Friday, December 29, 2006
Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol. 27
Welcome to Coach Scooter’s Outback Bowl edition of the College Football Diary! Well, Monday will be here before you know it, and that means we have once last game to play, and fortunately for us Vol fans, our season will end in Tampa, instead of Lexington this year!
In this week’s edition of the CFD, I will take a look at the bowl preparations for the Vols-Nittany Lions, as well as the latest in recruiting. So let’s get to it!
Coach Fulmer pleased with Vols attitude, work ethic as Penne State matchup looms
Tennessee head football coach Phillip Fulmer voiced optimism Friday afternoon about the attitude and work ethic displayed by the Volunteers since arriving in the Sunshine State to prepare for Monday’s Outback Bowl against Penn State. The Vols continued their quest for improvement with a spirited 75-minute workout at the University of South Florida while temperatures topped 80 degrees.
“Going all the way back to the beginning of the season, this team has shown a physical toughness and a mental toughness,” Fulmer said. “We’ve had our ups and downs with injuries, our ups and downs with a couple of disappointingly close losses. But the great thing about them is they haven’t lost their will to get better.
“That’s just a really positive thing for the coach to go to the practice field with everyday.”
Fulmer stated that guarantees the Vols nothing leading into Monday’s postseason date with the Nittany Lions (8-4).
“It does, however, give us a lot better opportunity to play well than if we had not had those good practices. I’m eager to see the polish put on it today and tomorrow.”
The Vols (9-3) are staging what normally would be two Thursday practices in a typical game week.
“There were a lot of problems built into today’s scripts on both sides to kind of see where we are,” Fulmer said. “Saturday will be a day to clean that up. We’re counting on some young guys in some places to come through, but that’s kind of been the case all year. We definitely need our older guys to play well.”
Among Friday’s visitors at practice was Buck Fitzgerald (defensive back, 1998-2001), who might best be remembered for defensing Florida’s failed two-point conversion attempt in the Vols’ 34-32 win in 2001. Fitzgerald now works in the medical industry in Gainesville, Fla.
Also on hand was former Wichita State linebacker John Blazek (1975-76), who lettered for the Shockers during Fulmer’s five-year tenure in the late 1970s as a WSU assistant coach.
What’s Ahead?
Tennessee’s post-practice activities for Friday included a team visit to GameWorks in Ybor City. The Vols practice at 10 a.m. Saturday before heading to Clearwater, Fla., for Bowl Beach Day at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort. Players and staff also have the opportunity to take in a hockey game Saturday, as the Tampa Bay Lightning hosts the Montreal Canadians at 7:30 p.m.
Defensive line a concern for Coach Fulmer
The Vols worked out in shorts and shoulder pads for more than two hours under clear skies and temperatures hovering in the 70s as they conducted their third day of local Outback Bowl preparations at the University of South Florida.
“We have gone hard at it and that’s with purpose and for a reason, and that’s because we have to get better,” UT head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “Coach (Joe) Paterno was making a point to shower all these great things about our team and we know very well that we have not been ourselves on defense this year at all. Particularly, the challenge has been up front.”
Tennessee entered the season replacing six of the seven starters on the defensive line and at linebacker, then saw preseason All-America Justin Harrell lost for the year after just three games with a biceps injury. Add to that the loss of key secondary stopper Inquoris Johnson and it’s no wonder UT relied strongly on the offense to compile a 9-3 record in 2006.
Big Orange Tailgate Tour Highlights Alumni Events at Outback Bowl
The UT National Alumni Association has a full slate of events for Tennessee alumni, friends and fans at this year’s Outback Bowl.
Sunday, athletics director Mike Hamilton is hosting a dessert and coffee reception at the Renaissance International Plaza Hotel beginning at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. And later that night, a New Year’s Eve Party sponsored by the Tampa Bay Alumni Chapter takes place at Boston’s, the chapter’s TV party location on Anderson Road. The party goes from 8 p.m. to 2 p.m. and is $50 per person.
Those events lead into Monday’s Big Orange Tailgate Tour event at Raymond James Stadium, site of Tennessee’s Outback Bowl game against Penn State. The location is between gates B and C on the stadium’s east side.
A full breakfast buffet kicks off at 8 a.m., with the UT band, cheerleaders and Smokey on site until 10:30. Door prizes include two airline tickets to a 2007 away game and former College Football Hall of Fame member and Volunteer All-America Frank Emanuel will be in attendance.
Cost is $25 per person and reservations can be made by calling Kris Phillips at (865) 599-5898.
Vols Recruiting
Scout.com is reporting the Vols have added three players to their recruiting class. UT got a Christmas present as defensive tackle Rolando Melancon has committed to the Vols on Christmas day. Melancon, from Lutcher High School in Lutcher, Louisiana, is a four star player, ranked 24th overall in the country. The Vols also got soft verbal commitments from defensive end Rufus Williams, from Titusville, Florida and defensive tackle Donald Langley, from Germanton, Maryland. Both three star players.
