Butch: "Jalen intends to transfer"

Rucker tweet....


I don’t think today’s news is bothering the #Vols locker room as much as most seem to assume.

I think it will actually help team chemistry. I'd rather players stick it out, but more and more players quit at the first sign of adversity or if they aren't happy. 18-22 year old kids. Gotta love 'em!
 
What you are saying makes no sense, to me.

Assuming, arguendo, that you have any real knowledge look at the facts you are presenting.

Hurd no longer wants to play running back.

But...

Hurd wants to enforce a promise for him to play running back.

Further...

Hurd thinks UT has hurt his chances to play in the NFL (ignoring the Hurd could've been the all time rushing leader at UT)

But...

Hurd believes transferring in the middle of a season when he can become draft eligible -and- changing positions will help improve his value.

From where I sit, its easier to make an argument that Hurd is being given really bad advice by people who are promulgating these stories, than it is to believe that he is just being done dirty by UT.

And here is the reality of the situation.
 
Hurd had a key fumble vs. UGA last year and again this year. Not a fumbling machine but it's not like he NEVER fumbled. Kelly and Kamara usually fumble when they are trying to gain that extra 3-4 yards after contact. I will take them all day long over Hurd.

Okay--fair enough....How many games has Hurd played in with how many fumbles???

Last year against Fla--he's hit 2 yds deep in the backfield and then stripped....no excuse...

This year....all on Hurd and I said as much...But WE WON BOTH GAMES!

But over his career....how many fumbles..? The facts are--HURD RARELY EVER FUMBLED....

Kamara and Kelly get their shot as THE RB tandem and result in 2 FUMBLES inside the 10 yd line on each occasion.....

My point is: Why so much LOVE for those 2 and so much vitriol for HURD?? And don't twist my words--I think Kamara and Kelly are very good backs!!!

Furthermore--HOW many FUMBLES and INTS has Dobbs had and thrown over his career?? Actually--Dobbs' play at QB has led to 2 of our 3 losses this year beyond any doubt.

Everyone PILING on HURD--but the FACTS remain that he has CONTRIBUTED more to our TEAM and wins with fewer TOs than any other offensive player....

And now we gonna be MAJICALLY BETTER that he is gone??? PURE HORSE-$#%&

Watch some of the games and some of the players' reactions during the games.....HURD wasn't the only one who was upset....Jennings' displeasure with the coaching staff on the sidelines has been obvious on several occasions.....

Now at least 12 players for the LEGACY class are moving on from this program and more specifically--THIS STAFF....And that starts and ends with the HC.....
 
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I hadn't even thought of this til now, but I happened to stay in the team hotel his past weekend. Most of the players moved in packs. Rarely was there any one by himself. I was getting off elevator and JH was getting on but was by himself. I don't think I would've ever thought anything of it until all this has come about.
 
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Then you're old enough to know a primadonna can't be allowed to determine the direction of an entire team. And you're certainly old enough to know that adversity reveals character, it doesn't determine it. And then you're old enough to know you don't quit on your team.

This isn't all on Hurd.
The quitting part sure but playing calling or lack there of is not. They aren't using the best talent available and it's clear week after week.

The coaches are garbage too
 
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We will likely never know the real story unless you are close to Jalen or Butch. As for him leaving, Preston left recently too.

I will never bash a person I have never met, do not know their feelings, or what they are going through. He could be leaving for a number of reasons. Hope it works out for him.
 
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none of it makes sense. Junior year, quit midseason to transfer and learn a new position at a new school. I could see if he was transferring to play RB, but to play TE? Sad thing is he is more physical than the TE's that we have on the roster right now. They are soft as tissue.
 
It sunk in he was too tall.

Whether the hits from our dumb formation did this or not I don't know but he is banger up all over.

He feels he may have outgrown the RB role.

He doesn't trust our coaches though. They lied to him during the recruiting phase and flat out tricker him last bowl game.

He is not a diva. He ain't a choir boy but he's not kelly Washington 2.0.

If there was any trust with our coaches he would switch to TE or LB here instead of somewhere else. Yes, LB is a potenial position that was at least thrown out there.

Tee Martin and VFL34 say differently.
 
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I respectfully disagree. You simply cannot change the full context on the answer about team chemistry improving.

I am not changing the context at all.....go back and watch it again.....it may help to have a transcript to see it in print....

