Bleacher Report - Articles by Graham Kelly

From Phil Fulmer to Lane Kiffin: Tracking Tennessee's Coaching Transition

Graham Kelly — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:59:04 -0500

As his players carried Fulmer off the field following his final 20-10 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats, it became clear that the Phillip Fulmer era had officially ended. Many people had questions about where the direction of the Volunteer football program would be going, as well as about Phil Fulmer and his staff’s future endeavors.

Fans didn’t have to wait long to find out about the team’s new direction, because the next Monday, Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton formally introduced Lane Kiffin as the new head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers.

Many former Vol legends, such as Peyton Manning, have adopted a wait-and-see attitude towards the hiring of Kiffin, while many fans, especially those who were advocating Fulmer’s departure in the first place, are ecstatic about Coach Kiffin’s hiring.

Sports management major Chase Woodfin reacted by saying, “When I heard Kiffin would officially take over the job, I was excited for the future of our program and was happy with the decision our athletics director made.”

Kiffin brings many changes to the football team. He quickly dismissed most of the assistant coaches, including longtime defensive coordinator John Chavis. For now Kiffin is retaining four of Fulmer’s assistant coaches on the offensive side: Stan Dayton, Latrell Scott, Doug Adkins, and Jason Michael.

Kiffin is going to evaluate and continue to interview the coaches before he makes a final decision on whether to retain them or not.

John Chavis has not made any public comments on if he plans to continue coaching or not. However, several sources have let it known that he tops Clemson’s wish list at defensive coordinator.

Phil Fulmer has refused to rule out returning to coaching in the future, but it does not seem likely now that he has officially taken an administrative position with the university. Coach Fulmer will serve over the next three months as a “special assistant to the president.”

It is unclear what exactly his role will be to UT president John Peterson, but the position begins immediately and is effective until Feb. 28.

While the players made it clear they were upset with the forced resignation of Coach Fulmer, they for the most part have warmed up to Lane Kiffin.

Before the press conference announcing him becoming the new head coach, Kiffin met with the team for 41 minutes and told them that no starting job is safe, saying they will have to earn everything in practice regardless of what they have done in the past.

“He is a different coach than what we are used to. He is all about discipline and is younger, so he approaches us differently,” offensive guard Jacques McClendon said.

When asked if he thought Kiffin’s NFL experience could help in the SEC, McClendon said, “I think the experienced staff he will bring in will help us tremendously. Being at the NFL and at Southern Cal, I believe that he has seen everything that there is.”

How Tennessee Football Can Shock the World

Graham Kelly — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:32:39 -0400

It’s pretty simply really, play power football.

The team that has rushed for the most yards in the rivalry has won the contest the past 16 out of 18 years. Not to mention this will play to the apparent strengths of the offense. Arian Foster has rushed for 100 yards in both games this season. Backups Lennon Creer and Montario Hardesty have also looked impressive in their opportunities.

Emphasizing the run will also take the burden off Jon Crompton to make the plays that will win the game. Not to mention keep Tim Tebow and the prolific Gators offense off the field.

A two-tight end, two-wide receiver set with Gerald Jones and Lucas Taylor as the wideouts and Brandon Warren and Luke Stocker as the tight ends will provide Crompton with four quality targets and provide maximum pass protection.

Giving Crompton time to take five-step drops and go through only a two to three receiver progression will allow the strong-armed quarterback to make easier decisions and hopefully be a more effective passer; considering he is currently last in the conference in that category, he can only get better. I still have faith that Crompton is a talented quarterback. He would not have been offered a scholarship to play for the Big Orange if this was not the case.

The coaching staff needs to change the offense to play to his talents, as well as the rest of his teammates. Crompton is not quite yet the cerebral quarterback that can manage a West Coast-style offense that offensive coordinator Dan Clawson wants to run. I am confident that, with time and more game experience for Crompton, this could be possible. However, with what is by far the best team UT has played thus far, the game plan has to be about what can win the game, not what you want to run.

If Tennessee can rush for at least 150 yards, keep the penalties low, and not commit any turnovers, the Volunteers will have a chance. I don’t expect Florida to score a ton of points if Tennessee plays effective. The defense has looked downright dominant at times and already has seven interceptions.

My final prediction: Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty combine for 178 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Eric Berry has another pick-six off Tebow, and Tennessee wins, 24-21.

Open Mic: Tennessee Volunteers All-Time Lineup

Graham Kelly — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:45:37 -0400

For the all-time Tennessee Volunteers lineup, I only picked players that I saw in person with two exceptions. Because I lived during the golden years of UT football, talent-wise, I doubt many people would argue with this team.

