Counting Down using the Maxims!

#26
#26
Team Maxim #7: Never stop till the referee's whistle blows.

Football 101: The play ends when the whistle blows. If you stop prematurely, the other team gains an advantage. While it does sound pretty basic, it is still extremely important to emphasize this. Any advantage given freely to the other team usually causes a significant change in field position or a score, which increases the chance of a loss. You should be going full-speed AT ALL TIMES on the field until the end of the play is marked by the shrill of the whistle. ("We're running everywhere we're going!!" --CBJ.) To do any less than that is loafing, to do any more is unnecessary roughness. It is definitely something to watch out for when playing football, though every good coach will state this message on day 1.

38 days left! Go VOLS!!!

2006 vs. Cal - Montario Hardesty run comes to mind.
 
#28
#28
Team Maxim #10: If the game or a break goes against you, don't lie down, put on more steam.

We could've used a little MORE of this during the last regime. Several games from '10-'12 saw us hang with our opponents for the first half, then saw them break away for a blowout win (every single bama game and Oregon come to mind). When the other team gets a lead, you need to WORK HARDER! Unfortunately, the last coach fostered the "lie down" mentality in most of our losses except maybe the UGA and SCar games last year.

Think of the "Miracle at South Bend", 1991 at Notre Dame. Down 31-7 with the Irish lining up for a FG at the end of the 1st half, the UT special teams 'put on more steam'. After the FG was blocked, Floyd Miley picked up the ball and navigated through Notre Dame's kicking team all the way back to paydirt. With the halftime score pulled to 31-14, coach Johnny Majors leapt onto a locker room table and said, "we're back in this football game...lets go out there and get it done the second half!" (Paraphrased, of course). The UT D that had struggled in the first half held ND to only a FG in the second half. The Tennessee offense led by Andy Kelly scored 3 more TDs: a pass to TE Von Reeves, an Aaron Hayden run, and a 30 yard screen pass against a ND blitz for another score by Hayden. After gaining a 35-34 advantage, UT watched as ND drove down the field and lined up for a potential game-winning FG as time expired. Jeremy Lincoln, a UT defender, overran the play, but still was able to block the kick with his rear end. The kick sailed wide right and UT escaped with a 1 point victory. That game was the epitomy of Maxim #10.

How well will the new staff operate under pressure in a come-from-behind game against an SEC--or tough non-con--opponent? If the answer is 'very well', then we should be in very good shape for many years to come.

35 days left! Go VOLS!!!
 
#29
#29
Team Maxim #10: If the game or a break goes against you, don't lie down, put on more steam.

We could've used a little MORE of this during the last regime. Several games from '10-'12 saw us hang with our opponents for the first half, then saw them break away for a blowout win (every single bama game and Oregon come to mind). When the other team gets a lead, you need to WORK HARDER! Unfortunately, the last coach fostered the "lie down" mentality in most of our losses except maybe the UGA and SCar games last year.

Think of the "Miracle at South Bend", 1991 at Notre Dame. Down 31-7 with the Irish lining up for a FG at the end of the 1st half, the UT special teams 'put on more steam'. After the FG was blocked, Floyd Miley picked up the ball and navigated through Notre Dame's kicking team all the way back to paydirt. With the halftime score pulled to 31-14, coach Johnny Majors leapt onto a locker room table and said, "we're back in this football game...lets go out there and get it done the second half!" (Paraphrased, of course). The UT D that had struggled in the first half held ND to only a FG in the second half. The Tennessee offense led by Andy Kelly scored 3 more TDs: a pass to TE Von Reeves, an Aaron Hayden run, and a 30 yard screen pass against a ND blitz for another score by Hayden. After gaining a 35-34 advantage, UT watched as ND drove down the field and lined up for a potential game-winning FG as time expired. Jeremy Lincoln, a UT defender, overran the play, but still was able to block the kick with his rear end. The kick sailed wide right and UT escaped with a 1 point victory. That game was the epitomy of Maxim #10.

How well will the new staff operate under pressure in a come-from-behind game against an SEC--or tough non-con--opponent? If the answer is 'very well', then we should be in very good shape for many years to come.

35 days left! Go VOLS!!!

Love that game! we used to have an old VHS recording of it and would watch it every couple of months!! lol
 
#31
#31
Team Maxim #11: Don't save yourself. Go the limit. There are good men on the sidelines when you are exhausted.

I really like this one. Don't leave any unused effort inside yourself on a play. Exhaust yourself. If you are not winded or breathing heavy when you come off the field you are either in really good shape, weren't on the field long, or you haven't used your entire effort while on the field.

