I know there won't be many people at the game who actually come on to these boards, but I know there are some.
This is a huge weekend and we as a fan base should really watch what we say, how we act, and how we represent this football team. All the time, but especially this weekend.
Danny Parker with fox sports tweeted "4-star that's visited #Tennessee this fall tells me he doesn't like it when #Vols fans leave before the 4th quarter. And then retweeted by Chris Weatherd. Some people told me it was Lauderdale who originally said it but I don't know.
I would hope that the recruits would stay focused on the coaches opinions and comments about them, but this day and age, with social media, etc. they are very interested in how we as fans think about them and what we say about them.
Butch and Co. has this program headed the right way, I know it. We as fans could really help them this weekend by showing support, for 4 full quarters. No Boo's, no name calling.
If you as a fan want a team who gives their all for the entire game, sticks together, why wouldn't you do the same?
What escapes many Tennessee fans is this: The world of college football recruiting is deeply competitive. The highly talented and valued high school players have offers from a lot of universities. And when they take the time to visit a school, there are many factors that they pay attention to when they arrive.
Hopefully, they have a good idea of what they plan to do with their lives once they are finished with football. Therefore, they will be taking a hard look at how these universities prepare them for that future. They will take a hard look at the campus environment , and where they might be housed, because this will be their new home for the next 3 to 5 years.
Of course, they will be getting to know these coaches that have been sending mail, making phone calls, tweeting them, and sitting in their living room telling them what a great place their university is. They will get to know present members of the team. They will tour the athletic facilities. No doubt if they mill around campus, they will be looking at the girls. And when they come to the games, they will soak in every facet of the experience.
Does the fan base play a roll in that? Probably not as big of a roll as the things I listed above. However, imagine yourself a 17 or 18 year old 5 star recruit. You are being recruited by some of the best programs in the country. You are making those official visits.
Lets, just for argument sake, you are being recruited by the following schools: Alabama, Oregon, Oklahoma, Clemson, and Tennessee. And let's just say that you have no family ties to any of those schools. Your 5th official visit this week is to Tennessee. As you walk into the stadium, all things are equal. You can see yourself playing for those other 4 schools, but you are seeing something special here. You really like everything you have seen here. The other recruits and commits are guys you may have never met, but you have heard about some of them. They are fast becoming friends. You are beginning to see them as team mates. Your Mom and Dad are with you, and you can see they seem pleased so far. They have said, "This is your choice" at every visit. When the game starts, you are feeling good, and feeling you can see yourself becoming a Vol.
Then, you enter the stadium and look around. It isn't full, but realize that the Vols have had tough times, and this place will be fill up when you and the other recruits are sparking the team, and restoring a proud program to it's former glory. The game starts, and you soak up the game day experience, and you compare everything you experienced at the past four visits to today. You watch the Pride of the Southland band form the T, and imagine what it will be like running through it. Your heart quicken to the song of, "Down the Field" and "Fight Vols Fight" You are, for the moment, hooked.
As the game progresses, the boo birds come out when things go badly for the Vols. You, your parents, and the other recruits hear it. Then, your cell phone signals you have a text message. It's Nick Saban. Bama plays later today, but he is well aware that you are visiting Tennessee today. The content of the text isn't anything earth shattering, but it is enough to make you remember your experience there. No big deal, Butch Jones did the same thing when you were there.
However, at this point, while Tennessee fans get ugly, what would your impression be? Remember, at the start of your day, all thing in your mind between all these schools were equal. And if all things were equal, the question is can the negative behavior of fans sway your decision?
I never would have thought that would be such a big deal to most recruits. However, considering the present lack of quality depth at Tennessee, I can understand if a number of the recruits are impacted by a hostile home environment. Especially if I try to consider it from their viewpoint. Do we need these guys? You bet we do, and I see them being affected by every little thing they see, including fans.
Many things have changed at Tennessee since the 98 championship until now. We have different players, coaches, students, athletic directors, and even a different Smokey. The one constant, more or less, is we have the same old fans. Unfortunately, there is no way to fire some of them. I can only hope that those who are being idiots either grow up, go away, or pass away. And then Neyland stadium can be filled up with TRUE fans.
I can care less about how much they spend on tickets, and their so called freedom of speech and expression. I am much more interested in every true Vols fan's freedom from their presence, because you cannot fix stupid.
I apologize for the length of this rant, but I had to just get this off my chest.
