FREE THOUGHT FRIDAY:

TENNESSEE FOOTBALL: Several weeks back the Good Doctor Sean Sinclair said he didn’t have numbers to prove his assertion but felt that Vol offensive lines are better when populated with Tennesseans. Not only was he spot-on but I contend there ARE numbers to prove his declaration. I put most of what is below together several years -and computers- ago and simply had to update what was already accumulated. Take a look and draw your own conclusions.

THE “STATE” OF THE O-LINE

YEAR # NAMES

1980- 2- Jay Williams, Tim Irwin
1981- 1- John Matthews
1982- 1- Matthews
1983- 0-
1984- 3- David Douglas, Raleigh McKenzie, Bruce Wilkerson
1985- 4- Daryle Smith, Harry Galbreath, John Bruhin, Wilkerson
1986- 4- Same as 85
1987- 3- Galbreath, Bruhin, Eric Still
1988- 3- Ray Robinson, Phil Stuart, Still
1989- 3- Charles McRae, John Fisher, Still
1990- 3- Doug Baird, McRae, Still
1991- 2- John Fisher, Patrick Lenoir
1992- 3- Bubba Miller, Jeremy Spivey, Jeff Smith
1993- 4- Jason Layman, Kevin Mays, Miller, Smith
1994- 4- Same as 93
1995- 3- Layman, Smith, Miller
1996- 3- Trey Teague, Spencer Riley, Chad Clifton
1997- 3- Same as 96
1998- 2- Clifton, Riley
1999- 2- Same as 98
2000- 2- Scott Wells, Toby Champion
2001- 2- Will Offenheusal, Wells
2002- 2- Same as 01
2003- 1- Wells
2004- 0-
2005- 1- David Ligon
2006- 1- Ligon
2007- 1- Ramon Foster
2008- 1- Foster
2009- 4- Corey Sullins, Cody Sullins, Jacque McClendon, Aaron Douglas
2010- 1- James Stone
2011- 2- Stone, Alex Bullard
2012- 2- Stone, Antonio Richardson,
2013- 3- Stone, Bullard, Richardson
2014- 3- Kyler Kerbyson, Mac Crowder, Jason Robertson
2015- 3- Kerbyson, Robertson, Kendrick

OBSERVATIONS

-1989-1998 is arguably the most successful continuous run in Tennessee Football history.During that 10-year period there were only two seasons when there were less than 3 Tennessee-bred starting offensive linemen in the interior 5 (1991-2 and 1998-2)

-From 1999-2008 we witnessed a falloff in both success and offensive production. During those 10 seasons we NEVER had more than two starting Tennessee-bred O-Linemen

-In the 36 seasons represented above the Vols have had two or less Tennessee-bred Offensive Linemen 19 times and three or more 17.

-Considering the statement above here is a truly remarkable number. Tennessee has rushed for more than 2000 Yards in a season 15 times since 1980 (1983, 84*, 87*, 89*, 90*, 91, 92*, 93*, 94*, 98, 99, 2004, 09*, 13*, 15*). In 10 of those 15 seasons the Vols have had 3 or more Tennessee-bred O-Linemen

-From 2009-2015 (Post Fulmer era) the trend has continued; the more Tennessee-bred linemen the more successful and productive the Vols are:

1980-2008
3 or More Tennessee-bred O-Linemen (13 seasons)
Avg Wins-9
Avg Losses-2.7
Avg Rush Yds-2145
Avg Total Yds-4653

2 or Less Tennessee-bred O-Linemen (16 Seasons)
Avg Wins-8.4
Avg Losses-3.9
Avg Rush Yds-1910
Avg Total Yds-4309

2009-2015
3 or More (4 seasons)
Avg Wins-7
Avg Losses-5.75
Avg Rush Yds-2278
Avg Total Yds-4883

2 or less (3 seasons)
AVG Wins-5.3
AVG Losses-7
AVG Rush Yds-1475
AVG Total Yds-4811

2016 Season Projected Starters:Football Time In Tennessee projects the Vols staring offensive line to be composed of LT Drew Richmond (Memphis), LG Jashon Robertson (Nashville), C Coleman Thomas (Virginia), RG Dylan Wiesman (Ohio) and RT Brett Kendrick (Knoxville). For those keeping score at home that’s 3 Tennesseans and THAT is good for Tennessee Football.

NECK STOCK: Tony’s brilliant -and offensive- coining of the Battle at Bristol combined with Kenny Chesney’s appearance as “Neck Stock” got quite a bit of play both on the air and especially on Twitter. Tony called me out on yesterday’s show either because I won’t be able to attend, didn’t participate in the “Neck” event creation or both. Though the red in my neck has spread somewhat to my hiney because Tony’s humor is hitting too close to home I’ve decided to be a sport and contribute ideas. Here are my feeble suggestions:

-Extend the event one additional day and turn the racetrack into a drive-in movie.

-Have both bands play Dueling Banjos

-Announce that the game will not be on Sirius because it will be broadcast on CB Radio

-Wave the no tobacco rule and sell Virginia Tech and Tennessee logo spit cups

-Sell spam and fireworks at the concession stand

-Have the “Catch of the Day” sponsored by either farmersonly.com or Bass Pro Shop

-Have a best black eye and hickey contest at halftime.

MLB MENTIONS:

-As expected the Braves and Reds are enduring complete overhaul seasons and have the expected awful records that come along with that approach.

-More surprising are the struggles of Minnesota -after an impressive 2015 first season under one of my all-time favorite players Paul Molitor- and San Diego after selling out prior to last season in what proved to be a futile effort to challenge for the NL-West Title

-The Kansas City Royals are now playing at a level expected from opening day. It remains to be seen if Mike Moustakis’ season-ending injury upsets what for the last two seasons has been perfect team chemistry.

-Though Texas and Seattle have currently separated themselves from the rest of the pack the AL-West could prove to be the best multi-team (more than two) race in MLB.

FINAL FRIDAY THOUGHT: Due to a rescheduled family golf outing I will be unable to join Tony on the air tomorrow. Sheno and her two brothers are obviously desperate for someone to fill out a Friday morning golf foursome so I was drafted into action. I will be teamed up with my lovely wife. Please pray for the marriage in the aftermath.

---