At left is Brandon Warren climbing the ladder in the end zone. This is the State Championship game I'm not sure the year.


Okay boys and girls it is almost time for the best athletic season of the year. I know you have seen the billboards around town and I must agree, "It's Time". The Vols are officially in camp, and it is time to start answering all those offseason questions. Who will emerge as the lead signal caller, will the O-line show improvement , who will step up at Wide Receiver... and I could go one for an hour on last years deficiencies. But I am going to focus on the last one I mentioned, the receiving corps.
We have talent at the WR position, Gerald Jones, NuKees Richardson, Marsalis Teague, and Alcoa native Brandon Warren. That is four deep at that position with talent, you have speed (Teague, Richardson, and Jones) and Strenght with Warren. Oh by the way we also have Austin Rogers and Denarius Moore on the IR for now. So we are good at WR as I see it, if they can just get the ball to them. I am very excited to get it going and look forward to shocking some folks this year. So following is an artical from The Daily Times about Brandon Warren facing the challenge he is facing this year it is a good read so here it is and GO VOLS!!

Warren working to become a wideout

By Rob Lewis
www.volquest.com
Originally published: August 08. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: August 08. 2009 11:46PM

KNOXVILLE — This time a year ago, tight end Brandon Warren was one of the most scrutinzed members of the Tennessee football team. After transferring home from Florida State, the Alcoa native was expected to pick up where he left off after a freshman All American season in Tallahassee.

Unfortunately for Warren — and everyone else associated with the Tennessee offense — 2008 turned out to be one long season of futility for that side of the ball.
As a whole, the unit finished 117th in the nation in production and Warren himself didn’t have the homecoming he desired, finishing the season with 10 receptions for 85 yards.

That debut in UT orange left Warren wanting to make an impact under the new regime of Lane Kiffin.

“I’m not hungry. I’m starving,” Warren said.

Warren moved to wide receiver in the spring where his combination of size and athleticism make him a potential matchup nightmare. If he can successfully make the transition that is. Something Warren claims he’s been working overtime to make happen.

“The summer was really big for me. I got into my playbook, watched a lot of video and used all the time I had to my advantage,” he said of his work. “I’m feeling comfortable right now at receiver.

“I feel like I’m learning to use my size better. That’s one thing that (wide receivers) Coach (Frank) Wilson has really helped me on, just learning to use my body to position myself. Because I have a wide frame I can create some mismatches. That’s something I’ve been working on a lot, watching a lot of film of big receivers in the NFL to try and pick up anything I can.”

Warren’s physical attributes could translate well at his new position. Always a bit undersized for a traditional tight end, he’s not even ‘huge’ for the receiver spot at 6-foot-2, 216 pounds. That weight is a result of hard work on his part to change his body to some degree, and he still possesses uncommon strength for a player out on the perimeter.

His ability to be physical and take advantage of smaller defenders is Warren’s ace-in-the hole, if he can master the nuances of the position. Those charged with lining up across from him on the practice field see his potential clearly.

“It seems like he’s a lot more natural out there at wide receiver. Having that tight-end mentality at wide receiver is pretty scary,” Eric Berry observed of Warren. “The way he comes off the ball, he’s real physical with our corners. Even when I match up with him, he’s still very physical. At the same time though, he has quickness like a receiver. He can be scary.”

Warren’s opportunity to ‘be scary’ in game situations increased with the offseason injuries at the position, but according to the player himself, those injuries to Austin Rogers and Denarius Moore didn’t change his approach to fall camp.

“That didn’t change my mindset at all. I’m ready to play and I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’m excited and ready to take on the challenge. I’m going to work as hard as a I can everyday and get ready for the season,” Warren said.

“The coaches have been on me pretty tough and I’ve been willing to respond and take on the challenge.”

Rumor of JUCO QB

Just saw an article by Dave Hooker about a JUCO QB from Cali that we may get but haven't offered yet. We could really use another field general, right now we have Stephens(attitude), Crompton (Screw Up) and the baseball playing walk on (who's name escapes me). I think we have a little bit of talent if we can find a line and a QB. All in all we should be better than last season.

Congress wants a playoff.

