One Will Shoulder the Load

From left to right, runningbacks LaMarcus Coker, Arian Foster, and Montario Hardesty

There were many concerns for the Volunteer Nation headed into fall practice. Who is going to step up and be the guy at right tackle, which of the new receivers is going to separate himself from the rest and demand a starting spot? The only thing, it seemed, that wasn't a concern was whether or not there would be enough talent at the running back position.

LaMarcus Coker had just come off a year which saw him run for nearly 700 yards and scoring 5 touchdowns while not even starting most games, not playing at all in many of the early games, I would add, and averaging a healthy 6.4 yards per carry.

Montatio Hardesty would be one year removed from a severe knee injury that clearly hampered him in 2006, and fresher than ever.

And Arian Foster had been getting all kinds of praise throughout the Spring, gaining many hoorahs from the coaching staff and Phillip Fulmer in particular for his effort, his work ethic, and his determination to excel. Many speculated that the praise rained on Foster was intended to motivate the younger, and more prone to mishap, Coker. Speculation which looks all the more founded considering the situation Coker now finds himself in.

Just before Fall practice began Fulmer announced the indefinite suspension of LaMarcus Coker for a violation of team policy. Inside information has revealed that most likely a drug test discovered marijuana in his system. He has been ordered to rehab and his return to the team is conditional and the length of his absence indeterminable.

So the weight then falls on the two aforementioned backs and true Freshmen to try and make up for the loss of Coker. No small task to say the least. But I am of the opinion that the third running back is going to see very few carries by the time it is all said and done for one key reason: Arian Foster is perfectly poised to have a break-out year.

Foster is the prototypical NFL rusher at 6'1" and 225 lb.s and he has proven that he can be durable.

After taking over the starting position in 2005 for the injured Gerald Riggs, Foster proceeded to run for nearly 150 yards each of the last five games and looked like the next great thing at running back at the University of Tennessee.

He was a preseason second-team All-SEC pick coming into 2006 but he injured his ankle in the second game of the year against Air Force and was plagued by the injury for several weeks afterward. He finally regained his form in the Outback Bowl vs. Penn State only to fumble on a key drive at the opponents 12-yard line in a 10-10 tie. The Nittany Lion's Tony Davis recovered the fumble and returned it 88 yards for a touchdown. Penn State won the game 20-10.

After the game Foster said "I feel like I let my team, the coaching staff, and everybody that came on this trip down. I put it on my shoulders. It's going to be a chip on my shoulder for next year." Exactly the reaction you would want from a player with Foster's up-side and he is staying true to his word.

Instead of hanging his head Foster has used the game as motivation and is more determined than ever to play at a superstar level in 2007. He has a picture of the ill-fated fumble that he keeps in his locker and looks at each time he leaves for practice for motivation.

"I don't remember working this hard in the off-season." Foster has said. "I worked myself to death this season. Last year was tough. I'm over that. That's the past, and I'm just ready to kick it into gear and go to California."

One of the factors that has me convinced Foster is back to his 2005 form and is going to be a featured back is that, despite Coker playing extremely well last year and despite his big-play potential, he couldn’t beat out Foster in the spring. Foster cemented himself first on the depth chart with an impressive showing in the Spring game when he rushed for 63 yards on eight tries.

“This is why he’s No. 1,” Cutcliffe said. “He runs the football well. He breaks tackles. He’s got enough moves to make you miss.

“He’s a heckuva pass protector and a heckuva receiver. That’s what you are looking for in an every-down back.”

Don't be surprised to see this year's Vol team resemble teams of old when they would hand the ball off almost every play, demonstratively driving down the field in a dominant fashion. Foster is the perfect fit for David Cutcliffe's offense and he will be a star in the 2007 season.

On an interesting note, Arian Foster did not give himself any credit whatsoever for the 63 yard performance in the Spring game. So was it his offensive line he credited? Was it the lead blocking of the H-backs? None of the above. It was all Spencer Douglas according to Foster.

"I'm Spencer Douglas. There ain't no Arian here. I changed my name about two weeks ago. I just changed it.” It seems he has adopted an alter-ego akin to Clinton Portis' noted role-playing.

