_volfan_
Senior Member
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- Nov 22, 2004
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No, Im not talking about the critics in the national media, who don't seem to give the VOLS their proper credit. Im talking about VOL fans, who dont seem to give the VOLS their proper credit.
Criticism is a good thing. When deployed in a factual manner, criticism can bring about change. It is what this country was founded on and it keeps those who are in power honest to their beliefs and challenges their thought processes.
As a Volunteer football fan, I am used to fans criticising the program. Even in the MNC year of 1998, I was posting on a forum that seemed heel bent on waiting for that first loss to materialize. Fortunately for us, it never did. And those that were waiting for that loss, they joyously and glefully celebrating the win over FSU along with the rest of us. Thats fine. Never once did I see a negative post towards these distracters.
But since that 1998 season, its been a roller coaster ride. 9 wins, 8 wins, 10 wins, this year our second appearence in the SECCG since that MNC. The thing is, that wonderful MNC, the first ever BCS MNC, marked UT. It showed just what kind of team and what kind of program UT has. We are wearing a huge bulleye on our chest, a bullseye that teams are teeing off on.
Look at the ND situation. They beat us at home, then the next week, lose to Pitt. In their minds, they didn't need to "get up" for Pitt, like they did the Vols. They didnt need to execute to near perfection against Pitt, like they needed to against the Vols. The Pitt game wasn't a statement game, like the game against the Vols was.
To hear some of the Vol fans on these boards, you would think we were playing .500 ball.
Sure we have problems on offense. Im not so blind that I cant see it. We dont have the spark or induce the fear into other teams that we once did. I can see that too. But we are winning games. 8 wins so far, with 1 yet to play. Add to that yet another appearence in the SECCG, plus yet another New Years bowl game (possible BCS game in New Orleans). I would like to see our offense click again on all cylinders. Right now, they are sputtering. WHen they hit just right though, they are absolutely awesome. Just getting some continuity is all we need. We have the horses to stand toe to toe with anybody in the country.
On defense, I need to say I havent a clue as to why we gave up 33 points to Vandy. I didnt see much of the dominance we had over UGA and Bama. Im at a loss as to why we made Vandy look that good. It was the same defense that only allowed 14 pounts to UGA (most of them, playing that "mustang" package in the 4th quarter). The same defense that held Bamas running game to basically nothing. The same defense that bent against USC, but only gave up 6 points through 3 quarters. The same defense that held ND to only 75 yards of offense. But even in that MNC season, the season that had probably the best defense UT has produced since 1985, they gave up 33 to Syracuse (SU QB Donavan McNabb had a lot to do with that) and trailed Arkansas 21-10 at halftime.
But the point is, this years defense HAS the ability to shut down opponents. To say "they are pathetic", "Awful" or "they suck" is not based on fact. Yes, they were "pathetic", "awful" and "they sucked" against Vandy. But what about those other games I mentioned? Did we forget already? We have a defesne at UT, a good one. Not a great one just yet, but a good one enough to hold teams at bay until the offense can find its rythum.
Ive seen too many posts from Vol fans, about UTs lack of respect. But Ive also seen too many posts from Vol fans, lacking respect. Instead of celebrating the life our offense showed against Vandy (38 points), we want to down the defense for allowing 33. We scored 38 and only allowed 33. That means we won right?
To be honest, its getting confusing as to know if the VOLS are a good team or a bad one. And thats sad since I only hang out with fellow Vol fans.
Anyways, have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING everybody. Thanks for letting me vent a little.
And GO BIG ORANGE!!!
:beer:
Criticism is a good thing. When deployed in a factual manner, criticism can bring about change. It is what this country was founded on and it keeps those who are in power honest to their beliefs and challenges their thought processes.
As a Volunteer football fan, I am used to fans criticising the program. Even in the MNC year of 1998, I was posting on a forum that seemed heel bent on waiting for that first loss to materialize. Fortunately for us, it never did. And those that were waiting for that loss, they joyously and glefully celebrating the win over FSU along with the rest of us. Thats fine. Never once did I see a negative post towards these distracters.
But since that 1998 season, its been a roller coaster ride. 9 wins, 8 wins, 10 wins, this year our second appearence in the SECCG since that MNC. The thing is, that wonderful MNC, the first ever BCS MNC, marked UT. It showed just what kind of team and what kind of program UT has. We are wearing a huge bulleye on our chest, a bullseye that teams are teeing off on.
Look at the ND situation. They beat us at home, then the next week, lose to Pitt. In their minds, they didn't need to "get up" for Pitt, like they did the Vols. They didnt need to execute to near perfection against Pitt, like they needed to against the Vols. The Pitt game wasn't a statement game, like the game against the Vols was.
To hear some of the Vol fans on these boards, you would think we were playing .500 ball.
Sure we have problems on offense. Im not so blind that I cant see it. We dont have the spark or induce the fear into other teams that we once did. I can see that too. But we are winning games. 8 wins so far, with 1 yet to play. Add to that yet another appearence in the SECCG, plus yet another New Years bowl game (possible BCS game in New Orleans). I would like to see our offense click again on all cylinders. Right now, they are sputtering. WHen they hit just right though, they are absolutely awesome. Just getting some continuity is all we need. We have the horses to stand toe to toe with anybody in the country.
On defense, I need to say I havent a clue as to why we gave up 33 points to Vandy. I didnt see much of the dominance we had over UGA and Bama. Im at a loss as to why we made Vandy look that good. It was the same defense that only allowed 14 pounts to UGA (most of them, playing that "mustang" package in the 4th quarter). The same defense that held Bamas running game to basically nothing. The same defense that bent against USC, but only gave up 6 points through 3 quarters. The same defense that held ND to only 75 yards of offense. But even in that MNC season, the season that had probably the best defense UT has produced since 1985, they gave up 33 to Syracuse (SU QB Donavan McNabb had a lot to do with that) and trailed Arkansas 21-10 at halftime.
But the point is, this years defense HAS the ability to shut down opponents. To say "they are pathetic", "Awful" or "they suck" is not based on fact. Yes, they were "pathetic", "awful" and "they sucked" against Vandy. But what about those other games I mentioned? Did we forget already? We have a defesne at UT, a good one. Not a great one just yet, but a good one enough to hold teams at bay until the offense can find its rythum.
Ive seen too many posts from Vol fans, about UTs lack of respect. But Ive also seen too many posts from Vol fans, lacking respect. Instead of celebrating the life our offense showed against Vandy (38 points), we want to down the defense for allowing 33. We scored 38 and only allowed 33. That means we won right?
To be honest, its getting confusing as to know if the VOLS are a good team or a bad one. And thats sad since I only hang out with fellow Vol fans.
Anyways, have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING everybody. Thanks for letting me vent a little.
And GO BIG ORANGE!!!
:beer:
eace:
