Recruiting Forum Football Talk [RIP 9.3.2019]

[Ron Swanson]

I’m skeptical an Alabama guy who goes out of his way to distance himself from UT’s traditions gets that much time.

Examples?

 

[mr.checkerboards]

I’m skeptical an Alabama guy who goes out of his way to distance himself from UT’s traditions gets that much time.

You’re right - recruiting is what matters now. This team isn’t making a bowl. In our division, we’ll need top 5-8 classes to stay within fighting distance of Georgia (and I think Florida will get there too). Anything less and we’re losing ground.

What traditions has he distanced himself from

 

[SugarCC]

I’m skeptical an Alabama guy who goes out of his way to distance himself from UT’s traditions gets that much time.

You’re right - recruiting is what matters now. This team isn’t making a bowl. In our division, we’ll need top 5-8 classes to stay within fighting distance of Georgia (and I think Florida will get there too). Anything less and we’re losing ground.

Your observation of Pruitt "distancing himself from UT's traditions" goes up there with your Pruitt and Fulmer "butting heads" comment. Both being bullsh*t.

 

[Kingston Vol]

Examples?

Maybe that was a weird way to word it. I’m talking about the attack on the fans after the O&W Game, the refusal to say anything about the crowd after the opener, and I think this one is dumb, but plenty of people have pointed out that they think he avoids wearing orange.

But I think there is a natural skepticism of him given his Bama ties. That skepticism was muted because Fulmer hired him - but it’s still there. If he struggles, it will get louder.

 

[SugarCC]

Maybe that was a weird way to word it. I’m talking about the attack on the fans after the O&W Game, the refusal to say anything about the crowd after the opener, and I think this one is dumb, but plenty of people have pointed out that they think he avoids wearing orange.

But I think there is a natural skepticism of him given his Bama ties. That skepticism was muted because Fulmer hired him - but it’s still there. If he struggles, it will get louder.

"Attack"? Wrong, again.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Maybe that was a weird way to word it. I’m talking about the attack on the fans after the O&W Game, the refusal to say anything about the crowd after the opener, and I think this one is dumb, but plenty of people have pointed out that they think he avoids wearing orange.

But I think there is a natural skepticism of him given his Bama ties. That skepticism was muted because Fulmer hired him - but it’s still there. If he struggles, it will get louder.

So a bunch of made up gossip. Got it.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I haven't thrown players under the bus, bro. Not said a single player by name. Just said it's clear we need better players to win games. Am I wrong?

The coaches also deserve blame. Of course they do. Did you really expect an overnight rebuild? Don't mistake my offseason positive attitude for ignorance about the current state of our roster and how long it takes to rebuild. Clearly I didn't think it would be as bad as we saw yesterday though. That's the reality check.

WR, RB, QB, DL, and TE have all improved, IMO. Talent is there in the secondary they just need time due to being mostly freshman. OL is clearly the biggest issue on this team. I'm no expert so I don't know how much % of the blame goes to coaches and players but it's clear that the OL needs A LOT of work. It starts with signing Morris, Wright, Lampley, Chris A and McBride. Then developing those guys in the program before they develop bad habits and lose confidence.

Strength and conditioning has also gotten better but that must improve in a big way as well. Again, something that takes time.

My point about throwing the existing players was not directly meant to be about you. But, by saying we need all new players are you not effectively throwing them under the bus? If i said we need more SEC quality coaches would that not be an indictment on Pruitt and his staff?

The only time I've seen improvement was in the two games we won against far inferior opponents. Other than JG I've not seen one position group that is better than last year if you solely look at WV and FL. And, I've not seen much if any improvement since the first game this year. After WV many were saying all they cared about was seeing improvement from week to week. Imo that's really not happening, at least to any significant degree.

 

[Kingston Vol]

So a bunch of made up gossip. Got it.

Whether or not you personally believe it isn’t what matters. I don’t think those are big things if he’s successful. But if he isn’t, that stuff will be used against him by the fanbase at large.

 

[millst987]

Maybe that was a weird way to word it. I’m talking about the attack on the fans after the O&W Game, the refusal to say anything about the crowd after the opener, and I think this one is dumb, but plenty of people have pointed out that they think he avoids wearing orange.

But I think there is a natural skepticism of him given his Bama ties. That skepticism was muted because Fulmer hired him - but it’s still there. If he struggles, it will get louder.

Holy reach bro

 

[31VFL]

For the life of me I don't understand the philosophy of throwing the players under the bus and not assigning any blame to the coaches, but whatever.

In your opinion what position group has improved since last year, and the four games this year? This is not all on the players.

Palmer, Callaway, and Jennings are all improved. Jennings was already good.

I think the entire defense is better than they were last year. It isn’t real hard to be better than last year, but they look better. Last night a lot of the points allowed were the results of turnovers from the offense.

 

[Jimmy Football]

Jason Croom TD reception for the bills.

