Expectations

#51
#51
Sharriscgcs said:
It was dumb for UT to try it without the personnel or the right person to coach it. It works for Bama becasue they have the players and coaches to pull it off.
Click to expand...

Takes 3 seasons to implement. Plus, as you mentioned, the right personnel. It was really Dooley's biggest gamble and mistake. I think he thought he had a little more time and that, with the offense that he had, he'd be alright. Things kinda backfired. When Grantham brought it to UGA I was skeptical. I prefer the old days of 4 down linemen. But the 3-4 attracts recruits because it's what the pros run.
 
#52
#52
checkerboards09 said:
We have enough to talent to compete. I've never understood why people act like the cupboard is pretty much bare. The team needs needs a fire lit under their a**es from a coach who actually cares what's going on and won't throw them under the bus. We've been blaming it on talent for 5 years in a row and its getting old.
Click to expand...

What kind of talent does UT have returning? I know you should have a very good O-line. What about skill players? Who's likely to start at QB? I know your D was your Achilles heel last season. Do you look for great improvement in '13? The 4-3 shouldn't be difficult to transition back to as it's what most players are used to in HS.
 
#53
#53
i hope we have enough offense and special teams play to get enough points to beat y'all on my birthday UGADawg4Life. that's all i ask. our defense should be good this year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#57
#57
UGADawg4Life said:
Takes 3 seasons to implement. Plus, as you mentioned, the right personnel. It was really Dooley's biggest gamble and mistake. I think he thought he had a little more time and that, with the offense that he had, he'd be alright. Things kinda backfired. When Grantham brought it to UGA I was skeptical. I prefer the old days of 4 down linemen. But the 3-4 attracts recruits because it's what the pros run.
Click to expand...

After two losing seasons, if Dooley thought "he had a little more time" he is a bigger idiot than he already gets credit for. That was a huge gamble that failed as miserably as anything in UT football history.
 
#58
#58
IMO, 7-5 is the floor. Losses to Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Bama and SCAR, though we need to stay in every game and taking at least a few to the wire would be a morale builder. If things go our way, and the team totally buys in and plays to potential, we could pull out an 8th win over UF, UGA or SCAR. For positive momentum, I think we have to sweep November, with wins over Auburn, Missouri, Vandy and UK. Going 8-5 with a bowl win-- over any team in any bowl-- would be a good first year. IDT 6-6 will cut it; we need to get over that hump. It might be tough, but it's doable.
 
#60
#60
WoodstockVol said:
I expect 7 regular season wins this season and expect 7-8 in 2014. I feel this should be the limit to expectations. There is a lot of building to do.
Click to expand...

I expect 7 or 8 this year then 6 next year then to compete for the SEC in '15.

I believe the 2004 team would be the last one that exceeded expert expectations. You might could say '07 but that would not account for the blow out losses to Bama and UF or the loss to a pretty mediocre Cal team.
 
#61
#61
Sharriscgcs said:
After two losing seasons, if Dooley thought "he had a little more time" he is a bigger idiot than he already gets credit for. That was a huge gamble that failed as miserably as anything in UT football history.
Click to expand...

I don't think he expected the drop off to be what it was. Basically the same personnel allowed almost 2 TD's more per game in '12 than '11. Who would have expected that? It was a testimony to the Peter Principle as appled to Sunseri.
 
#62
#62
tennesseekilt said:
Butch Jones, the guy who makes a habit out of exceeding expectations, just might exceed them this year, more than we ever imagined.

Who’s with me? Are any of you willing to ‘own’ a prediction of 8-4 or better this year?
Click to expand...

No. This isn't a 9-3 roster IMO. If it is a 9-3 season or better then we've found a national championship caliber coach for sure.

I also do not believe this is a 6-6 or worse roster. I believe that would be subpar. Dooley did that well his first year with similar problems and we now know for certain that he was not a good coach.

Seven wins keeps me hopeful.

Eight wins makes me optimistic.

Nine plus.... approaching certainty about the future.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#63
#63
sjt18 said:
No. This isn't a 9-3 roster IMO. If it is a 9-3 season or better then we've found a national championship caliber coach for sure.

I also do not believe this is a 6-6 or worse roster. I believe that would be subpar. Dooley did that well his first year with similar problems and we now know for certain that he was not a good coach.

Seven wins keeps me hopeful.

Eight wins makes me optimistic.

Nine plus.... approaching certainty about the future.
Click to expand...

I agree that 8 wins would be optimistic. That would mean a 5-3 record against SEC foes (also assuming a defeat at the hands of Oregon), which would be very strong. 7 wins would be a realistic stretch for this team considering their schedule.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#64
#64
I think Dooley packed it in after the UK debacle. The NCST win resurrected hope and optimism, then UF killed it. It was all downhill from there, with a team that lacked leadership and discipline and coaches that couldn't coach at the level we needed. Too many key people checked out mentally, looking ahead to new jobs and a future in the NFL.
 
#65
#65
Ok I am gonna say it "THIS IS TENNESSEE... Period." :)We will go 8-4 / 9-4 overall with bowl win.

