AM - Tatum Report

OK, OK...so JC recognized Ray Guy and said he'd invite him to bless but FT might get his feelings hurt; RG suggested FT was more qualified; JC said he was a professional. Called FT up and asked him how much time he spent in Mexico last weekend. FT said it was personal info. FT said he had a great football weekend...ND won, BC won, USM won, UM lost and ST lost...everything was good at church and he'd leave the joke to John Miller. Invoked the Spirit in the spirit of thanksgiving.
JC said big week coming up. Double-header bassetball with menzes and womenzes this week and Senior day at the football game. Introed JB.
JB said good win for us. Thought the kids played hard. Good defensive effort in the first half. Good performance by Lyons in the middle. Held TxEP to about 100yds in the first half. Second half slipped a bit. Gave up a couple of big plays. Offensive side of ball almost reversed. Poor play in first and hit on all cylinders in the second. Fletch had good game. JY threw well in the second half...5 of 6. Over 300yds rush and 200 pass. Good balance.
ArkST is a good team. Had a chance to beat TX early. Gave TN a good game. Very athletic QB with good receivers. Good RB. Play in your face D with a lot of blitz and challenges at the line. Should be 1 on 1 out wide. We'll need to win those battles and get the ball to the wide outs to be successful. On whole, good in the kicking game. Especially kick coverage. Good play by SN on blocked kick to pick up first. Refs not calling holding. Worst he's seen on kick coverage holding. Seems they are letting all the holding go and it is showing up in the higher scores when the offense is favored by it. Fletch hurt toe...turf toe. Should know Wed about him. Marques Raines banged up an ankle, should know Wed about him. Fletch, O-line and tight ends were offensive players of week. Lyons was D player and T Harrison was Special.
Question about injuries to key players disrupting entire teams such as seen at OR and OK recently. Did that explain some of JY's slow start. JB suggested he was just being too tentative as he had been at times in the early season. Jay talked to him at half and he cut it loose. Seems he threw some really poor passes in the first half...real ducks. Pass in second to Magee (?) was the best JB had seen him throw in a long time. Question re bowling...right now maybe B'ham Bowl agains Big E... Rugers, Louisville, or SFL. But ArkST is playing for a non-losing season this week and we need the win for 7. Can't explain the success on the road and not at home this year.

Made a run downtown for the vet's day festivities. Great weather, good turnout, impressive ceremony. BG Elmo Bell (deceased recently) was recognized by the French gov with a presentation to his family of the Legion of Merit (?), their highest nat'l award. If you have the opportunity, read an article by Phil DiFiatta from the outdoor section of the H'burg American written in early Oct after Bell died. Phil was two years ahead of me in school and about 30 yards ahead in a quarter mile. He wrote about having hunted with Bell and it is an incredible insight into the man who made all the major combat jumps with the 82nd airborne in WWII.

Good crowd at lunch considering the game Sat. When JB came in, one of the guys at my table grabbed his elbow and spoke to him. He spied me and evidently had noticed my previous absences of late. Asked me what dragged me in. I told him I'd seen his mamma this past weekend and felt guilty for not having been lately. He asked me if I'd heard that brother Tom had run out of gas on the interstate coming to the game...he said he wasn't surprised...somewhere around Hazelhurst...Tom, say it ain't so...doesn't your mamma have enough to worry about. Ask your wife for gas money when you leave the house. We all do.

JC commented on the beautiful weather and introed FT to add to it. FT reminded us of vet's day and Jeff Hammond's contribution to the weekend past and his upcoming duty in Iraq and invoked the spirit. FT followed by saying the guy that wrote the "Hokey Pokey" had passed away this past week. He asked if we'd read about it. Said they had a heck of a time getting him in the casket. They put his left foot in.....

Then he started in the on monastery in Bilocksee. Said the Methodists and Baptists were missing out by not accepting casino chips that the brothers at the monastery accepted. Seems the coastal forms enjoy a brief, quick service which the brothers are able to provide and contribute many chips to the collection plate. He then ran down a list of all the casinos from which the chips are received. One brother collects all the chips and delivers them to the casinos on Monday. He's called the chip monk. Boos started raining from the restaurant floor. FT said it sounded like our fans Sat nite...brought down the house. Even JB shook his head.
JC talked about Gen'l Hammond and the corporal he brought with him to enjoy the atmosphere in the 'burg. He introed JB.

