No, it was the D. Bray did not see the DB at all, he got baited into the throw.

It was a very bad dcesion, period, dot.  Even IF he gets the ball to the area Da'Rick was in, Da'Rick was covered VERY closely and the only area the ball could have been caught in was OB.  In that situation, as he did in the 4th quarter in a similar situation, throw the ball away.

No, it was the D. Bray did not see the DB at all, he got baited into the throw.

It was a very bad dcesion, period, dot.  Even IF he gets the ball to the area Da'Rick was in, Da'Rick was covered VERY closely and the only area the ball could have been caught in was OB.  In that situation, as he did in the 4th quarter in a similar situation, throw the ball away.

[14.2.4 Hardship Waiver]

Not that he'll need it...just saying.

Accoring to the NCAA BYLAWS, no

14.2.4 Hardship Waiver. A student-athlete may be granted an additional year of competition by the conference
or the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for reasons of “hardship.” Hardship is defined as
an incapacity resulting from an injury or illness that has occurred under all of the following conditions: (Revised:
8/8/02, 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08)

(a) The incapacitating injury or illness occurs in one of the four seasons of intercollegiate competition at any
two-year or four-year collegiate institutions or occurs after the first day of classes in the student-athlete’s senior
year in high school; (Revised: 1/10/92 effective 8/1/92, 11/01/01, 8/8/02)

(b) The injury or illness occurs prior to the first competition of the second half of the playing season that
concludes with the NCAA championship in that sport (see Bylaw 14.2.4.3.4) and results in incapacity to
compete for the remainder of that playing season; (Revised: 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01,
4/3/02, 4/24/08)

(c) In team sports, the injury or illness occurs when the student-athlete has not participated in more than three
contests or dates of competition (whichever is applicable to that sport) or 30 percent (whichever number is
greater) of the institution’s scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition in his or her sport. Only
scheduled or completed competition (including exempted events but excluding scrimmages and exhibition
contests identified as such in the legislation) against outside participants during the playing season that concludes
with the NCAA championship, or, if so designated, during the official NCAA championship playing
season in that sport (e.g., spring baseball, fall soccer), shall be countable under this limitation in calculating
both the number of contests or dates of competition in which the student-athlete has participated and the
number of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition during that season in the sport. Dates of
competition that are exempted (e.g., alumni contests, foreign team in U.S.) from the maximum permissible
number of contests or dates of competition shall count toward the number of contests or dates in which the
student-athlete has participated and the number of scheduled or completed contests or dates of competition
in the season, except for scrimmages and exhibition contests that are specifically identified as such in
the sport’s Bylaw 17 playing and practice season regulations. Scrimmages and exhibition contests that are
not exempted from the maximum permissible number of contests or dates of competition may be excluded
from the calculation only if they are identified as such in the sport’s Bylaw 17 playing and practice season
regulations; and (Revised: 1/10/92, 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01, 3/10/04, 5/11/05, 8/4/05,
4/26/07 applicable to student-athletes who initially enrolled full time in a collegiate institution on or after 8/1/03,
9/18/07, 4/24/08)

Ummmm, because as you quoted, Bossman believes the Vols will lose to either the Dawgs or Cocks ("with losses to LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, and either SC or UGa."  So, with the Florida loss added, it's 7-5.  I think he knows that it could be 8-4; he just doesn't think so.   

How ya doing TRO?  Hope the pain meds are working their magic!

Give some credit for hitting our TE all over the field, and for getting the ball to Arnett (to whom my reaction was, "who the hell is that?").  I was surprised that we did not throw to Poole more, but you do know that Lane scored a TD on a pass right?   I also don't think losing Hunter is a trivial thing to get over!  Let's also not forget that the gators got called for Pass Intereference 6 times!

I agree we could have thrown to the RBs more (but maybe when you are behind you throw downfield more?), but other than that I was really happy our passing offense did as well as it did after Hunter went out.  I really don't think that was our problem Saturday.

Poole hardly played in the 2nd half.  I saw him in for 2 plays the entire 4th quarter.