When asked after the spring game where he thought the offense was right now, Douglas replied “They're probably in the locker room because we just had a spring game.”

A Tribute to Arian Foster

There's a New Steeler in Town

The name "Steely McBeam" was chosen out of 70,000 fan submissions as the official name of the Steelers' new beam-toting mascot. Diane Roles submitted the winning name and will receive a VIP package for four to the Steelers' Sept. 16 home opener against the Buffalo Bills, including premium seating and pre-game hospitality. She will also receive an authentic Steelers throwback helmet and jersey just like the one that will be worn by the team that day.

I always thought that the Steelers' mascot should look more like the guy on the right. This guy looks like Bill Cower as a Simpsons character.

The Steelers' also unveiled a new logo to commemerate their 75th season and it will appear on the turf at the 50-yard line of Heinz Field as well as the uniforms worn by the players this upcoming season..

The 75^th Season Celebration will be led by Steelers Hall of Fame member Joe Greene, who wore the number 75, and will serve as the Honorary Captain for the season. It is not known whether he will be throwing any terrible towels at any young fans.

Calling All Writers, Storytellers, and Comedians

I would like to add a few more writers here at Breathe if You Love Football to add to the variety and number of posts. One can only do so much. If you have a knack for it, let me know. We are getting a lot of recognition early and many sites are mentioning this blog. Loser With Socks posted an article earlier today referencing the Bedlam at the Glen post and a link to the site.
I want this to be the best blog out there in terms of variety. Whether your interests are football, baseball, basketball, Nascar, Hockey, reviewing movies, or shows, Our readers want to know about it. Whether the stories are fictional for comedic purposes, interviews, your personal take on a topic, team, or player it doesn't matter. I would like someone to volunteer to do a match up for each opponent the Vols face this year.

I don't care who you root for, even if it is a rival team, I want to hear different perspectives. We are going to make a splash in the world of blogs, guys and gals. Jump on board with me.

You can email me at breatheifyoulovefootball@gmail.com.

Vince Young Comes Clean

Titan's fans from all over tuned in on Saturday evening to see their team get a win over the Redskins in the preseason opener, and to get a glimpse of star quarterback and Madden coverboy Vince Young. They were disappointed in both regards.

Head Coach Jeff Fisher suspended Young from the game for violation of a team rule and the Titans dropped the game at L.P. Field 14-6. "I made a decision to not allow Vince to play in the ball game for violating a team rule, period. End of story,'' Fisher said. "He will be back practicing Monday with his teammates. He is our starting quarterback and we like him. He is going to be a good quarterback. … I am done talking about it.''

Saturday night saw Vince sidelined, covering his face with a towel on occasion and refusing to talk to reporters about the incident. What team rule was broken remained unknown. Until today.

Team rules require a player with less than 4 years on the squad to stay at a hotel near the stadium the night before a game. Vince chose to ignore that rule and drove home to sleep.

“I apologize to my teammates, coaches, fans and everybody,’’ Young said. “I really feel like I am not a bad guy, but I made a bad decision to try to go home and get some rest in my own bed.

The Titan's quarterback was made example to the team in hopes that the 2007 season can be one without incident.

"I broke the rules, I can’t play. You have to go by the rules,’’ Young said. “It happens, I was the one that got singled out and being one of the leaders I can’t do that

Young will resume his role as starting quarterback in Friday's preseason game in New England.

Taking a "dump" on Tradition

Living deep in the heart of Bama country, AlabamaVolunteer from the Volnation message board will jump at any opportunity to "stick it" to the Bama Nation. His latest endevour involves one of Bama's most prized traditions, the houndstooth hat made famous by the late Bear Bryant.

"I found a guy at a flea market that had the blank hats. Then I went to Lids...and had it embroidered. Was only like ten or twelve bucks for the whole thing."

"I've got some interesting comments and have truly made some bammers irate. But I am 6'4" and 275 lbs. I can get away with being an [ass] from time to time."

Keep up the good fight, AlambamaVolunteer.

