A Plea for Sanity...

#1
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voladdiction

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#1
I get as angry and disappointed as any Vol fan when we lose ugly and play poorly. And I think the VN website IS a place to vent our frustrations (as well as celebrate when appropriate!).

But it seems that we have a habit of devouring our own. We say crazy things like...

1. Tyler Bray sux? He doesn't. Yes, he still has a TON of growing up to do (in his understanding of the game, in his emotional stability, in his handling of the media, etc...). But he's a good QB. I'm glad he's on our team and hope he plays his best game ever against Georgia.

2. Arian Foster was terrible while at Tennessee? That's garbabe! Yes he had a few crucial fumbles, but the guy was a really good RB for us, and has gone on to be a GREAT NFL player. We should be ashamed for how viciously we criticized him during his UT career.

3. Marsalis Teague is a joke? Yes, this guy is a step slow for a CB. But he's a hard-worker, doesn't emotionally mope when things are tough, gives his all for Tennessee, and...let's not forget.... 3(!) different coaching staffs have put him on the field (Kiffin's coaching staff in 2009, Dooley/Wilcox in 2010 & 2011, and Dooley/Sunseri in 2012). I think it was the right decision to replace him with Justin Coleman last week. But let's not shame him. He is, by all accounts, a good kid who plays his butt off for the Vols.

4. Zach Rogers wouldn't see the field for other SEC teams? Give me a break! Yes, he has had drops. But the dude is lightning fast, has made some great catches this year, understands the offense, and has weathered through the most tumultuous era of Tennessee football since the 1970's unflinching and unflappable. Shouldn't we be proud to have him on our team.

And what's with all this "Sal Sunseri is a disaster" garbage. Everyone who knew anything about the transition to a 3-4 before the season started pointed out how teams struggle in the first year in this system. We are not getting bludgeoned to death by perpetual pounding of the rock, like we did last year against Bama, USCe, and LSU (of course, Bama and USCe still await us on our schedule this year). We are giving up a few HUGE plays each game because of confusion or poor fits that we will hopefully fix as the season progresses.

I'm not saying everything is rosy. Nor am I saying that we don't have BIG problems in personnel and scheme. But let's vent our frustrations without going loco and viciously devouring our own. These guys need our support. And recruits need to see a fan base who remains loyal to our team and players, even while we honestly recognize our weaknesses. Pretty please?

Release the hounds...:rock:
 
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#3
#3
Enjoy the season........think back to a month ago when everybody was counting down the days till the first game! It is Georgia week and we are 3-1! GO VOLS
 
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#5
#5
northknoxvol said:
Enjoy the season........think back to a month ago when everybody was counting down the days till the first game! It is Georgia week and we are 3-1! GO VOLS
Click to expand...

Yeah, and by the end of October we'll be 3-5. Blind optimism is simply stupid.

I'll start enjoying seasons again when we're a perennial top 20 team and a top tier SEC team.
 
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#6
#6
voladdiction said:
Just a little. How you feeling?
Click to expand...

Oh, I feel extremely draggy. Went to Atlanta yesterday and personally coached by boy Brandt Sneds from Nashville to a FedEx golf cup championship worth $11 million. Stayed for the victory party. Got home late, no sleep, need some coffee.

Sometimes it helps to write stuff out everything that is bothering you. That is a good list there. We gonna work it out.....maybe
 
#7
#7
I will always love the Vols, but have to admit it has been a long time since I truly enjoyed a season.

All those that still think we can compete in the SEC, I want to know what they are basing that on if not, as said above, purely blind optimism?

You can tell too, when we still all had the Pre-Florida Dool Aid IV in our arms everyone was talking about it, wearing Orange at work. Saturday half my staff showed up in Blue, Red, Black, any other color than Orange and unless you already knew there was no indication of it being a "Game Day". When Tennessee football becomes a footnote to a Saturday, something is desperately wrong. Either that or our best days are behind us not in front of us.
 
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#9
#9
Best thread I have seen on VN yet. You know what I wore to work on Monday after the UF game? A Big Orange Frickin' Shirt. I work in an office of 99% UGA fans. Your support for these student-athletes and a fine University shouldn't waiver from week to week. That makes as much since as leaving your wife because she burned the beans for dinner one night.
 
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#10
#10
coachwgh said:
Best thread I have seen on VN yet. You know what I wore to work on Monday after the UF game? A Big Orange Frickin' Shirt. I work in an office of 99% UGA fans. Your support for these student-athletes and a fine University shouldn't waiver from week to week. That makes as much since as leaving your wife because she burned the beans for dinner one night.
Click to expand...
True freaking fan.
 
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#11
#11
That plea for sanity goes both ways. For every "negavol" we get the same amount of posts about some fan "having a feeling" and "they haven't impressed me/played anyone" and "they are due a bad game".

And no that's just not being positive.
 