PLAYOFFS!!! PLAAAYOFFS!!!!! Yes folks the are talks of congress once again sticking its nose in the business of the sports world. Kinda hard to believe with the economy the way it is, but..... I am totally cool with this one because it about a playoff system in college football. Oh Dear God could it be???!!!??? Settle it on the field....that's just crazy enough to work. Just like every other sport in the world.

Click Here to read artical.

Props to Cody, the oldest

Props to my youngest boy Wes

Whats up BUD.

Thunder and Lightning

So I have been really busy so I haven't been able to update lately. During my absence Coach Kiffin has been a busy man. First David Oku signs then a few days later Bryce Brown. So this is the RB U of the nation now. I must admit that it sounds good, but I hope the O Line has the marbles to make holes for them. I know the move of Blount County native Aaron Douglas to tackle looks to be a need too because word is he may be able to start at right tackle. I saw some highlight tape on Bryce Brown and he looked really good moving in and out of traffic. Great vision and good speed 4.5 or so I think. I just wonder if we can get the SEC to let us play with two balls so we can get all our running backs a touch.

Shaking Things Up.

Well spring practice is right around the corner for the Vols and there has been some moving and shaking going on. The other day they announce the move of Brandon Warren (Alcoa) to Wide Receiver and today they announce that Aaron Douglas (Maryville) will move to Tackle. My take on this is good move in both cases. Douglas has lineman skill and he is an athlete, and Warren has good hands and OK speed. Only worries are Douglas might me a little lanky for tackle but I feel he will make up with athleticism. And, Warren's speed against a corner, but he will be OK at a slot though. I feel like both moves are for the good of the team and fill immediate voids. Things are starting to happen and so for so good. I look forward to spring drills to see how we are ran as a team, I bet there is a record crowd at the Orange and White game this year. Which will cost around $5 dollars a seat and the money goes to the University. So, this is the athletic program trying to help out the academic. Go buy a ticket and see the game.

I love the press

You know lately if you read any columnists around the south you hear them bad mouthing CLK. Personally I love the attention. Do they not realize when they fuss about us we are in the papers being heard of by all kinds of high school kids in their area. You know kids just half way listen to news so when they are making their decision where to attend they think "I have been hearing alot of things about Tennessee so let me see what they have to say". So to all the bitching a whining columnists. Keep up the good work you dumbasses, and thanks for the help. Here is a link to one of these morons from the Orlando Sentinel.

Must have in state tallent 2010

Ok here is my list of must have kids from in state, this is not a complete list of top in state tallent. It is just the list of kids I have researched my self. If you have some one to add then add a comment. At right is Jacques Smith from Ooltewah High School. He is the first verbal for the class of 2010. I live in Maryville and I know the fans of Heritage and William Blount can vouch for this kid. What I have heard of him and that is not much yet. He is pure athlete strong and fast. Sounds like some quality D line help for Coach O.










On ESPN U top 150

Class of 2010 (Prospects - All Positions - TN - All Statuses)
NAME	POS	HT	WT	SCHOOL	RANK	GRADE	STATUS	SCHOOL	NOTES
Barry Brunetti	QB	6'2"	210	Memphis University School (TN)			Undeclared	View Schools
Harrison Jones	TE	6'4"	220	Evangelical Christian School (TN)			Undeclared	View Schools
Justin Maclin	OLB	6'3"	210	Ridgeway H.S. (TN)			Undeclared	View Schools
Keiwone Malone	WR	6'1"	168	Mitchell H.S. (TN)			Verbal	Alabama
Jacques Smith	DE	6'3"	225	Ooltewah H.S. (TN)			Verbal	Tennessee
James Stone	OT	6'4"	285	Maplewood H.S. (TN)			Undeclared	View Schools
Zak Tait	OG	6'4"	300	Knoxville Catholic H.S. (TN)			Undeclared	View Schools

Here is a link to keep up with Tennessee Verbals for 2010

My Steelers

I know this is a Blount County and Tennessee Vols blog. Ok sue me. I am a Steelers fan as well and I must give them props. I have been a loyal fan since I was 5 or 6 years old. I jumped on in the 70's because they were good, but I have stuck with them. I stuck it out through Bubby Brister, Mark Malone, and Neil O'donel at QB. I stuck with them when they had Walter Ambercrombe at RB. And now we have 6 world titles. I got so excited when Santonio Holmes caught the ball with seconds on the clock to go ahead of the Cardinals. So congratulation to all the Steeler fans, on the title.

