5 batted passes, 2 interceptions, 1 fumbled snap is what predicted for #8. Hell yes. Cromps breaking it down: “Interceptions are a part of the game” and “I thought I was seeing the field really well”. Coach Kiffin says he’s the best of the quarterbacks, and that’s good enough for me.

I know people are just venting here right now after a frustrating loss yesterday, but overall I think Jon needs people to get off his back and get behind him, even when he has a rough game. Jon is the Tennessee quarterback, and he deserves our support.

Here are the thoughts of one loyal LWS reader, Kevin H:

Call me bitter. Maybe I’m influenced by the fact that I watched the game with a group of those UT “fans” I’ve encountered over the last decade. You know, those fans that are all Orange until we lose or start losing. I hate those fans. I know ALOT of them. THey have no faith. No desire to root for a troubling team. Only when they are winning.

Tonight was awful. But hey it wasn’t just Crompton. Sure he didn’t play a Heisman worthy game but hey as soon as the man throws an incompletion he gets boo’ed. I’d be a little rattled too.

I’m too upset to look at official stats so I’m gonna go off memory.

Lets look first at Crompton. Sure 3 picks (I don’t remember if that last play was a pick. Either way I wont count it). The average fan says “3 Picks! Crompton sucks ass!” but if you watch the game only one of those were horrible decisions. The other two: Great timing by the very underrated UCLA DB’s. And Stocker not really meeting the pass and floating on down the field another yard or two didn’t help either.

I understand Crompton is no Heisman worthy QB. I get it. He’s not the best we’ve had this decade (I love you Ainge) but what the locals do and say about him makes me embarrassed sometimes to wear Orange. But Crompton has alot of strong stuff about him. First his size. Big guy that can and WILL take shots. Strong arm. One of the strongest I’ve seen. He can scramble when he needs too.

His problem is he can’t check the Safetys or Corners. He locks onto a target and that’s who he’s throwing to. That is something that can be worked on. And I’d say he will improve that.

Now, that I admit my support for Crompton and even his flaws lets move on to something no one else is mentioning.

Dropped Passes. At least 2 come to mind. One was Quinton Hancock! Wide open! Unexcusable.

Line Choking in the end. Our offensive line is very inconsistant. They can be solid and give Cromps all day to make passes then turn around and let him get sacked before he can blink. Our last series making that last ditch effort, knowing we HAD to throw with a QB thats had better games… and the line failed. Miserably. Blame Cromps if you want for throwing a bad pass but hey would’t you if you had not one, not two, but three linemen chasing you immediately? I sure as hell would. So would your “savior” Nick Stephens.

Miscommunication. At the end Cromps threw two passes short. Both intended to Gerald Jones. Gerald is probably my favorite UT wide out since my boy Peerless Price but lets look at the facts. Cromps has been in every practice and two games now. Our playbook is short passes. Its what we do. But both of those plays, Gerald who was in his first action of the year went long. As an audience we will never know who did the wrong play but my moneys on Gerald Jones considering our playbook.

And how about the play call at the goaline? No not the fact that Kiffin went for it on 4th down. I would have too. Anyone not named Fulmer would. But every play on the goaline the UCLA Defense committed to the inside. ALL GAME LONG! Our strong side was wide open. Monte Kiffin coulda ran it right and got in, in time to do the Icky Shuffle. But Lane Kiffin goes three straight plays right up the middle and we all know what happened.

So go ahead say Crompton sucks. Say its just like last year. I’ll say your right. It’s just like last year. Stubborn “fans” who point at Crompton and says he sucks.

I still support Crompton, Kiffin, and the Vols. Always will. But you can’t just blame Crompton on this. Blame Kiffin. Blame Quintin Hancock. Blame Stocker. Blame the line. Blame the D for allowing big plays in the 2nd quarter.

Or don’t. Just do what you always do.

Blame Crompton.