"Majors offered no prediction on the 2013 season, but said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Vols overachieve"

“We’re working with the kickoff team and it’s live,” Butch began. “We give up a return to about the 40-yard line and I go crazy. I say, ‘That’s not the standard for Tennessee football and how we’re going to play special teams.’:banghead2:

“Then I see Coach Majors and I say, ‘Coach Majors! Coach Majors! Is that right?’
“God bless him, Coach Majors, I’ve never see him move that fast. He sprinted out to the numbers, he takes his hat off and goes, ‘You’re God (darn) right Coach Jones, you give em hell. We’re Tennessee!” :clapping:

Butch Gets It :salute:(check)........ Butch Can Recruit :pepper:(check)....... Butch Can Coach :rock: (check)...... Now Get Behind the Team or Get out of the Way Period.:salute:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#67
#67
IMO

Wins - Austin Peay, WKU, So Alabama, @Kentucky

More than Likely Wins - Vanderbilt, @MO

Games that can go either way - AU, SC, GA, @FL, @Oregon

Losses - @AL

Thoughts:

Games 1 & 2........ AP and WKU. CBJ debut, Players old and young are out to prove themselves and @Home. +2

Game 3.....25% Chance. Speed, Adjustment, Offense/Defense against a good Oregon team maybe to much, Away Game. A Slight chance would be a signature game and send a clear msg. Oregon does play @ VA the weekend before so that maybe a factor but not much.

Game 4 .... 25% Chance. @The Swamp, Florida has bye week. FL does play Miami the week before. Still low percentage.

Game 5 .... @ Home verses South Alabama....Enough Said.

Game 6 .... 50%+ @ Home vs GA.....This should be an interesting Game. Georgia will play the toughest part of their schedule prior to coming to Tennessee. @Clemson, USCe, and LSU. This should be an interesting game. LSU the week prior. Anything can happen. 1st SEC Home Game of the Season. A lot of ifs and buts here...If we are healthy should be a good game.

Game 7 ....70% Chance South Carolina. Pivotal Game for us. @Home coming off Bye week. USCe @ Arkansas

Game 8 .... @ Alabama. Anything can happen in a Rivalry game. But Alabama will win just hope we play them close.

Game 9 .... @ Missouri. Missouri plays USCe the week before. We gave them the gift last year and don't think we will this year.

Game 10 ... 50% Chance. Another statement game for us. It is at Home. Hopefully our defense/offense is settled by now and with no major injuries we should win this easily...

Game 11. Vanderbilt. Bye week for us prior to this game. Vol Navy helps Franklin "Anchor Down" tied to his ankles in the Tennessee River. Pay Back is a Mother ......(complete the thought)

Game 12 .... @Kentucky.

Things to watch for is in game adjustments. Strength and conditioning. Hiding weaknesses. Line of scrimmage play.

Expectations: 7-5, 8-4. I think we win 2 of the 5 big games (OR, FL, GA, AL, SC)
 
Last edited:
#68
#68
volfan110% said:
Ok I am gonna say it "THIS IS TENNESSEE... Period." :)We will go 8-4 / 9-4 overall with bowl win.

"Majors offered no prediction on the 2013 season, but said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Vols overachieve"

“We’re working with the kickoff team and it’s live,” Butch began. “We give up a return to about the 40-yard line and I go crazy. I say, ‘That’s not the standard for Tennessee football and how we’re going to play special teams.’:banghead2:

“Then I see Coach Majors and I say, ‘Coach Majors! Coach Majors! Is that right?’
“God bless him, Coach Majors, I’ve never see him move that fast. He sprinted out to the numbers, he takes his hat off and goes, ‘You’re God (darn) right Coach Jones, you give em hell. We’re Tennessee!” :clapping:

Butch Gets It :salute:(check)........ Butch Can Recruit :pepper:(check)....... Butch Can Coach :rock: (check)...... Now Get Behind the Team or Get out of the Way Period.:salute:
Click to expand...

That's a lot of emoticons :):eek:hmy::hi:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#69
#69
Sharriscgcs said:
After two losing seasons, if Dooley thought "he had a little more time" he is a bigger idiot than he already gets credit for. That was a huge gamble that failed as miserably as anything in UT football history.
Click to expand...

Dooley's far, far from an idiot. And anyone who calls him an idiot hasn't done his/her homework. The guy inherited a cluster f%#k. I don't think many coaches could have done better with what he had to work with. I'm not saying he was a Saban, but he's not an idiot. Losing Patterson (I'm so thankful that cancer flipped) was a blow to the offense, both physically and mentally. I think Bray could have been a superstar if he'd been under any other circumstance. I think CBJ builds a solid program, if he's give time. I don't see 8-9 wins this season. And for anyone to predict such when a starting QB hasn't even been determined is a bit silly, IMHO. I also don't think your gonna like Jancek and Martinez any more than Sal.
 
