After last night, I'm convinced that this staff is going to succeed

[901 Orange]

Or ya know use the timeouts you had in your pocket but let’s not hold the people that get paid millions accountable

Why call timeout when you're moving the ball?? Im not letting Fla regroup in that moment. The clock is a non-issue bc you want to be sure its the last possession of the half reguardless of outcome. You call timeout they gather themselves and there is no guarantee we still move the ball. The clock stops on 1st downs and they were lined up on time. You have a veteran kicker so just make the kick. Its not like he was attempting a 50-60 yarder.

 

[papatomany]

Mac was screaming the play to make. Over and over. Had Tennessee done that they would have at least one more play before the kick.

It was the right call. There’s no need to go break neck speed all the time when there’s a good chance The team will get a penalty.

On the coach's show Heupel said he didn't run another play because of the snap problems we were having. He wanted the field goal attempt, which was very makeable. (And by the by, he also used the same phrase I used about having them on their heels.)

 

[Birdie]

Unless Heupel can learn to recruit better then this staff won’t last long. Tennessee looked like a JV team last night against Florida of course losing like 30 players in the transfer portal doesn’t help either but Heupel needs to go hard on the Juco route to make up for the talent defiency and build more depth. Florida rotating their defensive guys and keeping them fresh and we couldn’t do that. We will never compete with the big three by recruiting mainly 3 star and 2 star guys and no the coaching them up only goes so far too when Bama and Georgia are basically fielding semi pro teams.

The goal, right now, isn't to neat with the big 3. The goal is to beat our 4 OOC and the little 4 (scar, UK, Missouri, vandy) every year. Do that and you're 8-4 and can get guys those schools are getting from us. Consolidating their best talent at TN, maybe start plucking a guy or 2 from the big 3 and you start making up ground.

 

[a vol n tears]

Or ya know use the timeouts you had in your pocket but let’s not hold the people that get paid millions accountable

I can see you don’t care for Heupel and company, but let me have a couple of counter comments.
They have rarely gone at break neck speed. Hooker usually goes no huddle, but gets his play calls from the sideline. Out of the 4 games, I think Tenn has ran more plays than the opposition 2 games. Both were against lesser teams.
Using all of the allotted timeouts is not always a necessity. If the defense is reeling, don’t give them the opportunity to regroup. Basketball coaches do this a lot In the final seconds so the defense cannot set up.
Penalties are a problem, but in CJH’s offense, it is part of all of his teams. If they execute they can overcome a 1st and 15. It happened at UCF regularly. I don’t like them but am not sure they have cost us a win in either game.
It is fair for you to dislike a coaching staff. We all see things differently. I personally liked Jones until he lost the team, even when they were losing games. I thought he put them in position to win, but concentration from the players cost them. Concentration is very hard to coach, and I think that is the issue costing this current team. Concentrate on throwing to wide open receivers, concentrate on catching the ball, and concentrate on staying set until the ball is snapped. I think Xs & Os have been exceptional and changing the culture has been very good.

 

[Birdie]

Question is, will CJH adjust his scheme for the players he has currently?

His scheme is working, they're not throwing and catching. What can he change to fix that?

 

[Birdie]

Exactly! Clock management didn't sabotage the drive, poor execution did.

Yes. We walked it down the field with his up tempo offense cause we weren't subbing. Kept Florida on their heels. That's his coaching philosophy, you can't go against your identity. Hooker misses a throw and kicker misses a kick. The scheme and his philosophy worked in that moment. Better execution by the players gets points there.

 

[Rylee_Vol18]

Yay for moral victories and assumptions because that's all we ****ing have

Where did he mention moral victory? You negavols are becoming unbearable.

 

[jim43]

There were encouraging signs in our game last night against Florida.

We played hard; our defense is so much better than last year. Our offense is more exciting.

The down side is that we simply do not have a QB in the first two who qualifies as a SEC QB. Each pass is a "hold your breath and hope" type situation. That includes the fact we have receivers who do not watch the ball into their hands, or simply cannot catch the ball consistently. Both these are very concerning. It is hard for the rest of the team to keep being upbeat and positive when they know the odds are, one or the other will screw up badly on the way down the field.

We had a few highlight moments, but the obvious miscues killed us. These also included the absolute unforgiveable penalties we continue to have due to some players not thinking at all.

We will get better. That is encouraging. But the QBs have to step it up, and our receivers have to decide if they are going to be receivers or killers of drives.

