Excuses....

[Sudden Impact]

Don't care for them at all. I am curious and have not heard a single Excuse from CBJ mouth uttered once. Fans have but when you really think about it name one excuse that CBJ has given. Or Staff?

Publicly name one player he has thrown under the bus.

Name one bad event, that he has not taking the blame for to date.

Fans wanted transparency in this program and they got it, however they cannot handle the truth.

No fan wants to see reality or admit it because when they do all they would do is blame everybody else.

The Problem is that fans don't have the maturity or experience to evaluate properly or assess the situation.

I offer nothing new with one exception tha CBJ and staff are at this time the right Coach and staff to pull us out of this mess and it is going to take time to do so.

If he was making excuses or throwing players under the bus or not accepting accountability or responsibility for failures, I would be the first one in line wanting to see him gone in a reasonable time.

Getting it does not meaning winning immediately. It means you have identified the problems and you are fixing them one at a time within a reasonable time and process.

I am not making excuses for CBJ and staff, but they aren't the problem, either. Problems I am seeing that are being fix are as follows.

Talent level, speed, strenght, depth, attitude, offensive and defensive systems, discipline, structure, academics, recruiting, fan support, conditioning and the lists goes on and on.

What is sad is that he has not used this as an excuse and because he plus the staff has made it so transparent publicly that the fans are using them against publicly.

As a fan, It makes zero difference on whether you buy into his process or not because Tennessee will always have tradition, former players in the NFL, support from new and old fans that are born every day.

Write the coach a letter and ask him how long will it take to make to SECCG. If you have to do that then you are not much of a fan and need to move on, but your insecurity causes you to voice opinions here and in other media outlets that show how desperate you really are. Drama.

Some of you need to burn your UT memoribia or bury it because you are the problem and not a part of the solution because you don't get it.

Back on topic and state the excuse that CBJ has offered that is not a fact. Again I have failed to see an excuse offered by him or staff, but maybe I have missed one or two.

His goal is to get to a bowl this year and it will be an accomplishment with this schedule and competing in the SEC. After all, not a single media source had us in the mix for a bowl and most had us at 5-7.

Don't let your stupidity rule your life when it comes to your fan hood.

Your are responsible for how much koolaide you drink not CBJ, staff or players.

 

[Sudden Impact]

Thoughts?

 

[InVOLuntary]

Calling for fans that criticize anything to turn in their orange is a ludicrous as another fan calling for another to turn in their orange for being ok with the state of this program. JMO.

 

[joevol33]

That makes way to much sense and I agree. To bad some will refuse to understand!

 

[VolGee4]

I agree with most of this. It is like our fans have never been put in situations where it took time to assess and change something, whether it was at school, work, or something else in life. Unfortunately this is our entertainment in life, and people think they have all of the answers. I have maintained that 6-6 would be a good year. I hate losing, but I believe that we have our coach. Last year was the year to move the program forward with our offensive talent and our last coach let us down. Now, the new staff is trying to fix it. I know it's a message board but some of these posts are just laughable.

 

[Sudden Impact]

Calling for fans that criticize anything to turn in their orange is a ludicrous as another fan calling for another to turn in their orange for being ok with the state of this program. JMO.

Fans don't know the true state of any program and think the boards or media or games are word.

The major plus with this coach is that he is very transparent and has opened up the program to scrutiny of which some fans offer up their opinions without any experience or knowledge of what it takes to rebuild a program.

No matter the excuse, the most important parts of this process is Time, Standards, accountability, resources and Manpower.

A Very important statement by CBJ in the aftermath of the game was that ever player has a duty description of his job on the field. Their failure to execute the duties will become a learning experience for growth and improvement. We all know the shortcomings on this team and well opponent coached teams will exploit them until we fix them. Right now we don't have the resources to fix these shortfalls.

CBJs and staff got out coached yesterday and I would like to think he knows it and privately would state it. His demeanor on the sideline should tell you that and yes I would state it to his face.

He will not make that mistake again. I as a fan do feel that Missouri was better than we give them credit for and I do think they are a more physical team than Alabama. But I stated that these two teams were the most physical teams on our schedule.

We got throttled yesterday physically. Back to back games against two physical teams when you are not physical and soft wears you down mentally. They didn't quit they mentality broke down because of the physical beating they took.

 

[majic73]

There are glaring problems here that are un-coachable for the most part:

1) lack of defensive speed
2) lack of defensive depth along the defensive front
3 ) youth in the secondary ...along with lack of speed
4 ) inexperienced young WRs and TEs. These guys will be okay ..they just need time
5 ) youth and inexperience at QB. These guys will be okay too..just need time

The inexperience issues all around should be better next season . Experience issues take time. Speed cant be coached . Depth cant be invented . These issues are going to take 2 seasons. I think you will see immediate improvement next season , and massive improvement the next season.

