This is a great time of year for my literary contributors. They can offer constructive criticism on Tennessee football, basketball, and my writing.
James writes: Check your desk drawer and see if the cap came off the rubber cement. After reading one of your recent columns, I think you may be sniffing fumes.
Two lines jumped out at me: TN football “building its 2026 roster” and “the playoffs aren’t a farfetched fantasy”? So, are we getting a whole new defense and offensive line through the portal?
My response: You obviously haven’t heard that the Vols have added a transfer safety from Kansas State. That should turn everything around.
Marty writes: Thanks for pointing out how Nate Ament is an issue for Tennessee basketball. I feel pretty confident in saying we more likely would have beaten Arkansas with Ament not playing the last 10 minutes at all. When you stop looking for your shot …. go to the bench.
My response: He’s very talented but needs to be more aggressive offensively if he is going to make Tennessee’s NIL investment worthwhile.
Think how many Kansas State defensive backs the Vols could have gotten for what they’re paying Ament.
Craig writes: I was very disappointed that you mentioned NIL money in discussing Nate Ament’s somewhat poor performance in your column about the basketball team’s loss to Arkansas.
Here this young man is 18 or 19 going away to school/play basketball, playing a tough opponent on the road and having an off night. He is doing his best and under tremendous pressure from coaches, fans, and boosters who fund NIL.
He is early in his college career and trying his best. He needs encouragement and constructive criticism from you and the fans, not a beatdown from you.
Acknowledge his below average game and move on. Leave money out of it.
My response: Seriously? Leave money out of it? What world are you living in?
It’s all about money. Ament is making millions to play basketball. And he needs encouragement and constructive criticism?
No. He’s a pro athlete who needs to earn his money.
With his talent and Rick Barnes as his coach, he still could become an impactful player by March.
Joel writes: After the disappointing season this year, the Vols may be searching for a new coach. The faithful are in arms about the poor performance of the Vols, particularly their poor performance in the bowl game. Josh Heupel’s future well may be in doubt with another bad year.
My response: Compared to Tennessee’s performance against Vanderbilt, its play in the loss to Illinois signified improvement. Momentum is already mounting for next fall.
Baker writes: I changed my mind. I had offered to come to Knoxville and help throw the smokey grey unis from the Henley Street bridge. No. Keep them and wear them every game until they develop a defense that doesn’t greatly embarrass the Big Orange.
My response: Perhaps, the Vols defense will practice in pink uniforms this spring.
Shemp writes: The best thing about the screwed up College Football Playoff process is that they got three-loss Alabama in so they could get the snot beat out of them by Indiana 38-3.
It was much better than omitting them.
My response: Tennessee fans can relate to that. If the Vols had fallen short of the 2024 playoffs, they would have been spared a trip to Columbus, where Ohio State was still seething over a loss to Michigan – and determined to prove it was the best team in the country.
Steve writes: As a Knoxville native, a graduate of UT, and Vols fan, I’m really sick and tired of mediocre seasons. Yes, there have been some bright moments, but there seems to be no consistency, and we can’t seem to get over the “so-so” bump.
This all starts at the top. I see other universities securing top coaching talent while UT just bumps along. What a shame.
My response: It could be worse, Steve. At least, your favorite team didn’t have to play Indiana in a playoff game.
Brenda writes: Great way to start the New Year – numerous laugh-out-loud moments reading your New Year’s predictions in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Have a great 2026.
My response: Early in my career, I was turned down for a job by that newspaper, which apparently has lowered its standards.
Mike writes: Nice New Year’s predictions column, John. I know you like Dave Barry. (Let me know if you don’t have access to his 2025 Year In Review). Your phrase “Luke Altmyer, who obviously watched enough video to realize the Vols are sometimes guilty of ignoring quarterback runs” reminded me of Dave’s turns of phrase.
My response: Thanks, but I’m not nearly as funny as Dave Barry. Tennessee’s defense is almost as funny as Barry.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected].
