The Case for Eric Ainge

#1
HilltopperVol

HilltopperVol

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Feb 1, 2005
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#1
Reading the other thread it is easy to take out a lot of, if not most of this seasons frustrations on EA. Rightly so, you deserve to be extremely frustrated with this team, But how fair are you really being by unloading most of it on EA. The best argument seems to be, "look at how well he did last year, what happend"? Well if I rember last year he had a couple of good games, UF-UGA, but I also remember the many games that he got pulled and replaced by Schaffer or vice versa. And how soon we forget that we also had not one, but two 1000 yd backs that carried more than their share of the load.
This year suddenly everyone expects this kid, and he is a sophmore, to be the second coming of Manning. Many if not most College QB's are given two to three years of learning behind a more talented upperclassman before starting as a Jr. But EA is expected to be the mature, seasoned QB while at the same time, he is splitting practice time with a lesser talented but mature senior, and is pulled everytime he stubbs his toe. And if you think that Crompton the answer, maybe he is, but there is no proof of this and I think you could see a repeat of what you have now, undeveloped talent.
Yes Ainge does have his share of blame in all of this but do you also blame him for a anemic running game that does nothing to set up the pass? And speaking of the pass do you also blame him for all the dropped passes and lack of effort? What about the fumbles that have cost us 2 or 3 games this year, might as well blame him for those as well. Many of you like to point out the endzone play during the LSU game but how about the great special teams plays that got us there. But hey, surely Ainge plays on special teams as well.
Then there is all this talk about him being a headcase. I never knew so many qualified individuals in pschy posted on this board. Sure I think his confidence has been shaken but unless you are a Dr that has examined this young man you have no right to call him a headcase. It is very easy call a QB scrambling, scared, we used to call it avoiding a sack, or trying to make a play.
I know I will bring the wrath down from some of you and probably deserve it. But I believe that what you are seeing is a young QB that has played ONE complete game without feeling like he is about to be pulled. I believe that his performance is a result of poor coaching, lack of practice time, and lack of enthusiasm around him including a coaching staff that took away any confidence that he or his team had in him by play this stupid QB carosel.
Finally what you are seeing is the result of a Phil Fulmer offense that created so many close wins that can now only produce many close loses. It will continue until new coaching blood is brought in. Ainge has two years left I hope we get a OC that can develope him into that talent he has.

 
#2
#2
"But I believe that what you are seeing is a young QB that has played ONE complete game without feeling like he is about to be pulled. I believe that his performance is a result of poor coaching, lack of practice time, and lack of enthusiasm around him including a coaching staff that took away any confidence that he or his team had in him by play this stupid QB carosel. " Can I get an amen!!
 
#3
#3
Originally posted by volmanjr@Nov 7, 2005 12:20 PM
"But I believe that what you are seeing is a young QB that has played ONE complete game without feeling like he is about to be pulled. I believe that his performance is a result of poor coaching, lack of practice time, and lack of enthusiasm around him including a coaching staff that took away any confidence that he or his team had in him by play this stupid QB carosel. "  Can I get an amen!!
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Amen
 
#4
#4
If he is not the starter next year its his own fault!
 
#5
#5
So do we stick with him and let him try to work out his problems next year or can we just start fresh with Crompton since he does not have all this baggage?
 
#6
#6
fact of the matter is.. if you are a player you prove yourself at all times. if you are a leader, you dont hide behind excuses or let other make em for you.

you can blame the qb rotation all you want but the point is if ainge is hungry to prove himself at the highest level at one of the biggest programs in the nation, then it takes a man to step-up and take his lumps while proving to the team and coaching staff that he is #1.

no one is gonna fight for you. i know some teams dont name starters till friday or thrus going into a game. you have to prove yourself everyday to be the top dog at an elite program like UT. if he cant grow a sack and take the reins then he doesnt need to be in orange n white.
 