Help is on the way, and I believe this staff will get it done. Hope was kindled last night.

 

[Wylo]

Lol. You coach slurpers are hilarious. Zero points in the second half. No adjustments made. What a joke.

 

[GoPitt]

Four games in, and I see a team that fights for 60 minutes (which wasn't the case last year) and believes in itself and this staff (definitely not the case last year). I also see a master play-caller in Heuepl. He has WRs running open consistently, but QBs either miss them or (more often) receivers drop passes.

I was wondering why they're trying to sign 5 WRs in this class, given how that looked to be a strength of this team going into the season. We're seeing why. They need some guys who can catch the ball.

The biggest issues remain penalties and self-inflicted wounds. "That's on Heupel's lack of discipline!" many of the negative fans scream. This team hasn't been disciplined, penalty-wise, for awhile. We can't expect every bad habit to be undone and fixed in year 1, especially while they're also learning new systems. This is a building year: Heupel is installing systems, changing culture, and putting a team on the field that fights/believes. We'll see a lot more progress in Year 2.

Consider what Sam Pittman is doing in Year 2 at Arkansas. Know what their record was in Year 1? It was 3-7. Now they're undefeated and about to be ranked in the top 10. Know where they rank this season in fewest penalty yards per game? 121st out of 130. Some of our fans think that because Heupel hasn't fixed every problem in 4 games, he's Dooley, part 2. It's absurd.

So going forward....we were never expected to beat Florida by anyone. I didn't expect to be a missed FG away from being tied at the half, either. The two biggest games of the season are coming up: Missouri and South Carolina. Win those two and 6 wins is in the bag. We should beat SC and I give the Vols a slight edge over Missouri after yesterday. Further, Kentucky is certainly looking a lot more winnable. Last night, I saw a team that can win 7 games, IF they don't suffer any major injuries. 6 wins was my hope going into the season. 7 would be fantastic. Then give these QBs an entire offseason to develop more after having played a season in this system, bring in some transfers at key positions, and I think you could see a takeoff season in Year 2. And hopefully, the WRs figure out how to catch or we find some who can.

Might not happen this year but you all have great talent. Just need to put it together as a team. Even though it was a loss you played tough against Florida

 

[vik]

Four games in, and I see a team that fights for 60 minutes (which wasn't the case last year) and believes in itself and this staff (definitely not the case last year). I also see a master play-caller in Heuepl. He has WRs running open consistently, but QBs either miss them or (more often) receivers drop passes.

I was wondering why they're trying to sign 5 WRs in this class, given how that looked to be a strength of this team going into the season. We're seeing why. They need some guys who can catch the ball.

The biggest issues remain penalties and self-inflicted wounds. "That's on Heupel's lack of discipline!" many of the negative fans scream. This team hasn't been disciplined, penalty-wise, for awhile. We can't expect every bad habit to be undone and fixed in year 1, especially while they're also learning new systems. This is a building year: Heupel is installing systems, changing culture, and putting a team on the field that fights/believes. We'll see a lot more progress in Year 2.

Consider what Sam Pittman is doing in Year 2 at Arkansas. Know what their record was in Year 1? It was 3-7. Now they're undefeated and about to be ranked in the top 10. Know where they rank this season in fewest penalty yards per game? 121st out of 130. Some of our fans think that because Heupel hasn't fixed every problem in 4 games, he's Dooley, part 2. It's absurd.

So going forward....we were never expected to beat Florida by anyone. I didn't expect to be a missed FG away from being tied at the half, either. The two biggest games of the season are coming up: Missouri and South Carolina. Win those two and 6 wins is in the bag. We should beat SC and I give the Vols a slight edge over Missouri after yesterday. Further, Kentucky is certainly looking a lot more winnable. Last night, I saw a team that can win 7 games, IF they don't suffer any major injuries. 6 wins was my hope going into the season. 7 would be fantastic. Then give these QBs an entire offseason to develop more after having played a season in this system, bring in some transfers at key positions, and I think you could see a takeoff season in Year 2. And hopefully, the WRs figure out how to catch or we find some who can.

Honestly, GregAmsler (IF that is your REAL name), you seriously underestimate the broad base of "knowing stuff" that so many posters here represent. Four games is obviously enough time to assess what's going on and know it's time for a change. Heck, I knew it was time for Pruitt to go after the first play against West Virginia in Charlotte.

