Reality

[Dagreek1998]

Tonight should not be a shock to us. The problem is that we still look at the upperclassmen on this team with rose color glasses. The fact is some of the these players we salivated over, when we imagined the depth chart before the season, aren't talented. Some may be too small, too slow, or lacking the heart to play a full game. We watch these players screw up year after year and we blame the coaches. The fact is you can look at their bio and focus on how many stars they had, but that doesn't always translate to the field. You can look at their size and their speed but when you watch the game, they are as scary as a box full of kittens.

Until Tennessee has rid their roster of these guys, this will continue to happen. I believe that we are in the right path but it takes time.

If you don't agree, look at our depth chart and think about how many times they have been the difference in a game. You see certain DB's get burnt like they have for the last three years. You see DE's and OLB's that can't tackle or set the edge. You see certain players that are huge and blessed with all the talent but fail to bring it 1/2 the time. You see an OLine that has size and lots of starts but lacks the guts to battle every snap.

When you look at the talent that's being brought in and how they perform, that is the proof you need that we have the right guy. We just have to let him get rid of some if the dead weight.

 

[zreeves]

you aren't the "i'm done" guy are you

 

[DEFENDTHISHOUSE]

Recruit, recruit, recruit. When you get done there, recruit some more.
That is the only thing that can fix this team.

CBJ and staff have been doing a great job of that so far. We'll see, time will tell.

 

[Volsfaninva917]

You are spot on, the upper classman on this roster are losers and quiters. They are a cancer to this team and rebuilding process, their attitude is a direct reflection of the previous stafff here. I cant wait until the dooley funk is gone.

On another note I saw jay graham tonight grinning like a posim eating sh)t what a true vfl (sarcasm) i hope he gets his because you sir are exactly whats wrong with the upper classman on this team the hill is just to high to climb so quit and find a easier one to climb

 

[OrangeByBirth]

I love incoherent rants.

 

[mdrew27]

Still for the life of me can't understand why our oline performs this bad. There is no reasonable explanation why 5 dudes, who were touted as premier players their whole career, suck this bad. I'm tired of tiny. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be so critical of the line, he just puts them on center stage for everyone to bash when things go wrong.

 

[LittleCat]

I'm more tired of you all being whiners about DD rather than facing the facts and admitting Butch is coaching them. He's has to have some of the blame. Yes, there aren't a lot of tools to work with but they still need to show effort and fight rather than playing stupid the entire game. The Oline was embarrassing last night.

 

[1985Vols]

I'm more tired of you all being whiners about DD rather than facing the facts and admitting Butch is coaching them. He's has to have some of the blame. Yes, there aren't a lot of tools to work with but they still need to show effort and fight rather than playing stupid the entire game. The Oline was embarrassing last night.

You're a stupid KY fan. What do you know about football?? GTFO and get all hyped up for your great freshman recruiting class. Didn't we drub your mild cats by 30 points last year??

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

Tonight should not be a shock to us. The problem is that we still look at the upperclassmen on this team with rose color glasses. The fact is some of the these players we salivated over, when we imagined the depth chart before the season, aren't talented. Some may be too small, too slow, or lacking the heart to play a full game. We watch these players screw up year after year and we blame the coaches. The fact is you can look at their bio and focus on how many stars they had, but that doesn't always translate to the field. You can look at their size and their speed but when you watch the game, they are as scary as a box full of kittens.

Until Tennessee has rid their roster of these guys, this will continue to happen. I believe that we are in the right path but it takes time.

If you don't agree, look at our depth chart and think about how many times they have been the difference in a game. You see certain DB's get burnt like they have for the last three years. You see DE's and OLB's that can't tackle or set the edge. You see certain players that are huge and blessed with all the talent but fail to bring it 1/2 the time. You see an OLine that has size and lots of starts but lacks the guts to battle every snap.

When you look at the talent that's being brought in and how they perform, that is the proof you need that we have the right guy. We just have to let him get rid of some if the dead weight.

