A 10-year Excuse Treadmill

[Carl Pickens]

Could'nt have said it better if I tried. Great post, right to the point and so true. Of course, this will bring the barrage of the ....but...but folks. Or, lord forbid, you're a hater'folks.

Not so much of the ....,but....but folks.....more like the..... You're an idiot folks

 

[allvol17]

I have said this for a while now. Have you ever noticed that Tenn is the only program where a rebuilding job takes 4-5 years or more? Kevin Sumlin, Hughes Freeze, James Franklin, and Mark Stoops are all proving otherwise. Next year, we have Peterman or Dobbs. It will be just as bad. Tennessee needs to win now.

1. A&M wasn't much of a rebuild. The talent was there.
2. Freeze is in his third year. UT next year will be better, regardless of the QB if only because the Oline will be and the influx of depth.
3. Franklin hasn't rebuilt anything. Vandy's 'success' over the last three years has been discussed ad nasuem. Penn St lost badly today so the jury's still out.
4. KY is still KY. Too much credit given for playing that shambles of a gator team.

Nothing about the OP's post is irrational. It is all true. That is the tough part. Actually, the tough part is finally realizing the losing mentality that has been bred over the course of the last 10 years. You guys are okay with losing as long as it isn't "ugly". It is sad.

It's true that he seems tired of losing. It may not be totally irrational, but it disingenuous not to understand exactly how far the Vols have fallen since Hamilton fired Fulmer without a plan in place - which is the root of our fall from grace. I'm not a Fulmer apologist and I think that his time had come and gone, but Hamilton totally screwed us by canning him without someone of quality ready to step in. Then he hired that douche Kiffin and then Dooley. To compare our situation to A&M, Ole Miss, even Penn State is BS. None had the total mismanagement that Hamilton provided.

I'm not okay with losing. But if you can't see the improvement and fight of this team, you might want to take a second and rethink your position.

Those kids played until the end, just like they did at OK. They were in it until the end despite the talent and depth disparity. I am proud of their effort and make no apologies for that. They gave everything they had but came up short. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

Go Vols!

 

[Aday25]

Tennessee lost. 2 years ago, under Dooley, we played just as good a game, damn near put up 60 on them AND STILL LOST. Losing feels the same, and Tennessee has been down right great at losing over the last 4-5 years.

Dooley wasn't bring in top 5 recruiting classes either…there's hope there. If anything things got worse under Dooley each year, not better. I believe things are looking up. I'm tired of excuses too, sometimes the "ifs" and "buts" get annoyingly the same but the dumpster fire of a program that Kiffin and Dooles left us in isn't an instant fix. But for what its worth I think we starting winning sooner then later, looking forward to the florida game. I'll be there cheering. I love UT beyond winning and losing.

 

[slickstirs]

I give props to nobody until we start winning freakin' SEC football games, which might be never. I'm tired of being told that we should "chill out," or that Butch has got us on the right track, or that we are "close," or that we should be "patient" because the OL or the QB or the WRs or the RB or the laundry boys "need more experience;" I'm tired of hearing the "if onlys"---if only Worley didn't get hurt, or if only we didn't fumble or if only the officials didn't hate us. We've been on an excuse treadmill for 10 years. There are ALWAYS issues--every year: we will always be playing inexperienced players, there will always be injuries and bad breaks, etc. EVERY team deals with the same things. You either win or you don't. And we don't. Until we freaking' start winning, nothing encourages me. Worley will be gone next year--and we'll be lining up with more excuses. I like Jones--but until he wins games he's done nothing.

Just go ahead and JUMP!

 

[VFL1953]

I'm sure your "giving props to nobody" has the coaching staff almost as concerned as this forum.

Seriously dude, you sound like a jilted prom date.

 

[HBCButch]

Not so much of the ....,but....but folks.....more like the..... You're an idiot folks

Those to....the idiot folks....as in you dumb dumb.

 

[AllVolinGA]

You are a useless person who thinks he knows all about everything. You stink up the Lady Vol Forum, the Softball post, basketball, and even soccer. I bet you never played a down of football in your life. (This is all directed at the idiot OP.)

 

[HBCButch]

1. A&M wasn't much of a rebuild. The talent was there.
2. Freeze is in his third year. UT next year will be better, regardless of the QB if only because the Oline will be and the influx of depth.
3. Franklin hasn't rebuilt anything. Vandy's 'success' over the last three years has been discussed ad nasuem. Penn St lost badly today so the jury's still out.
4. KY is still KY. Too much credit given for playing that shambles of a gator team.



