'14 TN DB Rashaan Gaulden (UT Signee 2/5/14)

I respect Chief. What he did with those converted running backs was remarkable. But times have changed. We need at least 4 big time linebackers in this class.
 
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If there were news, it would be posted. In the meantime, let TBB tell us idiots how we're wrong. TIA :hi:
 
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Chavis was pretty successful at it

At that time, the best athletes were always put at quarterback and running back. Seems to me like a lot of the kids now are much more specialized at an earlier level.

My favorite quote ever from a Tennessee player was from Al Wilson. He played running back and linebacker in high school. He was asked at one point if he played running back for the University of Tennessee, where would he fall in the depth chart? At the time there was Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and Travis Stevens. Al Wilson's response was STARTING!

That is the confidence level that I would love to see in all the Tennessee football players.
 
It is also a different era in regards to attitude...jmo, but is seems to me that more players now are much more likely to quit, or transfer if they do not crack the starting line-up or coaches try to change their position. Rather than suck it up, work harder and succeed. Again, imo. :hi:

The Entitlement Generation? :)
 
It is also a different era in regards to attitude...jmo, but is seems to me that more players now are much more likely to quit, or transfer if they do not crack the starting line-up or coaches try to change their position. Rather than suck it up, work harder and succeed. Again, imo. :hi:

The Entitlement Generation? :)

What's going on Doc? :)
 
It is also a different era in regards to attitude...jmo, but is seems to me that more players now are much more likely to quit, or transfer if they do not crack the starting line-up or coaches try to change their position. Rather than suck it up, work harder and succeed. Again, imo. :hi:

The Entitlement Generation? :)

i have heard this perception before but i dont buy it - and many of the people i meet in their 20s completely outwork their older counterparts - now i am in a tech company which tends towards younger people but i share none of your pessimism towards our younger generation

i think in the 70s-80s-90s plenty of kids left programs but there was no rivals, blogs, 24 hours news, etc so people like us just weren't capable of following it the same way - they came, they didnt play, you didnt know their name, they left, you never knew the difference
 
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Would be great to get this guy, particularly since he already has a relationship with Wharton, TK, and other guys coming in.

Can anyone fill me in on what the hold-up is with Gaulden and his commitment, if it's been stated already?
 
Don't tell them that. It also takes a very explosive hitter. And on top of that with how young athletes are developing these days you don't have to do these throwback moves anymore.
So using your logic. It's safe to assume we will have a very soft hitting DB class then?
Dang CBJ needs to scrap all the DBs he has offers out to and start new we need hitters
 
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i have heard this perception before but i dont buy it - and many of the people i meet in their 20s completely outwork their older counterparts - now i am in a tech company which tends towards younger people but i share none of your pessimism towards our younger generation

i think in the 70s-80s-90s plenty of kids left programs but there was no rivals, blogs, 24 hours news, etc so people like us just weren't capable of following it the same way - they came, they didnt play, you didnt know their name, they left, you never knew the difference

Excellent points...maybe we just did not know?
 
At that time, the best athletes were always put at quarterback and running back. Seems to me like a lot of the kids now are much more specialized at an earlier level.

My favorite quote ever from a Tennessee player was from Al Wilson. He played running back and linebacker in high school. He was asked at one point if he played running back for the University of Tennessee, where would he fall in the depth chart? At the time there was Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and Travis Stevens. Al Wilson's response was STARTING!

That is the confidence level that I would love to see in all the Tennessee football players.

Those 3 RB's were FR and SO in '98, Al's senior year so he was never competing with them for a possible RB spot. Maybe another group of guys but not those 3.
 
Excellent points...maybe we just did not know?

that would be my guess - i am not sure there is a way to really research it to know though

my papaw and my father were both huge UT fans - however i don't recall either of them ever knowing of a player until he actually played - so they would have only known if a player left if that player was actually on the field playing - anecdotal i know, but it seems to make sense
 
How in the world did you get that out of what he said?
Quite easily actually. He said "it takes time to develop DBs," I will agree with that. But that we need "explosive hitters" at LB. Qhich leads me to believe he doesn't think the DBs in the class are capable of being explosive.
 
I like the idea of recruiting a kid or two as a safety/olb hybrid who could develop either way (JRM exemplifies this build IMO) but you can't depend on LB depth by recruiting safeties. We need to get two or three top level linebackers this class and another two or three to boot.

A big safety or two to develop into LBs would just be icing on the cake. That being said, I think McDowell could thrive in either position, but if he was to play LB he'd need a year or two to bulk up. He might contribute more quickly as a safety.
 
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