I lived in Knoxville from 2001 until February of this year and was friends with a member of the UT athletic department. It is true that Banks, Jones and Smith were asked to leave but only after multiple (in Banks case 4) incidents/infractions. There are a lot of Vol fans in Knoxville that are embarassed (and rightfully so) and fed up with the whole situation. Regardless of what you choose to believe there is a serious discipline issue within the UT football program.

 

 

Correction: There WAS a serious discipline issue within the UT football program. Fulmer had let it go on too long, and was fed up with it after last season. He's done an about-face. He put in a place a zero-tolerance policy. He kicked off at least 4 players I know of before the season started. One player was at West Towne mall and said an "Inappropriate comment" to a mother and her son. Fulmer gave no warning, he kicked him off. Lee Smith from the K'ville area was arrested for a DUI on the UT campus. He got kicked off. Fulmer told the members that he would no longer tolerate or be as leanient as he was previously.

 

The facts prove that. Before last season began, there were 13 Vols involed in some sort of police trouble. From January to today, yes, there have been incidents, but those players have been either kicked off or suspended.

 

When you recruit these 5-star athletes, you can't always go out and hold their hand every night. EVERY major program has their problems. Just look at Florida. Marcus Thomas failed TWO drug tests, but was allowed to play against LSU. After the LSU game, Urban 'let him go'.

 

To say that the University of Tennessee is the ONLY program with these problems is just not true. It's unfortunate, yes, that we have these problems, but I FIRMLY believe the UT coaches are now doing their BEST to weed out the bad apples and issue severe punishment when rules are violated.

 

At least UT doesn't go onto an opposing team's home field and jump up and down all over their logo. At least UT doesn't get involved in a bench clearing brawl. When was the last time that happened? So, to group them with Miami, is seriously unfair.

 

UT is a target because of their success, and the athletes need to recognize this. I believe improvements are being made in that area. Just look at Peyton Manning. He gives as much back to the community as anybody. He graduated from UT. So, my friend, the university plays a part in the atmosphere, but ultimately each individual should be held accountable for their actions.

 

UT is no worse than any other Division 1 program. They all have their ' bad apples.'

Correction: There WAS a serious discipline issue within the UT football program. Fulmer had let it go on too long, and was fed up with it after last season. He's done an about-face. He put in a place a zero-tolerance policy. He kicked off at least 4 players I know of before the season started. One player was at West Towne mall and said an "Inappropriate comment" to a mother and her son. Fulmer gave no warning, he kicked him off. Lee Smith from the K'ville area was arrested for a DUI on the UT campus. He got kicked off. Fulmer told the members that he would no longer tolerate or be as leanient as he was previously.

 

The facts prove that. Before last season began, there were 13 Vols involed in some sort of police trouble. From January to today, yes, there have been incidents, but those players have been either kicked off or suspended.

 

When you recruit these 5-star athletes, you can't always go out and hold their hand every night. EVERY major program has their problems. Just look at Florida. Marcus Thomas failed TWO drug tests, but was allowed to play against LSU. After the LSU game, Urban 'let him go'.

 

To say that the University of Tennessee is the ONLY program with these problems is just not true. It's unfortunate, yes, that we have these problems, but I FIRMLY believe the UT coaches are now doing their BEST to weed out the bad apples and issue severe punishment when rules are violated.

 

At least UT doesn't go onto an opposing team's home field and jump up and down all over their logo. At least UT doesn't get involved in a bench clearing brawl. When was the last time that happened? So, to group them with Miami, is seriously unfair.

 

UT is a target because of their success, and the athletes need to recognize this. I believe improvements are being made in that area. Just look at Peyton Manning. He gives as much back to the community as anybody. He graduated from UT. So, my friend, the university plays a part in the atmosphere, but ultimately each individual should be held accountable for their actions.

 

UT is no worse than any other Division 1 program. They all have their ' bad apples.'