#12
#12
87Vol said:
Yeah, and by the end of October we'll be 3-5. Blind optimism is simply stupid.

I'll start enjoying seasons again when we're a perennial top 20 team and a top tier SEC team.
Click to expand...

Wow, bandwagon much. Only like the team when they win. Tough
 
#13
#13
I 100% agree with OP, but this is no less than an entertainment website. I used to get aggravated too reading the crap and wondered why I came back for more, then realized its really just something to do between Saturdays.
 
#14
#14
We are where we are. (Brilliant thought). I've been unhappy with the program since we last played for the SECEC. This has been a disaster. Rebuilding from where we were is going to take more time. Many on VN don't want to hear this or other excuses, but there is no Messiah who will get us to the top in a flash as they want. The roster has improved in talent and experience in the last 2 years. Recruiting rules prevent a team from going to where we were to instant success. The coaching staff has improved with Sunseri, Graham, etal and given time they will get good results.

I believe the team will still struggle this year for many reasons. New D scheme and new D coaching staff. Lack of speed in the secondary. Lack of depth at LB. New FG kicker. Inconsistent running game. I could go on.

I believe Dooley will continue building the roster in spite of all of the detractors. I believe Hart gives him 5 years unless there is a complete collapse. I don't know if he is ultimately the man for the job, but he might be. Playing talented juniors and 5th year seniors is a lot easier coaching job than playing freshmen and sophomores. We will have a deep and talented roster in DD's 5th year.

I have to laugh at the immature and irrational screamers who think we should get instant results as well as the "sunshine pumpers" as some are called. Over the next 2 seasons, we will have some very high and very low points that will make us all furious. I don't like it, but I am trying to be realistic by knowing that progress is being made and we will be playing for championships if we stay on this path.
 
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#15
#15
voladdiction said:
I get as angry and disappointed as any Vol fan when we lose ugly and play poorly. And I think the VN website IS a place to vent our frustrations (as well as celebrate when appropriate!).

But it seems that we have a habit of devouring our own. We say crazy things like...

1. Tyler Bray sux? He doesn't. Yes, he still has a TON of growing up to do (in his understanding of the game, in his emotional stability, in his handling of the media, etc...). But he's a good QB. I'm glad he's on our team and hope he plays his best game ever against Georgia.

2. Arian Foster was terrible while at Tennessee? That's garbabe! Yes he had a few crucial fumbles, but the guy was a really good RB for us, and has gone on to be a GREAT NFL player. We should be ashamed for how viciously we criticized him during his UT career.

3. Marsalis Teague is a joke? Yes, this guy is a step slow for a CB. But he's a hard-worker, doesn't emotionally mope when things are tough, gives his all for Tennessee, and...let's not forget.... 3(!) different coaching staffs have put him on the field (Kiffin's coaching staff in 2009, Dooley/Wilcox in 2010 & 2011, and Dooley/Sunseri in 2012). I think it was the right decision to replace him with Justin Coleman last week. But let's not shame him. He is, by all accounts, a good kid who plays his butt off for the Vols.

4. Zach Rogers wouldn't see the field for other SEC teams? Give me a break! Yes, he has had drops. But the dude is lightning fast, has made some great catches this year, understands the offense, and has weathered through the most tumultuous era of Tennessee football since the 1970's unflinching and unflappable. Shouldn't we be proud to have him on our team.

And what's with all this "Sal Sunseri is a disaster" garbage. Everyone who knew anything about the transition to a 3-4 before the season started pointed out how teams struggle in the first year in this system. We are not getting bludgeoned to death by perpetual pounding of the rock, like we did last year against Bama, USCe, and LSU (of course, Bama and USCe still await us on our schedule this year). We are giving up a few HUGE plays each game because of confusion or poor fits that we will hopefully fix as the season progresses.

I'm not saying everything is rosy. Nor am I saying that we don't have BIG problems in personnel and scheme. But let's vent our frustrations without going loco and viciously devouring our own. These guys need our support. And recruits need to see a fan base who remains loyal to our team and players, even while we honestly recognize our weaknesses. Pretty please?

Release the hounds...:rock:
Click to expand...

I see what you are saying. We are 3-1 thing are not that bad.

1. Bray has played good not great. He is very talented and if he can get his head right he will be great. I hope he does.
2. Arian Foster did a good job for us, but the fumbles, I know he only lost like 4. They were a big 4.
3. Marsalis Teague is a joke. To play CB you have to cover. He might be a nice guy, but he still can not cover or tackle.
4. Z. Rogers has played better, but catch the ball. He has dropped so many that you are surprised when he does catch it.

I think the D will be ok in time. They have to learn the system.
 