I'll quote CBJ again, "We're running everywhere we're going!" Don't loaf around on the field. Loafing is the EASIEST way to give up a score. (The sign in the defensive meeting room comes to mind with the "3 elements of effort": burst, speed, and finish.) Run until you drop, then the "next man up" will give his total effort in your stead. That's why it is so important to have each of the players pledge to "Give his all for Tennessee today". If each player makes that pledge--and MEANS it--then everyone can feel comfortable playing the "next man up" when the starters are winded or injured.

34 days left! Go VOLS!!!
 
#32
#32
Team Maxim #12: Football is a battle. Go out to fight and keep it up all afternoon.

Need I say more? No? Well, I'll say a little bit, anyway. Every play has the potential to make a significant impact on the game. If you don't intend to give an outstanding effort EVERY play, then you will be contributing more towards the efforts of the opponents than your own team. This is war. Every single battle in war has a bearing on the outcome. You need to fight every play and never let up until the pads come off after the victory song.

33 days left! Go VOLS!!!
 
#34
#34
Team Maxim #13: A man's value to his team varies inversely as his distance from the ball.

Makes sense, doesn't it? You are more valuable to the team when you're closer to the ball, less valuable when you're further away from it. You can only affect the play when you are in a position to do so! Last year, the defense was either slow or out of position so much that players became invaluable because they were too far away from the ball. The players we have are talented, but were not irreplaceable in 2012 because they were not in position to make plays often. A big question going into this season is 'will the defense play better this year'? The answer is yes, but only if they get close to the ball!

32 days left! Go VOLS!!!
 
#35
#35
Team Maxim #14: If the line goes forward, the team wins; if it comes backward, the team loses.

Keep moving forward. At the risk of sounding redundant, the OL is a strength this year. In the SEC especially, the play of the lines are key to winning football games. Assuming our OL can get a good push to knock the opponents DL backwards, we will have a good chance at winning a few games we aren't expected to.

Conversely, if our DL (namely McCullers) can get penetration into the backfield (TWSS, I know), we can disrupt the opposing offense--something that was glaringly lacking last year--and prevent a plethora of touchdowns given up.

Assuming both lines move forward, we will have a better season than most are expecting.

31 days left! Go VOLS!!!

P.S. They report for fall camp tomorrow!!! HKBDKDDSKXJESHISBKAOSOWPPSNHSGSMANH, FOOTBALL SEASON IS ALMOST HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#36
#36
Team Maxim #15: Never lose the ball on downs.

Nuff said. Really. It's not that hard, no turnovers on downs. Convert fourth downs, make first downs, and score!

30 days left! GO VOLS!!!

P.S. They reported for camp today, the VOLS play football this month!!!!!
 
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#39
#39
Team Maxim #16: You can't fight like a man with less than 100% loyalty and college spirit.

Byron Moore is a GREAT example. Out of high school, he went to U$C, then to JUCO before arriving at UT. He grew up in California then had to move cross country to play football for the VOLS. Despite all that, is there any question that he's a VFL? I don't doubt it one bit!

This is also something that the first-year players will have to realize fairly quickly. (Fitting that this maxim fell on the day of the first fall practice.) The staff has implemented methods to ensure they embrace the spirit of UT by having them "earn the orange" with the blue and white jerseys for "below average" and "average" performances, respectively, and the black stripe on the helmets of the first-year players. Once they perform "worthy" of the orange, they will appreciate it even more. Only then can they "fight like men" with 100% loyalty and college spirit.

Also fitting that there are 29 days left. Inky Johnson is one of the most spirited individuals I have ever seen. He LOVES UT and the game of football more than anyone else. I would be amiss if I didn't bring him up today, between this maxim and his number of the countdown. I know you've probably seen this video already, but I have to post this again: Inky Johnson's Motivational Speech To The Vols On April 13, 2013 - YouTube Inky has 100% loyalty and college spirit...and I'm sure he always will! There's no doubt that he fights like a man in EVERYTHING he does!

29 (INKYYYYYY!) days left! Go VOLS!!!
 
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#40
#40
Team Maxim #17: You can't do yourself justice without getting and staying in condition.

Conditioning is key to competing in Division I and SEC football in particular. Last year, it seemed--especially on defense--that we had an issue in the conditioning (and scheming) area. The over-the-summer conditioning with Coach Lawson and "The Program" seemed to go well, but until they hit the field, we won't really know for sure.

The new facilities with the weight room, nutrition bar, and whatnot will undoubtedly pay dividends in the conditioning aspect for years to come. Lack of conditioning should not be an excuse with these facilities in place.

28 days left! Go VOLS!!!
 
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#41
#41
Team Maxim #18: At least 3 men make every tackle, "Gang Tacklers."

