'21 NC DT Payton Page (Clemson commit)

[jakez4ut]

And we all should be proud to have Pruitt as HC. Just a football guy, lives to breathe it..and Fulmer hand picking him should let everyone know it's in good hands. I remember having to defend him that first year. Had to quit reading the RF it got so bad. But now I think things have changed and 90% have embraced the new staff. We up! That's all.

yeah, that first year was a flurry of phil being self serving and you can't trust bammers....should been here vs. helping Bama in the playoffs etc....

that 1st year was just a "get thru it" type deal....it was a just a bad situation, and to have strong opinions on him either way at that point was just kinda pointless. imo, it was pretty simple...he's the guy, so get behind him and see what happens (cause if he winds up sucking, we know how that ends anyway...what we don't know is what if he's successful? so why not put our energy there?).

@Devo182 hit the nail on the head yesterday with his inflection points post. i've said similar things over the past 2 seasons about it, just never used that terminology, but to sum up the point....Butch had opportunities in basically every season minus 17, to really grab this thing by the throat and take off. and each and every time he failed. even in beating both UGA and FL in the same season, he wound up failing miserably. the woulda/coulda/shoulda losses in 2014, and 2015 in particular, were noteworthy looking back.

so at some point, pruitt, this team and this staff is going to find itself in big games with an opportunity to really take a step, turn a corner, and validate what we're all hopefull for....may get a couple of those opportunities this season...and do we take advantage of those? can we put away a FL team when up 13 in the 4th qtr? can we close against OU with a 4th qtr lead? can we not crap our pants against a mediocre Ark team? can we not curl up in to the fetal position on the road against bama in a 1 possession game in the 4th qtr? can we take care of business against Vandy and USCe with a 1.5 game lead for SEC East, or a sugar bowl on the line?

that's when we find out about Pruitt and co. and so far, so good. i think if we get thoe opportunities, this staff won't waste EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM like some coaches have.

but...til it happens, it's TBD.

still, i like our chances with this staff, cjp is an alpha. his teams will continue to progress as alphas, even if they're not yet...that much i do believe. the mentality is different. the roster is being built different...

 

[tatervol]

yeah, that first year was a flurry of phil being self serving and you can't trust bammers....should been here vs. helping Bama in the playoffs etc....

that 1st year was just a "get thru it" type deal....it was a just a bad situation, and to have strong opinions on him either way at that point was just kinda pointless. imo, it was pretty simple...he's the guy, so get behind him and see what happens (cause if he winds up sucking, we know how that ends anyway...what we don't know is what if he's successful? so why not put our energy there?).

@Devo182 hit the nail on the head yesterday with his inflection points post. i've said similar things over the past 2 seasons about it, just never used that terminology, but to sum up the point....Butch had opportunities in basically every season minus 17, to really grab this thing by the throat and take off. and each and every time he failed. even in beating both UGA and FL in the same season, he wound up failing miserably. the woulda/coulda/shoulda losses in 2014, and 2015 in particular, were noteworthy looking back.

so at some point, pruitt, this team and this staff is going to find itself in big games with an opportunity to really take a step, turn a corner, and validate what we're all hopefull for....may get a couple of those opportunities this season...and do we take advantage of those? can we put away a FL team when up 13 in the 4th qtr? can we close against OU with a 4th qtr lead? can we not crap our pants against a mediocre Ark team? can we not curl up in to the fetal position on the road against bama in a 1 possession game in the 4th qtr? can we take care of business against Vandy and USCe with a 1.5 game lead for SEC East, or a sugar bowl on the line?

that's when we find out about Pruitt and co. and so far, so good. i think if we get thoe opportunities, this staff won't waste EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM like some coaches have.

but...til it happens, it's TBD.

still, i like our chances with this staff, cjp is an alpha. his teams will continue to progress as alphas, even if they're not yet...that much i do believe. the mentality is different. the roster is being built different...

Great post

 

[SugarCC]

And we all should be proud to have Pruitt as HC. Just a football guy, lives to breathe it..and Fulmer hand picking him should let everyone know it's in good hands. I remember having to defend him that first year. Had to quit reading the RF it got so bad. But now I think things have changed and 90% have embraced the new staff. We up! That's all.

This.

 

[butchna]

yeah, that first year was a flurry of phil being self serving and you can't trust bammers....should been here vs. helping Bama in the playoffs etc....

that 1st year was just a "get thru it" type deal....it was a just a bad situation, and to have strong opinions on him either way at that point was just kinda pointless. imo, it was pretty simple...he's the guy, so get behind him and see what happens (cause if he winds up sucking, we know how that ends anyway...what we don't know is what if he's successful? so why not put our energy there?).

