The Foray

"It's a different intensity ..."

... on the sidelines." (Albert Haynesworth, defensive tackle, Washington Redskins, in a television interview at Neyland Stadium during UT's 63-7 victory Saturday over Western Kentucky)

Go Vols!!!

Greg

Condolences to the Bama Fans in the MVB Family

I know there are Bama fans in the MVB congregation and Bama fans who read The Foray. (Ahem ... Mike!)

So, in the spirit of goodwill I do hereby offer my condolences on this evening's tough loss to the Gators. It was a whale of a football game and certainly everything it had been advertised!

CBS Sports was grinning ear to ear!

As a Vol fan, I can sympathize (somewhat) with how you're feeling tonight. I know how infuriating it is trying somehow to stop Tim Tebow, only to see him have his way. He's been manhandling UT defenses since he was but a wee freshman!

All in all, your team has come an amazing distance in a very short time, with nothing but good seemingly on your horizon.

My advice? Keep your head up. Shake this one off. And come to church in the morning.

The Vol fan sitting next to you has been doing it all season!

Greg

PS My parents are members of a large church in Knoxville and they report that every time Tennessee loses a home game, their attendance is down. Ah, yes ... "They'll know we are Christians by our football."

Welcome to UT, Coach Kiffin!

Welcome to the University of Tennessee, Coach Kiffin!

From the way you handled your introduction to the Vol nation yesterday, you come across as an impressive, capable, and enthusiastic young coach. We're awfully excited to see what you can do here at UT. And we wish you the absolute best. (More about that in a moment.)

For some reason, however, a long-ago memory comes to mind:

It is late 1976 or early 1977 (I seem to recall it was cold weather) and I'm a kid in a store parking lot, sitting in our family's car with my dad and listening to the radio while my mom shops. A gleeful voice announces, "There's a new kid in town!" as the Eagles' new hit song "New Kid in Town" plays in the background, followed by the American Civil War song, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."

"Bill Battle is out; Johnny Majors is in!"

Ah, the joy! The enthusiasm! The excitement! Things are going to be good now!

And I guess they kind of were ... slowly, and for a while.

Then, it became "Johnny is out; Phil is in!"

Ah, the joy! The enthusiasm! The excitement! Things are going to be good now!

And they were ...  quickly this time, but again, for a while.

Flash forward to 2008.

Now it's "Phil is out; Lane is in!"

Ah, the joy! The enthusiasm! The excitement! Things are going to be good now!

And I hope they WILL be! With all my heart, I want them to be!

And like many other Vol fans, I'm not really asking all that much -- just that Tennessee be a fierce and feared competitor every game, who dominates the competition and wins multiple SEC and National championships! 

Okay. Maybe I am asking a bit much. But still, I'm asking.

As for the ... how shall I put this? ... "congenitally negative" people I hear on the radio or read on the blogs blasting away at the new coach BEFORE he's coached even one game at UT, a question: Is it any fun?

I refuse to be numbered among you, preferring instead -- and happily so! -- to "give the guy a chance," as others have been given. (Unless I'm mistaken, the revered-until-he-overstayed-his-welcome Johnny Majors was 4-7 overall in his first year as head coach, and 1-5 in the SEC. Things only slowly got better under his leadership.)

Anyhow, welcome Coach Kiffin! Here's wishing you the very best! Go Big Orange!

Greg

With Mixed Emotions, Goodbye Coach Fulmer

 

I was so glad for how the events of Saturday unfolded for Phil Fulmer.

A memorable Vol Walk, with lots of enthusiastic and grateful Tennessee fans lining the way. A win over a longtime, SEC rival, thirsting to play fiendish spoiler on Philip Fulmer Day. A send-off from Neyland Stadium aboard the broad shoulders of loyal, loving players. Game ball in hand. Supporters remaining to the end in the cool drizzle to stand in honor and enthusiastically cheer the coach one last time. And the coach appreciatively drinking in the love and goodwill of the players and fans.

I'm so glad the situation didn't turn sour, as it did when his predecessor departed the job. And I hope it never will.

Why didn't things turn sour? In my opinion, because Phil Fulmer is a big man -- in more ways than one! He has shown class throughout this painful ordeal ("like a four-week funeral," was how he described it), refused to point fingers, and accepted the move as bravely as one could, especially one who loves UT as much as he!

