*******NOTE – I would have titled this “LWS (except for Irish Jihad, a notorious BAMA fan) Says “Thank You” to the 2006 Vols” but it would not fit in the title area.*********
Attitude, Discipline, Desire, Teamwork, and Coaching all trump Talent when ranking the traits necessary to produce a winner.
I am proud of the 2006 Vols. I am proud of the players and the coaches. It’s not easy to turn around a 5-6 program. But this group has done so in one year’s time and has put a product on the field that has brought excitement and joy back to the fans of Tennessee football.
Consider Erik Ainge running down the Bama defensive back after he threw an interception. Consider Justin Harrell playing one last game with a torn biceps just to help us beat the Gators. Consider Montario Hardesty dragging an entire California defense before breaking free for a long touchdown run. Consider Aaron Sears playing hurt all year long. Consider Lemarcus Coker getting back on the practice field just days after most of us thought he would be out for the season. Consider Jonathon Crompton plowing over the LSU defensive back and playing well enough to give Tennessee a chance to pull off an improbable victory. I am sure there are countless examples of toughness and desire that will go unreported and that’s a shame.
Regardless of what the final record is for the 2006 Vols, we all owe them a debt of gratitude for bringing excitement back to Tennessee football. More importantly, this team and these coaches have turned a program around and put it back on track and headed in the right direction. Fulmer has put together the best staff in college football. The players are truly “giving their all for Tennessee”.
I hope the seniors like Jason Swain know that although they will not play for the SEC Championship, they will always occupy a place in our hearts for getting Tennessee football back on track. They have done so through hard work and desire and we at LWS say thank you to the 2006 Vols.
Now let’s finish the season on a winning note………
Go Vols.
