Shots Across The Bow

Tropical Depression Smokey

Yes, the Vols sucked so bad last night, a permanent low pressure zone has formed over Neyland Stadium. Casey, the one-armed-mouth showed that maybe he couldn't have beaten Georgia with one arm after all. Kelley Washington demonstrated yet again that he doesn't have the heart to play Division 1 college ball. Randy Sanders put on a clinic on how not to run an offense. And, as we have come to expect, the officials showed a complete lack of knowledge and vision on the field.
Report Card:
Quarterbacks F.
Clausen was completely ineffective last night. On occasion, he showed flashes of competence, but quickly overcame them with poor decisions and bad throws. To give him credit, on his first interception in the end zone, he threw to the only open man. Unfortunately, the open man was an Alabama player. Twice he threw to non existant players, although to be fair, one of those was a busted route. His pitches were awkward, poorly timed, and difficult to handle, directly contributing to at least one fumble. He simply was not prepared to play.
Receivers B
Tony Brown and Montrell Jones both looked good. They made the catches, and held onto the ball even when taking a vicious hit. It's too bad Casey couldn't find them more often. Jason Witten did his usual excellent job both catching and blocking. I don't think we will have his services next season; he'll be playing on Sunday instead. Losing Kelley Washington was not a factor, as he is of limited benefit to this team. I know, this puts me at odds with every sportswriter in Tennessee, but consider that the Vols are 2-1 without Washington, and 2-2 with him. Add to that the dissension and distraction he causes, and it seems clear that Washington is a negative.
Running Backs D-.
Until the offensive line begins to fuction as a unit, there is no way to tell how good these kids are, with one exception. Troy Fleming could not block a blitzing pass rusher if his life depended on it. He throws a half hearted attempt at pushing the rusher down, then falls on his face. There was one play in the first half where the outside linebacker lined up to blitz. Fleming sidestepped him and went for a three yard pass. By the time he turned around, Clausen had been flattened. Somebody show this kid some films of Shawn Bryson. Throw in the fumbles, and you get another lack-luster performance.
Offensive Line D-
This is a unit of exceptional athletes who don't play as a unit. They consistently miss assignments, fail to pick up even simple stunts, and allow themselves to get manhandled by smaller opponents. When they come up against a good defensive front, they crumble. They are marginally better at pass blocking than run blocking, but that's not saying much since their run blocking is virtually non-existant
Defensive Line/Linebackers C+
They played well in the first half, controlling the line of scrimmage, handling the option, and limiting Alabama's rushing attack. However, they slacked off in the second half and never got much pressure on the Alabama quarterbacks.
Secondary C-
The secondary neglects the fundamentals to go for the big play. The tip and interception was great, but they also gave up several long passes, which wasn't so great.
Special Teams B-
This would have been higher, except for 2 fumbles by Cory Larkins. Dustin Colquitt's punting kept the game in reach for much longer than we had a right to expect; Larkin's first fumble came from trying too hard to do to much, an error I can live with; our kick-offs were consistently in the end zone; and our punt and kick coverage was above average. It's too bad our offense couldn't take advantage of the gift of good field position.
Coaching F-

• Why did Clausen play in the second half when it was clear he was ineffective? James Banks showed he could play during the 4th quarter of the Georgia game. Why didn't Sanders/Fulmer put him in earlier?
• Why didn't Sanders know that there was a chance Kelly Washington wouldn't play?
  

  "I didn't know there was a potential for him not to play until Thursday morning."

  This is inexcusable.
• Why can't Mike Barry get the offensive line functioning as a unit?
• Why can't Fulmer admit that Clausen is a washout as a quarterback?

  "Casey played his rear off. There were a lot of guys who played hard, but we're not disciplined and not very functional'' on offense, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said.

  3 interceptions, including a crucial pick in the end zone? That's not playing your rear off, that's playing like a read end.
• Will LArry Slade ever start telling his safeties and cornerbacks to at least be in the same stadium with the guys they are supposed to cover?

The rest of the teams grades are directly affected by the coaching failures listed above.
One thing I don't blame the coaches for is the team's lack of heart. Desire comes from within; you can't coach it. If these kids can't get up for the Alabama game, then there is nothing the coaches can do.
Officiating No credit.
In a season marked by poor officiating, this crew manages to stand feet and ankles below the crowd. Joe Pa would have hauled off and punched these guys, had this been a Big10 game. First, they call an incomplete forward pass a fumbled lateral. Watching the tape, it is clear that Clausens feet are just inside the 38 yard line when he throws the ball to Tinsley. Tinsleys feet are also just inside the 38 and he is leaning forward to make the catch. This puts his hands ahead of where Clausen's hands were at the time he released the pass. According to Bobby Gaston, SEC Supervisor of officials, that is the deciding criteria. The refs blew the call and cost Tennesse 7 points.
Next comes the infamous lateral. Quarterback Brodie Croyle was clearly down when he pitched the ball to Santonio Beard, who was also down. Inexplicably, the refs allowed play to continue, resulting in 3 points for Alabama.
Overall D
The Vols will go 7-5 this season, losing to Miami, and either South Carolina or Kentucky (probably Kentucky), and will wind up in the Music City Bowl, which is probably better than they deserve.

Posted by Rich at October 27, 2002 9:58 AM