It's true that he seems tired of losing. It may not be totally irrational, but it disingenuous not to understand exactly how far the Vols have fallen since Hamilton fired Fulmer without a plan in place - which is the root of our fall from grace. I'm not a Fulmer apologist and I think that his time had come and gone, but Hamilton totally screwed us by canning him without someone of quality ready to step in. Then he hired that douche Kiffin and then Dooley. To compare our situation to A&M, Ole Miss, even Penn State is BS. None had the total mismanagement that Hamilton provided.

I'm not okay with losing. But if you can't see the improvement and fight of this team, you might want to take a second and rethink your position.

Those kids played until the end, just like they did at OK. They were in it until the end despite the talent and depth disparity. I am proud of their effort and make no apologies for that. They gave everything they had but came up short. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

Go Vols!

Your first paragraph is balls on truth.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Firing Fulmer wasn't the problem. Hiring two dumb ****s was the problem. If we had hit a home run hire after Fulmer, all of you still slurping his manchowder would be gone.

I totally agree with your first 2 sentences.

 

[lilesrt]

It's obvious that you don't fully understand what UT has had to endure over those 4-5 years. It's ok , there are plenty of fans that don't understand.

In 10 years will Dooley and Kiffin still be to blame? You guys need to move on and stop dwelling on the past.

 

[lilesrt]

1. A&M wasn't much of a rebuild. The talent was there.
2. Freeze is in his third year. UT next year will be better, regardless of the QB if only because the Oline will be and the influx of depth.
3. Franklin hasn't rebuilt anything. Vandy's 'success' over the last three years has been discussed ad nasuem. Penn St lost badly today so the jury's still out.
4. KY is still KY. Too much credit given for playing that shambles of a gator team.



It's true that he seems tired of lomsing. It may not be totally irrational, but it disingenuous not to understand exactly how far the Vols have fallen since Hamilton fired Fulmer without a plan in place - which is the root of our fall from grace. I'm not a Fulmer apologist and I think that his time had come and gone, but Hamilton totally screwed us by canning him without someone of quality ready to step in. Then he hired that douche Kiffin and then Dooley. To compare our situation to A&M, Ole Miss, even Penn State is BS. None had the total mismanagement that Hamilton provided.

I'm not okay with losing. But if you can't see the improvement and fight of this team, you might want to take a second and rethink your position.

Those kids played until the end, just like they did at OK. They were in it until the end despite the talent and depth disparity. I am proud of their effort and make no apologies for that. They gave everything they had but came up short. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

Go Vols!

I am pretty sure Ole Miss has made a bowl appearance in all 3 of Hughes Freeze's seasons in Oxford. His first year was with very little talent. Vanderbilt, as much as I dislike them, proved that winning with minimal talent is possible, and yet fans in Knoxville refuse to acknowledge James Franklin's success there. A&M's rebuilding job was coming off of a very mediocre season, and Sumlin put up major statistics in his first season. Kentucky, well they are making improvements we'll see where they go. Regardless, Tennessee has more money, tradition, and resources than all of these schools and yet "the rebuilding process" remains ongoing in the name of Kiffin/Dooley. At what point do those two chumps stop being an acceptable excuse for losing football games? All teams play freshmen. This isn't unique to just Tennessee. And one other thing, the QB issue next year is a huge issue. I wouldn't sweep it under the rug.

 

[Vol knight]

Freak really needs to nuke this forum.

 

[87Vol]

I give props to nobody until we start winning freakin' SEC football games, which might be never. I'm tired of being told that we should "chill out," or that Butch has got us on the right track, or that we are "close," or that we should be "patient" because the OL or the QB or the WRs or the RB or the laundry boys "need more experience;" I'm tired of hearing the "if onlys"---if only Worley didn't get hurt, or if only we didn't fumble or if only the officials didn't hate us. We've been on an excuse treadmill for 10 years. There are ALWAYS issues--every year: we will always be playing inexperienced players, there will always be injuries and bad breaks, etc. EVERY team deals with the same things. You either win or you don't. And we don't. Until we freaking' start winning, nothing encourages me. Worley will be gone next year--and we'll be lining up with more excuses. I like Jones--but until he wins games he's done nothing.

A-FREAKIN'-MEN !!! Best post of the year!!!

 

[Vol knight]

My ignore list is getting massive.

 

[VOLNPA]

Another thing some folks neglect to note is that we are scheduling the Oregons and Oklahomas of the world. We could easily make all 4non-conf games cupcakes and get the bowl games and extra practices, but we have had brutal opponents the last few years.

