Ed Orgeron returns to Oxford, gives all of us the silent treatment

by Joel Hollingsworth on Nov 9, 2009 7:31 AM EST in Rocky Top Talking Points

Ed Orgeron will not be speaking with the media in advance of the matchup against his former employer this week. The Rebels, though, are talking, and if the Vols can find motivation in Tommy West's stupid joke about a talking dog, they might be able to do something with this:

[Some unidentified dude referred to only as "Hodge:"] The first one against Tennessee is kind of personal. Coach O never did anything to me, but the way I saw him treat some people, I know some guys are going to come out with a real fire in their belly and get after (UT) pretty bad."

Defensive end Kentrell Lockett added: "Great guy, but he just wasn't that head coach. He was a great D-line coach but he wasn't that head coach. I haven't talked to him (since Orgeron was fired). I might get a chance to talk to him after the game Saturday - might not, but life goes on, you know."

John Adams may have neglected to fully identify the source of that first quote, but he closed strong: "My guess is the Vols won't find talking Rebels any funnier than a talking dog."

All is well with Nu'Keese Richardson, who said that the weight of his homesickness and introverted personality was what was causing his issues last week. Credit Richardson's roommate Marsalis Teague for helping him through the situation, encouraging him to listen only to the advice of those closest to him -- his aunts and his high school coaches (!) -- who told him to tough it out. According to Kiffin, Richardson had one of his best weeks of practice, and against Memphis, he caught three passes for 54 yards and got his first touchdown. More importantly, he was laughing, joking, and at ease with his role.

And now it's running back Tauren Poole's turn, apparently. Poole was not demonstrably not happy with playing only on special teams against the Tigers, and Kiffin sent him to the locker room with time left on the clock (duplicate link). I'm guessing it was the confirmation that he was behind both Bryce Brown and David Oku in the pecking order. "I don't expect kids to agree with our decisions on playing time," Kiffin said. "I expect them to think that they're the best guy at their position. But they need to respect those decisions and not let their feeling show, and just keep practicing hard and playing hard when they get an opportunity." Kiffin met with Poole yesterday, and, not having had any problems with Poole in the past, Kiffin said he'll be available to play this weekend.

Not only is Jonathan Crompton ranked 1st in the SEC and 4th nationally in touchdowns thrown, he's done it on fewer attempts. Nationally, Crompton's behind only Houston's Case Keenum, Boise State's Kellen Moore, and N.C. State's Russell Wilson. But Crompton's done it on 264 attempts, and Keenum, Moore, and Wilson have 458, 268, and 293 respectively.

Huh. Despite both being charter members of the SEC, Tennessee has only played Ole Miss at Oxford three times.

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