Griffith on finenaum...

[BeardedVol]

Actually not. We've had a rash of bad luck the last two years or we could be talking about back to back East titles and possibly an SEC Championship.

We just need to stop having so much bad luck. We have the talent to compete with anyone in the country. Our 4 year recruiting rank next year will be no different than what Clemson's 4 year recruiting rank was last year when they won the national championship.

The talent is here. We just need to finally prove it on the field.

2015 was not about "bad luck", it was bad coaching. CBJ freaked out when he got a lead, made poor decisions, and tried to camp on leads late in the game and it cost the team.

2016, other than the massive injuries on the defensive side, where was this bad luck? For the first five games we had insanely good luck, the miracle fumble recovery to hold off App State in OT. VA Tech and their fumbling. The hail Mary win over GA. Bad luck had nothing to do with us losing to USCe or Vandy, or the ultimate outcome of the regular season.

 

[gray0306]

It is not about luck...You make your own luck and quite frankly Jones did not have the right coaches in place. Specifically a real S&C coach, which is where I think a lot of what happened to us stems from. I am anxious to see what happens this year with the Rock in place. Whatever happens, we'll be there to support the team and have a great time.

 

[gray0306]

Oh and one more thing.....I saw Slimebaum last night and this interview. He's an ass and quite frankly UT should take his ancient degree away from him and totally disown the ass.

 

[volgrad500]

2015 was not about "bad luck", it was bad coaching. CBJ freaked out when he got a lead, made poor decisions, and tried to camp on leads late in the game and it cost the team.

2016, other than the massive injuries on the defensive side, where was this bad luck? For the first five games we had insanely good luck, the miracle fumble recovery to hold off App State in OT. VA Tech and their fumbling. The hail Mary win over GA. Bad luck had nothing to do with us losing to USCe or Vandy, or the ultimate outcome of the regular season.

This all day. It amazes me that the further we get from the season, people are actually starting to believe this "bad luck" narrative. We may have possibly been the luckiest team in football last year. And good for us! We were due. But to somehow cry that we deserved better is laughable.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Andy Griffith.

"Good Cracker"!

 

[Volsfaninva917]

Griff's a great guy, a very good writer and unlike most writers who cover the Vols, he is actually optimistic and gives them positive press. Never understood why "fans" attack the guy for being postive when he is able to be so. I also like him because he doesn't mind arguing with the idiots.

However at times, he can be very delusional and has become somewhat of a mouth piece for CBJ. People are tired of hearing UT is back and this guy continues to pump it while making excuse after excuse for a career 8 win football coach

 

[ptcarter]

I know we're winning at least 10 games next year.

10-2 or 11-1 with a berth in the SEC Championship game.

It will happen.

 

[jakez4ut]

2015 was not about "bad luck", it was bad coaching. CBJ freaked out when he got a lead, made poor decisions, and tried to camp on leads late in the game and it cost the team.

2016, other than the massive injuries on the defensive side, where was this bad luck? For the first five games we had insanely good luck, the miracle fumble recovery to hold off App State in OT. VA Tech and their fumbling. The hail Mary win over GA. Bad luck had nothing to do with us losing to USCe or Vandy, or the ultimate outcome of the regular season.

:thumbsup:

 

[jakez4ut]

Griff's a great guy, a very good writer and unlike most writers who cover the Vols, he is actually optimistic and gives them positive press. Never understood why "fans" attack the guy for being postive when he is able to be so. I also like him because he doesn't mind arguing with the idiots.

However at times, he can be very delusional and has become somewhat of a mouth piece for CBJ. People are tired of hearing UT is back and this guy continues to pump it while making excuse after excuse for a career 8 win football coach

there's a happy medium he could operate in. and sometimes he tries, where he'll say something like "Jones has made mistakes, sure...." then follows it up with some equally benign comment reflecting something positive.

i tend to lean toward the 2nd post in regards to Griff, but it's good that there is a guy out there willing to take that on, and be that mouthpiece. just as it's good there are those willing to report the other side of the coin.

you need both

 

[johnrlansford]

I know we're winning at least 10 games next year.

10-2 or 11-1 with a berth in the SEC Championship game.

It will happen.

That means in reality we will go 4-8 and Butch is fired....Thanks a lot D4H now I don't even have to watch a game this year!!!

 

[sjt18]

Actually not. We've had a rash of bad luck the last two years or we could be talking about back to back East titles and possibly an SEC Championship.

We just need to stop having so much bad luck. We have the talent to compete with anyone in the country. Our 4 year recruiting rank next year will be no different than what Clemson's 4 year recruiting rank was last year when they won the national championship.

The talent is here. We just need to finally prove it on the field.

This post is just as "all knowing" as your others. There is no such thing as "luck". Performance is a product of preparation, talent, and decisions.

There are a lot of things that happened over the past two years... none are the product of uncaused "unlucky" events.

 

[sjt18]

He left himself open with the 7 to 11 range which means like the rest of us he has no clue.

Yeah. That's not exactly stepping out on a limb. And his two "ifs"... Does he really get paid for analyses like that?

 

[sjt18]

I know we're winning at least 10 games next year.

10-2 or 11-1 with a berth in the SEC Championship game.

It will happen.

More from this "above average layman"....

You "knew" UT was going to win the SEC and NC last year. You "knew" with such great certainty that Dobbs would win the Heisman that you made it your screen name.

Truth is... you know pretty much nothing.