The questions and answers come very close in proximity.

Watch it again here--I just took my own advice and watched the tape of the presser....

University of Tennessee Official Athletic Site - Video

Begin at the 29:40 mark--Jones says last question he is gonna answer about HURD...

John Adams then asks him about team chemistry improving beginning around the 29:54 mark....

SO--everything Jones says after that question is WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF TEAM CHEMISTRY...

Jones then goes on to explain WHY HE THINKS the team chemistry is better....

Lost in a lot of words by Jones is a few key comments he chose to say about the players:

1. Jones says it's unfortunate that it takes a moment like the SC loss to get everyone's attention and to get EVERYONE to speak up--CBJ wishes the meeting would've happened earlier...

2. Jones makes it a point to say that several players called him after the meeting to say that is what the team needed....and they feel so much better about everything....

Well--what are they feeling better about??
But remember--the meeting and CONTEXT of the question was about TEAM CHEMISTRY....

All we do know is that CBJ's response to the question was in the affirmative that TEAM CHEMISTRY WILL NOW IMPROVE after the players chose to speak up and get things off of their chests....

3. After Butch finishes speaking--the very next question to CBJ was if Jalen was in the meeting....and Butch said yes....

So--what is clear is that the team cleared the air about some things--unloaded some of their concerns....and Jalen was present in the meeting....and the conclusion by all represented by JONES is that team chemistry will be improved....

And we know that Jalen has decided to leave on the same day..

Coincidence or not?
 
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We will likely never know the real story unless you are close to Jalen or Butch. As for him leaving, Preston left recently too.

I will never bash a person I have never met, do not know their feelings, or what they are going through. He could be leaving for a number of reasons. Hope it works out for him.

That's a tough standard, you can only bash them after you meet them. Sounds like you would bash Hurd, but you haven't met him so you will take it easy on the young man. Well aren't you the saint? How about, just don't bash a youngster for trying to better himself and his situation.

To look at it on paper, I hate to see him go. He has done so much for the team and program. Good luck Jalen Hurd, I hope you figure it all out and let us in on the answer.
 
Hope Hurd does well wherever he goes. He's got the body type for a tight end or a big receiver. Hind sight is 20/20, but that's where he should have been all along. I hate to see him quit on the team.
 
That's a tough standard, you can only bash them after you meet them. Sounds like you would bash Hurd, but you haven't met him so you will take it easy on the young man. Well aren't you the saint? How about, just don't bash a youngster for trying to better himself and his situation.

To look at it on paper, I hate to see him go. He has done so much for the team and program. Good luck Jalen Hurd, I hope you figure it all out and let us in on the answer.

Bash was a poor choice of words. If I knew him and I thought he was making a mistake, I would tell him. I mentor young professionals and I tell them the truth. Not what they want to hear which seems to be your preferred method. However, I don't know him and will not comment.
 
Tee Martin and VFL34 say differently.


He'd be a helluva LB--perfect size and athleticism--and we sure as hell need linebackers, though I suspect he now wants to be a TE more than a LB. It's all very odd as he's a good running back who I think has been handicapped by our CRAP offensive lines and by our system. I mean, you get the ball practically standing still, with no lead blocker, to speak off, running behind an absolutely TERRIBLE offensive line as a freshman, as a slightly less TERRIBLE but still mediocre/bad offensive line last year--and behind another mediocre line this year. And our play-calling is pretty damn predictable. Are Kamara and Kelly quicker--better at getting to the outside? Of course. But neither of those guys is going to be an NFL back. Kamara might be a 3rd down back--but there are actually a LOT of guys like Kamara in the NFL or on practices squads. If I thought I could be good at TE sted of RB, I might do it. But the timing is terrible and it doesn't change the fact that Hurd apparently developed a bad attitude and quit on the team.
 
What is the source for him refusing to go back in the game? If true I will modify my opinion.

http://www.volnation.com/forum/showpost.php?p=13194206&postcount=222

What you are saying makes no sense, to me.

Assuming, arguendo, that you have any real knowledge look at the facts you are presenting.

Hurd no longer wants to play running back.

But...

Hurd wants to enforce a promise for him to play running back.

Further...

Hurd thinks UT has hurt his chances to play in the NFL (ignoring the Hurd could've been the all time rushing leader at UT)

But...