The best of the SEC

Ok here is a post from ESPN.com that I found interesting.

from ESPN.com - SEC - Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Here's a handy guide of what to look for on national signing day thanks to the folks at ESPN's Scouts Inc.

It includes a list of the top uncommitted players, as well as a "Best of the BCS conferences" section where we take our stab at the best recruiters, best closers, best facilities, best stadiums, best campus life and much more in each BCS conference.

Here's what we came up with for the SEC. Where were we right, and where were we wrong?

Best recruiter: Nick Saban, Alabama- I agree .......for now

Best closer: Rodney Garner, Georgia - I agree .......for now

Best facilities: LSU- Vols has some pretty good facilities too. I don't know about LSU's.

Best stadium: Tennessee (Neyland Stadium) - You know this ......maaaaaan

Best game-day atmosphere: LSU - I agree ... NOT!!! The Vol walk, running through the T, 107,000 screaming fans.

Best chance to play as a freshman: Arkansas - I agree .......for now

Best uniforms: Georgia I think we know how I feel about this one.

Best academics: Vanderbilt I agree

Best campus life: Ole Miss - Hottie Tottie God all mighty!!!

Most tradition: Alabama Buck Fama

Most likely to get players to the NFL: Georgia I agree .......for now

Most exposure: Florida I agree .......for now

Kiffin not treading lightly at Tennessee

This is a good read, I love it.

Kiffin not treading lightly at Tennessee

from ESPN.com - SEC - Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

Say this for new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin: He doesn't mind stepping on toes, which just might be a prerequisite if you're going to have any prayer of surviving in the SEC recruiting wars.

Already, Kiffin has drawn the ire -- in some way, shape or form -- of South Carolina's Steve Spurrier, Florida's Urban Meyer and Alabama's Nick Saban.

Some pretty big names, huh?

Among them, they have four national championships and 10 SEC championships to their credit.

	AP Photo/Wade Payne
	Lane Kiffin has hit the ground running since taking over at Tennessee.

They're also three of the guys Kiffin needs to beat on the recruiting trail (along with Georgia's Mark Richt) if he's going to return the Vols to elite status in a league that's football's version of a steel-cage match when it comes to wooing the best high school prospects.

In other words, there's no such thing as playing nice, which Kiffin says is the biggest difference between recruiting in the SEC and recruiting in the Pac-10.

"My biggest shock has been the things other coaches say," said Kiffin, who has reunited with his old pal at Southern California and one of the most renowned recruiters in the country, Ed Orgeron, to give the Vols a brand new look.

"You go in behind some of these coaches and hear the things that a coach has said about you, and it blows me away. I would think that you're confident enough to sell your product instead of worrying about us so much. It's surprising, especially since we haven't been here very long. We didn't win very many games last year. I wouldn't think people were very worried about us, but it sure seems like they are."

His critics insist the 33-year-old Kiffin is way too brash for a guy who hasn't proven anything as a head coach and that he has no idea what he's about to get himself into in the SEC.

His supporters insist that he has exactly the kind of bravado and moxie that it takes to go head-to-head against the who's who lineup of head coaches in the SEC.

Either way, it's obvious that a new sheriff is in town in Knoxville, Tenn.

"No question, there's a buzz out there," said Orgeron, who will serve as Tennessee's recruiting coordinator and also coach the defensive line.

It's a buzz that started on Dec. 1 when Kiffin was introduced as the Vols' new head coach, replacing 17-year veteran Phillip Fulmer, who was forced out.

While talking about how eager he was to embrace the Tennessee traditions, Kiffin said one of the things he most looked forward to was "singing 'Rocky Top' all night long" after beating Florida next season.

A little bulletin board material, though, quickly became much more when a perturbed Meyer let it be known several weeks later that Kiffin had better cool it on any inquiries to Florida receivers coach Billy Gonzales with the Gators preparing for the FedEx BCS National Championship Game.

It was also about that time that Spurrier and Kiffin traded a few barbs.

