The Offense

Labor day is football day! My beloved Vols have no small opener in UCLA. And, with ESPN covering the game and a 8pm prime-time start (unfortunately it's only 6 for some of you) what better way is there to have one on labor day?(Hey BYU fans, you play the Bruins, I'll tell you what they're like after we play them)

The Vols are returning plenty of experienced playmakers on offense, but one that isn't coming back is 4-year starting QB Erik Ainge. He placed 3rd all-time in UT's record books in career passing yardage. He was drafted in the 5th round by the New York Jets. To replace him is Jonathan Crompton, who has played effectively while playing in nearly 2 full games in 2006, subbing for an injured Ainge. Last year was a bit of a struggle for Crompton, but he seems poised to have a strong season this year, and if he does, the whole UT offense should as well.

The Vols' running back corps looks like a promising one for this year as they return 1000-yard rusher Arian Foster, who is only 684 yards from setting a new UT career rushing record. They also return effective backs Montario Hardesty and Lennon Creer, as well as picking up Tauren Poole, who, although only a 3rd or 4th string for now, has done so well in practice that new offensive co-ordinator Dave Clawson is already thinking of ways to get him on the field.

Crompton has a bevy of talented wide receivers to throw to, led by 1000-yard receiver Lucas Taylor. Others include Austin Rogers, Josh Briscoe, Denarius Moore, Quintin Hancock, and Gerald Jones, who can also line up in the shotgun at quarterback in a formation invented by former offensive co-ordinator David Cutcliffe called the "G-gun". Expect a good year for the Vols' passing game.

The tight end position is rather slim, but Brandon Warren, a star transfer from Florida State, got an appeal from the NCAA, meaning he can play this year. However Jeff Cottam is out for 6-8 weeks due to injury. Backup Luke Stocker could be an effective player, but expect Warren to make an immediate impact.

The Tennessee offensive line is yet another strong area of the offense, returning all 5 starters and led by All-American guard/tackle Anthony Parker. They also have All-SEC center Josh McNeil, All-SEC tackle Ramon Foster, guard Chris Scott, and guard/tackle Jacques McClendon. This offensive line allowed only 4 sacks, tops in the nation, and Crompton is more mobile than Ainge was, so expect another very good year for Tennessee's O-line.

It looks like a very promising year for Jonathan Crompton and Co.

Tomorrow we will take a look at the vastly improved Tennessee Defense.

For more info, visit

Posted by BigZ

This Game is Fun!

Here's how to play...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you have of me. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see who leaves a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Try it, you'll like it!

Wii've Done It!

Wii(BigZ and Schmoo)have worked to earn a Wii for about 18 months, and now Wii've earned one. Wii got it on Tuesday. Wii started working for one right about at the time it came out. Ree used to have a no-game-systems-in-our-house rule, and Wii were never much against it, that is, until Wii heard that this gadget of Nintendo's called a Wii was hitting the shelves in what was then a few weeks. Wii learned lots of awesome stuff about it, but the best one of all was that it used motion(so that you can get a very fun workout, and not have to worry about as many buttons). Ree then said that if Wii earned the money, proved worthy of having one and wrote a report that stated why Wii wanted one, where Wii would buy it and how much it cost, then Wii could have one. Wii then took action (as well as pleading our parents to) immediately. Our amount was up to about $50 and was gaining momentum by 6 months, and Wii quickly reached $55, $60, $65, $70, $75, $80, $85, $90, $95 and then finally $100+. Wii were at about $125 when Wii decided to invest money into a bank that, if you invested $100+ and kept it in the bank for at least 6 months, would give you a $100 bonus. Our savings dropped big-time. About 4 months later, for his 11th b-day, BigZ got "Super Mario Galaxy" (Mario rocks). Wii got our $200 from the bank back, and our savings bloated to about $275. Additionally, our parents contributed almost $50 for being good for a 10-week span. Once Wii'd proved Wii were worthy of the responsibility of owning a Wii, Ree took us out to buy one. That day, it was on for about 5 hours, and on Friday night, some friends of ours came over for a Wii party. It looks like Wii're going to get a lot outta this lil' piece o' technology. One more thing: Hey, come on down and play, because, as that commercial advertising Wiis went, "Wii would like to play!"

Posted by BigZ

Rebellious

Dad, BigZ, Schmoo and MJ were playing a DVD game where you answer questions about the Book of Mormon. This particular type of question gave you clues describing the character and the first one to shout out the character gets to take their turn next. The first two clues were: "was born of goodly parents" and "had rebellious brothers". According to Dad(he was only joking), the answer was "Emma."

Posted by BigZ

Land and Sea Adventure

We got a double dose of Disney, at the #1 vacation spot itself and on the "pirate ship". Here are some samplers of a wild overdose of Disney. But a few, especially MJ, disagree. She repeatedly asks: "When can we go back to Disney World?"

Watch out for these buccaneers. Aaarrrrggghh!!

Parasailing rocks!! Despite the ocean being a mere, oh, about a couple hundred feet deep(cannonball)you can still see the bottom.

Hello?!? You're supposed to look out, not pose in front of portholes!
Bahamian braids?! No Way! Yes, unfortunately the boys did have to stick around for 40 minutes while MJ got her hair braided, bahama style.
BigZ, Schmoo and MJ, the rulers of the land, pose with their castle in the background.

Which is the eye-catcher, Schmoo or the shiny Epcot ball?

My height: 5 feet, Giraffe height: about 20 feet.

We've been stranded!! Well, at least we brought a camera. And a cruise ship has come to rescue us.

Posted by BigZ

Characters

One of the things we really enjoyed about the Disney Cruise was the increased access to the characters. This was especially exciting for MJ, who eagerly ran toward the characters whenever she spotted one, even if they happened to be posing with other people. She eventually learned to wait her turn and pose in her own photo ops. As you can see, she found plenty of them.