Vols Freshmen "Co-Number 1" Quarterbacks

[YAZ]

Talented freshmen quarterbacks Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer have been dazzling onlookers in practice. Apparently, they've been impressing the coaching staff, too.

In a surprise move, Coach Phillip Fulmer told his team before practice on Thursday that he was elevating Schaeffer and Ainge to "co-number one" status.

"We'll have to see how these two youngsters do," Fulmer said. "I am encouraged about their progress and as soon as we can, we'll name a starter and build an offense around what they can do."

The two youngsters have very different strengths in their games. Schaeffer is quick and has terrific moves when running the ball. He also likes to throw on the run.

Ainge is more of a typical Tennessee quarterback; a tall pocket-passer who studies the game and reads defenses. His quick release on his passes is also a big plus.

"We decided to narrow it right now rather than waiting until a later date," Fulmer said. "It certainly could change again, but I'm not looking at it as a concern or a burden at all."

"From a defensive standpoint, they would be a challenge. They are very bright. They pick things up quickly and they give you a chance to make a play. This is what we think we need to do to win the championship this year."

 

[YAZ]

I think it would be great to rotate between the two Freshman. One runner, one passer. We could use something new like that. Leak obviously just does not have it. I kinda feel bad for the guy, but at the same time, if you can't get it done you can't get it done. Take a seat.

 

[GAVol]

The problem is that with freshmen playing QB, you're almost guaranteed to lose 1 or 2 games early on that you shouldn't based on bad decisions, turnovers. If you look at the records, I think we opened the '94 and 2000 seasons with 2-3 losses early before we got rolling and finished with 8 wins.

I feel sorry for Leak to . . . he's really been loyal to the program. I'd hate to lose the depth at QB, but if he's as great a physical specimen as advertised, maybe they ought to give him a shot at Receiver or Safety.

 

[Freak]

Originally posted by GAVol@Aug 20, 2004 9:28 AM
The problem is that with freshmen playing QB, you're almost guaranteed to lose 1 or 2 games early on that you shouldn't based on bad decisions, turnovers. If you look at the records, I think we opened the '94 and 2000 seasons with 2-3 losses early before we got rolling and finished with 8 wins.

I feel sorry for Leak to . . . he's really been loyal to the program. I'd hate to lose the depth at QB, but if he's as great a physical specimen as advertised, maybe they ought to give him a shot at Receiver or Safety.

I agree GAVOL, we are going to lose some games with a Freshman.

It really suprises me that Leak is not getting a shot.

 

[YAZ]

We would apparently lose some games starting a lesser talent(Leak) as well. He definitely has been loyal but just how much would that loyalty matter to you after a UNLV and/or Florida loss (don't know which would be worse.) Yeah, the freshman are unproven but so is Leak and I think CPF probably knows a bit more than we do at this point so I say cheers to the decision. Leak is gone after this season regardless. Let's get the young guys in there. If we must lose a few games, I for one would rather the losses help to advance our young QBs rather than hear everyone whine about how they knew Leak was bad and how they have been saying all along he should not start, blah, blah, blah.

 

[la.lovesorange]

Originally posted by YAZ@Aug 20, 2004 7:55 AM
We would apparently lose some games starting a lesser talent(Leak) as well. He definitely has been loyal but just how much would that loyalty matter to you after a UNLV and/or Florida loss (don't know which would be worse.) Yeah, the freshman are unproven but so is Leak and I think CPF probably knows a bit more than we do at this point so I say cheers to the decision. Leak is gone after this season regardless. Let's get the young guys in there. If we must lose a few games, I for one would rather the losses help to advance our young QBs rather than hear everyone whine about how they knew Leak was bad and how they have been saying all along he should not start, blah, blah, blah.

I feel the same way. I think Fulmer knows a little more than we do. Evidently Leak isnt stepping up if hes willing to put in a freshman!!! I feel sorry for him to in a way, but this is his last year and he has never done anything to knock us off our feet yet!!! :snoring:

 

[Volstorm]

I wish Leak could have got the job done. But let's not forget this is the same guy who got beat out by a freshman with a weaker arm 2 years ago (and became a receiver).

