Recruiting Forum Football Talk III

[VolGee4]

We are all just tired of losing. Nothing has changed in 12 plus years. We all watch the games, buy tickets and gear and get nothing in return. We are asked to be patient and we have. We're just tired.
I apologize if I seemed like an ass.

I understand the frustration, but I will not stop “buying gear” as long as I live. I am a graduate, and there are other programs within the university.

I also try to make a trip at least once a year because it’s what I do, and my kids love the experience regardless of the outcome of a football game. I get a little frustrated with the reference that UT fans are sheep. I’m as competitive as the next guy, but what makes UT special is that the environment/experience of it all is second to none. However, I would like to win while enjoying it.

 

[Vols4us]

Eight games in to the third season of a head coach and you are not lining up right is very telling.

Just like his NFL O-line not blocking the right guys on blitzes. That's high school. If you have two coming into your area you take the inside guy - always. You pass off the guy who shoots inside gap after contact and then take the next closest guy. It's up to the QB to read it, step up or slide, and throw into the vacated area if there is no RB left in to block. It's up to the receivers to make the hot read. It's not nuclear science. It's Football 101. They still cannot do it. That's on coaching. You are not getting your message across or you are not recruiting the right guys or both.

Even Trey is messing this up. Wright has made a fool out of himself frequently. Carvin is the only physically ready to play C, but has not played it enough to take it over. Cooper will get there, just needs more weight room and playing time.

The D is embarrassing. I watched Thompson cross the field late so many times trying to just get into position - Pruitt and Ansley had him trying to do impossible things when the O was running a fast paced scheme. Tank is useless as a S - lost as a goose, just like Crouch is as an ILB. No pass rush now that #95 is gone outside of freshman Baron.

Good thing Trask was off his game a bit yesterday or they would have hung 50 on us.

 

[UTProf]

Him calling his own hookers is worrying to me. It suggests a tendency to micro-manage

This is the fairest criticism I’ve heard. It reminds me of LSU’s shooty hoops headman and his strong ass offers. In fairness, that was Freeze’s first rodeo as a cfb. I think he’s learned better since.

 

[drvenner]

To me, the way they handle the QB situation is insane. Frankly it’s criminal.

Also, looked like around half of the team didn’t want to be out there. Saw way too many defenders who were lost or pulled up on hits and gave minimal effort.

I try to give benefit of the doubt, but this staff is way over their skis. Flip flopping positions and lack of player development is glaring.

Pruitt out.

Agree on Pruitt out. I thought the team played hard pretty much all night. Execution was not good, especially on the OL and the gameplan was pathetic.

 

[jakez4ut]

Terrible take as well. Again I don’t like the extension, but six games ago he was 15-12 and I’m sure everyone at that point was screaming about Pruitt leaving for Bama once saban left.

Most of our struggles are with the offensive play calling and not having a competent qb. The defense is gassed in the second half of most games after adjustments are made and our offense can’t stay on the field.

Agree.

But you don't get to lead the worst season in history, 3 years removed from the 2nd worst season in history, and keep the job.

It's just a matter of when, imo. But I don't see cjp as a long term solution here.

Truth be told, outside a very select few, I don't know anyone is given how this program functions behind the scenes. And no one had the stomach for what will be another 3-5 yr rebuild... As no one really had the patience to go thru what that really takes.

It's been 15 years and the only certainty I believe exists is when given the opportunity, we will get it wrong...I don't even blame Pruitt at this point. He's just the next item on the list of things TN got wrong. Systemically, I think it's apparent we have issues.

 

[millst987]

I’m willing to give Fulmer another chance to hire a coach considering the circumstances he took over when he had to step in. I don’t believe the guy is to blame here at all. However, if he keeps him, some blame needs to be thrown his way. I think Fulmer is the right guy for our university right now. He just needs to have an actual normal hiring process for our football coach

 

[jakez4ut]

I’m willing to give Fulmer another chance to hire a coach considering the circumstances he took over when he had to step in. I don’t believe the guy is to blame here at all. However, if he keeps him, some blame needs to be thrown his way. I think Fulmer is the right guy for our university right now. He just needs to have an actual normal hiring process for our football coach

We got Fulmer wrong too.