Running game is weak but prior to saturdasy I thought it looked a bit better than last year.  Its worth pointing out that we had some success on our first drive and that we completely abandoned it at some point.  Looking forward to seeing if we can improve vs. Uganda.

OTOH, we essentially abandoned the running game about a third of the way into the game Saturday.

I think Ole Myth will let Nutt stick around for one more year.

I don't know, this is the same school that fired Cut one year removed from tying for 1st in the West .  Nutt hasnt come close to Cut's record and, oh by the way, Nutt has lost to that "school down South' two years running.

I think Joker Phillips of Kentucky,Houston Nutt of Ole Miss and Mark Richt of Georgia have the most heat on them in the SEC. I believe all three could be fired after the season.

Nutt's pants are white hot.  Richt's pants require thermal protective gloves.  Phillips' pants are warm to the touch.

Assuming wins over UK and Vandy, I think UGA is our best shot to pick up a win more than six, and USCe is our best shot after that. But while I think we have a reasonable shot at beating UGA, I'm not at all confident about the Carolina game. USC's defense is better than it has shown so far and you can bet Spurrier will have the offense playing up to its capability by the time we get into late October.

Frankly, I think we'll get beat like a drum by Alabama. LSU I think will be somewhat closer because it's a home game and because their offense won't score many against us, but I don't think there's much of a chance of winning that one.

OTOH, with some exceptions, SOS also seems to screw up his QBs heads as the season goes along.

He's not perfect I am sure but I will take 44 yards per any day

The thing is, I don't consider that "normal" for Darr.  His ball flight leads to a mid 30s average.  Saturday the low line drive helped his average.  IMO Palardy is the better punter but I don't think his practice time supports his being the punter.

One other thing is that wind seems to affect punts more in the swamp than Neyland, and there was wind Saturday.

and lose to Bama and LSU, but those game will be close - hear me out.

SC and UGA are playing poor defense, and have pretty good offenses (SC has a better one). We have them both at home. UT's team this year will score on teams like SC and UGA. The SC game will be a shootout, and I think if we can get them to make a few mistakes we can win. UGA isn't that good and we should win at home.

LSU and Bama. No doubt we will not run the ball at all against them, which usually means loss. Neither team scores a lot of points - vanilla power running offenses. They'll likely beat us by a TD, but the games will be close enough.

Think we can still go about 8-4.

I think 7-6 more probable.  I agree their is a higher probability that we beat uga.  USCe I put more like 50/50, at best. 

In the long run, their is a silver lining in that Arnett and Rivera both stepped up bigtime.  We develop those guys, Da'Rick and whoever else wants to step up a full season and get Justin back next fall and just see what happens.  We should have a pretty fine passing offense by then!  (I mean, we already do IMO).

Our running game is another matter....but I still think it might click better later this year.  The OL gets a lot of grief, but let's not forget they are still very young.  If they are ever going to get the run game hashed out, it's going to be this season.  I will get pessimistic after Nov 1 if we still suck at running.

Saturday was pitiful, but we fell so far behind we had to abandon the run.  A common theme from last year. unfortunately.   

I don't think Arnett really "stepped up."  On most of his completions he simply ran 2-3 yard routes and essentially was the dump off receiver.  Saturday was the first time he got extended PT and it showed me why that was so.  He really needs to step up his knowledge of the offense to be really effective as a receiver.  I think he has a ton of potentail but Saturday showed me that is what it is, potential.  The good news is he now has two weeks to practice hard, with the knowledge of the speed of the game, then a game against what should be an easier defense to play and get further feedback on his technique, before we dive into the heart of our SEC schedule.  Same for Dallas.

More goodness is that Bray and Zack Rogers have two weeks to get their timing down now that Zack has moved to hunter's position.  Watching the replay it was clear their timing was a bit off, probably due to Zack mostly practicing in the slot receiver position.  Zack doesn't have Hunter's skills but he isn't chopped liver. 

A couple more points:  Does Dallas continue to back up D. Rogers or does he back up both X and Y?  Probably depends if Milton is finally ready to step up.  Also, we need Anderson to setp up to B/U Arnett in the slot.

