My apologies if this is too soon, but I just couldn't wait. It's been sent.

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This is the question that is asked of everyone who is diehard fan of Tennessee, college football, and/or most other sports. Those who don't understand ask, "Why does any of this matter?" They always say that this is just a game and does not count for anything in real life. They may be right to a certain degree, but I would say that our devotion is beneficial nonetheless.

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[Note from Will - 5/21/10 8:55 PM] As I mentioned to the other guys earlier tonight, with Orgeron gone we're no longer chest bumping things to the front page.  So this now gets the Dooley Special "Front Page.  Boom." treatment.

There has been much talk about our impending struggles this season. Even so, we must all have an idea as to what we would like to see. Outside of irrational hopes, what do we actually want to see put on the field? Of course, every Orange blooded Tennessean wants to defy expectations. I am the same. However, being the realistic person that I am, I know some of our lofty goals probably can't be achieved this year. So, what is progress? What, as Vols fans, do we want to see? I would offer my own visions as to what I'm looking for.

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If you would have told me on January 1st that losing in the Elite Eight would be the reason we are disappointed I would have called you a liar.

I was having a discussion with my friends about this season and we came to the conclusion that part of the reason we love Tennessee is that no matter what, when all the chips are down, Tennessee always finds a way, some way, any way to make us realize anew that it is so great to be a Tennessee Vol. This is one of those instances. I've watched us beat Florida in 2001, watched us come back against LSU in 2005, watched Skylar McBee drain the game clinching 3 against Kansas, and now I have watched this amazing basketball team take Tennessee to places it has never been in our history.

I did not graduate from UT Knoxville. I graduated from UT Chattanooga. But, being a Tennessee fan transcends more than just where one went to school. Our teams represent us. That funny 'never say die' Tennessee spirit. That is why we love this team so much. We gave Michigan State hell for 59 minutes and 58.2 seconds. Even still, we all believed that there may just be one more miracle in the bag to pull out.

I don't know if any players read Rocky Top Talk, but if they do, I want to say this: Be Proud. You are Tennessee. You have made us all so dang proud of you. You wear the Orange for all of us. Thank you so much for giving us something to believe in.

I am and always will be proud to say I am a Tennessee Vol. We will be back. Go Big Orange!

After reading this piece from the Miami Herald, I sat in disbelief that someone could be that ridiculous. I guess one can never let journalism and common sense get in the way of pleasing the hometown crowd. After reading the article, I felt compelled to write the author a little note. Here is what I sent:

Mr. Goodman,

Your article entitled, "Vols' arrests should haunt Tennessee's Lane Kiffin" read exclusively as nothing more that a hit piece by someone who has a very clear axe to grind. I am well aware that it is an opinion piece and that you are conveying your own opinion. However, you seem to have let your hatred of Lane Kiffin cloud even very basic common sense.

To assert that Lane Kiffin could have prevented this is just lunacy. Look at every other university and you will find players making extremely poor decisions no matter who the coach is. To say that Kiffin's actions thus far set the bad example that led these student-athletes to commit this crime is equally as laughable. Why don't you wait and see the reaction to the situation by Kiffin and his staff before making your snap judgments. Have you, in kind, written such pieces in response to Florida's troubles with the law? Did you blame Urban Meyer? Lane Kiffin has dismissed several players for misconduct so far. Urban Meyer's disciplinary practices are suspect at best. Suspending a player for one half against Vandy for eye-gouging? Really? Meyer's track record is much more suspect.

If you really think that Kiffin is responsible for this, I cannot help you. Apparently, your vitriol has clouded your judgement so far that you just could not wait to be able to jump up and down and scream, "I told you so!!!" Newsflash: You look ridiculous. Tennessee fans remain firmly behind this coaching staff. I'm sure you'll continue your rants and raves down there in Miami where they tolerate your tripe. For the rest of the country, you are a silly man.

Ok, had to share that. Everyone continue enjoying your day. /trying to come down off high horse.

Hey everyone, I just wanted to drop by and wish you all luck against the Gators. My hate for them is borderline pathological. Nothing would please me more than to see them go down in epic and heartbreaking fashion. I think everyone would enjoy Tebow crying the tears of unfathomable sadness! So, with that, I will wish you all a good game tomorrow. May you provide a much needed bit**slap to the gator nation.

Just read this from the comments section of GVX...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/varsitytimesinsider/2009/06/football-lakewood-qb-gets-usc-offer.html

One person commented on the story and said that USC is pretty set at QB for a few years. This would hopefully play to our advantage. Only time will tell...especially if USC also offers his cousin. Here's hoping Jesse sees our depth chart in a favorable manner!

Go Vols!

"If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing."

So, it has come down to two more games for The Papa. There is no more question as to what will happen with his leadership of our program. We all know this is the end. It's hard to grasp the magnitude of the moment. He brought us such infinite joy. And, unfortunately, this season has brought us such infinite sorrow. The debate for fault is over. It may or may not have been The Papa's fault. Stll, the decision has been made. So, what are we as Vols fans to do? If there is only a hint of Orange running through our blood, we will honor him. I am reminded of the movie Gladiator. The Gladiator gave everthing he had -- including his life to preserve Rome. As the Gladiator lay dying, it was commanded, "Honor Him. He was a soldier of Rome." Fulmer was a soldier of Tennessee to the very end. Thirty years. I have not been alive that long. My wish is to honor this man. I will cheer for his team these last two games. Perhaps I will cheer even more strongly than I ever had. We play Vanderbilt tomorrow. Let us cheer and remind ourselves what The Papa and Tennessee means to us. Regardless of the outcome, there is one more home game. It will be "Phil Fulmer Day". I challenge all true Vol fans to attend the Kentucky game and send our Gladiator out with the proper honor he deserves. This is our duty. Honor this man. He is Tennessee.

I was talking to a good buddy of mine about the Big Orange the other day and I brought up the subject of our defense for the upcoming season. Now, last season's defense was not bad, but still not on par with Chavis' normal caliber of defense. I talked about the usual issues of depth on the D-line and experience and the like. Well, apparently our guys are pretty pumped about the defense we could have. You see, my friend attends(and I used to) Baylor school in Chattanooga where Jacques McClendon played at. Who, by the way, just broke the UT bench press record at 555 lbs! Anyway, Jacques made the comment to my friend that the upcoming 2007 defense has the potential to be better than the 2005 defense. Yes...the defense that played during The Season of Which We Do Not Speak. As we painfully recall, that unit was the only reason we were even in half of the games. Of course, 'potential' is the operative word here. But, I am glad to hear that these guys are getting excited to see exactly how good they actually can be. 45 days, gentlemen.

Go Big Orange and beat Cal (and everyone else while you're at it)!!!