Pacman is Here

So the pay-per-view event featuring Tennessee Titan's cornerback Adam (Pacman) Jones Sunday evening left much to the imagination and little for the wrestling fans to witness.

Pacman arrived decked in a black TNA ski cap and a customized Pacman hooded sweatshirt to the vehement boos of the crowd. Some in Soundstage 21 at Universal Studios held up "Pacman" signs, while others "made it rain" with Monopoly money, mockin Jones' involvement in a shooting February at a Las Vegas strip club.

Jones made a few comments during an in-ring interview before taking off his sweatshirt and showing off his tattooed body.

Ron "The Truth" Killings then confronted the estranged Titan challenging him to a fight. No contact occurred and Killings mentioned the court order that barred Pacman from contact. "Your contract won't allow you to touch or be touched. Ain't that a bitch." Killings yelled to Jones. "We don't have to worry about you whipping no one's ass around here."

Pacman said he'd see him backstage after security kept the two apart.

He was later shown backstage, knocked out, apparently the victim of an attack by The Truth. He shown leaving in a neck brace and on a stretcher although none of the "altercation" was caught on camera.

Pacman is Coming

Kevin Harvick is Entertainment

In honor of the aforementioned brawl, I thought I would post some of Harvick's more memorable altercations through the years. I love his fire.


While vying for the same piece of real estate in the Channellock 250 in 2002 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Biffle tapped the left rear quarter panel of Harvick’s Chevy, sending him hard into the outside wall and demolishing a brand-new racecar.
K-Harv vs. Greg Biffle



Kevin Harvick was penalized with a $35,000 fine and probation until December 31 in 2003 at Rockingham for hitting another car on pit road after the race and improper language. NASCAR stopped short of taking championship points away from Harvick despite his repeated actions in the past and also during the Busch race the night before.
The infamous quote by Ricky "He's got that little yap=yap mouth, I couldn't tell what he was saying."
K-Harv vs. Ricky Rudd



And probably the funniest one, in the 2005 Allstar Race Harvick and Nemechek exchange blows after a wreck.
K-Harv vs. Joe Nemechek



And of Course Sunday's affair at Watkins Glen
K-Harv vs. Pablo


And on a lighter note at the Allstar Race earlier this year:
K-Harv vs. Champagne Bottle

Bedlam at the Glen

Kevin Harvick decided Sunday at Watkins Glen after contact with Juan Pablo Montoya that the Columbian driver needed an ass-whoopin' and he was going to be the one to give it to him.

The 1 car of Martin Truex Jr. got into the back of Montoya's No. 42 Big Red Dodge Avenger headed into the treacherous first turn of the road course and sent him careening into Harvick. A red flad followed and the race was delayed for clean-up. Both cars were stopped when Harvick exited his car and rushed over to Montoya, where he was evaluating the damage to his car. A shoving match ensued with both drivers yelling vehemently at the other.

"I was talking about kicking his ass" Harvick said when asked what the two were discussing. "because that's how I felt about him."

Tony Stewart, the eventual race winner, had this to say about the altercation: "I hear they still had the Hans and helmets on ... If you're not going to take 'em off then don't waste everyone's time."

The incident involving the two drivers was not the first time they have collided on the track.

In the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, Montoya's No. 42 machine got loose and made contact with Harvick bouncing the No. 29 machine off the wall. Crew members in Harvick's pits were apparently ticked off at Montoya for sending their driver into the wall early in the race and voiced their disgust via the side of a used race tire.

Displayed for all to read on the wall of a tire in yellow was the phrase: "Keep for 42, go back to F1 so you don't have to race."

NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said Harvick will not be penalized for using the word "ass" on live television.

Pablo Runs Over Camera Man


Which One Juan?

Some of My Photoshop Work

Here are some examples of what I've done recently in Photoshop.

Early Impressions of Top Receivers Positive

One of the gems of Tennessee's 2007 recruiting class was Brent Vinson, a 5 star wide receiver out of Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. Vinson signed with the Vols in 2006 but did not qualify academically. He spent last year playing football at Hargrave getting his grades up in addition to becoming stronger, faster, and more anxious than ever to play for the Vols.

