A home field advantage would become a home field landslide.)

Just like the Rose Bowl...stopped on 4th and short. Hey, here's an idea how about kicking a FG to ice the game. some things never change.

Ainge looked great on that last drive, really helped his stock. Loved the call on the reverse. Martz is a nut so fits his kooky personality perfectly.

fun game to watch.

BTW please beat ucla next fall so they will shut up :-)

Congrats to EA!  I missed the game, but I did manage to find this snippet, from a commenter over on EDSBS this morning, that was rather amusing:

"Roll, Tide, Roll Baby!"

[shrug]

I'm just elated that after all week of the, " Ainge isn't good enough, Ainge doesn't have an arm, Ainge will never make it in the pros, blah, blah, blah", he turns out to be the best qb on the day!

I can't possibly explain how much joy it brings me to see a Tennessee player make commentators and analysts eat their words.

Nobody ever gives our players any positive coverage and it absolutely befuddles, beleagers, and is beyond me. It fills my heart with warmth to see one put it right in their faces!

E was the best qb on the field Saturday and everyody knows it, now. I just hope that the coaches who saw his performance take it to heart. In my opinion, he should be a late first or early second round pick. Probably won't be, but he should. So should Brad Cottam. Excellent day for him too by the way.

Again though, I LOVE when commentators and such have to choke on their negative remarks about us or our players. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Way to go E!