Guitar Shots to the Head: No Conference for Old Men

Florida lowered the boom on Saturday.  Once and for all, college football fans got the answer to the question: “Where does this football team stand?” Speaking of answers, they were delivered in short order.  The UT football team had few answers for the speedy attack of Florida’s special teams. UT was put away in the first ten minutes of the game. Phil Fulmer had his own answers, as he took responsibility for the loss.  Volunteer fans offered their reply to the sloppy play by letting their feet do the talking, as if to say the time for talking is finished.

Frustrated, depressed, apathetic, fed up…..all of these emotions linger for a fan base looking at a season in tatters.  Especially considering that there is no quick fix for the problems facing this football team.

I have dealt with this loss in my own way.  I have spoken to former players, and long time fans.  All of them tell me the same thing.  Don’t hang any hopes on the Vols this year (not that I hadn’t already come to that conclusion).  Some people that I have talked to say that the talent is there.  I don’t know if we can even make a realistic assessment of our talent with the way the Vols have played in there first few games. Aside from the QB play, it is quite possible that there are a few difference makers on offense.  Of course that doesn’t really matter if you cannot get the football in their hands.

One thing hasn’t changed on offense.  The Vols cannot run for one yard when they need it the most.

So, we are back to the age old argument.  Is it talent or is it coaching? The most obvious answer is that it is both.

There is no reason for me to pile on ole Phil and the rest of the staff now.  They are doing the job for all of the naysayers.  This football team is simply unprepared to play football right now.  That means there is no reason to speculate about the absence of David Cutcliffe, and what that has meant to the preparedness of this football team.

Consider this the kindest and most gentle response I can offer to the product the coaches have put on the field this year.  Phil has seen his day come and go.  Please understand, I am not kicking the man while he is down.  This is not a message of hate and anger.  This is the truth as I see it.

With apologies to Cromac McCarthy, this is No Conference for Old Men. The SEC is a youthful conference. It is predicated on new game planning and fast skill players. It is the Porsche of the football world. Right now there is no place in the SEC for an F150.

The age of Bear Bryant rolling up to the house and talking to a recruit’s momma is gone.  The wishbone and the power I have gone the same way.  Winning in the SEC is now all about adaptation. Phil is a throwback. His style and demeanor screams “This is the way we used to do it”.  At one time that philosophy served him well. Unfortunately, those days are gone.

It is not Phil’s fault that the times have changed.  Nor is it his fault that he is nor really that adaptable.  In many ways it is unfair to expect the old offensive lineman to change.  It is not unfair to ask him to now make way for the next generation.

Phil will forever be remembered as a National Championship coach at the University of Tennessee.  If he holds on for much longer, he is going to take some of the shine off of his accomplishments. It is time for one and all to look at where we stand as a football program and to realize this is No Conference for Old Men.