Hooray for the home team and whoopee, too.
Tennessee will present a new show of flashing lights, fireworks and signs that say “I will give my all” at Neyland Stadium this season.
Alternate uniforms are probably already in the closet. Don’t expect rainbow colors. Players want black.
Soon and very soon we’ll get better connectivity for smart phones and restroom improvements at the south end. Count on it.
Exciting additions plus statues for the Trailblazers will undoubtedly add great joy to attendance at football games. Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White has many bright ideas for raising funds. One is to make giving fun until a few victories make it more fun.
Victories will matter most. Victories are the tricky part. Money takes care of the other stuff.
I foresee almost guaranteed success against Bowling Green and Tennessee Tech and a probable triumph over South Alabama. Vanderbilt is a should-be. Beating up on Pitt, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Georgia, the other home games, seems a little or a lot less certain.
Do you suppose having Sterl the Pearl, old Vol Sterling Henton, as a sideline disc jockey will be the winning edge? Or a planned distraction?
Thursday evening will be the formal beginning of the next chapter of Tennessee football, the actual start to climbing out of the deep, dark hole. Let us agree Josh Heupel has courage. No previous Tennessee coach has faced so many problems blocking his path to the Hall of Fame.
I believe you will see an offense on the go. Good luck to big guy Joe Milton III at quarterback. We can hope the cast of receivers brings more than past stats indicate. I predict the offensive line, with better coaching, will emerge stronger as a unit than the components appear. Cade Mays is the exception.
We have been encouraged to believe there are running backs. We’ll see.
Say a prayer for the defense. If you have eligibility and any possibility at linebacker, hold up your hand. Depth is in short supply.
Be not deceived by what the Volunteers do to the greenies (34-point underdogs, 8 p.m. kickoff, tickets are available). If you choose to be home at midnight and at work on Friday, see the SEC Network version or hear Bob Kesling and Pat Ryan – or flip a switch and do both.
Professional gamblers say Tennessee won’t be real good this season but Bowling Green will be much worse. The combination is just right for an opening game with so many things rearranged.
Expect Heupel’s offense to exceed the speed limit. Expect touchdowns. You can get a side bet on whether Velus Jones or Jalin Hyatt will be first in the end zone. Could be Jabari Small or Tiyon Evans will break away and go directly to the checkerboards.
If you can redirect your focus from the ball for a few snaps, assess Darnell Wright at left tackle. Protecting the quarterback’s blind side is a key assignment, critical to health and welfare.
Center Cooper Mays says Wright is a great player-to-be. Potential is the key word. Darnell was ordinary in two years at right tackle. He has trimmed down.
Defense will be different, too. The concept has changed from passive containment to aggressive pursuit of big plays, disruption, sacks, fumbles, picks. That sounds very interesting. It will be, if it works.
There is a hint of optimism up front. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner does not sponsor failures or flops. Tackles who could have been present have gone away. Transfers may be better.
There is an on-going search for pass-rushers. My first choice is Byron Young. He is a rare treat from the previous coaching staff, 6-3 and 245, blessed with energy and tenacity, enough speed and explosion to get past blockers.
Young is also the best story among newcomers. Recruiters didn’t want him coming out of high school in Hemingway, South Carolina. He moved to Georgia and found a job as an assistant manager at a Dollar General store. After a year and a half of stocking shelves, sweeping up breakage and checking timecards, he reconsidered football. He walked on at Georgia Military College.
He was a little older than most. He looks like a grown man. He made a difference. Recruiters bumped into each other the second time around. Tennessee beat some big names.
Pass rusher? Tyler Baron can do it, too, but he never worked at Dollar General.
You are invited to join me in concern about inside linebackers. Henry To’o To’o and Quavaris Crouch, last year’s regulars, fled the scene. Texas transfer Juwan Mitchell and somebody are the replacements. Jeremy Banks, back from injury and suspension, might fill a void.
The experienced secondary appears solid but not spectacular. Alonte Taylor is the name-to-know corner. Theo Jackson will try to slow slot receivers.
Specialists? Punter Paxton Brooks is second-team pre-season all-SEC. He is also an honor student. That may not be as compelling as light shows and fireworks but it is good.
Free advice for Dr. Danny: As you change the football show from drab and dull to ever so delightful, don’t mess with the stadium name, no matter who offers how much for naming rights.
We are aware of the happy “Bounce House” you had at Central Florida. Don’t do that. Not here. Not ever.
Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com
