Brent Schaeffer Article on rumors of him leaving

[volattic]

Schaeffer plans to return
By Randy Moore
Date: Jan 3, 2005

Barring a change of heart, freshman quarterback Brent Schaeffer will be back with the Tennessee Vols next season.

The talented freshman from Deerfield Beach, Fla., has informed The Knoxville News-Sentinel that widespread rumors of his impending transfer to another school are unfounded.
''I don't worry about rumors,'' Schaeffer told Mike Griffith. ''I've been decided for a long time.''

Schaeffer started the first three games of 2004, then surrendered the first-team job to fellow rookie Erik Ainge. Schaeffer fractured his collarbone Oct. 30 against South Carolina and missed Games 9, 10, 11 and 12. He saw some backup action in Saturday's 38-7 Cotton Bowl defeat of Texas A&M, completing 1 of 4 passes for 11 yards.

Schaeffer conceded ''It was tough not playing more,'' but that he learned about reading defenses during his injury-induced layoff.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer told The News-Sentinel that Schaeffer is ''managing things better now than he was earlier in the season.''

Prior to suffering his collarbone injury, Schaeffer was instrumental in Tennessee's win at South Carolina. He came off the bench to ignite a listless Vol attack -- completing two of four passes for 57 yards and rushing six times for 14 net yards as the Big Orange rolled to a 43-29 victory.

Schaeffer's regular-season stats showed 17 completions in 33 attempts for 291 yards and two touchdowns. His completion percentage (51.5) was worst on the team but his passer-efficiency rating (139.53) was best on the team.

Schaeffer also ranked as Tennessee's third-leading rusher, gaining 76 net yards and averaging 2.5 yards per carry. If you discount 55 yards in sacks, he averaged an impressive 4.4 yards per carry.

Quarterback figures to be a loaded position at Tennessee next fall. Rick Clausen, who guided the Vols to a 3-1 record in their final four games of 2004, will be a senior. Ainge and Schaeffer will be sophomores. The Big Orange also has one of the country's premier high school passers committed -- strong-armed Jonathan Crompton of Waynesville, N.C.

 

[#10_Ainge_#10]

Originally posted by volattic@Jan 3, 2005 4:48 PM
Schaeffer plans to return
By Randy Moore
Date: Jan 3, 2005

Barring a change of heart, freshman quarterback Brent Schaeffer will be back with the Tennessee Vols next season.

The talented freshman from Deerfield Beach, Fla., has informed The Knoxville News-Sentinel that widespread rumors of his impending transfer to another school are unfounded.
''I don't worry about rumors,'' Schaeffer told Mike Griffith. ''I've been decided for a long time.''

Schaeffer started the first three games of 2004, then surrendered the first-team job to fellow rookie Erik Ainge. Schaeffer fractured his collarbone Oct. 30 against South Carolina and missed Games 9, 10, 11 and 12. He saw some backup action in Saturday's 38-7 Cotton Bowl defeat of Texas A&M, completing 1 of 4 passes for 11 yards.

Schaeffer conceded ''It was tough not playing more,'' but that he learned about reading defenses during his injury-induced layoff.

Head coach Phillip Fulmer told The News-Sentinel that Schaeffer is ''managing things better now than he was earlier in the season.''

Prior to suffering his collarbone injury, Schaeffer was instrumental in Tennessee's win at South Carolina. He came off the bench to ignite a listless Vol attack -- completing two of four passes for 57 yards and rushing six times for 14 net yards as the Big Orange rolled to a 43-29 victory.

Schaeffer's regular-season stats showed 17 completions in 33 attempts for 291 yards and two touchdowns. His completion percentage (51.5) was worst on the team but his passer-efficiency rating (139.53) was best on the team.

Schaeffer also ranked as Tennessee's third-leading rusher, gaining 76 net yards and averaging 2.5 yards per carry. If you discount 55 yards in sacks, he averaged an impressive 4.4 yards per carry.

Quarterback figures to be a loaded position at Tennessee next fall. Rick Clausen, who guided the Vols to a 3-1 record in their final four games of 2004, will be a senior. Ainge and Schaeffer will be sophomores. The Big Orange also has one of the country's premier high school passers committed -- strong-armed Jonathan Crompton of Waynesville, N.C.

Shaffer is an excellent QB he just won't beat out Erik Ainge for the starting job....I figured if Crompton was coming to UT next year that he would definitely go but I heard Crompton has definitely comitted to us and Shaffer is staying...I'm looking forward to next year and hopefully having our way with the SEC East...But if Shaffer isn't on the field under center then I think they need to move him to wide receiver or defensive back field.....He's too good...He needs to be on the field one way or another.....I'm glad to hear he is staying though :clap:

 

[OWB]

I think that it is a smart move on his behalf. I like his confidence in staying. Good decision Brent.

 

[volattic]

I for one think he will have a impact at qb. After this offseason of work outs and training i think next year he will be awesome

 

[#10_Ainge_#10]

I agree with you all he will be very good next year but I don't see him taking the job from Ainge....Ainge is just too good....Shaffer is good though...I wouldn't mind seeing them split the time behind center but I don't know that Phil would like that...Since I've been watching UT football there hasn't ever really been a QB Controversy

 

[volattic]

Well there was last year and will be one this year!!!

