Greatest Vols ever

#1
7IlikeOrange7

7IlikeOrange7

Gr8 2 B A TENNESSEE VOL
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#1
Jamal Lewis and Peyton Manning are obvious but how about in earlier years. Who are some insanely good players that have sorta died off and been forgotten.
 
#2
#2
THe list can be long even if the teams were in the mediocre years. Check the link from me (GVF) under the underrated player thread on page 3 for some individual game and career records. There you will find some lost players from the past, and the obvious. Interestingly, James Stewart holds individual career rushing yards.
 
#3
#3
In the last NFL Pro Bowl, not only were Peyton Manning and Jamal Lewis playing.... but Leonard Little, Al Wilson, and Shaun Ellis also played.


These Vols are in the College Football Hall of Fame...

Nathan Dougherty, guard 1906-09
Gene McEver, halfback 1928-29, 1931
Bobby Dodd, quarterback 1928-30
Herman Hickman, guard 1929-31
Beattie Feathers, halfback 1931-33
Bowden Wyatt, end 1936-38
George Cafego, tailback 1937-39
Bob Suffridge, guard 1938-40
Ed Molinski, guard 1938-40
Hank Lauricella, tailback 1949-51
Doug Atkins, end 1950-52
John Michels, offensive guard 1950-52
Johnny Majors, tailback 1954-56
Steve DeLong, guard 1962-64
Frank Emanuel, linebacker 1963-65
Bob Johnson, center 1965-67
Steve Kiner, linebacker 1967-69
Reggie White, defensive tackle 1980-83

Doug Atkins was named the SEC PLAYER OF THE QUARTER CENTURY (1950-74) Other quarter century team members included Johnny Majors, Bob Johnson, Ted Daffer (guard 1949-51) and George Hunt (kicker 1969-71).

The ALL-SEC team for the first 50 years (1933-82) included Bob Suffridge, Doug Atkins, and Jack Reynolds (linebacker 1967-69).

Doug Atkins is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Dick Huffman and Condredge Holloway are in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.


 
#4
#4
I wouldn't put Lamal Lewis on thelist because after he got hurt in 1998 he never returned to the same form that he showed as a freshman. After that he always ran as if he was afraid of getting hurt again. That great power/speed combo that he has never came back to him until after he was already with the Ravens.
 
#5
#5
Reggie White is generally considered to be one of the best, if not the best, to every play his position (DE).

Peyton Manning is well on his way to being considered the greatest QB, to solidy that sentiment he needs to win a couple of Super Bowls.
 
#6
#6
Gibril Wilson had a pretty good rookie year in NY. Eddie Moore had some good playing time in Miami, and Ray Thompson has missed 5 or so game with what seems to be a nagging shoulder injury. They've been forgotten.


I don't know if I understood the question though.
 
#7
#7
Originally posted by JohnsonCityVol@Dec 22, 2004 10:41 AM
I wouldn't put Lamal Lewis on thelist because after he got hurt in 1998 he never returned to the same form that he showed as a freshman. After that he always ran as if he was afraid of getting hurt again. That great power/speed combo that he has never came back to him until after he was already with the Ravens.
Click to expand...

I don't think you can discount all that he did prior to the '98 season. Its quite possible that the Vols don't finish '98 undefeated without him at the beginning of the season. He was also very instrumental in the '97 SEC championship.

Although not as dominant in 1999, partly due to injuries, maybe due to looking ahead to the NFL.... Lewis was still a force to be reckoned with....


Remember, in 1999, Lewis shared the backfield with Travis Henry. Lewis finished with 816 yards and 7 TDs... while Henry finished with 790 yards and 8 TDs. Tee Martin had 317 yards + 9TDs and Onterrio Smith had 189 yds and 4 TDs. What a backfield! Lewis (Ravens), Henry (Bills), and Smith (Vikings) all have done well in the NFL. Due to injuries, Lewis didn't play much in the last 3 games of the season. Prior to that he had three 100+ yard rushing games and 99 yds against Florida. Henry also had three 100+ yard rushing games.... and Smith had two games with 82 yds each.

In 1998, Lewis only played in the first 4 games. However, those games were key to going undefeated. He had 140 yards and 1 TD against Syracuse... 82 yards against Florida... 135 yards and 1 TD against Houston and 140 yards and 1 TD against Auburn before getting hurt. Travis Stephens and Travis Henry picked up the slack for the remainder of the season. Henry had five 100+ yd rushing games and Stephens rushed for 107 against Georgia. Stephens also led the Vols in rushing in the game against Fla State with 60 yds on only 13 carries.

