Recruiting Forum Football Talk [RIP 9.3.2019]

[volfanCLT]

Also Joe Kelly is one of my favorite guys in baseball

His fight with the Yanks this year was all time

 

[Chief Vol 13]

Last year's Georgia game grounded me in a strange new reality where the losses no longer bother me like they once did. That game stripped us of our shutout streak and made me painfully aware that we were going to lose 8 games for the first time ever, taking away some of the last unique claims to greatness that I used to hold out in debates with opposing fans to prove Tennessee truly is (was?) a top 10 elite all-time program.

Since that day, I can somehow take the good and the bad all in stride. The coaching search debacle. The bummer of a signing day, and now a 3-5 start with the specter of a possible 7 or 8 loss season, depending on how things go (I still think we get 6 wins, but who really knows).

I used to have a pride of program that told me none of this should be, and that UT will be returning to glory soon. I no longer believe those things. It all just is what it is, and the seemingly perpetual mediocrity and struggles are now very much as big a part of the identity of our program as that glorious run in the 1990s.

I think we can be very good again, but I have no idea when that will be and there are no guarantees that it will happen. I keep watching because I love the team and program, we are still producing some exciting players that are fun to watch (Jennings; Chandler) and because I don't want to be caught missing if or when we do finally break back through!

It can no longer be said that Tennessee is an all time top ten program IMO. I can think of 12 other programs that have a stronger history than Tennessee. LSU and Georgia are knocking on the door of surpassing us for number two in the SEC behind Alabama in that category. I agree with Larry, the 90's were a bit of an outlier for the Tennessee program. He doesn't think we'll ever reach that level again. Hard to disagree with him. Dude is almost always dead on.

 

[SpringBokVol]

Hindsight, that would have been a good hire.

It really would have.

I did not want at the time. But that actually would have been the best hire at the time.

We would have stabilized and had a great Xs and Os coach.

Oh well.

Let’s get behind JP now. He is a good football coach. It’s clear to me.

 

[volfanCLT]

It can no longer be said that Tennessee is an all time top ten program anymore. I can think of 12 other programs that have a stronger history than Tennessee. LSU and Georgia are knocking on the door of surpassing us for number two in the SEC behind Alabama in that category. I agree with Larry, the 90's were a bit of an outlier for the Tennessee program. He doesn't think we'll ever reach that level again. Hard to disagree with him. Dude is almost always dead on.

List the 12

 

[nicksjuzunk]

Man... pretty disappointing to read through the thread this AM. Seems like everyone forgets that this is about where we thought we would/should be before the season... at least if you had a reasonable perspective.

West Virginia is every bit as good as they threatened to be.
Florida, we thought we would win, but let's be honest... we undersold them, and they are better than expected.
UGA is going to win the division... again.
We stole one from Auburn unexpectedly.
USC was at the absolute best, a coin flip to begin the season, with most thinking worse. At kick off, it was a coin flip, and it played out that way, as it has the last 7 years.

Generally more positive pre-season expectations were based on a few things, and let me know how these have materialized.

1. OL showing great progress under Friend. I don't lay this at his feet, I think we've just got the dudes we've got.
2. Getting back our All American Trey Smith. God bless Trey Smith, but we never REALLY got him back. For whatever the reason, he was an average OL on a bad OL.
3. Getting Brandon Kennedy at Center: That didn't last long.
4. Great growth from existing players: There has been progress, but by and large, I think you see point 1... it's just the dudes we've got.
5. Chance Hall getting back: He just hasn't provided much. Injuries have tanked him. God bless Chance.
6. JUCO and Grad Transfer contributions: Jamir, and Gooden, and nothing else. Chryst has filled in fine, probably better than McBride would have. London has done nothing the other RB's couldn't have done. Jordan Allen can't sniff the field in a position of need and won't contribute most likely.

This team is undersized, generally physically weak from having only 10 months of quality S&C, has players that don't fit the systems, and has suffered injuries at key positions when there is just awful depth behind. In spite of all of this, we are right about where we thought we would be.

We've got a shot at everyone else on our schedule. Kentucky is ripe for a picking, though I'm not sure we are built to stop them. Let's see how healthy they are following UGA. Mizzou is a possible win, and Vandy will be an ugly fight that we can win.

Personally, my best reasonable case scenario was 6.5 wins this year. Seems about right so far.

 

[BigOrange15]

Man... pretty disappointing to read through the thread this AM. Seems like everyone forgets that this is about where we thought we would/should be before the season... at least if you had a reasonable perspective.

West Virginia is every bit as good as they threatened to be.
Florida, we thought we would win, but let's be honest... we undersold them, and they are better than expected.
UGA is going to win the division... again.
We stole one from Auburn unexpectedly.
USC was at the absolute best, a coin flip to begin the season, with most thinking worse. At kick off, it was a coin flip, and it played out that way, as it has the last 7 years.

Generally more positive pre-season expectations were based on a few things, and let me know how these have materialized.