#16
#16
coachwgh said:
Best thread I have seen on VN yet. You know what I wore to work on Monday after the UF game? A Big Orange Frickin' Shirt. I work in an office of 99% UGA fans. Your support for these student-athletes and a fine University shouldn't waiver from week to week. That makes as much since as leaving your wife because she burned the beans for dinner one night.
Click to expand...

if she doesn't make my sammuich right i will leave her
 
#17
#17
xspills64 said:
I see what you are saying. We are 3-1 thing are not that bad.

1. Bray has played good not great. He is very talented and if he can get his head right he will be great. I hope he does.
2. Arian Foster did a good job for us, but the fumbles, I know he only lost like 4. They were a big 4.
3. Marsalis Teague is a joke. To play CB you have to cover. He might be a nice guy, but he still can not cover or tackle.
4. Z. Rogers has played better, but catch the ball. He has dropped so many that you are surprised when he does catch it.

I think the D will be ok in time. They have to learn the system.
Click to expand...

You are right about this. ^^. The problem is that the whole team has been trying to learn new systems with all the of the coaching changes, attrition, position changes, on and on. At some point there needs to be some stability, depth and talent. I believe we are headed there.
 
#18
#18
87Vol said:
Yeah, and by the end of October we'll be 3-5. Blind optimism is simply stupid.

I'll start enjoying seasons again when we're a perennial top 20 team and a top tier SEC team.
Click to expand...

I like the optimism! Way to show your support for the team!
 
#21
#21
voladdiction said:
And what's with all this "Sal Sunseri is a disaster" garbage. Everyone who knew anything about the transition to a 3-4 before the season started pointed out how teams struggle in the first year in this system. We are not getting bludgeoned to death by perpetual pounding of the rock, like we did last year against Bama, USCe, and LSU (of course, Bama and USCe still await us on our schedule this year). We are giving up a few HUGE plays each game because of confusion or poor fits that we will hopefully fix as the season progresses.
Click to expand...

Doesn't Dooley need to shoulder the blame for making a hire that was going to necessitate a complete defensive overhaul in a "win now or else" season for him? It's a known fact that transitioning to the 3-4 often times makes your defense struggle in the beginning. In a different scenario maybe it would have made more sense. However, Dooley doesn't have the luxury or letting the defense slowly come around as the season progresses. He burned up all of his free passes in the past 2 years, and now is not the time for more excuses.
 
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#22
#22
xspills64 said:
3. Marsalis Teague is a joke. To play CB you have to cover. He might be a nice guy, but he still can not cover or tackle.
Click to expand...

Teague has had several rough outings the past two years. I do think we should play Coleman ahead of him. But calling him a "joke" just ain't right. Accountability means getting benched. It doesn't mean shaming our own player who is playing as hard as he can.
 
#23
#23
bleedorange0037 said:
Doesn't Dooley need to shoulder the blame for making a hire that was going to necessitate a complete defensive overhaul in a "win now or else" season for him? It's a known fact that transitioning to the 3-4 often times makes your defense struggle in the beginning. In a different scenario maybe it would have made more sense. However, Dooley doesn't have the luxury or letting the defense slowly come around as the season progresses. He burned up all of his free passes in the past 2 years, and now is not the time for more excuses.
Click to expand...

So say's you and many other that simply do not know. Perhaps AD Hart understands the Sunseri hire more so than anonymous posters on the web.
 
#24
#24
bleedorange0037 said:
Doesn't Dooley need to shoulder the blame for making a hire that was going to necessitate a complete defensive overhaul in a "win now or else" season for him? It's a known fact that transitioning to the 3-4 often times makes your defense struggle in the beginning. In a different scenario maybe it would have made more sense. However, Dooley doesn't have the luxury or letting the defense slowly come around as the season progresses. He burned up all of his free passes in the past 2 years, and now is not the time for more excuses.
Click to expand...

Dooley does have to take responsibility for his hires. But I think he did the right thing in not "playing it safe" but rather trying to capitalize on his personnel, get more aggressive on D, aim for more game-changing plays, etc... And that is risky. Too early to tell how this will play out. We will know better after we run the SEC gauntlet...

Some of our fan base has the same "give up" they blame the players for.
 
#25
#25
voladdiction said:
Dooley does have to take responsibility for his hires. But I think he did the right thing in not "playing it safe" but rather trying to capitalize on his personnel, get more aggressive on D, aim for more game-changing plays, etc... And that is risky. Too early to tell how this will play out. We will know better after we run the SEC gauntlet...

Some of our fan base has the same "give up" they blame the players for.
Click to expand...

You can't blame the fans for not having a lot of optimism about what's coming. We're getting ready to play 4 games, 3 of which are on the road, against teams who are as good, or in UGA and Alabama's case significantly better than the UF team that we didn't even look like we belong on the same field as. If you think it's bad now, just wait till the clock runs out on the USC game. We'll probably be 3-5 at that point, and all but the most outrageously blind of the sheep will have abandoned Dooley.
 
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