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Tennessee's Ainge Looking To Define Legacy

Cliff McBride/Tribune photo

Eric Ainge would like to be defined by the type of person he is, and not by championships.

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By ADAM ADKINS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 29, 2007

Updated: 12/29/2007 12:17 am

TAMPA - Erik Ainge understands a player's legacy is often defined by wins and championships, but he'd rather his be defined a bit differently.

Sure, the University of Tennessee senior quarterback would like people to acknowledge the fact he helped the Volunteers put together three seasons of at least nine wins, win two SEC East Division titles and make three trips to bowl games.

But what's more important to Ainge is for people to remember him as a good person and the consummate teammate, one who was willing to do whatever was needed to help his team be successful.

"Wins, rings, championships, all that kind of stuff, obviously that's what everybody wants, and I understand how it works," Ainge said. "But at the same time, being remembered as a good person who grew up at the university in the great place of Knoxville and used the system to my advantage and being a good teammate. That to me is what is most important."

Tuesday's Outback Bowl against Wisconsin will provide Ainge the opportunity to put a final stamp on his legacy - in both regards. He has one more chance to display those personal characteristics, and he also has the chance to earn his first bowl victory under center with the Vols, which would allow him to end his collegiate career on a winning note.

Though Ainge may hold the former in higher regard personally, the latter undoubtedly will go a long way in the eyes of many others.

"I think a lot of times, whether they should or not, people will be remembered for how they finish," senior tight end Brad Cottam said. "And I think that's huge for him."

Added junior running back Arian Foster: "People have a short-term memory. It's funny, but it's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately mentality."

Ainge's last game was a tough one. He tossed two fourth-quarter interceptions in the SEC title game against LSU, one of which the Tigers returned for the winning score in a 21-14 Tennessee loss. But one final victory could help erase that sour memory and serve as the perfect end to a story that began with a bang.

Ainge arrived in Knoxville in 2004 fresh off a stellar prep career at Glencoe High in Oregon, one in which he earned the state's Gatorade Player of the Year award as a senior, and immediately showed some flashes. He tossed a UT freshman record 17 touchdown passes and spearheaded a Vols drive to the SEC title game before his season was cut short by a shoulder injury.

Of course, the 2005 season didn't quite go as planned as Tennessee struggled to a 5-6 record, but Ainge has made some great strides the past two seasons under the tutelage of Vols offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach David Cutcliffe.

Numbers would exemplify Ainge's rise to one of the conference's premier passers during the past two seasons. As a junior, Ainge set the UT single-season record for completion percentage (67 percent), a mark previously held by Peyton Manning, and compiled a 19-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. This season, Ainge has thrown for a career-high 3,157 yards and 29 scores, including a 397-yard, seven-touchdown performance in a four-overtime victory against Kentucky, which put the Vols in the SEC title game.

But Ainge's progress goes much deeper that sheer numbers, according to Cutcliffe. His knowledge of the game and decision-making has improved tremendously. His mechanics, while still needing some more fine-tuning, also have progressed. And his desire to get better and work ethic have been exemplary.

Ainge's improvements have been so great that Cutcliffe, who has molded three NFL first-round draft picks during his collegiate coaching career (Peyton and Eli Manning, and Heath Shuler), doesn't think there's any question Ainge can be a successful quarterback at the next level.

"Erik has every tool to do what he's got to do. Now, does he need to continue to progress? Certainly, and I think he would tell you that," Cutcliffe said. "I think in a heartbeat someone is going to snatch him up early in the NFL draft. He is a lot better than some of the guys I see up there right now. He's smart enough, and I think his best football is in front of him."

But Ainge has one more game at this level, and he understands it could have a big impact on how he is remembered.

"If we were to win this game, that's two 10-win seasons and a nine-win season in my four years. Obviously 2005, that still bothers us ... but where we've come in 2006 and 2007 and the opportunity we have to play against a good Wisconsin team, now I think could go a long way to as far as what is talked about," Ainge said.

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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