Making room for 35

[BuckheadVol1]

Yes, attrition happens everywhere but it isn't as simple as, "You're not the player we thought you were. Now pack your bags."

I assume you believe that everyone in little leagues deserve a trophy regardless of their performance?

 

[Batman1948]

As a Vol alumni, I hold my Alma Mater to a higher standard than allowing something classless like that to happen, you honor your commitments. Maybe some kids are told they arent tops on the depth chart, but you dont back out of your obligations. Im sorry your wife had that experience, thats awful, dishonest and lacks honor and those are all the reasons why that wont fly at UT.

You gotta be kidding ---right? If you owned a business and had 85 employees, you're telling us that everyone could keep their job--regardless of performance, from year to year.

Your business would fail quickly dude. In the corporate world, we were told to evaluate and turn over the lower 10% of our employees---every year. Why do you think employers have evaluations every year? eace2:eace2:

 

[Memphisvol87]

What's crappy is being judged as a coach while trying to compete with players that you get stuck with. I expect BJ to do everything in his power to turn this program around and start winning. He doesn't have time to worry about hurting a few feelings along the way. Let me be clear, WIN, WIN, WIN, and do it FAST and within the rules.

COuldnt agree more. Losing is a disease and unfortunately thats all some of these kids have ever known at Tennessee.

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

People live in a utopia fantasy land where UT will rule college football while adhering to the standards of 1950 simply because of the Power T and Neyland stadium.

Good post.

The sanctimonious tones of some here at Vol Nation never gets old.

Saban cut around 12 players with "medical" scholarships when he first came to Bama.

I would be disappointed if Butch doesn't cull some players as well if he can find able bodies to replace them.

Everyone wants to lament how terrible this roster is but some don't have the stomach to do what needs to be done to improve it apparently.

Scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis and few, if any, of those that got scholarships from UT had zero offers from other schools. They have other options. It's not like some guy who worked his entire life at the mill getting laid off with no other outlets.

 

[Thrasher865]

If you think college football is like the real world then you need help.

I thought it was, but apparently I'm just delusional and I need help.

I didn't realize college football was a children's sport full of sissies and hand-holding. It would be a great injustice to tell these kids' parents that they will have to find another program to offer them free daycare.

Also, your comparison between Butch's contract and individual players' contracts is ridiculous. If I need to explain why, then you just don't have a clue.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

I think the real issue isn't CBJ deleting players to make room for better talent. It's so-called fans placing their foot on our players' necks and damning them for ever daring to come to the UT in first place. When you call a player dead weight without justification, that is knowing anything about him or his situation, it's callous. If they got to be let go, let them go. Thank goodness CBJ is doing this and not the satanic creatures who demean players here. CBJ it seems, sits down with players and tells them why they're leaving, and from what we have heard, helps them move on. But we have some people here who think it best to be downright cruel. The clean out their locker, lock their dorm room, and tell them no you can't get belongings type. Then have them police escorted to the I-40 or I-65 on ramp depending on what direction they originally came from. It's that attitude I think some of us object to. Far as I'm concerned, these callous people are Kiffinites. Say hi to T. Boyd.

 

[dhb92]

What's bad about athletes who aren't up to par being asked to leave? As a student I am required to maintain a certain GPA to maintain my scholarships and current enrollment in the university and I actually PAY tuition. How is that any different than asking an athlete, who is on the university's (and its students') budget, who can't keep up with the competition to either lose his scholly or look elsewhere to play? This isn't a charity, it's a competition as are many things in life and you have to compete to be a part of the VOLS and the SEC. If that means you're not on the team then sorry, that's some tough s*** but it's competition. It sucks but I try my hardest in school but I also don't expect to maintain my HOPE/enrollment without being up to par. Just my 2 cents..

 

[VOLnMiami]

As a Vol alumni, I hold my Alma Mater to a higher standard than allowing something classless like that to happen, you honor your commitments. Maybe some kids are told they arent tops on the depth chart, but you dont back out of your obligations. Im sorry your wife had that experience, thats awful, dishonest and lacks honor and those are all the reasons why that wont fly at UT.

Sorry but it happens everywhere...Yes even at UT...CBJ's job is to win football games and if he has to remove some players who are not buying in or doing their part then that is what he has to do....Some players who are being recruited are sometimes asked to open up their recruitment to make room for a player they desire more....It's just the nature of the beast.