 

[volsicle]

Seems like we have had one on and off for quiet some time

 

[#10_Ainge_#10]

yeah you guys are probably going to be right though.....All I can say is I'm looking forward to next year

 

[BHAMVOLFAN]

UUUuuuhhh, you guys forgot about Rick already? He may not have the physical tools to match up with EA,BS and JC, but he is way ahead of them in the mental side of the game!!! Experience, knowlege of the play book, reads, checks, things could be pretty interesting come next August!!!

 

[volsicle]

is Crompton still a go for coming to the Vols? If so won't that make things more "interesting" for the QB situation?

 

[OWB]

Originally posted by BHAMVOLFAN@Jan 3, 2005 5:33 PM
UUUuuuhhh, you guys forgot about Rick already? He may not have the physical tools to match up with EA,BS and JC, but he is way ahead of them in the mental side of the game!!! Experience, knowlege of the play book, reads, checks, things could be pretty interesting come next August!!!

I haven't. I am still sitting thinking about all of the talent that we will have at QB next year. It is exciting. Maybe we could play one each quarter. That would get on ESPN. :espn:

 

[milohimself]

Ainge showed up at school today, and was visiting some teachers. I managed to talk a bit with him in the hall and asked him a few things before I went to my history class, seeing how it was going. One of the questions was the QB situation next year. He said he had as much idea as the next guy, just whoever seems to perform the best.

I would have spoken to him more if I had the chance, but I had to get to class.

 

[OWB]

Thats cool Milo, you should have ask him for a birthday pass!

 

[#10_Ainge_#10]

Originally posted by BHAMVOLFAN@Jan 3, 2005 5:33 PM
UUUuuuhhh, you guys forgot about Rick already? He may not have the physical tools to match up with EA,BS and JC, but he is way ahead of them in the mental side of the game!!! Experience, knowlege of the play book, reads, checks, things could be pretty interesting come next August!!!

It seems like you're right...I forgot all about Rick....He's done great this year stepping in and getting thrown in the fire so to speak...we will definitely be loaded at QB next year....I'm looking forward to watching Gerald Riggs next year....He's showed what he can do in these last couple of games in the year....I would like to see Ainge or Riggs or heck, anyone from UT up for Heisman next year :good: :cross:

 

[milohimself]

Nobody here cares about the Heisman. I think it still happens to stand for SOMETHING, but nowhere near what it used to be.

 

[#10_Ainge_#10]

Originally posted by milohimself@Jan 3, 2005 7:26 PM
Nobody here cares about the Heisman. I think it still happens to stand for SOMETHING, but nowhere near what it used to be.

Maybe I'm getting a little carried away with myself.....It seems like we just want to win and its not all about one person....I'm just looking forward to seeing a great season next year

 

[duckman398686]

Randy Sanders was reported on saying that it is Rick Clausen's starting job to lose. Things will surely be interesting this spring

 

[#10_Ainge_#10]

Originally posted by duckman398686@Jan 3, 2005 7:39 PM
Randy Sanders was reported on saying that it is Rick Clausen's starting job to lose. Things will surely be interesting this spring

I've not heard that yet....I think either way with either of the four QB's we'll have next year that we will be OK....You're right next year will be interesting

I think they should throw Jim Bob Cooter in there B) :lol:

 

[donsargegolf]

Learned how to read defenses in 8 weeks? Wow, I think I have some elgibility left. That made me laugh out loud.

 

[GAVol]

Has Schaeffer ever actually stayed in the pocket long enough to read a defense?

 

[volattic]

danssargolf you are a hater i find it funny you call your self a vol fan and you cant support a player you are a little crybaby!!!Grow up if you cant love them all then i dont want ya

 

[milohimself]

Let's not get started again :shakehead:

I'll just let you know, Sarge presents his view as to what will help the team best. Whether you agree with him, he has no ill will towards any Vols. It's just a different opinion.

I'm just trying to stop the s***storm before it starts...

 

[GAVol]

Bless you Milo . . . I'm tired of these pissing contests too.

Dan..errr...Don never said he didn't want Schaeffer to stay. He just doesn't want to have a guy like Schaeffer at QB where you have to hold your breath every time he takes a snap.

 

[Volunteer]

GAVOL,
The answer to your question is "NO". I don't think he is able to read a defense, THEN, go to his second receiver when/if the first is covered. Schaeffer needs to get his head out of his ass and realize his meal ticket to the NFL is using his feet and vision in the open field, not throwing touchdowns.

I am glad Schaeffer picked UT and I am glad that the UT staff gave him a chance, but the fact is, a healthy Ainge is a much better qb, with Clausen as a capable backup and a redshirt frosh for Cromp, Tennessee is in a good position.

They need to sit down with Brent and tell him how it is, I see a Randle El/Hines Ward type of a player in him.

 

[milohimself]

He may get better in the offseason. Ainge and Schaeffer only started training *right* before the beginning of the season, there will be much more time for intensive training when they get a full offseason to practice, instead of just like a month.