A View from Big Ben

#1
L

London Vol

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2015
Messages
999
Likes
8,567
#1
This week I wished to float an idea and I would very much appreciate your comments if I have a point or why it is a none starter.


INSTEAD OF THE O & W GAME HOW ABOUT AN ACTUAL GAME


As a fan I find the season far too short and the time from January to September far too long, so how about a “friendly” game or even two in Spring instead of the O & W game.

The O & W Game, whilst better under Pruitt than Jones, is still not much more than a glorified practice.

The actual match could be against a “cupcake” team such as Chattanooga (no offence to them) or if Michigan or UCLA for example wish to test their squads against stronger opposition, why not.

This game would not count as one of the 12 matches in the fall, after all The NFL has 4 pre-season matches before the season starts. I felt Pruitt used the Georgia State game as a trial for the Offensive Line as well as other positional places. This mistake, I suspect will haunt him for as long as he coaches football and he will never underestimate a team again. Those issues would be ironed out in this game.

The match would still have the intensity of a “Fall” match but you could still have a trumped-up trophy if you wish. I believe it would feel like a real match.

This match would allow the coaching staff to play the freshmen and squad members thus getting a real idea of what the players can offer without ruining red-shirts. Take Harrison Bailey, we are all intrigued to know what we have and this would be a great chance to see him in game time, or, has JT Shrout really been given a fair run in the 1st team?

The game plan can still be vanilla so as to not give valuable film for the Georgia’s and Florida’s of this world but isn’t that what they do in the “cupcake” games anyway.

Players getting hurt? Well don’t play Trey Smith, Henry To`o to`o and Josh Palmer if you don’t wish to risk them, you already know what you have, however if Bailey does become the quarterback how about some game time practice with Palmer. But remember players risk getting hurt every day of Spring practice anyway.

Finally, Tennessee could charge reduced ticket prices but still would make sure it made a profit, that should get their support.

I look forward to your replies either agreeing with me or enlightening me why this does not happen already.



GO VOLS
 
  • Like
Reactions: BucksnortVol, Tnslim1, VolNExile and 7 others
#2
#2
London Vol said:
This week I wished to float an idea and I would very much appreciate your comments if I have a point or why it is a none starter.


INSTEAD OF THE O & W GAME HOW ABOUT AN ACTUAL GAME


As a fan I find the season far too short and the time from January to September far too long, so how about a “friendly” game or even two in Spring instead of the O & W game.

The O & W Game, whilst better under Pruitt than Jones, is still not much more than a glorified practice.

The actual match could be against a “cupcake” team such as Chattanooga (no offence to them) or if Michigan or UCLA for example wish to test their squads against stronger opposition, why not.

This game would not count as one of the 12 matches in the fall, after all The NFL has 4 pre-season matches before the season starts. I felt Pruitt used the Georgia State game as a trial for the Offensive Line as well as other positional places. This mistake, I suspect will haunt him for as long as he coaches football and he will never underestimate a team again. Those issues would be ironed out in this game.

The match would still have the intensity of a “Fall” match but you could still have a trumped-up trophy if you wish. I believe it would feel like a real match.

This match would allow the coaching staff to play the freshmen and squad members thus getting a real idea of what the players can offer without ruining red-shirts. Take Harrison Bailey, we are all intrigued to know what we have and this would be a great chance to see him in game time, or, has JT Shrout really been given a fair run in the 1st team?

The game plan can still be vanilla so as to not give valuable film for the Georgia’s and Florida’s of this world but isn’t that what they do in the “cupcake” games anyway.

Players getting hurt? Well don’t play Trey Smith, Henry To`o to`o and Josh Palmer if you don’t wish to risk them, you already know what you have, however if Bailey does become the quarterback how about some game time practice with Palmer. But remember players risk getting hurt every day of Spring practice anyway.

Finally, Tennessee could charge reduced ticket prices but still would make sure it made a profit, that should get their support.

I look forward to your replies either agreeing with me or enlightening me why this does not happen already.