#70
#70
UGADawg4Life said:
Dooley's far, far from an idiot. And anyone who calls him an idiot hasn't done his/her homework. The guy inherited a cluster f%#k. I don't think many coaches could have done better with what he had to work with. I'm not saying he was a Saban, but he's not an idiot. Losing Patterson (I'm so thankful that cancer flipped) was a blow to the offense, both physically and mentally. I think Bray could have been a superstar if he'd been under any other circumstance. I think CBJ builds a solid program, if he's give time. I don't see 8-9 wins this season. And for anyone to predict such when a starting QB hasn't even been determined is a bit silly, IMHO. I also don't think your gonna like Jancek and Martinez any more than Sal.
Click to expand...

Of course you don't predict a good season. Irrelevant
 
#71
#71
tennesseekilt said:
I know all the experts and even most of the fans are expecting nothing better than a 6-6 season, 7-5 if we get lucky. When is the last time UT has had a good season when the experts predicted them to flop? I don’t remember it if they have. When is the last time UT had a horrible season when the experts and fans predicted a good one? Plenty, especially in recent memory (2005, 2008, and 2012, etc.).

So, I don’t have any reason, at least on ‘paper,’ to believe this UT team is going to exceed expectations (defined, IMHO, by at least 8-4 plus a bowl win). In fact, I keep telling myself what the experts, talk show hosts, and my fellow fans are telling me, that I’d best be thrilled by 6-6 and a bowl game. Why is this?

It hit me today that I keep telling myself this because I’m so tired of having high or even hopeful expectations only to see them dashed on the rocks of heartbreaking defeats, over and over (and over) again. I’d rather my expectations fly under the radar, stay low enough to keep me at least moderately content, at least for now. I think a lot of fans feel the same way. Why else are most TN homers like me also predicting a mediocre season along with the experts and talk show hosts? Usually fans of their teams, especially the storied ones, expect their team to have at least a decent season, experts be damned, right? Not UT fans, not this year. Over the last several nightmarish years we’ve all been collectively beaten down, and so most of us barely have the courage to hope, even with a great coach like Butch Jones.

Enter, of course, Butch Jones, the guy who exceeds expectations with everything he does. Just two weeks ago most people were saying we might pull a couple more 4-stars and finish 8-12 in the ranks, that we should be happy with that. After last weekend, a weekend that NOBODY outside the program expected by the way, he hauls in enough 4 stars to rank us top 5 even if we don’t sign anybody else, with a significant shot at a top 1-3 class.

Yes, recruiting for next year won’t translate to the field this year. I know we don’t have an established quarterback. I know on ‘paper’ we should barely be on the field with the likes of Alabama and Oregon. But despite the fact that my mind says just grin and bear it this year, there is that small, lingering, increasingly optimistic feeling in the pit of my stomach. Despite how much I try to beat it back, it persists. Butch Jones, the guy who makes a habit out of exceeding expectations, just might exceed them this year, more than we ever imagined.

Who’s with me? Are any of you willing to ‘own’ a prediction of 8-4 or better this year?
Click to expand...
Yes. I will own this prediction with you and go 9-3. My biggest reason is the defense primarily the Dline. I don't care what anyone else says but ours is just as stout as any other in the sec. Going back to the 4-3 just makes it stouter. Mozilla and BigDan are not the same players as last year. This year they get taught to play the position. This year they have coaches with the mindset that they can win every game. When is the last time we had a coach with a true winning mentality and the resume to back his claim. They're talking sec championship THIS year not a couple of years down the road. Offensively that OLine is ready to carry the load for the entire team. They've lost weight and gained speed and strength. We're running the ball down opponents throats. Receivers may be young but they're being taught to block downfield for a reason. We're going to have mismatches and we've got the speed to compete. Stand by your claim my brotha and I stand with you.
 
#72
#72
UGADawg4Life said:
Dooley's far, far from an idiot. And anyone who calls him an idiot hasn't done his/her homework. The guy inherited a cluster f%#k. I don't think many coaches could have done better with what he had to work with. I'm not saying he was a Saban, but he's not an idiot. Losing Patterson (I'm so thankful that cancer flipped) was a blow to the offense, both physically and mentally. I think Bray could have been a superstar if he'd been under any other circumstance. I think CBJ builds a solid program, if he's give time. I don't see 8-9 wins this season. And for anyone to predict such when a starting QB hasn't even been determined is a bit silly, IMHO. I also don't think your gonna like Jancek and Martinez any more than Sal.
Click to expand...

Huh?
 
#73
#73
UGADawg4Life said:
Dooley's far, far from an idiot. And anyone who calls him an idiot hasn't done his/her homework. The guy inherited a cluster f%#k. I don't think many coaches could have done better with what he had to work with. I'm not saying he was a Saban, but he's not an idiot. Losing Patterson (I'm so thankful that cancer flipped) was a blow to the offense, both physically and mentally. I think Bray could have been a superstar if he'd been under any other circumstance. I think CBJ builds a solid program, if he's give time. I don't see 8-9 wins this season. And for anyone to predict such when a starting QB hasn't even been determined is a bit silly, IMHO. I also don't think your gonna like Jancek and Martinez any more than Sal.
Click to expand...

Dooley was an administrator and not a coach. Did not even recruit and could not sell the program. Did not have the keenness of eyes for x and Os. Used the philosophy that if we build it they will come. They didn't nor did he have the capability of getting a 3* to higher level of play.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top