Gators Get It Right-Vols Should Too

#1
PMC2726

PMC2726

Believe
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#1
I've posted a few times about my displeasure regarding how we handle the O+W game. In short, IMHO (you are welcome to disagree, many have) with the limited number of practices and scrimmages we are allowed, the O+W game is a circus and therefore equals a wasted opportunity at a decent practice/scrimmage.

You can see my thread here: http://http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennessee-vols-football/127116-o-w-new-approach.html For those of you who don't care about the responses to my thread (and there were many on both sides of the fence) or are simply too lazy to click on the thread, here it is:

Please delete if this has already been discussed.

My understanding (feel free to correct) of the spring practice rules --

A college is allowed to hold 15 spring practices, which can include a spring game. Schools are also permitted to have separate days during which activities are limited to required conditioning activities and/or watching film. These 15 practices must be completed within a period of 34 consecutive calendar days. Exceptions to consecutive days are university-sanctioned vacation and examination days, and days with inclement weather, restricting the possibility of practice. Only 12 spring practices may permit physical contact, none earlier than the third practice session. Tackling is allowed in eight of the twelve contact sessions. Up to three of the eight tackling sessions may be devoted to 11-on-11 scrimmages. The optional spring game counts as one of the three scrimmage days.

I understand that there's tradition behind the O&W game. I understand it's a nice thing for the seniors. I understand that it's a nice day for the fans. I get that it's a chance for CDD to "reward" local media.

What I don't get is why a coach who has proclaimed that every day is 4th and 1 would forsake one of 15 practices (and one of 12 practices that permit physical contact, and one of three scrimmages) to put on what is little more than an exhibition. Maybe I'm being a little uptight, fine, but I'm tired of losing and right now Tennessee simply does not have the talent or depth to be throwing away an opportunity to have a serious practice or scrimmage. And I'm a little surprised that CDD has turned what could be an opportunity for our team to get a little better into basically a sideshow.

The point of this thread is not to suggest that we do away with the O+W game or to bash CDD. It's to simply suggest that maybe the way we APPROACH the O+W game should change now that we're not competing for SECCs. Invite the fans, include the media on the sidelines (not as coaches!), have a bunch of fun activities, but when the cleats are laced up, it should be all business for this team.

Anyone else feel the same or am I off base here? I'll hang up and listen.
Click to expand...

I dislike just about everything there is to dislike about Muschamp, but I think he is spot on when it comes to UF's spring game. Florida Gators make spring game a regular practice - ESPN

My hope is that CBJ takes a look at our situation and makes a similar decision. We cannot waste one practice playing around if we want to contend with the SEC elites again.

JMHO. :mf_surrender:
 
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#2
#2
one day in april does not effect the season.

i have never believed that and will never believe that. more and more teams are not having a traditional spring game because they do not have the numbers in several places to divide the squad into two teams (which is the case with florida)
 
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#4
#4
The Orange and White game should always be just that--a game. It's our last glimpse of football until fall camp starts.
 
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#5
#5
99gator said:
one day in april does not effect the season.

i have never believed that and will never believe that. more and more teams are not having a traditional spring game because they do not have the numbers in several places to divide the squad into two teams (which is the case with florida)
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.
 
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#6
#6
PMC2726 said:
I've posted a few times about my displeasure regarding how we handle the O+W game. In short, IMHO (you are welcome to disagree, many have) with the limited number of practices and scrimmages we are allowed, the O+W game is a circus and therefore equals a wasted opportunity at a decent practice/scrimmage.

You can see my thread here: http://http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennessee-vols-football/127116-o-w-new-approach.html For those of you who don't care about the responses to my thread (and there were many on both sides of the fence) or are simply too lazy to click on the thread, here it is:



I dislike just about everything there is to dislike about Muschamp, but I think he is spot on when it comes to UF's spring game. Florida Gators make spring game a regular practice - ESPN

My hope is that CBJ takes a look at our situation and makes a similar decision. We cannot waste one practice playing around if we want to contend with the SEC elites again.

JMHO. :mf_surrender:
Click to expand...


deal-with-it-sloth-reaction.gif
 
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#7
#7
PMC2726 said:
I've posted a few times about my displeasure regarding how we handle the O+W game. In short, IMHO (you are welcome to disagree, many have) with the limited number of practices and scrimmages we are allowed, the O+W game is a circus and therefore equals a wasted opportunity at a decent practice/scrimmage.