Tough game. Lost the fourth quarter. Got a good effort throughout. All the coaches said their guys played hard. Missed some assignments. As in most close games there are a few plays that had they gone another way could have changed the outcome. JY had a rough game. Made some poor decisions. Missed some reads, but other than the int, took care of the ball. We had 5 offensive plays in the fourth quarter...I think that's what I heard him say. Missing the 2 point conversion was big. That set them up to go for two when they did. Otherwise might have gone to overtime. TH missed some assignments that hurt. SN missing the start cut big into the gameplan. We had several things planned for his special talents. Brandon was def and spec teams player. Fletcher was O player otw. Memphis played better than they had previously shown themselves able to play. Tough loss.

U of TX el intercepted Passo has good receivers...oh boy. 2 FL St transfers. One was a QB in HS and will take snaps primarily to run, but does pass. Decent o line. Score a lot of points, but give up a lot of yards and points....sound familiar yet? Lost close games and won some close games. Played mostly close games...we hate good games. We hate it when the other team tries hard. But back to lunch...

Injury status fair. GM has bad ankle sprain...don't know status yet. Should know tonight. CB got a severe finger laceration that cost him 25 plays in the game. Should be able to tape it back together and splint it. From what JB described, it might be better to remove it. Sometimes he forgets we're eating. No other major new injuries. Question of GM's loss for the last part of Memphis. Hard to lose the leading tackler in the country. Need to get him back. Question re use of SR...didn't want to take a chance of not taking care of the ball while ahead. Got behind and didn't think it was fair to send him in for the last series after not having already played some. Question re team "putting this one behind us". Thinks they will. Hasn't met with them since Sat nite, but thinks they'll have a good week and be ready. Last week was one of their best practice weeks.

Forgot my pen so I can't remember what really went on. I had trouble concentrating worrying about Mrs B on the interstate thumbing a ride......

FT still in Ireland; Public info for nephew's baptism...word has it that after jinxing Brett, the people of GB ran him so far out of the country that he wasn't able to make it back for homecoming.

JC called on Dennis Phillips (faculty athl. rep) to invoke. Said wished to do something a little different. Wanted us to be mindful of the cost to coaches and their families for the time, energy, and effort put into the profession. Hard to believe the physical, spiritual, and emotional burdens for all concerned. Said he had coached 12 years of women's college bassetball. Said got first coaching job and married same year. Wife woke him up 3 a.m. after 2nd game. Said he was pounding floor next to bed yelling "defense, defense". She asked if this is what she had signed on for. Invoked.

JC said great atmosphere for homecoming.'82 team honored. 7pm central start at Marshall Sunday. Introed JB. JB - Good crowd. Biggest for Eagle walk. Many former players back..R Davis, Pinkston, Antwon Cash etc. Good game plan. Slow start. Everyone caught breath at SR's first interception. Forced fumble at 2 yd line was key. Missed assign on FG blocked...will change personnel. Last 5 quarters SR is 15/21 and 18/36 with 1 int. Threw very catchable balls this week. Only one tough catch. SMU showed different front D than expected...affected run effectiveness. Missed line calls. We had balanced O output. Their QB good athlete. We haven't been the only team unable to stop him. Lead enabled us to spy him in some coverage's / situations that helped limit him late. D had some highlight hits. Two freshmen were celebrating a good coverage hit and didn't hear the call to go with the dime package and we had nine men on the field until they ran on late. Flag picked up when refs realized count. Good special teams play. Chico Hunter and Martin Smith (32) have added coverage speed (and celebrations). Some young guys celebrate while ball is loose...they'll learn. Lot of guys played well. Singled out Shawn Nelson...High expectations bring harsh criticism...Better blocker and downfield player. Plays hard throughout. Thurs nite "effort tape" shown to team. SN always features in.
Good locker room after game. Had coach Hop on phone by time JB got there. Hop due back this afternoon with test results in today, maybe. Game balls to Hop and Kevin Geddis (sp) circle of champs lost wife last year.
Marshall 0-6. Has played WVA, Miama, Cincy. Good at home. EC's schedule favors win out. Each game big for us in division. Still got some kids banged up but no new injuries. J young day-to-day.