These problems are pretty nasty problems to have playing this freaking top 10 schedule we got stuck with.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Fans don't know the true state of any program and think the boards or media or games are word.

The major plus with this coach is that he is very transparent and has opened up the program to scrutiny of which some fans offer up their opinions without any experience or knowledge of what it takes to rebuild a program.

No matter the excuse, the most important parts of this process is Time, Standards, accountability and standard.

CBJs and staff got out coached yesterday and I would like to think he knows it and privately would state it. His demeanor on the sideline should tell you that and yes I would state it to his face.

He will not make that mistake again. I as a fan do feel that Missouri was better than we give them credit for and I do think they are a more physical team than Alabama. But I stated that these two teams were the most physical teams on our schedule.

We got throttled yesterday physically. Back to back games against two physical teams when you are not physical and soft wears you down mentally. They didn't quit they mentality broke down because of the physical beating they took.

I agree with everything in your original post except I don't think it's fair to tell fans that are critical (not the ones calling for his job) to burn their orange. What we say on this and other message boards have little to no affect on his ability to succeed. I've said all along Butch is a relative puppy when it comes to coaching experience. He probably needed a few more years at a mid major school before taking on something like TN in a rebuilding stage. He's is learning on the job.

Butch is saying all the right things, he's recruiting like a mad man. Can/will he succeed here? Who knows. The ones that are 100% sure that we'll be competing for conference championships and the ones that doubt CBJ even the slightest are idiot negavols are just as delusional as the ones call for his job now.

Edit: Before the season, I stated I thought a successful season was one where we would beat the teams we were favored to beat, upset a team we were not supposed to beat and be competitive in the losses. We've done that except be competitive in the losses for the most part.

 

[LA Vol]

It's too soon to know whether or not CBJ is the right guy. He's doing an amazing job at recruiting, but gameday coaching has been up and down. He's a hard worker and he talks a good game. His actions have yet to catch up. He may not exceed expectations on the field this year. But a great recruiting class will put us in better shape for next year. Then we can evaluate this coaching staff with more clarity and objectivity. But it does appear that CBJ has an opportunity to upgrade some of the position coaches. I hope he takes a close look at that and judges their performance on what they bring to UT vs. what they brought to less demanding programs.

 

[InVOLuntary]

It's too soon to know whether or not CBJ is the right guy. He's doing an amazing job at recruiting, but gameday coaching has been up and down. He's a hard worker and he talks a good game. His actions have yet to catch up. He may not exceed expectations on the field this year. But a great recruiting class will put us in better shape for next year. Then we can evaluate this coaching staff with more clarity and objectivity. But it does appear that CBJ has an opportunity to upgrade some of the position coaches. I hope he takes a close look at that and judges their performance on what they bring to UT vs. what they brought to less demanding programs.

I agree 100% with this. I don't think he'll shake up the staff this year nor do I think he should. Stability is the key right now.

 

[treedogvol]

I just hate those who want to divide people instead of bring people togather... stop the sudden bit*ching .. Butch will do the job , you just stop trying to play the UT God who judges ... Every Vol fan wants to win some just don't have the patience.. Get it.. I might not agree with their whining but I don't agree with your self appointed judgement of other Vol fans...

 

[Volador]

The only people on here that are criticizing CBJ are Fulmerholdovers or Grudenites.

The rest of Vol Nation is behind our coach. He has done a great job with very little and against a monstrous schedule. Our team has not executed like we have expected them to but on occasion have looked like a solid team. This is the SEC folks. Rebuilding takes more than a season or two.

 

[LA Vol]

I agree 100% with this. I don't think he'll shake up the staff this year nor do I think he should. Stability is the key right now.

I agree that stability is very important. But I think if we have an opportunity to upgrade one or two position coaches, we should take an objective look at whether it's in the best interests of the program. Loyalty is a wonderful thing, but a weak link can hold us back. That said, I don't think there will be any changes, either. That may or may not be a good thing.

 

[Sudden Impact]

I agree with everything in your original post except I don't think it's fair to tell fans that are critical (not the ones calling for his job) to burn their orange. What we say on this and other message boards have little to no affect on his ability to succeed. I've said all along Butch is a relative puppy when it comes to coaching experience. He probably needed a few more years at a mid major school before taking on something like TN in a rebuilding stage. He's is learning on the job.

Butch is saying all the right things, he's recruiting like a mad man. Can/will he succeed here? Who knows. The ones that are 100% sure that we'll be competing for conference championships and the ones that doubt CBJ even the slightest are idiot negavols are just as delusional as the ones call for his job now.

