SkidsisVFL's Gen Neyland Ultimate Maxim Countdown to FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!

#28
#28
By far my favorate off-season thread.

#10 almost made me feel like I was back in Naples Italy watching that game from the mess deck on the USS Shanandoah.

Thank you Skidsis.
 
#29
#29
SkidsisVFL said:
Team Maxim #10: If the game or a break goes against you, don't lie down, put on more steam.

In 1991, Johnny Majors took his Tennessee team to South Bend, Indiana to play Notre Dame. Tennessee was looking for revenge after Notre Dame beat UT on a last second pick at the goal line in Knoxville the previous year. ND was ready for the VOLS, though as they quickly jumped to a 31-7 lead. Down once again in Tennessee territory, the Irish were lining up for a FG to expand the lead to 34-7. The game was definitely going against the VOLS. They just needed someone to spark a big play and get some momentum back in their favor. Ask and ye shall receive. The Irish FG attempt was blocked and returned by Floyd Miley all the way for a TD. 31-14...a lot better than 34-7. At halftime, Johnny Majors leapt up on a locker room table and yelled "We're back in this football game!" He told his players to keep fighting back and to believe...and they did just that. TE Von Reeves caught a TD pass in the 3rd. ND would score a FG to go up 13. Aaron Hayden scored on a run in the 4th to close the gap to 34-28. Tennessee's final drive would be capped by a wonderfully executed screen pass that Aaron Hayden would house. The extra point by John Becksvoort would put UT ahead 35-34 with roughly 4 minutes left to go. Notre Dame refused to die and drove down the field, stopping at the UT 10 with 4 seconds left. They lined up for a game-winning FG and something incredible happened. Jeremy Lincoln, rushing off the edge...ran too far. He dove a little early and was past the ball when it was kicked...but in all incredibleness, it deflected off his rear end and fell wide right. Game over, UT 35, ND 34. Lincoln said he later thanked his mother for "giving him a wide rear end".

It's incredible what one play can do for morale and momentum. You never know which play is going to make the difference in the game, therefore, when things look bleak, push harder. You never know when you might spark something amazing.

35 days left! GO VOLS!!!
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Couldn't watch this game as I was in the middle of Ranger School. My loving mother sent me the Sunday articles in the mail and they arrived probably Wed or Thur. All I remember was that was one of the best mail calls ever.
 
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#30
#30
vols4evah said:
This thread gets a :good!:
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Give_All_Vol said:
Really great thread
Click to expand...

gnm53108 said:
By far my favorate off-season thread.

#10 almost made me feel like I was back in Naples Italy watching that game from the mess deck on the USS Shanandoah.

Thank you Skidsis.
Click to expand...

YorkVol said:
Couldn't watch this game as I was in the middle of Ranger School. My loving mother sent me the Sunday articles in the mail and they arrived probably Wed or Thur. All I remember was that was one of the best mail calls ever.
Click to expand...

Thank you for these great posts guys. I really enjoy doing this thread and it's wonderful to read posts like this, they really make my day.
 
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#31
#31
Team Maxim #11: Don't save yourself. Go the limit. There are good men on the sidelines when you are exhausted.

This is the first time in a WHILE I've felt somewhat okay about our depth at more than one position. Wide receiver, tight end, and running back have depth and more quality depth than in the past few years and we have a decent 2-deep at a couple other positions. To put into perspective the magnitude of the roster overhaul from last season to this, the first VOL player since Dale Carter (1990 season) to have a defensive and special teams TD in the same season (Swafford) is unlikely to be in the 2-deep this year. It's impressive to see that type of overhaul so quickly, but it will be interesting to see if the "next man up" mantra will be in effect this year and if the 2nd string can ensure little drop off from 1s to 2s.

P.S. Hopefully the conditioning factor will limit the "exhausted" part of the equation as well.

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

It's been a while since I've felt like we've actually played a full game. Western Kentucky, maybe, but even in our win vs SCe, it seemed as though we forgot to play in the 3rd quarter. I'd like to see us take another step forward and come out swinging, keep swinging through all 4 quarters (especially if it becomes a shoutout or a barn burner). I'd like to see us score a TD at least once on offense and have a big 3rd and short stop or sack or turnover on defense at least once in every quarter (hopefully it'll consistently happen more than once).

Last season, I saw the team come out multiple times ready to fight; this season, I want to see them keep the fight going all day long.

33 days left! GO VOLS!!!
 
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#37
#37
Team Maxim #13: A man's value to his team varies inversely as his distance from the ball.

I'm hoping the upgrade in speed that Team 118 received will help keep our defenders in position to make a play on the ball carrier. It was frustrating to watch teams just run around our defense in the past couple years and we can hope that is over with. I don't even like discussing 2012 defense because I don't like to relive that season. So, I'll just say I'll be just fine to never see another play that reminds me of that year for the rest of my life. This years defense should be ready to swarm to the ball and make some more plays this year.

32 days left! GO VOLS!!!
 
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#38
#38
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#39
#39
Team Maxim #14: If the line goes forward, the team wins; if it comes backward, the team loses.