Also in the news was Luther Davis from West Monroe, Louisiana. Davis is a five star defensive end, who is trying to decide between UT, Auburn and FSU for two of his final visits. Do the math; someone is going to be left out. Davis has a strong relationship with Trooper Taylor, who has been recruiting Davis all along so that is a plus for the Vols. “Coach Troop is an excellent guy away from coaching or football. He is an excellent person.”
Something else that might help the Vols was Davis’ friend, Ahmad Paige, who plays at nearby Sterling High. Paige, a four star wide receiver, de-committed to Florida State, and if he completely eliminates the ‘Noles, Davis will too. It could be a package deal that Coach Fulmer would enjoy receiving on his doorstep come the first week of February.
I did a little investigating when I was in Knoxville this week and found Harrison Smith, is not such a bad guy after all. I have a nephew who plays on the Catholic High football team and he tells me he is a nice guy, very quiet and reserved. Also, an unidentified, but reliable, source told me it was Smith’s father who was the driving force behind him choosing Notre Dame over the Vols. I heard a lot of negative talk about Smith after the decision, but I wouldn’t criticize him because he made a great choice and I wish him all the good fortune in the world because he deserves it.
Chris Donald of Huntingdon, Tennessee still has the Vols and Notre Dame neck and neck for his services next fall. Carlos Dunlap of North Charleston, South Carolina, has the Vols in a dead heat with Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Note Dame and South Carolina. Running back Noel Devine of North Fort Meyers has the Vols in the middle of a huge recruiting battle that includes Florida, LSU and Southern California. The five star player is also looking at Michigan and Nebraska. Lennon Creer of Tatum, Texas, a four star running back, has the Vols in the mix along with Florida, Georgia, Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas.
Unfortunately for the Big Orange, Marvin Austin and Terrance Toliver, two five star players, have dropped the Vols on their list. Austin has Florida State and Southern California high on his list, while Toliver has Florida and LSU at the top of his list.
Scout.com Team Rankings
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Illinois
4. USC
5. Tennessee
6. Notre Dame
7. Nebraska
8. South Carolina
9. Georgia
10. Auburn
Rivals.com Team Rankings
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Southern Cal
5. LSU
6. Notre Dame
7. Georgia
8. Nebraska
9. South Carolina
10. Illinois
Well, that is it for this week! I will be back after the BCS Championship game to give you an SEC bowl re-cap, as well as update you on the latest in recruiting. Until then, rub those orange and white rosary beads, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. I look forward to hearing from all of you out there as we all watch the Vols play Penn State in the Outback Bowl to get your thoughts and opinions! Until then, Go Vols!!
In this week’s edition of the CFD, I will take a look at the bowl preparations for the Vols-Nittany Lions, as well as the latest in recruiting. So let’s get to it!
Coach Fulmer pleased with Vols attitude, work ethic as Penne State matchup looms
Tennessee head football coach Phillip Fulmer voiced optimism Friday afternoon about the attitude and work ethic displayed by the Volunteers since arriving in the Sunshine State to prepare for Monday’s Outback Bowl against Penn State. The Vols continued their quest for improvement with a spirited 75-minute workout at the University of South Florida while temperatures topped 80 degrees.
“Going all the way back to the beginning of the season, this team has shown a physical toughness and a mental toughness,” Fulmer said. “We’ve had our ups and downs with injuries, our ups and downs with a couple of disappointingly close losses. But the great thing about them is they haven’t lost their will to get better.
“That’s just a really positive thing for the coach to go to the practice field with everyday.”
Fulmer stated that guarantees the Vols nothing leading into Monday’s postseason date with the Nittany Lions (8-4).
“It does, however, give us a lot better opportunity to play well than if we had not had those good practices. I’m eager to see the polish put on it today and tomorrow.”
The Vols (9-3) are staging what normally would be two Thursday practices in a typical game week.
“There were a lot of problems built into today’s scripts on both sides to kind of see where we are,” Fulmer said. “Saturday will be a day to clean that up. We’re counting on some young guys in some places to come through, but that’s kind of been the case all year. We definitely need our older guys to play well.”
Among Friday’s visitors at practice was Buck Fitzgerald (defensive back, 1998-2001), who might best be remembered for defensing Florida’s failed two-point conversion attempt in the Vols’ 34-32 win in 2001. Fitzgerald now works in the medical industry in Gainesville, Fla.
Also on hand was former Wichita State linebacker John Blazek (1975-76), who lettered for the Shockers during Fulmer’s five-year tenure in the late 1970s as a WSU assistant coach.
What’s Ahead?
Tennessee’s post-practice activities for Friday included a team visit to GameWorks in Ybor City. The Vols practice at 10 a.m. Saturday before heading to Clearwater, Fla., for Bowl Beach Day at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort. Players and staff also have the opportunity to take in a hockey game Saturday, as the Tampa Bay Lightning hosts the Montreal Canadians at 7:30 p.m.