#7
#7
let him transfer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
cgs oh yeah
 
#8
#8
Originally posted by VolunteerHillbilly@Nov 7, 2005 1:47 PM
So do we stick with him and let him try to work out his problems next year or can we just start fresh with Crompton since he does not have all this baggage?
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You are assuming Crompton will just step in and play well. The kid is talented, but he has done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to show he can be "the man" as a freshman at UT. I think if we get someone solid on the hill that can work with EA during the offseason and leading up to the opener he will be fine. Don't forget, the horrible WR play has not helped Ainge a bit.
 
#9
#9
Originally posted by HilltopperVol@Nov 7, 2005 11:58 AM
Reading the other thread it is easy to take out a lot of,  if not most of this seasons frustrations on EA. Rightly so, you deserve to be extremely frustrated with this team, But how fair are you really being by unloading most of it on EA.  The best argument seems to be, "look at how well he did last year, what happend"?  Well if I rember last year he had a couple of good games, UF-UGA, but I also remember the many games that he got pulled and replaced by Schaffer or vice versa. And how soon we forget that we also had not one, but two 1000 yd backs that carried more than their share of the load.
   This year suddenly everyone expects this kid, and he is a sophmore,  to be the second coming of Manning. Many if not most College QB's are given two to three years of learning behind a more talented upperclassman before starting as a Jr. But EA is expected to be the mature, seasoned QB while at the same time,  he is splitting practice time with a lesser talented but mature senior,  and is pulled everytime he stubbs his toe. And if you think that Crompton the answer,  maybe he is, but there is no proof of this and I think you could see a repeat of what you have now, undeveloped talent.
   Yes Ainge does have his share of blame in all of this but do you also blame him for a anemic running game that does nothing to set up the pass? And speaking of the pass do you also blame him for all the dropped passes and lack of effort? What about the fumbles that have cost us 2 or 3 games this year, might as well blame him for those as well.  Many of you like to point out the endzone play during the LSU game but how about the great special teams plays that got us there.  But hey, surely Ainge plays on special teams as well.
   Then there is all this talk about him being a headcase. I never knew so many qualified individuals in pschy posted on this board.  Sure I think his confidence has been shaken but unless you are a Dr that has examined this young man you have no right to call him a headcase.  It is very easy call a QB scrambling, scared,  we used to call it avoiding a sack, or trying to make a play.
I know I will bring the wrath down from some of you and probably deserve it.  But I believe that what you are seeing is a young QB that has played ONE complete game without feeling like he is about to be pulled.  I believe that his performance is a result of poor coaching, lack of practice time, and lack of enthusiasm around him including a coaching staff that took away any confidence that he or his team had in him by play this stupid QB carosel. 
Finally what you are seeing is the result of a Phil Fulmer offense that created so many close wins that can now only produce many close loses. It will continue until new coaching blood is brought in.  Ainge has two years left I hope we get a OC that can develope him into that talent he has.
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Exactly! Crompton hasn't played a down of college football, but he is the savior for next year? C'mon, let's be real here. Give Ainge time. Stop trying to blame him for the bad coaching that has hurt him. He will be fine. Let him play the rest of the season and get ready for next year.
 
#11
#11
We don't have to name next year's starting QB this week, do we? I say let whoever wants the job win it in the spring.
 
#12
#12
Originally posted by wid73cam@Nov 7, 2005 2:29 PM
let him transfer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
cgs oh yeah
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dont start that crap. everyone wanted schaeffer to transfer and look where that got us. would be nice to still have him.
 
#13
#13
Originally posted by checkerboard_charly@Nov 7, 2005 8:10 PM
dont start that crap. everyone wanted schaeffer to transfer and look where that got us. would be nice to still have him.
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Everytime I see a BS post, I gotta say. I wish he were still here. But seriously. We do need to know the transfer crap off. I read somewhere, I think this thread. Get a good solid QB coach and work the off season. Hell, look what Weiss did with Quinn. We need to develop what we got. :twocents:
 
#14
#14
Develop what we got....thank you! Everyone knows with injuries and the O-Line dropping off experience next year we need every good player we can get. That includes QB. Develop Ainge and have Crompton as a well-studied backup in case of injury. Depth is what we need.

