Referee Behavior - Policing the Police

"You moron!"

"Do you need glasses?"

"How could you possibly make that call?"

Let's face it - a referee's job is a thankless one. How many of us go to work each day in front of thousands of people who hate and jeer us? How many of us work beside huge athletes who try to intimidate us into seeing things their way? How many of us get blasted in the papers and on TV for a single mistake and never recognized for being correct?

Public school teachers, you can put your hands down.

Being a referee isn't easy, but that does not excuse the behavior of officials in football, basketball and baseball over the last eight months. For whatever reason, there has been a rash of deplorable actions by umpires and referees toward athletes during the course of games.

*NBA referee Joey Crawford ejected Tim Duncan during a game against the Dallas Mavericks after Duncan laughed on the bench about one of Crawford's calls. As Duncan left the floor, Crawford allegedly shouted, "Do you want to fight?"

*MLB umpire Mike Winters provoked a reaction from San Diego outfielder Milton Bradley about a moment earlier in the game when Bradley disagreed with a strike call made by another umpire. After Winters called Bradley a name, the outfielder injured his knee during the ensuing argument and missed the Padres' playoff game against the Colorado Rockies.

*NFL linesmen Phil McKinnely allegedly called Baltimore Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle "boy" during an argument over penalties issued during Monday night's game against the New England Patriots.

In each of these situations, it seems that game officials took the low road with the athletes they are paid to control and protect. In the first two cases, the officials were suspended for their actions. The NFL is currently reviewing Rolle's allegations against McKinnely.

Umpires and referees today seem to be caught in a Catch-22. On one hand, fans do not want them to be the focus of the game. We do not want them to eject players unnecessarily or make calls that affect the outcome. We expect them to take the verbal abuse they get from managers, players and us the fans and turn the other cheek.

On the other hand, we expect them to have authority and control over the proceedings. How can a referee be considered in control when he takes a verbal undressing and cannot respond in kind? How many times can a person be berated before responding?

In many ways, referees are like cops. There are the obvious connections - they enforce the rules, they protect people from rule-breakers, they must make quick decisions about right and wrong, and they are rarely thanked for doing their job.

The are also similar in the type of person it takes to do that job. The best referees tend to be arrogant, combative and cocky. There is not an NBA referee more respected than Steve Javie, but the man walks around like his stuff doesn't smell. There is a reason he is good at his job and it has as much to do with his personality as it does his knowledge of the rules.

The problem with this personality trait, however, is that it can easily explode into something that should not be. While it is clearly an exaggeration to compare a police beating to a referee calling a player "boy," the two events originate from the same place. It is an abuse of power.

We give our police men and women the tools they need to protect us, but we expect them to only use those tools in the most extreme of circumstances. We know they face verbal and the threat of physical assault in their daily work, but we do not condone the use of excessive force because of it.

The same is true of professional sports officials. They have the ability to enforce the rules of the game in a variety of manners, but we expect them to avoid using these abilities if at all possible. We know that players say ridiculous and insulting things to referees during the course of a game, but we expect officials to be above responding back in the same manner.

It seems that more and more game officials are failing to live up to this lofty standard.

Bruce Pearl Steps Up - The Vols Visit Chattanooga Tonight

Bruce Pearl is a little different from his coaching contemporaries. After all, the man painted his chest to support the Lady Vols last year in their game against #1 Duke.

Can you picture Bobby Knight doing the same?

He is also a little different with his scheduling philosophy. Tonight the Tennessee Vols travel to Chattanooga to play on the home floor of the UTC Mocs in a game that has my hometown buzzing. It is the first time the Vols have come to McKenzie Arena since the building opened in 1982. It is the single biggest game at the Round House since UNC brought Michael Jordan to the arena.

It is also, at least on the surface, a lose/lose situation for Pearl and the Vols. If Pearl takes his Final Four contenders into Chattanooga and whips the Mocs, nobody notices. If Pearl gets ambushed by a hot crowd and a team whose season would be made with this one victory, the Vols are a laughing-stock.

This is the reason so few big schools are willing to play road games within their home state. Jim Tressel and Ohio State might schedule every MAC team in Ohio, but they sure aren't going to play the game on their field. It happens all the time in basketball as well. There is just too much to lose and not enough to gain for the big boys.

That, however, is not Bruce Pearl's philosophy on scheduling. Since taking over the Tennessee program three years ago, the Vols have played neutral site games in Nashville and tonight will play UTC on its own floor.

Why?

According to Pearl, if his team cannot win a game in Chattanooga, it is not a legitimate Final Four contender. For a master motivator like Pearl, it is a great challenge to see if his team will play with as much energy and passion against UTC as it will Florida or Kentucky. After all, a team like UTC will likely be Tennessee's 1st round match-up in the NCAA tournament. What better way to prepare?

