Dooley Sees Upswing

[orangeblood79]

Originally Posted by Orange Blazer

Arent those two related? Improvement on roster translates to the field. Got to improve the roster first and he has.

Not denying that....just illustrating the fact that even though there was an improved roster from '10 to '11, even marginally so, the results on the field seemed to indicate otherwise.

I will say this in Dooley's defense, however, the injuries on the roster to key members were significant and likely cost one or two games so I am not nearly as harsh on DD as others.

I'm just one that used to support him to the hilt and thought he had this program headed in the right direction, but after the UK game, his 6 week hibernation from the media afterwards, and the locker room drama in the off-season...I'm on the fence.

I honestly and truly hope he turns things around this year...but I'm not nearly as optimistic about it as I once was.

[orange parmejohn]

of the those 4 positions, DL is the only one that Dooley hasnt recruited as well as he has needed, i think. the kicker position sucks because of a bust. it seems we have some good RBs, we just need the Oline to give them a chance. in JC's offense, you dont necessarily need All SEC backs, to be somewhat effective.

[Theshag]

Originally Posted by hohenfelsvol

Type 1 Year 1: I am happy to be coaching the Vols. We have holes we need to fix on the defensive line, running backs and kicking.

Type 2 Year 3: I look forward to my third season. We have holes we need to fix on the defensive line, running backs and kicking.

Thank god you aren't a Kentucky fan. They didn't punt during their spring game because they don't have a kicker. Their starting corner is a converted RS freshman tailback. Their QB from last year is essentially done and they are counting on a true freshman coming in this year.

Times have been tough, but this year is the first in a long time we actually have a roster without glaring holes. No more Simms throwing to amazing receivers, or Bray only having DR as a target. No true freshman o-line or a defense led in tackles by a converted RB.

We're are not going to win every game this year, but we'll finally have a shot every time we hit the field.

[KingtUT]

Originally Posted by fade route

Well, think about this: we are installing a completely new defensive scheme who's success largely relies on a guy (McCullers) who isn't even on campus, not to mention what kind of shape he will be in come Aug with less than a month to prepare. NC state won 6 of their last 8 last year and had some big wins (Clemson). When their offense is clicking, they can put up points, and Glennon is very good. All that against our new D that's suspect in key areas (corners, D-line), on a neutral field............no cause for concern??
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Concern, yes. Its not going to be a cake walk by any means. But we should win the game. Talk about their offense all you want but our offense should blow theirs off the field. Is our roster better than theirs from top to bottom? If your answer is yes then we should find a way to win. JMO

[WillisVol]

I think that our offense will be too much for NC St to stop. Once we get a little bit of balance by utilizing an improved running game, they won't be able to cover the likes of Hunter, Rogers, and Patterson. Not to mention the fact that our Tight Ends have made a pretty significant improvement. I think Rivera, Downs, and Clear will all be heavily involved in the offense as well.

[fade route]

Originally Posted by KingtUT

Concern, yes. Its not going to be a cake walk by any means. But we should win the game. Talk about their offense all you want but our offense should blow theirs off the field. Is our roster better than theirs from top to bottom? If your answer is yes then we should find a way to win. JMO

Our running games was abyssmal last year and its still a huge question mark going into the season, nobody truly knows if the o-line will be better, or just more experienced at being terrible. I mean, Chaney's still calling the plays, right? We have no viable 3rd WR option, and again we're depending on a guy who isn't here yet for that. Our kicking game is putrid on its best day and if its close late in the game, Bray has the tendency to throw it to the other team. Again.......not concerned?
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[Orange_Crush]

Originally Posted by orangeblood79

Not denying that....just illustrating the fact that even though there was an improved roster from '10 to '11, even marginally so, the results on the field seemed to indicate otherwise.

I will say this in Dooley's defense, however, the injuries on the roster to key members were significant and likely cost one or two games so I am not nearly as harsh on DD as others.

I'm just one that used to support him to the hilt and thought he had this program headed in the right direction, but after the UK game, his 6 week hibernation from the media afterwards, and the locker room drama in the off-season...I'm on the fence.

