Young/Anderson/Hyatt

[NCFisher]

I feel the same about Tillman too.

If anyone is putting their own desires b4 the team, it's you. You want him to leave for money. You don't care at all about the bowl game.

I'd like to see them play and UT curb-stomp Clemson, but it's their decision to do what is best for them at this point. The bowl game is better used to get field time for next year starters instead of playing guys who won't be there. You read the posts; the coaches and "team" aren't complaining, you are.

Players have had their rights restored by the court and have become self-aware of their rights, their interests. The clock isn't going to run backwards.

 

[NCFisher]

Naw.. I'm just a team player.. Thanks for your input though

Not so much; the football team isn't complaining, self-interested fans are.

 

[Winchester73]

The game is completely different now than it was in 1985. In the mid-80s, the national championship was important, but many viewed winning the SEC and going to the Sugar Bowl every bit as meaningful as a national title. That started to changed in the ‘90s thanks to the BCS. But the playoff has especially made it to where people view bowl games outside of the playoff as “meaningless.”

I agree, it IS a different game now. And injuries are real and can happen. I’m not going to say a guy should or shouldn’t play - but I WILL say I don’t “like” anyone sitting out that COULD be on the field. This game still counts as a win or loss and will affect the final ranking. You can bet in 10 years if we finish 11-2 and number 3or4 in the nation we will remember that ranking. And if we lose and finish 10th … we will remember that as well … strong start but losing 3 of the last 5 games and tanking. The record books won’t give points for players sitting out. If the 85 Vols had lost that Sugar Bowl we’re not even talking about them now.

 

[Mccage]

What I think about this will not change what is done. If an nfl bound player plays and gets a major injury in one of these secondary bowl games and it causes his draft status or his future earnings to be lessened that would be a bad decision. I am not a player facing that decision. Each player has a right to do what he considers best for his future. Ho Volunteers!!!!

First off I'm for them boys getting their share. My question is what difference does it make if they get injured in any bowl or for. that matter 1st game of the season

 

[BigALWiLson]

The difference could be 10 to 20 million dollars that they have worked their whole life to obtain. Yes they get a scholarship, but a 1st round or 2nd round talent puts fans in seats. Winning games the school makes a large profit on merchandise, beer and food. How many games did we sell out this year ?
Hyatt was a big part of those wins. He has earned the right to get his. His time at Tennessee is over as a player... 10-2 go Vols lets turn the page and see where we are going into 23

 

[ftsandersvol]

He needs to do what he feels right is for him. He's had a few nagging injuries this season, so I can completely understand him wanting to go into the combine with the best possible chance to help himself.

 

[ftsandersvol]

First off I'm for them boys getting their share. My question is what difference does it make if they get injured in any bowl or for. that matter 1st game of the season

The ring is still far away at the beginning of the season, whereas in Hyatt's case, the ring is now within grasp.

 

[rocytop2624]

This game doesn’t matter ? Why ? Because it’s not for the NC ? Tell that to the 85 Vols. Say what you want, but where is the line drawn ? Does this mean eventually guys gonna quit mid season after a stellar 1st half ?

When do you quit? If you won't finish the season with your brother's then at what point if I draft you are you going to decide to quit on your new brother's? If I was a GM that's what I would think and say. I wouldn't draft a opt out it to me means your scared and you quit on your team.

 

[BigALWiLson]

When do you quit? If you won't finish the season with your brother's then at what point if I draft you are you going to decide to quit on your new brother's? If I was a GM that's what I would think and say. I wouldn't draft a opt out it to me means your scared and you quit on your team.

No NFL GM would say this because you would get fired. Get use to players opting out and protecting their draft status. By the way you are heavily compensated to play it's called being a professional athlete which is what most kids who sign a NLI dream of.

 

[Shirleyudontmeanthat]

Why would you want a player that’s not coming back next year to play ?
The Clemson game is a practice game to get ready for 2023. Need players like squirrel to get every rep he can. Plus like Banks being out at LB is huge for Herring , Perry etc to get every rep they can.

 

[Winchester73]

I wonder … what IF Hooker wasn’t injured, and had WON the Heisman. Would HE play in this game … … would we WANT him to play in this game … would the team WANT/NEED him to play in this game

 

[BigALWiLson]

I wonder … what IF Hooker wasn’t injured, and had WON the Heisman. Would HE play in this game … … would we WANT him to play in this game … would the team WANT/NEED him to play in this game

My best guess is if Hooker could play Hyatt and Tillman both would likely play. Those guys seem to have a bond.

 

[Winchester73]

No NFL GM would say this because you would get fired. Get use to players opting out and protecting their draft status. By the way you are heavily compensated to play it's called being a professional athlete which is what most kids who sign a NLI dream of.

I understand the opt out and the reason for it. I actually can’t disagree with the concept. But it don’t like it and don’t think it’s fair to the fans or to the team.

 

[NCFisher]

When do you quit? If you won't finish the season with your brother's then at what point if I draft you are you going to decide to quit on your new brother's? If I was a GM that's what I would think and say. I wouldn't draft a opt out it to me means your scared and you quit on your team.

Hyatt/Tillman's coaches and "brothers" are supporting their decision, so why are self-appointed fans - in some weird football version of stolen valor - attempting to complain for them?

You would have been an awful GM. Thank goodness Heupel took that quitter Hooker and continues to recruit quitters. Glad USF took that quitter Golesh off our hands.