There is a reason the Missouris, Oregons and Stsnfords can win with "lower rated recruits." They recruit for their system and part of that is the intelligence and heart to play within it. A 40 time is irrelevant if the player doesn't care or know where to line up.

 

[The Tall Gguy]

The reality is fans come on here to vent because they are sick and tired of seeing or once great program in the toilet year after year. The reality is we fans, as pissed and sick of this as we are, keep coming back EVERY week hoping for a team that shows us just a little hope. The reality is, anyone of us who had stayed a fan of Tennessee through this down cycle (since 2001) is an amazing loyal fan and has earned the right to complain when the product on the field is embarassing.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

I'm more tired of you all being whiners about DD rather than facing the facts and admitting Butch is coaching them. He's has to have some of the blame. Yes, there aren't a lot of tools to work with but they still need to show effort and fight rather than playing stupid the entire game. The Oline was embarrassing last night.

I am sick of folks blaming last years coaches for this years team. The secondary still can't cover. Except for Sutton. The linebackers still can't do squat. Except for AJ when we play an I-formation or a power team. Vereen is our best pass rusher, and he is a frosh. Common theme here. We need talent. A hell of a lot of it too. We have a team full of players that we can't win with. We will not coach our way up to the level of Alabama. We have to recruit our way to that level. And as far as player development goes, you can't "develop" a housecat into a lion. You have to start with a lion.

 

[BeecherVol]

The reality is we played uninspired and undisciplined football last night and that started and was finished with our upperclassmen. Everybody else followed suit.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

The reality is fans come on here to vent because they are sick and tired of seeing or once great program in the toilet year after year. The reality is we fans, as pissed and sick of this as we are, keep coming back EVERY week hoping for a team that shows us just a little hope. The reality is, anyone of us who had stayed a fan of Tennessee through this down cycle (since 2001) is an amazing loyal fan and has earned the right to complain when the product on the field is embarassing.

If they are sick and tired of merely being a fan then they should do something else. No one has a gun to their head. They are as free as the blowing wind. No team wins forever. No need to get all crazy cuz a bad UT team lost another game. 94-04 will not be easily duplicated, but it should be appreciated a HECK of a lot more. We have a fan base full of ingrates whose true character rears it's ugly whenever things don't go as expected.

If any recruit or parent reads the board today they will be hard pressed to see the Tennessee Pride that should be on full display. We are still top ten in all-time wins. Be proud or be what you can be proud of, suckers.

 

[Cartervol]

I'm not going to miss this vaunted Oline one bit. Hope they all go on to have stellar careers in the league. Dline either. These players have been underwhelming their whole careers here and it's not going to change now..The Dooley error was a total waste of 3 years.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

There is a reason the Missouris, Oregons and Stanfords can win with "lower rated recruits.". They recruit for their system and part of that is the intelligence and heart to play within it. A 40 time is irrelevant if the player doesn't care or know where to line up.

All three school you named are in the top ten. All three have size speed & athleticism. All three have recent star players currently starring in the NFL.

Butch is recruiting for his system as well.

 

[Biopsyman]

Blame it on Fuguate

 

[volfan411]

There is a reason the Missouris, Oregons and Stsnfords can win with "lower rated recruits." They recruit for their system and part of that is the intelligence and heart to play within it. A 40 time is irrelevant if the player doesn't care or know where to line up.

This hits the nail on the head.

 

[lilesrt]

You are spot on, the upper classman on this roster are losers and quiters. They are a cancer to this team and rebuilding process, their attitude is a direct reflection of the previous stafff here. I cant wait until the dooley funk is gone.

On another note I saw jay graham tonight grinning like a posim eating sh)t what a true vfl (sarcasm) i hope he gets his because you sir are exactly whats wrong with the upper classman on this team the hill is just to high to climb so quit and find a easier one to climb

I have no problem with Jay Graham leaving. We got a better RB coach in his place.

