Posts Tagged ‘Volunteers’

For Old Times Sake

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Posted 02 Sep 2011 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Thought a re-post from the summer before last was in order a day before game day. My thoughts when originally posted:

Call me nostalgic, but during these early days of summer Vol news just seems to be at a minimum… At least compared to last season.

And if you’re around the 30-year age range like myself, you almost wonder what happened to my Tennessee Volunteers when you see a video like this, and set to a great track by The Who. There just doesn’t seem to be as many John Hendersons, Will Overstreets, Travis Stephens and Casey Clausens on the Hill as there used to be.

Don’t get me wrong, my optimism is as high as ever with each passing week of the Dooley era, but it’s always fun to take a look back at where the Vols have been over the last 20 years… especially when that includes clips of a Travis Stephens 200-plus yard performance against the Gators in the Swamp in 2001.

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Eric Gordon talks UNC and the Music City Bowl

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Posted 29 Dec 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Eric Gordon discusses the task of facing Tarheel quarterback T.J. Yates and his receivers in the Music City Bowl tomorrow night. Gordon also adds a funny story about growing up with older brother Jamont Gordon, a former All-SEC basketball player for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

In addition, here’s a great write-up by ESPN.com’s Chris Lowe on Justin Hunter and the future of the Tennessee Volunteers. Lowe has also gone on the record, picking Tennessee to beat North Carolina 27-21 Thursday night.

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Youth Was Served – In More Ways Than One

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Posted 12 Sep 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

It’s a youthful team that folds when faced with adversity. And that’s really the nuts and bolts of it looking at last night’s loss. The Matt Simms  interception after the half last night was simply the first crack in the dam. Also, to say that the Vols weren’t tired, and didn’t look tired at that point, would be short-sighting it.

The Tennessee passing game could never really get going, Oregon’s depth eventually played a factor and after a very promising start, Tennessee showed how far they still have to go to be competitive on a national level. Oregon meanwhile, is a team that looks to be in it’s prime after basting the Vols 48-13.

On the other side of the ball, a very youthful collegiate-like VOL Nation really brought it last night, unlike they have since, I’d say, 2006. Not even a massive downpour of Biblical proportions could stop the Vol faithful last night, which is what this young team really needs right now – support, no matter the outcome or event.

A few bright spots and things to build on after last night:

  • Tauren Poole is a man among boys – 164 yards and a touchdown, and all the effort he could muster
  • A young offensive line that can only get better
  • The talent of Justin Hunter – the Vols MUST find a way to get him more involved
  • Montori Hughes’ mean streak
  • Janzen Jackson was literally all over the field
  • Marsalis Teague is one hell of defensive back

The Ducks showed the Vols what a championship team looks like and they hung stride-for-stride with them for a half. It’s the level of overcoming obstacles and grabing that extra something down deep that the Vols currently lack. Hopefully they learned a hard lesson last night. GO VOLS! Beat Florida!

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Jim Chaney Breaks Down the Offense

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Posted 09 Sep 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

I’m going out on a limb saying that Jim Chaney is probably the best offensive mind to come through Big Orange Country in my lifetime. That’s right, and I’m looking straight at you, David Cutcliffe, and you, Phillip Fulmer, and not batting an eye. Chaney has consistently put players in the best position to succeed on the field and is in the second phase of developing an unknown (Matt Simms) into a quarterback that can lead a high-powered, though run-oriented, offense. I really can’t wait to see what he can do with Tyler Bray after four years on the job.

Chaney has also shown his prowess on the recruiting trail, reeling in such big targets as James Stone, and is the lead recruiter for Antonio Richardson this year. And his no-nonsense approach to the offense has the Vols in position for a huge upset Saturday against the Ducks. If the Vols can get it done it will surely be due, at least partly, to the vision of Jim Chaney.

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Game Week Rundown

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Posted 02 Sep 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

There have been numerous media opportunities this week as Tennessee prepares to host UT-Martin in their season opener. Inside Tennessee, as well as a host of other media outlets got a chance to sit down with coaches and players this week including starting left tackle Dallas Thomas (above), who will be tasked with protecting quarterback Matt Simms’ blind side this season.

Coach Derek Dooley game week presser, Part 1: Click Here

Coach Derek Dooley game week presser, Part 2: Click Here

Vol Defensive End Chris Walker meets with reporters: Click Here

An exceptional feature by UTSports.com on head strength and conditioning coach Bennie Wylie: Click Here

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Welcome Back! (Justin Hunter – 2010 Tennessee Vol WR recruit)

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Posted 01 Sep 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

In light of yesterday’s news that Vol freshmen wideout  Justin Hunter was cleared by the NCAA, I’m reposting his amazing highlights video and the text that ran with it:

With the return of Volunteer senior wideouts Gerald Jones and Denarious Moore this year, top wide receiver recruit Da’Rick Rogers signed and early enrollee Matt Milton on campus, it’s easy to overlook wide receiver Justin Hunter – a one-time LSU signee.

