Recruiting Forum Football Talk [RIP 9.3.2019]

[chargervol]

Nothing didn’t let the wheels fall off the wagon here...he let the whole horse die.

That being said, i don’t think the roster can be used as an excuse for bad losses last year but then “expecting” at least 7-8 wins with the bulk majority those same guys. There’s just a lot of finger pointing at those players and not holding any coaching accountable.

Honestly brother, I wouldn't ask if you only jumped in when the roster was being discussed.
But it's been rare for a negative discussion about him to take place without you 'setting the record straight'.

I can recognize anything good he ever accomplished (example, getting Dobbs) but the aftermath outweighs any accomplishment by so far, what's the point..
Even some geat talent (if) on the roster, does nothing if they were softened to the point that an entire year couldn't get them drafted.
Wrecked us and wrecked them.

 

[Easttnken]

that would allow guys like Locklear, Ryan Johnson and Tatum to do what they're probably supposed to do..........be depth players.

getting smith back would give the staff a ton of options.....would be huge.

Along with Trey Smith's health issues, you have to think that losing Jack Jones and Chance Hall to medical retirement has hampered development of the OL as well. Wasn't there another one lost...Boulware (sp) maybe?

 

[jakez4ut]

I am very torn about the Trey Smith situation. I understand that doing pretty much anything involves some risk, but I hope Trey makes the decision (if it is his to make) that is best for his health long-term. I would love to see him play, but not if it means an increased risk of the already many risks that just come with playing football.

if he can't stay off the thinners, then it's a moot point. if he goes off the thinners and the clots return, it's a moot point.

they're not going to let him put himself at risk.

 

[LA Vol]

The alternative treatment for clots usually switches a person from anticoagulants to some sort of aspirin regimen. This works for some people, and some people who didn't have success with it the first time find it to be effective the second time. Sometimes, altering the dosage has better results.

If you're going to have a life-threatening condition, there's no better place to be than under the care of a top-notch athletic department that provides constant monitoring and access to the best doctors and specialists in the field. Last year, they caught the clot early during a screening before Trey was scheduled to fly. The team doctors are very careful, so that probably gives Trey confidence that his risk will be minimized.

 

[jakez4ut]

Along with Trey Smith's health issues, you have to think that losing Jack Jones and Chance Hall to medical retirement has hampered development of the OL as well. Wasn't there another one lost...Boulware (sp) maybe?

definitley, and yes, Boulware transferred.

siap the other day about the roster, and o line in particular....we've been in position it seems like for the last 4 years to HAVE to start freshmen on the OL. and you take in to account Smith, Hall, Jones, Boulware, Richmond.....i mean that's 5 guys that are just flat gone.

Locklear, R. Johnson, Marcus Tatum are all fine, but none have been able to settle in to a spot and develop. we play musical chairs on the OL cause we have to......everyone needs to know how to do everything so we can manfuacture depth.

and none of them have had the opporutnity to play consistently with one another.

OL is one of the hardest positions to play in this sport....it's a developmental position and we've consistently led lambs to slaughter.

and we're doing it again with Morris and Wright. now, both of them are capable of playing....and playing at a high level. but they're freshmen, so everything that comes with that, we get.

it's getting better though. we'll have 10 guys at least.....but i could see us taking 4 OL the next two cycles each, easy....maybe more. we're developing Lane, Akproghene, Lampley and a copule others....but we need to keep re stocking those coffers for sure.

 

[drvenner]

if he can't stay off the thinners, then it's a moot point. if he goes off the thinners and the clots return, it's a moot point.

they're not going to let him put himself at risk.

The alternative treatment for clots usually switches a person from anticoagulants to some sort of aspirin regimen. This works for some people, and some people who didn't have success with it the first time find it to be effective the second time. Sometimes, altering the dosage has better results.

If you're going to have a life-threatening condition, there's no better place to be than under the care of a top-notch athletic department that provides constant monitoring and access to the best doctors and specialists in the field. Last year, they caught the clot early during a screening before Trey was scheduled to fly. The team doctors are very careful, so that probably gives Trey confidence that his risk will be minimized.

Thanks for the updated information. This stuff gets confusing and I think all of us believe Trey's health should come first and it sounds like they're taking all available precautions.

 

[cHiZzLeVOL]

There is a lot of talk that Trey smith will be cleared for Fall camp.

As I suspected. Can’t wait. Smith back at guard is going to be absolutely amazing for our middle run game.

 

[ChattaTNVol]

if he can't stay off the thinners, then it's a moot point. if he goes off the thinners and the clots return, it's a moot point.

they're not going to let him put himself at risk.

I'm not real sure it's not somewhat akin to having to monitor your blood sugar and take insulin as a person living with diabetes. I think when he comes off thinners there's a certain amount of time he has to be off the medication before his blood returns to it's I guess normal viscosity? Anyway, I'm figuring that is how we knew last year that he would be cleared for full contact on Aug 20th. Again, just speculating.

