Reasons For My Unbridled Optimism

#27
#27
Excellent, best summary I have read to this point.

Just a few thoughts to blend with yours.

1. CBJ has, from the beginning, stressed the importance of fundamental football. The pre-spring conditioning and spring practice evaluations were based on executing fundamentals and not "perceived talent". This approach will lead to all the things we were missing these last several years: better blocking, better tackling, knowing were to line up each play, and the list goes on and on.

2. CBJ has brought back emotion to this team (and fan base, for that matter). Most of the talking heads downplay the effect emotion plays in a football team and thus, the reason they get it wrong half the time. I would expect to see a highly energized and emotional team play each game. Highly energized and emotional teams beat highly talented teams (with a few breaks )more often than not.

Will we win every game? Probably not. Will we win a few games we shouldn't? Most likely so. The only thing I can say for sure is that we will see, for the first time in several years, a team that believes in themselves. How many wins does this mean? Who knows for sure but it will be exciting to watch and find out.
 
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#28
#28
rexvol said:
Im 43, so Im pretty proud of my strength. How old are you?
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You should be man! :good!: Very impressive. I'm 26; I got 345 last year. I have crohn's so my weight & ability to consistently lift fluctuates at times. I'm just now getting back into consistently hitting the iron, past 6 months have been rough.
 
#29
#29
This year is gonna be exciting! I believe that with good coaching and players totally buying into the program, we have the talent to stay close in the big games! Sometimes if you keep it close all you need is a break or 2 to swing your way and bam you have an upset on your hands. GO VOLS!
 
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#30
#30
northknoxvol said:
This year is gonna be exciting! I believe that with good coaching and players totally buying into the program, we have the talent to stay close in the big games! Sometimes if you keep it close all you need is a break or 2 to swing your way and bam you have an upset on your hands. GO VOLS!
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Yes, circa 2009 against Bama. We just needed some luck and we would've crushed Bama's national title hopes that year :cray:
 
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#31
#31
rexvol said:
1) The team is stronger and in much better condition. They just ran 52 110s and Maurice Couch just squated 500lbs and also nearly benched 500. (On a side note, at 43years old I just maxed my bench at 350). McCullers has abs, nuff said.

2) Butch is a leader, plain and simple. I am a devoted follower of leadership guru John Maxwell and he says, "Everything rises and falls on leadership." I 100% believe that. There is a reason this staff stays intact for the most part. They believe their leader can get them to where they want to go. It seems as though the players are buying into his leadership and speaks volumes considering the coaching carousel they've witnessed. It would be so simple for them to be jaded and cynical, but they have been the opposite of that.

3) Former players returning. Watching the 30 for 30 on The U, I was struck by the former players heavy involvement in the program. This is crucial to the heath of a major college program that puts players in the league. Lane Kiffin for all his issues embraced that, DD did not. Butch has worked tirelessly to rebuild that bridge. From the gatherings around the state with former Lettermen to reaching out to Phil, Johnny, Doug, and the like, Butch has hit a home run. I was most impressed by Arian Foster showing up to DJ practice. Butch knows how to build relationships, perhaps more importantly, he knows how to mend broken ones.

4) The ability to embrace the modern while celebrating tradition. It may be minor, but adding to our uniforms is usually met with a furor that is reminiscent of the LA riots. Butch has brought something new to the table and managed to clearly demonstrate his love for our hallowed rituals. The state outline is all about "I Will Give My All For Tennessee Today". The players get it. The word Tennessee on the front of the away jerseys is brilliant. It one fell swoop we become more modern and who can complain about the name Tennessee being there? Butch is reaching genius levels here in my humble opinion.

5) Recruiting. We all know that you need the X's and O's, but you it doesnt matter without the Jimmys and Joes. The recruiting has far exceed my expectations. It seems that Butch's message is being received loud and clear. All DD told us was why we couldnt, all Butch is telling is that there is no reason we cant. Players love the positivism and so does a beaten down fan base.

6) Football is cyclical, just look at Bama's years in the wilderness. The Vols are due. We have all the ingredients to rise back to the top and I believe it begins now.
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52 110s? That's over three miles of sprinting! That's impressive
 
#33
#33
Brave Volunteer said:
All great points!! I'll add another...

