Hope, Anticipation, and the Truth

#1
WoodsmanVol

WoodsmanVol

It takes wisdom to understand wisdom.
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#1
I’m a Vols fan. So are almost all who read this post. I want our Vols back on top yesterday. So do a lot of you. This incoming class of recruits has me hoping, yea, believing that we’re paving the road to return to prominence. And that this is just the start of incredible recruiting classes year in and year out. Making this football program a simmering, seething, thundering and rumbling Krakatau rocking its top nonstop.

I’m not immune to the hope and guarded anticipation of our 2014 team somehow pulling an Auburn on Alabama and everybody else. But I like to think I have enough common sense to understand these players are young, still physically developing, and new to learning football as it's played at the college level ball. Worse than that, they are being pressed into games against far more mature and experienced teams in the harshest league outside the NFL.

They will more than likely need a minimum of two years to be what we all hope and believe they will be. I acknowledge that, I accept that, but being the dreamer I am, I believe in miracles too. Nonetheless, I will shout with joy with them at their triumphs, sigh with them at their disappoints, cry with them when despite valiant efforts they experience failure. Because I know they’ll reach the summit of Rocky Top. Until then, I hope the majority join me in vowing to never pull an Ella Wheeler Wilcox on this team. I'm with my team through thick and thin. Go Vols!
 
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#2
#2
WoodsmanVol said:
I’m a Vols fan. So are almost all who read this post. I want our Vols back on top yesterday. So do a lot of you. This incoming class of recruits has me hoping, yea, believing that we’re paving the road to return to prominence. And that this is just the start of incredible recruiting classes year in and year out. Making this football program a simmering, seething, thundering and rumbling Krakatau rocking its top nonstop.

I’m not immune to the hope and guarded anticipation of our 2014 team somehow pulling an Auburn on Alabama and everybody else. But I like to think I have enough common sense to understand these players are young, still physically developing, and new to learning football as it's played at the college level ball. Worse than that, they are being pressed into games against far more mature and experienced teams in the harshest league outside the NFL.

They will more than likely need a minimum of two years to be what we all hope and believe they will be. I acknowledge that, I accept that, but being the dreamer I am, I believe in miracles too. Nonetheless, I will shout with joy with them at their triumphs, sigh with them at their disappoints, cry with them when despite valiant efforts they experience failure. Because I know they’ll reach the summit of Rocky Top. Until then, I hope the majority join me in vowing to never pull a Ella Wheeler Wilcox on this team. I'm with my team through thick and thin. Go Vols!
Click to expand...

Very good post. Personally, I'm thinking 2014 will be a 6-7 win season (8 if we overachieve a lot). I think we'll make a bowl this year. 2015 is when I believe UT will have a breakout season.
 
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#4
#4
Vol knight said:
Very good post. Personally, I'm thinking 2014 will be a 6-7 win season (8 if we overachieve a lot). I think we'll make a bowl this year. 2015 is when I believe UT will have a breakout season.
Click to expand...

I agree. 2015, the king (Bama) is dead, long live the king!
 
#5
#5
Vol knight said:
Very good post. Personally, I'm thinking 2014 will be a 6-7 win season (8 if we overachieve a lot). I think we'll make a bowl this year. 2015 is when I believe UT will have a breakout season.
Click to expand...
That's about where I would put us record wise. I'm thinking anything over 6 wins is a decent season with all the youth we will have contributing.
 
#6
#6
Good post. I believe the 6-7 forecast is a good one. However, I see a very different team in the 2nd half of the season than the 1st. Once these kids get some experience under their belts, the quality of play will improve each game. I see a much more physical OL and a faster, quicker DL. The LBs and DBs will be much improved. The speed and talent at WR will be red hot. RBs may struggle early as the OL comes together; but by season end, they will be much improved and posting big numbers. I'm a cup-half-full kind of guy.
 
#7
#7
WoodsmanVol said:
I’m a Vols fan. So are almost all who read this post. I want our Vols back on top yesterday. So do a lot of you. This incoming class of recruits has me hoping, yea, believing that we’re paving the road to return to prominence. And that this is just the start of incredible recruiting classes year in and year out. Making this football program a simmering, seething, thundering and rumbling Krakatau rocking its top nonstop.

