What Buck Fitzgerald said

[WoodsmanVol]

Losses to Bama, UGA and USCe would get us to 9 wins. One additional loss in a swing game-- Missouri or MSU-- played hard and close would get us to 8. Winning 8 or 9, stomping the Gators in Neyland, beating the sh!t out of Vandy and hanging 50 on UK would take Dooley off the hot seat, in my book.

We're not losing to either UGA of USCe.

 

[sjt18]

I agree with you-- USCe is def winnable, but we play in Columbia, and they have momentum on their side. We'll be coming off a tough stretch and who knows how hard or long this team will fight. We had talent last year, but we weren't in it to win it. I think we'll have a good idea how this season will go after Florida. IMO, it's a must-win.

I don't buy season to season momentum. UT gets a bye then plays @MSU and Bama in the two weeks prior to USCe. However, the Cocks play a string of UGa, @LSU, and @UF before facing UT at home. USCe could easily be on a 0-3 run coming into that game. If UT loses to MSU then the rest is pretty academic anyway.

As we sit today, they have a grand total of one offensive player that worries me... and he's coming off an ACL. I am concerned about UT's D. It is a pretty big unknown. I do not think I would trade UT's offensive personnel as a whole for any others in the SEC.

UT had talent last year but it was young and underdeveloped. They have now had time to mature and develop both skill and physically. Last year UT came down to basically one option- Bray to Rogers. Even if the running game is ineffective again, Hunter is back, CP should at least draw coverage with his talent, the TE's are improved. UT's passing game should be BETTER than what it was to begin last season.

 

[sjt18]

Barbara would be all over the airwaves bragging about Precious

If he takes UT from where they were when he arrived to the SEC CG in 3 seasons then it will be merited.

I've asked before but what exactly is your issue? You used to be a pretty solid poster but now why the hate?

 

[King Webbsticles]

UT had talent last year but it was young and underdeveloped. They have now had time to mature and develop both skill and physically. Last year UT came down to basically one option- Bray to Rogers. Even if the running game is ineffective again, Hunter is back, CP should at least draw coverage with his talent, the TE's are improved. UT's passing game should be BETTER than what it was to begin last season.

The only thing that worries me is the improvement needed in the running game. I don't buy the whole "inexperience" on the OL thing, as we had the same personnel last year as the previous year. Everyone else improved, although some more than others. D. Rogers went from running sweeps and go routes to being able to shoulder the entire offense.

I feel like Jay Graham will make a noticeable difference, which isn't too hard to do. A mediocre running game wins us two more games last year.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

if we don't win the east what are the excuses the fairyvols use. injuries, bad luck, sun in the players eyes. higher expectations mean more pressure on dooley. not sure this is a good thing. 8-4 and we have made progress.

This is the SEC. You can invade a power team's house and defile their wife and daughters one week, and be made the baytch of the conference's bottom feeder the next week. This is the SEC.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

It strikes me as strange that it is the same people who were saying how amazing the defensive staff was last year are saying how much more amazing this one is and expect our defense to be "greatly improved" when implementing a new scheme.

This year, the team is hungry. This year, the team has wounded pride from from the 20111 season. This year, the defense team has a streak on meanness it lacked last season. This year, the team hit the weight room in earnest (not sure about the running to build stamina). My only real concern is that streak of meanness may result in unnecessary penalties and at the worse times. But I say we're going to have a tenacious defense that makes tackled opponents get up a bit slower as each quarter wears on. Opposition will leave the field believing they had played a team called "Ouch."

 

[sjt18]

The only thing that worries me is the improvement needed in the running game. I don't buy the whole "inexperience" on the OL thing, as we had the same personnel last year as the previous year. Everyone else improved, although some more than others. D. Rogers went from running sweeps and go routes to being able to shoulder the entire offense.

