Recruiting Forum Football Talk XXIX

[nicksjuzunk]

As much as everyone loves to call Wolf an NFL player, his performances have not earned extra offensive involvement, IMO.

His potential is stagnating

 

[vol2002]

Everyone wants to be... and is chasing Bama results.

What they are doing annually is hard to imagine in this modern era of football. Fans have to continue to be patient. All of the talk of needing 22 5* on the field at one time to beat Bama is crazy. We are simply not at that point as a program.

Tennessee is at a place where we can potentially challenge for the East perennially. This will boost the program, and recruiting, and help us to land more recruits. Win the SEC, and that increases. Win the SEC a couple of times in 4 years, and we could start to see the top of the top recruits coming more often.

Meyer and Saban are on top of the college football world. Their rings and recent success sell. Tennessee is still not upper echelon for recruits. This year, we are coming into the conversation of being a top destination for recruits, but no one views Tennessee as a top 5 program. They have to steadily increase on the field results to raise their profile. We have absolutely done that this year, in the face of adversity.

The truth is, we will likely never recruit at a Bama or OSU level... unless you hire the equivalent of Saban, Meyer or Harbaugh. The drop off is steep from there, and risky, and I'm content with the growth I've seen from the program to let Butch wrestle with this thing and take it as high as he can go. It's going to take time, but we have done nothing but trend up, to a pretty good place so far.

I agree 100%. And I promised in the dregs of the Dooley years never again to complain or take for granted again years where we are competitive and in the top 25, even if we don't get to the promised land. I wasted many of the Fulmer years doing just that. We are clearly back in the mix and relevant again. I'm enjoying it. I've completely look past that Bama fiasco. I'm convinced it was a blip on the radar and a perfect storm, and that it's not indicative of broader trends that should cause us to fire everyone.

 

[drvenner]

Go rewatch the highlights. He was wildly out of position on almost every big play Bama had out of the backfield.

On Hurts' first run, Jumper moved him out of position.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

This team reminds me a lot of last year's TCU team.

Came into the season with playoff aspirations, lost half of their starting defense, but was still able to clean up and finish 10-2.

Hopefully we can persevere like they did.

 

[JCP201]

Everyone wants to be... and is chasing Bama results.

What they are doing annually is hard to imagine in this modern era of football. Fans have to continue to be patient. All of the talk of needing 22 5* on the field at one time to beat Bama is crazy. We are simply not at that point as a program.

Tennessee is at a place where we can potentially challenge for the East perennially. This will boost the program, and recruiting, and help us to land more recruits. Win the SEC, and that increases. Win the SEC a couple of times in 4 years, and we could start to see the top of the top recruits coming more often.

Meyer and Saban are on top of the college football world. Their rings and recent success sell. Tennessee is still not upper echelon for recruits. This year, we are coming into the conversation of being a top destination for recruits, but no one views Tennessee as a top 5 program. They have to steadily increase on the field results to raise their profile. We have absolutely done that this year, in the face of adversity.

The truth is, we will likely never recruit at a Bama or OSU level... unless you hire the equivalent of Saban, Meyer or Harbaugh. The drop off is steep from there, and risky, and I'm content with the growth I've seen from the program to let Butch wrestle with this thing and take it as high as he can go. It's going to take time, but we have done nothing but trend up, to a pretty good place so far.

I was watching Finebaum, and Texas AM press member made mention that they got the National stage and everyone's attention when they played Tennessee. We were on CBS for three weeks straight in massive comebacks, and Jennings catch was played over and over. After those games, it was said that UT admission inquiries were way up.

Meanwhile, ratings have been down for Bama's games. It's been said that fans are getting bored watching them win over and over. Anyway, I think this all bodes well for us. Bama game wasn't pretty, but just keep winning.

