THE FIVE BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS OF 2007: #3 -- Demonte Bolden's post-SEC Championship game rant

by Joel Hollingsworth on Jan 9, 2008 6:26 PM EST in Tennessee Volunteer Football

I called Demonte Bolden's comments immediately following the SEC Championship loss an abominable indiscretion:

. . . [T]hat post-game rant is the worst mistake of the season. Worse than the Cal loss or the Florida blowout or the Alabama debacle. And yes, worse than Erik Ainge's two interceptions in the SEC Championship Game. Much worse. He wasn't overpowered or outsmarted or outschemed by some stronger, smarter, or better-prepared opponent. He simply thought more of himself than he did of others, and he injected an element of toxicity into the developing chemistry of this team.

Too strong? Perhaps, but judging from the comments on the post I was not alone in thinking Bolden's words were extraordinarily ill-advised. Bolden was suspended for the bowl game, but it was due to academic failings rather than this outburst. I hope for the sake of the team that Bolden has apologized to Ainge and the rest of team and that all is forgiven. He has the opportunity to be a real leader on the defensive line next year. Here's to hoping he channels that passion in a more positive direction.

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Only human

I honestly didnt and still dont see why this was such a huge deal. Demonte was just saying what a huge group of us, players and fans alike were thinking. Granted he said it to a huge media outlet but yall have to remember these are still relatively young guys who get little to no real press training. And knowing Demonte personally what he said could have been much much worse.

The Vol with the inside scoop

by VOL4Life on Jan 9, 2008 11:08 PM EST reply actions

Team Sport

This fan, for one, never...NEVER...placed any blame on Ainge for the interception that proved to be the deciding factor in the game. I'm sure you've heard many times that in TEAM sports, no single player is responsible for a win and no single player is responsible for a loss.

Why should Ainge take the heat? Why not call out Willingham and Heffney for blown coverage on a 3rd and 16 that resulted in a 27 yd TD pass to Byrd? Why not call out the special teams' defense for not blocking LSU's 2-made FG attempts? Why not call out the defensive squad for allowing 15 other points? Why not call out himself for a pretty poor preformance that night?

LSU had 80 offensive plays. To be fair, I don't know how many plays Demonte actually played (50-60, maybe?) but here are his official numbers from the game:

Solo Tackles - 2
Asst. Tackles -2
TFL - 0
FF - 0
INTC - 0
Brkup - 0
Sacks - 0
QB Hits - 1

Quite unimpressive, if you ask me. He should at least take a glance in the mirror before he throws a teammate under the bus. His comments, whether coached by media professionals or not, were unacceptable.

[/rant]

by Aerobab on Jan 10, 2008 9:18 AM EST up reply actions