OL will be back but Poole is a sr which prob isn't a bad thing.

Unless Poole steps up I see his role diminishing as Lane picks up more of the offense.

BTW, I noted to BDV during the game Saturday how diferent it was between Dooley and Fulmer in that Lane was playing such a significant role with the game on the line vs when Jamal Lewis wasn't playing as a FR in 97.
Sure Dooley has to play FR a lot but with the gae on the line in the 2nd half the FR, not the Sr, was in the game.

Saturday was a hard, cold dose of reality. UF whipped us in the trenches and it's probably going to happen more times this season. I expected it, but was glad to see the Vols fight it out to the end. We, as fans, just have to be patient and wait for better times. RECRUIT DEREK RECRUIT.

After the first quarter (and even in the first quarter) our DL more than held their own against the UF OL.  When they lined up and try to run it at us we stuffed them.  J. Smith and M. Jackson played well.  Hood played well and showed some good instincts but didn't execute well, at times.  I rarely notice Couch when he is in but he is probably the reason that Jackson is being disruptive because he takes up space and blockers.  Our DEs are an area were we need to improve.  J. Smith bings it every game and was very active Saturday.  Bohannon had a good game Saturday but in my view needs to be more consistent.  The other DEs need to step up IMO.  Maggitt is probably our 3rd best DE right now (in passing situations).

134.  That's a decent amount, but after yesterday's game I was expecting it be over 200.  Other than the first drive and the short drive after the interception, I thought we contained it pretty well for the most part. 

Thats because all their big gainers were flares, screens and a bust on a short dump off by a Fr LB that went 80 yards.

He averaged 44 yards per punt. 

He deserves all the blame he can get for the block, because he held it too long (but who was blocking Rainey, anyway?), but that's a pretty dam good average.  Maybe we have just been spoiled by the Colquitts.

Darr's punts seem to have a significant (more than normal) nose up (tail dragging) trajectory.  They rarely (I think I've seen two in practice and never in a game) "turn over" which gains the extra yards. 

Darr's first punt Saturday was a low line drive, maybe 2/3rds a normal trajectory.  When he hit it I thought it was going to be a long return as our gunners were a long way from him when he caught the ball but Rainey seemed to hesitate for some reason.

Yep, it was. He took way too long to get it off too.

Disagree, the punt timing was normal.  Palardy has a nice easy punt moion that seems slow but his timing is very similar to Darr's.  The block was a flat bust by our up back and a nicely designed special teams play.

As I noted in my game report (and confirmed in reviewing the video yesterday) they had Rainey out on our left gunner and an overload setup to our right.  That forced our up backs to focus on the right.  Then they brought Rainey into their right wing (though he was on the inside hip) and he came through the gap of line engaged blockers and the up back was leaning right and let him blow right by without even touching him.  That punt would have been blocked if a Colquitt (pick one) was kicking it.

Why are we not trying something other than that run up the middle with RBs that are too slow and can't break tackles? The OL is not run blocking well, how about trying a reverse, or something to the ourtside with Neal? Devrin Young?

I don't think Poole will get much running up the middle vs teams like LSU or Bama, and now with Hunter out, you just double Da'Rick.

We ran off tackle twice, that I remember, yesterday and both gained 5-10 yards.

We attempted one trap that I saw and Stone was far too slow covering the pulling guards man, resulted in a 3-4 yard loss.

1st play:  Hood makes a nice read on the screen play and misses the tackle.  AJ Johnson over pursues but does turn the play in.  A. Johnson for some reason STOPS to engage a blocker he is by instead of going after the RB.  A DB (I think Brewer takes a bad angle and misses.  Evans, after being blocked almost 20 yards down the field forces him OB.  Nice play

2nd play AJ Johnson made a nice play
4th play, too soft cover 2
5th play to FR LBs make a nice play
6th play, a total breakdown on the left side of the defense
One good defensive play on the entire draft.

!st offensive series
1st play, Nice blocking on the right side
2nd play, right side caved (Stone seemed to have to capes, left and right)
3rd play, center blocks the wron guy
5th play absolutely zero (0) push on the sweep left
3rd and 1 - Entire line from center to left tackle caved.

