Oct. 25, 2012
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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. |
Last season, our offense seemed more consistent due largely to the fact that Jordan Rodgers would pull the ball down and run for first downs occasionally. Why hasn’t he done that this year? Is it by design or change in approach to a different style offense or an attempt to keep him from injury? He used to be a dual threat, now the defense just pins their ears back it seems. Thanks
– Ryan Mangrum (Fairview, Tenn.)
I think last season Jordan would actually pull the ball down and run a bit earlier than he needed to. This year, he’s more confident in the offense and in his reads and is following the progressions dictated by the play calls and the offense. As a result, I think he’s more confident in what he sees on the field and doesn’t take off running at the first hint of pressure. He’s still a viable threat to run the ball, and opposing defenses have to prepare for that. I just think Jordan has matured with the offense and is seeing more opportunities down field.
Joe, Vandy just won a tough SEC game and still didn’t play very close to perfect. What does this tell you about the steps our program is taking?
– Ben Elasy (Brentwood, Tenn.)
I think it certainly is a positive. For years around here the saying was that we had little to no margin for error. While we certainly have a ways to go in building a consistent winner, it’s clear we’ve made great strides in that area. I think one of the biggest accomplishments of this team is the ability to not let one mistake turn into more. We’ve grown in our ability to forget a mistake or a big play given up and bounce right back. Look at some of the scoring drives we’ve put together after giving up big plays or mistakes made. The scoring drive after the 85-yard touchdown at Missouri, and the defensive stand in the final moments against Auburn are proof of that.That is the mark of a solid football team.
There’s no doubt we’ll have a solid home-field advantage against UMass, but as for UT, what more can be done to get Vandy fans to buy tickets to that game and minimize the amount of orange in the stands? It’s been extremely frustrating in seasons past to essentially lose the home-field advantage on our own turf. When do single-game tickets for Vandy-UT go on sale?
– Mitch Moore (Maryville, Tenn.)
Single game tickets for Vanderbilt and Tennessee are on sale now, so I encourage Commodore fans to make sure you’re in the stadium for that one. Obviously, winning is the best marketing tool you can have, and I know Coach Franklin and our team are doing all they can to make that happen. I hope we can continue to let our fans, who may have been away for a while, know that the gameday experience at Vanderbilt is exciting! From hours prior to the game tailgating in Vandyville and all around West End, to all the in game promotions, to the great quality of football our Commodores are playing, Vanderbilt Stadium is the place to be.
Big win Saturday! I noticed that Ryan Fowler kicked our second extra point Saturday in the third quarter. I was just wondering why him and not Spear? Go Dores!
– Chris Spann (Lebanon, Tenn.)
A few weeks ago a decision was made to allow Carey Spear and Ryan Fowler to rotate kicking extra points in games. This way, though Carey is technically the starter, Ryan stays involved and wouldn’t be totally cold if he were called out there to make a game-winning field goal. I think it’s a great idea for two quality kickers to share the duties and stay at the top of their game.
What are the chances of switching back to last year’s radio station next year (or next week for that matter) so we can listen to you and John when we go to the game? Why do the fans who actually attend the game always get the short end of the stick?
– Mickey Setaro (Nashville)
Mickey, I’m sorry you apparently missed the numerous announcements over the past weeks about our in-stadium broadcast. We now have an FM signal inside the stadium on 92.5 FM where you can hear our game broadcast live and in real time with no delay. It’s a service we will also provide for basketball at Memorial Gym, and in the future, quite possibly on the road if you travel to watch the Commodores.
As for our flagship station, I am thrilled to be on one of the icons of Nashville radio, WLAC-AM 1510. It’s great to be not only on a 50,000 watt Clear Channel station with a night time reach into more than 30 states, but also to be with the folks at Clear Channel that make us their number one priority; where we don’t have to move or delay games to get air time.