The Gamecocks accused David Reaves of going after players committed to South Carolina and trying to sway them to Tennessee while using a South Carolina-issued phone. Reaves, Kiffin's brother-in-law, was the recruiting coordinator at South Carolina before joining Kiffin at Tennessee and denied those charges.

Spurrier also wondered aloud if Kiffin had even passed his recruiting certification test and was allowed under NCAA rules to be calling recruits. Kiffin responded by guaranteeing that he scored higher on his test than Spurrier.

Things only heated up once January hit.

Kiffin first made a play for Georgia's top recruiter, Rodney Garner, and offered him $400,000 to join the Tennessee staff. Garner elected to stay at Georgia.

And then last week, Kiffin went after Alabama's top recruiter, Lance Thompson, and didn't come away empty-handed this time. Two weeks before National Signing Day, Thompson jumped ship to Tennessee for a big raise, prompting Saban to do two things.

First, he hired James Willis away from Auburn in Kiffin-esque fashion to replace Thompson, and then reportedly told a couple of prospects committed to the Crimson Tide that he didn't want them visiting Tennessee.

"There's so much information out there. But I will say this: The tougher it gets, the more we like it," said Orgeron, well-versed in the SEC recruiting wars after spending three seasons as Ole Miss' head coach from 2005-07.

"That's why we're here. That's the reason I came out of pro ball. In pro ball, you have one first-round pick. At Tennessee, we can get perhaps six or seven."

Orgeron, who lives, sleeps and breathes recruiting, is Kiffin's most important recruiting catch to this point.

After spending last season on the New Orleans Saints' staff, Orgeron was being courted by both LSU and Tennessee. Several of Orgeron's close friends in Louisiana were convinced that he was going to wind up at LSU.

Kiffin, though, wasn't about to take no for an answer. He'd already scored his father, Monte Kiffin, from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for $1.5 million to run his defense at Tennessee. The other centerpiece of his staff was Orgeron, whom the younger Kiffin says was an even more important piece to the puzzle than his dad.

"If it was the NFL, I wouldn't say that," Kiffin said. "I'm saying that because of the recruiting side of things. I can be somewhere else, and I know what's going on in the recruiting meeting that Ed's leading. I can be on the other side of the country recruiting, and I know what's going to go on when he's down in Florida recruiting or wherever he is.

"He's the only guy in America at all that I have that kind of confidence in. Nobody else I've ever worked with knows exactly what I want like Ed does."

The Kiffins solidified the deal with Orgeron during an impromptu trip last month to Destin, Fla., where Orgeron was vacationing with his family.

Lane knew it was close between LSU and Tennessee and had been working Orgeron's wife, Kelly. He told her that he and his dad were coming to see Orgeron face-to-face, but asked her not to tell Orgeron.

When they arrived that day at the condo, Orgeron was standing out on the balcony of the top floor and saw the Kiffins before they saw him.

He started bellowing in his deep baritone twang, "I knew ya'll were coming. I could feel it. I just knew."

The Kiffins got on the elevator and were greeted at the door by a smirking Orgeron.

"We had this whole plan to sell him on and why he needed to come to Tennessee," Lane recounted. "But he meets us at the door and says, 'Before ya'll start, I don't care what you're here to say ... I'm coming.'"

Orgeron will earn a cool $650,000 at Tennessee. The nine on-the-field assistants will be paid a total of $3,625,000 this year -- more than any other staff in college football.

But it's also a staff that Lane Kiffin says unabashedly can offer recruits something that no other staff in America can match.

"You're getting Tampa's defense, and instead of waiting until you get to the NFL, you're going to get coached just like the best players in the NFL," he said. "And the offense is the same offense we ran when I was at Southern Cal, an offense that's been dynamic and has put a bunch of players in the NFL and gotten a number of players drafted higher than they would have been if they had gone somewhere else.

"We're going to put you in a position from a football standpoint that when you're done playing in three or four years that you'll be better prepared than you will if you had gone anywhere else in the country, and I'll argue that with anybody."

Sit back and enjoy, because one way or the other, this ought to be fun.

Separated at birth.

What a Douche

What else can you say about this one???

Pictures of local boys

Tradition dating back to the 20's.
At left Aaron Douglas goes up high for one.

