Recruiting Forum Football Talk [RIP 9.3.2019]

[LA Vol]

Yeah, it's hard to believe... but UT JR and SO players haven't beaten Vandy. UT hasn't lost to Vandy three times in a row in almost 100 years. Doing so is unimaginable... yet Vandy is a 3.5 point favorite. UT better bring it.

 

[InVOLuntary]

This just seems like an overreaction at this point. You really don’t think we’ve seen anything to suggest this staff could get us to be the third best team in the east? Look at UK and Mizzou and how terrible they were in their staffs’ first years. Look at how up and down Muschamp’a teams always are. Hell, look at what Butch was able to do 2 of his 5 years.

Getting to be 3rd in the East isn’t exactly a huge task and continuity is underrated nowadays in CFB. Mizzou, UK, and Vandy are all set to lose key players and drop off next year. We could end up being 3rd in the east without even having any impressive wins.

The east is up a little more right now than it has been in years, but the middle of the pack teams are about to lose a lot of production and go into rebuild mode.

I didn't say third team in the east, at least that's not what I meant. What I meant was being in the group of three with FL and GA and competing for the east and winning it. I'm not saying they're not capable what I'm saying is I've seen nothing that gives me confidence that they will.

I think they've done about what they should have this year. Nothing terrible but nothing great. Sure they beat ranked KY and Auburn but they were not competitive against FL and Mizzou being blown out at home. I've not seen anything that makes me say wow, these guys are the real deal. Maybe you have but I've not. That doesn't mean I want them fired or anything stupid like that. I think the season has been meh at best.

I've already put this season in the rear view mirror. If we beat Vandy and make a bowl, that won't change much but will appreciate the accomplishment of the season from last year, especially if they win the bowl, regardless of opponent.

My focus will move to recruiting as that's the most important part at this point to bringing a competitive team back.

 

[engineerVOL]

Have you ever seen the out-takes to that scene? Hilarious. They had to do countless takes because every time Michael Richards utters that line Seinfeld loses it and falls over laughing.

I’ve seen as much Seinfeld as @Big Gucci Sosa has consumed craft beer

 

[BruinVol]

If the coaches aren't all in for making a bowl that is a major problem

I don't buy it

 

[chavisut]

Beers next Friday?

What time you gonna be around there? I might be able to stop by.

 

[McGeesPub]

If the coaches aren't all in for making a bowl that is a major problem

I don't buy it

I’ve got to think they are. Pruitt seemed pretty definitive about accepting an invite at 5-7.

 

[Bassmaster_Vol]

"Butch Jones was a good coach" -Hank Hill

 

[McGeesPub]

"Butch Jones was a good coach" -Hank Hill, Bassmaster_Vol, and a cast of thousands

Fyp

 

[Bassmaster_Vol]

Fyp

 

[Big Gucci Sosa]

What time you gonna be around there? I might be able to stop by.

Hmm not sure on that. Flight gets in around 3. Staying downtown.

 

[drvenner]

It's penalties at the most inopportune times. DR is probably responsible for half of those.

I AM NOT!!

 

[engineerVOL]

Price brought up another good point about our OL development....

In addition to the HC and scheme changes, and the lack of OL 2012 class, the 2015 class consisted of Zach stewart (Mother dies never enrolled), Chance Hall (medically out basically), Jack Jones, (Medically out), Venzell Boulware (transfer), and Drew Richmond (), that’s two classes in 4 years with like one contributing OL. Of course Butch could have fixed that by now.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Fyp

I never critisize posters that always see the good in things. I also never critisize the posters that question the future. I don't care for posters that constantly crap on the program and only see the negative.

 

[Bassmaster_Vol]

Price brought up another good point about our OL development....

In addition to the HC and scheme changes, and the lack of OL 2012 class, the 2015 class consisted of Zach stewart (Mother dies never enrolled), Chance Hall (medically out basically), Jack Jones, (Medically out), Venzell Boulware (transfer), and Drew Richmond (), that’s two classes in 4 years with like one contributing OL. Of course Butch could have fixed that by now.

This is incredible

 

[InVOLuntary]

I AM NOT!!

You're unsportsmanlike penalties are killing us.

 

[franklinpence]

Don't remember that one. Was it in the fourth quarter?

All I ask is they apply the rules--in whatever fashion they interpret them--equally. But they don't. And worse, they don't even through reviewed plays.

Think he’s referring to their offensive play where they threw in the flat, and Bryce Thompson would have likely had an INT had MOs receiver not tackled him before the ball arrived.

 

[31VFL]

 

[Crazy Ivan]

I’m not talking about him being on the hot seat this year - he shouldn’t be. But he might want to get out ahead of the hot seat if he thinks 2019 will make or break him at UT. I’m not predicting that’s the case, but if he has his style, and that’s not what Pruitt wants to run, he may not think he has a path to success here despite their friendship. Just saying, even though I don’t necessarily fully agree with your contrast of where the programs are right now, it may factor into his decision making.

Perhaps, but I don't think Pruitt has any real issues with Helton. All HCs are going to fuss at their OCs periodically. Saban is constantly ripping on his OCs, but Kiffin is probably the only one whose job security was threatened, but not for his OC skills, but more so because he was a loose cannon in interviews and on twitter.

Helton may decide to go back to USC simply because his brother asked him to do so, I get that. I also doubt Clay Helton's job is in any danger this season, so Helton might not feel any jb security threat by going back.. However, I also suspect that Pruitt and Helton were very clear on what Pruitt wanted from his offense before Helton was hired.