Defensive line a concern for Coach Fulmer
The Vols worked out in shorts and shoulder pads for more than two hours under clear skies and temperatures hovering in the 70s as they conducted their third day of local Outback Bowl preparations at the University of South Florida.
“We have gone hard at it and that’s with purpose and for a reason, and that’s because we have to get better,” UT head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “Coach (Joe) Paterno was making a point to shower all these great things about our team and we know very well that we have not been ourselves on defense this year at all. Particularly, the challenge has been up front.”
Tennessee entered the season replacing six of the seven starters on the defensive line and at linebacker, then saw preseason All-America Justin Harrell lost for the year after just three games with a biceps injury. Add to that the loss of key secondary stopper Inquoris Johnson and it’s no wonder UT relied strongly on the offense to compile a 9-3 record in 2006.
Big Orange Tailgate Tour Highlights Alumni Events at Outback Bowl
The UT National Alumni Association has a full slate of events for Tennessee alumni, friends and fans at this year’s Outback Bowl.
Sunday, athletics director Mike Hamilton is hosting a dessert and coffee reception at the Renaissance International Plaza Hotel beginning at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. And later that night, a New Year’s Eve Party sponsored by the Tampa Bay Alumni Chapter takes place at Boston’s, the chapter’s TV party location on Anderson Road. The party goes from 8 p.m. to 2 p.m. and is $50 per person.
Those events lead into Monday’s Big Orange Tailgate Tour event at Raymond James Stadium, site of Tennessee’s Outback Bowl game against Penn State. The location is between gates B and C on the stadium’s east side.
A full breakfast buffet kicks off at 8 a.m., with the UT band, cheerleaders and Smokey on site until 10:30. Door prizes include two airline tickets to a 2007 away game and former College Football Hall of Fame member and Volunteer All-America Frank Emanuel will be in attendance.
Cost is $25 per person and reservations can be made by calling Kris Phillips at (865) 599-5898.
Vols Recruiting
Scout.com is reporting the Vols have added three players to their recruiting class. UT got a Christmas present as defensive tackle Rolando Melancon has committed to the Vols on Christmas day. Melancon, from Lutcher High School in Lutcher, Louisiana, is a four star player, ranked 24th overall in the country. The Vols also got soft verbal commitments from defensive end Rufus Williams, from Titusville, Florida and defensive tackle Donald Langley, from Germanton, Maryland. Both three star players.
Also in the news was Luther Davis from West Monroe, Louisiana. Davis is a five star defensive end, who is trying to decide between UT, Auburn and FSU for two of his final visits. Do the math; someone is going to be left out. Davis has a strong relationship with Trooper Taylor, who has been recruiting Davis all along so that is a plus for the Vols. “Coach Troop is an excellent guy away from coaching or football. He is an excellent person.”
Something else that might help the Vols was Davis’ friend, Ahmad Paige, who plays at nearby Sterling High. Paige, a four star wide receiver, de-committed to Florida State, and if he completely eliminates the ‘Noles, Davis will too. It could be a package deal that Coach Fulmer would enjoy receiving on his doorstep come the first week of February.
I did a little investigating when I was in Knoxville this week and found Harrison Smith, is not such a bad guy after all. I have a nephew who plays on the Catholic High football team and he tells me he is a nice guy, very quiet and reserved. Also, an unidentified, but reliable, source told me it was Smith’s father who was the driving force behind him choosing Notre Dame over the Vols. I heard a lot of negative talk about Smith after the decision, but I wouldn’t criticize him because he made a great choice and I wish him all the good fortune in the world because he deserves it.
Chris Donald of Huntingdon, Tennessee still has the Vols and Notre Dame neck and neck for his services next fall. Carlos Dunlap of North Charleston, South Carolina, has the Vols in a dead heat with Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Note Dame and South Carolina. Running back Noel Devine of North Fort Meyers has the Vols in the middle of a huge recruiting battle that includes Florida, LSU and Southern California. The five star player is also looking at Michigan and Nebraska. Lennon Creer of Tatum, Texas, a four star running back, has the Vols in the mix along with Florida, Georgia, Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas.
Unfortunately for the Big Orange, Marvin Austin and Terrance Toliver, two five star players, have dropped the Vols on their list. Austin has Florida State and Southern California high on his list, while Toliver has Florida and LSU at the top of his list.
Scout.com Team Rankings
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Illinois
4. USC
5. Tennessee
6. Notre Dame
7. Nebraska
8. South Carolina
9. Georgia
10. Auburn
Rivals.com Team Rankings
1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Southern Cal
5. LSU
6. Notre Dame
7. Georgia
8. Nebraska
9. South Carolina
10. Illinois
Well, that is it for this week! I will be back after the BCS Championship game to give you an SEC bowl re-cap, as well as update you on the latest in recruiting. Until then, rub those orange and white rosary beads, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. I look forward to hearing from all of you out there as we all watch the Vols play Penn State in the Outback Bowl to get your thoughts and opinions! Until then, Go Vols!!