Ques: SMU QB?...good athlete. One old hand has difficulty leaving early (for health reasons), can JB help with tailgaters so wife has easier time picking him up? JB.. Probably not; might could keep game closer?. Resounding groan from audience. Someone compliments tailgaters who bring kids for pregame and don't/can't go to game but bring kids to party...build support early. Big programs have as many fans outside stadium as inside. Did Fletcher's pass indicate him as possible QB sub if need arises...NO...practice play every week...worst pass the kid has thrown. Said couldn't see receiver clearly...the how did you know where to throw the ball....too much pressure in game. Did want to use direct snap more and need it just to be able to get out of situation if trouble arises.

Lots of recruits on campus...need to have on Sat games when can. Some commitments and close on others. Going well. May need some JUCo help. M Young looking at med r-shirt, but may not be available this early in career. Todd Wilson would have been next QB in line. Has familiarity and don't want to take r-s off freshmen at this point in season.

Big Calvin Wilson wore the SMU boy that left the game mad out. Calvin just smiled and turned away. Roger Cameron said he'd block him down and lay on him.
Tough return timetable next week; JB may be bleary-eyed; but a victory would keep him happy.

Tatum

Didn't include a couple of things in lunch notes. Forgot my pen and didn't take notes:
Jay Hopson will miss Sat's game. Recurrence of cancer. Don't know enough about it to have included it in the notes and am not comfortable writing about personal issues. Privacy was eliminated by the newspaper articles this a.m. The American has the story.

Not presented in the form a question to Jeff was a comment on Raines performance in the game. Jeff complimented his play and his attitude. Said he made three tackles on coverage team and earned special team player of week award.

JC said FT sent regards from Lambaugh(?) Grill. Dennis P (faculty) invoked the spirit. JC said bassetball practice begins this week for menzes and womenzes with the first exhibition game about 3 wks away. Introed JB:
Turnovers. Didn't take care of the ball well. Can't win with 7 turnovers unless you get that many back. Felt bad for M Young. Had had a great practice Mon. Was the sharpest he's seen a QB all year. 3rd down, broken leg, out for the year. Felt bad for S Reeves who had taken no snaps in practice for the week. He stepped in, but made some poor decisions and didn't take care of the ball. JB was proud of SR's attitude, especially in the fourth quarter when we went no huddle and he managed the game well. Coaches felt the team effort was there. Overall was good. Defense had a decent game. Loss of QB hurt the O. Moved the ball, but didn't take care of it. Introed Chris Clark...asked if he wanted to be called guard or tackle...went with guard. Clark has graduated. Moves to tackle when CWilson needs a rest. Came in as a freshman at 235. Carries 290 now. Good feet. Smart player. Team player. Has a good looking fiancée...to marry within the year. She turned down a NY modeling offer to teach mid-school in NO.
Clark pleased to be at USM because of the family atmosphere. Guys took loss seriously and intend to get things right. He guarantees win vs SMU. They have quick D, but it doesn't matter what they bring, we'll take care of business. Appreciates support and they will get it right. Asked if he felt small next to Wilson? Yes, sometimes. He's big at 350.
JB says SMU has good QB...option from shotgun. Good runner and passer. They do something a little different each week. Will have had two weeks to prepare. Quick D, but they miss a lot of tackles. Get >400 ypg, but give up more. No questions.

