Bring on Tyler Bray as Tennessee's Quarterback: It's Time for a Football Change

I've never been a proponent of a two-quarterback system, and that hasn't changed, but it's time for the Vols (2-6, 0-5 SEC) to make the change and give Tyler Bray a shot at leading this team.

I have defended Matt Simms throughout the season and absolutely do not lay the bulk of the blame for the Vols' 2-6 record solely on his shoulders, but he certainly deserves some of the blame, especially after Saturday's loss to South Carolina in Columbia.

Simms was off to a hot start, completing 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown in the first half, but as has been the case with the junior signal caller, you also get the bad with the good.

After a brilliant 66-yard pass to Denarius Moore in the second quarter, the Vols appeared to be in great shape at 1st-and-goal from the 6-yard line. The very next play, Simms took a six-yard loss on a South Carolina sack. Coach Derek Dooley was obviously furious on the sidelines.

Simms' next pass went incomplete, setting up a 3rd-and-goal from the 12-yard line. On the third down play, Simms was sacked again, this time coughing up the ball as South Carolina recovered.

Coach Dooley and Simms were seen on the sidelines with Dooley carrying the bulk of the conversation.

Simms would gain a little redemption just before the half, connecting with Luke Stocker for a touchdown to knot the score at 10 at halftime.

The Vols received the second-half kickoff and began their drive on their own 25-yard line. On the first offensive play, Simms was sacked and fumbled yet again. South Carolina recovered, and Simms never got another chance to do the same.

Coach Dooley went with Bray for the remainder of the game.

Bray's first pass was a pick-six touchdown by Carolina's Devon Taylor. After the interception, Bray settled down and played a very productive second half, finishing with 159 yards on 9-of-15 passing with two touchdown passes.

Carolina would go on to win the game 38-24, but Bray's presence added a spark to the Vols offense.

In Simms' defense, he has gotten very little protection, and Tennessee quarterbacks, including Bray, have been sacked an SEC-leading 31 times. But the case against Simms is decisive.

Simms ranks eighth in passing yards per game in the conference. The only SEC starting quarterbacks with fewer passing yards per game are all running quarterbacks: Cam Newton of Auburn, Larry Smith of Vandy, Chris Relf of Mississippi State and Jordan Jefferson of LSU.

Simms ranks ninth in the conference in total offense. Again, only Smith, Relf and Jefferson are behind Simms.

Tennessee's third-down conversion rate of 31.3 percent is only one notch above Vandy's meager 22 percent. To make matters worse, the Vols entered play Saturday 2-of-52 on third downs when needing seven-plus yards.

Orange Zone offense has also been problematic for Simms and the Tennessee offense, ranking last in the conference at 66.7 percent.

In fairness to Simms, in a typical Tennessee season, he would be a very adequate quarterback. But mired in a 2-6 season, adequate just doesn't get it done. The Vols need a spark, and Tyler Bray will be that spark.

Simms also hasn't done himself any favors with comments he made to the press following the South Carolina loss.

"I was playing really well, extremely well, probably the best game I've played all year. It's rough, but hey, they made a decision and they stuck with it," Simms said. He later added, "I feel like I could have made all those throws because we had guys open down the middle of the field. I feel like I'm good enough to make those plays and I'm just still upset that I got taken out like that."

In Sunday's afternoon teleconference Dooley stated that he would address the quarterback situation after he had a chance to talk to the players.

Monday, Dooley made the announcement. 

"We're going to start Tyler Bray this week, and I just feel like that's the best thing for our team right now."

To paraphrase Simms' prophetic words, "They made a decision and are sticking with it."

The Vols have four winnable games left on the schedule and have a chance to finish at 6-6 and become bowl eligible if they can run the table. Good luck to Tyler Bray; you've earned your chance. Now make the most of it and make the VolNation proud.