One day away! And I want to apologize here. I was dead wrong on this Thursday night opener. I've gotten swept up in it this week in Knoxville. This place really has a special vibe of anticipation for 2016 and it seems the unique Thursday night season opener has augmented this feeling. When this was first announced, I was against it but now that it's upon us, I want to fall on the mercy of the living Vol Faithful and proclaim my guilt. I really missed the boat on this one. For those coming from outside the local area rest assured that this place is ready, willing and able to rock and roll on Thursday night. It's going to be a really special time.
Hope you can get down and see us at The Half Barrel on Cumberland Avenue Thursday at 11a (till?) for our show! I'm looking forward to letting loose on a game day with you!
Quick Note: Our first installment of In The Pocket airs TONIGHT at 10pm on MYVLT! Please set your DVR if you can't see it live!. We are really looking forward to bringing you another year of In The Pocket. Next week Jerry Glanville will debut following In The Pocket. Set your DVR for Wednesday's on MyVLT! Tell a friend!!!
This App State team coming in here isn't bad at all. USA Today has them at #45 in the country. That means they are ranked higher than 6 teams in the SEC. I'm telling you that this is a perfect opener. They can't beat Tennessee but they can put some teachable stuff on tape.
Link
On the scrapping of 3rd Down For What.....Doug in Toledo had a terrific thought. Something like that would be more effective if used sporadically rather than every single 3rd down. In other words, use it when you have a team backed up in their own end in a close game late but not during a garden variety drive with a ball near midfield early in a game. Not a bad idea from Doug in Toledo.
Hatfield's Nine
Tony,
The time for talk is over and the real games are here. I might as well toss out some Week 1 predictions.
1. Tennessee is going to maul Appalachian State. The Vols will be too physical and athletic for their visitors from Boone.
2. Vanderbilt will beat South Carolina. This is an indictment of how far the level of talent has fallen in Columbia.
3. Houston will give Oklahoma all they want. The Cougars are legit.
4. West Virginia will shred Missouri. The Tigers are the worst team in the SEC.
5. Auburn will give Clemson fits. It is never easy to win on The Plains.
6. Southern Cal will hang with Alabama for awhile. They just don't have the depth to ultimately pick them off.
7. Arizona and BYU is a nice under the radar matchup. I'll be interested to see how Rich Rodriguez's decision to shake up his defense works in Tucson.
8. Notre Dame should walk over Texas. The Longhorns are putting way too much pressure on an inexperienced quarterback.
9. Florida State will torch Ole Miss. The Rebels lost too much talent after last season.
Still time to sign on for the Fantasy Football Challenge. Email me at rkhatman@gmail.com if you are interested. The Blankenship Field project is gaining steam. Go to blankenshiplegacy.org to donate.
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Tee Mail:
'Tony B:
It's a beautiful lazy afternoon and my wife and son are enjoying a mid-afternoon nap while I sit here on my couch with my dog Skye, enjoying some videos from The Vol Network including "The Voice", "The Miracle at South Bend", and of course, "Sugarvols". Watching these great moments in Tennessee Volunteer football history brings back nostalgic thoughts not only of crisp, autumn afternoons in Neyland Stadium, but of listening to the call given by the great John Ward while raking leaves in my parents side yard, or sitting in my best friend's bed room, or being underway on the USS George Washington during my years of naval service (my parents would send me videos). I realized just now that Volunteer football, and college football as a whole for that matter, have provided me some of the greatest memories and shared moments of my life and it's these memories and moments that have helped me mark the times.
What true Vol fan doesn't remember where they were and who they watched either the 1982 Alabama or 1986 Sugar Bowl with? Throughout Big Orange Country people reminisce with friends and family about where they were when Dale Jones intercepted Mike Shula in the '85 Bama game, or when John Ward counted down the clock at the 1999 Fiesta Bowl in his last football game. Similarly, laughs are shared when people talk about how Jalen Hurd trucked that DB from Georgia last season or when Dale Carter took the second half kickoff all the way against Florida in '90. College football even gives us the chance to share the tough moments such as the Alabama game later that same season or Pig Howard's end zone fumble and most of all it gives me the opportunity to realize what a privileged life I've been able to live. I'm grateful that Tennessee football has been a part of it. From seeing the replay on a late Saturday night of Jimmy Streeter run through the vaunted defense of Notre Dame in 1979 to "encouraging" Evan Berry in his run back during the Outback Bowl this past New Year's Day, I can honestly say that moments like these that make the passing of time something to be cherished.
As time marches us closer the season kick off this coming Thursday, my excitement grows, not just because of the great potential that team 120 has but because I know that regardless of the season's results, more memories will be made for us to recollect upon in coming years and that's why I love the Tennessee Volunteers but the great game of college football. This is most certainly the best time of year, every year.
Thank you for all that you and your crew do to entertain us throughout the year, but especially during Autumn in East Tennessee. GO VOLS!
Steve P, Knoxville'
Steve: Awesome hearing from you. I LOVE that correspondence. Thanks for sharing this. I imagine you will pump up thousands before this day is over with these sentiments. College football is special and Tennessee is a truly special place. Put the two together along with a season of expectations and how can you not have a rewarding past-time? Also thanks for including me in you recollection of fond memories. I pinch myself daily that I get to do this for living. What a joy it is to play my small part in all of this.
Ben is saying HELL NO to Aussie Gator and his ticket request of Monday.
'Tony:
I really enjoyed Monday's show and the time you spent with Aussie Gator. I wanted to call in but I was covered up at work so hopefully you have time to read my email.
As you was talking about ZR I remembered the last time I saw him was at the Hardees on western ave. in 2013 the Friday before the Florida game, he was playing his fiddle it was awesome.
Today when you starting asking about should Aussie Gator get tickets I though you meant the Appalachian State game as "Veno" did.
I was the one who won the Season Tickets you gave away in 2007 you met my family at the Pilot on North shore for photos. On that note I was going to call and say because of how you blessed me and my family in 2007 with those tickets my vote was to go ahead and give him the tickets, that's until I heard that it really was for the Florida game.
So my Vote has to be NO! You should give those to one of your listeners. And not me because you already gave me season tickets once!
By the way I saw T-Rob at Caswell Fields last weekend umpiring my sons games, and everyone he met he was telling about the In The Pocket Show coming up. He is truly a treasure in our town.
Be blessed and keep it up I love your show and would call often if I could, but always tuning in!
Ben, Knoxville'
Ben: Great hearing from you. I put a poll up yesterday on the Aussie Gator ticket request and most Vol fans were apoplectic toward the thought of helping him procure tickets. As for Tony Robinson, he's such a wonderful guy and an incredible story of redemption. I plan on telling him tonight on the set of In The Pocket what it means to me to be sitting next to him for that TV show. He's such a great spirit.
'Tony, my choice for Chancellor. Talk about a home run; beautiful, intelligent, a female and a Minority. Plus she hired Herman as football coach.
Here's a link to her bio.
Link.
Doug in Chatty'
Doug! I'll say this for Dr Khator. She's certainly more attractive than the Chinese Gator, Jimmie Cheek! I believe the on again off again courtship with ETSU's Dr. Brian Noland for UT's Chancellor post is back on again. Then again, around here who knows what tomorrow brings? Dr. Khator is certainly a name I haven't heard anywhere but I respect you offering it into the public discourse nonetheless. Put it this way...Movers and shakers read this blog. So, perhaps you birthed a nomination here in this space. As I said, you never know around here.
Final Thought: Shocking to see singer Chris Brown back in trouble. The guy seems so together.
Final Thought II: It’s mere hours away from kickoff……HOURS…
Tony B
IGYV
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