Tatum

JC introed FT for the invocation. FT said he'd like to change things up a bit, like coach Bower. He'd like to have John Miller pray, Jeff intro and FT would give the report. Said Dallas plane broke down. Got a big plane from Houston. Larger than any he thought could land at Pine Belt and about the size he's used to for Ireland trips. Four hours late leaving. FT & JC sitting side by side as JC had said last week. Pilot came on and said "not to worry" but had lost one engine but had 3 left and would be an hour late to Boise. Later, pilot comes on and says lost second engine but had two left and would be two hours late. Later, pilot comes on and says lost third engine, one left, would be three hours late. JC tells FT if we lose the fourth engine, "We'll be up here all night." Pilot asked for prayer and FT held stick aloft for entire flight and there was nothing left for the game....Invoked the spirit with the U of Memphis in mind and the football player lost this weekend.
JC - FT will make this year's NFL debut next Sun with the Pack vs Bears. For Wed's ESPN2 game, Jesse Palmer of "the Bachelor" fame will be in town. Got back 3:30-4am Fri after rough Boise trip.
JB - Got whipped by a good team. Started fast. We looked shell shocked. Didn't fight back like you expect a team to. Couldn't get them off the field on 3rd down. Our expected advantage in the kicking game didn't materialize. Bad coverage. Poor 3rd down play. Missed tackles. General poor D. Great stadium atmosphere. Loudest yet. Knows we're mad. He's mad...has been all week. Chris Clark had a good game at guard and tackle. Graded 82%. Brandon Sumrall had good effort on D. No special team recognition.

Rice (0-4) has had extra time to prepare. Expect to see some things they haven't shown this year. Avg 17 ppg give up 44. Total O at 287ypg giving up 489. Good QB and great wide receiver - vertical leap extraordinary...see Brandon Sumrall above. Shotgun O with design reads. No good tape for comparison as their previous opponents don't show our tendencies. We've had good practices Sat and Sun nites.
Injury report sounds like mash unit. Jeremy may not be as bad as thought, but still can't push off on ankle. Has practiced some. Sean Merrill out of practice with back injury. Chris Clark questionable with ankle roll. Reeves pulled abdominal and missed almost all last practice. Back up guard out. Otherwise in good shape. Helmets only today.
Ques: Does JB have any eligibility left? No, and out of condition...see last weeks note on belt/camera angle. Game day decision on QB and almost every other injury. Todd Wilson back to QB in practice. Martavious got all snaps last practice.
?Saw true frosh on kicking team?..yes, shaking groups up some and adding Utes.
Calvin Wilson will start left tackle and Chris Clark at left guard if breathing. Antwain Easterling is getting better...still mental pause. Anthony Gray may be ready for SMU
Did Brett give JB any credit?...Brett deserves all the good he gets. He may call to call-in show.

That's all folks
Tatum

OK OK,...so it's Wed on the football practice schedule for a Saturday game on Thursday so the coaches aren't at lunch. Before I get started, Tom, one of the guys at my table asked about Jeff's physique...was it a bad camera angle the last game, or is he showing a little paunch? Seems his belt drooped a bit and got hung up...or down and unable to get up? Must have been the camera angle.

So with all the new coaches the head table was so crowded that FT had to eat with us peons. Corky was there for baseball; Steve Barnes for bassetball (good, 'cuz I can't spell Ewestaysea) with his wife; Howard Dotson for softball; and Stacey Terry for the Lady Eagles. Sparse crowd.

JC called on FT to come on up and invoke. FT chose to hold the floor and said it didn't matter if we could hear him as long as God could. FT invokes. Says he brought FP with him today. FP's in Lumberton. On his first week he's walking across the church grounds and sees a small lad playing and asks the youngster how to get to the post office. The lad replies to walk a block, take a left, and it's on the right. FP thanks the lad and tells him to come to church on Sunday and FP will tell him how to get to heaven. The kid says, yeah right; you don't even know the way to the post office. JC says he's looking forward to the 4 hour flight to Boise to have time to catch up with FT. FT says to bring Corky along. JC says Corky can't travel 4 hrs to anywhere...to hard to unfold him afterward.

JC intros SB who intros wife Judy...24 wedding anniversary today...typical coaches situation to bring her to a lunch on anniversary. Said the people that had the over/under on their wedding have lost a lot of money. 5 weeks to exhibition game. Have had good conditioning program. New strength coach had done very well. Freshman Wayne Turner came in at 168 and has added 20 lbs (gravy on biscuits, Dave) of muscle. Jeremy Wise is up to 170. Courtney Beasley is down to 211 from 220 and the foreign students English is better. Talented young group. Youth is best and worst characteristic. More excitement about possibilities throughout the area than ever. Significant changes to facilities: more floor seating; tighten court for home court adv. Looking at suites along the concourse...almost made to order. Hope to have a model soon.10/25 date for hardwood club fish fry. 10/12 practice starts. 11/2 first exhibition game. Open practices, come on down.