Having said this, count me among those who believed, albeit reluctantly (and with no sense of jubilation), that the time for a change had come.

But it is with very mixed emotions that I say goodbye to Coach Fulmer ... and perhaps for selfish reasons too.

You see, I've watched the events of recent days, all the while knowing this:

As for FOOTBALL COACHES, so also for PASTORS.

Last week, I stumbled across these words from my favorite British preacher (you know who):

"How often a minister has brought sinners to Christ, and fed the flock in his early days. But when the old man grows feeble, they want to get rid of him, and try a new broom which will sweep cleaner. 'Poor old gentleman, he is quite out of date!' they say. And so they get rid of him, as gypsies turn an old horse out on the common to feed or starve -- they care not which.

If anybody expects gratitude, I would remind them of the benediction, 'Blessed are they that expect nothing, for they will not be disappointed.' Even our Master did not get praise from the nine lepers; therefore do not wonder if you bless others, and others do not bless you."

It's humbling to realize that, as you watch a man get 'shown the door,' the same will happen to you by and by.

So perhaps you'll understand if, as the old goes out and the new comes in, I'm not exactly turning cartwheels.

Thanks, Coach Fulmer, for being a true UT Vol!

Greg

PS See? Just selfishness, isn't it?

I Was on the Verge of Proposing a New Name for the Vols, But Then ...

We stunned the world and upset Vandy last Saturday!

So I'll simply say, "Congratulations UT! Now de-claw the Cats and send Phil out with one more win!"

By the way, have I ever shared how I became a Tennessee fan?

I was born into a Tennessee family. My parents and maternal grandparents were loyal fans. And since I grew up on a small East Tennessee farm, I was schooled in the twin "Ts" of tobacco and Tennessee football.

Some of my earliest memories are of Saturdays in my grandparents' barn on the hill, of numb fingers (because of the cold), and of learning to grade tobacco leaves so they could be sent to market. And what glorious sound wafted through that barn? The golden voice of John Ward (O how I miss him!) on a transistor radio calling the UT game!

Though the tobacco was nasty, the memories are sweet!

Anyhow, enough with the reminiscing.

I'll say it one last time for 2008: "Go Vols!"

Greg

PS What was the name change I was about to propose? Well, I'm kind of ashamed to say it now, but it was "The University of Tennessee Possums" ...

... because I was starting to believe that we always get killed on the road! Saturday's win, however, restored my faith.

How Bad It's Gotten

And he's man's best friend!

Greg

How I'm Feeling About TN and Bama Today

Nonetheless, "Go Big Orange!"

Greg

The Official Erik Ainge Apology Site

Numerous Vol fans last years heaped criticism on Erik Ainge for his performance as quarterback, caring little about the mental and emotional well-being of this talented young man.

Recent days, however, have opened their blinded eyes to the jewel they not infrequently found fault with -- a player who, for instance, threw for 397 yards and 7 touchdown passes in a single game (versus KY)! 

Now, despairing of such a field general, they find themselves overwrought with remorse at their erstwhile error. The regret, they admit, is on Saturdays unbearable!  

Therefore, as a public health service for the 2008 Vol nation, the Foray proudly announces, "The Official Erik Ainge Apology Site."

Here you can grovel before Erik, confessing your folly, conveying your apology, and unburdening your guilty gridiron soul. 

Feel better now! Do it today, for the 2008 season is but half-over!

Greg

A Beloved Fight Song Revised

Rocky Top, now 0-3
In the SEC;
Sad ol' Rocky Top,
Rocky Top, Tennessee;
Grievin' in Tennessee!

Greg

Congratulations to the Vols!

NOT on how you PLAYED last Saturday against Northern Illinois (no comment), but on the astounding fact that you somehow managed to sell more than 99,000 tickets and to persuade an estimated 85,000 fans to come sit at Neyland Stadium (according to one of Knoxville's recognized Vol authorities, Jimmy Hyams).

I don't know HOW you did it, but you did it!

So, the Foray says, "Congratulations to the Vols!" 

Fresh off a big win against the Huskies and a comparably big crowd, you should be teeming with confidence this Saturday when you face the Medical College of Georgia.

Huh? Wrong GA school? Which one is it?

The University of Georgia?!

No...ooooooo!

Greg