I think inexperience was a factor. I think physical development was a bigger factor. I think the scheme gamble they made was perhaps the biggest factor. It seems they went with a finesse blocking scheme to compliment the passing game and to hopefully hide some of the lack of strength. When JH went down, that went out the window too.

The OL did improve... just not at run blocking. They were the best pass blocking unit in the SEC by a pretty considerable margin.

I feel like Jay Graham will make a noticeable difference, which isn't too hard to do. A mediocre running game wins us two more games last year.

Probably so. Probably keeps the Vols in some games too.

I think CJG will have the backs running harder. I think the OL will block better due to scheme and S&C regardless of the relative ability of the former and current OL coaches. I think the TE's will be better blockers and be better coached. The WR blocking could be the biggest difference at all.

People diss Poole and I think you may be one of them... but the WR's didn't set the corner all year last year. When things get clogged up in the middle, RB's need room to bounce outside. If that isn't there either... things get really bad. UT's OL's weren't strong enough last year to push anyone around. Their WR's flat out stank at run blocking.

I personally believe both Poole and Lane would have had decent seasons if at least the WR's had blocked.

 

[sjt18]

FWIW, I am more impressed with the words and demeanor of the new coaches as opposed to the old ones. IIRC, at least two of them have already said something to the effect that if UT out hits the opposition then they'll win games.

I'm not sure if those guys can coach but I do feel more confident.

 

[tvolsfan]

If he takes UT from where they were when he arrived to the SEC CG in 3 seasons then it will be merited.

I've asked before but what exactly is your issue? You used to be a pretty solid poster but now why the hate?

Doesn't seem like there has been a lot to be thrilled about regarding Tennessee football.

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

This is only the very beginning of year 3 in a process that smart people knew was a 4 or 5 year total rebuilding effort.

To even see anyone talking about us being a legit contender to win the SEC East is amazing at this point of rebuilding.

I'm not positive we have SEC type starters at every position on either side of the ball yet.

I am positive that we don't have SEC type starters on our 2 deep rotation yet especially when most of the 2 deep are sophs and freshmen but we are getting there with every recruiting class and as the kids mature and learn more.

If we Win the SEC East in only his 3rd year with UGA having such a soft schedule then CDD should be the SEC Coach of the year hands down.

People keep saying N C State and Mizzou should be easy Wins but both of those teams are dangerous even though I think we can get Wins against both but I won't be surprised, like many on here will be, if we lose 1 or both of them.

Trying to be patient while we rebuild sucks and is really hard to do when all of us want to at least Win the SEC East every year but this is still just spring practice in year 3 and we still have a long way to go.

I'll be disappointed if we don't start out 3-0 but I won't be shocked and stunned.

VFL...GBO!!!

 

[King Webbsticles]

I think inexperience was a factor. I think physical development was a bigger factor. I think the scheme gamble they made was perhaps the biggest factor. It seems they went with a finesse blocking scheme to compliment the passing game and to hopefully hide some of the lack of strength. When JH went down, that went out the window too.

The OL did improve... just not at run blocking. They were the best pass blocking unit in the SEC by a pretty considerable margin.

We have already had our discussions on the risk of the line blocking scheme. I don't want to get into that again. It is just hard to stomach having the exact same personnel get worse in year two.

I think CJG will have the backs running harder. I think the OL will block better due to scheme and S&C regardless of the relative ability of the former and current OL coaches. I think the TE's will be better blockers and be better coached. The WR blocking could be the biggest difference at all.

I agree. I don't think Pittman is that good of a coach, but he may look better due to all of the things you have mentioned. It also helps when one of your TE's is essentially another OL.

On another note, I think Hinshaw has shown tremendous worth here. I would expect, no matters what happens this season, that our AD would attempt to keep him regardless.

People diss Poole and I think you may be one of them... but the WR's didn't set the corner all year last year. When things get clogged up in the middle, RB's need room to bounce outside. If that isn't there either... things get really bad. UT's OL's weren't strong enough last year to push anyone around. Their WR's flat out stank at run blocking.