 

[lilesrt]

You say this as if we rejected Sabans pleas to coach here. I know, if we had just hired your choice, we would be NCs by now. A team predicted to lose by almost 20, takes it down to the wire! You call that a losing mentality? I guess your comments are winning mentality?

I actually like Butch Jones. My only problem is when fans are okay with losses as long as we don't get embarrassed. That is the mentality of alot of UT fans, mainly bc things have been so bad as of late. I get that. The only point I am making is that losing is losing is losing is losing. I want a win. Period. The real evidence of how irrelevent UT has been hit me today when on SECNation, which was in Athens by the way, nobody discussed Tennessee at all throughout the entire broadcast. The ONLY time Tennessee got mentioned was when they ALL picked against us. It is just sad.

 

[lilesrt]

Another thing some folks neglect to note is that we are scheduling the Oregons and Oklahomas of the world. We could easily make all 4non-conf games cupcakes and get the bowl games and extra practices, but we have had brutal opponents the last few years.

Yep, and those games have killed us. Bad administrative decisions all the way around. I was ecstatic when I found out we scheduled UMass. Those are the games I like, because Tennessee just simply cannot compete in the SEC as of late.

 

[VOLNPA]

I actually like Butch Jones. My only problem is when fans are okay with losses as long as we don't get embarrassed. That is the mentality of alot of UT fans, mainly bc things have been so bad as of late. I get that. The only point I am making is that losing is losing is losing is losing. I want a win. Period. The real evidence of how irrelevent UT has been hit me today when on SECNation, which was in Athens by the way, nobody discussed Tennessee at all throughout the entire broadcast. The ONLY time Tennessee got mentioned was when they ALL picked against us. It is just sad.

I dont think anyone is ok with losing. Some just have perspective and understand our current position. All "excuses" aside, its clear to my naked eye that we are improving. Do we have problems to fix? Certainly. However, a black and white/ win or lose point of view doesnt apply to all cases. Sure, i wanted the win today...but ya know what was pretty cool? The 5 texts i got from penn state, ohio state, pitt fans which all basically said..."holy $***, your vols actually look legit." IMHO, the wins will come. Butch doesnt seem to be steering the same rudderless ship that dooley was.

 

[SigSaurP228]

2016. After today I wanted to rip my hair out I am crossing my fingers and praying for 6-6. I am thinking more than likely 5-7 possibly 4-8 depending on what happens with Ky this year I am not willing to mark anything up to a win though except maybe utc.

Though if w get the chance I hope we run up 70 and Vanderbuilt.

I will say this I can forgive all the tough losses, Vandy last year, Uga twice now I will beleive in team 118 if they can pull a win over Florida.

I can move past all the heartbreak if that streak ends this year.

Imo we have set ourselves up for it perfectly today. Worley finally connected on a few deep balls 20+ yards once to Pig, once to Croom. That should help to loosen up the run game.

BUT please for the love of god let our OLine pick up the blitz on third down EVERYONE knows what is coming hell even lay down and try to trip someone would be more of an obstacle

 

[Carl Pickens]

In 10 years will Dooley and Kiffin still be to blame? You guys need to move on and stop dwelling on the past.

Nobody is dwelling on the past. They're trying to explain to you in the simplest terms they can, what the root cause of the rebuilding effort is and how devastated the roster was, but they're having a hard time translating English to half wit

 

[ajvol01]

Tennessee lost. 2 years ago, under Dooley, we played just as good a game, damn near put up 60 on them AND STILL LOST. Losing feels the same, and Tennessee has been down right great at losing over the last 4-5 years.

How many true freshmen played in 2012?

CP played in 2012. Justin Hunter too. Veteran o-line.

Pearson and Smith could have made the difference for us today.

 

[VolDave53]

There is a difference between an excuse and a reason. No excuse offered, but there are reasons.

 

[GoBigOrangeUT]

In 10 years will Dooley and Kiffin still be to blame? You guys need to move on and stop dwelling on the past.

 

[lilesrt]

It amazes me how name calling becomes the common theme with you guys when a poster disagrees. Disagreeing with someone is one thing. Name calling is another. Uncalled for, and some of you need to grow up. Oh.. And check into reality.

 

[GoBigOrangeUT]

It amazes me how name calling becomes the common theme with you guys when a poster disagrees. Disagreeing with someone is one thing. Name calling is another. Uncalled for, and some of you need to grow up. Oh.. And check into reality.

Right, cause reality is expecting this team to all of a sudden become national title contenders after 6 years of ****.