Comments on "Big Orange Sunday" re program's direction & 2014 recruiting

#1
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#1
Reference has been made to observations by former Tennessee Coach Doug Matthews that, in his opinion, we have 12-13 commitments for the 2014 recruiting class in hand right now. Those comments come from the 12:00-13:00 mark of this broadcast: 104-5 The Zone - Play Now. Incidentally, this website would appear to be an excellent resource for accessing previous “Big Orange Sunday” programs for those of you who don’t have radio access to them.

Doug is very enthusiastic about the direction that the program is headed in and just as concerned about short-term expectations for this season and next year as well. In short, he seems to have great confidence in Butch and his staff but is fervently preaching patience on behalf of the Vol faithful. He does expect the team to be very well coached and he said that this year’s instate recruiting class is the best he has seen since ca. 1980, when he first began recruiting the state. He also said that the only weakness, in terms of instate SEC-caliber prospects for this class, is, predictably, at defensive tackle.

In conclusion, Doug said that there is "a lot to be positive about" right now, with respect to our football program, but "a lot to be realistic about too."
 
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#3
#3
I wanna know who these silent commits are. I have no patience. I hope one of them is Damarre Kitt, the kid looks like a beast on tape.
 
#4
#4
No one on this board is forecasting an undefeated season and only the most optimistic are contemplating 8 wins...we're not fragile children that need to have football reality broken down for us gently like Santa Claus. I for one want a team that brings it to the opponent and doesn't quit...I'll hang up and listen
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#5
#5
Big Orange Sunday is absolutely one of my favorite broadcasts. I do not live in Tennessee, but listen over the internet.
 
#8
#8
I like Coach Doug a lot and he knows his stuff. Recruiting is not his forte though. When he made the comment about UT having several silent commits I think it was just a gut feeling and not really anything that he has been told. I am trying to think of a single time when a player committed and said "I was a silent commit for a while and they wanted to keep it a secret", maybe it happens, I just haven't heard of it.
 
#9
#9
butchna said:
No one on this board is forecasting an undefeated season and only the most optimistic are contemplating 8 wins...we're not fragile children that need to have football reality broken down for us gently like Santa Claus. I for one want a team that brings it to the opponent and doesn't quit...I'll hang up and listen
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+ 1
 
#10
#10
butchna said:
No one on this board is forecasting an undefeated season and only the most optimistic are contemplating 8 wins...we're not fragile children that need to have football reality broken down for us gently like Santa Claus. I for one want a team that brings it to the opponent and doesn't quit...I'll hang up and listen
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Yep, we have seen the heartbreak, so go in knowing how to approach the season. That last team--I hope I never see the likes of that confusion again. Go Butch!
 
#11
#11
Top Gun said:
I like Coach Doug a lot and he knows his stuff. Recruiting is not his forte though. When he made the comment about UT having several silent commits I think it was just a gut feeling and not really anything that he has been told. I am trying to think of a single time when a player committed and said "I was a silent commit for a while and they wanted to keep it a secret", maybe it happens, I just haven't heard of it.
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Tim couch was one and that didn't turn out so well. Cashmere Wright was one to the BB program and it bit us also. We scrambled and got Tee on the Couch renege but couldn't pull a good PG after being led astray by Wright.
 
#12
#12
wtorange said:
Tim couch was one and that didn't turn out so well. Cashmere Wright was one to the BB program and it bit us also. We scrambled and got Tee on the Couch renege but couldn't pull a good PG after being led astray by Wright.
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You misunderstood. I meant when a UT commit made it official to us and also said he had been a silent commit for a while, for whatever reason. I can't remember one saying he had been committed but was keeping it a secret because the coaches wanted him to.
 
#13
#13
Top Gun said:
You misunderstood. I meant when a UT commit made it official to us and also said he had been a silent commit for a while, for whatever reason. I can't remember one saying he had been committed but was keeping it a secret because the coaches wanted him to.
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Gotcha, silent are the players idea. Coaches can't release such info and players can do whatever they want.
 
