Start Crompton

by rblakeh on Oct 3, 2008 12:45 AM EDT

Unless you want to run a high risk of destroying the confidence of both Jonathon Crompton and Nick Stephens in one fell swoop, you've got to give Crompton the start on Saturday versus NIU.

Here's why.

(Note: This point is moot if either Crompton or Stephens has far and away outperformed the other this week in practice)

If you don't start Crompton on Saturday, I think any possibility of him developing and becoming a good quarterback for the University of Tennessee will be gone. If Stephens gets the start, what little confidence Crompton has will be shot. And, if Stephens plays poorly, the message to Crompton is, "Well, you're going back in, but only because the backup is worse than you are!"

If Stephens starts and makes a few early mistakes, he will have to be pulled before he has a chance to get in any sort of rhythm. He needs to play meaningful snaps, but I don't think it is in his best interest (or in the best interest of UT football) for him to have to win the game. And, as mentioned above, this won't do much for Crompton's confidence either. You want to be "The Guy" because you're the best, not because the other guy sucks more than you.

Give Crompton the chance to prove himself. If he falls short again, let the Nick Stephens era begin.

*Gulp*

Poll

Who do you think should get the start versus NIU?

Crompton

2 votes

Stephens

22 votes

Other

4 votes

28 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

it's too late, baby...

Crompton has had his chance(s). in four games, he has proven he can occasionally run the ball, take a big hit and get back up. even more rarefied is a decent pass attempt. no, #8 has taken his opportunity out behind the shed, flogged it,pooped it, and thrown it 15 yards out of bounds. it’s time for lil Nicky to “release the good”.

whoshotwhointhewhatnow?

by thetennesseethumper on Oct 3, 2008 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

Tough call

I actually think Stephens should start Saturday, although for a different reason. If the coaches run Crompton out on the home field, right or wrong, he’ll hear boos. That may be more devastating than anything. If Stephens does “okay” against NIU and Crompton practices well next week, perhaps he could regain some confidence by having a good play or some good snaps at Georgia. It’s a shame, but home is not so sweet for Crompton right now.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 3, 2008 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

good point

I hadn’t thought of this angle. He is definitely unpopular in the state of Tennessee. Ah well, what matters to me most is that UT is given the best chance to win. I’m glad I don’t have to make the decisions.

by rblakeh on Oct 3, 2008 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Crompton

I want Stephens to start.

Having said that I obviously don’t attend practices so I don’t know who was been practicing better. But my impression of Crompton has been negative for quite a long time. There were rumblings that he did not mesh well with Cutcliffe and that he does not take criticism well. Furthermore, I really got annoyed reading all about his father and how the father wanted to transfer him because he didn’t believe that his son was getting a fair shot underneath Ainge. All this points to a quarterback who has a lot of people back home stroking his ego telling him that nothing is his fault. Think Mitch Mustain and his family with Arkansas. Granted the Nutt clan made a lot of mistakes in that situation but the point was made: its not good when the family of a player tries to get involved with a team and how it’s run. I hate that mentality. It’s a team, an organization. It’s not a mechanism for future success of one person. It’s not a springboard for Jonathan Crompton.

Someday we'll look back on this and plow into a parked car.

by MeytonPanning on Oct 3, 2008 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

Tony Basilio's "inside source" stated that

“Crompton will not be the first QB” to play."

Basilio took that to mean that Stephens will start. It can also mean that Jones gets the first series, which would take the whole “starting QB” thing out of the picture.

by David Hooper on Oct 3, 2008 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

Stephens NOW!!

When a guy has shown that he can’t take his “game” from the practice field to the game over the course of 4 games, it is time to give the next guy in line the opportunity. This is the first time I have heard about his dad wanting to transfer his son. I coach in high school and parents are a much bigger problem than the athletes if you allow it. I set them straight from the start. I tell them that they just gave us the rights to their kids future. If they want them back, just ask and we will remove our energy from the equation. We encourage them to talk to us, but not with the athlete present. Input is one thing, interference is another.

Send the cry baby packing if Stephens shines and daddy starts crying again. You know it will happen. Can anybody remember the recruit we missed because his brother did not get a fair chance?

by coach799 on Oct 4, 2008 11:31 AM EDT reply actions