For the most part, I picked the best players, but I also considered chemistry and included players that clicked well with the quarterback (Peyton Manning) and a running back that put some heart and soul into the offense too.

Because UT currently does not play with a full back, I did not include one in the lineup.

QB: Peyton Manning—Does this need any explanation?

RB: Travis Stephens—There have been many other more talented backs in school history, but it is Stephens who holds the school single season rushing record and is a former first team All-American and All-SEC player. He was a very determined runner who played with a lot of heart.

WR: Robert Meachem—One of the most explosive receivers ever for the Vols. He was first team All-American and All-SEC.

WR: Joey Kent—He was Peyton Manning’s favorite target back in the day with two seasons with 1,000 yards receiving. He was All-SEC twice.

WR: Willie Gualt— He was one of the fastest players to ever play for Tennessee. He was All-American and All-SEC.

LT: Aaron Sears—All-American.

LG: Cosey Coleman—All-American.

C: Trey Teague—He made the All-SEC team in 1997. Given the importance of good chemistry between center and quarterback, he is reunited with Peyton Manning.

RG: Fred Weary—All SEC.

RT: Jason Layman—Layman was a Tennessee native, a three year starter, former captain and All-SEC.

TE: Jason Witten—He was hands down the best tight end in UT history.

DE: Reggie White—The Minister of Defense is one of few Vols to have his number retired by the university and holds the school career record for sacks with 32. He also holds the single season record (15), as well as the single game record (4). He was the SEC Player of the Year in 1983 and First Team All-American.

DE: Todd Kelly—He had 11 sacks his senior season en route to being named All-SEC and becoming a first round pick.

DT: John Henderson—He was a two time All American and Outland Trophy Winner. He was one of the most dominant run stoppers of his generation.

DT:Darwin Walker—He was All-SEC and an anchor of the national championship team.

OLB: Leonard Little— Little was an All-American and a feared blitzer.

OLB Raynoch Thompson—He started on the national championship team and was first team All-American in 1999.

MLB: Al Wilson—Wilson was an All-American and the heart and soul of the '98 defense. He finished his career with 272 tackles.

CB: Dale Carter—He was a two time All-American as a kick returner and a defensive back, as well as a Thorpe award finalist.

CB: Terry Fair—Fair was a tenacious defender earned All-SEC honors and was an explosive kick returner.

FS: Deon Grant—Grant was an All American and interception machine.

SS: Eric Berry—I honestly believe he will go down as one of the best players in school history. Every time he touched the ball last season it was electric. His 222 interception return yards were the most in the confrence in over 50 years.

K: Jeff Hall—Hall was a very clutch kicker who had many game winning kicks and made the All-SEC team in 1998.

P: Dustin Colquitt—Any All-Tennessee team would be incomplete without a Colquitt at punter, so why not pick the one with the highest average?

Tennessee Football: 2008 Defensive Preview

Graham Kelly — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:06:00 -0400

The past two seasons have been the worst for the defense in the Chavis era at UT. Defensive coordinator John Chavis took the reins in 1995 and has historically produced very stout units.

However, Tennessee has been uncharacteristically very anemic against the run the past two years, giving up an average of 164 yards on the ground last year and 147 before that.

If Tennessee wants to improve upon just winning the East division for the first time since the national title season of 1998, there must be improvement against the run.

Defensive Line

Last season’s sack leader, Robert Ayers, returns at end. Unfortunately, he only had four sacks. For now, junior Wes Brown (6'4", 256) will be lining up alongside Ayers, but Vols fans should not be surprised to see sophomore Ben Martin (6'3", 240) pass either one on the depth chart.

The Cincinnati native was a five-star prospect coming out of high school and continues to impress coaches. If Martin reaches his potential this season, he could give a very large boost to the defensive line.

At tackle, both starters return. However, J.T. Mapu, who played heavily last season, is lost to graduation. Fourth-year junior Dan Williams (6'3", 310) and senior Demonte Bolden (6'6", 290) return as starters. Coaches hope Williams, the top returning tackler along the line, can continue to build on his breakout season of last year, after losing over 40 pounds since arriving at UT.

As for Bolden, he has always had the talent to exceed in the SEC, but not quite the mentality. Bolden was suspended for the Louisiana-Lafayette game for violation of team rules and missed the Outback Bowl for academic reasons.

If Williams and Bolden continue to improve, they should form a solid run-stopping tandem. However, they must stay healthy, because behind them there isn’t much on the depth chart. Walter Fisher is the only returning letterman at the position.

Linebacker

By far the strength of the defense last year, this unit must replace two starters, including the tenth overall NFL draft pick Jerod Mayo. On the bright side, crowd favorite and second team All-SEC weak side linebacker Rico McCoy (6'1", 215) returns.