#14
#14
butchna said:
No one on this board is forecasting an undefeated season and only the most optimistic are contemplating 8 wins...we're not fragile children that need to have football reality broken down for us gently like Santa Claus. I for one want a team that brings it to the opponent and doesn't quit...I'll hang up and listen
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As always, well stated
 
#15
#15
While I think Jones and staff are doing a fabulous job recruiting so far,I am a little concerned we have only 1 OL commit ATM.OL,DL & LB are clearly our biggest needs.I think we will definatly be a better coached team.I see us with 6 wins maybe 7.If we get 7 wins and a bowl game I'll consider that a very successful season.
 
#16
#16
Top Gun said:
I like Coach Doug a lot and he knows his stuff. Recruiting is not his forte though. When he made the comment about UT having several silent commits I think it was just a gut feeling and not really anything that he has been told. I am trying to think of a single time when a player committed and said "I was a silent commit for a while and they wanted to keep it a secret", maybe it happens, I just haven't heard of it.
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You could be right about Coach Matthews and the recruiting angle. But I was listening to him and I didn't get that sense. He has been up to talk to Butch and the staff several times. He said it very matter of factly, as though he had been given direct info. I don't know. Guess if 4-5 guys "pop" soon after the O&W game then he will have been right. Either way, he's very high on Butch and Staff's recruiting.
 
#17
#17
CJBlaze said:
While I think Jones and staff are doing a fabulous job recruiting so far,I am a little concerned we have only 1 OL commit ATM.OL,DL & LB are clearly our biggest needs.I think we will definatly be a better coached team.I see us with 6 wins maybe 7.If we get 7 wins and a bowl game I'll consider that a very successful season.
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As early as it is, I am not that concerned about offensive line. The weakness, as usual, is instate defensive linemen, particularly tackles, and Tennessee simply doesn't produce SEC-caliber players at that position with regularity. Thr number and quality of home-grown skill position players is gradually going up and we managed to put together a strong offensive line, despite all of the turmoil associated with the Fulmer-Kiffin-Dooley revolving door. It just took time for those freshmen to grow into top-notch SEC offensive linemen. Doug reiterated the fact that we can sign 30 this year, as long as 5 are early enrollees. Perhaps 2-3 will be jucos to inject more mature bodies into both front lines.
 
#18
#18
Top Gun said:
I like Coach Doug a lot and he knows his stuff. Recruiting is not his forte though. When he made the comment about UT having several silent commits I think it was just a gut feeling and not really anything that he has been told. I am trying to think of a single time when a player committed and said "I was a silent commit for a while and they wanted to keep it a secret", maybe it happens, I just haven't heard of it.
Click to expand...

I thought you were going to say something there for a minute...
 
#19
#19
butchna said:
No one on this board is forecasting an undefeated season and only the most optimistic are contemplating 8 wins...we're not fragile children that need to have football reality broken down for us gently like Santa Claus. I for one want a team that brings it to the opponent and doesn't quit...I'll hang up and listen
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Most said the same right up until we whooped NC State last year and then suddenly it was NCG or bust.

Right now fans are tempered - show them a glimmer of success and the expectation will sky rocket, especially if we have a strong showing against the Ducks.
 
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#20
#20
VOLracerx said:
Most said the same right up until we whooped NC State last year and then suddenly it was NCG or bust.

Right now fans are tempered - show them a glimmer of success and the expectation will sky rocket, especially if we have a strong showing against the Ducks.
Click to expand...

Yep. The fl game was rocking last year.
 
#21
#21
I want us to win every game next year, but reality is a different story. I just hope the majority realize how tough this season will be and that 2014 will not be much better.

It's unfortunate to have to wait for 3 years to see solid results in the W column. I will certainly be happy if we can pull off a few we shouldn't and kick the crap out of everyone else.
 
#22
#22
You just encapsulated the crux of Coach Matthews' message: There are a lot of positive things going on right now with respect to our football program, but we are going to have to be realistic and temper our expectations in the short-term.
 
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#23
#23
"X" on Tony Basilio's show posted an excellent overview of his perspective on our chances with a host of offensive and defensive line prospects, both high school seniors and JUCOs. Like Coach Matthews, he is anticipating as many as four new commitments by the Orange & White game. See The Tony Basilio Show.
 
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