The Atlanta Falcons have named defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas as their interim head coach, sources confirm for (Atlanta's) 11Alive Sports. The move came a day after Bobby Petrino departed the Falcons after just 13 games to return to the college ranks and coach for the University of Arkansas. Thomas was a defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs for 13 years. Thomas has been an assistant coach in Atlanta since 2002.
Why Thomas as opposed to one of our Coordinators? Are they seen as Petrino's guns, perhaps loyal to him and on their way to Arkansas? Is Thomas seen as a "company" man? I think we had some experience in our Coordinators and would have liked to have seen us evaluate a continuation in our staff and program, perhaps on the Defensive side, since Bobby was hands off with the D anyway.
Mike Zimmer is in his first season with the Falcons after spending the past 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, including the last seven years as Defensive Coordinator. During his time in Dallas, Zimmer established himself as one of the NFL's top defensive minds with a fundamentally sound and aggressive scheme. After joining the Dallas staff in 1994, he was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2000. In seven of his 13 years with the Cowboys , they ranked in the top 10 in total defense and pass defense, while advancing to the postseason seven times. As Defensive Coordinator in Dallas, Zimmer earned respect and recognition from around the NFL. In 2005 as he adapted his defense to the Cowboys changing rosters by successfully overseeing the transition from the club's base 4-3 defense to a 3-4 system.
Hue Jackson is in his first season with the Falcons and it is his second opportunity as an Offensive Coordinator in the NFL in 2007. Jackson was the highly-respected Wide Receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals the past three seasons. During his successful time with the Bengals, Jackson molded wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh into one of the most productive receiving tandems in Bengals history and one of the top duos in the League. Last year under the tutelage of Jackson, Johnson (1,369) and Houshmandzadeh (1,081) became the first Bengals teammates to each surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark.
Marty Schottenheimer served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns,Kansas City Chiefs, Washingrton Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He left his head coaching position with the San Diego Chargers in 2007, after leading the Chargers to a 14-2 record.
The Tennessee Volunteers (6-3, 3-2 SEC) can point to the stretch run of Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Kentucky, knowing a sweep puts them in the SEC championship game on Dec. 1.
It's a good time to see an experienced fifth year senior return to the field.
Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said Vol fans should look for tight end Brad Cottam to hit the playing field Saturday. The Germantown, Tennessee senior injured his wrist in a preseason scrimmage. Cottamwas expected to team with fellow senior Chris Brown as anchors for the Tennessee passing game, which was dealing with the loss of all three starting wide receivers from 2006..
“We’re playing for a championship here over the next several weeks. Brad was ready and we were ready and he’s had his wrist re-evaluated. We’re glad to have him back. He wants to play now,” Fulmer said after Wednesday’s workout at Haslam Field. "We’re trying to get ready to play a really fine Arkansas team.”
Having Cottam back just might be the extra weapon Eric Ainge needs to keep the Razorbacks on their heels.
The Tennessee Volunteers control their own destiny in the SEC East with a large hill to climb this weekend against Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden and his Arkansas Razorbacks. Last year Arkansas defeated the Vols 31-14 in Fayetteville, with the highly touted McFadden rushing for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns thus proving his meddle. Jonathan Crompton played the entire game at quarterback for UT, as Erik Ainge sat out the contest with an ankle injury suffered two weeks before at South Carolina.
You can't convince me that Tennessee has fixed their problem and will be able to stop McFadden or the Hawgs passing game. I just don't feel it in my heart. So can Arkansas stop Tennessee? That will be the question that decides the game.
Arian Foster
“Getting back into the conference is a big deal,” Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “We prepared well last week, worked a lot on fundamentals, and it showed. Hopefully, it will carry over into this football game with Arkansas.” “Our team knows that every week is a challenge. We’re certainly capable of meeting the challenge, but we’ve got to have ourselves centered. We’ve done a good job of that the last couple of weeks.
Daniel Lincoln kicked a game-tying 48-yard field goal with 5 seconds left, then provided the only points in overtime, and Tennessee recovered after blowing a big lead to beat No. 15 South Carolina 27-24 Saturday night October 27th. The Volunteers' 59-7 victory against Louisiana-Lafayette last Saturday was their most lopsided in seven years.
Against South Carolina Tennessee gained only 70 yards in the second half. South Carolina outgained Tennessee 501-317 and held the ball for more than 36 minutes. Cory Boyd finished with 20 carries for 160 yards.
Against Louisiana Lafayette (Southwest Louisiana State to Old Timers) Tennessee showcased a season-high 273-yard running game. Arian Foster finished with 100 yards on 20 carries, propelling him just past the 2,000-yard career mark. Lennon Creer finished with 109 yards on seven carries.
"South Carolina scored 21 (in the second half) last week," Foster said. "And when Louisiana-Lafayette scored to start the second half, we said it won't happen again."
Well Arian, the Rajin' Cajuns weren't exactly the Gamecocks. The question is are you ready for Arkansas? I must admit, Darren McFadden is scaring the #### outta me.
The Tennessee Volunteers still can not stop the run.
The Arkansas State Indians (1-2) were paced by Reggie Arnold who gained a game-high 130 yards and scored once on 16 carries.
The Vols are giving up a staggering 37.5 points a game. UT ranks 107th out of 118 teams in the nation in scoring defense. And most coaches will tell you scoring defense is the critical stat in the pantheon of college football numbers.
California lit up the Vols for 45 points on opening day. Then Florida hung 59 on them.
Whatever chance Tennessee has to salvage its season counts heavily on the defense finding some answers.
Kentucky ranks No. 17 nationally in total offense. The Arkansas Razorbacks rank No. 19 in total offense, almost totally on the strength of their ground game.
If UT's defense doesn't get significantly better, it will set a dubious standard. The most points UT has allowed in the modern era was in 1988 when opponents averaged 26.0 a game.
The Vols are off Saturday. Between now and Georgia's visit on Oct. 6, the defense has significant work to accomplish on the practice field.
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Arian Foster