I see Poole as an above average Power back, but below average at everything else. In other words, when running his style, he is serviceable (see '10) but when he has to be a speed back because of lack of OL, of course he will fail. I saw him play a few times in HS, twice against my HS. Those were some really good matchups.

FWIW, I am more impressed with the words and demeanor of the new coaches as opposed to the old ones. IIRC, at least two of them have already said something to the effect that if UT out hits the opposition then they'll win games.

I'm not sure if those guys can coach but I do feel more confident.

While I think Wilcox was (and will be) a very good DC, Sunseri is one of those guys (like Kiffin was) where the players just seem to respond to them better. Jay Graham and Ansley also fit into that "player's coach" category. And, I've already stated my stance on Hinshaw. I feel very comfortable with these four.

 

[LA Vol]

I believe we have the talent-- and I believe we've upgraded our coaches-- but I'm going to have to see the change in attitude and the hunger. When our determination to win matches our talent, then we'll see what this team can do. We're still waiting to see if we can play four full quarters of tough football, make the other team fight every down and not give up until the scoreboard reads zero (for as many times as it takes for the game to "officially" be over).

The last time we saw this team and these players on game day was UK... and the fans took that humiliation much harder than the leaders of this team. It's the same players, but is it a different team? Have they grown up and toughened up enough to play big boy ball in the SEC? Time to prove it.

 

[sjt18]

Doesn't seem like there has been a lot to be thrilled about regarding Tennessee football.

No. But the sour attitude is a choice not a compulsion.

Kiffin who justin seemed to be OK with had alot to do with the roster problems that hurt the Vols last year. The class he finished from Fulmer's last season was a complete bust. They should have been JR's leading the team.

 

[King Webbsticles]

No. But the sour attitude is a choice not a compulsion.

Kiffin who justin seemed to be OK with had alot to do with the roster problems that hurt the Vols last year. The class he finished from Fulmer's last season was a complete bust. They should have been JR's leading the team.

That is what happens when you have players come for coaches, not the school. A majority of that class wanted to play for Kiffin, not for Dooley, and not for UT. Who knows how many of them would still be here had Kiffin stayed.

 

[cutnitclose]

8 wins in year three would be a disappointment.

I would be more than happy with 8 wins after all of the things that have happened over the last 4 or 5 years (of course I want more though)..

There aren't very many year 3s like the year 3 that CDD and crew are going into this year....

 

[LA Vol]

For me, 9 wins is the bar this year, 8 wins could cut it (depending on how the games are played and the visible progress) and 7 wins is unacceptable with this schedule and this level of talent and experience. If our 1s and 2s go down like bowling pins again, then we probably need a shaman or an exorcist more than a coach. Wouldn't hurt to give everything a good cleansing and purifying after Kiffin and the Ogre, anyway.

 

[justingroves]

If he takes UT from where they were when he arrived to the SEC CG in 3 seasons then it will be merited.

I've asked before but what exactly is your issue? You used to be a pretty solid poster but now why the hate?

I believe Dooley is a terrible coach that wouldn't be here if not for his last name.

He's failed without Saban and has managed to have a team quit on him already. An OL regressed and a 1,000 yd rusher was wasted last year. His talk of recruiting "high character guys" is an excuse for settling on unknown mediocre players. He's also managed to have the majority of the coaching staff he hired quit on him.

In 5 years of coaching, his biggest wins have come against a Mississippi State team with a losing record (at La Tech), Ole Miss (with a losing record), Cincy (a 7-6 Big East team) or a 6-7 Vandy team.

In short, he was a terrible hire by a terrible AD.

He may manage to ride Bray's arm to one more year after 2012 in Knoxville.

 

[justingroves]

That is what happens when you have players come for coaches, not the school. A majority of that class wanted to play for Kiffin, not for Dooley, and not for UT. Who knows how many of them would still be here had Kiffin stayed.

