Nov. 30, 2011
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Joe Fisher’s Mailbag Submit Your Question Wondering about a player, a game or another topic involving the Commodores? The Voice of the Commodores Joe Fisher will answer a variety of questions from fans during the season on VUcommodores.com. |
When will the next Coach’s Call-in Show happen? Now that you’ve got me hooked, you have to feed the addiction!!
– David, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Our next call-in show is scheduled for Thursday, December 8th with Coach Stallings at our usual place, the Commodore Grille in the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt. It airs as always on our flagship station in Nashville, 97.1 WRQQ-FM. Discussions are underway to produce a football call-in show prior to our bowl game. Stay tuned for details on that after the bowl plans are finalized.
My question is — how about those Commodores??! I mean, really, wasn’t this just a great weekend for those in Commodore Nation??? and to that end, I wanted to say thanks for bringing us the action. I know you had a hectic day Saturday after calling Friday’s win at Memorial Gym, but I also know you would have walked to Winston Salem in order to see that bowl-clinching win!! As for me, it was a weekend I won’t soon forget — and thanks to you, I was connected to the action.
– David Dawson, Cartersville, Ga.
Yes, David it was quite a weekend with the basketball win on Friday, football win No. 6 on Saturday and also a great victory for the Commodore women’s basketball team over nationally-ranked Oklahoma. Thanks for the kind words about the hectic day. You’re right; I was more than happy to go to Winston-Salem on two and a half hours of sleep. It was well worth it indeed! Believe me, it’s a joy and a privilege for me to be able to do what I do.
What is the status of Festus Ezeli?
– Aaron, Old Hickory, Tenn.
Festus has begun working out now on a regular basis, as they now try to strengthen his knee and help regain full flexibility. He was on the court at Memorial Gym Monday night working out under the watchful eye of our trainer Shannon Gordon prior to the Xavier game. Festus is chomping at the bit to get back, and says it will only be a couple more weeks. We’ll have to wait and see about the final timetable.
Joe, you interviewed a former Vandy baseball player on your pregame show, prior to the Monmouth game Friday night but I didn’t catch his name. Please let me know who this former player is. Thanks.
– Joe Goode, Hendersonville, Tenn.
That player is Mike Baxter, who was a terrific player for us and is now on the roster of the New York Mets. He’s a great young man and an outstanding left-handed batter. He’s also one of a number of former Commodores in the pros that return to Nashville to work out here during the offseason.
Vandy will be losing some key players off the defensive line, secondary and at linebacker. They will be losing at least one starter off of the offensive line. With the redshirts and strong recruiting class, can you tell us of any up and coming players who can step in and replace these good players who are graduating?
– Gary Anderson, Afghanistan
It’s true we will be losing some quality players to graduation. You don’t just replace guys like Marve, Hayward, Richardson, Fischer, Barden and the rest easily. The good news is I think the coaching staff has done a good job at developing some quality depth, so there are some guys ready to step in, like DeAndre Jones at linebacker, and a host of players on the defensive line. We’ve seen a little bit of Dillon van der Wal this year. I think you can expect to see a lot more of him next season. A number of redshirt freshman for next year will be on our two-deep, I believe. And, I fully anticipate Coach Franklin and staff to come up with a couple of blue chip signees that will have a chance to play right away.
During the Florida game there were two pass interferences by Florida defensive backs not called on 3rd and longs. Did Coach Franklin send tape of these plays to the SEC Office? Vandy could have won the game, if either one of them was called. It was like the refs, for whatever reason weren’t going to let Vandy win in Gainesville.
– Bill Reaney, Cordova, Tenn.
Each week, the football staff compiles a video of plays to send to the SEC office. These are plays either where the coaching staff feels the call was in error, or plays where the coaches are just looking for a clarification of the call or the rule involved. Each team in the conference does this after each game. It is used as a tool by coaches and by officials to hopefully improve on the field performance for everyone.
I think that James Franklin and his staff are the best thing to happen to Vandy football in the last 50 years. I live in fear that he will be hired away. I hope that Vanderbilt will do everything it can to hold on to him and his staff; and they should also make sure to hold on to Coach Corbin, Coach Stallings and their staffs. I think that top to bottom Vanderbilt has the best coaches in the SEC. I’m talking not just about records, but about the fine young student-athletes who are representing our university.
– Joe Murray, Savannah, Ga.
I agree wholeheartedly, Joe. Our student athletes are not only first class performers, but they are first class ladies and gentlemen that it are a pleasure to work with, be around, and cheer for. Likewise, we have some of the finest coaches around. I can assure you keeping these great coaches here is a top priority. Many times, discussions and long range plans are done behind the scenes and really not talked about publicly. But, trust me, our administration is working to keep our coaches for a long time.
