Smack yourself on the forehead or slam your head on your desk this morning, boys and and girls, because we've been doing it wrong. How in the world could we not have known that General Neyland's 7 Maxims were originally General Neyland's 38 Maxims? What sort of boiled down soup have we been ingesting all these past years? That's like five times the Maximage that we've been missing for who knows how long. It'd be like the Stadium holding only 20,000 or Jarnell Stokes wearing size fours or Rocky Top being Pile of Pebbles. Shadows. We've been shadows.
On the other hand, the discovery of these Missing Maxims of General Neyland necessarily means that we should be five times better this season, which is a real relief. To help the team get started on that track, I've helpfully prioritized the Lost Maxims we should commit to memory immediately by bolding them in the entire list below.
1. Thou shalt charge a block.2. Thou shalt charge a fight.3. A good interferer never looks back.4. One good interferer is worth 3 ball carrying stars.5. A team that won't be beat can't be beat.6. The team that makes the fewest mistakes win.7. Never stop till the referee's whistle blows.8. Press the kicking game.9. Make and play for the breaks. One comes your way, score.10. If the game or a break goes against you, don't lie down, put on more steam.11. Don't save yourself. Go the limit. There are good men on the sidelines when you are exhausted.12. Football is a battle. Go out to fight and keep it up all afternoon.13. A man's value to his team varies inversely as his distance from the ball.14. If the line goes forward, the team wins; if it comes backward, the team loses.15. Never lose the ball on downs.16. You can't fight like a man with less than 100% loyalty and college spirit.17. You can't do yourself justice without getting and staying in condition.18. At least 3 men make every tackle, "Gang Tacklers."19. Let none escape!20. 1st rush equals 6 yds.21. Eleven men in every play.22. Use your head. 75 percent of football is above the neck.23. One increasing purpose.24. A quitter never wins & a winner never quits.25. Keep everlastingly on the job.26. Be the first to line up.27. Never stop fighting.28. No good blocker and tackler was ever kept off a football team.29. Use your eyes, your hands, your legs, and your head.30. Be aggressive, you can't win the game on your side of the scrimmage line.31. If the game is going against you, keep your head up, set your jaw, and dig in. This is what tests the stuff you are made of.32. Hate & abhor the scrimmage line; it is a restraining mark.33. "Turf" their defense! Get them down!34. A winning team quickens its play as it nears the goal line!35. Get the jump on your teammates on the charge.36. Follow the ball!37. Play your own position well first.38. Line -- charge with the ball!
I especially like "Hate and abhor the scrimmage line; it is a restraining mark." Yeah, and "1st rush equals six yards" sounds nice, too, and probably has something to do with all of that animosity directed toward scrimmage lines and talk of "turfing" the defense.
So there it is. The magic fairy dust that's going to win us eleventy games this fall. I feel better already.
Link dump after the jump.
FOOTBALL
Gruden at coaching clinic " GoVolsXtra
Jon Gruden, who started his coaching career at the University of Tennessee as a graduate assistant from 1986-87 and later won a Super Bowl as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003, will be a featured speaker at the Tennessee Football Coaching Clinic, which runs from April 12-14. [Ed. We finally landed Jon Gruden who owns a miniature golf shack on the strip in Pigeon Forge!]
Mike Strange: Sal Sunseri picking up Vols' spring tempo " GoVolsXtra
It's an entirely new ballgame on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage at UT this spring. All new coaches, brand new scheme. "It's like I'm a freshman again, pretty much,'' said safety Brian Randolph, who technically still is a freshman but will be a sophomore when the 2012 season kicks off. [Ed. Gulp. Whenever I hear stuff like this, I think of this, which didn't end well.]
Tennessee Vols thrilled to see linebacker Herman Lathers return
Certain players on certain teams seemingly have an "it" factor that inspires teammates. UT senior-to-be linebacker Herman Lathers That player on Tennessee’s defense is finally back without a no-contact jersey this spring, and the Volunteers couldn’t seem more pleased to again lineup alongside Herman Lathers. Lathers, a talented but injury-plagued senior-to-be linebacker, is without question UT’s defensive leader. He arguably held that title last season despite missing every game while rehabbing a nasty ankle fracture that required 11 surgical screws.
Football: Video game helps Tennessee Vol tutor teammate
Waggner, a self-described football nerd who thinks about the sport most of the time he isn’t playing it — multiple teammates have told govols247 that they’ve never seen anyone so obsessed with the X’s and O’s of the sport — has essentially been an assistant defensive backs coach the past few seasons. He’s a constant presence around the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center, seemingly always spending his free time in the film room or on the indoor field giving his teammates tips. He spent ample time after Tuesday morning’s practice giving redshirt-freshman-to-be Geraldo Orta tips on his footwork with various techniques.
VolQuest.com - Neal happy to be home
Junior tailback Rajion Neal has welcomed the switch from wide receiver back to running back this spring with open arms. It should come as no surprise though because that's all he knew until midway through last season when the coaches began experimenting with him as a wideout.