I honestly and truly hope he turns things around this year...but I'm not nearly as optimistic about it as I once was.

Don't forget the strength of schedule in '11 too. That was a decided difference between the years.

[orangeblood79]

Originally Posted by Orange_Crush

Don't forget the strength of schedule in '11 too. That was a decided difference between the years.

Very, very, very true....

[WillisVol]

Originally Posted by Orange_Crush

Don't forget the strength of schedule in '11 too. That was a decided difference between the years.

Amen to that. That stretch we hit during October was ridiculous. It would have been tough even with Bray and Hunter, but without them it was just miserable.

[hohenfelsvol]

Originally Posted by Orange_Crush

Look, I'm tired of being where we have been as a program too. I empathize with your feelings. Truly.

However, an honest appraisal of the UT program that Dooley inherited is that it had pretty much been burnt to the ground. And there just isn't a "talent mart" where you can just go and buy SEC-ready talent. It must be obtained at a steady pace, and then developed. It's a process.

Those aren't excuses. They are just facts.

Will Dooley be successful? I hope so. Is the program in better condition now than it was when he got here? Yes. Is it less painful to endure the rebuild by noting the progress than it is to hold the process to an unfair timeline?

I would say so.

The "I'm just tired of losing" argument may feel good on the lips, but it sounds juvenile and detached from reality.

Sorry. Just being honest.

Honesty is all about perspective. Glad to hear a losing season and losing to KY is better off in your opinion.

[JayVols]

Originally Posted by Theshag

Thank god you aren't a Kentucky fan. They didn't punt during their spring game because they don't have a kicker. Their starting corner is a converted RS freshman tailback. Their QB from last year is essentially done and they are counting on a true freshman coming in this year.

Times have been tough, but this year is the first in a long time we actually have a roster without glaring holes. No more Simms throwing to amazing receivers, or Bray only having DR as a target. No true freshman o-line or a defense led in tackles by a converted RB.

We're are not going to win every game this year, but we'll finally have a shot every time we hit the field.

1st: Ho knows his stuff and is a respected poster.

2nd (and most importantly): UT football should NEVER be compared to Kentucky football.

[hohenfelsvol]

Originally Posted by KingtUT

Then most people need to check themselves. Sure the wins havent came but this roster is now in a position to win some games. I think if you told most Vol fans three years ago that we would be expected to win 8 to 10 games this year , they would be very pleased. Could be wrong though..

I still have my doubts about DD but IMO we are right where we need to be after the mess he inherited. Now he has to win.

8 to 10 wins would be great. No argument there.

[aredfox28]

We will win this year, gotta have faith and believe.. do I think Dooley is the right man? Hell, I don't know.. but, this is the best talent we had here in years. So I'm gonna believe until he doesn't produce wins.. if he doesn't, get him outta there right away..

[northknoxvol]

He wasnt talking about academics was he! LOL

[Theshag]

Originally Posted by Orange_Crush

Look, I'm tired of being where we have been as a program too. I empathize with your feelings. Truly.

However, an honest appraisal of the UT program that Dooley inherited is that it had pretty much been burnt to the ground. And there just isn't a "talent mart" where you can just go and buy SEC-ready talent. It must be obtained at a steady pace, and then developed. It's a process.

Those aren't excuses. They are just facts.

Will Dooley be successful? I hope so. Is the program in better condition now than it was when he got here? Yes. Is it less painful to endure the rebuild by noting the progress than it is to hold the process to an unfair timeline?

I would say so.

The "I'm just tired of losing" argument may feel good on the lips, but it sounds juvenile and detached from reality.

Sorry. Just being honest.

I feel the same way about the last few seasons, Dooley has lost all he was supposed to but one (vandy) and won all he was supposed to but one (Kentucky) He has done it with a depleted roster and he has done a great job recruiting talent while losing so many games.

This season the time for that excuse is over. The fans feel it and I think Dooley knows it. Another bad season and the fire Dooley bandwagon is going to get its way. This year is make or break for this coaching staff, and in many ways the program. We can't ride the 90s and early 2000s forever.