The Notes: LSU Week Vol.II

[orange+white=heaven]

Here's hoping those of you with kids were able to peel them off the walls in time for bed.... "dad, can I have one more Reese's cup, PLEASE!!!"

So, I'll admit it, I'm a total candidate for nervous breakdown over this game. The good news, looks like Ainge'll be fine by gametime.

The tfp's Mark Weidmer spent some time with Rick Clausen this week, in honor of the anniversary of his second half heroics. That is the first item in today's notes....

tfpOnline:Commentary:A Visit With Rick Clausen

There was no trick-or-treating Tuesday night for University of Tennessee graduate assistant Rick Clausen.

"I’ve got tape to break down," he said as the clock struck 6:30 and Darth Vaders, fairy princesses and goblins began ringing door bells throughout the Volunteer State.

"LSU’s a very impressive football team."

"We first talked to Rick during the summer before his senior year," Fulmer said Tuesday. "He had expressed an interest in coaching and we thought he would make a fine graduate assistant. With all the adversity from last season, I’m so happy he still agreed to do it."

Clausen shrugs off the adversity and Fulmer’s decision to start the 2005 season with Ainge at quarterback.

"It was a tough situation for all parties," Clausen said. "Tough situation for Erik Ainge. I was upset, yes I was. But I also knew Coach Fulmer was only doing what he thought was best for the team. Once the decision was made, I accepted it. Last year is last year. As Coach has said, ‘Forget the past, but learn from it.’" Both Clausen and Ainge have always maintained that the situation was far more stressful to everyone else — coaches, teammates and fans — than themselves.

"We both wanted to win — that was our common ground," Clausen said.

"I never had a problem with Rick," Ainge said before this season. "Rick always did everything he could to make me a better quarterback, and he’s still doing that today." According to offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, whom Clausen shadows in the coaches’ box on game day, Rick is doing far more than merely assisting Ainge.

"Rick’s done an outstanding job," Cutcliffe said. "He makes some excellent suggestions during a game. And during the week, he’s great with the computer. ‘Quality control’ is what the NFL people call it. Rick will break down opponent tapes, study opposing personnel. It’s a ton of work, but it’s also been an excellent opportunity for him to stay around here and learn."

...Does me good to hear Rick's doing well.

tfpOnline:Injuries and other Bits

Tennessee receiver Jayson Swain has grown weary of being asked about his knee, ankle, hand or anything else that might be bothering him eight games into the season.

And it’s not because he wants to conceal his own limitations.

"I looked at the paper today, it said, ‘(Erik) Ainge and Swain hurt,’" he said. "I mean, other people are hurt. You’ve got other guys playing with injuries and playing through. It’s not just me.

"There are definitely people more hurt than me playing."

The injury to Ainge, who returned to practice in a limited role Tuesday after missing Monday’s workout, is receiving the most attention.

But there’s also Swain. Fellow receiver Bret Smith sprained his ankle against South Carolina, too. Offensive linemen Anthony Parker and Arron Sears really haven’t been healthy most of the year. Linebacker Jerod Mayo isn’t completely over an ankle injury. Neither is tailback Arian Foster.

"There’s a lot of guys that y’all have no idea are hurt and are pushing through pain," Vols guard David Ligon said. "I’m not going to name any names, but there are a lot of people pushing through that aren’t getting any credit. Basically, if it weren’t for those guys — they’re a piece of the puzzle — we probably would have lost some games."

Strong safety Demetrice Morley’s academic suspension against South Carolina may have cost him more than a little playing time. It may mean his starting job.

Redshirt freshman Antonio Wardlow played so well in Morley’s place, UT coaches have been working him with the first-team defense this week.

"It could be either one of them that will start this game," Vols defensive coordinator John Chavis said. "We’ll determine that later on in the week."

Wardlow, who blocked a punt against Georgia and wound up on the cover of Sports Illustrated for it, had four tackles against South Carolina. It was four more than Morley had after coming on late in the first half.

"Be it fair or unfair, players have to earn coaches’ confidence," Chavis said of Wardlow. "Sometimes all they need is an opportunity, and he made the most of his opportunity."

Injured tailback LaMarcus Coker’s knee recovery is well ahead of schedule, according to Fulmer. Coker could return to practice this week and possibly be used during next week’s game at Arkansas.
He was projected to be out three to six weeks.

Former Tyner star Demonte Bolden was the first UT defensive tackle off the bench during Saturday’s victory. He finished with two tackles, including one for a loss, in a performance that encouraged Chavis.