 

[AndyMizunogolfer]

Wow I didn't mean to open a can of worms. I am just being honest on how you are more than likely going to see us make the room needed. You guys can call it attrition or whatever you wanna call it. Some of the time its not that the kid wanted to leave. Also its not because they were deadweight/less talented. I know from my personal exp that my wife was recruited by every sec team. Talent wasn't an issue. Sometimes coaches have to make changes and get the players that fit their needs.

 

[Tallman]

I went to UT on a four year academic scholarship. But, if I failed to maintain a 3.0, I would lose the scholarship. Athletic scholarships are similar.

 

[Boca Vol]

I assume you believe that everyone in little leagues deserve a trophy regardless of their performance?

No, I don't. Far from it.

It looks as if a lot of you don't realize that the players aren't just signing on to play football for UT. There is more to it.

If you think Butch is going to go to Josh Smith and tell him to hit the streets because he isn't needed you're out of your mind. It doesn't work that way.

There will be attrition, but it isn't necessarily weeding out the deadwood as many of you claim. There will be some for medical reasons, early graduation, "red-shirting" seniors, etc. Not merely, "You suck, get packing!"

 

[VolRidger]

Good first post.

Welcome.

Thanks. I read the boards every day. First time I really felt like I had something worth saying.

Go Vols!

 

[deaconkane]

If they can leave for the NFL early after 3 years of which we coach them, tutor them and give them a education, why cant we drop the ones deemed not all vol? I can understand not wanting to do this to them but it is needed. Kiffin got rid of quiet a few, all new coaches do. This hopefully wont happen when we have longevity at the coaching position.

 

[Ertel]

Yes, attrition happens everywhere but it isn't as simple as, "You're not the diamond in the rough dooley thought you were. Now pack your bags."

fyp

 

[LWSVOL]

This. Thanks for the clarification.

I do think if it is required he can tell players it is in their best interest to move. (Posey / Dallas for example)

 

[Orangedogsrule]

Like many head coaches, CDD was an offensive type and acknowledged he wasn’t a defensive guru. Dooley’s 2012 offense was NOT shabby putting up the 3rd most PPG (36.2) in VOLS history, behind only Fulmer’s 1993 and 1996 squads at 40.3 and 36.4 respectively. For a little perspective, Neyland’s ’51 NC team put up 35.1, Fulmer’s ’98 NC team 33.2 and Major’s best scoring offense was in ’90 at 35.8 PPG. So, given just an average defense in 2012, CDD would still be here.
Even in the NFL, offensive type HC’s have to depend on their DC to get the job done and hopefully have a competent front office to vet DC hires and look over their shoulder. CFB has the AD.

The abject disaster of Hart and Dooley bringing in Sunseri and switching to the 3-4, which I originally agreed with, couldn’t have been worse.

But why?

(And puhleeze … i'll say it an b in b4 the cute quippers: Duh he’s a doofus, uh … he’s stoopid, … he’s dooloser .. or duh loser, not even a mid major coach, coach with a losing record ….it wuz thuh orange pants, bamboo, an ceramic dog, whatever ... Etc. etc. etc., yada, yada, yada)

Why? ... Here's what I think. It’s a few players’ bad attitudes, and that carried over into this year and CBJ HAS to cull them out. It's NOT a requirement that a CFB scholar athlete like his coaches once he's in the program. It is a requirement that they give it their all. Those who just checked off the S&C card, left without watching film, etc.. they're the ones who brought this on. Some player's are un-coachable. It’s a cancer that grows. I hope he gets it all. We don't owe them more than one year on the scholarship contract if they aren't straight and flying right.

 

[BigTCountry]

Hey UT has to get better players. I hate that it has to happen, but look at the team we have. Did anyone see the talent or speed of a SEC championship contender @ UT this year, I didn't. Unfortunately I did see some good effort and fight at times, but we have to upgrade our players. Just as a boss does, if he wants to better his business when their not performing and meeting their business goals. Maybe if we've had the same coach for a decade and then he cut his own players, I can possibly see that as a little harsh, but even then, an individual doesn't always turn out the way their resume implies.

