Kiffin says QB race extremely close

[IndianVol]

and has not named a starter yet. Read the tea leaves if you will:

Almost exactly to the midway point of fall camp, Lane Kiffin finds his quarterback battle still too close to call.

The Vols wrapped up their 14th practice on Monday, and Tennessee's first-year coach indicated the competition to be the Vols' starting signal caller isn't nearly finished.

"Extremely close," Kiffin said of the quarterback battle. "Their numbers, as far as snaps and attempts, their attempts I think were exactly even in the game and they're grading out very close. It's good to see.

"I know that you guys probably all want it to be easy and you'd think I would, but if it was easy that would mean one guy wasn't playing well. If that was the case, we wouldn't be very good. So I'm excited that they're both playing well."

While senior Jonathan Crompton compiled better overall numbers in Saturday's scrimmage, junior Nick Stephens wasn't aided by arguably the offense's worst mental performance of fall camp. Kiffin, who said the offensive performance wasn't as bad as his initial reaction, cited 12 penalties and "three times as many blown assignments" in the scrimmage than in the previous Saturday, when the Vols' offense appeared extremely effective.

"Not as well as the first week, but a number of drops," Kiffin said of how his quarterbacks rated. "Jonathan appeared better number-wise, but Nick was very unfortunate with a number of drops and some plays that would have been big third-down conversions. Two third-down penalties where we actually converted the third down. It was a group thing of guys not doing right, which then obviously affected the quarterbacks."

[Tnphil]

Thanks IV...dont know how to take it....could be both are pretty good or both pretty bad....kinda the little side step, two step....

[IndianVol]

Thanks IV...dont know how to take it....could be both are pretty good or both pretty bad....kinda the little side step, two step....

Crompton had a bad day today, and Nick was good. Nick was not as good statistically Sat, but Kiffin is going out of his way to point out the drops. Glad he actually studies filmum instead of giving lip service. I think Kiffin is trying to light a fire under one of their asses. I am not sure which one.

[volinator]

http://www.circvsmaximvs.com/images/smilies/suicide.gif

[doublewide]

Just wondering

[IndianVol]

Just wondering

He's doing about as much as can be expected from someone who just got here. He's third string, and I wouldn't expect much from him this year

[SmokyTheBigOrangeHoundDog]

In case of a tie, should the start not go to the Junior?

[sodapop]

Thanks IV...dont know how to take it....could be both are pretty good or both pretty bad....kinda the little side step, two step....



I can't tell if your being facetious or not , but if you can't tell by now they both pretty much suck , then...........

[IndianVol]

I can't tell if your being facetious or not , but if you can't tell by now they both pretty much suck , then...........

The question, is, which one can suck less, and let the playmakers make the plays?

[UpstateVol]

Stephens seems to have one added advantage from what I gather, botched exchanges from center and to rbs. That right there infuriorates coaches as much as anything.

[wagee12]

Stephens seems to have one added advantage from what I gather, botched exchanges from center and to rbs. That right there infuriorates coaches as much as anything.

Ah yes, you just highlighted the ongoing saga of the Ruff Tuff Mountain Boy. I wonder what the percentage of food that misses his mouth would be when he is eating. All things being equal, you go with the junior who also happens to be the one that is least experienced and has the most room to improve from where he is now up to his maximum potential, whatever that might be. Right now, I think one really big day will push Nick over the top and hand him the job. He has a swagger and has displayed more leadership qualities than that whiney Crompton.

[GREENnTN]

..and be able to play action and give the QB some time.. yet the concern is that Crompton's fumblitis could hurt the running game too

http://www.desktopexchange.com/gallery/albums/Alyssa_milano_wallpaper/Alyssa_Milano_11.jpg

[Sun Tzu Vol]

Good point about handoffs. Thats the one stat we don't hear much about, and if you're going to be a team that depends on the ground game, it would seem to be more important than att/comp %.

On another note, I would not consider JC to be whiney at all. On the contrary, I think he deserves some respect for hanging in there, and making the best of the situation. I'm trying to remember a "whiney" quote from him, and maybe my memory is shot, but I can't recall one.

[sodapop]

Stephens seems to have one added advantage from what I gather, botched exchanges from center and to rbs. That right there infuriorates coaches as much as anything.


Randy Moore from todays practice


"From the 2-yard line, Stephens fumbled the snap and the defense recovered. "

[sodapop]

As bad as Crompton is, does it truly not concern you guys that Stephens hasn't been able to beat Crompton out ???

[UpstateVol]

Randy Moore from todays practice


"From the 2-yard line, Stephens fumbled the snap and the defense recovered. "

Sorry but I think Crompton still firmly holds the lead in this category.

[LegendofNation]

Of course he's gonna say its close regardless if it is or isnt.

[UpstateVol]

Of course he's gonna say its close regardless if it is or isnt.


I agree. He doesn't want either qb to quit competing.

[VaVol]

I've gotta ask the obvious here that seems to be getting overlooked - both QBs are fumbling snaps. At some point don't you look at the Center as the possible cause for exchange issues?

[UpstateVol]

I've gotta ask the obvious here that seems to be getting overlooked - both QBs are fumbling snaps. At some point don't you look at the Center as the possible cause for exchange issues?


Yes, another possibility could be that they might be rotating centers alot but the one constant for Crompton and we saw it in games last year is the exchanges to the rbs...just sayin.