JC intros Lady Eagles asst ST. Comes in from U IL, tho from San Diego. 9 new players. 5 frosh, 1 rsh frosh;2 jc trans; one Purdue transfer. Nat'l TV game vs SMU. Ready for practice. Tired of conditioning...two mile run in 16 minutes big preseason hurdle. All but one (injury) made the cut. Last season 15&15 with six players and one cheerleader. Look to win at least 20 this year. Question from the floor suggests she have coach Joy suggest to JB that the football team Chaplin undertake the 2 mile run. Couldn't understand FT's comment....he didn't have his stick with him.

JC intros HD. Here from U OK. Thanks for hospitality. OK thinks it's in the south. They don't have a clue. Hospitality and food here can't be beat. New staff had even the seniors guessing which end was up first practices. Like having an all frosh team. Nervous/excited had very good effort. Started practice last week. Only lost 2 players from last year. Added 3 pitchers. Game changing somewhat to resemble baseball with a pitching staff. Dominant pitchers are harder to find. It's still a pitcher's game, but we're moving to a staff with opener, set-up and closer. 1st game week from tomorrow with Pearl River. Still like to go outside division and conference for competition. Play 12 innings to avoid a two game charge after 14. Weekend tourney the following Sat/Sun...double headers. Go to Houston for big tourney the next weekend and play two teams that went to the world series last year. If you want to run with the big dogs, you have to fight with the big dogs...(looks good from the porch to me)...Currently recruiting by phone and email. Practices are open to public. Intrasquad games this weekend. Asked about local HS. Fast pitch newer to area. Catching on. More kids playing. More available. Longer seasons. Private in fall; public schools in spring. Hope to keep local talent in state.

JC intros Corky. Corky says he remembers 20 years ago at Meridian being as excited as these young coaches. Start practice today. Trey Sutton and Tom Mckensie will not play this fall...save for spring. No downtime for Corky. Facilities expanding. Chair back offer for 3rd base line. Must sell 580 to do project. Current renovations include new bathrooms and a concessions stand underneath the bleachers. RF Roost unaffected by changes; but must do something about 1st base line. May move students to right-center at fence. On paper this is the best team he's had since '03...but you don't play it on paper. Best total pitching staff top to bottom. Hitting will be a question. Have some kids with the talent if they will deliver. Good recruiting. Lost Buroughs but new coach has tremendous work ethic. Good fit with team.

I believe this is the most positive overall picture of the programs I've heard since my return to the 'burg....

Tatum

Following a reported moderate crowd after the TN game, a near capacity crowd greeted the coach's table at 206 Front this week. It was the first time this season that I was early enough to join the old hands that I used to sit with at wild wings. They were in rare form. Everyone was abuzz with Fletcher and Nelson's heroics and concerned with Harrison's problems handling the ball.

Fletcher joined the coach's table. JC asked if everyone enjoyed seeing DF...cheering wildly. JC asked if everyone enjoyed seeing FT...mixed boos except for FT. JC asked FT to invoke the spirit and FT used St Francis' prayer. Following, FT said a Baptist preacher and his wife were discussing the future of their 8 year old son. In an effort to divine the young man's future, the preacher devised a test. He placed a glass of whiskey (FT didn't say where he got it), a 20 dollar bill, and a bible on a table in the boy's room. He explained to his wife that if the boy came in and picked up the bible, he'd become a preacher. If he picked up the 20, he'd become a banker. If he drank the whiskey, he'd become a bum and a drunk. The kid comes in...picks up the glass, sniffs, sips, knocks it back. He picks up the 20 and pockets it. He picks up the bible and puts it under his arm. The preacher breaks down crying and wailing. The wife says, 'What's wrong, honey, he picked up the bible; he won't be a bum..." "No," wailed the preacher, "he's going to be a catholic priest".

