I like Inky, but the fan base has every right to complain. We have 2 loses this season where we had the lead and talent to seal the deal. But we got beat in terms of coaching. Then you start thinking back and realize Tennessee hasn't been relative in a decade. During that time, many posters have spent thousands of dollars. When an elite program goes to crap expect to hear folks complain.
Hey Inky. If you are reading this, I would suggest that what hurts recruiting more than bat**** crazy fans, and most likely what other coaches bring up is this:
There are 6 teams out of 120 that have lead EVERY game this year by 13 or more points. All of them are undefeated......except one.
Our fanbase has a right to be "fickle". They've been drug through the mud the past 10 years and they actually care about their team, which tends to leave them ultrasensitive. In terms of the improvement aspect of things, I didn't see that this team that played Arkansas was vastly improved. This was a game that was winnable coached by two coaches who needed big time wins. As usual, Tennessee loses. Again. At home.
Defensively, the defense was earily similar to Sunseri's on-the-field product. Poor angles, tackling, and adjustments. So... In year 3, the problem isn't the fanbase. It is the coaching staff.
After almost 15 years of "waiting for tomorrow", negativity is going to come out. Period.
*****ing on this message board is the only catharsis the fan base will receive since the redeeming wins are yet to come.
It's how this whole fandom thing works...and believe it or not, it isn't contained to ONLY Vol nation.
No need for overly philosophical, religious parallels here.
Negativity is a by product of a prolonged state of losing...winning improves everything...so you know...