"A Brutally Efficient Offense and an Unyielding Defense" | The Vol Historian | GoVolsXtra.com
General Robert R. Neyland, a 1956 inductee to the College Football Hall of Fame, died today, 50 years ago, at the Oeschner Foundation Hopsital in New Orleans.
HOOPS
UT signee Graves makes game-winning free throw " GoVolsXtra
Tennessee signee Bashaara Graves made a game-winning free throw with less than a second left and the East beat the West 79-78 in the McDonald's All-American game on Wednesday in Chicago.
BASEBALL
University of Tennessee Athletics: Baseball
Tennessee shook off a slow start to complete a midweek sweep of Mississippi Valley State, doubling up the Delta Devils, 8-4, on Wednesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Junior Drew Steckenrider went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and fired 1.2 innings of shutout relief in the win.
Vols use doubles to deflate Mississippi Valley State " GoVolsXtra
Tennessee found itself in a quick hole Wednesday night, but with the doubles rolling off the bats, it didn't seem to matter.
Tennessee Vols finish sweep of Mississippi Valley State, 8-4
The Tennessee baseball team completed a two-game, midweek sweep of Mississippi Valley State with an 8-4 victory Wednesday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
LADY VOLS
Holly Warlick on Pat Summitt: All indications to me are she's going to be back " GoVolsXtra
Lady Vols associate head coach Holly Warlick expects Summitt to broach the subject with her assistants now that UT's women's basketball season is complete. Summitt just finished her 38th season as coach of the Lady Vols. It was the first, however, in terms of her battle with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type. "I think she will ask for our input,'' associate head coach Holly Warlick said on Wednesday. "I don't know where she's going with it, I really don't. But I think she'll ask us. That will be a conversation we'll have with her."
Supporters sign 'We Back Pat' billboard; Alzheimer's series launches Sunday " GoVolsXtra
KNOXVILLE - Dozens of supporters added their best wishes for Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt and families of loved ones with Alzheimer's disease today to a billboard placed in the City County Building downtown.
RECRUITING
Tennessee Vols offer elite 2013 safety prospect
One of the top players from the state of California in the 2013 class already is drawing the attention of major programs from coast to coast. Junior safety Max Redfield of Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School, who's ranked the No. 4 safety in the 2013 class by 247Sports, has received 16 scholarship offers to date. Add Tennessee to the growing list of teams pursuing him. Max Redfield of Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School, who’s ranked the nation’s No. 4 safety prospect by 247Sports, said he received his latest scholarship offer last week from the Vols, who became the third SEC team to extend an offer to him.
In-state athlete Jalen Reeves-Maybin visits Tennessee Vols again
Attending Tennessee’s home finale against Vanderbilt last season and returning for a junior day in January showed Jalen Reeves-Maybin almost everything the Vols have to offer.
VolQuest.com - A growing legend
VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
VolQuest.com - Solomon planning Pac-12 trip
VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
VolQuest.com - Rivals/VTO Georgia: Top underclassmen
VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
VolQuest.com - Bryant set to see Norman
VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
VolQuest.com - Despite commitment, Lawson still set to visit
VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
VolQuest.com - Wilson weighs in on Oregon visit, upcoming UT trip
VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
VolQuest.com - Taylor's set for UT spring game visit
VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
VolQuest.com - Rivals/VTO Georgia: Sleeper spotlight
VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
VolQuest.com - WR Baldwin is healthy, ready to prove himself
VOLQuest.com: Complete football, basketball, baseball and recruiting coverage and breaking news of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
ETCETERAS
Foster Moves Onto Round 2 Of Madden '13 Cover Vote Tourney - Tennessee
VOTE HERE! Former Tennessee and current Houston Texans running back Arian Foster has moved onto the second round of the Madden '13 Cover Vote Tournament, defeating the New York Jets' Tim Tebow by a count of 54 to 46 percent. The third-seeded Foster is now up against six-seed Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson in the second round. Fans can vote for Foster from now until next Wednesday (April 4) at the above link.
Happy Birthday - March 28: March, McRae, Neal - Tennessee
Three Vols celebrate their birthdays on March 28: track & field/cross country runner Scott March, basketball guard Jordan McRae and football tailback Rajion Neal. ...
ON TOUR: Williams Named Practice Partner for Davis Cup Tie - Tennessee
Former Vol Rhyne Williams will be traveling with the U.S. Davis Cup team to France next week, Colette Lewis of Zootennis.com reported Tuesday.Williams, former Texas A&M standout Austin Krajicek and 19-year-old Denis Kudla will serve as practice partners as...
University of Tennessee Athletics: Men's Tennis
NOTEBOOK: Campus Kids' Day Vols Host a USTA Campus Kids' Day on Sunday Against Kentucky at 1 p.m.
University of Tennessee Athletics: Baseball
Godley Named CB360 Primetime Performer
College Football Hunger Games: The fight for survival | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo! Sports
From the blog Dr. Saturday: Yahoo! Sports