PI on A Johnson (called on Maggitt) was bogus

On the punt block, I was correct, Rainey moved in from gunner cover and #47 just flat messed up (leaning right, not on his toes.
After the block, nice plays by Bohannon, Lanier and Teague

On our first play at *:25 the RG pulls, the RT seems frozen and the C is too slow - result, 4 yard loss.
Next play Dallas Thomas whiffs on a block


Scoring drive
Arnett, quick out
4th play, nice coordination between Bray and Da'Rick
Arnett, another quick in, extended across the field
Nice back shoulder throw to Rivera

To be only down 9 at the half was amazing

Not that he'll need it...just saying.

No, he hasn't taken a red shirt yet

Anderson.  Despite all the vibe at how well he was picking up the receiver position I didn't see him in the game yesterday.  Milton was the receiver that came in when the young receivers were gassed.  Even when Arnett needed some rest at the slot he didn't come in.

The second one wasn't too flagrant. But the first one was. Is or isn't it a point of emphasis these days to protect the QB? No excuse for no flag on at least the first one. Again, I guess acting like a crybaby at halftime works in your favor.

The first one the ref was too busy blowing his whistle to like do his job.  Hell, everybody stopped except the gator play.  Prbably some stupid rull like the facemask on Berry in the KY game OT a few years ago - the play is blown dead so therefore you can literally kill the QB with no penalty?

The refs flat sucked for both teams today.

First, Great hospitalty and friendship from Orange & Brew, Salt Water Gator, Dark Gator and the entire Parotthead crew, as well as Albert.  A great afternoon, that unfortunately led up to the game.

Offense:
QB:  Bray played well in a hostile environment, without his go to receiver and despite his center playing bowling instead of football.  Not to mention the OL playing matador on a few occasions.  The pick was flat a bad decision.  The reeiver was covered, even if he gets the ball over the LB.

RB:  Based on the fact that Poole was in the game for all of 2 plays (when Lane needed a blow) in the 2nd half I suspect that Lane is the TB now.  Lane played well, picked up blitzs, ran a few good routes and in the few opportunities he had he ran hard.

WR:  Hunter being hurt hurt us badly, really took a couple of quarters to get going after the injury.  Zack Rogers moved to Hunter's position (with Dallas as the B/U) and Arnett took the slot.  Arnett seemed to only know 2-3 routes and variations off of those (quick out each way for example).  Took Bray a bit but he seemed to find Arnett in the 4th.  Milton was in for a few snaps late.  The last series we had 3 FR as receivers (Arnett, Dallas and Downs).  Bray rarely threw to Zack Rogers, even though he was open a few times, on the throw across the middle that Zack caught, the throw was a good second late.  Good thing we have an open date, our young receivers are going to need to grow up in a hurry.

OL:  Disappontment.  There were several times that Bray barely had time to field the grounder before he was being hit.  Zero push in the running game (before we abandoned it).  Yes I know their front 7 is very good but hell, at least slow them down a little ...

Defese
DL:  OVerall I thought the line played ok.  Smith had a very good game.Malik Jackson can be disruptive in the middle.

LB: Austin Johnson had a good game.  I though Maggitt played reasonably well.  Based on Sirmon's reaction I suspect that AJ Johnson might have blown the coverage on the long TD pass, made up for it the next series with the fumble return.  All in all though, some poor pursuit anges by the LBs (and DBs) led to extra yards by their RBs.

DBs:  Evans and LAnier played most of the snaps opposite Teague.  Teague played the two fades very well.  Run support could be improved.  When we went to our 5 db set, Randolph came in at FS and Wagner slid over to corner.

Special Teams:  Punting was, as usual, poor - the block they showed overload on our right and at the last second brought the gunner cover on the left side in, and he got the block, well designed play.  KO coverage was good, our KO returns was pedestrian.

Did you get a chance to listen to the Black Cats last night?  It was a very satisfying win.   

Comes under the heading "does the bear crap in the woods?"