All that said next year with a new OC could bring who knows what. Let Ainge and Crompton compete. or the new OC might pick one and work with him to push his potential.

We can sit here and argue all day about this year and next. This year is Ainge's. Next year is up to the OC and the two competing for the job.
 
#15
#15
Originally posted by CSpindizzy@Nov 7, 2005 8:42 PM
Develop what we got....thank you! Everyone knows with injuries and the O-Line dropping off experience next year we need every good player we can get. That includes QB. Develop Ainge and have Crompton as a well-studied backup in case of injury. Depth is what we need.

All that said next year with a new OC could bring who knows what. Let Ainge and Crompton compete. or the new OC might pick one and work with him to push his potential.

We can sit here and argue all day about this year and next. This year is Ainge's. Next year is up to the OC and the two competing for the job.
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With a good QB tutor, I would not be at all surprised to see Ainge turn into a serviceable QB next year. It also depends on the help around him, as usual. But his mechanics are just lacking right now, and the game is fast for him.

But he is not an idiot and has a lot of talent. I think we can all see that.

Someone needs to show and teach him where he really is though. He, like Foulmer, has a slightly delusional outlook on his performances. A good, honest assessment, and then some hard work. Hopefully we'll all get see the results of that.

AND FOR GOSH SAKES GET THE GUY SOME RECEIVERS!
 
#16
#16
Great discussion. I would like to further state that my rant was not intended to be an excuse for EA poor performance. Expectations are very high at UT, and they should be. However, when you expect someone to be a leader and perform at their highest level you need to insure that they are given every opportunity to do so and that includes preperation and coaching for the QB and the rest of the offense who have performed as poorly. If anyone thinks that a kid can perform, in any game, at his highest level by only getting half the reps in practice for TWO years I suggest you consider your judgement. Furthermore, when he is thrown into a game or expected to start, it is against the country's elite, whom might I add likely get all the reps in practice. Basically what I am saying is to expect a young QB to perform when only prepared a half best against elite players that are 100% prepared and better coached is setting your expectations extremely high and ignoring reality.
I also find it amusing when some say he should prove himself and take his lumps. Well he has taken his fair share lumps mentally and phiscally and it is mighty hard to prove yourself when everytime you take a lump you also have to take a seat and its hard to lead when half of this team seems not to want to follow.
 
