Oct. 28, 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. |
How does the redshirt rule work? Example, if Warren Norman does not play this year, I have heard he will have two years of eligibility left. What if he plays in one game?
– Gary, Afghanistan
You are correct. If Warren does not play this season, he will have two years of eligibility left since he played as a true freshman. If he is utilized at all this season at this point, the redshirt opportunity goes away. However, Coach Franklin and Warren have made it clear that if they felt his presence in a game could win it for them, he would play, even if it was the last play of the last game. I don’t think there’s a great possibility of that happening, but it is possible.
In the Army game we obviously knew they were going to run the ball. Why didn’t we put more players in the box. I understand that we did pretty good overall in stopping them, but there were times that their run game was very effective.
– Dean Hobbs, Cookeville, Tenn.
I’d say the defense did rather well against the run.Army came in as the nation’s No. 1 ranked rushing team, averaging more than 360 yards per game. We are the only team this year to hold them below 300 yards in a game. I think it’s fair to say we paid more attention to the run than the pass, but the danger with defending the triple option is if you focus totally on the run, the opponent will run play action and throw over the top for the big play. Georgia Tech does an outstanding job of that.
In an effort to boost student attendance at games, has Coach Franklin made any sort of effort to reach out to the fraternities and sororities on campus? As a 1984 graduate and fraternity member, I know that many students like to be fashionably late for the games (I was NOT one of them) and leave early, whether we’re winning or not. It seems that a PR effort targeted at the Greeks might spark some momentum in student attendance. That is, if such an effort has not already been made. Go ‘Dores!
– Mitch Moore, Maryville, Tenn.
I think it’s safe to say that Coach Franklin and the athletic department have reached out not only to fraternities and sororities but to all entities on campus, and will continue to do so. We have a good number of students that like to arrive early for the game, and we certainly hope they continue to spread the word and that group grows. I know it means a lot to the players and coaches to see the stands filled. I can tell you it means even more when they look over and see a full, active and vocal student section.
At the beginning of the 4th quarter Saturday, many fans left Vanderbilt Stadium. Coach Franklin has emphasized to come early and STAY late. What do you think he would like us fans that do STAY late to do to get everyone else around us to STAY late? Can we lock the exits?
– Josh, Dickson, Tenn.
I think the fire marshall might have an issue with locking the gates. I guess the only good thing about fans leaving early last week was that they felt we had the game in hand. It’s similar to what the students who arrive early have to do, and that’s keep spreading the word and encouraging folks to come early and stay late. Especially in close games down the stretch, I’m not sure all the fans realize how much of an impact they can have with their enthusiasm, support and by making noise at the right times. The theme to this season has been “Changing the Culture”. It doesn’t happen overnight. It happens slowly and gradually and with continuous effort.