 

[drvenner]

For everyone saying Florida quit trying in the second half, why would they quit?

No other QB took a snap besides Trask, they need impressive wins to make the playoff push, they were blitzing Shrout to the end. I don’t think any of that was quitting.

Their defensive scheme was more conservative, but they kept their starters in and I am sure did not want us to score any more.

 

[Kingston Vol]

I’m willing to give Fulmer another chance to hire a coach considering the circumstances he took over when he had to step in. I don’t believe the guy is to blame here at all. However, if he keeps him, some blame needs to be thrown his way. I think Fulmer is the right guy for our university right now. He just needs to have an actual normal hiring process for our football coach

Yeah, these national media asshats who act like we’re all mad at Fulmer and think he’s inept are just showing their biases because Currie gives them info.

 

[Ace]

IMO if Fulmer wants to pull the plug, then:
1. Find your new HC
2. Finish the season
3. Clean house - everyone in coaching capacity gone

Please do not ask new coach to keep assistants, if new coach wants to keep some fine. Let the new coach have his own staff.

 

[UpstateVol613]

Besides running the ball a little more I thought he did ok. However I think the run run pass is a Pruitt special. We did the same thing under Helton, and the same thing in the big games against JG. Pruitt will not be successful here unless he changes his offensive philosophy.

A side story to this, consider the source, but I was listening to Russell Smith on the Vol reaction half time show, and he was talking about JG's pick 6. He said he was told from someone who would have the knowledge that Pruitt told Chaney to throw the ball because we had run the ball too many times in a row. Now, think about that story and tell me, sometimes it doesn't seem like something like that happens. Pruitt is Pruitts own worst enemy.

IDK...when I see Briles...with far less talent...scheme the players open...use pre-snap motion and misdirection plays and our play calling is so bland. Run off tackle...fade routes...and check downs...it’s like we don’t have an intermediate passing game. Chaney only knows how to call long developing pass plays.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Congrats on admitting to being a fair weather fan lol... who brags about stuff like this??

If he's a fan after the last 12+ years of witnessing this **** show, I don't think you can call him a fair weather fan, Vol apparel or not.

 

[drvenner]

Who's Bob?

Ray's pal.

 

[millst987]

Yeah, these national media asshats who act like we’re all mad at Fulmer and think he’s inept are just showing their biases because Currie gives them info.

Fulmer is doing fine
He hired the wrong guy in a botched search
He has calmed things down on the hill
People are moving in the same direction now
We just need a good football coach

 

[Ace]

For everyone saying Florida quit trying in the second half, why would they quit?

No other QB took a snap besides Trask, they need impressive wins to make the playoff push, they were blitzing Shrout to the end. I don’t think any of that was quitting.

They did not quit trying, but on offense they tried to run the ball more and work on running game. We stopped them two times in a row in 3rd quarter. They could have passed on every down and scored 50 plus. They scored to start 3rd and scored to start 4th. Mullen knew that was all the points he needed. He wants Pruitt at UT forever.

 

[RiotVol]

Just like his NFL O-line not blocking the right guys on blitzes. That's high school. If you have two coming into your area you take the inside guy - always. You pass off the guy who shoots inside gap after contact and then take the next closest guy. It's up to the QB to read it, step up or slide, and throw into the vacated area if there is no RB left in to block. It's up to the receivers to make the hot read. It's not nuclear science. It's Football 101. They still cannot do it. That's on coaching. You are not getting your message across or you are not recruiting the right guys or both.

Even Trey is messing this up. Wright has made a fool out of himself frequently. Carvin is the only physically ready to play C, but has not played it enough to take it over. Cooper will get there, just needs more weight room and playing time.