 

[NCFisher]

I agree, it IS a different game now. And injuries are real and can happen. I’m not going to say a guy should or shouldn’t play - but I WILL say I don’t “like” anyone sitting out that COULD be on the field. This game still counts as a win or loss and will affect the final ranking. You can bet in 10 years if we finish 11-2 and number 3or4 in the nation we will remember that ranking. And if we lose and finish 10th … we will remember that as well … strong start but losing 3 of the last 5 games and tanking. The record books won’t give points for players sitting out. If the 85 Vols had lost that Sugar Bowl we’re not even talking about them now.

Opt-outs affect every team; if any team is slightly disadvantaged in a given year, it's an anomaly. We're down two WRs and a starting QB. Clemson is down two D starters and a starting QB. Milton has much more game experience than their true freshman backup. Our bowl receivers have plenty of experience and made big plays all year. Our secondary notwithstanding, the game is probably which backup QB plays better. If Hooker started even without Hyatt/Tillman, TN is probably favored or even odds at worst. Clemson was favored before our WRs opted-out and Milton seems the primary reason.

 

[Winchester73]

Why would you want a player that’s not coming back next year to play ?
The Clemson game is a practice game to get ready for 2023. Need players like squirrel to get every rep he can. Plus like Banks being out at LB is huge for Herring , Perry etc to get every rep they can.

If this is a practice game, then it won’t count towards this years W/L or in the final rankings? Gotcha … I don’t see this multi million dollar bowl game as practice but maybe that’s what it has become unless you’re a CFP participant. It sure didn’t used to be.

 

[BigALWiLson]

If this is a practice game, then it won’t count towards this years W/L or in the final rankings? Gotcha … I don’t see this multi million dollar bowl game as practice but maybe that’s what it has become unless you’re a CFP participant. It sure didn’t used to be.

Also the bowl share is crazy too but hey gotta share with the conference.

 

[NCFisher]

If this is a practice game, then it won’t count towards this years W/L or in the final rankings? Gotcha … I don’t see this multi million dollar bowl game as practice but maybe that’s what it has become unless you’re a CFP participant. It sure didn’t used to be.

Recall TN's '51 NC was marred by a bowl loss, but the NC was determined prior to bowls then. Until CFP and BCS, it left the NC to be subjectively chosen. Nebraska got a piece of the title due to blowing us out in the Orange; had TN won they'd have that piece. Bowl games are now a non-factor in the NC. Early signing neuters bowl wins as a recruiting tool; in effect, recruits are choosing based upon the regular season. As the playoff expands bowls will become completely meaningless instead of mostly meaningless. Their only value will be as fan-fun revenue streams and more importantly practice prep for next season. This is what that looks like.

Coaches - programs - that don't put the player first in this scenario will lose ground. And absolutist turd-heads like Dabo "players that bowl opt-out should opt out the entire season" Swinney will have to adapt, or be yelling at the sky wondering why the sky isn't raining recruits like it used to. CJH is already doing right by the players, and thus the team, program, fans, etc. Some fans don't see it, but they too will have to adapt.

 

[rocytop2624]

Hyatt/Tillman's coaches and "brothers" are supporting their decision, so why are self-appointed fans - in some weird football version of stolen valor - attempting to complain for them?

You would have been an awful GM. Thank goodness Heupel took that quitter Hooker and continues to recruit quitters. Glad USF took that quitter Golesh off our hands.

What the heck are you talking about I didn't say nothing about Hooker or Heupel or Golesh. You don't seem to know to much do ya?

 

[rocytop2624]

No NFL GM would say this because you would get fired. Get use to players opting out and protecting their draft status. By the way you are heavily compensated to play it's called being a professional athlete which is what most kids who sign a NLI dream of.

Bill Parcells used to never draft a QB that didn't go to college 4 years I think expecting a kid to finish the season and not worry about getting hurt and having a quitting attitude isn't asking to much. When you play in the NFL you could get hurt every week I want someone not scared about it.

 

[NCFisher]

What the heck are you talking about I didn't say nothing about Hooker or Heupel or Golesh. You don't seem to know to much do ya?

I know you didn't, you were selectively talking about quitting/quitters; I pointed out the rest of them.
Do these quitters bother you, too? You do know enough about it to have the big picture, don't ya?

 

[rocytop2624]

Golesh got a promotion and was asked to go. Heupel got hired by Tennessee at the end of the season and Hooker gave his all for UT.

 

[vols 30]

Not so much; the football team isn't complaining, self-interested fans are.

How about self interest players?

 

[thehardknoxlife]

When do you quit? If you won't finish the season with your brother's then at what point if I draft you are you going to decide to quit on your new brother's? If I was a GM that's what I would think and say. I wouldn't draft a opt out it to me means your scared and you quit on your team.

A top draft pick gains nothing in these games even if they are the mvp of the game. A professional players pay is directly tied to their performance. It's not even close to the same thing. You could also spin that analogy and say he would be more willing to be less involved in meaningless games if a team locks its place in the playoffs. A lot of pro players are upset if the team doesn't use them late because, again, their pay is tied to their production.

Hyatt stands to lose millions of dollars with a single bad play in a meaningless game. What would he gain by playing? The answers is nothing. The fan in me wants every player to play, but the career man says, don't be stupid for pride and a cheap ring.

 

[NCFisher]

Golesh got a promotion and was asked to go. Heupel got hired by Tennessee at the end of the season and Hooker gave his all for UT.

Taking another job is quitting the current team. Golesh is pursuing his selfish goal, his better opportunity just as Hyatt/Tillman are. Hooker deserted his VT team to come to TN for his better, self-serving opportunity and gave not one ounce more than Hyatt/Tillman.

You see some 'quitters but not others, and vilify some 'quitters' but not others. Coaches and team mates see them pursuing their opportunity and support them.
I think your measuring cup is broken.