I don't think that anyone is calling for his job immediately, because that would be ignorant. Some fans should take a break from all this or just accept the reality of present day.

Burning their Orange is a little over the top but stating that the team quit is also over the top. Both measures are extreme. You can't teach fan hood, but you can call out stupidity by using reality.

I don't want Volnation to become a vanilla board but I also don't desire it to become a spewed filled sad woe are we either.

About 10 to 20% on this board drives disruption, chaos and drama with negative non factual radical opinions and slurs.

Unfortunately, 80% of this board give their posts 60% of the attention and believe them as fact. Which is due to their selfish desires, immaturity and their entitlement.

Funny thing about this is that if any of these negative Fans were around any of these players or coaches they would keep their mouths shut, because they would have their heads so far up the coaches backside the only thing you could see is the fan's feet.

 

[majic73]

It's too soon to know whether or not CBJ is the right guy. He's doing an amazing job at recruiting, but gameday coaching has been up and down. He's a hard worker and he talks a good game. His actions have yet to catch up. He may not exceed expectations on the field this year. But a great recruiting class will put us in better shape for next year. Then we can evaluate this coaching staff with more clarity and objectivity. But it does appear that CBJ has an opportunity to upgrade some of the position coaches. I hope he takes a close look at that and judges their performance on what they bring to UT vs. what they brought to less demanding programs.

I think you are right . There are a couple of things that I think he will consider when making his decisions. What could the coaches have done with the raw materials that had to improve things ? IE : the depth of the defensive front. Not alot a coach could do there except hold on an hope for the best. Also , how will hiring and firings impact recruiting ? These guys are already building relationships for 2015. IMO recruiting these next 2 years is the most important thing we can do .

 

[Spartacavolus]

CBJ and staff deserve some criticism. It's week to week. So what. To not be critical of gameplan or playcall errors is silly, regardless of how much cement our defense has in their shoes.

 

[Catbone]

Here's my #1 concern. What happens when we don't win enough games next year to keep the big name recruits coming? We will end up were we are now. In order for us to truly turn the corner it will take 3 amazing recruiting classes. I'm just not sure we can keep luring in those 4 and 5 stars without winning more than 6 or 7 games next year. Our schedule really beats us down every year.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I don't think that anyone is calling for his job immediately, because that would be ignorant. Some fans should take a break from all this or just accept the reality of present day.

Burning their Orange is a little over the top but stating that the team quit is also over the top. Both measures are extreme. You can't teach fan hood, but you can call out stupidity by using reality.

I don't want Volnation to become a vanilla board but I also don't desire it to become a spewed filled sad woe are we either.

About 10 to 20% on this board drives disruption, chaos and drama with negative non factual radical opinions and slurs.

Unfortunately, 80% of this board give their posts 60% of the attention and believe them as fact. Which is due to their selfish desires, immaturity and their entitlement.

Funny thing about this is that if any of these negative Fans were around any of these players or coaches they would keep their mouths shut, because they would have their heads so far up the coaches backside the only thing you could see is the fan's feet.

I agree. I am constantly called a negavol just for a slight criticism. I have said many times that I like CBJ and want him to succeed as much as anybody. I don't see why constructive criticism and debate makes me any less of a fan than next guy who blindly thinks CBJ is infallible.

 

[majic73]

Here's my #1 concern. What happens when we don't win enough games next year to keep the big name recruits coming? We will end up were we are now. In order for us to truly turn the corner it will take 3 amazing recruiting classes. I'm just not sure we can keep luring in those 4 and 5 stars without winning more than 6 or 7 games next year. Our schedule really beats us down every year.

The schedule improves somewhat next season . I think the team improves quite a bit next season . We should have a game ready QB and receivers ready by game 1 next season....which has been our biggest weak spot this season. This helps our D by keeping them off the field and by making the opposing O more predictable.
I think our defensive front side depth grows somewhat. I think our secondary improves with maturity . They wont get faster but maturity and the emergence of some of the younger guys can cover up some of those short-comings.

The O line graduation is the only real hang up that I see to improvement ...but we have alot of big body young guys with more on their way in . So it may not be so bad.

 

[Biopsyman]

This is not surprising considering everything heading into the season

 

[Sudden Impact]

I agree. I am constantly called a negavol just for a slight criticism. I have said many times that I like CBJ and want him to succeed as much as anybody. I don't see why constructive criticism and debate makes me any less of a fan than next guy who blindly thinks CBJ is infallible.