#17
#17
Originally posted by HilltopperVol@Nov 7, 2005 12:58 PM
Reading the other thread it is easy to take out a lot of,  if not most of this seasons frustrations on EA. Rightly so, you deserve to be extremely frustrated with this team, But how fair are you really being by unloading most of it on EA.  The best argument seems to be, "look at how well he did last year, what happend"?  Well if I rember last year he had a couple of good games, UF-UGA, but I also remember the many games that he got pulled and replaced by Schaffer or vice versa. And how soon we forget that we also had not one, but two 1000 yd backs that carried more than their share of the load.
  This year suddenly everyone expects this kid, and he is a sophmore,  to be the second coming of Manning. Many if not most College QB's are given two to three years of learning behind a more talented upperclassman before starting as a Jr. But EA is expected to be the mature, seasoned QB while at the same time,  he is splitting practice time with a lesser talented but mature senior,  and is pulled everytime he stubbs his toe. And if you think that Crompton the answer,  maybe he is, but there is no proof of this and I think you could see a repeat of what you have now, undeveloped talent.
  Yes Ainge does have his share of blame in all of this but do you also blame him for a anemic running game that does nothing to set up the pass? And speaking of the pass do you also blame him for all the dropped passes and lack of effort? What about the fumbles that have cost us 2 or 3 games this year, might as well blame him for those as well.  Many of you like to point out the endzone play during the LSU game but how about the great special teams plays that got us there.  But hey, surely Ainge plays on special teams as well.
  Then there is all this talk about him being a headcase. I never knew so many qualified individuals in pschy posted on this board.  Sure I think his confidence has been shaken but unless you are a Dr that has examined this young man you have no right to call him a headcase.  It is very easy call a QB scrambling, scared,  we used to call it avoiding a sack, or trying to make a play.
I know I will bring the wrath down from some of you and probably deserve it.  But I believe that what you are seeing is a young QB that has played ONE complete game without feeling like he is about to be pulled.  I believe that his performance is a result of poor coaching, lack of practice time, and lack of enthusiasm around him including a coaching staff that took away any confidence that he or his team had in him by play this stupid QB carosel. 
Finally what you are seeing is the result of a Phil Fulmer offense that created so many close wins that can now only produce many close loses. It will continue until new coaching blood is brought in.  Ainge has two years left I hope we get a OC that can develope him into that talent he has.
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Fumbles, dropped passes, and mental mistakes have cost the team shown in the L's. Lack of discipline, on and off the field needs to be squashed... Who in the coaching staff is holding these players accountable (on field) dropped passes... fumbles in the red zone, lack of leadership (off field) fights, theft, abuse....there seems there is not a team mentality in the coaching staff and the players.. just a lot of individuals...accountability from the top starts with everyone.

 
#19
#19
Originally posted by smokedog#3@Nov 9, 2005 9:07 PM
ainge has no case he has to prove himself all over again.
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Yeah he does. But UT needs to offer him the tools to get better. A good QB coach. Having the worry of getting pulled from the game must be a real monkey on your back. I feel like I have to give him some ground this year. Yeah, based off of last year, he should have walked back onto the field and delivered. But he didn't, and jumping on Crompton's crotch to start next year is not the answer.

I was not implying you were a Crompton advocate smokedog.
 
#20
#20
in my opinion crompton and ainge should be dead even right now. i also think crompton will win the job. i was at the uab game ainge may have looked like the worst QB in tennessee history, he hasn't improved much. a new OC may help him, but as i said crompton is even with him now not even throwing a pass at UT.
 
#21
#21
:dunno:

I am not so sure it is safe to abandon all hope on Ainge. Besides, I think they will play him the rest of this year. I think he will show significant improvement these last 3 games and have a strong off season. He should beat Crompton with just game experience alone. Crompton needs to learn for a while.

Ainge better do the same. Reading defense and learning his own offense.

Who knows, maybe if we get this slump out of us, Ainge can get us a lead and Crompton can gets some experience.
 
#22
#22
i hope your right, he may prove me wrong. if crompton is as good as his #2 ranking he is going to be hard to hold off if ainge doesn't improve. i guess thats what everybody will have to wait on this offseason, to see if ainge improves.
 
#23
#23
Originally posted by smokedog#3@Nov 9, 2005 9:44 PM
i hope your right,  he may prove me wrong.  if crompton is as good as his #2 ranking he is going to be hard to hold off if ainge doesn't improve.  i guess thats what everybody will have to wait on this offseason,  to see if ainge improves.
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You and me both brother. But Crompton will hopefully live up to the challenge. One thing I love is he bleeds orange. From the start, he was going to UT. Gotta love that.
 
#24
#24
Originally posted by USAF_Vol@Nov 9, 2005 8:12 PM
Having the worry of getting pulled from the game must be a real monkey on your back.
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I have a hard time giving Ainge much sympathy for that monkey - or RC either, for that matter. Their primary worry should be "Am I doing what has to be done to win this game"?

To their credit, I've never heard either use the QB revolving door as an excuse, but I read it a lot on here. It shouldn't be an excuse. Wouldn't this qualify as one of those "me me me" issues that we all agree no team member should have?
If that's been on their minds, then they are more to blame for it than to excuse.
 
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