November, 2006

NFL teams just don't comeback from 21 point deficits in the 4th quarter. But then again, NFL teams don't play quite as inept as the NY Giants did Sunday in Nashville. I was stunned. But not as stunned as Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

The Titans will get plenty of credit for the win, and Vince Young IS remarkable. But the Titans won because the Giants imploded. Plain and simple.

Some quick thoughts as the Vols head into December with a new appreciation for playing in the postseason:

*The Capital One Bowl (formerly Citrus) is still possible. The Citrus used to be a nice consolation prize for the Vols-- and the punchline for a Steve Spurrier joke. But this year, it could be the grand prize. Times change.

*Nothing is certain until Sunday, December 3rd. But a Florida win over Arkansas in the SEC Championship could be the key to a UT bowl game in Florida. Yes, Vol fans, start cheering for the Gators.

I've been lost in cyberspace for a few days, but finally found my way back, and have landed courtside at the Gaylord Center in Nashville. The Vol basketball team disposed of Fordham in a rather unartistic display of tournament basketball last night. Fifty-five turnovers in a game that Bruce Pearl said set basketball back 50-years.

The Vols will have a challenge tonight against UNC-Wilmington. The Seahawks have size and evenly distribute the ball for scoring. But Pearl's young team can counter that with their pressure defense and uptempo style.

Some thoughts I've had, or heard expressed, after the Vols loss to LSU:

* Ainge starting was a mistake. The Vols showed no offensive production in his only three series. MY RESPONSE: He looked good in pre-game. His receivers had some big drops.

* Fulmer blew it by not using a time-out (or two) on LSU's game-winning drive. MY RESPONSE: JaMarcus Russell is good, but he's mistake prone. With four turnovers, Fulmer was hoping for another.

*Allowing LSU to convert a 4/1 on a fake punt was in-excusable. MY RESPONSE: Very bad play.