 

[PACKERVOL]

You're fooling yourself. College football is big business now. If Butch wants to keep his job, he will send the dead weight packing. You can talk about class and obligations but you will be demanding his head of he doesn't win and he's not going to win without making cuts.

I personally don't like this happens, but Butch has to do everything within the law to improve this team. Players who don't fit his system, or just don't have what it takes to play high level SEC football will be asked to look at other options. He's being paid to win, and win soon.

 

[CA_Vol]

This is a reality of life and a good lesson. Perform or get fired. It happens in ones work life and should be a factor in collegiate athletics as well. The idea that you should remain on scholarship even if you're a bust is ridiculous. Is that fair to those who are performing at a high level? I think not.

 

[ChattanoogaVols]

As a Vol alumni, I hold my Alma Mater to a higher standard than allowing something classless like that to happen, you honor your commitments. Maybe some kids are told they arent tops on the depth chart, but you dont back out of your obligations. Im sorry your wife had that experience, thats awful, dishonest and lacks honor and those are all the reasons why that wont fly at UT.

The commitments are, by definition, 1-year commitments.

That being said, I do think it could/would look bad if he didn't renew some scholarships of players who were in good academic standing but whose talent level isn't up to par.

 

[ChattanoogaVols]

Does anyone know a player would still have to sit out a year if he went to another FBS school because his scholarship at his first school wasn't renewed? I haven't heard anything about this either way, but it would be really crappy to force them to sit out a year if their transfer was a result of their scholarships not being renewed when their only "crime" was not being talented enough.

 

[CNCVol88]

When I was in school, if I didn't hold up my end of the bargain and perform to a certain level in class, I lost my scholly. I see no difference here. Football is a performance based scholly. If they don't perform, their scholly should definitely be at risk.

 

[Orangedogsrule]

so according to most on here, it's ok for a player who's "unhappy with his situation" or "buried on the depth chart" to abandon their team at the drop of a dime and run to another school even though their depth may have been important for the team, but not ok for the coach to withdraw scholarships from players who "aren't fully committed" to the team? Seems a little one-sided. College athletics is a business, and if these kids want to really be prepared for the next level, they need to be exposed to the reality that there are no handouts. Along with the free college tuition, free access to the best training facilities imaginable, free nutritional supplements, free food, free living quarters, and free access to trainers and coaches who are dedicated to making you into the best athlete you can be, comes the expectation that you work hard and buy in to the coach's philosophy and gameplan. If you can't make that commitment, then you're gone because somebody else wants that opportunity. With one-sided expectations like most on here are promoting, it's no wonder there are so many primadonna athletes out there, and people who actually think we need to pay college athletes even more.

^^^^^^^this!

 

[Millner30]

So there are 58 players due back in the spring, lets say we take 35 in feburary, that equals 93 total players (58+35=93). 3 will probably greyshirt, that takes the total for 2014 down to 90(93-3=90). 5 players will have to leave one way or another, 1 of which from most accounts is looking like Tom Smith. That leaves 4 players that will need to pursue there football dreams at another school. That's not THAT bad people, it would probably end up being good for those 4 and they will actually get to play wherever they go. In reality normal attrition will probably take care of the 4 anyway, BUT if he does have to cut a couple loose to get us on the right track I'm all for it. I just hope he gives them the oportunity and guidence to leave on their own will first.

 

[VAVolsFan2009]

I have enjoyed reading this thread. Lots of interesting opinions, most with a legitimate basis. Any coach walks a fine line in dealing with players and rosters. Parents of prospects monitor how coaches treat their players. CBJ has said since day 1 that changing the attitude, atmosphere, and mentality of the program was the #1 priority. Some have accepted the changes and others have not. And he knows which ones have not bought in. Like has been said in this thread, he will sit down with each and every player on the roster and discuss their dedication to the program. Those who have not bought in will leave to find playing time and further their education at a different school. For those who leave and say negative things about the coach and the program will find that burning bridges for their own lack of commitment to excellence will follow them forever. Almost all move on and have some measure of success elsewhere. What you find with many young men is that they simply don't enjoy the game as much as they did in high school and are not willing to work at the level demanded at a SEC school. While we might characterize them as deadwood, they are still good and decent young men who just need to find a new direction. Thankfully, we don't have players leaving because they are criminals, like the Kiffin clan.