 

[jakez4ut]

Yeah. That's not exactly stepping out on a limb. And his two "ifs"... Does he really get paid for analyses like that?

in fairness, PF asked him for a "range" of victories for 2017.

granted, 7-11 is a wide range...i would have expected something along the lines of 7-9 being more realistic, but it is what he was asked. he didn't just come out and say it unprovoked....lol:

 

[1982Alum]

7-5 seems about right for me so it seems like the writer is spot on. Anything above 7 wins will be based on abnormally fast skill development and luck which we have seen neither of under Butch.

 

[alaVOL]

Defense is the key to our season. If the "D" is what we hoped for last year, we can win 9games. If our defense is closer to last year's model, then 7 is tops.

 

[JettVol]

I know we're winning at least 10 games next year.

10-2 or 11-1 with a berth in the SEC Championship game.

It will happen.

Can you give me some of the Chronic please, I need what you are smoking.

Dude, we are losing to Bama and LSU and UF in the swamp, go check when the last time we beat Florida on the road.....I'll wait.

Secondly with new QB and very thin at a proven RB, (Kelly is a beast but cannot tote the rock 25+ times a game through the SEC, he will get hurt before the year is over doing that)

You could argue that the game against Ga Tech and UGA is debatable or toss up games. Also, last year we found a way again to lose to Vandy and USCjr. so looking at what I've laid out before you minus the crack pipe that you are on, I count 7 very possible losses, I say toss ups to tech, UGA, Vandy and USCjr with butch somehow pulling out two of them for wins, making us 7-5. 10-2 or 11-1 is complete nonsense, you cannot be serious on any level whatsoever with the performance we had last year with a markedly more talented more veteran team.

 

[Tin Man]

Lord, hear the prayer of this sinner. Please, let Tennessee continue to win against Georgia, at least until the Vols win the SEC and go on to the CFP. And Lord, grant that Tennessee whips Florida for the next decade & a half. Turnabouts fair play, Lord. Blood of the Savior, Christ on a cracker, Amen.

 

[deezvols]

I'm not sure he's correct.... I bet we'll win between 1 and 13 games

 

[IknoxvolsI]

This all day. It amazes me that the further we get from the season, people are actually starting to believe this "bad luck" narrative. We may have possibly been the luckiest team in football last year. And good for us! We were due. But to somehow cry that we deserved better is laughable.

You mean all day and night!

First part of last season made me think Fulmer was back and it was one of the '02-'04 seasons!

 

[terrypedigo]

I think he is spot on with his best case scenario and probably worst case scenario too.

A lot of good things have to happen for that best case to play out. Just like last year when we could have won quite a bit more without the injuries. Granted a counter-argument could be made that we could have lost App St., Va Tech, Fl and GA games.

Thats what he was doing if all the chips fall our way win 11 if not 7 but what its worth 8 wins again and beat down on a over rated little 10 team in bowl then the hype will begin for the 18 season.:clapping:

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

....Possibly an SEC championship?

C'mon man

We had Alabama down with 2 minutes left in Tuscaloosa in 2015.

If we don't lose to you guys that year and get a rematch with them in Atlanta, I think we would have had a good chance to beat Alabama in 2015.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Pass whatever you're drinking around!

Ok.

(1) 2 NFL QBs competing for the starting job. Both guys have 1st round talent.
(2) A big-time NFL RB starting in the backfield for us once again.
(3) A young but talented and deep WR corp.
(4) An offensive line that is deep and improving.
(5) A defense loaded with talented playmakers.
(6) A schedule that is easiest we've had in a number of years.

Contrary to the narrative that will pervade the media this off-season, Tennessee is set up to have a huge year in 2017.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Can you give me some of the Chronic please, I need what you are smoking.

Dude, we are losing to Bama and LSU and UF in the swamp, go check when the last time we beat Florida on the road.....I'll wait.

Secondly with new QB and very thin at a proven RB, (Kelly is a beast but cannot tote the rock 25+ times a game through the SEC, he will get hurt before the year is over doing that)

You could argue that the game against Ga Tech and UGA is debatable or toss up games. Also, last year we found a way again to lose to Vandy and USCjr. so looking at what I've laid out before you minus the crack pipe that you are on, I count 7 very possible losses, I say toss ups to tech, UGA, Vandy and USCjr with butch somehow pulling out two of them for wins, making us 7-5. 10-2 or 11-1 is complete nonsense, you cannot be serious on any level whatsoever with the performance we had last year with a markedly more talented more veteran team.

One thing I'm sure of next season is that we're beating Florida. This ain't the Florida of old. All of Muschamp's defensive recruits are gone. All that's left is the scrubs McElwain has recruited the last 3 years. We're gonna win in the swamp. And rather easily IMO. 27-10. Book It.

We're gonna be fine at QB. We have the next Joe Flacco and the next Colin Kaepernick competing for the starting job. We'll also be fine at RB. We might be thin but the top-end talent is elite. John Kelly is a future starting NFL RB with heisman trophy winning potential. While Ty Chandler has NFL potential as well.

Our only loss next year will be in Tuscaloosa by one score. Then we'll get our revenge against Bama in the SEC Championship game.

 

[BearCat204]

Ok.

(1) 2 NFL QBs competing for the starting job. Both guys have 1st round talent. 100% disagree and not sure how anyone could say that with a straight face.
(2) A big-time NFL RB starting in the backfield for us once again. You and these sky high predictions.
(3) A young but talented and deep WR corp. Agree
(4) An offensive line that is deep and improving. Agree
(5) A defense loaded with talented playmakers. "Loaded" is definitely subjective
(6) A schedule that is easiest we've had in a number of years. This years schedule is just as hard....if not harder than recent years.

Contrary to the narrative that will pervade the media this off-season, Tennessee is set up to have a huge year in 2017.

You literally say this every damn year. I remember how absurd it was when you said we had the best starting 22 in the nation.