I have to say I am surprised, and thrilled Fulmer made this move. I think he is showing that he wants to get this program in the right direction again. Somebody send Gallion a thank you note.

 

[allvol]

Originally posted by YAZ@Aug 20, 2004 8:55 AM
We would apparently lose some games starting a lesser talent(Leak) as well.

How soon people forget the impact of Daryl Dickey in the mid-80's. :blink:

 

[Freak]

I guess Fulmer must not agree with Curtis Leak's statement that CJ has "NFL" talent and will be playing on Sundays.

 

[Z06Vol]

Bottom line: Leak can't read what's in front of him. That alone would count for many losses.

 

[allvol]

Tennessee freshmen quarterback Brent Schaeffer (above) and Erik Ainge have overtaken sixth year senior C.J. Leak to be the leading contenders for starting quarterback.

Adams: The why of Fulmer's move: Win SEC
By JOHN ADAMS
August 19, 2004

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer kept dropping hints about his freshmen quarterbacks. About their talent and potential. About how advanced they were for guys who have never played a down of college football.

He dropped enough hints to make you believe, "He's going to start a true-freshman quarterback." Then you caught yourself, considered the track record and wondered ...

The wondering ended Thursday evening. And Fulmer's track record took a beating.

He announced freshmen Erik Ainge and Brent Schaeffer were his co-No. 1 quarterbacks. Feel free to applaud.

Applaud the fact that Fulmer can recruit under pressure. In dire need of quarterbacks, he didn't sign just one talented prospect; he signed two.

Applaud the fact that seniority didn't prevail over talent. Ainge, with his strong arm and quick release, and Schaeffer, with his speed and elusiveness, clearly had more playmaking ability than veterans C.J. Leak and Rick Clausen. And this offense needs playmakers more than caretakers.

You also might applaud the fact that Fulmer didn't play it safe, that he was willing to gamble on a freshman. But that's a stretch. Leak, a senior, and Clausen, a junior, have so little game experience, you couldn't be sure they would handle being the No. 1 quarterback at UT any better than the freshmen.

Bottom line: If the freshmen are this competitive this soon, imagine how far along they could be by Oct. 9 in Athens, Ga., when the SEC East title likely will be on the line.

Fulmer could have delayed the decision. The Vols could beat UNLV in the season opener with any one of their top four quarterbacks or with the four of them alternating by the quarter, series or play.

This wasn't about UNLV. It was about the SEC. It was about Florida on Sept. 18, Auburn on Oct. 2 and Georgia on Oct. 9.

There wasn't enough time to prepare three or four quarterbacks -- none of whom has significant game experience -- for a schedule that's loaded on the front end. Now, the two freshmen can get that precious practice repetition.

The only thing wrong with Fulmer's decision is that he had to say "no" to Leak.

One reader accused me of being a "C.J. Leak hater" after one quarterback-related column. In fact, I admire Leak for his perseverance and poise in the midst of adversity.

Leak suffered a season-ending injury at Wake Forest; transferred to UT; sat on the bench for a couple of years; successfully petitioned the NCAA for another year of eligibility; and finally, as a sixth-year senior, had one last shot at starting.

The injury was bad enough. There also was the endless speculation surrounding the recruitment of his quarterbacking brother, Chris, who seemed destined for UT before opting for arch-rival Florida, where he quickly became a full-fledged star.

Through it all, C.J. kept plugging away -- working hard to improve, taking criticism in stride. And when told that Ainge and Schaeffer were the top quarterbacks, Leak volunteered to try linebacker or safety.

Fulmer's decision-making won't get any easier. The next choice is Schaeffer, Ainge or both.

A two-quarterback system is rarely successful, but there are exceptions. Florida State's Bobby Bowden has won with it. So has former Florida coach Steve Spurrier.

What makes the Ainge-Schaeffer combination so intriguing is the difference in styles. The 6-foot-6 Ainge looks like the prototypical NFL dropback passer. Schaeffer looks like a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare.

