Eric Berry and Tennessee Football

I could not have anticipated how bad this season would be. There was no way I could have anticipated how bad our QB's would be. As of late it seems Tennessee has found the formula for success: DON'T THROW THE BALL!

After hitting rock bottom and losing to Wyoming (13-7, all 13 of Wyoming's points came off of Stephens' interception throws) the Vols (FINALLY) put together a simple game plan. Run the ball. They only threw 9 times against Vandy (and had 2 picks) and won 20-13.

It's sad to see Fulmer on his way out. He deserved better than this, but I won't feel too bad for him. He had my dream job for 16 years, and has an incredible resume*, not to mention he made himself a multi-millionaire in the process.

It's really a shame to see this defense go to waste. They are probably the best in the SEC (statistically they are near the top, but if you factor in that they have a field position handicap, and time of possession handicap both caused by the offense, you can really appreciate how good the D is).

It's also a shame to think that Phil would probably be roaming the sidelines a few more years had he not made such a bad hire in Clawson. Clawson took almost the exact same offensive pieces from last year's team (minus Ainge) and made them into one of the worst offenses in all of the NCAA. Tennessee returned 5 starting O-lineman from last year's team that only gave up 4 sacks all year! They gave up 6 against South Carolina! It's pretty obvious that the problem is Clawson.

The one bright spot we do have is Eric Berry. He seems to be a shoe-in for the Thorpe award, and he is the only sophomore to ever be a semi-finalist for the Lott Trophy. He leads the NCAA in INT's (7) and INT yards (264) with 2 TD's. Not to mention 67 tackles, 3 sacks, 6.5 TFL's and he laying out fools left and right including Knowshon Moreno, and that hit on a Bama WR.

If Berry keeps it up for 4 years he will definitely be in the conversation for best defensive player ever. He is unbelievable. He is only a sophomore but has 12 picks, 3 TD's, he's right around 150 tackles, and holds the SEC career and season records for INT yards, and he is only 14 yards short of the career NCAA mark. Although it's been hard to watch my Vols, it's been a pleasure watching Berry.

*1998 National Title
2 SEC Titles
Led Tennessee to 5 SEC Title games in the last 11 years. Most in conference.
NCAA COY 1998
From 1995-1998 went 45-5
Finished 6 seasons in top 10, 13 seasons finished ranked
13 January bowls
Coached 17 First Team All-Americans
Coached 16 NFL First Round selections
150 wins
97 SEC wins