You mean highly touted defensive players wanted to play for Monte Kiffin and Ed Orgeron? Who would have thought that?

 

[justingroves]

No. But the sour attitude is a choice not a compulsion.

Kiffin who justin seemed to be OK with had alot to do with the roster problems that hurt the Vols last year. The class he finished from Fulmer's last season was a complete bust. They should have been JR's leading the team.

Kiffin didn't make excuses for losses. The team got better under Kiffin instead of exponentially worse as the season wore on. Kiffin fielded a staff of proven recruiters and position coaches.

Kiffin took an underachieving group of OL, two walk-ons, an oft-injured RB, a head case of a QB, a group of unproven WRs and went through 3 MLBs and won 7 games. He didn't poor mouth his team, he shouldered the blame and kept working. He's the reason Bray and Hunter are here and the reason Nance and Rogers were offered as a package deal.

I don't care if Kiffin gets hit by a bus tomorrow, but he's 10 times the coach Derek Dooley is.

 

[StlCardinals2618]

I believe Dooley is a terrible coach that wouldn't be here if not for his last name.

He's failed without Saban and has managed to have a team quit on him already. An OL regressed and a 1,000 yd rusher was wasted last year. His talk of recruiting "high character guys" is an excuse for settling on unknown mediocre players. He's also managed to have the majority of the coaching staff he hired quit on him.

In 5 years of coaching, his biggest wins have come against a Mississippi State team with a losing record (at La Tech), Ole Miss (with a losing record), Cincy (a 7-6 Big East team) or a 6-7 Vandy team.

In short, he was a terrible hire by a terrible AD.

He may manage to ride Bray's arm to one more year after 2012 in Knoxville.

Cincinatti was 10-3 and they lost Collaros for the two games they lost.

 

[StlCardinals2618]

Kiffin didn't make excuses for losses. The team got better under Kiffin instead of exponentially worse as the season wore on. Kiffin fielded a staff of proven recruiters and position coaches.

Kiffin took an underachieving group of OL, two walk-ons, an oft-injured RB, a head case of a QB, a group of unproven WRs and went through 3 MLBs and won 7 games. He didn't poor mouth his team, he shouldered the blame and kept working. He's the reason Bray and Hunter are here and the reason Nance and Rogers were offered as a package deal.

I don't care if Kiffin gets hit by a bus tomorrow, but he's 10 times the coach Derek Dooley is.

Kiffin took over the third ranked defense in the nation, and was given 2 draft picks on the line along with Aaron Douglas. Not to mention, Crompton had 4 different OC's in 4 years, it wasn't his fault, he was obviously talented.

Please explain how Dooley pretty much had the same record as Kiffin with a much worse team?

 

[DjCrenshaw]

Kiffin took over the third ranked defense in the nation, and was given 2 draft picks on the line along with Aaron Douglas. Not to mention, Crompton had 4 different OC's in 4 years, it wasn't his fault, he was obviously talented.

Please explain how Dooley pretty much had the same record as Kiffin with a much worse team?

 

[justingroves]

Cincinatti was 10-3 and they lost Collaros for the two games they lost.

Yes they were. They finished tied with Louisville (7-6) for the Big East title. That's where I got 7-6 from.

Dooley can say he's beaten the 10-3 Liberty Bowl Champs

 

[justingroves]

Kiffin took over the third ranked defense in the nation, and was given 2 draft picks on the line along with Aaron Douglas. Not to mention, Crompton had 4 different OC's in 4 years, it wasn't his fault, he was obviously talented.

Please explain how Dooley pretty much had the same record as Kiffin with a much worse team?

Yes, that OL dominated opponents in 2008. Cutcliffe resorted to three step drops and 4 yard curls in 2007 to protect Ainge. Great OL I tell you.

Teams knew if they scored 10 points on Tennessee they could run it for 3 quarters and go home.

 

[justingroves]

You're right there with Jackson Harris and Negateer as the worst poster on VN.