@Devo182 hit the nail on the head yesterday with his inflection points post. i've said similar things over the past 2 seasons about it, just never used that terminology, but to sum up the point....Butch had opportunities in basically every season minus 17, to really grab this thing by the throat and take off. and each and every time he failed. even in beating both UGA and FL in the same season, he wound up failing miserably. the woulda/coulda/shoulda losses in 2014, and 2015 in particular, were noteworthy looking back.

so at some point, pruitt, this team and this staff is going to find itself in big games with an opportunity to really take a step, turn a corner, and validate what we're all hopefull for....may get a couple of those opportunities this season...and do we take advantage of those? can we put away a FL team when up 13 in the 4th qtr? can we close against OU with a 4th qtr lead? can we not crap our pants against a mediocre Ark team? can we not curl up in to the fetal position on the road against bama in a 1 possession game in the 4th qtr? can we take care of business against Vandy and USCe with a 1.5 game lead for SEC East, or a sugar bowl on the line?

that's when we find out about Pruitt and co. and so far, so good. i think if we get thoe opportunities, this staff won't waste EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM like some coaches have.

but...til it happens, it's TBD.

still, i like our chances with this staff, cjp is an alpha. his teams will continue to progress as alphas, even if they're not yet...that much i do believe. the mentality is different. the roster is being built different...

First two games last season, my basic fan tenet of allowing the HC time to prove/disprove his capabilities without pushing the eject button was tested. More towards the defensive confusion (which never completely departed...see early Kentucky game) manifested by DL lining up wrong or being late getting off the field. ALL HC’s, no matter how new or experienced, have teachable moments. Saban against Auburn these last few seasons would like several calls back. It’s all about how you RESPOND. Pruitt corrected his methodology as he went and didn’t repeat gaffes. My conscious fandom goes back to Bill Battle and as much as I loved both Majors and Fulmer, I’ve never felt that either outschemed other top HC’s. They recruited great players and developed them into great rosters...they’d outtalent and outfundamental you. It’s why I was hopeful when Kiffin took over...on a 1 year lease. Pruitt is my latest hope of having a gameplan 2-3 steps ahead of the opposition and I see optimistic steps towards that as both the OC and DC return for second seasons. It’s still and always will be about the talent level you put on the field, but we’ve all witnessed multiple instances of coaching malfeasance yanking victories away.

 

[jakez4ut]

First two games last season, my basic fan tenet of allowing the HC time to prove/disprove his capabilities without pushing the eject button was tested. More towards the defensive confusion (which never completely departed...see early Kentucky game) manifested by DL lining up wrong or being late getting off the field. ALL HC’s, no matter how new or experienced, have teachable moments. Saban against Auburn these last few seasons would like several calls back. It’s all about how you RESPOND. Pruitt corrected his methodology as he went and didn’t repeat gaffes. My conscious fandom goes back to Bill Battle and as much as I loved both Majors and Fulmer, I’ve never felt that either outschemed other top HC’s. They recruited great players and developed them into great rosters...they’d outtalent and outfundamental you. It’s why I was hopeful when Kiffin took over...on a 1 year lease. Pruitt is my latest hope of having a gameplan 2-3 steps ahead of the opposition and I see optimistic steps towards that as both the OC and DC return for second seasons. It’s still and always will be about the talent level you put on the field, but we’ve all witnessed multiple instances of coaching malfeasance yanking victories away.

once again, totally agree with all this too....bold, just for emphasis.

 

[VolBalla2014]

This ain’t it dawg

 

[Big Gucci Sosa]

Callahan has 0 info

 

[LynxVol]

He had 26 tackles for losses and was double teamed every play. Over 70 altogether. Whoever started that, and I’m not saying you because I know you just heard it as well, are complete idiots

247 specifically said his rating dropped due to his lack of production? From their own website:

Year Tck TFL Sck
2018 80 26 8
2017 40 3 0
TOTAL 120 29 8

Wut?

 

[bignewt]

247 specifically said his rating dropped due to his lack of production? From their own website:



Wut?

did he not have 2019 stats?

 

[Chasvol]

Callahan has 0 info

Pot, meet kettle.

 

[LynxVol]

did he not have 2019 stats?

Asked the same thing. May be a typo on their site.

 

[Big Gucci Sosa]

Pot, meet kettle.

hahahahahahaha.