In 1997, Lewis was 'it' as far as running the ball. He didn't start the first 4 games (Levine did and had only 172 yds on the season).... Lewis finished the season with 1364 yds and 7 TDs. He was the only back to record a 100+ yard game... in fact he had 7... and two of them over 200+ yds... and he rushed for 90 yards on only 14 attempts against Nebraska in the bowl game.

Jamal Lewis (2677) still stands as 4th on the Vols all-time rushing list (in only 3 seasons) behind backfield mate Travis Henry (3078), James Stewart (2890), and Johnnie Jones (2852).

Cedric Houston is currently 6th (2572) and has a chance to pass 5th place Jay Graham (2609) and Jamal Lewis now that bowl games count in season stats. If Houston surpasses Riggs to lead the Vols in rushing this season.... the 3 straight seasons leading the Vols in rushing will be the first time since Curt Watson did so in the early 1970's.

Gerald Riggs Jr. has rushed for 1261 yards in his career.
 
#8
#8
What about Alvin Harper? He won 2 or 3 SuperBowls as Troy Aikmans "other" receiver (the one that isnt Michael Irvin).

Hacksaw Reynolds seems to have been forgotten too (but not by us UT fans).
 
#9
#9
I think so of the greatest Vols ever are:
Andy Kelly
Cory Fleming
Reggie White
Peyton Manning
Jamal Lewis
Gerald Riggs Jr.
Jabari Davis
Cedric Houston
Heath Shuler
Mark Holland
James "Little Man" Stewart
Onterrio Smith (went to Tennessee before he transferred to Oregon)
Jeff Hall
Alvin Harper
Peerless Price
Joey Kent
Marcus Nash
Leonard Little
Al Wilson
Tee Martin
 
#10
#10
Originally posted by andykellysfan@Dec 22, 2004 10:03 PM
I think so of the greatest Vols ever are:
Andy Kelly
Cory Fleming
Reggie White
Peyton Manning
Jamal Lewis
Gerald Riggs Jr.
Jabari Davis
Cedric Houston
Heath Shuler
Mark Holland
James "Little Man" Stewart
Onterrio Smith (went to Tennessee before he transferred to Oregon)
Jeff Hall
Alvin Harper
Peerless Price
Joey Kent
Marcus Nash
Leonard Little
Al Wilson
Tee Martin
Click to expand...

I've just got to hear your argument for putting Jabari Davis, Mark Holland and Onterrio Smith on the same radar screen as Peyton Manning and Reggie White. :question:
 
#11
#11
I restricted my all-time list to those Vols I've actually seen play.

OFFENSE

C: BUBBA MILLER
LG: HARRY GALBREATH
RG: CHIP KELL
RT: REGGIE McKENZIE
LT: CHAD CLIFTON
TE: JASON WITTEN
WR: LARRY SEIVERS
WR: CARL PICKENS
FB: WILLIAM HOWARD
TB: CHUCK WEBB
QB: CONDREDGE HOLLOWAY
PK: JEFF HALL

DEFENSE

RDE: LEONARD LITTLE
RDT: MARK HOVANICK
LDT: LEE OTIS BURTON
RDE: REGGIE WHITE
NG: JIMMY NOONAN
ROLB: AL WILSON
MLB: RAY NETTLES
LOLB: DALE JONES
CB: ROLAND JAMES
CB: BOBBY MAJORS
SS: TIM PRIEST
FS: EDDIE BROWN
P: HERMAN WEAVER
 
#12
#12
There are way too many to list. So I will just say this.....if they were a vol, then they are great! :good:
 
#13
#13
Have to go with Peyton now. Going way back even before my time I'd have to go with Doug Atkins. I met him once at the Rutger's game in '83. The man was huge.
 
#14
#14
Could it really be Peyton Manning? He never beat Florida, never won the SEC or a NC.

In the NFL he is awesome! Will probably be the best QB in history. Will hold 99.9% of all passing records when he retires, etc. But......will he ever win a SB?

:question:
 
#15
#15
Originally posted by G8trPM@Dec 24, 2004 9:04 AM
Could it really be Peyton Manning?  He never beat Florida, never won the SEC or a NC.
Click to expand...

Florida? OK. MNC? Yeah.

But you better recheck who won the 1997 SEC Championship (and who their starting QB was).
 
#16
#16
Originally posted by volbrian+Dec 24, 2004 11:54 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (volbrian @ Dec 24, 2004 11:54 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-G8trPM@Dec 24, 2004 9:04 AM
Could it really be Peyton Manning?  He never beat Florida, never won the SEC or a NC.
Click to expand...

Florida? OK. MNC? Yeah.