 

[InVOLuntary]

In FF, they've made entire threads calling for his head.

I don't go there much so I wouldn't know.

 

[JacketVol]

If he's being truthful that post doesn't come off as childish one bit.

Go post something on social media about your boss and see where that gets you. Posting it on social media is childish regardless of the words.

 

[Big Gucci Sosa]

Kingston is delusional.

 

[volsfan_17]

The thing I keep wondering, based on what we've witnessed to this point is, there seems to be a huge disconnect in regards to "buy-in".

I truly believe you have a ton of upperclassmen just ready to move on, mixed with underclassmen like Banks, Thompson, Taylor, etc. that are 100% bought in to Pruitt's expectations.

We hear similar stories happening at Nebraska, and FSU right now as well.
I'm convinced that attrition is desperately needed, and regardless of what the recruiting class is ranked, the players will be better suited to provide help due to the fact they buy in and fit the current coaches profile.

@HankHill any insight in this regard?

 

[Ron Swanson]

My point about throwing the existing players was not directly meant to be about you. But, by saying we need all new players are you not effectively throwing them under the bus? If i said we need more SEC quality coaches would that not be an indictment on Pruitt nd hi staff?

The only time I've seen improvement was in the two games we won against far inferior opponents. Other than JG I've not seen one position group that is better than last year if you solely look at WV and FL. And, I've not seen much if any improvement since the first game this year. After WV many were saying all they cared about was seeing improvement from week to week. Imo that's really not happening, at least to any significant degree.

The players have been here for years. The coaches have been here for months. If the product on the field looks the same in 3 years like it did yesterday then it'll be time for more SEC quality coaches.

Am I not suppose to want better players on the team? Isn't that what we hope for by following recruiting?

 

[chavisut]

YLSM

 

[SugarCC]

I don't go there much so I wouldn't know.

Just helping you out, letting you know that after FOUR GAMES, they're out there..."calling for his head".

 

[Ron Swanson]

Just helping you out, letting you know that after FOUR GAMES, they're out there..."calling for his head".

If only he wore more orange he'd get at least 8 games from those folks.

 

[vol2002]

Well, final thoughts for the day. I love the Vols and will continue to watch them as long as the players keep playing hard, regardless of result.

But I’ve also concluded we are no longer a top tier SEC program. The college football landscape shifted and left us behind a long time ago. We are solidly in the muddy middle to lower tier, with South Carolina, Mizzou, Arkansas and maybe Ole Miss. We can occasionally land some elite recruits and pop up a 10 win team, but we will spend most years out talented and losing the games that matter most. If you doubt, go back and look at our results over the last 15 or so years.

With that in mind we need to end the Alabama series and buy out of the home and home with Oklahoma and start embracing who we have become with the way we schedule.

 

[InVOLuntary]

The players have been here for years. The coaches have been here for months. If the product on the field looks the same in 3 years like it did yesterday then it'll be time for more SEC quality coaches.

Am I not suppose to want better players on the team? Isn't that what we hope for by following recruiting?

Lol we all want better players but i dont think that was my point.

Like I said a few weeks ago. I'm not giving up on Pruitt 4 games in but my days of going all in on UT coaches before they've done anything is over. My gut told me Dooley wouldn't make it but my heart said what the heck, he's got a good pedigree. My gut told me Butch was a long shot but my heart said, as I was told he was the only one that would take it. My gut is rumbling again with the same things this go around. He's going to have to prove it to me and I've seen nothing to say he'll get it done here. Maybe he will. Like you said he's got three years at a minimum.

 

[SugarCC]

Whether or not you personally believe it isn’t what matters. I don’t think those are big things if he’s successful. But if he isn’t, that stuff will be used against him by the fanbase at large.

And you thought you'd go ahead and get that party started, by going ahead and bringing it up, huh?
Let me ask you something: anyone who has commented on Pruitt "not wearing orange", do you truly take anything else they have to say seriously? That's on you, if you do.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Just helping you out, letting you know that after FOUR GAMES, they're out there..."calling for his head".

You'll always have a few nut jobs that don't represent the majority of the fans. Most fans won't call for his head, they'll just find something better to do with their money and time.

 

[volfanCLT]

“Pruitt won’t wear orange”

Guys I am ****ing dying

 

[rjd970]

I’m just as frustrated and fed up as everybody. I’m past done and don’t feel like spending another dime on this mess. I certainly don’t bemoan those that feel the same way. As fans we deserve better and this is not getting old, it already is there. Nothing wrong with the fans not giving effort and support if the players on the field won’t either.

That said, anybody calling for Pruitt’s job right now needs to have their head examined. That is some of the stupidest ‘ish I’ve ever seen posted on here.

Give the man a fair chance to turn this around. He’s not going to do it in 1 offseason and 4 games. And go ahead and get the lube ready over the next month. It’s going to be rough, but it won’t be an indictment on Pruitt.