 

[franklinboy]

Four games in, and I see a team that fights for 60 minutes (which wasn't the case last year) and believes in itself and this staff (definitely not the case last year). I also see a master play-caller in Heuepl. He has WRs running open consistently, but QBs either miss them or (more often) receivers drop passes.

I was wondering why they're trying to sign 5 WRs in this class, given how that looked to be a strength of this team going into the season. We're seeing why. They need some guys who can catch the ball.

The biggest issues remain penalties and self-inflicted wounds. "That's on Heupel's lack of discipline!" many of the negative fans scream. This team hasn't been disciplined, penalty-wise, for awhile. We can't expect every bad habit to be undone and fixed in year 1, especially while they're also learning new systems. This is a building year: Heupel is installing systems, changing culture, and putting a team on the field that fights/believes. We'll see a lot more progress in Year 2.

Consider what Sam Pittman is doing in Year 2 at Arkansas. Know what their record was in Year 1? It was 3-7. Now they're undefeated and about to be ranked in the top 10. Know where they rank this season in fewest penalty yards per game? 121st out of 130. Some of our fans think that because Heupel hasn't fixed every problem in 4 games, he's Dooley, part 2. It's absurd.

So going forward....we were never expected to beat Florida by anyone. I didn't expect to be a missed FG away from being tied at the half, either. The two biggest games of the season are coming up: Missouri and South Carolina. Win those two and 6 wins is in the bag. We should beat SC and I give the Vols a slight edge over Missouri after yesterday. Further, Kentucky is certainly looking a lot more winnable. Last night, I saw a team that can win 7 games, IF they don't suffer any major injuries. 6 wins was my hope going into the season. 7 would be fantastic. Then give these QBs an entire offseason to develop more after having played a season in this system, bring in some transfers at key positions, and I think you could see a takeoff season in Year 2. And hopefully, the WRs figure out how to catch or we find some who can.

Hell yea! No doubt and well said! Them young men went to war last night but also they can't make critical mistakes in big game like last night and especially against Mizzu,S.C., Ky, Miss in order to have a chance at a bowl game!

 

[rusty11]

I agree!! This staff can scheme receivers open, now we just got to clean up the drops and over throws.

Yes to this! Sign 10 qb's and find the one that has the it factor. I think that is the answer.

 

[Powder and shot]

No matter what the choice remains… Support the Vols or don’t! Complain whine bi**h but in the end hang in there. Most except the trolls would not complain if they didn’t care. I agree Heupel and staff can get it done!

 

[VOLnMiami]

You have to be able to recruit well. Staff hasn’t shown that

They have been here 7 freakin months!!...They took over a program fixing to get smacked by the NCAA because of the loser Fulmer hired as head coach...Of course not many top players are going to be taking a look at us yet...Show you can compete and they will come...It's been proven over and over again.

 

[mthomp88]

Heupel finished 7th in recruiting in the AAC year 2020. He’s not a good recruiter .

 

[mthomp88]

They have been here 7 freakin months!!...They took over a program fixing to get smacked by the NCAA because of the loser Fulmer hired as head coach...Of course not many top players are going to be taking a look at us yet...Show you can compete and they will come...It's been proven over and over again.

2020 class Heupel finished 7th in the AAC. That’s terrible

 

[DonjoVol]

We lost to Florida by 24 points. There is still a lot of work to do.

I understand we played well in the first half and kept it close. But the final score is what matters most.

 

[VOLnMiami]

2020 class Heupel finished 7th in the AAC. That’s terrible

It's Central florida dude, Not even Scott Frost had great recruiting years there....In fact CJH's classes were better than Frosts.

 

[chuck0303]

I agree!! This staff can scheme receivers open, now we just got to clean up the drops and over throws.

Not all, but one of the things that Florida receivers have consistently done over the years was come back for the ball, in essence hook, and catch the ball in their gut; gotta be much easier to catch a ball in your stomach than trying to just snag one out of the air. Maybe that's not a fix all, but maybe it would improve on our receptions.

 

[chuck0303]

Unless Heupel can learn to recruit better then this staff won’t last long. Tennessee looked like a JV team last night against Florida of course losing like 30 players in the transfer portal doesn’t help either but Heupel needs to go hard on the Juco route to make up for the talent defiency and build more depth. Florida rotating their defensive guys and keeping them fresh and we couldn’t do that. We will never compete with the big three by recruiting mainly 3 star and 2 star guys and no the coaching them up only goes so far too when Bama and Georgia are basically fielding semi pro teams.