I’m not immune to the hope and guarded anticipation of our 2014 team somehow pulling an Auburn on Alabama and everybody else. But I like to think I have enough common sense to understand these players are young, still physically developing, and new to learning football as it's played at the college level ball. Worse than that, they are being pressed into games against far more mature and experienced teams in the harshest league outside the NFL.

They will more than likely need a minimum of two years to be what we all hope and believe they will be. I acknowledge that, I accept that, but being the dreamer I am, I believe in miracles too. Nonetheless, I will shout with joy with them at their triumphs, sigh with them at their disappoints, cry with them when despite valiant efforts they experience failure. Because I know they’ll reach the summit of Rocky Top. Until then, I hope the majority join me in vowing to never pull a Ella Wheeler Wilcox on this team. I'm with my team through thick and thin. Go Vols!
Click to expand...

I think Butch will be looking to repeat the pattern from the last two stops. Part of the solution is the incoming class. Not that I expect many to start, but just by being at practice they will raise the level of competition for spots and will make the rest of the team better as a result.
 
#9
#9
WoodsmanVol said:
I agree. 2015, the king (Bama) is dead, long live the king!
Click to expand...

I'm not sure they will be ready by 2015. That's only 2 recruiting classes. I'm not including 2013 since CBJ didn't arrive until December 2012. On the other hand Go Packers!!! Big game Sunday.
 
#10
#10
3holenones said:
I'm not sure they will be ready by 2015. That's only 2 recruiting classes. I'm not including 2013 since CBJ didn't arrive until December 2012. On the other hand Go Packers!!! Big game Sunday.
Click to expand...

Sorry - I have already decided and predicted 2015 is the year. So let it be written- so let it be done. These are not two normal recruiting classes and many of these guys will play immediately. Think North and Sutton caliber players at every skill position. It's coming---

soon.
 
#12
#12
I still think 2016 is the year for us to show out. Next year, I would be OK with just getting to a post season game, be it BVD or cat scratch bowl, the young men need to have something to make them feel a sense of accomplishment. The following year, 2015, I think we play a spoiler role similar to what VU did this year. Then, 2016 should be the year we have the depth to substitute without loosing a lot of talent, assuming CBJ follows this year with two more great classes.
 
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#14
#14
Step by step, year by year and brick by brick is how a total rebuilding job is accomplished.

This 1st real recruiting class speaks volumes and we can only hope the recruiting continues to be this great.

#BrickbyBrick...VFL...GBO!!!
 
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#15
#15
WoodsmanVol said:
I’m a Vols fan. So are almost all who read this post. I want our Vols back on top yesterday. So do a lot of you. This incoming class of recruits has me hoping, yea, believing that we’re paving the road to return to prominence. And that this is just the start of incredible recruiting classes year in and year out. Making this football program a simmering, seething, thundering and rumbling Krakatau rocking its top nonstop.

I’m not immune to the hope and guarded anticipation of our 2014 team somehow pulling an Auburn on Alabama and everybody else. But I like to think I have enough common sense to understand these players are young, still physically developing, and new to learning football as it's played at the college level ball. Worse than that, they are being pressed into games against far more mature and experienced teams in the harshest league outside the NFL.

They will more than likely need a minimum of two years to be what we all hope and believe they will be. I acknowledge that, I accept that, but being the dreamer I am, I believe in miracles too. Nonetheless, I will shout with joy with them at their triumphs, sigh with them at their disappoints, cry with them when despite valiant efforts they experience failure. Because I know they’ll reach the summit of Rocky Top. Until then, I hope the majority join me in vowing to never pull a Ella Wheeler Wilcox on this team. I'm with my team through thick and thin. Go Vols!
Click to expand...

The thing is this same thing can be said about a lot of young players already on the team. People are wanting quality players replaced after their FR(RS) or SO year.
 
#16
#16
So far we're 2nd in the nation in recruiting ....in 1997 we we're 12th... highest the school had ever been and what happen...next year we won it all..recruit,recruit,recruit,recruit,recruit,..i know this is stupid but talent wins games...Da DA!!! i'm brilliant ...Butch Jones knows what to do with talent and we will be loaded... i'm excited as a squirrel with three nuts...GBO
 
#17
#17
If any of the incoming freshman play like Cam Sutton did this year, we will be fine. It's going to be a little tougher sledding this year, starting out with some big games... Time is what we need to get these young men going in the right direction.
 
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