Beyond that, Tennessee's ability to recruit across the state is only enhanced with exposure across the state. Though most basketball fans fail to notice it, the state of Tennessee has some of the best basketball in the country. Last year there were three teams in the Sweet Sixteen from the Volunteer State (Memphis and Vanderbilt being the others). No other state can made the same claim (basketball hot beds Indiana and North Carolina had one each, Kentucky had none). There is great talent in the state, but it isn't easy to keep in Knoxville. By playing across the state, Pearl increases his chances of grabbing players from Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga.

It also helps build the basketball fanbase. Tennessee is a football state and UT is a football school. While Neyland Stadium has 107,000+ for home games, the basketball Vols have often failed to fill their building consistently. In fact, it is easier for Kentucky fans to get tickets at Thompson-Boling Arena than at Rupp Arena. As Pearl takes his pressing, dunking, dominant squad across the state, he generates excitement for his program. Suddenly the half-empty arena is sold out and the Vols have a serious basketball following.

Finally, Pearl knows what it means to coach at a mid-major school and to be ducked by the big boys. He paid his dues at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, building a program that scared Big 10 schools out of visiting his campus. He understands what it means to host a game like this and has actually put his money where his (considerable) mouth is.

Kudos to Pearl and the Vols for coming to Chattanooga tonight. Whatever happens on the floor, there are nothing but winners in this situation. It is a shame that more teams and coaches don't follow Coach Pearl's lead.

Legacy Defined - Erik Ainge Leads LSU To SEC Championship

If Saturday was Erik Ainge's chance to cement his legacy as a Tennessee Vol, he took full advantage of the opportunity, only not in the way either he or the Vols hoped he would. The senior quarterback never found his rhythm on Saturday afternoon and made two inexcusable throws that helped LSU win its first SEC championship under Les Miles.

The game was the tale of two halves as LSU dominated the first part of the game, but still trailed 7-6 at intermission. The Vols dominated the second part of the game, but found themselves on the losing end of a 21-14 final score.

It was an odd afternoon of football in many ways as Tennessee's senior quarterback looked more flustered and confused than the back-up he was facing on the other side. The much-maligned Tennessee defense was physically taking it to an LSU team that had physically dominated teams all year with its giant offensive line and tough-as-nails tailback Jacob Hester. Both surefire kickers looked shaky & missed easy field goals. Down was up. Black was white.

Maybe it was the orange pants.

Last week I called yesterday's game a "defining moment" for Erik Ainge whose career as a Tennessee Vol has been full of highs and lows. Would he be remembered as a one of the greats or remembered as one of the also-rans.

After yesterday, there is no doubt about his Tennessee legacy. After the opening drive of the ballgame, Ainge could not get anything going offensively in the first half. While not taking sacks has been a bright spot of the season, Ainge's inability to stand in the pocket long enough for a receiver to get 10 yards downfield was being exposed by the blitzing, man-to-man coverage attack from the Tigers.

The second half started promising for Ainge and the offense. The Vols opened the half with two solid drives and seemed to have the Bayou Bengals on their heels. Tennessee entered the 4th quarter up a point and poised for its first SEC championship since 1998.

Then, with one throw, everything changed. Just as the television commentators mentioned that the Vols had committed no penalties and no turnovers, Ainge took the cue and threw a Pick-Six to Jonathan Zenon. The senior cornerback sat on the receiver's route and Ainge never should have thrown the ball. It was a deflating blow the Vol cause, but not a dagger in the heart.

Now - the dagger. A huge play to Arian Foster had the Vols inside the red zone, but Ainge failed to notice a giant linebacker standing in front of his intended receiver and threw his second pick of the 4th quarter, ending the Vols chances for the afternoon.

With two throws, Ainge became Casey Clausen instead of Peyton Manning. He had the ballgame and his legacy in the palm of his hand, but could not lead the Vols to a championship. Fair or not, Ainge will forever be known on Rocky Top for his short-comings and failures more than his accomplishments.

Why No Love For Wade Phillips?

If coaches are going to be ripped and fired for failure, they sure ought to get some credit for success. The best team in the NFC gets tons of publicity (Romo, T.O.), but none of it is directed at its coach.

Let me be the first to say it - Wade Phillips is doing as good of a job as any coach in the NFL this year.

I recently heard a few national commentators debating who should be NFL Coach of the Year and Wade Phillips name was never mentioned. Mike McCarthy, Bill Belichick, Romeo Crennel...but not Wade Phillips?

After watching the immensely talented Cowboys play slow, confused and unmotivated football under the legendary Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips has found the right balance between freedom and order to allow these Pokes to excel. Dallas has been absolutely terrific this season - scoring points at will and actually stopping people on defense from time to time.