Sliding into the middle is senior Ellix Wilson (5'10", 225). Wilson, a long time special teams monster, finally gets his chance to start. Wilson has also demonstrated good leadership qualities, calling a team meeting at his house after a string of players got in trouble. Along with other seniors, he mandated a team-wide 11 o'clock curfew.

At strong side, spring practice ended in a dead heat between two seniors, Nevin McKenzie and Adam Meyers-White. I expect the duo to continue to split time, at least in the beginning of the season.

Since strong side has traditionally been the captain and play caller for the defense, I expect three-time academic All-SEC Meyers-White (6'1", 215) to get the start and have McKenzie (6'1", 215), a converted safety and possibly the best natural athlete in the unit, come in during passing situations.

Defensive Back

John Chavis thinks this could be the most athletic secondary he has ever coached, and certainly the best unit since the ’98 team. Eric Berry (5'11", 195) returns to lead what will be the strength of the defense this year.

At corner, four players return that have starting experience. The very athletic sophomore Brent Vinson (6'0", 190) will most likely hold on to his starting position and be bracketed by junior Marsalous Johnson (5'9", 180), who is returning from a shoulder injury. Sixth-year senior Antonio Gaines (5'9", 185), who is returning from a torn ACL, will push him for the starting job, as well as take care of nickel coverage duties.

Senior DeAngelo Willingham (6'0", 200), who made eight starts last season, split the award for most improved defensive player during spring ball and could overtake Johnson or Gaines. Sophomore return specialist Dennis Rogan (5'10", 185) provides even more depth at the position.

At safety, former starter and five-star high school prospect Demetrice Morley (6'3", 195) returns after a yearlong absence from the university. Morley pairs up with sophomore sensation Eric Berry to form what could possibly be the very best safety tandem in the country.

The word out of spring camp is that Morley has not missed a beat and established himself as one of the leaders of the 2008 defense, even giving the unit the collective nickname of “The Goon Squad," saying that they are a bunch of goonies on the field and comparing the unit to piranhas in how quickly they can all break on the ball and make a play.

With such a abundance of talent in the secondary, look for Chavis to blitz often this season to make up for the lack of push from the line. With a security blanket like Berry and Morley, any coordinator should be more prone to take risks.

Check back next week for my predictions of Tennessee's season.

Tennessee Football: Future Shines Bright on Rocky Top

Graham Kelly — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:32:03 -0400

As Tennessee’s summer football camp ends, things continue to look up for a program that is coming off a ten-win season and an SEC East Division crown—a season that was highlighted by the play of many true freshmen, including Eric Berry, Brent Vinson, Gerald Jones, and Denis Rogan.

Despite such success last year, the incoming recruiting class is made up of only 18 prospects—and no five-star prospects. Ranked as one of the lowest in the conference, it is a very poor class by Phil Fulmer standards.

Regardless of criticism from the multitude of recruiting services, Fulmer and his staff feel that they have still landed a solid class featuring many overlooked and underrated players.

Fortunately for Big Orange fans, unheralded recruiting classes do not appear to be on the verge of becoming a pattern any time soon. Tennessee already has ten committed players for the 2009 class, five of which signed during their visits to UT during Tennessee’s annual football camp for high school players.

One standout is Jarvis Giles. The Florida native is the second-ranked running back according to Rivals.com. Giles is an explosive runner who likes to create plays in space, potentially allowing him to fit perfectly into new offensive coordinator Dan Clawson’s offense, which centers on getting the ball to playmakers in space.

Giles joins Aubrey Phillips, a 6'6", 310-pound lineman from Olive Branch (Miss.) High School; Nyshier Oliver, a 5'11", 185-pound athlete from St. Peter’s Prep in New Jersey City, N.J.; JerQuari Schofield, a 6'6", 298-pound offensive lineman from South Aiken High in Aiken, S.C.; and Rhea County lineman Kevin Revis.

The latest prospects to join the Volunteers will also be accompanied by one of the earliest commits of the 2009 class: JeRon Stokes, a 6'1" WR from Philadelphia. Stokes is rated the 51st overall prospect in the country and promises to figure a prominent role in Tennessee’s passing attack in the years to come.

With Tennessee’s fast start in the 2009 recruiting season, the very strong 2007 class, and any stars from the ’08 class, the talent level wearing orange and white on Saturday afternoons promises to be exceptional in the years to come.

Combine the influx of talent with good coaching, player development, and the lucky breaks required for success during a grueling SEC season, and the sky is the limit for Tennessee football as it closes out the decade.