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It’s been a bumpy couple of weeks for the Tennessee Volunteers and their fans, on that there is little room for debate.
First, the Vols lost to Florida in a “moral victory” which amounts to losing gallantly. The Vols then went on to beat a scrappy Ohio Bobcats team in less than runaway style, but as I said at the time: “a win is a win.” Then, this past weekend, the men in orange were bested by the Auburn Tigers and Gus Malzahn’s semi-deranged (but highly effective) form of offense. Finally, Lane Kiffin gave Brandon Warren his walking papers as a result of what Kiffin described as “conduct detrimental to our team.”
For my part, I have had little to offer on these issues due to my ridiculously overloaded schedule. Trust me when I say that it was not for lack of desire or lack of observations that I have been so quiet.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective) I now have a little time to pontificate, so here we go…
Auburn and “Johnnie Cochran” Offense
Gus Malzahn is either a genius or a madman depending on whether you are a fan of the Tigers or are their opponent. His offensive sets are as entropy-filled and outlandish as they are effective. One of the keys to its function is to make an opposing defense deal with the constant distraction of the seemingly endless arsenal of quasi-trick plays that it includes. This bevy of distractions vying for the attention of opposing defenses, reminds me of pretty much every argument ever made to a jury by Johnnie Cochran—focusing on the distraction rather than the fact.
Still, there is a lot of fact to Malzahn’s ability to mask his plays and to run unconventional sets regularly and successfully. I personally cannot remember seeing a game which featured as many reverses and double-reverses as the Tennessee — Auburn contest. I know that I have never seen a true pooch punt (seemingly taken right out of General Neyland’s own playbook from the 1930s) in person. To Malzahn’s credit, he has taken a lackluster unit that barely produced anything other than narcolepsy in 2008 and transformed them into a machine which scores tons of points and gives defenses fits.
Going Down Swinging
All of that said, I was fairly happy with the way that the Full Monte’s defense schemes matched-up against Malzahn’s maniacal offense. Sure, the defensive line could have performed a bit better and perhaps the secondary could have been a little more on top of things, but on the whole, the Tennessee defense played more than well enough to secure the win. Furthermore, with the loss of Nick Reveiz the week before, there was bound to be a little bit of flux in the game as Savion Frazier assumed the task of setting the defensive backfield. The effort was there. Take, for instance, the tackle totals for Rico McCoy (16 tackles) and Eric Berry (14 tackles), and Savion Frazier (10 tackles) if you don’t believe me.
These things aside, the real problem for the Vols’ defense against Auburn was not anything related to the Vols’ defense. On the contrary, it was the offense that led to the defense’s downfall.
The first half of the game Tennessee put on a clinic on how not to play quarterback and receiver. With the exception of Montario Hardesty’s inspired running (into the teeth of a waiting defense), it was atrocious. At the end of the first half, Auburn held a massive time of possession advantage of 19:31 to Tennessee’s 10:29. As a result, the Vols’ defense spent most of the first half on the field chasing Auburn’s offense hither and yon. By the end of the first half, the Tennessee offense’s ineptitude had completely tired out the typically rock-solid defense.
Everyone Wants the Headset
That brings us to the question that everyone keeps asking: why does the Blackjack General refuse to bench Crompton and give junior Nick Stephens a try?
During my liveblogging twitteriffic series of posts during the game, I asked this question, albeit indirectly. I have since thought better of it. The fact of the matter is that Jonathan Crompton is the quarterback that multiple offensive coaching staffs have determined is the best player to put on the field. Thus, who am I to second-guess their decision. While I won’t re-publish it here (due to the fact I am trying to stay positive with regard to the quarterback play) I must say that this post at VolNation did really drive home for me the reality that Tennessee is facing this season. I trust our coaching staff and remain impressed with the progress they have made in this re-building campaign. They know what they are doing, and more importantly, who they have in the stable. Tennessee has strengths and weaknesses. Strong players and not so strong players. Either way, (with the exception of the highly talented freshmen) they are what this staff inherited and what they have to work with.