Forget for a second that Wade Phillips is the coach. If I told you that the Dallas Cowboys were 11-1, that Terrell Owens was having an all-world season without being a distraction or cancer, that Tony Romo had emerged in his second season as a starter into a Top 5 quarterback, that DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis each have 10 sacks, that the Pokes have 1,000 yards more offense than their opponents, twice as many quarterback sacks, 20 more touchdowns, and a +7 turnover margin for the season, wouldn't you expect the coach of the NFL's signature franchise to be getting a sniff of recognition?

So why isn't Wade Phillips? When the Cowboys are discussed this season, the order of priority is Owens, Romo, Jerry Jones, Barber, Ware, Crayton, Newman, Tank Johnson, Roy Williams, then maybe Phillips? Wait, I forgot right guard Leonard Davis. Seriously, Bill Parcells still gets more attention in Big D than Wade Phillips.

It is time for that to stop. He may not be flashy. His hiring did not exactly thrill the fanbase. But the proof, my friends, is in the pudding. 11-1. The only loss is to the undefeated Patriots. This season, the Cowboys shut down Adrian Peterson, knocked out Brett Favre and totally confused Eli Manning. Okay, that last one isn't especially impressive, but the overall product has been. The Cowboys are having a historic season - one not matched by Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson or Bill Parcells - and Wade Phillips ought to get much of the credit.

I know, I know - the Cowboys are loaded with talent and Phillips is basically just standing there watching it. Really? There isn't a difference between the way this team plays vs. last year's team? The offense is explosive - last year it was plodding. The defense gets after people - last year it waited, reacted and gave up points. The team this year seems to be enjoying football - last year it seemed like Sunday was an unenjoyable occupation.

What is the difference between this year and last year? Wade Phillips. Jason Garrett deserves some recognition as well, but it starts with the head coach. If the Cowboys were 6-6 right now with Romo struggling, T.O. whining, and the defense stinking, Phillips would be burned in effigy in Dallas.

Instead, the Cowboys are 11-1, already in the playoffs and the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Wade Phillips ought to be given the credit he deserves for the job he has done this year.

Defining Moment for Erik Ainge

Saturday afternoon in The Georgia Dome, the LSU Tigers and Tennessee Vols will battle to represent the SEC in the Bowl Championship Series. Much of the misguided focus of the game has been upon Les Miles and his potential Baton Rogue exit for his alma mater in Ann Arbor.

The real story, however, is about the opposing quarterback Erik Ainge. It will be his final SEC game as a Tennessee Vol - his final chance to cement his legacy as one of the great Tennessee quarterbacks. Win? Ainge enters the conversation beside Peyton, Tee Martin, Andy Kelly, Heath Shuler and Condredge Holloway. Lose? Ainge is one of the great unfilled potential stories in UT history.

From the moment Ainge committed to the Vols, the promise of this 6'6 kid with a cannon arm had Tennessee fans thinking about the next Peyton Manning. Of course, there was also the chance of becoming the next Casey Clausen. Like Ainge, Clausen came to Knoxville as a highly-touted prospect and sure-fire NFL 1st-rounder. Clausen never progressed from the time he came to UT, though he did lead the Vols to some great victories (two wins in the Swamp, no less) and was within a game of playing for the National Championship in 2003.

Ainge's legacy in Knoxville is difficult to determine. On one hand, he seemed to be handed the reigns to the team in 2005 despite being out-played by Rick Clausen (Casey's brother), made some of the worst decisions ever seen by a Vol quarterback (the interception from his own endzone against LSU will forever haunt his legacy), never beat Florida as a starter and never won an SEC championship. He is, somewhat rightfully, held accountable for the 5-6 2005.

On the other hand, Ainge's career has blossomed over the last two seasons under David Cutcliffe. It is fairly reasonable to suggest that he floundered under former offensive coordinator Randy Sanders (who has blown my mind by being so imaginative and effective at Kentucky) the same way Tee Martin (post-Cutcliffe) and Clausen both floundered. Injuries have dogged him as well - he missed part of his freshman season after an injury versus Notre Dame and hurt his neck at LSU the next year.

It looked like his senior season would be more of the same after a meniscus injury in the off-season. Instead, he has had a sensational senior season without any fanfare whatsoever - 27 TDs, 8 INTs, just under 3,000 yards passing - with no experienced receivers, an inconsistent running game and a pinky finger on his throwing hand that is apparently bent in three different ways after a botched hand-off leading up the California game.

One of the biggest knocks on Ainge is his lack of big wins, specifically against Florida. His signature performances are beating California last season, crushing Georgia earlier this year and the Kentucky game last Saturday.

A win on Saturday could forever change the way Vols fans view Erik Ainge. In one afternoon, he could become an SEC champion and a BCS bowl quarterback. He could elevate his standing in Rocky Top lore or forever be saddled with the ugly "unrealized potential" label.

Forget the Les Miles storyline - the one to watch on Saturday is the defining moment of a senior's college football career.