 

[nicksjuzunk]

He's not doing it well. IMO

His recruiting is why he's a coach. I don't remember Auburn Linebackers being particularly nasty either. JRM looked the same all 3 years as a starter. Kirkland looks like he's a year older with experience. But those guys will make plays. Jumper just started to play better versus Florida. The LBs really should've been killing all year. The line was eating enough blocks. A kid like Elliot Berry balling last week tells me all I need to know about Thigpen. Berry was flying around making plays. And is improving from taking the game more serious. IMO

Why aren't these guys dialed in as a group? How can Bryant be here 3 years but can't line a defense up properly? How is that possible?

Seems like his recruiting exploits severely dropped after year 1 too

 

[InVOLuntary]

I think our lack competitiveness with AL goes well beyond Butch and his coaches, and recruiting. AL has a program that is dedicated to being the best. They have an administration that has a whatever it takes mentality. They spend whatever it takes, they bend/break whatever rules are necessary, and they look over player indiscretions. The rules and some laws are an afterthought to them. They have zero fear of investigation by the NCAA and have little concern for prosecution from law enforcement, evidenced by the recent player run-ins with the law.

When competing against this type of system the cards are stacked against you.

 

[PowerOrange]

Seems like his recruiting exploits severely dropped after year 1 too

It was really weird. He went from elite recruiter to being a liability on the recruiting trail.

 

[jjay2518]

As much as everyone loves to call Wolf an NFL player, his performances have not earned extra offensive involvement, IMO.

His potential is stagnating

I've been really unimpressed by Wolf and Croom this year. After hearing such great things about Larry Scott, I'm surprised to see his position group performing so poorly.

 

[csprig9]

I think our lack competitiveness with AL goes well beyond Butch and his coaches, and recruiting. AL has a program that is dedicated to being the best. They have an administration that has a whatever it takes mentality. They spend whatever it takes, they bend/break whatever rules are necessary, and they look over player indiscretions. The rules and some laws are an afterthought to them. They have zero fear of investigation by the NCAA and have little concern for prosecution from law enforcement, evidenced by the recent player run-ins with the law.

When competing against this type of system the cards are stacked against you.

And a tennessee ad while we have bama dave

 

[AV_12]

Seems like his recruiting exploits severely dropped after year 1 too

Not really.. Hard to really judge 4th stringers(Berry wasn't terrible tho) and sometimes you just miss on guys like Bates... Thig is still in on all the big time guys



Tommy Thigpen, Linebackers Coach (FB), Tennessee Volunteers

 

[InVOLuntary]

And a tennessee ad while we have bama dave

Bama Dave will be gone soon. Bill Battle is not a Tennessee guy. He's a Bammer that coached here. He was born in Birmingham, played and coached at Alabama under the Bear. He just happened to coach here for six years.

 

[butchna]

And a tennessee ad while we have bama dave

Battle was a Bama player and assistant under Bear.

 

[Volator]

I think our lack competitiveness with AL goes well beyond Butch and his coaches, and recruiting. AL has a program that is dedicated to being the best. They have an administration that has a whatever it takes mentality. They spend whatever it takes, they bend/break whatever rules are necessary, and they look over player indiscretions. The rules and some laws are an afterthought to them. They have zero fear of investigation by the NCAA and have little concern for prosecution from law enforcement, evidenced by the recent player run-ins with the law.

When competing against this type of system the cards are stacked against you.

Administration support (lack there of) goes back to CPF time. Hamilton did not have the muscle or leadership skills of Dickey. Hamilton's negative impact can not be overstated (imo)

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Bama Dave will be gone soon. Bill Battle is not a Tennessee guy. He's a Bammer that coached here. He was born in Birmingham, played and coached at Alabama under the Bear. He just happened to coach here for six years.

He was able to destroy most of what Dickey had established.

 

[I4Jay]

I've been really unimpressed by Wolf and Croom this year. After hearing such great things about Larry Scott, I'm surprised to see his position group performing so poorly.

He can't go out and play for them . The opportunities have been there for them. 82 has been playing better. 18...
...