There is one other form of prevention he can use, compression stockings. Supposedly, compression stockings help to keep the blood flowing in his legs and inhibit the clot formations. I'm guessing he may now be sleeping in tights. I don't mean to make lite of a serious situation; I mean when he's sleeping is when he is least active for an extended period of time and that's where the risk of the clots forming is highest.

I think he's getting the best care and advice and if he does end up getting cleared to play again I'm okay with knowing that that clearance is conditional which I'm sure it will be. jmo.

 

[HankHill]

i think there was. the roster is what it is, and will be a slower turn around than the staff.

i think we upgraded the staff a lot this off season and i like the moves they made with Weinke and Johnson. and i think we have a nice infusion of talent for this cycle....just not enough of it yet.

I banged the table for him to be moved to tackle because he was obviously our most physical athletic OLmen but he didn’t look comfortable at all on the outside and there’s nothing wrong with that. (See Quinton Nelson or Marshall Yanda). He needs to be inside.

 

[jakez4ut]

I'm not real sure it's not somewhat akin to having to monitor your blood sugar and take insulin as a person living with diabetes. I think when he comes off thinners there's a certain amount of time he has to be off the medication before his blood returns to it's I guess normal viscosity? Anyway, I'm figuring that is how we knew last year that he would be cleared for full contact on Aug 20th. Again, just speculating.

There is one other form of prevention he can use, compression stockings. Supposedly, compression stockings help to keep the blood flowing in his legs and inhibit the clot formations. I'm guessing he may now be sleeping in tights. I don't mean to make lite of a serious situation; I mean when he's sleeping is when he is least active for an extended period of time and that's where the risk of the clots forming is highest.

I think he's getting the best care and advice and if he does end up getting cleared to play again I'm okay with knowing that that clearance is conditional which I'm sure it will be. jmo.

i'm sure he's monitored very regularly, and whatever treatments that exist for his particular condition, they're using.

and i've heard that about the compression socks/pants before as well.

 

[jakez4ut]

I banged the table for him to be moved to tackle because he was obviously our most physical athletic OLmen but he didn’t look comfortable at all on the outside and there’s nothing wrong with that. (See Quinton Nelson or Marshall Yanda). He needs to be inside.

yeah, he's a much better guard. his freshman year i think a lot of us were really impressed with what he was able to do as a guard, and that his natural progression would be to move outside as he got older/more experience.

didn't translate at all.

but he's an absolute monster inside.....

 

[AngryButchJones]

Interesting info on Trey Smith. That would be awesome if he can actually play football again. Not just for Tennessee, but also for that young man! He's an incredibly talented player, and I really hope he's able to play and go make millions in the NFL.

As for the discussion about improvement this season and how much we'll see in the win column: Here's a list of the biggest win improvements in UT history for some context (since joining SEC in 1933):

+6 - 1988 (5-6) to 1989 (11-1)
+5 - 1937 (6-3-1) to 1938 (11-0)
+4 - 1949 (7-2-1) to 1950 (11-1), 1955 (6-3-1) to 1956 (10-1), 1964 (4-5-1) to 1965 (8-1-2), 2005 (5-6) to 2006 (9-4)
+3 - 1948 (4-4-2) to 1949 (7-2-1), 1980 (5-6) to 1981 (8-4), 1982 (6-5-1) to 1983 (9-3), 1986 (7-5) to 1987 (10-2-1), 1994 (8-4) to 1995 (11-1), 2000 (8-4) to 2001 (11-2)

As you can see, improving the win total by 5 or 6 games has only happened once apiece. But getting 3 or 4 more wins has happened many times (4 times for 4 more wins, 6 times for 3 more wins).

 

[Easttnken]

definitley, and yes, Boulware transferred.

siap the other day about the roster, and o line in particular....we've been in position it seems like for the last 4 years to HAVE to start freshmen on the OL. and you take in to account Smith, Hall, Jones, Boulware, Richmond.....i mean that's 5 guys that are just flat gone.

Locklear, R. Johnson, Marcus Tatum are all fine, but none have been able to settle in to a spot and develop. we play musical chairs on the OL cause we have to......everyone needs to know how to do everything so we can manfuacture depth.

and none of them have had the opporutnity to play consistently with one another.

OL is one of the hardest positions to play in this sport....it's a developmental position and we've consistently led lambs to slaughter.

and we're doing it again with Morris and Wright. now, both of them are capable of playing....and playing at a high level. but they're freshmen, so everything that comes with that, we get.

it's getting better though. we'll have 10 guys at least.....but i could see us taking 4 OL the next two cycles each, easy....maybe more. we're developing Lane, Akproghene, Lampley and a copule others....but we need to keep re stocking those coffers for sure.

All good points...Hopefully, with this new staff, the FR that have to play are able to take their lumps and learn and grow from them, and not let the inevitable early struggles completely derail their develpment...and ultimately their careers.