GO VOLS
Click to expand...
DELETE
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Chilmonty, savannahfan and VOLINVONORE
#3
#3
The off season is killing me already also. Spring games will never happen, it would be difficult to fil the stadium and without TV money it would cost the University too much. Football is played in the fall.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dgrind65, feathersax and oheron16
#4
#4
London Vol said:
This week I wished to float an idea and I would very much appreciate your comments if I have a point or why it is a none starter.


INSTEAD OF THE O & W GAME HOW ABOUT AN ACTUAL GAME


As a fan I find the season far too short and the time from January to September far too long, so how about a “friendly” game or even two in Spring instead of the O & W game.

The O & W Game, whilst better under Pruitt than Jones, is still not much more than a glorified practice.

The actual match could be against a “cupcake” team such as Chattanooga (no offence to them) or if Michigan or UCLA for example wish to test their squads against stronger opposition, why not.

This game would not count as one of the 12 matches in the fall, after all The NFL has 4 pre-season matches before the season starts. I felt Pruitt used the Georgia State game as a trial for the Offensive Line as well as other positional places. This mistake, I suspect will haunt him for as long as he coaches football and he will never underestimate a team again. Those issues would be ironed out in this game.

The match would still have the intensity of a “Fall” match but you could still have a trumped-up trophy if you wish. I believe it would feel like a real match.

This match would allow the coaching staff to play the freshmen and squad members thus getting a real idea of what the players can offer without ruining red-shirts. Take Harrison Bailey, we are all intrigued to know what we have and this would be a great chance to see him in game time, or, has JT Shrout really been given a fair run in the 1st team?

The game plan can still be vanilla so as to not give valuable film for the Georgia’s and Florida’s of this world but isn’t that what they do in the “cupcake” games anyway.

Players getting hurt? Well don’t play Trey Smith, Henry To`o to`o and Josh Palmer if you don’t wish to risk them, you already know what you have, however if Bailey does become the quarterback how about some game time practice with Palmer. But remember players risk getting hurt every day of Spring practice anyway.

Finally, Tennessee could charge reduced ticket prices but still would make sure it made a profit, that should get their support.

I look forward to your replies either agreeing with me or enlightening me why this does not happen already.



GO VOLS
Click to expand...
 
#5
#5
I suggest you spent a couple of weeks with an AD and head football coach before you continue with this idea. I am sure you would change you mind in a hurry.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: feathersax
#6
#6
There are a lot of student athletes that don't start.


There are a lot of kids that cannot afford tickets in the regular season.

The spring game is a community event. And only access for lots of folks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: feathersax
#7
#7
I like it London! Would love to see a couple of Pre-season games in April! I know there are umpteen reasons why not. But, I like entertaining the idea of getting some P5 games in for exhibition.

My only scruple is that you keep using the phrase "match". I think you've been on the wrong side of the pond for too long. That "other" football has infiltrated your mind! 😉
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigDave, onevol74 and VOLSanon
#11
#11
I think the biggest issue with this is money. It costs a lot of money to have a team travel. Normally, in season, you are able to pay a team like Directional U to come get a beating for a nice fat check. Without TV money, it's really just too expensive to pay out without that revenue to support it.
 
#12
#12
It's not a terrible idea. Certainly worth talking about in the long, boring off-season haha. :)

I don't think it could count for anything. No trophy, not a note of anything in the record books, nada.

Would also have to get over the NCAA practice limits hurdle. I don't know that the NCAA rule book as currently written prohibits inter-program "practices" (which is what this would technically be), but it's something that would need to be checked.

Because of the impact on practice counts, think it should just be one single game. No home-and-homes with a Michigan or UCLA.

And I don't think the schools involved should charge admission. Keep it free, keep it open, keep the side activities like getting autographs from coaches and players, and all the rest.

Put all that together, and I don't think P5 versus P5 would work at all. No one would want to be the "away team" and forego a chance for their fans to get time with the team in spring.

But UT-Chattanooga or ETSU or another local team whose fans could also easily come?

I think that idea has some merit.

Thanks, London.