 

[WriterVol]

I've been really unimpressed by Wolf and Croom this year. After hearing such great things about Larry Scott, I'm surprised to see his position group performing so poorly.

After what the TE group has done so far this year, I'm surprised to see anyone say they are underutilized. But it's a story that goes back forever. I remember people complaining about Fulmer not using TEs enough. This year's group has been inconsistent at best.

Larry Scott also took over special teams. That group has been pretty stagnant this year. I thought we'd see more from his areas. Injuries may have a bit to do with that as well.

 

[Nashvegas31]

After what the TE group has done so far this year, I'm surprised to see anyone say they are underutilized. But it's a story that goes back forever. I remember people complaining about Fulmer not using TEs enough. This year's group has been inconsistent at best.

Larry Scott also took over special teams. That group has been pretty stagnant this year. I thought we'd see more from his areas. Injuries may have a bit to do with that as well.

Special teams definitely has not been as good. It hasn't been bad but went from elite to pretty good. Part of that could be Berry doesn't get many chances anymore. In limited chances our return teams are starting to get some gains but some penalties from young guys have hurt. So depth could be what is hurting making teams younger

 

[Rishvol]

After what the TE group has done so far this year, I'm surprised to see anyone say they are underutilized. But it's a story that goes back forever. I remember people complaining about Fulmer not using TEs enough. This year's group has been inconsistent at best.

Larry Scott also took over special teams. That group has been pretty stagnant this year. I thought we'd see more from his areas. Injuries may have a bit to do with that as well.

Didn't CLS say at the beginning he's never coached special teams

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

I agree 100%. And I promised in the dregs of the Dooley years never again to complain or take for granted again years where we are competitive and in the top 25, even if we don't get to the promised land. I wasted many of the Fulmer years doing just that. We are clearly back in the mix and relevant again. I'm enjoying it. I've completely look past that Bama fiasco. I'm convinced it was a blip on the radar and a perfect storm, and that it's not indicative of broader trends that should cause us to fire everyone.

Sound logic and reasoning doesn't belong on this board.

I'm 100% in agreement with you. I said the same thing after the Dooley years, and I'm enjoying being relevant again in this conference in only Butch's 4th year.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

I think our lack competitiveness with AL goes well beyond Butch and his coaches, and recruiting. AL has a program that is dedicated to being the best. They have an administration that has a whatever it takes mentality. They spend whatever it takes, they bend/break whatever rules are necessary, and they look over player indiscretions. The rules and some laws are an afterthought to them. They have zero fear of investigation by the NCAA and have little concern for prosecution from law enforcement, evidenced by the recent player run-ins with the law.

When competing against this type of system the cards are stacked against you.

Bingo. They are the most corrupt program that we have probably ever seen. I don't want to be a fan of something like that. I hope at some point it all comes out, and they get hammered so hard that they live in mediocrity for 20+ years.

 

[jave36]

He can't go out and play for them . The opportunities have been there for them. 82 has been playing better. 18...
...

Ya, coaches have to own drops to an extent, but the TE are wide, WIDE open most of the time. I haven't been paying attention to the blocking of our TE, but it seems like our TE are doing everything right except they drop the ball.

 

[JCP201]

Today is the day that team 117 beat a top ten team. Butch has been there and done that, regardless of what the media says.

 

[Aesius]

Today is the day that team 117 beat a top ten team. Butch has been there and done that, regardless of what the media says.

We might have cost South Carolina a chance at playing for the national championship that day. I think they could have beat Auburn in ATL and gone on to play FSU.

 

[Kristy*]

I've been really unimpressed by Wolf and Croom this year. After hearing such great things about Larry Scott, I'm surprised to see his position group performing so poorly.

They both have had a season-long case of the drops so far. Wolf still runs good routes, but it doesn't matter if he doesn't complete the catch. And his perimeter blocking has been suspect too. There have been multiple runs/screens that if he makes or maintains his block, it's for a big gain. BUT, he doesn't. . .