1. OL showing great progress under Friend. I don't lay this at his feet, I think we've just got the dudes we've got.
2. Getting back our All American Trey Smith. God bless Trey Smith, but we never REALLY got him back. For whatever the reason, he was an average OL on a bad OL.
3. Getting Brandon Kennedy at Center: That didn't last long.
4. Great growth from existing players: There has been progress, but by and large, I think you see point 1... it's just the dudes we've got.
5. Chance Hall getting back: He just hasn't provided much. Injuries have tanked him. God bless Chance.
6. JUCO and Grad Transfer contributions: Jamir, and Gooden, and nothing else. Chryst has filled in fine, probably better than McBride would have. London has done nothing the other RB's couldn't have done. Jordan Allen can't sniff the field in a position of need and won't contribute most likely.

This team is undersized, generally physically weak from having only 10 months of quality S&C, has players that don't fit the systems, and has suffered injuries at key positions when there is just awful depth behind. In spite of all of this, we are right about where we thought we would be.

We've got a shot at everyone else on our schedule. Kentucky is ripe for a picking, though I'm not sure we are built to stop them. Let's see how healthy they are following UGA. Mizzou is a possible win, and Vandy will be an ugly fight that we can win.

Personally, my best reasonable case scenario was 6.5 wins this year. Seems about right so far.

This. Good post.

 

[ChismsHeadband]

List the 12

 

[Chief Vol 13]

List the 12

Alabama, USC, Oklahoma, Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Miami, Florida State, Tennessee. I'd put Tennessee number 12 on that list. LSU and Georgia are getting ready to pass us if we don't get it together.

 

[jakez4ut]

Not sure why there's so much belly aching.

We played better than I thought we would all things considered.

I thought the o line was ok physically. Mentally, the penalities hurt big time.

JG wasn't awful. He still had the same basic issues, but I do think he played ok.

I thought the play calling was better.

Defensively, we made some plays, but we were not consistent at all stopping the run.

You can complain about the refs but at the end of the day I don't think that's THE reason we lost.

Stop the dumb penalties and find a way to stop the run. And just finish. That was a game we could have/should have won, we know it, the coaches know it and the players know it.

4 games left. Go finish.

 

[New-Vols-Fan]

I know I know call me crazy....I've got another story for you fine folks. All information is real (story information, statements may not end up being real)...I'm a christian for what it's worth.

I took an uber today (I live in Alabama) and the person who was driving has a cousin that is from Thompson Highschool where Tua's brother Taulia plays as a QB. His cousin plays on the O-line and is close to Taulia. Well, he told me that his cousin texted him recently and said Taulia is coming to Tennessee. Pruitt has a great relationship with him and visited him a lot during the summer. I could say more and go on, but those are the deets, take it for what it's worth. believe it or don't, I don't care. I'm all for the fun of rumors and rants whether they turn out to be true or not.

 

[volfanCLT]

Sale putting Machado on his ass to close it out was nice to watch imo

 

[InVOLuntary]

I missed your earlier post about your dad. Is he better tonight? Broken ribs are so painful. Were they able to do nerve blocks for the pain? Hope he heals quickly!

I'm staying with him at the hospital now. He's resting comfortably. His pain management has consisted of a lidocaine patch, a lidocaine drip, and hydrocodone. He slept really well last night, from 12 midnight to 8 am. He woke up in a tremendous amount of pain. The nurse said that probably going so long without the hydrocodone probably didn't help. He has to request it. I helped him get a bath and shave tonight and I think that helped him. We also ran and bought him some underwear at his request and that's made him more comfortable. I was really worried about him this morning because he was having trouble taking a deep breathe because of his pain. Hoping today was his worst day being the third day.

I appreciate so much you asking about him and I appreciate all my VN friends praying for him. If y'all knew my dad you'd have a new friend. I don't know of anyone that hasn't loved him immediately upon meeting him. Yesterday his nurse had him walking around. She was carrying his oxygen bottle and was struggling a little. Dad let go of the walker with one hand and asked if he could carry it for her. He's a much better man than I'll ever be.

He's also, literally my best friend. He has the patience of Job. Many know that my mom suffers from Alzheimer's and he almost single handily cares for her, refusing outside help. I've got him to take her to an adult daycare twice a week. My mom loves it and I told him that another day/week wouldn't be a bad thing. He says "Nope, 2 days is enough". I have mad respect for my dad.

 

[McGeesPub]

Man... pretty disappointing to read through the thread this AM. Seems like everyone forgets that this is about where we thought we would/should be before the season... at least if you had a reasonable perspective.

West Virginia is every bit as good as they threatened to be.
Florida, we thought we would win, but let's be honest... we undersold them, and they are better than expected.
UGA is going to win the division... again.
We stole one from Auburn unexpectedly.
USC was at the absolute best, a coin flip to begin the season, with most thinking worse. At kick off, it was a coin flip, and it played out that way, as it has the last 7 years.

Generally more positive pre-season expectations were based on a few things, and let me know how these have materialized.