JC pointed out the eagles are 15 of 17 at ECU. Introe'd JB. Jeff asked if we got nervous. Someone shouted the question back at him. He said he was fine because of the team's sideline demeanor. Most pleased with turning the game around when we needed to. We've had problems with the 3 quarter two weeks in a row. Defense only gave up 80 total yds in the first half. We had 383 total offensive yds Used 6 minutes in last drive. Had similar missed assignment on TD pass like at TN. Missed some tackles. No plays over 25 yds given up. Net punt not so good. Solid team effort. Thinks he may take Fletcher with the team to Boise. DF made the play of the game on the 15 yd gain to end 3rd quarter. Used him more than intended. Over 100 yds rush and 3 catches for 57 yds. Need to have a bunch of questions 'cause DF won't speak long. JB intros DF.

DF: Sideline attitude good whole game. Offense took it on their shoulder late. On his 3rd and 15 play, he didn't realize the quarter ended. When everyone started moving back, he thought there had been a flag. Was asked about running preference. Likes between tackles; not necessarily straight ahead. Prefers to cut. Doesn't like side to side so much. Commentator "It's a joy to watch you play". Cheering. Asked if they saw UCF vs TX. Said UCF looks tough. ECU thought to be class of our division; but UCF may have it together. Asked about weight...says weighs about 180...JB says 174...DF says, "I put on weight since then; if anyone asks 180." Asked how many touches he'd get in ideal game. Just needs to break one good one to get into rhythm; doesn't matter how many.
JB reported no injuries...Mckee got silly ( my interpretation is that when a lineman gets hit in the head, it's not really an injury). Proud of Hicks playing thru a high ankle sprain and M Chatelain's play. Best game of S Nelson's career. Good blocking. Two great catches. Most importantly, no missed assignments for the first time. Complemented CJ Bailey on kicking team.

On Boise: 2-1. Avg 200 rush and 220 pass/game. Yield 80 run and 169 pass. Good tailback and offensive tackle on veteran team. 60/40 run pass. Lot of motion and shifts. Longest home winning streak??

Questions: What was JY's reaction when told not to score too quickly...looked at me funny. Wouldn't have done it with a young QB. Counted on him. How does McGrath compare...is he a cross between Boley and Davis. Not as fast as Boley, but everything about the game is important to him. He's a student of the game and preparation is excellent. Didn't have as many individual tackles this week, but got 10 assists. Comment on Marcus Raines: good game; good run and catch; not as instinctive as they'd like. Why conservative at end of first half...they had 3 TO's left and didn't want to give them and opportunity. Take 14 to the half. ECU's crowd and game production was very good. 23,000 student body. Med school. Dent school. On their way up. What was Holtz upset about at end of game. Wasn't sure. Someone suggested he saw a couple of our guys diss the pirate at midfield. JB will address it. Thank WDAM for effort to have game available and support for program. Announcers recognized DF as a decent blocker...JB says getting better...missed a couple the first two weeks.

Because of the Thursday game, next luncheon will probably be bassetball. If I understand anything that's said, I'll try to report.

Tatum

OK, OK...JC introed FT to invoke the spirit. FT says a stroke victim came into Father Pat's church the other day and asked the secretary if the damn pastor was in. She said that he was but that they didn't allow that kind of language in the church. He said he'd like to speak to the damn pastor. She said she would get him but they didn't allow that kind of language in church. She went to FP and said a man wished to speak with him but that he was using bad language. FP came out to meet the man. The man said he'd just won a 22M dollar lottery and he wanted to give 10% to this damn church. FP said thank you very much and don't let this damn secretary give you a hard time.

JC said we'd come a long way with EC lunches. We've gone from giving away lunch for the correct trivia answer to a current $100 gift certificate from Parris Jewelers. G McGrath drew out the name....called out coach Bower...JB said he could start next week.