Like it or not, the players we have are the players we have and there is nothing that can be done about it at this point in time…
In the second half, however, Crompton actually performed quite well and seemed to find a rhythm. What exactly it was that was causing a problem in the first half is anyone’s guess, but the difference in these two halves was like night and day. In Crompton’s defense, the receivers were as bad—if not worse—than the quarterback play. In particular, Quintin Hancock, Gerald Jones, and Denarius Moore all had drops while Brandon Warren failed to fall on a fumble which led to a change in possession.
Which brings us to the Brandon Warren situation…
Crime and Punishment, Tennessee Style
Brandon Warren
I will be the first to go on the record as saying that I am pleased (more like “thrilled” or “elated”) that we have a coach who is willing to discipline his players in a manner which respects not only the ends of the football program (i.e. “winning”) but also serves to honor the game, the University of Tennessee, its alumni, and the principles of respect that come with any hierarchy.
As I have said in the past, I have a very simple (some might say naive) perspective on how players should be disciplined:
… my thoughts are that there should only be three rules of increasing severity — built on the concept that a team lives and dies as a group — for any team, which should be enforced without exception:
Rule 1: Never do anything that will embarrass yourself. — In this case I would lump things like not going to class, bad discipline in practices, being late to practices, and potentially recklessness in a game (such as unwarranted personal fouls), etc. The penalty for infractions would be that the player is publicly reprimanded in very plain and unfiltered terms before his teammates, and the entire team runs or does some other unpleasant drill as a result of the infraction by one of its members.
Rule 2: Never do anything that will embarrass your team. — This would include general bad behavior that falls under Rule 1, if it is repeated. In other words, repeat offenses of a Rule 1 violation calls into question the cohesiveness of the team, and thus reflects on the team. This would also include any “minor” entanglements with the local constabulary such as: drunk and disorderly, speeding, underage consumption, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, etc. — essentially anything which doesn’t involve fundamental dishonesty and/or risk to the physical well-being of others. The penalty for infractions would be a mandatory one-game suspension, being reprimanded openly in front of teammates, all members of the player’s squad losing privileges, the entire team doing twice as many laps or drills as for a Rule 1 violation, and the team captains being required to do an even greater penance — along with the offender. The offender would also be required to make some sort of public apology or public sign of remorse along with some goodwill public service (i.e. visiting the children’s ward at the hospital, raking leaves for the infirm, etc.).
Rule 3: Never do anything that will embarrass your university, its staff, students, and alumni. — This would be the most serious violation. This would include any real criminal behavior such as a felony. The immediate response would be an investigation by the coaching staff. If it appeared that the offender was not guilty of the charges, then the player would be suspended for the remainder of the season until cleared by law enforcement officials or the Courts, with the assumption that the player will be dismissed if not cleared. During that time, the offender would essentially serve as the lowest-level trainer and would be given the worst jobs associated with a football team. If the staff determined that the player was likely guilty, then the player would be immediately dismissed from the team, and a public statement issued explaining why. Regardless of the guilt or innocence of the offender, the entire team would have a major privilege suspended for at least half of the season. The members of the offender’s squad and the team captains would be treated as if each of them had violated Rule 1 by not taking adequate steps to prevent the offense or hold their teammate accountable. Again, the whole team would also be required to perform additional drills.
The goal of this system would be to instill mutual responsibility among team members and to emphasize that when one falls short, all fall short. I am responsible for my brother and my brother is responsible for me. No coaching staff can ever police or monitor players at all times — no matter how vigilant. When properly channeled, peer pressure can be a beautiful thing, and is the sort of thing which goes with a player everywhere he goes. This system is also meant to emphasize that, when you are in a position of honor (being a member of the team) then sometimes guilt by association is all that is required to warrant a penalty — it simply comes with the territory.
Thus, I have no problem with the man in charge making the call that it’s time to, as Doc Holliday put it, “redefine the nature of our association” as a program with one of the players.