You can see my thread here: http://http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennessee-vols-football/127116-o-w-new-approach.html For those of you who don't care about the responses to my thread (and there were many on both sides of the fence) or are simply too lazy to click on the thread, here it is:



I dislike just about everything there is to dislike about Muschamp, but I think he is spot on when it comes to UF's spring game. Florida Gators make spring game a regular practice - ESPN

My hope is that CBJ takes a look at our situation and makes a similar decision. We cannot waste one practice playing around if we want to contend with the SEC elites again.

JMHO. :mf_surrender:
Click to expand...

You know the O&W game is a scrimmage/practice, right? If anything it helps prepare them for game situations. Its the same as any other scrimmage, just with a bunch of fans in the seats.
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#8
#8
Most of what happens in the Spring has little bearing on the season. Remember when Bray went like 4 for 30 in the O and W game and everyone here thought the apocalypse was upon us? It just doesn't mean much, especially this year. CBJ is just trying to get a feel for what he has to work with, and that's about it.

NB4 "Thanks, coach"
 
#9
#9
fade route said:
Most of what happens in the Spring has little bearing on the season. Remember when Bray went like 4 for 30 in the O and W game and everyone here thought the apocalypse was upon us? It just doesn't mean much, especially this year. CBJ is just trying to get a feel for what he has to work with, and that's about it.

NB4 "Thanks, coach"
Click to expand...

Except the apocalypse pretty much was on us this season bro.
 
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#10
#10
Vol865 said:
You know the O&W game is a scrimmage/practice, right? If anything it helps prepare them for game situations. Its the same as any other scrimmage, just with a bunch of fans in the seats.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm not sure what angle OP is coming from with this. As far as I know, it's basically the same as other scrimmages with people in the stands.
 
#13
#13
I think the spring game is important for our team because we have questions about who will start across the board. drills in practice are to prepare players for game situations. So not only does the spring game show the fans and coachs who might step up next season. it also shows who they need to spend more time with.
 
#14
#14
white65 said:
I think the spring game is important for our team because we have questions about who will start across the board. drills in practice are to prepare players for game situations. So not only does the spring game show the fans and coachs who might step up next season. it also shows who they need to spend more time with.
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Well said......not to mention its a small reward for the players to have a little fun....some people forget its a game. If you aren't having fun then what's the point?
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#15
#15
It simulates a live game situation, including fans in the stands. Making it just another practice kind of wastes the opportunity to get a feel for situations it's really hard to simulate.
 
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#16
#16
:)Look at it this way we cant lose this game unless your kid is playing on the orange and the white team wins, alot of this is for the fans, where the fans can meet players and coaches if you like standing in long lines.
 
#17
#17
bamawriter said:
It simulates a live game situation, including fans in the stands. Making it just another practice kind of wastes the opportunity to get a feel for situations it's really hard to simulate.
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I'm quoting and agreeing with a bammer. I'm scared.
 
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#20
#20
I think it's important to put the players into some game type situations and see who steps up though.

There are plenty of guys who can be warriors in practice, but to be able to come through in clutch game time scenarios is an important thing for the coaching staff to evaluate too.

Some guys are just gamers, and I think the O&W game, while not the end all be all, is a good tool for the staff to find out who those guys are.
 
#25
#25
It appears many posters on here engage in selective reading. I'm fine with the O+W game being a scrimmage. It's how we APPROACH it that's the problem.

The O+W game does not simulate a game-day situation. When seniors pick the teams and their coaches, when sports writers are calling plays, there's not much benefit there. It's about having fun. It's about rewarding the players. It's about making the fans happy. It's about loving on the media. It has very little to do with getting better as a team.

Local Journalists Named Celebrity Head Coaches for Orange & White Game - UTSPORTS.COM - University of Tennessee Athletics

I simply have a hard time understanding how UT fans, who so desperately want and deserve to have their team compete on an elite level, are so casual about the way we waste an opportunity that could be used to get better. Maybe I view the world through a different lens, but I've always been taught that when the going gets tough, you don't take a break and have fun, you get after it. JMO.
 
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