A defense can do everything right and end up all wrong against a quarterback as elusive and fast as Schaeffer, who looks as difficult to tackle in the open field as wide receiver Peter Warrick once was for Florida State. Remember how then-freshman quarterback James Banks scared SEC champion Georgia with his open-field running two years ago. It's easy to imagine Schaeffer, a more-accomplished passer, in the same role.

The key to making a two-quarterback system work is knowing when to play whom. But that's a decision for another day.



John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.

 

[Vol67]

Actually Leak has played his way back to the pack and still has trouble with progression and timely deliveries, which is what you get with freshmen.
The biggest surprise is it took Fulmer so long. Guess he gave Leak every chance and then some.

 

[orangetd88]

Originally posted by vol_freak@Aug 20, 2004 8:40 AM
I agree GAVOL, we are going to lose some games with a Freshman.

It really suprises me that Leak is not getting a shot.

We're gonna lose some games either way. Leak can't get the guys lined up, or even to the line of scrimmage in time. He repeatedly has to call timeouts IN PRACTICE because he can't get the play right. He's just not quick enough at picking up the system. Maybe it's the playbook (I doubt it), or maybe he can't handle the pressue of being THE guy (most likely), but whatever the case, he has had chances time and again to get the job done, and has not done it.

Also, think about this...why go through this 2 years in a row? We're probably gonna lose games with Leak or one of the freshman under center.

I like the move. Maybe they will play the freshman first, maybe not. Maybe it will light a fire in Leak and he will finally come through and become the qb he was touted to be 5 or 6 years ago. Who knows? In the long run for UT, however, all I see is positives.

 

[Volstorm]

CJ Leak is not a Senior. Oh sure he is as far as academic standing, but on the field he is a glorified redshirt freshman. We would have lost due to inexperience no matter which way you go. Only this time we have talent and potential, with 3 more years after this.

 

[orangetd88]

Originally posted by Volstorm@Aug 20, 2004 12:44 PM
CJ Leak is not a Senior. Oh sure he is as far as academic standing, but on the field he is a glorified redshirt freshman. We would have lost due to inexperience no matter which way you go. Only this time we have talent and potential, with 3 more years after this.

My point exactly.

 

[Freak]

I like the move...it just suprises me that Fulmer made the move.

 

[orangetd88]

It surprises me, too, because the motto at UT has always been if you stay, you play.

But, in this case, the guy with the better talent needs to be on the field.

Maybe he learned his lesson by starting Mark Levine instead of Jamal Lewis against UF in 1997. LOL

 

[YAZ]

Hopefully a sign of things to come from Big Philly. We need change, maybe this is the first step. Now let's hope on hearing Riggs takes our lackluster starting RB out of the picture.

 

[Volstorm]

Now if can get Riggs and Yancey moved up, we'll be in better shape.

 

[copper2]

Originally posted by Volstorm@Aug 20, 2004 12:44 PM
CJ Leak is not a Senior.  Oh sure he is as far as academic standing, but on the field he is a glorified redshirt freshman.  We would have lost due to inexperience no matter which way you go.  Only this time we have talent and potential, with 3 more years after this.

:bow: I totaly agree 100% with you storm. These two freshmen are healthy,and if they`re ready to make a statement on the field then I`m more then ready to see them do it. Everybody feels bad for Leak as do I. But not near as bad as I would feel if we lost a bunch of games due to him.

 

[gunner]

As for Fulmer making not having the guts to do this in the past, I think he was going to do this same thing, start a true freshman at QB four years ago had Casey not hurt his arm by throwing too much over the summer of 2000. I think this is the right thing to do as long as the Freshman know how to get the play in and called, get to the line, get the play off in time, and let their talent take over without making too many mistakes. If they can do these things I think coach made a good decision.

Gunner

 

[Volstorm]

Good point gunner. Clausen was built up a lot during the spring of 2000. And I agree had he not been hurt, we would have played. However things do happen for a reason, and this kind of boost is needed more now, than in 2000.

 

[orangetd88]

That is a good point. We'll never know for sure, but I bet he would have started against Southern Miss opening night in 2000.