 

[SLICKYINC]

Callahan has 0 info

Is this the 2020 “he gone”?

 

[Big Gucci Sosa]

Is this the 2020 “he gone”?

No just the truth. Why do you think he walks around every question. He and the TN 247 crew rarely get info firsthand.

 

[Kingston Vol]

Callahan has 0 info

Not sure that’s true. He just doesn’t seem to value being out front.

 

[Wickman]

Not sure that’s true. He just doesn’t seem to value being out front.

Consider who you’re quoting

 

[SLICKYINC]

No just the truth. Why do you think he walks around every question. He and the TN 247 crew rarely get info firsthand.

 

[RikidyBones]

 

[Devo182]

247 specifically said his rating dropped due to his lack of production? From their own website:



Wut?

They're on MaxPreps. They did drop, some significantly (sacks, QB hurries), but Griddie said he was getting more attention and they added another DL stud, so maybe some stat cannibalism there as well. Griddie is confident he has shed his bad weight and he did what he was asked to do last year in their defense (take on double teams, etc)...so that is good enough for me.

 

[Hawaiian Hammer]

yeah, that first year was a flurry of phil being self serving and you can't trust bammers....should been here vs. helping Bama in the playoffs etc....

that 1st year was just a "get thru it" type deal....it was a just a bad situation, and to have strong opinions on him either way at that point was just kinda pointless. imo, it was pretty simple...he's the guy, so get behind him and see what happens (cause if he winds up sucking, we know how that ends anyway...what we don't know is what if he's successful? so why not put our energy there?).

@Devo182 hit the nail on the head yesterday with his inflection points post. i've said similar things over the past 2 seasons about it, just never used that terminology, but to sum up the point....Butch had opportunities in basically every season minus 17, to really grab this thing by the throat and take off. and each and every time he failed. even in beating both UGA and FL in the same season, he wound up failing miserably. the woulda/coulda/shoulda losses in 2014, and 2015 in particular, were noteworthy looking back.

so at some point, pruitt, this team and this staff is going to find itself in big games with an opportunity to really take a step, turn a corner, and validate what we're all hopefull for....may get a couple of those opportunities this season...and do we take advantage of those? can we put away a FL team when up 13 in the 4th qtr? can we close against OU with a 4th qtr lead? can we not crap our pants against a mediocre Ark team? can we not curl up in to the fetal position on the road against bama in a 1 possession game in the 4th qtr? can we take care of business against Vandy and USCe with a 1.5 game lead for SEC East, or a sugar bowl on the line?

that's when we find out about Pruitt and co. and so far, so good. i think if we get thoe opportunities, this staff won't waste EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM like some coaches have.

but...til it happens, it's TBD.

still, i like our chances with this staff, cjp is an alpha. his teams will continue to progress as alphas, even if they're not yet...that much i do believe. the mentality is different. the roster is being built different...

To your point look at his first two seasons... held off Barn in ‘18 in a tight one, stopped KY on downs at the goal line, put MS state away, held down Mizzou late, taking Bama to the wire before the goal line gaffe, Indiana bowl game. Outside of the BYU and GA State debacles which were growing pains for the young team and coaching staff we’ve held on to close games. Games Dooley and Butch would have undoubtedly folded in. He also galvanized the locker room and cut the cancer off the roster.

Regardless of the last 6 teams’ “talent” on the schedule from last year Pruitt and the boys stepped up and didn’t fold their tent, which literally everyone (including our fans) expected was coming.

He’s made tremendous progress in just over two years as a HC. In two years of recruiting he has built quality depth in the trenches and at linebacker that we haven’t seen in 15 years or so. He even told us preseason last year that he’s had to teach the D line starting at kindergarten level and hoping they’ll be at high school by season end. The D line took a massive step forward from game one to the end of the season. I can’t wait to see his teams built out with the personnel he knows will work for him.

 

[jakez4ut]

To your point look at his first two seasons... held off Barn in ‘18 in a tight one, stopped KY on downs at the goal line, put MS state away, held down Mizzou late, taking Bama to the wire before the goal line gaffe, Indiana bowl game. Outside of the BYU and GA State debacles which were growing pains for the young team and coaching staff we’ve held on to close games. Games Dooley and Butch would have undoubtedly folded in. He also galvanized the locker room and cut the cancer off the roster.

Regardless of the last 6 teams’ “talent” on the schedule from last year Pruitt and the boys stepped up and didn’t fold their tent, which literally everyone (including our fans) expected was coming.