As if we haven't heard enough about this during the offseason already. We are the only team in the country who has to replace all the starters on both offensive and defensive lines. Because of the increase of talent at the skill positions, the only reason we are really unsure about our offense is the line will have 5 new starters including one true freshman. Though 3 out of 5 have played quite a few snaps over at least 2 years, having a Jr (or RS Sr) newcomer and a freshman at the tackles will be a cause for concern, or at least a situation to watch. If the OL can gel as a unit and play with some fight, our offense will be very good this year.

On the other side of the ball, the defensive line replaces Corey Miller, Marlon Walls, Jacques Smith, Daniel McCullers, and Daniel Hood. Corey Vereen, Curt Maggitt, Trevarris Saulsberry, Danny O'Brien, Jordan Williams, Owen Williams, and Dimarya Mixon will look to step in and outwork last years DL. At times last year, it was apparent that the DL wasn't getting the penetration it should and this year the focus of the DL should be ball disruptions and more TFLs/sacks. An effective DL could help ease pressure on new starters at LB and secondary (JRM, SS, CB, etc).

31 days left! GO VOLS!!!
 
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#41
#41
Team Maxim #15: Never lose the ball on downs.

To the best of my knowledge, I don't remember us having a turnover on downs last season, but I do recall converting 3 4th downs vs UGA and one vs Bama. The offense should improve some this year due to an upgrade at the skill position, so hopefully 4th and shorts won't be a problem.

Fall camp starts today, which makes this season feel THAT MUCH closer!

30 days left! GO VOLS!!!
 
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#42
#42
Team Maxim #16: You can't fight like a man with less than 100% loyalty and college spirit.

This was something the former coach didn't quite understand. The players didn't have the same understanding and appreciation of the program as they do now, due partly in turn to Double Ds alienating of the former players. This team has been exposed to many many VFLs who have come before them and left a legacy. Now, their example has been passed on and the team has gained a more valuable insight into the tradition and excellence that preceded them at UT. That experience will pay dividends as it gives them another reason to play hard--because they're fighting for something bigger than themselves.

Of course, being 29 days left, I would be absolutely remiss if I didn't mention Inky Johnson. Inky was a tough, physical player who exuded a very spirited personality. In a 2006 game vs the Air Force Academy, Inky made a hit that would change his life forever. With his football career over and with the loss of use of his right arm, he faced two options: sink into depression and let it swallow him whole...or fight back. Inky was never one to shy from a fight. He went to work, putting in countless hours of effort to learn how to write with his left arm and to finish school, both of which he accomplished. After making it through school, Inky devoted his life to becoming an inspirational/motivational speaker and author. His mission is to show everyone that they can overcome struggles in their lives that seem insurmountable and to never doubt the plan that God has for them. Through it all, Inky still holds a deep love for the game of football and had some inspirational words for the team last spring: https://youtube.com/watch?v=MOWgQ7x63Vs

God bless Inky Johnson.

29 days left! GO VOLS!!!
 
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#43
#43
Team Maxim #17: You can't do yourself justice without getting and staying in condition.

I need to follow this Maxim more in my personal life. Haha.

28 days left! GO VOLS!!!
 
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#45
#45
Team Maxim #18: At least 3 men make every tackle, "Gang Tacklers."

At times last year, we saw a swarm of orange (or white or Smokey) jerseys converge on the ball carrier with authority and other times, we saw a one-on-one matchup where our guy was either outran or outmaneuvered. The good news is that we have faster players this year, so the "outran" part should be taken care of, however, to avoid a problem with being juked out and beat, we need to be sure to work on getting off of blocks to allow teammates to help out in case one man has missed. While I'm sure most can fend off blocks, it will be something to watch for when the newcomers take the field. If they can adjust to block shedding quickly, we will be in good shape defensively.

27 days left! GO VOLS!!!
 
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#46
#46
Team Maxim #19: Let none escape!

This is the mentality I want our team to have moving forward: no team will be spared the wrath of the VOLS. Your cities will not be safe, your stadiums will not be safe, your teams will not be safe, YOU will not be safe! If you step onto the same field as the VOLS, prepare to leave defeated.

The defense should feel like they OWN the football and need to repossess it as soon as possible. The offense should want to bowl over their opponents on every play and physically dominate on their way to the end zone.

I hope our team can exude the attitude of "Just get them in front of us on the field, we'll take it from there."

26 days left! GO VOLS!!!
 
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#47
#47
Team Maxim #20: 1st rush equals 6 yds.

That would be nice to see, right? Look, I don't doubt that Marlin and Jalen can fight for 6 yards on their own, but in order for them to have a consistently good rushing attack, the offensive line will have to help them out. Now that the "best 2s in America" have been molded into starters, we will see how good of a push they get in the run game.

Consistency is key. Notice the Maxim says "1st rush", but doesn't specify WHICH first rush that is. So, it must mean ANY first rush. A players first rush, first rush of the season, game, drive, half, quarter, anything should be at least 6 yards. Getting a majority of the needed yardage for a 1st down off the bat is a great way to provide a forward momentum for the team and help build confidence for the RB and OL.

25 days left! GO VOLS!!!
 
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#48
#48
21. Eleven men in every play.
22. Use your head. 75 percent of football is above the neck.
 
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