I think most of us on the board know that CBJ sticks to his message lines. In my opinion, he inherited the Vols at its worst point in a long time, perhaps its worst point in history, even worse than what Johnny Major inherited from Bill Battle in 1977. CBJ talks much about what he is doing as being a process and it is. We can either support him or not. it is seeming like more people are not supporting him as the inevitable grind of the SEC with its heavyweights on every Saturday is playing out. Or perhaps, there are just too many trolls on this board; I don't know.
I look for messages from CBJ about where we are in the process and not necessarily his responses to the questions he gets. For me, much of what he is asked is redundant. He is consistent in providing the same answers to the same questions.
My expectations for this year was 5-7 or possibly if things fell into place, 6-6. Given the schedule, I thought 6-6 was a high and possibly achievable goal. Duh statement time. It still is a goal and will be a goal until it cannot be. Our early game success, especially with the defense, pushed expectations unrealistically. Still, I felt there would be days when the youth of the team would not perform as well as they could and other days they would play over their heads. And by that, I mean play over their heads from an experience perspective. Didn't see much preseason discussion about the bugaboo that seems to hit the Vols, injuries. The injury issue can only be overcome with second and third players at a position who are as good as the ones that start. We are not there yet. What is the answer, recruiting. Expressing an opinion on this board is often like putting yourself in front of a firing squad since it seems to be the thing to do to differ with and belittle people with opinions different than their own. It should go without saying that there is also coaching that gets us there sooner. It does not get us there - it gets us there sooner. That issue is a lightening rod on this board. I'm prepared to wait until the end of the season to judge what CBJ might refer to as the "coaching body of work."
My two cents worth on Adams is his modus operandi is to incite his readers which he is good at doing He is selling ink. Fortunately it is still a free country so I can ignore him which I choose to do. If no one reads him or discusses him, he won't have a job long. In mentioning him, I know I am violating my own principle of ignoring him; I deliberately have not read an Adams article since 2008. This is the only time I will mention him on here. Adams may be right or wrong on some of things he says; I just greatly dislike his style of writing.
So, in CBJ's coach speak, the next play is the most important play and the only one you have any control over. Without being trite about the next opponent who has been and will always be the most important game on the schedule for me, what more can be said. I will be there on Saturday. Early. I will be loud. I will be there for the entire game regardless of what happens. Period. I will support Team 118.
Win or lose, I will always support the Vols with all the strength I have. I cannot believe it has been 32 years since 1982. We can't stop believing in Team 118. Go Vols! Beat bama!