He’s made tremendous progress in just over two years as a HC. In two years of recruiting he has built quality depth in the trenches and at linebacker that we haven’t seen in 15 years or so. He even told us preseason last year that he’s had to teach the D line starting at kindergarten level and hoping they’ll be at high school by season end. The D line took a massive step forward from game one to the end of the season. I can’t wait to see his teams built out with the personnel he knows will work for him.

yep....but i think to close this class out, and continue that momentum in to the 22 cycle (which looks like it's already carrying over to some degree), i think this is the year on the field that you have to show some progress in the bigger games.

specifically, FL. i mean that game is always big for us, but considering how the last two games have gone......i think that game presents a big opportunity to change a narrative.....

the other three big games, i don't think anyone would give us more than a puncher's chance, so anything we do positively in those would be gravy imo (i think we do pretty well against Bama and OU...not saying w's...but i think we put our best foot forward in both games).

anyway.....exciting times ahead, but i do think this season is relatively important to the continuation of the good vibes/momentum we seem to have.....

 

[Palm Beach Vol]

I hope we beat the ones we should plus gators & dawgs! 10-2 and then see what happens after! I am so sick of hearing about UGA hate them with a passion!

VFL...GBO

 

[griddie]

They're on MaxPreps. They did drop, some significantly (sacks, QB hurries), but Griddie said he was getting more attention and they added another DL stud, so maybe some stat cannibalism there as well. Griddie is confident he has shed his bad weight and he did what he was asked to do last year in their defense (take on double teams, etc)...so that is good enough for me.

The other defensive lineman that transferred in was Myles Murphy ( there were two of them that class of you remember) and this one went to UNC. He had more tackles than Murphy and more sacks. But the addition of Murphy of course lowered the numbers of his and Murphy from his previous year

 

[Geaux_Vols]

yeah, that first year was a flurry of phil being self serving and you can't trust bammers....should been here vs. helping Bama in the playoffs etc....

that 1st year was just a "get thru it" type deal....it was a just a bad situation, and to have strong opinions on him either way at that point was just kinda pointless. imo, it was pretty simple...he's the guy, so get behind him and see what happens (cause if he winds up sucking, we know how that ends anyway...what we don't know is what if he's successful? so why not put our energy there?).

@Devo182 hit the nail on the head yesterday with his inflection points post. i've said similar things over the past 2 seasons about it, just never used that terminology, but to sum up the point....Butch had opportunities in basically every season minus 17, to really grab this thing by the throat and take off. and each and every time he failed. even in beating both UGA and FL in the same season, he wound up failing miserably. the woulda/coulda/shoulda losses in 2014, and 2015 in particular, were noteworthy looking back.

so at some point, pruitt, this team and this staff is going to find itself in big games with an opportunity to really take a step, turn a corner, and validate what we're all hopefull for....may get a couple of those opportunities this season...and do we take advantage of those? can we put away a FL team when up 13 in the 4th qtr? can we close against OU with a 4th qtr lead? can we not crap our pants against a mediocre Ark team? can we not curl up in to the fetal position on the road against bama in a 1 possession game in the 4th qtr? can we take care of business against Vandy and USCe with a 1.5 game lead for SEC East, or a sugar bowl on the line?

that's when we find out about Pruitt and co. and so far, so good. i think if we get thoe opportunities, this staff won't waste EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM like some coaches have.

but...til it happens, it's TBD.

still, i like our chances with this staff, cjp is an alpha. his teams will continue to progress as alphas, even if they're not yet...that much i do believe. the mentality is different. the roster is being built different...

Good post. I’ve always kinda liked the hire right off the bat. My dad is a coach, pruitts way of going about his business reminds me of my pops in some ways. What really drove home that feeling was the bowl game. Team didn’t give up, staff coached with some balls and prevailed. It’s the right mix of cerebral strategy and grit. When we win games like the bowl game it feels less like luck (like the UGA Hail Mary) and more a product of a plan being executed. Mix in some pretty stout recruiting and I’m extremely optimistic about the trajectory of this program.

 

[SugarCC]

Good post. I’ve always kinda liked the hire right off the bat. My dad is a coach, pruitts way of going about his business reminds me of my pops in some ways. What really drove home that feeling was the bowl game. Team didn’t give up, staff coached with some balls and prevailed. It’s the right mix of cerebral strategy and grit. When we win games like the bowl game it feels less like luck (like the UGA Hail Mary) and more a product of a plan being executed. Mix in some pretty stout recruiting and I’m extremely optimistic about the trajectory of this program.