In just one game last year, against the West Virginia junior varsity team, Vinson had more than 350 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

"I like the speed that he plays with," wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor says of Vinson. "He comes in and out of his breaks well. He wants to win and you can tell. Even in practice when he catches the ball, he takes the ball all the way. I never have to tell him to finish. Some of those younger guys, I have to say, 'Finish, finish, finish.'"

"I try to go full speed on every play" Vinson said. "Even though we are supposed to slow down on some of the drills, I found myself going too fast because I'm so anxious to play."

The Vols definitely need one of the incoming receivers to step up and Vinson could well be that guy.

Kenny O'Neal is the other heralded newcomer in the wide receiving core and he has stolen his share of the spotlight. Offensive Coordinator David Cutcliffe has been quoted as saying that O'Neal was the guy that stood out early to him, and Taylor deemed him "a king in shorts" due to his impressive early play.

O'Neal had been held out of practice early last week because of a sore hamstring, thus all eyes
were on him in Saturday's scrimmage to see if the missed practice time had put him behind his fellow newcomers. He responded by recording 2 receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown, including a 60-yard touchdown reception off a throw from Red-shirt freshman quarterback Nick Stephens. He dropped an additional 37 yard pass that would've been for a touchdown, but was tipped by freshman corner back Art Evans.

On a sidenote, there was an altercation involving O'Neal and Evans earlier in the game that would've gotten him ejected according to Phillip Fulmer.

"I don't have any idea what happened to cause the whole thing, but Kenny would have been kicked out," Fulmer said. "You can't do that, but you like the fact that he's out there trying to compete."

Speed is the first thing teammates and coaches mention when you ask about the new receivers. But speed alone does not a receiver make. It is early, but one has to be impressed by the showing of these two young men.

The Vols will have Sunday off from practice but will return Monday morning in full pads.

David Holbert Out for the Year

David Holbert suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Friday’s practice and will miss the entire 2007 season.

“That’s disappointing for us; he has done really well,” Fulmer said of the Nashville native.

“Fortunately, David has a redshirt year left and we had discussed such a redshirt scenario because we have two other seniors at that position in Chris Brown and Brad Cottam. Now he has to take it and have a tremendous attitude about his rehab and we will have him back next year. It’s a plus if he makes it a plus and I hope he will.”

A plus in that he had moved to TE and we are deep there with two senior starters. Plus if he red-shirts, (which he will) we could potentially have him and Brandon Warren as well as Jeff Cottam, Luke Stocker, and heralded freshman Aaron Douglas.
But it appears we have no true Fullback on the roster for this year. FB Ben Bartholomew, brother of former Vol and founder of D1 Sports Training, Will Bartholomew has committed to play for the Vols in '08. But the absence of a FB (even though we have axed the position in favor of a dual TE formation) makes me nervous.



TE Aaron Douglas class of 2008

Saturday's UT Scrimmage Stats

TENNESSEE FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE STATISTICS

Offensive Starters:
C Josh McNeil, OT Chris Scott and Eric Young, OG Ramon Foster and Anthony Parker, TE Chris Brown and Brad Cottam, WR Austin Rogers and Lucas Taylor, TB Arian Foster, QB Erik Ainge.
Defensive Starters:
DE Xavier Mitchell and Antonio Reynolds, DT J.T. Mapu and Demonte Bolden, LB Rico McCoy, Jerod Mayo and Adam Myers-White, CB Marsalous Johnson and Antonio Gaines, S Jonathan Hefney and Jarod Parrish.