Go Vols!


p.s. For those who think it would be too expensive, think of the spring game as it is already run. 95% of the expense of a game day is already being spent, even if we don't invite a Chattanooga or ETSU to drive over. Yes, the visiting team's expenses must be considered, but it's not going to break our bank to help them cover the cost (not pay it entirely, share it with them).
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BigDave and tbh
#13
#13
I think London Vol's suggestion would be PERFECT in another era. Not sure, but I think this was done (or tried) by a few colleges decades back. Copying what was done by the pros iirc. Later on, again if my memory serves, there was an incident of fights, revenge hits resulting in injury, locker room stuff that ended this. In today's world of negatively and accelerated destructive punking, vileness and worst, I'd steer far from inter-squad skirmishes or games. Frankly, too many people now don't know how to play with any degree of honor, integrity, or concepts of dignity. I recall a UNLV or some other basketball team decades ago utterly trashing another team's locker room. They were using it during an NCAA tourney game hosted by that school whose team was playing in another regional game elsewhere. People don't know how to behave now, so NO. I want it happening to nobody but if players are going to be injured, let it in a game that means something. The problem is the mindset of people today, they just don't know or care how to behave.
 
Last edited:
#15
#15
livefaith said:
I like it London! Would love to see a couple of Pre-season games in April! I know there are umpteen reasons why not. But, I like entertaining the idea of getting some P5 games in for exhibition.

My only scruple is that you keep using the phrase "match". I think you've been on the wrong side of the pond for too long. That "other" football has infiltrated your mind! 😉
Click to expand...


Sorry its my English speaking, is "game" better?. I am British born and bred.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TennesseeTarheel, feathersax, BigDave and 1 other person
#19
#19
London Vol said:
This week I wished to float an idea and I would very much appreciate your comments if I have a point or why it is a none starter.


INSTEAD OF THE O & W GAME HOW ABOUT AN ACTUAL GAME


As a fan I find the season far too short and the time from January to September far too long, so how about a “friendly” game or even two in Spring instead of the O & W game.

The O & W Game, whilst better under Pruitt than Jones, is still not much more than a glorified practice.

The actual match could be against a “cupcake” team such as Chattanooga (no offence to them) or if Michigan or UCLA for example wish to test their squads against stronger opposition, why not.

This game would not count as one of the 12 matches in the fall, after all The NFL has 4 pre-season matches before the season starts. I felt Pruitt used the Georgia State game as a trial for the Offensive Line as well as other positional places. This mistake, I suspect will haunt him for as long as he coaches football and he will never underestimate a team again. Those issues would be ironed out in this game.

The match would still have the intensity of a “Fall” match but you could still have a trumped-up trophy if you wish. I believe it would feel like a real match.

This match would allow the coaching staff to play the freshmen and squad members thus getting a real idea of what the players can offer without ruining red-shirts. Take Harrison Bailey, we are all intrigued to know what we have and this would be a great chance to see him in game time, or, has JT Shrout really been given a fair run in the 1st team?

The game plan can still be vanilla so as to not give valuable film for the Georgia’s and Florida’s of this world but isn’t that what they do in the “cupcake” games anyway.

Players getting hurt? Well don’t play Trey Smith, Henry To`o to`o and Josh Palmer if you don’t wish to risk them, you already know what you have, however if Bailey does become the quarterback how about some game time practice with Palmer. But remember players risk getting hurt every day of Spring practice anyway.

Finally, Tennessee could charge reduced ticket prices but still would make sure it made a profit, that should get their support.

I look forward to your replies either agreeing with me or enlightening me why this does not happen already.



GO VOLS
Click to expand...

I like the idea, have often thought of it before. Play a home and home with the same team each year (home one spring, travel the next). Our's could be North Carolina. Make special rules. No punt returns or kick-off returns. Require it that players can only play one half. Maybe charge $5-$10 dollars and let all the money go to non-revenue sports. Pretty sure we'd sell out Neyland and, counting revenue from concessions, make a lot of money for other sports.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Patagon98
#23
#23
VFL-82-JP said:
The more past participles of verbs you can string together, the more authentically hillbilly you sound.

A Four-Star Example: He done gone went and did it.
Click to expand...
You lost 90% of this board at participle, including me. Then again I do like to let my participle dangle from time to time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VFL-82-JP
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top