7.) A lot of people forget that before the horrendous Sal Sunseri experiement, we were a top 25 defense the year before! That was when guys like AJ Johnson and Curt Maggitt were true freshmen! As far as I can remember, pretty much that same exact defense is still here with the exception of Malik Jackson. There is absolutely no reason why this defense can't overachieve and at least do well enough to keep us in games!
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I've been screaming this about the defense. There's no reason the defense shouldn't showvast improvement. What I don't understand is I keep hearing people question Jancek and Martinez on defense because they were fired by Richt. I thought GA had a decent defense except for probably that last year. Somebody help me hear because these two are recruiting their tails off and I see nothing but good things coming.
 
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#38
#38
VolFan4Life87 said:
You should be man! :good!: Very impressive. I'm 26; I got 345 last year. I have crohn's so my weight & ability to consistently lift fluctuates at times. I'm just now getting back into consistently hitting the iron, past 6 months have been rough.
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bro, I know a pastor at a church in Houston that was miraculously healed of Crohn's and God has used him to heal many, many people of the same disease. He has people from all over the country show up at his church with Crohn's to be delivered. PM me and I can give you his name and his church. Super good guy and he can preach the paint off the walls.
 
#40
#40
I am usually Negative Ned, but Ive got Butch fever. I know he hasnt coached a game, but I just feel like we are due.
 
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#41
#41
We are due. Discipline, emotion, conditioning, coaching, fundamentals, all have been missing for awhile now. I see 6-6 to 8-4, & of course a bowl. These seniors need to go out on a winning note and provide the attitude for future Vol teams.
 
#44
#44
darkgable said:
I've been screaming this about the defense. There's no reason the defense shouldn't showvast improvement. What I don't understand is I keep hearing people question Jancek and Martinez on defense because they were fired by Richt. I thought GA had a decent defense except for probably that last year. Somebody help me hear because these two are recruiting their tails off and I see nothing but good things coming.
Click to expand...

I've also been stressing this on the defense. No reason our d should be bad. I also think our offense will be solid too seeing how butch claims that to be his forte and has said multiple times he will change his offense to accompany our strengths
 
#46
#46
Chilmonty said:
3
DD apparently having a "your not welcome" policy reguarding former players is astonishing to me???

Grounds for firing on that alone IMO!
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It's things like this that, in hindsight, make an argument that Dooley was working for UGA to sabotage the program seem plausible!!! :detective: :naughty: :banghead2:

Haha, j/k... kinda
 
#49
#49
rexvol said:
1) The team is stronger and in much better condition. They just ran 52 110s and Maurice Couch just squated 500lbs and also nearly benched 500. (On a side note, at 43years old I just maxed my bench at 350). McCullers has abs, nuff said.

2) Butch is a leader, plain and simple. I am a devoted follower of leadership guru John Maxwell and he says, "Everything rises and falls on leadership." I 100% believe that. There is a reason this staff stays intact for the most part. They believe their leader can get them to where they want to go. It seems as though the players are buying into his leadership and speaks volumes considering the coaching carousel they've witnessed. It would be so simple for them to be jaded and cynical, but they have been the opposite of that.

3) Former players returning. Watching the 30 for 30 on The U, I was struck by the former players heavy involvement in the program. This is crucial to the heath of a major college program that puts players in the league. Lane Kiffin for all his issues embraced that, DD did not. Butch has worked tirelessly to rebuild that bridge. From the gatherings around the state with former Lettermen to reaching out to Phil, Johnny, Doug, and the like, Butch has hit a home run. I was most impressed by Arian Foster showing up to DJ practice. Butch knows how to build relationships, perhaps more importantly, he knows how to mend broken ones.

4) The ability to embrace the modern while celebrating tradition. It may be minor, but adding to our uniforms is usually met with a furor that is reminiscent of the LA riots. Butch has brought something new to the table and managed to clearly demonstrate his love for our hallowed rituals. The state outline is all about "I Will Give My All For Tennessee Today". The players get it. The word Tennessee on the front of the away jerseys is brilliant. It one fell swoop we become more modern and who can complain about the name Tennessee being there? Butch is reaching genius levels here in my humble opinion.

5) Recruiting. We all know that you need the X's and O's, but you it doesnt matter without the Jimmys and Joes. The recruiting has far exceed my expectations. It seems that Butch's message is being received loud and clear. All DD told us was why we couldnt, all Butch is telling is that there is no reason we cant. Players love the positivism and so does a beaten down fan base.

6) Football is cyclical, just look at Bama's years in the wilderness. The Vols are due. We have all the ingredients to rise back to the top and I believe it begins now.
Click to expand...

Awesome post. Congrats on the lift.
 
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#50
#50
this team is the turning point for ut they can do nothing but rise to the top going back to the 4-3 gave us 2 or 3 more win's i just think UT has alot of swag going for them
 
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