A one-on-one tackle attempt can be either broken or avoided by a talented offensive player. Since failed tackles lead to a better offensive play, a good defense has to make tackles on the first attempt as to minimize yardage gain. A very effective way to do that is to tackle in groups or "gang tackle". Last year, we had a problem tackling in general, let alone gang tackling. This year, with the simplified scheme and another year of conditioning, we should see a better conditioned, more efficient defense with more tackling in general, but hopefully we'll also see 11 orange shirts swarming to the ball carrier and many more gang tackles.

27 days left! Go VOLS!!!
 
#42
#42
Thank you SkidsisVFL! My favorite countdown to Football Time in Tennessee thread! :rock:
 
#44
#44
Team Maxim #19: Let none escape!

THIS should be the defensive mentality EVERY PLAY. No blocker will block you, no receiver will get past you, no running back will break your tackle, juke you out, or truck you for yardage, and at NO TIME will the football get past the goal line. The 1998 defense, led by Al Wilson, had that mentality and gave up very few TDs on D. Last year's D, however, had the "oh, there he goes, lets chase him" mentality, which caused ulcers for fans everywhere. The coaches are impressed with the new defensive backs and the linebackers should be solid to improved now, and so long as the defensive line gets a good push, the defense should be VASTLY improved from last year and we should be an average to solid team this year.

26 days left! Go VOLS!!!
 
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#45
#45
Team Maxim #20: 1st rush equals 6 yards.

The running game is an important piece in offensive play, so effective running most often leads to a good offense. This maxim was the standard for the General. The first rush WILL BE 6 yards or you are not meeting standards. You do not want to fall below the General's standards.

The maxim still applies today as rushes on 1st down are a huge factor in how the series--and the subsequent drive--will go. I'd love to get at least 6 yards on a 1st down rush EVERY TIME and own the other team in the trenches. It will be interesting to see how the combination of spreading the other team, misdirection (from zone reads), and physicality of our OL will translate into the rushing attack this year.

25 days left! Go VOLS!!!

P.S. Sorry these 2 days are late, I've been running around without a chance to do these, so please forgive me.
 
#47
#47
Team Maxim #20: 1st rush equals 6 yards.

The running game is an important piece in offensive play, so effective running most often leads to a good offense. This maxim was the standard for the General. The first rush WILL BE 6 yards or you are not meeting standards. You do not want to fall below the General's standards.

The maxim still applies today as rushes on 1st down are a huge factor in how the series--and the subsequent drive--will go. I'd love to get at least 6 yards on a 1st down rush EVERY TIME and own the other team in the trenches. It will be interesting to see how the combination of spreading the other team, misdirection (from zone reads), and physicality of our OL will translate into the rushing attack this year.

25 days left! Go VOLS!!!

P.S. Sorry these 2 days are late, I've been running around without a chance to do these, so please forgive me.

I forgive you this one time. :)
 
#48
#48
Team Maxim #21: Eleven men in every play.

I'm sure the General did not envision this EVER being a problem for a Tennessee football team. I will spare you the details of the 2010 UAB, LSU, and UNC games to which this maxim indirectly applies, but just note that one of the teams involved in those games had 10, 13, and >13 men on the field on at least one play.

The more direct meaning that it was intended for is to say that all 11 men on the field should be actively involved, going full speed, and giving full effort EVERY play--NO PLAYS TAKEN OFF. Based off of what I've read and observed (in UTSports videos), this staff is pushing the team to the max in an effort to foster this mentality in Team 117. If they are able to, we may be able to pull a game or two that no one expects us to. And for GOD'S SAKE, let this staff know HOW TO COUNT!!!

24 days left! Go VOLS!!!

P.S. This is yesterday's post. I'm sorry again.
 
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#49
#49
Team Maxim #22: Use your head. 75 percent of football is above the neck.

No, that's not what the General meant...no...oh, concussion...oh.

Neyland was not referencing concussions, he was referencing having the correct thought process and good instincts. He was an expert at successful training--be it military or collegiate football players--so he knew how to develop the correct mindset and habits in his players. Three-fourths of football is mindset, motivation, and mastery of movements.

The staff is trying to break the bad habits that Team 117 held over from the previous staff so they can implement good habits and the team will use their head more often (unless they're going to make a tackle or something that results in a stupid penalty or ejection or whatever idiotic thing the NCAA is doing nowadays).

23 days left! Go VOLS!!!

P.S. Now I am caught up, thank you for your patience.
 

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#50
#50
Nice work OP. Excellent Thread. Its a keeper. Ranks up there with OMG's Maxim breakdown after each game. Suggest mods "Sticky"?
 
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