How to milk a Bulldog

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 13, 2009 7:26 AM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Talking Points for Tuesday, October 13, 2009

A little extended schadenfreude. I know we had not one but two FanPosts on this yesterday, but GVX's Vol Historian also got riled by our friend Kyle at Dawg Sports for his inartfully-phrased comparison of our two teams in the wake of Saturday's stomping of the Bulldogs. The biggest insult is that he called our precious blog platform a "chatboard," but he also mentioned that Kyle sounded like he was on the verge of throwing himself out a third-story window. Those in the blogosphere know full well that Georgia fans don't throw themselves out of windows, they throw toasters out of windows and win awards for doing so. Anyway, Brian Cook at Sporting News also leads with Georgia fans' misery in his This Week in Schadenfreude. To Kyle's credit, though, he's taken the post-game stuff in stride and required himself to attend sensitivity training, the effects of which can be found here. Props to Kyle for the humorous response.
The Chimera is also trying to get some extra mileage out of Saturday's big win, scouring the Peach State this week for recruits. Lance Thompson and Ed Orgeron are targeting numerous top prospects in Georgia, the majority of which are already committed elsewhere.

Credit Nick Reveiz and Inky Johnson with a portion of Saturday's win. Both of them gave impassioned speeches to the team Friday night before the game. Would love to have witnessed that.

Funny how a win can make other games look more winnable, but that's exactly what's happened with the Georgia victory. With the exception of Alabama in two weeks, no other game looks like it can't be had.

So Jonathan Crompton wins SEC Offensive Player of the Week. His response? Next game. He doesn't seem to be concerned (except perhaps through some surrogates -- I have sources!) about saying I Told You So to those who've been critical of his performance, although it's becoming increasingly clear that his teammates are fully aware of the negativity and are only barely succeeding in keeping their mouths shut about it. Hopefully, we can put all of that behind us now. Don't expect a Georgia performance from Crompton against Alabama, but perhaps we can give him a bit of the benefit of the doubt even among some struggles in that game.

Wes Rucker has six areas of focus for the Vols' last six weeks, including "Keep Crompton rolling" both "literally as well as figuratively." Question for y'all: What's Alabama likely to do to minimize Crompton's ability to bootleg, roll out and throw? What's the defense for that, and what's the counter?

Is there any reason to visit The Tennessean anymore? It seems like every time a headline prompts me to click over, it's merely a lede and a link to GVX.

Quintin Hancock in a walking boot? How have I missed the story on that?

Tobias Harris, the nation's top-ranked power forward, still likes Tennessee.

I finally got my invitation to Google Wave. I'm now looking for someone else who's gotten theirs so I have someone with which to kick the tires. If you have one, email me. My address is at the very bottom of the site.

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Comments

If Crompton wants to shut up his critics,

he should play the remaining games like he did against Georgia. And, we will call him InCromparable for half a season as we revel in the bowl game.

If he goes up and down, please let the Up games be against the more worthy teams remaining on our schedule and carry us to wins, so that the Down games are against lesser competition and we overcome his shortcomings.

Keep proving it on the field, Jonathan. For now, you’ve only given us one really good reason to say, “I told you so”. Otherwise, the remaining complaints are fully justified. Sure you can share the blame with your WR for their routes/drops or the line in the UCLA game, but don’t beat your chest yet – you are still have a ot more bad games than good on your UT resume.

We are cheering for you. You have put up with some ridiculous things (death threats). But don’t give us attitude yet. Wait til after the bowl game.

by memphispete on Oct 13, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions

Um . . .

Unless I’m reading it wrong, that article is basically the opposite of attitude. I probably did a horrible job of capturing the essence of that article, which I think was basically that he’s keeping any “I told you so-ness” to himself, which is to his credit.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 13, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

And that's not directed at you, memphispete

It just made me think that I gave the wrong impression in that particular talking point, and I wanted to make sure I clarified.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 13, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Even if it's in his heart, it's a bad thing (unless that's what drove the UGA performance)

This is what I’m really responding to:

He doesn’t seem to be concerned (except perhaps through some surrogates — I have sources!) about saying I Told You So to those who’ve been critical of his performance

I’d rather that he not think that this one game somehow justifies his performance on the field to date – even to his friends. You did accurately capture his stoicism (publicly, anyway).

No worries on your clarification, either.

by memphispete on Oct 13, 2009 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Ah, yeah, that's my problem

Surrogate implies they’re acting on behalf of him, and the feeling I got was that they were acting out of their own emotion, not speaking for him, but for themselves. So there’s my error. Thanks for helping me find it.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 13, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Supposedly

Warren made a side comment about Crompton which is what led to his suspension. This is totally apropos of nothing, little more than a rumor from the Usher whom my seat was next too.

The comment was something along the lines of “I’ve never seen a quarterback take 3 hours to get warmed” regarding our previous game with Auburn.