Hurd believes transferring in the middle of a season when he can become draft eligible -and- changing positions will help improve his value.

From where I sit, its easier to make an argument that Hurd is being given really bad advice by people who are promulgating these stories, than it is to believe that he is just being done dirty by UT.

EXACTLY!

If Hurd is upset about unfulfilled promises by the staff in regard to offensive scheme, it would make sense that he should be looking to transfer somewhere (after the season of course) that runs the I-formation.

This comment is also very helpful in understanding how Hurd's teammates feel right now: "I don’t think today’s news is bothering the #Vols locker room as much as most seem to assume." -- Rucker
 
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There are 2 sides to every story but everyone is piling on Hurd, comparing him to Kelly Washington among other things. If his NFL potential lies at a different program then I say go. Lots of people on here demand unwavering loyalty from these players regardless of what it means to their futures. As if no one on this board left a job for a better opportunity - get over yourself Fingers.

Not sure quitting a job for a better opportunity and walking out on your team mid season is a great analogy.

A certain type of brotherhood/bond forms when you're on your hands and knees throwing up in the 102 degree heat next to a teammate who is doing the same because you both have been working your ass off toward the same goal. I've never felt the same brotherhood in my professional career that I did with the guys I played sports with. Ever. And I've been a part of some great teams in my professional career. IMHO, it is different. He is part of something bigger than himself, and he chose to basically give his teammates the finger and roll out.

If Jalen was unhappy, he should have left last January. Period. Leaving in the middle of the season is bull@#$t. I don't care what he was promised or told. Finish the damn season, then leave. It speaks a lot about his character.
 
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Not sure quitting a job for a better opportunity and walking out on your team mid season is a great analogy.

A certain type of brotherhood/bond forms when you're on your hands and knees throwing up in the 102 degree heat next to a teammate who is doing the same because you both have been working your ass off toward the same goal. I've never felt the same brotherhood in my professional career that I did with the guys I played sports with. Ever. And I've been a part of some great teams in my professional career. IMHO, it is different. He is part of something bigger than himself, and he chose to basically give his teammates the finger and roll out.

If Jalen was unhappy, he should have left last January. Period. Leaving in the middle of the season is bull@#$t. I don't care what he was promised or told. Finish the damn season, then leave. It speaks a lot about his character.

Get over yourself BornAndRaisedVol! lol.

I agree with you.
 
Okay--fair enough....How many games has Hurd played in with how many fumbles???

Last year against Fla--he's hit 2 yds deep in the backfield and then stripped....no excuse...

This year....all on Hurd and I said as much...But WE WON BOTH GAMES!

But over his career....how many fumbles..? The facts are--HURD RARELY EVER FUMBLED....

Kamara and Kelly get their shot as THE RB tandem and result in 2 FUMBLES inside the 10 yd line on each occasion.....

My point is: Why so much LOVE for those 2 and so much vitriol for HURD?? And don't twist my words--I think Kamara and Kelly are very good backs!!!

Furthermore--HOW many FUMBLES and INTS has Dobbs had and thrown over his career?? Actually--Dobbs' play at QB has led to 2 of our 3 losses this year beyond any doubt.

Everyone PILING on HURD--but the FACTS remain that he has CONTRIBUTED more to our TEAM and wins with fewer TOs than any other offensive player....

And now we gonna be MAJICALLY BETTER that he is gone??? PURE HORSE-$#%&

Watch some of the games and some of the players' reactions during the games.....HURD wasn't the only one who was upset....Jennings' displeasure with the coaching staff on the sidelines has been obvious on several occasions.....

Now at least 12 players for the LEGACY class are moving on from this program and more specifically--THIS STAFF....And that starts and ends with the HC.....

I think Hurd fumbled in all 3 UGA games he played in if I remember correctly. His freshman year he fumbled in our own end zone. Last year fumbled at the 1 same as this year. I believe he fumbled in the Oklahoma game last year but managed to recover it somehow. I seem to recall him fumbling a good bit. Doesn't change he was one of my favorite players. I had really high hopes for him this year. I hope he is successful wherever he ends up.
 
This isn't all on Hurd.
The quitting part sure but playing calling or lack there of is not. They aren't using the best talent available and it's clear week after week.

The coaches are garbage too

You are absolutely right on this part, had it been me, after the A&M game Kamara would've been my starter and stayed my starter until proven otherwise.
 
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