Has the talent dropped this much?????

[Duckhook]

:banghead: 5 All-SEC preseason picks overall? Even Bama has 6, with their jr and sr classes dominated by probation.

As we all know, without superior talent, Fulmer's program at UT cannot keep up. I am becomming more and more concerned about the first 3 games, and their affect on the remainder of the season. Cal or Uf will for sure beat us, but if we start 1-2, then lose to UGA on the road to go 0-2 in sec play, does anyone actually think we will beat Bama under the circumstances? At 3-3, 0-2, the atmosphere on the Hill would not be a good one with them coming in.

 

[hmanvolfan]

Go back out, take a deep breath and come back in!!! :bad:

 

[GAVol]

Welcome to the board . . . Whatever the talent level, I can understand the concern with Cal and Florida. I think it's a little bit of a leap though to equate preseason SEC selections to overall talent though.

 

[Duckhook]

Thanks....I agree about preseason talent predictions, but it does seem fairly obvious that at a minimum, the talent advantage that once defined this program from the mid-90s to the early 00s no longer exists.

As a matter of fact, I would say that we are middle of the pack in the SEC re:talent now, trailing UGA, UF, LSU, AU, and neck-and-neck with Bama.

Again, under Fulmer's program, this will simply not work.

 

[WA_Vol]

:banghead: 5 All-SEC preseason picks overall? Even Bama has 6, with their jr and sr classes dominated by probation.

As we all know, without superior talent, Fulmer's program at UT cannot keep up. I am becomming more and more concerned about the first 3 games, and their affect on the remainder of the season. Cal or Uf will for sure beat us, but if we start 1-2, then lose to UGA on the road to go 0-2 in sec play, does anyone actually think we will beat Bama under the circumstances? At 3-3, 0-2, the atmosphere on the Hill would not be a good one with them coming in.

There's talent they are young and haven't established themselves. Its hard to make a preseason all sec team when you didnt play much last year.

 

[Duckhook]

I would argue that it's more 5-6, than youth.

Which brings about the even bigger issue: our program under PF is premised upon national recruiting. The obvious danger in this approach is simple: lack of geographical loyalty. We are already seeing the affects of how quickly that national "base" can grow cold with the incoming 2006 class and the early commits for 07.

I'm sorry, but I'm extremely worried at this point.

 

[Volstorm]

And as we've shown over the past 6 years, you can get your butt kicked with superior talent.

 

[Chattownsfinest]

:crazy: You think people would've learned after last year that preseason lists mean absolutely nothing. Let's wait and see how many players we have on the list after the season. We had 10 players on the preseason ALL-SEC list last year how did that work out for us? Kinda hard to have players selected to the preseason ALL-SEC team which is based on the previous year's performance when you go 5-6 and your offense looks like a pee wee team. Plus the majority of players that we will be starting are first year players, are they supposed to vote for players that have never started?? Also I'm so sick of the talent level argument. It's obvious that talent has not been the issue it's been coaching. I do have to agree w/ you on the recruiting thing though. I'm not ready to hit the panic button yet but I don't think we can compete w/ the top teams in the conference if we sign half of our classes in state every year.

 

[OrangeSquare]

Welcome to the board. Feel free to join the Phillip Fulmer thread for your continued bashing of our head coach. You will find a few suporters of your cause here, but be warned, have your fun for the next 31 days, because once the wins start coming in, the bandwagon will be full, and I won't let people that have run our coach into the ground back on.

That being said, have fun and welcome to the family!

 

[LetMeStay]

we've taken local talent early to "build a base"

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

Welcome to the board. Feel free to join the Phillip Fulmer thread for your continued bashing of our head coach. You will find a few suporters of your cause here, but be warned, have your fun for the next 31 days, because once the wins start coming in, the bandwagon will be full, and I won't let people that have run our coach into the ground back on.

:banghead:

So now anyone who makes a legimate point about our talent level or lack of recruting is bashing the coach.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

Welcome to the Nation Duckhook :welcome:

 

[OrangeSquare]

:banghead:

So now anyone who makes a legimate point about our talent level or lack of recruting is bashing the coach.

Not what I'm saying at all. However, he has three posts, and three bashes of Fulmer. That screams AGENDA. Also, I don't exactly call his point "legitimate". Preseason selections are not an indication of your program's overall talent.

 

[hohenfelsvol]

Don't agree with being in the middle of the pack in talent. Think we were in the middle of the pack as far as coaching last year. Hopefully that won't happen again. Lessons learned as they say. My opinion is the addition of Cut will turn things around with discipline and simple fundamentals.

Welcome to the board and chin up. Glass is half full.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

Not what I'm saying at all. However, he has three posts, and three bashes of Fulmer. That screams AGENDA.

I don't see any bashes of Fulmer in his post. Please point them out

Also, I don't exactly call his point "legitimate". Preseason selections are not an indication of your program's overall talent.

Preseason predictions aside, our talent level has slipped considerably from where it was in the mid to late 90s. We are behind UF, UGA, LSU, and AUB right now.

 

[Lexvol]

I think there is a perception among media and coaches that UT's talent level is down. I personally think that the talent level is obviously becoming marginalized.