But you better recheck who won the 1997 SEC Championship (and who their starting QB was). [/quote]
Don&#39;t brgin up valid points to a Gator when it comes to Peyton. Winning the SECCG spoils their entire argument that he never won a big game.
 
#17
#17
Originally posted by volbrian+Dec 24, 2004 11:54 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (volbrian @ Dec 24, 2004 11:54 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-G8trPM@Dec 24, 2004 9:04 AM
Could it really be Peyton Manning?  He never beat Florida, never won the SEC or a NC.
Click to expand...

Florida? OK. MNC? Yeah.

But you better recheck who won the 1997 SEC Championship (and who their starting QB was). [/quote]
Ooops your right, I can admit when im wrong, but still. Is he the greatest Vol ever? Again, never beat your biggest rival (at the time) and never won a MNC.

Like I said, he is awesome in the pro&#39;s&#33;

:question:

As far as you orangetd88, :worship:
 
#18
#18
Originally posted by G8trPM+Dec 24, 2004 1:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (G8trPM @ Dec 24, 2004 1:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by volbrian@Dec 24, 2004 11:54 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-G8trPM
Click to expand...
@Dec 24, 2004 9:04 AM
Could it really be Peyton Manning?  He never beat Florida, never won the SEC or a NC.
Click to expand...

Florida? OK. MNC? Yeah.

But you better recheck who won the 1997 SEC Championship (and who their starting QB was).
Click to expand...

Ooops your right, I can admit when im wrong, but still. Is he the greatest Vol ever? Again, never beat your biggest rival (at the time) and never won a MNC.

Like I said, he is awesome in the pro&#39;s&#33;

:question:

As far as you orangetd88, :worship: [/quote]
Most old time TN fans (myself included) consider Alabama our biggest rival. He was 3-1 vs. them. Just because Florida is in the east does not make them our biggest rival.
 
#19
#19
Originally posted by rwkvol21@Dec 24, 2004 1:47 PM
Most old time TN fans (myself included) consider Alabama our biggest rival.  He was 3-1 vs. them.  Just because Florida is in the east does not make them our biggest rival.
Click to expand...

I think anybody that saw a Vol football game prior to the mid 90s would probably agree with this. The Florida game is huge, but it doesn&#39;t have nearly the historical baggage of the Alabama game.

As far as winning the MNC being the litmus test . . . that would rule out 99% of the members of the college football HOF.
 
#20
#20
Originally posted by G8trPM@Dec 24, 2004 1:32 PM
Is he the greatest Vol ever? Again, never beat your biggest rival (at the time) and never won a MNC.
Click to expand...

So, with your logic, Tee Martin is as great as Danny Wuerffel. They both won against their arch rivals. They both won SEC CHampionships. They both won MNCs.

ooooooooooooooooooooooK :blink: :blink: :blink:
 
#21
#21
A quarterback can&#39;t win games by himself, and Peyton showed his brilliance at UT prior to the NFL draft. Everyone that saw him play knew that he would be great at the next level (not sure if they saw this particular season coming quite so soon, though&#33;). His command of the field, pocket presence, and knowledge of every defensive nuance has probably never been seen. I mean, the Colts are winning games with literally NO defense&#33; You just don&#39;t see that in the NFL. Agreed, it&#39;s early in his career, but I&#39;d struggle to not list him as the Number One Man.

On the other side of the ball, no contest -- Reggie all the way.
 
#22
#22
The Colts are actually developing some semblance of a defense. Not the greatest, but they are starting to get the job done.
 
#23
#23
Originally posted by volbrian+Dec 24, 2004 10:45 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (volbrian @ Dec 24, 2004 10:45 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-G8trPM@Dec 24, 2004 1:32 PM
Is he the greatest Vol ever?  Again, never beat your biggest rival (at the time) and never won a MNC.
Click to expand...

So, with your logic, Tee Martin is as great as Danny Wuerffel. They both won against their arch rivals. They both won SEC CHampionships. They both won MNCs.

ooooooooooooooooooooooK :blink: :blink: :blink: [/quote]
Vols are so short signed.... :bs:

No those three variables are not what indicate a great quarterback, but in MY mind they solidify it.
 
#24
#24
there is no question, other than what #18 is doing, that would be Doug Atkins. Voted the best player in the first 50 years of the SEC in unanimous ballot. Then dominating the NFL. He was the first player EVER elected o both halls of fame, NFL and College. End of story. :bow: oh yea, George Halas did not even make him practice if he did not feel like it.
 
#25
#25
Everybody&#39;s names are good but who the hell is Mark Holland?
A name that is not on here is Hacksaw
 
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