1. OL showing great progress under Friend. I don't lay this at his feet, I think we've just got the dudes we've got.
2. Getting back our All American Trey Smith. God bless Trey Smith, but we never REALLY got him back. For whatever the reason, he was an average OL on a bad OL.
3. Getting Brandon Kennedy at Center: That didn't last long.
4. Great growth from existing players: There has been progress, but by and large, I think you see point 1... it's just the dudes we've got.
5. Chance Hall getting back: He just hasn't provided much. Injuries have tanked him. God bless Chance.
6. JUCO and Grad Transfer contributions: Jamir, and Gooden, and nothing else. Chryst has filled in fine, probably better than McBride would have. London has done nothing the other RB's couldn't have done. Jordan Allen can't sniff the field in a position of need and won't contribute most likely.

This team is undersized, generally physically weak from having only 10 months of quality S&C, has players that don't fit the systems, and has suffered injuries at key positions when there is just awful depth behind. In spite of all of this, we are right about where we thought we would be.

We've got a shot at everyone else on our schedule. Kentucky is ripe for a picking, though I'm not sure we are built to stop them. Let's see how healthy they are following UGA. Mizzou is a possible win, and Vandy will be an ugly fight that we can win.

Personally, my best reasonable case scenario was 6.5 wins this year. Seems about right so far.

I always thought it was reasonable to evaluate the season on the final six games rather than the first. Time for the staff to find its legs, generally playing against teams with a talent level equal or below ours, a chance for the young players to adapt to SEC speed.



The staff earned a one game mulligan with the win over Auburn, but probably used it last night. I think we can still have a season everyone can generally be happy with, though.

 

[BigOrange15]

Sale putting Machado on his ass to close it out was nice to watch imo

Yeah, that was awesome.

 

[Smokey123]

#10 in wins, #11 in win %, #5 in Bowl games and bowl wins, #9 in national titles, #7 in first round picks, #9 in total draft picks, #12 in weeks ranked. But yea not top 12 in history.

Conference titles among P5 teams was hard to find but it looks we’re in the 15-20 range

 

[McGeesPub]

Not sure why there's so much belly aching.

We played better than I thought we would all things considered.

I thought the o line was ok physically. Mentally, the penalities hurt big time.

JG wasn't awful. He still had the same basic issues, but I do think he played ok.

I thought the play calling was better.

Defensively, we made some plays, but we were not consistent at all stopping the run.

You can complain about the refs but at the end of the day I don't think that's THE reason we lost.

Stop the dumb penalties and find a way to stop the run. And just finish. That was a game we could have/should have won, we know it, the coaches know it and the players know it.

4 games left. Go finish.

Bellyaching is from getting an L. Understandable. It’s possible to spin moral victories against Alabama and Georgia, but not South Carolina.

 

[nicksjuzunk]

I know I know call me crazy....I've got another story for you fine folks. All information is real (story information, statements may not end up being real)...I'm a christian for what it's worth.

I took an uber today (I live in Alabama) and the person who was driving has a cousin that is from Thompson Highschool where Tua's brother Taulia plays as a QB. His cousin plays on the O-line and is close to Taulia. Well, he told me that his cousin texted him recently and said Taulia is coming to Tennessee. Pruitt has a great relationship with him and visited him a lot during the summer. I could say more and go on, but those are the deets, take it for what it's worth. believe it or don't, I don't care. I'm all for the fun of rumors and rants whether they turn out to be true or not.

I'm going to take the position of a Bama fan loves to troll a Vol fan on this one.

 

[Smokey123]

Miami better LMAOOOOO

Winsipedia - Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Tennessee Volunteers football series history

 

[Chief Vol 13]

Miami better LMAOOOOO

Winsipedia - Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Tennessee Volunteers football series history

Tennessee doesn't have 6 national titles. Legit number is 2. Miami has 5 legit national titles.

 

[nicksjuzunk]

I love football

 

[ChismsHeadband]

I know I know call me crazy....I've got another story for you fine folks. All information is real (story information, statements may not end up being real)...I'm a christian for what it's worth.

I took an uber today (I live in Alabama) and the person who was driving has a cousin that is from Thompson Highschool where Tua's brother Taulia plays as a QB. His cousin plays on the O-line and is close to Taulia. Well, he told me that his cousin texted him recently and said Taulia is coming to Tennessee. Pruitt has a great relationship with him and visited him a lot during the summer. I could say more and go on, but those are the deets, take it for what it's worth. believe it or don't, I don't care. I'm all for the fun of rumors and rants whether they turn out to be true or not.

Also, not sure what your faith has anything to do with it.

 

[ChismsHeadband]

It’s possible to spin moral victories against Alabama and Georgia, but not South Carolina.

No one's making moral victories out of this. Plain and simple, our run defense didn't do any favors for us. Our OL is not great. Those aren't excuses, they're just facts. No one feels good about the L.

 

[jakez4ut]

Tennessee doesn't have 6 national titles. Legit number is 2. Miami has 5 legit national titles.

 

[SugarCC]

Miami better LMAOOOOO

Winsipedia - Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Tennessee Volunteers football series history

Consider the source.

 

[volfanCLT]

Miami above Tennessee

I’ve heard it all