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Blame Fulmer for Tennessee's struggling QBs

Sporting News, The, Nov 18, 2005 by Matt Hayes

Tennessee stumbled again last weekend, the fifth loss for a team many--including the idiot smiling at the top of this page (the left picture, pal)--believed had Rose Bowl potential.

This, of course, means another assistant will be pushed out this week.

Look, the problem at Tennessee was not offensive coordinator Randy Sanders, who quit last week before getting fired. If you want to blame someone, blame coach Phillip Fulmer. In fact, he probably is kicking himself already for the horrible way he handled the quarterback situation.

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Erik Ainge is the Volunteers' best quarterback. He is an elite athlete with a strong arm and tremendous physical skills. Rick Clausen is nothing more than a serviceable stopgap. But for some reason, Fulmer fostered the ridiculous notion that Ainge and Clausen nearly were identical in terms of what they gave the Vols. Fulmer hoped competition in spring practice and fall camp would strengthen Ainge's moxie.

The problem is, Ainge wilted under the pressure. He should have been this team's quarterback from Day 1.The staff should have spent the entire spring and fall helping Ainge take the next step in his progression.

Instead, two quarterbacks split practice repetitions, and neither became comfortable in the offense, leaving the Vols with zero identity--and now one loss away from a bowlless season.

Blame Fulmer for Tennessee's struggling QBs

Sporting News, The, Nov 18, 2005 by Matt Hayes

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