Rushing Leaders (Att.-Yds.-TD)
Arian Foster 13-47-1
Daryl Vereen 13-41-0
Lennon Creer 11-84-0
Josh Hawkins 7-16-0
Roy Olasimbo 6-25-0
Montario Hardesty 5-14-0

Passing Leaders (Att.-Comp.-Int.-Yds.-TD)
Jonathan Crompton 16-11-1-93-0
Erik Ainge 17-9-2-70-0
Nick Stephens 7-4-0-94-1

Recieving Leaders (No.-Yds.-TD)
Jeff Cottam 4-16-0
Gerald Jones 3-45-0
Lucas Taylor 3-28-0
Kenny O’Neal 2-64-1
Quintin Hancock 2-33-0
Luke Stocker 2-8-0

Defensive Leaders
Andre Mathis 7 tackles, 4 sacks (-28)
Jerod Mayo 6 tackles, 1 sack (-4)
Dorian Davis 6 tackles, 1 PBU
Nevin McKenzie 6 tackles
Dan Williams 5 tackles, 4 sacks (-17)
Antonio Gaines 3 tackles, 1 sack (-7), 1 interception
Marsalous Johnson 3 tackles, 1 PBU
Robert Ayers 3 tackles, 2 TFL (-7), 1 sack (-6)
Rico McCoy 3 tackles
Art Evans 3 tackles
Jonathan Hefney 3 tackles
Chris Walker 3 tackles
Walter Fisher 3 tackles
Demonte Bolden 3 tackles
Eric Berry 2 tackles, 1 interception
Jarod Parrish 2 tackles, 1 PBU
Savion Frazier 2 tackles, 1 TFL (-2)
Antonio Reynolds 2 tackles, 1 sack (-7)
Ben Martin 2 tackles, 2 PBU
Chase Nelson 2 tackles, 1 sack (-6)
DeAngelo Willingham 1 tackle, 1 interception

Punting Leaders (No.-Avg.-Long)
Britton Colquitt 2-43.0-44
Chad Cunningham 9-37.0-53

Field Goal Leaders
Daniel Lincoln 4-of-7, long 51
Britton Colquitt 4-of-6, long 51

Note Lincoln having a better day than Colquitt kicking. Wish I knew what distance the three he missed were from.

Erik Ainge directed a no-huddle attack on the opening drive that encompassed 68 yards in 15 plays and was capped off by a touchdown run by Arian Foster. However the defense responded afterward and were the highlight of the game intercepting the ball 3 times, rocording 13 sacks, and holding the offense to only one additional touchdown, a 60-yard strike to junior WR Kenny O’Neal.

"The no-huddle offense, that tempo caught us a little off guard early." said junior linebacker Jerod Mayo. "We've seen it a lot, but when you come out here and scrimmage, they kind of turn it up."

True Freshmen Lennon Creer and Daryl Vereen led the Vols in rushing on the day. Creer led all rushers with 84 yards on 11 carries, a 7.6 yard per carry average, while Vereen had a respectable 41 yards on 13 carries.

On Creer's second handoff, he bounced outside a crowded backfield for 14 yards. On the following play, he doled out another 35 yard run.

Said Ainge: "I definitely like where we're at with the running-back position."

The Vols are searching for a 3rd running back after the recent suspension of LaMarcus Coker.

A prime example of why SEC fans think all Bama fans are delusional

BamaPerry. He has been banned on the open forum at Volquest.com so many times that he has run out of incarnations of BP and is now calling himself simply "Tron". Okay that last part was made up, but the guy has had no less than 10 different user names. Here are some of the posts on SECTalk that he has made just recently. I will let them speak for themselves.

Miles & LSU best watch out for MSU, as Shula & Bama and Zook & UF can attest to! :)

OL will be LSUs downfall.

OL will be da barns downfall too.

Auburn is sliding downward, Ole Miss is sliding upward.

USF & KSU are both capable of beating da barn.

Originally Posted by Dr. Pepper

It appears to me that some amazing things are happening at many schools. Are there some schools in the SEC that are on the decline?

LSU, Ag Ewe, 10RC

expect an 8-5 type of season for UTk

Losing Russell & Fisher will hurt LSU a LOT more than their fans think

I'm never wrong! LSU will have a nice year at 9-3 or 8-4.
they will lose to VT, Bama, and to either one or both USC & UF.

No way in hell Arky finishes in the Top 25
No way in hell Allbarn wins more than 7 games this year

Well, if you go by recruiting rankings, Bama is MUCH more likely to contend than Arky.

Oh, and one of my personal favorites:

Bama will win the SEC this year.

