Parker: Vols bridging the talent gap

Freshman tailback Bryce Brown (11) is one of many bright spots that has Tennessee fans excited about the future. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

People in the limelight like Mike Tyson, Michael Strahan, Elton John and Madonna have all embraced the divergence in their smiles. It's part of who they are and easily recognizable.

In recent years, the football powerhouses in the Southeastern Conference erected a clear and present gap between themselves and Tennessee.

It was unmistakable. All you had to do was listen toward the end of the Alabama and Florida games at Neyland Stadium last year.

"Roll Tide" cheers and smart elic chants of "Keep Phil Fulmer" were fast becoming commonplace in Knoxville.

An overhaul of the coaching staff, a roster trimmed of its fat and a stellar recruiting class later and Big Orange Country is starting to re-establish its boundaries.

Losing a heartbreaker at then No. 1 Alabama 12-10 last weekend and 23-13 at No. 1 Florida in September isn't completely knocking the door down, but it certainly beats getting outscored 59-15 by those two rivals as Tennessee did in '08.

The Vols saw a side of coach Lane Kiffin they aren't used to seeing in the locker room after the game Saturday, getting a pat on the back after narrowly missing out on the greatest upset in school history.

"I told them I was really proud of them, which is new for them," Kiffin said. "They understand the standards I have. I expect to win every game. I expect to win championships like we will here. So, it's very hard to ever lose, there are no moral victories. But, I was very very pleased with their effort. No one can come in as they walk out of this locker room, no one can write a story, no one can say anything about their effort and the heart they played with today. They're controlling what they can control. I've got to do a better job of some situations to win the game for them."

While some argue that there's a talent gap that still exists between UT and the top teams in the land, there's simply no discounting effort and hard work.

An offense that couldn't seem to find the light at the end of the tunnel took the fight to Alabama's top-ranked defense, passing for 265 yards and grinding out 76 hard-earned rushing yards.

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton completed 21 of 36 passes for 265 yards with a touchdown and an interception. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Tennessee wide receiver Gerald Jones said players are staying after practice on a regular basis for 20-30 minutes with quarterback Jonathan Crompton.

"In this offense, everything is very detailed," said Jones, who had seven catches for 72 yards and the game's only touchdown. "Coming in, as a wide receiver, you call the play, we get wide or we get in close. That's not the case in this offense. You have to get exactly the right split. The wide receivers have made it imperative that we learn exactly what to do and how to run the exact right route and it's really paying off."

Superstar safety Eric Berry speaks often of the coaching he and his teammates are getting.

"If we just keep buying in and playing for these guys, the sky is the limit," he said. "They're going to take us wherever we want to go as long as we keep buying in."

Kiffin, who's made grabbing the headlines with press conference statements that boil the blood of UT's rivals an art form, doesn't blink or flinch in the least when predicting a bold future for his team.

"This is going to be a real special team some day," he said. "It's going to be a championship team. It's just a matter of time before we get there, but you can see it coming."

Defensive tackle Wes Brown is working on a pair of surgically-repaired knees and ice packs have become a part of his wardrobe.

"Wes kept getting banged up," Kiffin said. "I'm so proud of the way Wes plays. You guys have no idea what Wes goes through just to get ready for a game. This game was really important to him."

Brown is a prime example of the blue collar approach and love for Rocky Top that's getting the program back on track.

"From Day 1 we came in and talked about how tough we were going to be and how nothing was going to faze us," Brown said. "We proved tonight that we've got a room full of tough guys. I couldn't be happier with the pride and passion they played with. I tell you what, I'd rather be a Tennessee Vol and lose every game that I play than go anywhere else and win them all. This place is special to me, these guys are special to me, and I just love it."

Tennessee wide receiver Gerald Jones (4) stretches the ball across the goal-line for the game's only touchdown. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Brown, an Athens, Ala., native who had four tackles against the Crimson Tide, plays with a passion and fire that arose partially beyond the playing field.

"He told a really touching story (Friday) night," Kiffin said, "about his grandfather passing away when he was a freshman here. He came to the funeral here and a guy walks by, was looking at the casket and says 'Roll Tide.' That stuck with him for a long time. I wish we could have gotten this win for him."

Crompton, a quarterback that admitted receiving death threats a season ago, can't wait to come back to see what Kiffin and Co. accomplish down the road.

"We're on the rise again," Crompton said. "Obviously, it hurts that I'm a senior to feel that. But, it's going to be fun to come back and watch coach Kiffin and this staff build the championships around here."

-- Danny Parker is sports editor of the Times-Gazette. He can be reached at dparker@t-g.com.