"Demonte did a really good job," Chavis said. "When you look back as coaches, you have a way of saying this, we probably should have played him more. He played really well with the opportunities that he got, but that’s confidence.

"Our confidence in him is getting better each week."

tfpOnline:Chatt. Brainerd DL Cory Hall Commits to Vols

Hall recently committed to UT assistant Steve Caldwell during a visit to the Knoxville campus. Caldwell had visited Brainerd several weeks ago, watched a highlight tape and was sold on the 6-foot-5, 255-pound defensive end.

"They already liked me a lot, but they said they liked the way I got after people on the tape," Hall said. "They said I would either be a defensive end or tackle, depending on where I fit in best once I get there. I just want to get on the field and help.

Tennessean:Ainge Throws at Practice

"He was better (Monday) night than he was (Monday) afternoon," Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe said. "He was better (Tuesday) morning than he was (Monday) night. It's amazing what they can do when a player is willing to work, and Erik is willing to do what it takes to get better."

Linebacker Jerod Mayo thinks the Vols' defense is braced for a breakout game this weekend.
"I feel like with LSU's offensive scheme trying to attack us downhill, putting two tight ends in the box, that just plays into our strength of stopping the run," Mayo said. "JaMarcus Russell is an excellent quarterback with a strong arm. He's not as mobile as (South Carolina's) Syvelle Newton. Syvelle Newton did an excellent job preparing us for this week as a matter of fact. I feel like we can go in this week and take it to that next level."

Tennessee senior cornerback Jonathan Wade didn't do himself any favors with a couple of his former high school teammates last season following the Vols' 30-27 overtime win in Baton Rouge.
LSU running back Jacob Hester and defensive end Chase Pittman, both of whom played with Wade at Evangel Christian High in Shreveport, La., said they haven't forgotten Wade running around the field with the Tennessee flag and then planting it at midfield.
"I just know I don't ever want to see him in the middle of my field throwing a flag in the middle of the (Tiger) eye again," Hester said.
Pittman added, "Well, I thought it (planting flag) was kind of disrespectful. You know, act like you've been there. It's not your first game to win."

Tennessean: Rush Game Lacking

Tennessee's 250 rushing attempts through eight games are the fewest during the Phillip Fulmer era.

Fulmer said.... "I don't care how we win as long as we win. We'll use our personnel to the fullest. People thought when I started that I was going to be a guy that ran it all the time because I was a line coach. If you go back and look at us in 1989 when I called the plays, we ran it a lot because that was the strength of our team — our offensive front and tailbacks. The next year, all those linemen were gone in 1990.
"Andy (Kelly) was more mature and experienced, and Carl Pickens and those guys really came into their own. We threw it all over the place."

Then again, the only numbers senior offensive guard David Ligon cares about are wins and losses.
"I feel pretty good when I sit there and block, and Erik Ainge throws a 50-yard bomb down the field," said Ligon, part of an offensive line that is tied for the league lead with Arkansas in fewest sacks allowed (six).
"Maybe there are some linemen out there that live and die by the run. That's their pride and joy. I really don't care as long as I win the football game."

I read all that, and I'm still nervous as hell....

Go Vols!!!

 

[rockydoc]

Fear not, we have our secret weapon: Smokey the Bluetick Hound!

 

[hohenfelsvol]

More news here on hump day. Nerves building as the weekend approaches. Gonna be tough!!

 

[OWB]

It's great to hear that Coker's knee injury is coming along better than expected. Him being back for the Arkansas game would be nice.

It's also interesting that Wardlow could possibly start over Morely. If he's playing better than Morely right now, put him in.

 

[hohenfelsvol]

It's great to hear that Coker's knee injury is coming along better than expected. Him being back for the Arkansas game would be nice.

It's also interesting that Wardlow could possibly start over Morely. If he's playing better than Morely right now, put him in.

Morely I am sure is finding this frustrating but I am encouraged by the fact that we have this much talent and they are fighting for starting spots on both sides of the ball.

 

[tidwell]

Good news about Coker.

Agree that if Wardlow is better, put the kid in the game. Besides, more often than not, Morley looks like a chicken when its head cut off running around out there...

 

[orange+white=heaven]

***Please Note... The tfpOnline site seems to be down at the moment. You may be unable to hit their links...


that is all.

 

[ledhed43]

sounds good, but not good enough to ease my anxiety. the "theirs alot of guys playing hurt that dont get credit" either makes it worse or better and i cant decide. i know every football team has guys that have to play through pain, but how many do we have?

 

[rwemyss]

Thanks for the summaries O+W=H!!!

 

[vader]

Thanks for the summaries O+W=H!!!

What he said. :hi: