Tennessee will have some rough years ahead

[volmedic]

First topic I've started so have mercy...
I have read most of the post on here, I have watched the vols play on tv, and I have read the news. So far the problems have seemed easy to pinpoint. Lack of disipline, underachievement, injuries, tough schedule, and coaching. I do think the football teams problems go deeper though. The first loss or two can be expected or understood, but when the losses keep adding up it overtakes a teams mentality. I now wonder how much of this season is awful luck and feelings of the players not being able to overcome it. We certainly have the talent but it just seems nothing goes right, even when one part seems to get fixed another problem comes in to take over. The 1998 season is the perfect example of the exact opposite of this, we had all the luck. I think the Vols will have a few more of these rough seasons if our luck doesn't change, no matter how many changes are made in personel...I hope I'm wrong.

 

[GAVol]

...or we could do the same thing that happened the last time we had a losing season and go 11-1 the next year. Just depends on whether we push the right buttons.

 

[dan4vols]

nice post , welcome to the board

 

[volmedic]

It just seems there are so many buttons to be pushed though...lol

 

[volmedic]

Thanks, i'm finally over my bashfulness.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

We are headed for the cellar. It is going to be the late 70s-early 80s all over again. Get ready to be the Big Orange doormat of the SEC folks.

 

[GAVol]

True . . . but I keep telling myself that things are never as good or as bad as they seem.

 

[GAVol]

Originally posted by volmedic@Nov 21, 2005 10:30 AM
Thanks, i'm finally over my bashfulness.

[snapback]198585[/snapback]​

I think that's code for "I've seen enough people make fools of themselves that I'm now ready to jump in"?

Welcome to the board

 

[volmedic]

Well you have to be an optimist to be a vol fan, I know from experience. And to add to my original post, I remember when Cutcliffe was here before, yes he developed some great quarterbacks (Shuler, Manning) or did he. I mean Peyton could have played for Joe Don university and would have still been great, I am just not sure we are headed in the right direction.

 

[GAVol]

The thing that gives me hope for a quick turnaround is that we have a good defense. A good defense always keeps you in football games. If you think about it, we have been in every single game we've played into the 4th quarter. That's a rather odd thing to be able to say about a 6 loss football team.

 

[volmedic]

True, our defensive line has become one of the best, but even with such a great year on defense has anyone else noticed that our secondary is always suspect? I mean I know Chavis' defenses thrive off the pass rush, but our secondary has let so many thrid and longs be completed. I'm not trying to be down on the team, I know the "D" is worne out, but our secondary has always been suspect.

 

[volmedic]

I suspect.

 

[GenNeyland9]

Originally posted by VolunteerHillbilly@Nov 21, 2005 10:30 AM
We are headed for the cellar.  It is going to be the late 70s-early 80s all over again.  Get ready to be the Big Orange doormat of the SEC folks.

[snapback]198586[/snapback]​

I strongly disagree. We're one year removed from playing for the SEC title, and we had Scout.com's #1 rated recruiting class just last Spring.

Have faith, friend. We'll get some new coaches and a new sense of desperation, and get this ship righted. As a recent post stated, in 1988 we started out 0 - 6, missed a bowl game, and had a losing season. The next year we went 11 -1, tied for the SEC Title, and won the Cotton Bowl. Sometimes you need to have really tough times to get over a plateau or a rut. I guess in our case, the plateau we couldn't seem to get over was winning another SEC Championship. We were able to grow complacent and not try new things because we were consistently winning 8 - 10 games, just not championships. I think we needed this bad of a season to get back to pre 1999 form.

If you payed close attention to who was playing this season, you'll note that we played a lot of folks on both sides of the ball. Guys like Xavier Mitchell, Robert Ayers, Jarod Mayo, Jon Wade, Dee Morley, Roshaun Fellows, Corey Campbell, Austin Rogers, Josh Briscoe, Lucas Taylor, Anthony Parker, Ramon Foster, Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty, Inky Johnson, Antonio Gaines, Antonio Reynolds, Turk McBride, Ryan Karl--are all non-starters that played a ton this year. They're all back next year, as are guys like Meachem, Swain, Bret Smith, Brown, Anderson, Holbert, Justin Harrell, Stewart, Hefney, Sears, Rob Smith, David Ligon, Colquitt, Wilhoit, Ainge (Gasp, I know; think 2004 . . .). The list goes on and on.

Also, don't forget guys like Rico McCoy, Jon Crompton, and Demonte Bolden. McCoy and Crompton would have gotten substantial playing time this year had it not been for injuries, and Bolden is a monster in the mold of Albert Haynesworth. Other studs from last year's banner recruiting haul will probably be ready to go next year--guys like Slick Shelly, Vlad Richard, Gerald Williams, etc.

It's not like we're not going to have any players all of the sudden. The only difference is that we're actually going to start coaching players and running practices with a sense of desperation.

We'll have Cut's offense running more effectively, a new WR's coach (probably TD Woods) that will actually help our WR's reach more of their potential, a new O-Line coach that will hopefully whip our lineman into shape and give them back a nasty attitude that wants to run all over opposing teams, and a new emphasis on special teams. Hopefully we'll also have a better DB's coach (Rumors point to Slade retiring due to health reasons) to shore up the part of our D that is traditionally the weakest year in and year out.

I look for us to come back in a big way in 2006. How's that for a dash of positive in the most negative season since 1988?

 

[Tnwoodsman]

I do not subscribe to the theory that we will have several more rough years before things get better. I think Fulmer may have been guilty of letting things slide but I also think his eyes have been opened. They have been opened as wide as possible. He has known of the problems for a long time. He is not a dumb person. He has let the players get by with too much because he feels like a father figure and wants to make everything as nice as possible for them. He also has known his coaching staff needed some changes but his loyalty to them prevented him from firing anyone. He knows they are real people, not just names on a sheet of paper. However, he now knows he must change to survive himself..... and change he will... great year next year.

 

[CSpindizzy]

Oh believe me when I say I'm a huge pessimist on many things. But I think with this fan base, the alumni and the money involved here that none of these will allow this to go unchecked for too long. I think Fulmer has one good year to show some improvement. Personally I think this could turn around in one year or at least we are CAPABLE of this. It's going to be up to the new staff next year to show us what can be done.

I think the powers that be will give Fulmer next year to show improvement. They won't ask for a miracle turnaround but will expect some serious changes with attitude and mental preparation of the team as a whole. You don't have to get a win to see a change in this.

After next year I think there will be a serious evaluation of Fulmer and his achievements. Consider it a probationary period so to speak. In the meantime we need to get behind the team and do our part. A change in attitude on this team can help by our actions. Booing and those associated actions won't help. We have to get behind those players. If we do our part and the coaches do their part, this team could do a complete 180 in a year.

 

[volmedic]

I'm certainly glad to see this amount of hope for our team. I do know one thing if we even have a decent bit more of good luck we will have a better record. Go Vols.

 

[dan4vols]

Originally posted by Tnwoodsman@Nov 21, 2005 9:57 AM
I do not subscribe to the theory that we will have several more rough years before things get better. I think Fulmer may have been guilty of letting things slide but I also think his eyes have been opened. They have been opened as wide as possible. He has known of the problems for a long time. He is not a dumb person. He has let the players get by with too much because he feels like a father figure and wants to make everything as nice as possible for them. He also has known his coaching staff needed some changes but his loyalty to them prevented him from firing anyone. He knows they are real people, not just names on a sheet of paper. However, he now knows he must change to survive himself..... and change he will... great year next year.

[snapback]198615[/snapback]​

We'll know for sure if he puts the squad thru a spring/summer preparation thats rough highly disciplined.

 

[dan4vols]

Originally posted by volmedic@Nov 21, 2005 10:01 AM
I'm certainly glad to see this amount of hope for our team. I do know one thing if we even have a decent bit more of good luck we will have a better record. Go Vols.

[snapback]198620[/snapback]​

I agree...a part I dont know how big or small, but a part of our seasons woes I think was good ole fashioned crappy luck. But I also think ''The Harder you work the Luckier you Get''

 

[oldbasshead]

Originally posted by GenNeyland9@Nov 21, 2005 11:50 AM
I strongly disagree.  We're one year removed from playing for the SEC title, and we had Scout.com's #1 rated recruiting class just last Spring. 

Have faith, friend.  We'll get some new coaches and a new sense of desperation, and get this ship righted.  As a recent post stated, in 1988 we started out 0 - 6, missed a bowl game, and had a losing season.  The next year we went 11 -1, tied for the SEC Title, and won the Cotton Bowl.  Sometimes you need to have really tough times to get over a plateau or a rut.  I guess in our case, the plateau we couldn't seem to get over was winning another SEC Championship.  We were able to grow complacent and not try new things because we were consistently winning 8 - 10 games, just not championships.  I think we needed this bad of a season to get back to pre 1999 form.

If you payed close attention to who was playing this season, you'll note that we played a lot of folks on both sides of the ball.  Guys like Xavier Mitchell, Robert Ayers, Jarod Mayo, Jon Wade, Dee Morley, Roshaun Fellows, Corey Campbell, Austin Rogers, Josh Briscoe, Lucas Taylor, Anthony Parker, Ramon Foster, Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty, Inky Johnson, Antonio Gaines, Antonio Reynolds, Turk McBride, Ryan Karl--are all non-starters that played a ton this year.  They're all back next year, as are guys like Meachem, Swain, Bret Smith, Brown, Anderson, Holbert, Justin Harrell, Stewart, Hefney, Sears, Rob Smith, David Ligon, Colquitt, Wilhoit, Ainge (Gasp, I know; think 2004 . . .).  The list goes on and on.

Also, don't forget guys like Rico McCoy, Jon Crompton, and Demonte Bolden.  McCoy and Crompton would have gotten substantial playing time this year had it not been for injuries, and Bolden is a monster in the mold of Albert Haynesworth.  Other studs from last year's banner recruiting haul will probably be ready to go next year--guys like Slick Shelly, Vlad Richard, Gerald Williams, etc.

It's not like we're not going to have any players all of the sudden.  The only difference is that we're actually going to start coaching players and running practices with a sense of desperation.

We'll have Cut's offense running more effectively, a new WR's coach (probably TD Woods) that will actually help our WR's reach more of their potential, a new O-Line coach that will hopefully whip our lineman into shape and give them back a nasty attitude that wants to run all over opposing teams, and a new emphasis on special teams.  Hopefully we'll also have a better DB's coach (Rumors point to Slade retiring due to health reasons) to shore up the part of our D that is traditionally the weakest year in and year out.

I look for us to come back in a big way in 2006.  How's that for a dash of positive in the most negative season since 1988?

[snapback]198606[/snapback]​

:cross: I hope you are right. I was really disappointed with Fulmer's demeanor at the teleconference after the game on Saturday. He looked totally defeated, confused and seemingly without a clue as to how to turn this thing around. I hope you are right about the new coaching staff because Fulmer's look was like a person who had lost his will to do the things that will be required to right this ship.

 

[volinbham]

Don't forget that Fulmer was dealing constantly with that jack@ss Tommy Gallion all of last year. PF was part of 3 or 4 lawsuits all through the year plus all the public character assasination by Gallion and Co. of Fulmer, Swain, etc.

Not an excuse - more of an explanation why PF may not have been able to focus 100% on this team.

We will see what PF can do this year. I believe he will right the ship.