Kiffins reaction was “Suspended”

If there is even an ounce of truth to this, that may be part of whats keeping the team silent. And if there isn’t…well…it’s a good college football myth anyway :)

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman

by Joseph Stanley on Oct 13, 2009 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

That's interesting

The “having to be restrained” from going after a coach had something to do with it, too.

;-)

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 13, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions

FWIW

I think the team came together more after they booted Warren. Nobody likes a loud mouth unless that loud mouth is putting up 30pts a game. i.e. T.O. good player but what an A@#% !!

Phil,GO VOLS !!!

by bulldurham on Oct 13, 2009 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Well the nice thing about the bootleg

If they commit say a LB or move over a DL to try and stop it or bust it open it makes the middle very weak and they would probably hit it a couple of times up the middle with a quick draw to Hardesty or Brown . Bama is so fast on the ends though it’s just crazy ! I think we stay on the ground and soften up the middle.

Phil,GO VOLS !!!

by bulldurham on Oct 13, 2009 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

Along that line,

I think the bootleg will be there only if the run game works. If UT can’t get the zone blocking going, Bama won’t have to commit the linebackers to the run and the bootleg won’t be as effective. I’m actually fairly worried about that, as I’m not sure about how much help Cody Sullins can give Shaw on the chip-out double-team. We saw in the UCLA game how Price was able to push Sullins back into the backfield and disrupt the run game; I would expect the same from Alabama.

I hope the cut block works early and often. Getting Cody tentative is absolutely mandatory.

by David Hooper on Oct 13, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree and it also will open up screen's ( witch ) we like ! : )

Phil,GO VOLS !!!

by bulldurham on Oct 13, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

The bootleg can also open up end-arounds

coming from the bootleg side in the opposite direction with motion (Nu’Keese?). Keeps the LBs honest.

Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle... for this is the WINNING EDGE.

by pound the rock on Oct 13, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

That's a good point

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Oct 13, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

On the flip side...

Funny how a win can make other games look more winnable, but that’s exactly what’s happened with the Georgia victory. With the exception of Alabama in two weeks, no other game looks like it can’t be had.

That is what the Georgia game has shown us. The UCLA, Ohio, and Auburn games have shown us that all of our remaining games are loseable too.

Lou Brock loves Lamp.

by birdjam on Oct 13, 2009 8:55 AM EDT reply actions

Get Stocker involved more

Wes Rucker said it, and I’ve been saying it all year. We need to get the ball in our TE’s hands more.

RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!

by Pride of the Southland on Oct 13, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

That guy is an NFL tight end

He is so big and so good. He will be playing on Sundays.

Lou Brock loves Lamp.

by birdjam on Oct 13, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

The Bootleg

I am not really concerned with the Bama defense figuring out that it is coming. It is still a way better play than a dropback pass for at least two reasons:

1) It is harder to hit a moving target. Or, stated differently, it is easier to escape a blitzing defender when you are already on the move.

2) Crompton just looks soooo much more comfortable when he rolls out. Night and day. Jekyll and Hyde.

________________________________
Eric Berry is better at football than you.

by kidbourbon on Oct 13, 2009 11:48 AM EDT reply actions

Rolling and throwing

Has anyone noticed before that Crompton seems to throw better on the run? I don’t remember hearing that before the Georgia game. Is it possible that Georgia was a one-game anomaly?

Lou Brock loves Lamp.

by birdjam on Oct 13, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

It seems like all year and off season they were saying thats what he does best

Though when it does come games that doesnt always translate, and when receivers drop balls its hard to see. Supposedly, it was also what he excelled at at the HS level.

I dont think its a one-game anomaly, hand it to Kiffin for building a O-scheme to highlight the strengths of our players and minimize their weaknesses – look at the way Bryce gets his touches – they tend to be off tackle and tosses out wide, because he hasn’t yet adapted to hitting the hole in the middle hard and fast yet like Hardesty does.

Thats not to say it will be successful all of the time, Crompton is inconsistent and we haven’t seen any reason to believe offensive production will continue like this, but we do know what works for him, and thats square 1 to success.

I feel like we’ve been running bootlegs all year in the passing game, certainly a lot in the WKU game, and so sometimes it clicks for us, other times not so much. As much blame that has been put on Crompton for shortcomings, you also have to put some blame on a young and inexperienced WR corp, who vastly improved between Auburn and UGA. Let’s hope they continue

RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!

by Pride of the Southland on Oct 13, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Hancock

Kiffin just briefly mentioned in the UGA postgame that his was the only injury to be reported, that it was something to do with an achilles but he should be back for Bama.

Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Oct 13, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

The Greek God ! Oh my god ! : )

Phil,GO VOLS !!!

by bulldurham on Oct 13, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

He will have 2 weeks to get better so that bodes well too

RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!

by Pride of the Southland on Oct 13, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

Kiffin said it’s minor and he should be fine

by golfballs03 on Oct 13, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

What a good weekend...

for Tobias Harris to visit!

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

by sddbaker on Oct 14, 2009 6:06 PM EDT reply actions