I actually have this guy on "ignore" so I don't have to listen to his dribble, but every now and then I poke my head in to make sure that all is right with the world and BP is still as delusional as ever.

The saga that has been the Predators' off-season

This year has been a roller-coaster of emotions for Predators players and management and fans alike. It has seen the departure of Tomas Vokoun, Paul Kariya leaving for rival club St. Louis, Kimo Timonen, and Scott Hartnell traded to the Flyers for our own first round draft pick originally traded for Peter Forsberg, and the state of limbo that was the letter of intent to sell to Canadian Entrepreneur and Hockey fan Jim Basillie.

So forgive me for breathing a sigh of relief when Craig Leopold did the honorable thing and agreed to sell the franchise to a group of local investors including David Freeman, CEO of 36 Venture Capital, Herb Fritch, CEO of Healthsprings, and William “Boots” Del Biaggio, President and CEO of SandHill Capital. The sale still has to be approved by the NHL’s Board of Governors which meet again on September the 30th, but a major hurdle has been cleared in terms of keeping the Predators in Nashville for the next few years.

What will ultimately determine the Predators' fate long-term is the amount of corporate support that can be garnered by this new group of owners. During the Predators' first two years, approximately 4,000 businesses owned season tickets. Today, only 1,800 businesses have season tickets.making up about 35% of the season ticket base. The average in other markets is around 60%.

Another curiosity is the inclusion of Del Biaggio in the deal. He is a limited partner in the San Jose Sharks, and originally had a deal on the table to purchase the Predators for $190 million with the intent of moving the franchise to Kansas City and starting fresh. One would think that his inclusion in this group denotes a hidden agenda on his part; perhaps to buy out the other owners if they continue to lose money and grow tired of it.

What we can do as fans of the game (and if you've never played hockey or had any interest in it, learn the rules and watch a game or two, you'll be hooked. Heck pick up a copy of NHL '07 for nineteen bucks. It will help you learn the rules quickly. I have spent more time playing this game than I have ever spent playing Madden.) is to support our Predators the only way we can, buy tickets and go to games.

The Predators' games supersede even the Titans games in terms of excitement and enthusiasm. Cell Block 303 is fired up every game and leads the chants. Where else can you go and hear a customized version of Tim McGraw's "I Like it I Love it", or the chants of "SUCKS!" after the announcement of each player on the opposing teams starting line-up?

Whether it is within your means to purchase a full season, a flex pack for $221, or $17 tickets to a game when you aren't doing anything else on a Saturday night, you will not regret doing it. You will be smitten with "Fang Fever" and become a fan for life.

I never followed hockey prior to 2001 but I have been a huge fan ever since and rarely miss a game whether it is on FSN, Vs., or the broadcast on 104.5 the Zone. Pete Weber and Terry Crisp are the best group of broadcasters in Tennessee for any sport and few realize the talent they are missing out on.

Here is to keeping the Preds in Nashville long-term and to many more years of fantastic hockey. And by the way, when you make it out to the Somet Center drop by 302 and say, "hey". I'll be the guy in the yellow Tootoo jersey yelling the loudest.

A Quickie

Tennessee had quite a haul at the wide receiver position this past year. Among the new receivers on campus are Brent Vinson (5* wide receiver), Ahmad Paige (4* WR), Gerald Jones (4* almost 5* listed as the 5th overall athlete in the nation), and Kenny O'Neal who will be a Junior due to attending JUCO.
3* Denarius Moore was really an afterthought. Trooper Taylor was assigned to recruit tailback Lennon Creer out of Tatum, TX and one of Creer's teammates caught his eye. The Vols landed both of the players once signing day rolled around and Taylor could not be happier. When Taylor was asked of the incoming receivers who is the most ready to play, he had this to say. "Denarius Moore. He’s made the biggest jump for me. He’s showed up. He knows how to work. He’s got some dynamics and he’s a tough kid.”

Surprised? Me too. It just goes to show you the rankings mean little. Just as football games are darn near impossible to predict, whether a young guy has what it takes or not is possibly even more difficult.