JC introed JB who apologized for calling off eagle walk. Said the boys were too well dressed...except for the lack of umbrellas...to make them take the walk. He said he didn't see anyone lined up for eagle walk. Some protested that they had been there. He said he hadn't recognized them in the raincoats.
Was pleased overall with the game/effort. Said the kicking game was the best overall phase. Had 44.5yd net on punts. Gave up 22 yds avg on returns. Thought C Johnson made good decisions on punt returns. Had a good running game. Thinks Fletcher will learn to hold the ball near the goal line...or he won't play him!!??? Need to improve the passing game this week. Too many poor throws/catches/reads. Learned a lot about the team after this game but will know more after TN.
JB brought G McGrath to speak...the oldest soph in the country. Even G says he's been in MS so long he needs an ID from the state. JB says is a very smart player and good student. Studying business and when he graduates with his PhD his senior year someone needs to keep an eye on him. He's hire him and thinks someone here should be ready. Said he'd be named defensive player of the week. Said he had 5 tackles, one behind the line, 6 assists. Got the tackle on the opening kickoff...was the last person to cross the 35 yard line, but made a good play. GM had told JB that they didn't block him the whole game. JB said he should take the player of the week away if he hadn't been blocked and only got 5 tackles. GM spent most of his time thanking the crowd for showing up and being a factor in the game. Said the freshmen were commenting on the atmosphere and the crowd after the game. Said that was one of the reasons he came here. Said the students were standing in the aisles this game. Didn't know if it was a fire hazard, but the players were impressed with the noise level and the attendance. Said come help them on the road. We don't know what a difference it makes to the players to have the crowd behind them.

JB was very complimentary of the Vols. Have young receivers, but otherwise good strong experienced group. Good team speed. Got beat by a very strong Cal team that scored on a fumble return and kick return to get a lead. Said the only disappointment for the game was the number of kids that cramped up. Was surprised at how many had trouble, GM raised his hand. But the biggest surprise cramp-up was the kicker Barefoot..."he must have had a hellova pre-game warmup..."
Questioned about whether there had been a change to holding rules or had they simply been removed. Asked about any changes to OL with depth concerns. Spoke about no changes but need for good communication and will use speakers for noise simulation Mon Wed and Thurs. Need better play in passing game. Asked about NCAA clearing house. One guy cleared. Easterling cleared to practice but should know tomorrow if he can play this season. Asked about JY's thumb...shouldn't be a factor by Sat.

Peanut butter cheese cake for dessert....

Tatum

8/27/2007 - Season Opener

OK, so I made the EC lunch this week too. Father Tommy invoked the Spirit but held off on a joke. Cox gave him a hard time about the venue...we're at 206 Front and they were on the elevated entry. Cox said it was a close as FT would get to being the pope and speaking to the crowd. He also gave him a hard time about wearing crocs. JC introed JB and passed the mic...there was no podium; JB requested FT hold his notes. FT held them about 6 feet away. JB grabbed him and positioned him at a good distance. FT proceeded to kneel and JB waved to the crowd...only needed a pope mobile parked out front.

JB started off complimenting the new strength coach...Bennett(?). Said it was the hottest camp during his tenure and they went through with fewer heat related incidents than ever. We've had four surgeries. Otherwise, decent shape. Thin in OL and WR. Asked about walk-ons. Gave 5 scholarships this week. One kid had the worst knee since the kid that lost the leg years ago. Took a year and half to rehab to be able to run; but the docs said no ball. Plan to keep him as student coach. Back up line, qb (turned receiver), spec teams. Most scout squad guys that won't play much on Sat.

UT-Martin comes off a championship season with about 4 coaches with USM ties. Their D is similar to ours. Good RB. Good kicking game. OH beat them 24-7 to start the season last year. OH gained 40 total yards in first half and finished with 140. Should be a good test in all phases.

Raines will start at fullback. Kicker undecided, but younger boy has a hammie. Barefoot could do it all, or just the longer stuff. KO from the 30 this year. Hope to redshirt all three "freshment" QB's...two on scholarship one walker. Trying to work the second center more. Trying to get the lineman that had the twisted knee at home ready...may not play Sat, but working this week.

Few rules changes besides KO. Mostly going back to old clock. Still get to share the love with the red-hatted SOB.

Not much else. JB said to tailgate early and be loud and obnoxious...wear gold.

Tatum