The Pressure on Crompton
I'll bet you'd like to run through the "T" with the Vols on Saturday afternoon. Ya know, hear the cheers, feel the vibration, absorb the accolades?
Ok, now imagine what Vols starting quarterback Jonathan Crompton will experience.
Think it's fun having 105,000 pairs of eyes glaring down on you-- knowing the quality of their week depends on your ability to move the ball? Sounds extreme, and it is.
It's likely Crompton will hear their murmurs, feel their doubt, and absorb the anxiety Tennessee fans have had since last season.
Sounds like fun, eh?
Uh, not really.
On Saturday, I am pulling for Crompton. Big time!
I know, he barely completed more passes than not in 2008 (51%). He threw nearly as many interceptions as touchdowns. He was yanked by the coaches, criticized by the fans, and man-handled by the opposition. It was hard to tell whether Crompton was confused or just lacked confidence last season.
Probably both. And who can blame him.
The Vols have had four offensive coordinators since 2005. Crompton was promoted to starting quarterback last year-- just as the Vols hired Dave Clawson to run the show. Talk about a perfect storm.
By most accounts, the Clawson experiment was a disaster. Both on the field, and in the "read between the lines" evaluations offered by Tennessee players during this off-season.
On Tuesday of this week, Crompton sounded like a new guy-- confident and in command of the system new head coach Lane Kiffin has installed.
He's mentioned his father and his family multiple times this off-season. Crompton already has his undergraduate degree at UT. His sister has a Master's degree from another university. He's a proud guy-- and as expected, gets plenty of support at home.
Kiffin has Crompton's backside. I asked the head coach on Tuesday if it's "Crompton all the way" on Saturday. Kiffin told me, "yes". There was no wavering.
I hope Crompton hears plenty of cheers when he jogs into Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
And I hope he hears even more when he jogs out.