 

[jakez4ut]

All good points...Hopefully, with this new staff, the FR that have to play are able to take their lumps and learn and grow from them, and not let the inevitable early struggles completely derail their develpment...and ultimately their careers.

well, it's not the struggles that limit the development...it's the lack of options. we never established any depth when butch was here, and we HAD to play guys that weren't necessarily ready...and we had to play them A LOT.

we didn't rotate a ton defensive line either.

we used guys up.....also one of the reasons i think some of the teams Butch put on the field struggle closing games out....just ran out of gas....didn't have enough quality bodies to spell certain guys, so by the end, they were done. and you could also think his decision making with the s&c program for that prolem as well....

it just makes me mad to think about some of this stuff now.

 

[Batman1948]

VQ podcast today...Simonton saying that Trey Smith is on multiple 1st Round NFL Draft mocks for next year and they're speculating that maybe word behind the scenes is that he's going to get cleared and play this fall. Would be nice for the Vols to get some monster good news like that.

Not sure anyone in the NFL would risk this young mans life given his medical background. Chris Bosh comes to mind because he has the same condition and he wanted to continue his career in the NBA but it didn't happen. Just too much at stake.

 

[Batman1948]

There is a lot of talk that Trey smith will be cleared for Fall camp.

If he's cleared, I guess there's a medical staff out there with really big stones.

 

[Catbone]

There is a lot of talk that Trey smith will be cleared for Fall camp.

If Trey plays im adding another W to the column. Hes that important

 

[Devo182]

It was really anticlimactic....You build it up for 7 seasons and just like that. That person barely got away from a dozen or so wights in the library, but magically teleports past 1,000s wights and general white walkers...
I don’t care anymore about the show

she "faced" a wight. Thats how she got so close

 

[Devo182]

Spoiler in case you don't know what Bran was watching the whole time:










he was watching End Game

 

[JohnnyD1024]

 

[chargervol]

It's odd but when Butch was let go, I didn't dwell on his tenure much at all. "Let it go" rather quickly.
The reason it bothers me more now than during losses is our current staff. Hank and others can rightfully distribute blame on W/L because Pruitt isn't a proven head coach. A few of our staff weren't proven in their roles.
BUT they were very proven and experienced at developing talent. The draft results was just another slap in the face as to how far development had dropped under the previous regime.

I don't view life with the "plenty of time to go" attitude that I once had. And my son is growing up faster than I imagined. One of my dreams for us was that Neyland experience. The real one, not the level that Georgia State brings but the one where a top 10 team comes to town and we expect to win. Definitely not lose by 30.

If a coach recruits and develops but just fails on game management, so be it. It happens. But when they ruin recruiting relationships (Dooley) or decide we don't need SEC size and strength like everyone else.. I realize not only what we lost but that it was so unnecessary. Years wasted as a program and from our fan life over their attitudes. Not game decisions but the minimum job requirements they were so happy to take the money to perform. It pisses me off.

Sorry so long, just had to get it off my chest. Rant over.

 

[Devo182]

You know that NFL teams are loving the bargain bin shopping for UT players though. The school gets bashed on by the media & drives down the value of players in the draft.

Jets signed Phillips
Titans signed Sapp
Vikings signed Abernathy
Saints signed Tuttle

I think that only leaves Kongbo & Alexis from the 6 available for this draft not signed with a chance to make a roster, and no team had to use a draft pick to grab them.

So you think they were worthy of picks? Haven't heard anyone. including those that follow the team as a job, suggest that.

 

[McGeesPub]

So you think they were worthy of picks? Haven't heard anyone. including those that follow the team as a job, suggest that.

Once you’re past, say, the 4th round, its all a crapshoot anyway. I doubt the NFL teams were celebrating UT players being available as UDFAs. If they loved a UT player that much, they would have just spent a fifth or sixth rounder on him to guarantee having his rights.

 

[Orangeredblooded]

It's odd but when Butch was let go, I didn't dwell on his tenure much at all. "Let it go" rather quickly.
The reason it bothers me more now than during losses is our current staff. Hank and others can rightfully distribute blame on W/L because Pruitt isn't a proven head coach. A few of our staff weren't proven in their roles.
BUT they were very proven and experienced at developing talent. The draft results was just another slap in the face as to how far development had dropped under the previous regime.

I don't view life with the "plenty of time to go" attitude that I once had. And my son is growing up faster than I imagined. One of my dreams for us was that Neyland experience. The real one, not the level that Georgia State brings but the one where a top 10 team comes to town and we expect to win. Definitely not lose by 30.

If a coach recruits and develops but just fails on game management, so be it. It happens. But when they ruin recruiting relationships (Dooley) or decide we don't need SEC size and strength like everyone else.. I realize not only what we lost but that it was so unnecessary. Years wasted as a program and from our fan life over their attitudes. Not game decisions but the minimum job requirements they were so happy to take the money to perform. It pisses me off.

Sorry so long, just had to get it off my chest. Rant over.

One of the best and well written rants I’ve read in a long time.

 

[Blake25p]

How many guys you see drafted next year?
Locks- D.Taylor, J.Jennings, M.Callaway.

Possibly- Bituli, Gooden, DWA, Warrior.

Potential Early Departures- Chandler, Solomon (if cleared to play).