Former Vol Ayers Named Senior Bowl Outstanding Defensive Player

3 tackles 1.5 sacks and the 1/2 sack was in the endzone and caused a fumble that resulted in a TD. Pretty good day for an all star game where you don't get to play the whole game. He might a nice DE at the next level, he was all we had up front all year. I think he'll do well if he can stay healthy.

Alcoa, Maryville agree to share football gate

Ok to anyone who has lived in or around Blount County know the magnitude of the Maryville Alcoa rivalry. Well, in the past the home team would take all the gate. This is standard practice all around, but the Maryville Alcoa game is the biggest gate of the year. I don't mean just a little bit bigger, it is a lot bigger. I have been to the game and the stands are full and people are 6 to 10 rows deep around the fence. It is huge and I think it is cool for these guys to see the benefit of working together in these tough times. Read more about this story at thedailytimes .

Bill Werber, who was the oldest living ex-major leaguer died Thursday. He was 100. Werber, a career .271 hitter who led the American League in stolen bases three times, played with Babe Ruth, Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove in stints with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. He once hit .370 as the third baseman on the 1940 World Series champion Cincinnati Reds. This man knew alot of baseball history and will be dearly missed, this is a great loss.

Heritage names Russell new football coach

Heritage names Russell new football coach

By Ryan Callahan
of The Daily Times Staff
Originally published: January 21. 2009 3:01AM
Last modified: January 21. 2009 12:11AM

Brint Russell was relatively unfamiliar with the Heritage High School football team when he applied last month for its head-coaching vacancy.

A quick search of popular Internet video site YouTube told him all he needed to know.

"I was watching the video of a game, and it was against Maryville High School. It was 7-7 at halftime," Russell said. "I know, from reading the USA Today (Super) 25 (national poll) and things like that, that Maryville has a very good program.

"For Heritage to be tied with that program 7-7 at halftime means there's obviously potential here."

He now has the chance to prove it.

Heritage athletic director Chip Fuller introduced Russell as the Mountaineers' new coach Tuesday afternoon during a press conference in the school's gymnasium.

Russell, 30, was an offensive coordinator last year at Crest High School in Shelby, N.C., which finished 8-5. A family emergency interrupted his first head-coaching stint, at Jackson County High in Gainesboro, Tenn., after one season and forced him to spend a year away from football.

He replaces Tommy Rewis, who resigned Nov. 5 after leading Heritage to 11 wins over five losing seasons.

"Once I got to that level where I got the head-coaching opportunity, that's where I wanted to be," said Russell, who also has been a defensive coordinator. "I'm fortunate that I get to come here, where I feel like there's a big family atmosphere. It's a beautiful area, and I'm really excited to be here.

"It's not somewhere I see as a stepping stone. It's not somewhere I see building it up as one. It's somewhere I can be for a long time."

Fuller said the eight-person committee that interviewed 13 applicants for the opening unanimously agreed on Russell as the best fit for the Mountaineers, who have not made the playoffs or had a winning season since 1999.

"I think there's a lot of silent cheerleaders out there that are just kind of waiting for somebody to cheer for," Fuller said. "Hopefully, this hire will give them that opportunity."

Russell already has experienced success in quickly turning around a similar program, leading Class 2A Jackson County to a 4-6 record in 2006 that matched its combined win total from the previous four seasons.

He said Heritage would be "starting fresh" with "new expectations," but he also stressed the need for patience coming off a 1-9 season.

"It's not realistic to come in here and say we're going to go 10-0 next year. It's not realistic to come here and say that we're going to compete for a region title or a state title or anything like that. That's not realistic," Russell said.

"But what is realistic -- and what we always set as a goal -- is to fight every day in practice and to get better. For me, it's not so much stressing the wins and losses. It's stressing to get better on a daily basis, week in and week out, and then the wins and losses will take care of themselves."

New Staff looks good on paper

I can just come right out and say it. The new coaching staff really does look good on paper, now can that transfer to the field? I think we have some really good coaching talent on this staff. Monte Kiffin is a defensive guru, I can't help but picture Eric Berry in the role John Lynch played in Tampa. Orgeron is a recruiting master, and we have 90% of the staff plucked from NFL teams. We payed good money for the staff so it had better be good, because we have some fickle fans on Rocky Top and they are going to want results fast for that kind of cash. Time will tell I wish them well.