The D is embarrassing. I watched Thompson cross the field late so many times trying to just get into position - Pruitt and Ansley had him trying to do impossible things when the O was running a fast paced scheme. Tank is useless as a S - lost as a goose, just like Crouch is as an ILB. No pass rush now that #95 is gone outside of freshman Baron.

Good thing Trask was off his game a bit yesterday or they would have hung 50 on us.

Yes, that one play where Jahmir tried to block two and blocked no one, letting the inside guy run free. That killed me.

I’ve seen enough of Friend’s O-line coaching.

 

[Ace]

Now Chaney is calling out the leadership on the team, not a good look.

Somebody ought to tell Chaney that we pay him to make them into fire eating dragons - it is his job. He is basically saying that he has failed - good grief

 

[Catbone]

I am being hard and critical of HB - I was hoping for much more.

I was hoping for hope.

I wanted to see a future stud SEC QB.

Did any of you see that?

I sure didn’t.

And it makes me sad.

I agree he will be pretty average tbh. But average is an upgrade to JG.

 

[MrVolton]

Terrible take as well. Again I don’t like the extension, but six games ago he was 15-12 and I’m sure everyone at that point was screaming about Pruitt leaving for Bama once saban left.

Most of our struggles are with the offensive play calling and not having a competent qb. The defense is gassed in the second half of most games after adjustments are made and our offense can’t stay on the field.

The timing of the extension was a head-scratcher. Of course no one outside really knows the inner workings of the AD, but I wouldn’t think Pruitt had any leverage even then. I mean what was he gonna say? That he might leave and go be the DC at Bama, at which point he should have been told to take his attitude and go.

 

[Geronimo]

I can’t shake the feeling that Fulmer does, indeed, fire Pruitt after ESD and then takes over as coach until a search can be properly done. Fulmer can sweet talk recruits, salvage what’s left of the class and take his time getting “right guy” this time. He apparently almost did it last time. May take the chance this go.

I also like conspiracies so there’s that.

 

[millst987]

This is the fairest criticism I’ve heard. It reminds me of LSU’s shooty hoops headman and his strong ass offers. In fairness, that was Freeze’s first rodeo as a cfb. I think he’s learned better since.

I like your thought process here

 

[gainesvol82]

Bad idea if those teams suck, too. Being a UT (lifelong fan) and Miss State alum, and now a Virginia Tech student I'm staring at disaster/possible coaching search (UT), disaster (MSU), and possible coaching search (VT) in the face.

Are you one of the Four Horsemen? Because you bring destruction wherever you go, lol.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I can’t shake the feeling that Fulmer does, indeed, fire Pruitt after ESD and then takes over has coach until a search can be properly done. Fulmer can sweet talk recruits, salvage what’s left of the class and take his time getting “right guy” this time. He apparently almost did it last time. May take the chance this go.

I also like conspiracies so there’s that.

Definitely could see this one happening, and I think most the positional guys would stay to finish the season out if that did happen.

 

[Orange Studs]

Would love him as our OC.

I am at the point I really don't want any coach we have now promoted just fired. I haven't seen any development anywhere on this football team. Clean house and start over with a new HC.

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

Pruitt didn’t want either of them to put up the kind of stats that would embarrass both him and JG had either been allowed an entire game. He is so set on being right that I don’t think he wants any other QB to shine.

The 95 yard TD drive, we opened it up. Swing passes, screens, etc. We didn’t run on first and second down. We marched right down the field and scored. Then second half comes and it’s back to run run pass. I don’t understand. I firmly believe Pruitt told Chaney to slow the game down and help his defense. That’s all he cares about. Then we couldn’t do anything on offense. It gave Pruitt a chance to bench Bailey and then let Shrout come in once Mullen called the dogs off. I don’t think Pruitt wants to be here. He would love to leave and be the DC at Bama again.