That being said, UT does have talent with little or no game experience, and talent that may not have a clear understanding of their position. For instance, I find it a little disconcerting that CPF is still prodding DMorley to learn his safety responsibilities.

 

[tvolsfan]

our talent level shold be fine, just people don't expect a lot out of it.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

Great point Lex. And I agree, we do have talent, alot of it undeveloped. I just don't think we are anywhere near the level that we were at in our heyday, 95-99. We still have more talent than most of the teams in the SEC, and hopefully it will show on the field this year :cross:

 

[OrangeSquare]

I don't see any bashes of Fulmer in his post. Please point them out
Preseason predictions aside, our talent level has slipped considerably from where it was in the mid to late 90s. We are behind UF, UGA, LSU, and AUB right now.

And when I do point them out, will you just say, "Oh, you were right and I was wrong." Nope, you'll go on to tell me how those aren't bashing Fulmer, and how those are just.....(insert excuse here). No thanks, gotta go to work. They are pretty obvious though if you read his post, and realize he could have asked the question without mentioning Fulmer in the light he did, you have a bash.

As for our "talent level" slipping since the mid-90's......I guess those top 2,3 recruiting classes the last few years mean nothing to you.....of course they don't. It's hard to attempt to prove a point of mediocrity when you are one of the top 3 teams out of 119 in bringing players in.

You all have fun today. I'm off to save the world!

 

[Lexvol]

Great point Lex. And I agree, we do have talent, alot of it undeveloped. I just don't think we are anywhere near the level that we were at in our heyday, 95-99. We still have more talent than most of the teams in the SEC, and hopefully it will show on the field this year :cross:

A widely recognized "talent" meter is also special teams, which generally consists of speedy second string players. One could make a case that marginal talent, along with attention to detail has been the main problem recently with UT's special teams play.

 

[Lexvol]

As for our "talent level" slipping since the mid-90's......I guess those top 2,3 recruiting classes the last few years mean nothing to you.....of course they don't. It's hard to attempt to prove a point of mediocrity when you are one of the top 3 teams out of 119 in bringing players in.

You all have fun today. I'm off to save the world!

It is hard to make an argument based on recruiting rankings, when you bash the insignificance of the preseason All Sec squads. You are saying that perceived talent is ok in prognosticated recruiting rankings, but it is null and void when it comes to prognosticated preseason rankings. What makes one superior or inferior to the other?

Good luck saving the world.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

And when I do point them out, will you just say, "Oh, you were right and I was wrong." Nope, you'll go on to tell me how those aren't bashing Fulmer, and how those are just.....(insert excuse here). No thanks, gotta go to work. They are pretty obvious though if you read his post, and realize he could have asked the question without mentioning Fulmer in the light he did, you have a bash.

He makes two references to Fulmer's system. Is that what you're calling bashing? Good grief, you are WAY too sensitive. You must be related to the coach or something.

As for our "talent level" slipping since the mid-90's......I guess those top 2,3 recruiting classes the last few years mean nothing to you.....of course they don't. It's hard to attempt to prove a point of mediocrity when you are one of the top 3 teams out of 119 in bringing players in.

Those rankings are ranking potential only. What have those top 5 recruting classes done on the field?

Which quarterback has the talent of Manning or Martin?

Which WR has the talent of Kent, Nash, Price or Stallworth?

Do we have a Leonard Little, or John Henderson, or Al Wilson, or Eric Westmoreland, or Deon Grant on defense?

Where are those guys, and who on our team now has the talent and leadership ability to step up and be that kind of player?

The exception is at running back. I think Foster definitely has the talent to be the next great RB at UT.

You all have fun today. I'm off to save the world!

Somebody needs to k: Have a great day!

 

[allvol]

Look folks, the talent level did not drop off from 2004 to 2005. However, the win total did.

For whatever reason, the team chemistry was not the same in 2005 as it was in 2004. In both seasons, the Vols fell were behind after 3 quarters.

5 times in 2004 to be exact and 6 times in 2005 (with also a tie-ND). However, the Vols were able to come from behind to win 2 of those games in 2004, with the other 3 being the losses from the season. The Vols were within 10 points in 4 of the 5 contests. Competition included 3 top 10 teams. The season included 7 games decided by less than a touchdown with the Vols winning 6 of those. Final record 10-3.

In 2005, the Vols came from behind to win in 2 games, lost the other 4 plus the game they were tied (Notre Dame) and also lost one they were leading after 3 quarters (S.Carolina). Competition included 5 top 10 teams. The season included 6 games decided by less than a touchdown with the Vols only winning 3 of those. Final record 5-6.

The talent is there. The confidence? The team chemistry? However, lightning won't strike twice, meaning the Vols won't finish with 6 losses this season. Their record won't be any worse than 8-4 and they have the potential to win them all. I don't see a sure loss on the schedule.

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[tmack50]

Don't believe the hype. We just need the coaches to bring out the talent in our players. I have a good feeling about this upcoming season.

 

[Lexvol]

Why is it so hard for people to admit that the talent level has been marginalized at the very least? When you don't win the SEC for 7 years coming off of a NC, that speaks volumes about the talent you have.