I also agree. CBJ would be the first to tell you he is not infallible. Dooley, Kiffin and Fulmer(later years) would argue with you that they are

Call out any coach, but do so with facts and not just opinions. Don't call for a coach to be fired just because you are an upset fan over a loss to a good team. Do it with facts because we will have no clue what kind of coach Jones and staff are until next season or beyond.

Every coach is subject to criticism, we all know that and CBJ with staff are no exception; however, do it at the appropriate time with factual results.

I am thoroughly disappointed in our team's performance last night but I will not offer any definite reason as to why we lost last night with the exception of the list I offered above in my OP.

I am more analytical than some and I wondered why we showed up so damn flat last night with a few exceptions. I am looking for trends and looking forward to the upcoming games to see if there are more issues other than the list stated above in the OP. A lot of fixes will not improve until next year or beyond, but at least they are being addressed daily. All of which are being addressed by the current coach and staff.

When Fulmer went to Bowden for advice, I knew it was time for Fulmer to retire.

Look at the threads on this board, it is a comical list of the opinions rendered by supposed VoL fans. Stating you are not sold on a coach is fine. Stating you are not sold on a QB that is a freshman in his first start in a hostile environment is just moronic, attention getting, and self serving. It is degrading to that player - Non supportive. Opinion unwarranted. To be honest I question that fans football IQ if he draws that conclusion about Dobbs in 1.5 games. Nobody except for media praised him up as the savior. What was the coach suppose to say we are throwing a lowly recruited 3* smart QB out there and hope he survives.

I did not call out all the fans just some of the extremely negative ones with no basis or facts.

They are Just throwing crap against a wall and seeing what sticks.

 

[patrick]

Fans don't know the true state of any program and think the boards or media or games are word.

The major plus with this coach is that he is very transparent and has opened up the program to scrutiny of which some fans offer up their opinions without any experience or knowledge of what it takes to rebuild a program.

No matter the excuse, the most important parts of this process is Time, Standards, accountability, resources and Manpower.

A Very important statement by CBJ in the aftermath of the game was that ever player has a duty description of his job on the field. Their failure to execute the duties will become a learning experience for growth and improvement. We all know the shortcomings on this team and well opponent coached teams will exploit them until we fix them. Right now we don't have the resources to fix these shortfalls.

CBJs and staff got out coached yesterday and I would like to think he knows it and privately would state it. His demeanor on the sideline should tell you that and yes I would state it to his face.

He will not make that mistake again. I as a fan do feel that Missouri was better than we give them credit for and I do think they are a more physical team than Alabama. But I stated that these two teams were the most physical teams on our schedule.

We got throttled yesterday physically. Back to back games against two physical teams when you are not physical and soft wears you down mentally. They didn't quit they mentality broke down because of the physical beating they took.

The true "state of the program" is this -

an ugly loss to Mizzou where the Vols scored only 3 points;

an ugly loss to Alabama;

an ugly loss to Florida;

an ugly win against south alabama;

a heart breaker against Ga but a loss nonetheless;

an incredible win against So Caro;

ho hum wins vs west ky and austin peay; and

a beat down at the hands of the ducks;

sprinkle on top of that a 5 and 7 record in 2012, a 5 and 7 record 2011 and a 6 and 7 in 2010.

that is the "state of the program".

Now CBJ and staff are tearing it up on the recruiting trail for that they deserve to be complimented. However you stated that you "offer nothing new with one exception that CBJ and staff are at this time the right Coach and staff to pull us out of this mess and it is going to take time to do so".

I take issue with this statement and I am really not trying to be argumentative about this specific point.

First, I believe that it is equally premature to say 1. that CBJ and staff are the right coach and staff to pull out of this mess and 2. that anyone of the coaching staff should be fired. We simply do not have enough evidence to determine either at this point with the exception of the current record - what we have seen on the field - recruiting - and coach speak.

Now nothing you say or do is going to make me cash in my Vol card. You have every right to accept and praise everything that the Vols are doing on the football field just as I have the right to critique the players and the coaches.

 

[Sudden Impact]

The true "state of the program" is this -

an ugly loss to Mizzou where the Vols scored only 3 points;

an ugly loss to Alabama;

an ugly loss to Florida;

an ugly win against south alabama;

a heart breaker against Ga but a loss nonetheless;

an incredible win against So Caro;

ho hum wins vs west ky and austin peay; and

a beat down at the hands of the ducks;

sprinkle on top of that a 5 and 7 record in 2012, a 5 and 7 record 2011 and a 6 and 7 in 2010.

that is the "state of the program".

Now CBJ and staff are tearing it up on the recruiting trail for that they deserve to be complimented. However you stated that you "offer nothing new with one exception that CBJ and staff are at this time the right Coach and staff to pull us out of this mess and it is going to take time to do so".