I am also curious as to why you think there isn't much contrast between UT and USC right now. Under Helton, USC was 10-3 in 2016 and 11-3 last season, not coming off of a 4-8 (0-8) season. Most people assumed somewhat of a dropoff with Darnold leaving, although likely not this bad of a season. But the program certainly wasn't mismanaged into the ground by Helton as UT was by Butch.

 

[vol2002]

very veteran team. that team took 3 or so years to build. that's not the plan we're on, or rather, want to be on.

Well I’ve beaten this horse too much but I think this is the path we are on whether we want it or not (I.e., a multiyear rebuild). Pruitt is working extremely hard no doubt and there is no doubt he understands this league. But our program is in the dumps from a roster and brand perspective. If the best his hard work can do is get us 5 wins this year, a top 20 class and maybe 7 or 8 wins each of the next two years with more top 20ish classes, I’m comfortable with that.

I’m hoping for much better but I’m comfortable with that.

 

[LynxVol]

3 plays changed the game yesterday.

Down 19-10 pick leads to 26-10 instead of 19-17 or 19-13.

Abernathy missed tackle on 3rd down and long leads to TD instead of us getting ball back.

CFA fumble for TD.

Without those game is within reach and doesn't get out of hand

I told people this matchup wasn't good. Mizzu should be top 10 if not for 2 plays.

We will beat Vandy in a tough one but we will win

Feel like you viewed the game along the lines that I did. However, there are two other big things that greatly affected the game. First, Drew Lock is one of the best QB's in CFB. The CBS was drooling over him, which got old fast, but he did have a great game. He played like a guy that should go in the top 10-15 picks in the draft. Second, Mizzou dominated the LOS. The LOS play really bothered me. We played very well up front against Auburn and UK. The OL and DL looked completely different on Saturday compared to previous games.

I'm really looking forward to the game against Vandy. Pruitt is in his first kind of "must win" situation. Let's see how he does.

 

[Bassmaster_Vol]

This is from a poster on VQ. I thought it was a great read. We have a real coach guys. Give him time.

After another time to listen to Pruitt ,and in this case a more intimate setting, away from cameras and reporters questions. Some thoughts I had summed up over the last 11 months.

I have had the blessing of being able to be around sports at a pretty high level for a good amount of time as a player and developing friends in the coaching profession. You can tell pretty quickly through watching practice, games, post game talks and talking with experienced athletes/coaches who also get to watch them do those things. You can find out which coaches are studs from not only an Xs and Os standpoint but also program vision standpoint.

Jeremy Pruitt is a stud. X's and O's wise someone asked a question about defending RPO's. He went into a 10 minute answer breaking down every possible detail that goes into it. He could have probably talked for 20 more minutes on it if he had time.

He talked about everything that goes into developing a football player. He answered that question another 10 minutes going into great detail about all that it takes to become a good player on the practice field. Even almost demonstrating with his hands how to go about getting better as a football player.

He talked about how him and Fulmer have a long term program plan for player development, recruiting, academics and everything else that goes into a football program. He said it made take time but the plan will be executed at a high level.

We have heard about how no nonsense he is and that is true but he also talked about his passion for UT and how he is so grateful to be here. How he has friends throughout the SEC and Southeast who completely envy what he has at Tennessee resources wise and with Coach Fulmer. Says he is the best AD in the country. How much him and his family and coaching staff love Knoxville and he wants to be here a really long time.

He didn't throw any player or former coach under the bus and he was respectful in how he said it but basically summed everything up into:

"In football you can do everything right and it comes down to 1 on 1 match ups. We struggle to win those match ups right now" is essentially what was said. This man coached at Alabama, Georgia and FSU. He knows what it looks like so for him to say this it really tells us all we need to know.

The amount of football this man knows is staggering and his passion for teaching the game shines through.

I was laughing leaving Calhoun's in how it was a point of pride how our former coach loved being the most followed coach on Twitter in the country and how that was marketed heavily. Along with other stuff like that. Pruitt doesn't give one ounce of energy toward that kind of stuff.

Just further evidence today we have a big time football coach.

 

[drvenner]

IDT anyone can motivate this team but the players. The coaches tried to amp the players all week. They watched film and showed the guys what Mizzou was going to do and how to stop them. They talked to the SRs about leadership and finishing strong. Al Wilson spoke to the team before the game to fire them up. Pruitt stopped the Vol Walk to motivate the players to play hard for a loyal fanbase that never gave up on them. Former players were on the sidelines and behind the team, encouraging them. And the team came out flat and got flatter.

It comes down to want-to and pride. If enough players want to win, they'll win on Saturday. If they have enough pride, they'll refuse to lose to Vandy for the 5th time in 7 years. It either means something to them or it doesn't. We'll find out.

I have never played sports at near the level of these guys, but how could it not mean something to them? I really don't get that.

 

[BigOrangeVols]

IDT anyone can motivate this team but the players. The coaches tried to amp the players all week. They watched film and showed the guys what Mizzou was going to do and how to stop them. They talked to the SRs about leadership and finishing strong. Al Wilson spoke to the team before the game to fire them up. Pruitt stopped the Vol Walk to motivate the players to play hard for a loyal fanbase that never gave up on them. Former players were on the sidelines and behind the team, encouraging them. And the team came out flat and got flatter.

It comes down to want-to and pride. If enough players want to win, they'll win on Saturday. If they have enough pride, they'll refuse to lose to Vandy for the 5th time in 7 years. It either means something to them or it doesn't. We'll find out.

I like how it's the players until it's not. There's some give and take. Pruitt needs to learn how to win and get his guys to play well.

 

[31VFL]

 

[VolsnCards5]

A few months ago, some of you were talking about coffee. Some mentioned a specific brand (or style maybe?) that they would mix with ghee and use it as their full breakfast.

I can’t rememebr what it was. Can anyone help me out?