 

[Obsessed]

I am sick of folks blaming last years coaches for this years team. The secondary still can't cover. Except for Sutton. The linebackers still can't do squat. Except for AJ when we play an I-formation or a power team. Vereen is our best pass rusher, and he is a frosh. Common theme here. We need talent. A hell of a lot of it too. We have a team full of players that we can't win with. We will not coach our way up to the level of Alabama. We have to recruit our way to that level. And as far as player development goes, you can't "develop" a housecat into a lion. You have to start with a lion.

I saw a house cat whip a 150 pound Rottweiler that came in its yard. It thought it was a lion

Just saying.

 

[alavolfan]

This was never going to be a stellar year, folks...baby steps. We don't have much in the cupboard to keep up with top ranked teams we have played - OR, BAMA, GA, FL (at the time) MO, and next week against Auburn. Just like the SC game - if we beat ANY of them, it is because WE are hitting on all cylinders, THEY are playing poorly...that is the reality right now.

 

[volfan411]

I think it is important to remember we are playing the 3rd toughest schedule in the nation.

I thought we could be a 7-5 team at the start of the season but MO and Auburn both are way better than predicted.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I think the reason people are so upset is many expected a gradual improvement over the course of the season. Not many expected a win against Bama, maybe a few thought we could beat MO, but the team has appeared to regress the last two weeks. The team was no more than a glorified scrimmage for the last two opponents.

Last night's game was a real eye opener. No one can argue the fact this this is yet another really bad football team. Talent or lack thereof is part of it but it's my opinion I don't think the coaches are getting everything out of the talent that's over there. I think the scheme (putting your players in positions to make plays and taking advantage of your strengths), and motivating the players is lacking from these coaches. That doesn't mean l'm giving up and calling for their heads. I'm trying to figure out why the team appears to have taken a step back. It may be opposing ccoaches have gotten these coaches figured out on both sides of the ball.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Recruit, recruit, recruit. When you get done there, recruit some more.
That is the only thing that can fix this team.

CBJ and staff have been doing a great job of that so far. We'll see, time will tell.

This hits the nail on the head.

:good!:

 

[BanditVol]

Still for the life of me can't understand why our oline performs this bad. There is no reasonable explanation why 5 dudes, who were touted as premier players their whole career, suck this bad. I'm tired of tiny. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be so critical of the line, he just puts them on center stage for everyone to bash when things go wrong.

The main concern for me last night was the penalties. Six false starts! And after we started the season as one of the least penalized teams in the NCAA.

They didn't play that well otherwise last night...it was perhaps their worst game of the season, but overall they have in fact played pretty well.

I don't think some of you realize how much we are going to miss them next year.

 

[volfan411]

I think the reason people are so upset is many expected a gradual improvement over the course of the season. Not many expected a win against Bama, maybe a few thought we could beat MO, but the team has appeared to regress the last two weeks. The team was no more than a glorified scrimmage for the last two opponents.

Last night's game was a real eye opener. No one can argue the fact this this is yet another really bad football team. Talent or lack thereof is part of it but it's my opinion I don't think the coaches are getting everything out of the talent that's over there. I think the scheme (putting your players in positions to make plays and taking advantage of your strengths), and motivating the players is lacking from these coaches. That doesn't mean l'm giving up and calling for their heads. I'm trying to figure out why the team appears to have taken a step back. It may be opposing ccoaches have gotten these coaches figured out on both sides of the ball.

I do not think posters on here understand scheme. When you have players in position to make a play in the backfield and the player either misses the tackle or takes a bad angle that is not on the coach. He has schemed the player into position to make a play and the player just did not make it. I think if you want to say players are not being coached to take proper tackling angles that is fair but to blame the scheme is not. I have said all season that we are in position to make the plays and just are not making them.

Another good example was on the Dobbs int there was a player wide open in the flat and he choice to throw down field into double coverage that is on him not the coach.