[>> See post to listen to audio <<]
I honestly hate it for Brandon Warren, he is obviously a talented player and one which could have fit into the Vols plan for the future nicely, but instead he chose a different course—one which is divergent from the path that this coaching staff has set. It is a shame, considering that Warren—who was a 2006 Sporting News Freshman All-American while at Florida State, and had tallied a total of 17 catches for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns at Tennessee—was getting quality playing time under the Kiffin regime. So much potential…
That said, when I heard that he had been involved in some sort of altercation with wide receivers coach Frank Wilson during the game, I was hoping that Kiffin took some action. I was honestly pleased at Kiffin’s decision—resolute, uncompromising, firm, direct. In an environment that seems to want to welcome Michael Vick back into the NFL with open arms and defend LeGarrette Blount in the wake of his punching of Boise State’s Byron Hout, I was—I must confess—actually a little shocked to see that there are still standards in the world of big-time athletics.
The sort of behavior that Warren exhibited has no place in the game, and I applaud Kiffin for taking action.
Players who are focused only on themselves, ignoring those around them and the order that must exist within the game, should not be tolerated. That sort of behavior is a cancer for a team and a staff. It erodes team morale—demonstrating that some players are more important that the team as a whole. It breeds disrespect. It degrades the quality of the unit. It flies in the face of what makes college football great. No player is bigger than the team.
What’s more, Kiffin’s actions not only serve as a strong warning to other misbehavior, but it also reinforces the position of his coaching staff. Showing everyone that the man at the top will support those who are on his side, even if it is uncomfortable, even if it is not pleasant, even if it is not easy.
Though I wish Brandon Warren all the best in his future endeavours, and thank him for his contribution to Tennessee, I applaud Coach Kiffin for taking a stand.
The Silver Lining
After this litany of negativity, there is some good news to be had.
First, the Vols, though far from their end goal, continue to make progress toward returning to prominence. The running game has been impressive on the back of Montario Hardesty, Bryce Brown, Marsalis Teague, and David Oku. The attitude from this group has been exceptional and their performance has improved every single week.
Furthermore, who knows, maybe Oku or Teague may now find themselves filling the shoes that Warren left empty—earning more playing time as a result.
Another key to the Vols running success has been the yeoman’s work of fullback Kevin Cooper, who has helped pave the way for the running backs out of the backfield with the help of the Vols re-tooled (and infinitely more productive) offensive line.
A few other things to smile about: there were no interceptions against Auburn and no sacks. At least the Vols know how to pass protect.
There are many more positives that I could point to, but the end conclusion is that Tennessee is a work in progress—and will continue to be so for the remainder of the season. The Vols are not going to win a championship, but they are going to overcome, and improve. The coaching staff has a plan and the dedication to see it through to completion. The pieces are all there, they simply need time to fall into place.
Rebuilding is no fun, but sometimes it is necessary. The bright side is that it will only get better into the future. For now, the orange-clad faithful need to simply support this team, its players, and the coaches. They are making strides. More importantly, this team needs the support of the fanbase.
Before every game, the players tap the lucky sign reading “I will give my all for Tennessee today!” We ask a lot of these players, all they ask for is that we support them for trying.
I for one intend to give this team my “all” as a fan, come what may…
– So it goes ….gif)
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Gate 21 Tags: All-American, Auburn Tigers, Bad Behavior, Bad Behavior, Blackjack General, Boise State Broncos, Brandon Warren, Bryce Brown, Byron Hout, Championship, Coach Kiffin, College Football, Crime and Punishment, David Oku, Denarius Moore, Eric Berry, Features, Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Football, Full Monte, Gate 21, Gerald Jones, Gus Malzahn, Johnnie Cochran, Jonathan Crompton, Kevin Cooper, Lane Kiffin, LeGarrette Blount, MAC, Marsalis Teague, Michael Vick, Montario Hardesty, Monte Kiffin, NFL, Nick Reveiz, Nick Stephens, No Pass Out Checks, Ohio Bobcats, Oregon Ducks, Quintin Hancock, Rico McCoy, Savion Frazier, SEC, SEC Football, Tennessee Football, Tennessee Volunteers, University of Tennessee, VolNation, Vols
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