 

I never said that UT was the ONLY team with a discipline problem but they've had MORE than their fair share of incidents over the last several years. Curious how Fulmer has a "zero tolerance" policy and yet a player who was arrested for public intoxication and underage drinking will still play this weekend. It doesn't matter if he sits out a half, he would not be playing period if this were a lesser opponent. I agree you can't babysit these athletes, you can however make an example out of the ones that break the rules and let it be known that if you don't follow the rules or embarass the university you will be gone whether you are a starter like Foster or a player bench warmer like the fella at West Towne Mall--that is a zero tolerance policy, not a one half game suspension. All teams do have their bad apples, UT's tree just appears to be loaded with them. Their record of discipline has become a punchline of jokes both across the SEC and across the country. Anyone that doesn't see that is wearing Orange Colored Glasses.

I never said that UT was the ONLY team with a discipline problem but they've had MORE than their fair share of incidents over the last several years. Curious how Fulmer has a "zero tolerance" policy and yet a player who was arrested for public intoxication and underage drinking will still play this weekend. It doesn't matter if he sits out a half, he would not be playing period if this were a lesser opponent. I agree you can't babysit these athletes, you can however make an example out of the ones that break the rules and let it be known that if you don't follow the rules or embarass the university you will be gone whether you are a starter like Foster or a player bench warmer like the fella at West Towne Mall--that is a zero tolerance policy, not a one half game suspension. All teams do have their bad apples, UT's tree just appears to be loaded with them. Their record of discipline has become a punchline of jokes both across the SEC and across the country. Anyone that doesn't see that is wearing Orange Colored Glasses.

 

I'm looking at this objectively. First - the player at West Towne Mall was the highest rated recruit from last year's class. So, the benchwarmer rule doesn't apply here. The player playing this weekend wasn't arrested for 'underage drinking' and 'public intoxication'. He was arrested for disorderly conduct. You're statement that he would not be playing if he were playing a 'lesser' opponent is not true. He sat Demetrice Morely (starting safety) for the game against South Carolina for missing one class. Now, tell me how that's a relaxed approach. South Carolina was our biggest game at that point.

 

UT's record of discipline may have been a punchline last year or year's past, but if people are still using this punchline, it's quite old. If you do any research at all, or do any type of investigating and reading on your own, you'll see the truth. The UT staff has put the axe down on bad behavior. They may have their share of bad apples, but they're plucking them and sending them home faster than anyone else in the nation.

You are partially correct only one player was charged with public intoxication. All three were however charged with disorderly conduct AND underage drinking:

 

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer

on Monday suspended three players for Saturday's game against

No. 11 Arkansas after they were arrested for disorderly conduct

and underage drinking.

 

As for the player being suspended for "the biggest game of the year up to that point." The Gamecocks were only 3-2, UT had already played Cal, Florida and UGA (when they were ranked 10th). UT fans what do you think about Fulmer's discipline? Would Foster be playing for this week if it were up to you?

You are partially correct only one player was charged with public intoxication. All three were however charged with disorderly conduct AND underage drinking:

 

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer

on Monday suspended three players for Saturday's game against

No. 11 Arkansas after they were arrested for disorderly conduct

and underage drinking.

 

As for the player being suspended for "the biggest game of the year up to that point." The Gamecocks were only 3-2, UT had already played Cal, Florida and UGA (when they were ranked 10th). UT fans what do you think about Fulmer's discipline? Would Foster be playing for this week if it were up to you?

 

South Carolina were a serious threat, and beat UT last year. Plus, Fulmer was 3-8 versus Spurrier. That was a tough, tough game. They nearly beat Auburn, remember? ...... If it were up to me, I'd sit Foster for the first half. But here's the thing. NO ONE knows exactly what happened but the players and the coaches. We can only speculate. I know Fulmer has cracked down this year, and I KNOW he isn't tolerating any foolishness this season.

The experts picked Carolina by 3 when they played...so it was a BIG game.