Hunter’s signature was a signing day coup for Derek Dooley’s Tennessee Volunteers and one that shouldn’t be overshadowed by the signing of Rogers and Milton. Hunter, an Under Armour All-American, was a standout athlete in basketball and track, to go along with football, and will likely test his abilities for the Vol track team in the spring as well.

Hunter is in the same mold of tall, athletic wide receivers as Rogers and Milton, but a bit on the lighter side. Nonetheless, he makes up for that with his speed and leaping ability. The 6’4 receiver was categorized as this by Rivals: “His leaping ability is off the charts, and he is a long strider, so his speed is very deceptive. Hunter also has big, strong hands and knows how to catch the ball away from his body.”

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An Inside Look at the Vols

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Posted 23 Aug 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Here’s a great video from the guys over at InsideTennssee.com from practice a few weeks ago. By now I’m guessing everyone has read or heard that Head Coach Derek Dooley named Matt Simms the opening day starter at quarterback yesterday. I admit, I was totally on the Tyler Bray bandwagon following his performance during the Orange and White game this past spring, but ever since then, from the reports coming from the Manning Passing Academy over the summer to the way Dooley has said he has handled the offense this fall, Simms has really picked things up and basically ran away with the job. This is definitely a battle I’m more than happy to heed to Simms if all things reported are true. Go Vols!

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Marsalis Teague will not go quietly…

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Posted 16 Aug 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Into that Orange night.

A once promising wide receiver prospect having tallied two touchdowns in last year’s seasoning opening win over Western Kentucky, the Paris, Tn native recently gave his teammates a heaping helping of the Volunteer spirit when he switched from receiver over to defensive back.

While he could have stood by, choosing to battle it out against the likes of dynamic freshmen Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers, the athletic Teague chose to create his own island in the Volunteer defensive backfield. Midway through camp he has worked himself into the three deep rotation behind stalwart Art Evans and second year phenom Eric Gordon.

The Tennessee bred Teague, who operated out of the quarterback position in high school, spurned the Gators for the Vols in a signing day coup last year and turned in a workman-like freshman campaign. I look for Teague to continue to excel in the Volunteer secondary and crack the starting lineup at some point be it this year or the next. So far, Teague has shown to be a true Volunteer in every sense of the word.

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Dooley Presser 8/3: Roster Changes, etc

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Posted 04 Aug 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

Tuesday was a rather newsy day on the Vol’s front. Not only was Dooley scheduled to give his pre-fall practice press conference, Tennessee got some good news on the recruiting front, as well as a possible transfer.

Though it’s still in the works, one-time LSU commit Elliot Porter, an offensive/defenisive line prospect, is considering Tennessee after being told he would have to greyshirt if he stayed at LSU. According to Rivals, he is 14th best prospect in the state of Louisiana for 2010.

As for the current roster, Dooley noted that Greg King and Marlon Walls had been reinstated after being suspended for their activities surrounding the Bar Knoxville brawl last month. Signee Dave Clark would not be eligible this fall, though they were still waiting on whether John Brown, Eddrick Loften and Marcques Dixon would qualify… And, Marsalis Teague and Ted Meline had been moved to the defensive backfield – a move, especially on the Teague front, the could provide some much needed help in the secondary.

What that also says to me is that Dooley must be pretty happy with what he has in Da’Rick Rogers, Justin Hunter and Matt Milton, to go along with lettermen Gerald Jones, Denarious Moore and Zach Rogers at the wide receiver position. Because as of right now, that’s it, and Luke Stocker as far as pass catchers go. Should make for an interesting August.

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Raiques Crump: football player, Eagle Scout

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Posted 23 Jul 2010 — by Volunteer
Category Football

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu53vG5vGyI&NR=1

Raiques Crump, 2010 Tennessee signee, is an Eagle Scout. To be able to complete such a task while playing at such a high level for his Alabama high school speaks volumes of the young man. Though labeled a 2-Star athlete by most recruiting services and one of the last recruits to garner an offer from Coach Derek Dooley, I expect big things from Crump – a player who has already demonstrated toughness and determination in his personal life.

On that note, Crump is probably my favorite signee from the 2010 class and one I’ll be looking for, being a fellow Eagle Scout and all. The fact that we are in desperate need of able contributors throughout the Vol defense gives Crump an even better chance. So, do your thing Raiques, and GO VOLS!

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