Just like my favorite Tennessee tree has started to fade and yellow with age, so have the motivating abilities of Phil Fulmer. The players no longer play with enthusiasm, there is no fire in the bellies of these young men, perhaps with the except of Nick Stephens. I first wondered why he was benched after he threw his first interception? Was he too upset to play? Then I read “On Nick’s pick, I didn’t think he hustled after the interception, and I wanted to set a tone,” offensive coordinator Dave Clawson said. “He needed a reminder you always have to play hard.” Maybe it could have been the motivated he and the whole team needed to get the game turned around. Did you notice how many players came up to him to “console” him? Stephens had thrown his 106th consecutive pass without an interception up to that point. Didn’t hustle, give me a break.

I have to give a few tiny brownie points for the 4th down attempts. I was still seeing a lot of the same old stuff, nothing new, nothing exciting, nothing cutting edge. I heard the game commentators mention that the players have put in a new set of rules to follow – I would like to find more information on that. I do believe that part of the past and present problems are discipline issues.

John Pennington make a good argument in his article Seeing the Fulmer situation from all sides as to why Coach Fulmer is worthy to continue. What have Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden done differently this year to make a difference

“He’s won the right way, with no major NCAA violations occurring during his watch.” – that speaks for the man’s character, but sometimes leading by example may not enough these young players. Not all kids coming up today have a strong sense of discipline, but they need it and even crave it, both on AND off the field. . Even Dave Hooker, when he graded this week’s Coaching performance in his Vol report card: UT vs. USC mentions “UT’s offense lacks direction and is woefully undisciplined.” – it’s not just the offense, I sense a breakdown in the whole team.

It should be a wake up call when “Tennessee fans all around Neyland Stadium sold their tickets to Alabama fans last week”. Even I was telling the locals here how to go online and purchase tickets that were still available. It brings me back to a comment that Crompton had made about playing for “family” – no son, it IS about the money. If the seats are not being filled, it could possibly have an impact on scholarships, doubtful but it’s something to think about.

Now as for my faded, yellowed tree I can do one of two things; I can replace the tree with a new one or I can take the time and trouble to clean and bleach the old one to try and make it look new again, but both options are very tedious and time consuming. Just like fixing the Vols, it’s going to be a tediously process that may take time.