I take issue with this statement and I am really not trying to be argumentative about this specific point.

First, I believe that it is equally premature to say 1. that CBJ and staff are the right coach and staff to pull out of this mess and 2. that anyone of the coaching staff should be fired. We simply do not have enough evidence to determine either at this point with the exception of the current record - what we have seen on the field - recruiting - and coach speak.

Now nothing you say or do is going to make me cash in my Vol card. You have every right to accept and praise everything that the Vols are doing on the football field just as I have the right to critique the players and the coaches.

I was wondering when you would show up and post.

Critique all you desire not my problem nor will it be. Could be yours down the road but what have you really stated that has not already been already addressed by others or hashed out 100 times or more on this board.

You have listed the scores and all that is true. You have addressed the games with your opinions and that is your right.

You have chosen not to turn in you Vol card and that is your choice nor did I ask you to do so. The fact you had to address it makes me question why would you.

At this time, after looking at the results of the last 7 years not just the Dooley years, it is hard to argue that CBJ and staff at this time were not the best choice to get us out of this mess.

Believe what you want but you like I are doing so based on 10 months of work. Be as critically foolish as you desire, but know that if this recruiting class holds and we finish 6-6 or better this year with a bowl appearance. That alone is progress.

Other indicators are enthusiasm, Neyland stadium rocking, players academics, players attitude, discipline, pride, Strength and conditioning, no quit attitude, recruiting work and half signed before the season started. Players challenged to raise the level. Former players reuniting with program. Signature win. Player accountability.

All in 10+months, yea I wonder why I would make such a stupid supportive statement. CBJ has embraced the traditions of the program along with the former players which created the Volunteer Football program we so desperately desire and seek.

He is building a foundation and in doing so he has done more with this program in 10 months than has been done in total in the last 6 years.

Be as critical as you need to be. Sorry you feel that way and I am so sorry it's not on your timeline. Also I hate it for you. Go follow your shinny objects and demand instant gratification and be critical of everything that does not go your way on your timeline and you will go far in life I am sure.

I don't want your Vol card just want you to give it some respect.


I am not trying to be argumentative either, you are right to early to tell but I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised. I think CBJs will be here awhile.

 

[patrick]

I was wondering when you would show up and post.

Critique all you desire not my problem nor will it be. Could be yours down the road but what have you really stated that has not already been already addressed by others or hashed out 100 times or more on this board.

You have listed the scores and all that is true. You have addressed the games with your opinions and that is your right.

You have chosen not to turn in you Vol card and that is your choice nor did I ask you to do so. The fact you had to address it makes me question why would you.

At this time, after looking at the results of the last 7 years not just the Dooley years, it is hard to argue that CBJ and staff at this time were not the best choice to get us out of this mess.

Believe what you want but you like I are doing so based on 10 months of work. Be as critically foolish as you desire, but know that if this recruiting class holds and we finish 6-6 or better this year with a bowl appearance. That alone is progress.

Other indicators are enthusiasm, Neyland stadium rocking, players academics, players attitude, discipline, pride, Strength and conditioning, no quit attitude, recruiting work and half signed before the season started. Players challenged to raise the level. Former players reuniting with program. Signature win. Player accountability.

All in 10+months, yea I wonder why I would make such a stupid supportive statement. CBJ has embraced the traditions of the program along with the former players which created the Volunteer Football program we so desperately desire and seek.

He is building a foundation and in doing so he has done more with this program in 10 months than has been done in total in the last 6 years.

Be as critical as you need to be. Sorry you feel that way and I am so sorry it's not on your timeline. Also I hate it for you. Go follow your shinny objects and demand instant gratification and be critical of everything that does not go your way on your timeline and you will go far in life I am sure.

I don't want your Vol card just want you to give it some respect.


I am not trying to be argumentative either, you are right to early to tell but I think you are going to be pleasantly surprised. I think CBJs will be here awhile.

Both you and I are expressing opinions.

And the reason I addressed your post is because you called certain fans out. I have not called any fans out.

 

[ShoalCreekVol]

Thoughts?

Thought is needs to be about 12 paragraphs shorter for me to actually read all of it. Ha my ADD is too much for long post...

Edited to point out the irony in the lack of brevity in a poster named "sudden impact". ;-)

I agree that excuses are not an issue with this coach. Although I would disagree that reality and transparency are really there either, since really most all we get is slogans and coach speak language. That's ok for a while but this late in the season it's time for more direct discussion of specific plays, positions, game plans, etc. to keep the fan base involved. We don't need to be coddled and we can see what we see on the field.