 

[OWB]

Originally posted by GenNeyland9@Nov 21, 2005 10:50 AM

If you payed close attention to who was playing this season, you'll note that we played a lot of folks on both sides of the ball.  Guys like Xavier Mitchell, Robert Ayers, Jarod Mayo, Jon Wade, Dee Morley, Roshaun Fellows, Corey Campbell, Austin Rogers, Josh Briscoe, Lucas Taylor, Anthony Parker, Ramon Foster, Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty, Inky Johnson, Antonio Gaines, Antonio Reynolds, Turk McBride, Ryan Karl--are all non-starters that played a ton this year.  They're all back next year, as are guys like Meachem, Swain, Bret Smith, Brown, Anderson, Holbert, Justin Harrell, Stewart, Hefney, Sears, Rob Smith, David Ligon, Colquitt, Wilhoit, Ainge (Gasp, I know; think 2004 . . .).  The list goes on and on.

[snapback]198606[/snapback]​

Don't forget about Foster. Next year he will hopefully have some help. If Coker or Hardesty or both can step up, our ground game could be great. Then, we just need someone to teach our QB's how to read defenses and work on some physical stuff with them.

Next year is bound to be better than this year. I just don't see Tennessee losing 6 games 2 years in a row. Our schedule isn't half as brutal as it was this year.

Get some good position coaches and a special teams coach and we will be fine.

 

[dan4vols]

Originally posted by Orangewhiteblood@Nov 21, 2005 10:19 AM
Don't forget about Foster.  Next year he will hopefully have some help.  If Coker or Hardesty or both can step up,  our ground game could be great.  Then, we just need someone to teach our  QB's how to read defenses and work on some physical stuff with them.

Next year is bound to be better than this year.  I just don't see Tennessee losing 6 games 2 years in a row.  Our schedule isn't half as brutal as it was this year. 

Get some good position coaches and a special teams coach and we will be fine.

[snapback]198639[/snapback]​

Maybe theres more to behind the scenes than we see that goes into the decisions that are made, or not made more to the point. But OWB I think what you say is correct, I just wish CPF saw those points as clearly, and he may next season. I think if he followed your posted action plan to the letter, but also adding a very physical and brutal off season workout it would show awesome improvement.

 

[OWB]

Originally posted by dan4vols@Nov 21, 2005 12:11 PM
Maybe theres more to behind the scenes than we see that goes into the decisions that are made, or not made more to the point. But OWB I think what you say is correct, I just wish CPF saw those points as clearly, and he may next season. I think if he followed your posted action plan to the letter, but also adding a very physical and brutal off season workout it would show awesome improvement.

[snapback]198675[/snapback]​

Well, this has been a complicated season but fixing it shouldn't be that complicated.

Hire a WR coach and get the receivers running the right routes and catching the ball. Boom, that problem is fixed.

Get a good QB/OC coach to teach the QB how and when to throw to those receivers and call the right play to put them in a good position and boom, there's that problem.

Get an OL coach or let Fulmer coach it and the OL will set up the blocks to allow it all.

Get the special teams coach to teach them how to play and boom, there's our field position and maybe a lift for the team.

Then add in Foster, Coker, Hardesty, Anderson and Holbert along with the backbone of the running game that we have always had and it might not be so bad.

We're going to lose some on the defensive side but that's not horrible either as long as we get back to having a productive offense to balance out what we lose on defense...

We'll be fine if they make some good hires in the offseason.

 

[SpPlayer06]

I think that Tennessee will be back competing for the SEC title next year. I know right now it is hard to belive but I think the coaches & the players will turn this thing around. :dance2:

 

[holdemvol]

Originally posted by VolunteerHillbilly@Nov 21, 2005 10:30 AM
We are headed for the cellar.  It is going to be the late 70s-early 80s all over again.  Get ready to be the Big Orange doormat of the SEC folks.

[snapback]198586[/snapback]​

That is ridiculous. One bad, well.....terrible season does not mean UT is heading for the cellar. Some solid position coaching and a turnaround in QB play will have UT back on top in no time. The talent is still there, and there is no reason to believe UT won't be back next year. We won the east just last year.