So you prefer losing by 24 points like we did last year? Even if the staff failed this game, that's a tremendous gap we closed in one year. One game shouldn't define these guys. Lets wait for the season to end before making bold declarations.
Tennessee is alot better now than 2 years ago when Oregon was embrassing us. We can now actually compete again against the elite of college football.
Better, yes. The scary part moving forward for most of us is the fact we are seeing a pattern for how the coaching staff manages games. So even if we win some pretty even games(which by all odds is capable) even with the play not to lose mentality, then the philosophy is still there.
If it was youth, depth, talent, or just that we were overall inferior to the other team then that's one thing, something that can be improved on. The scary part is the coaching philosophy is the core of what makes a coach on game day. That's a lot harder to change if possible.
The hurt feelings have nothing to do with the lose when it boils down to it, it's about seeing repeated patterns that goes back to last year probably year one as well. His first year here we were more forgiving because we recognized we were building, and not there. Saturday night our guys proved they could perform, but the play calling shut it down after we got to 17. Sure there were missed calls, penalties, injuries, and bad plays made by a very tired defense. All that aside if the coaching staff would have had trust in the guys to play like they did from the beginning we wouldn't have had to worry about/or as much about the penalties and such.
No good/great team plays with the same mindset that was shown Saturday. You put your foot on their throat and keep attacking until it's so far gone that the second string gets in the game. Backing off gives the other team room to gain momentum. Sure OK made adjustments, but adjustments are suppose to be made by both teams. It's a chess match, got to counter the others. Also the hurry up offense going 3 and out running the same plays over and over again makes it even less time on the field for the offense and even more time for the defense to wear down. It was the same exact sorry in a ton of games last year.
I'm not against Butch, mainly out of fear of what would have to happen if he is out. He's a great recruiter, has pride for school and the tradition. I believe if he and his staff change the game plan up then we are golden. It's just difficult to believe that will happen when down to a T it happened the same way last year to Florida for example.
I hope when they watch the film they don't try to figure out why the repeat plays they called didn't work, but rather think "man we really did a poor job directing our guys in the attack starategy.
There's of course other issues as well, all small in comparison to the game time philosophy. For example: we have a talented WR unit, but get very little touches. Sure they need to get open more, so teach them how to run their routes better or devise new ideas. On the other hand you can watch the game or highlights and see that many times there are receivers open. North got his first pass Saturday since the SC game last year(I didn't go back and verify, it was posted by another forum member who tends to be on top of things). Pearson, and Pig were limited too. Not utilizing our WR units doesn't provide room for running backs to get established due to them stuffing the line.
And kicking a field goal on the first drive at about 1 foot out!
finally I just want say again, I'm praying to see change. I'm not saying he needs to be fired. I'm not sure if he's our ultimately answer either. Playing the same way we did the other night WILL NOT GET US BACK ON THE MAIN STAGE EVER!! I can handle a loss as long as I see fight from the coaches like we did from our players.