I disagree. Tennessee didn't look like a JV team. Yes, we lost 30 players or so to the portal but also brought some in. Do we have the number of quality players we need, no. Mistakes hurt, however, if Calloway had caught the one he dropped that was probably a TD. Would we have won, probably not. We also don't have the depth to keep up right now but I do like the fact that the 2s, 3s, etc are getting reps and playing time to soften the lack of depth. Plus, the kids that are playing look like they're giving it their all; otherwise, it would be really bad.

 

[BanditVol]

Four games in, and I see a team that fights for 60 minutes (which wasn't the case last year) and believes in itself and this staff (definitely not the case last year). I also see a master play-caller in Heuepl. He has WRs running open consistently, but QBs either miss them or (more often) receivers drop passes.

I was wondering why they're trying to sign 5 WRs in this class, given how that looked to be a strength of this team going into the season. We're seeing why. They need some guys who can catch the ball.

The biggest issues remain penalties and self-inflicted wounds. "That's on Heupel's lack of discipline!" many of the negative fans scream. This team hasn't been disciplined, penalty-wise, for awhile. We can't expect every bad habit to be undone and fixed in year 1, especially while they're also learning new systems. This is a building year: Heupel is installing systems, changing culture, and putting a team on the field that fights/believes. We'll see a lot more progress in Year 2.

Consider what Sam Pittman is doing in Year 2 at Arkansas. Know what their record was in Year 1? It was 3-7. Now they're undefeated and about to be ranked in the top 10. Know where they rank this season in fewest penalty yards per game? 121st out of 130. Some of our fans think that because Heupel hasn't fixed every problem in 4 games, he's Dooley, part 2. It's absurd.

So going forward....we were never expected to beat Florida by anyone. I didn't expect to be a missed FG away from being tied at the half, either. The two biggest games of the season are coming up: Missouri and South Carolina. Win those two and 6 wins is in the bag. We should beat SC and I give the Vols a slight edge over Missouri after yesterday. Further, Kentucky is certainly looking a lot more winnable. Last night, I saw a team that can win 7 games, IF they don't suffer any major injuries. 6 wins was my hope going into the season. 7 would be fantastic. Then give these QBs an entire offseason to develop more after having played a season in this system, bring in some transfers at key positions, and I think you could see a takeoff season in Year 2. And hopefully, the WRs figure out how to catch or we find some who can.

You said exactly what I've been thinking. Well said!

 

[TNnative]

They need players.

So, the most important question about Heupel right now is can he bring the players to Knoxville.

It may be a tough sell. Hopefully, there are fewer clown shows around the program. To bring in those players, that nonsense need to end. Of course, the fan generated clown shows, that cannot be controlled. I refer to those brought about by feuding boosters and anal retentive administrators. If they can prove they can give the proper support the program really needs? I don't care if Texas and Oklahoma are raiding the party. If Tennessee does things right? We will get them.

 

[arkivol]

I think there are a lot of factors.

I think he's going to get offensive players and/or the offense will be fine because that's him, that's what he does and he will produce offenses. I think people will want to play in that system.

On the defensive side of the ball, I think it will depend on something people really haven't discussed on here. I think it may, don't know, depend on how well he can keep the staff together.

I think one thing that has hurt Tennessee that people have not discussed is staff turnover. People have talked about that regarding the head coach. But, it has seemed like the head coach at Tennessee has lost half of his assistants every year as well.

He's got facilities, the SEC, playing time, and the chance to be a hero to sell to kids. I'm sure he can sell them on NIL opportunities as well. But, the next Tennessee team to make it to a NY6 bowl, beat Alabama, win the East, etc., will be treated like Gods.

I believe and have said for awhile that Tennessee can get it done and be "back", but it won't happen overnight and even the "right guy" is going to need some time. We all just have to see if Heupel is the right guy, but I would bet heavily he's better than Dooley, Jones, and Pruitt (I know, not saying much)

I believe the staff turnover was because the last 3 head guys fell into 2 categories

1. Dumba##
2. A##Hole

Nobody wants to work for either of those, let alone play for them. I believe that problem is corrected

 

[super MOM]

After last night, I'm convinced that this staff is going to succeed

How many Vol fans said the same thing after the 2019 season? This is a common theme.