Cautiously Optimistic

#1
MDBJJC

MDBJJC

Recruiting is fun
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Mar 16, 2009
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#1
Have been a lurker on this forum for awhile now, and can remember the excitement people had around this time last year. Clawfense was generating a lot of buzz...a lot. People were singing the praises of Dave Clawsen left and right, looking at his previous successes, saying that Phil had finally sacked up and gone outside of the good ole boy system. We were coming off as SEC East Champions, Crompton was going to be the man, things were looking good. We were concerned about the defensive line, but our offensive line was going to be stellar, and boy oh boy was Arian Foster going to be awsome. I was right there with everyone and excited more than most.

Now we have Lane. And the buzz is back. The biggest diifference I can see is that he is delivering the goods so to speak. He has recruited the best staff so far...Orgeron, Monte, Gran, Chaney, and co. He has pulled in some amazing recruits in his short period of time. He has gotten us some attention that we have not had in a long time (good and bad hype, but at least it is publicity).

I just want to see the guy win for us, beat our rivals. If he can do that I will be happy. I just want a 5-8 year win streak over Florida. The same for Bama. I am tired of playing second fiddle to Florida and having them beat us like we used to beat Georgia and Bama in the 1990s. We lived so long Phil's ability to recruit excellent talent, to only come here undisciplined and underachieving. We expected to lose to Florida and if we won...we talked about it for years and years (pathetic).

With that said I am optomistic...just don't want to be let down like Clawfense let us down. Go Vols :rock:
 
#2
#2
Had to have your players in position to make your offense work. He never had oporunity so we never saw the true Clawfense. With that being said, I dont see us being let down, sure it prolly wont be turned around this year but its a start remember that this is gonna take time.
 
#3
#3
I think Clawson's problem wasn't his scheme as much as it was the plays he would call.

I mean, seriously...42 passes against UCLA when every time we ran the ball, we'd gain 9 yards???

Maybe his scheme was exciting and productive, but his play-calling was just TERRIBLE.
 
#4
#4
I think last year we all forgot that Phillip Fulmer was still our head coach, and didn't realize how much cutcliffe was the reason for our recent "success". I am very optimistic about this year, but am willing to give 2-3 years if necessary for rebuilding(which I don't think we will need).
 
#5
#5
I know Kiffin said that this thing would take time, but on the other hand, we are built to win now (although it's more likely we win more next year) Take a look:

Defense:

Eric Berry - 5*, best player in the nation.
Demetrice Morley - 5*
Janzen Jackson - 5*
Brent Vinson - 5*
Chris Donald - 5*
Ben Martin - 5*
Chris Walker - unblockable
Rico McCoy - All-American
Nick Reveiz - Pit Bull

Offense:

Jonathan Crompton - 5* (I know, I know)
Bryce Brown - 5*, #1 RB out of high school
Montario Hardesty - 4*
Lennon Creer - 4*
David Oku - 4*, #1 All Purpose back out of high school
Brandon Warren - 5*, Freak of Nature
Gerald Jones - 4*
James Green - 4*
NuKeese Richardson - 4*
Ahmad Paige - 4*
 
#6
#6
I agree, I think we have the talent to win some games. However, our lack of depth (OL/DL) may come back to hurt us. I am not willing to make a prediction on win/loss total, but I will say we are going to see a lot of close ball games. Lincoln's performance this year will be critical to the team's success.
 
#7
#7
orangetanker11 said:
I know Kiffin said that this thing would take time, but on the other hand, we are built to win now (although it's more likely we win more next year) Take a look:

Defense:

Eric Berry - 5*, best player in the nation.
Demetrice Morley - 5*
Janzen Jackson - 5*
Brent Vinson - 5*
Chris Donald - 5*
Ben Martin - 5*
Chris Walker - unblockable
Rico McCoy - All-American
Nick Reveiz - Pit Bull

Offense:

Jonathan Crompton - 5* (I know, I know)
Bryce Brown - 5*, #1 RB out of high school
Montario Hardesty - 4*
Lennon Creer - 4*
David Oku - 4*, #1 All Purpose back out of high school
Brandon Warren - 5*, Freak of Nature
Gerald Jones - 4*
James Green - 4*
NuKeese Richardson - 4*
Ahmad Paige - 4*
Click to expand...

I don't mean this bad, but when I watched practice the other day I was not very happy with what I saw from Nick. I don't think he is athletic enough, or has the size to be an sec linebacker. I know he has heart, but so did ryan karl and he hurt us alot on D.
 
#8
#8
I'm trying, but I just can't get optimistic about our QB's. I have faith that CLK and staff can fix a lot of things this year. This isn't one on them.
 
#9
#9
All I really expect out of the team this year is intensity, desire, and competition. If they're in every game, and can be competitive against the big boys, I'll be happy. I don't care if we go 6-6 as long as we play hard and make people realize that smash mouth is coming back to UT.
 
#10
#10
VolinConcord said:
I agree, I think we have the talent to win some games. However, our lack of depth (OL/DL) may come back to hurt us. I am not willing to make a prediction on win/loss total, but I will say we are going to see a lot of close ball games. Lincoln's performance this year will be critical to the team's success.
Click to expand...


That statement scares me after last years performance. I'm really thinking CPF just wore his confidence down in the UCLA game, and he never got it back. CLK will bring it back to a modest level...hopefully!!!
 
#11
#11
Demon, great post. I feel the same. Volinconcord, I beleive Lincoln will be fine. Didnt Wilhoit have the same thing happen to him? Its our kickoff and punt team Im worried about.
 
#13
#13
This thread makes a good point. I think we all want to be excited (I know I am) but a lot of our fan base is jaded. I have a close friend who is like this. I am afraid that only wins and a lot of them are what everyone is waiting for.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#14
#14
Demon_Vol said:
All I really expect out of the team this year is intensity, desire, and competition. If they're in every game, and can be competitive against the big boys, I'll be happy. I don't care if we go 6-6 as long as we play hard and make people realize that smash mouth is coming back to UT.
Click to expand...

This.
 
#15
#15
Other_Guy said:
Demon, great post. I feel the same. Volinconcord, I beleive Lincoln will be fine. Didnt Wilhoit have the same thing happen to him? Its our kickoff and punt team Im worried about.
Click to expand...

I hope Lincoln will be fine too. My point is he better be fine because we are going to really on his leg to win some ballgames this year.
 
#17
#17
The way things are around the country and all,i just want something i can belive in. Like the old saying that love is blind. I just refuse to belive that CLK will fail.I just want to get on that train. I want to be all in after the first two cards. Why lay up when you can just go for it. Man, if you can,t believe with all your heart without being scared, than what good are you.T it up baby, and dont miss that orange train WOOOOOO CHUUUUUU CHUUUUU.
 
#18
#18
There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic but generally what wins football is line play and Qb play. We appear to be weak on both counts. I think our coaches and the enthusiasm will lead us to winning in the short term, but it will be similar to Pearl and the B-ball team and take a dip before we reach the top. Will the fans and administration have the patients?
 
#19
#19
volmanbill said:
I'm trying, but I just can't get optimistic about our QB's. I have faith that CLK and staff can fix a lot of things this year. This isn't one on them.
Click to expand...


I hear you, and both history and raw numbers are on your side, but...

I think this staff finds a way to get solid, consistent play out of one of the QB's. Personally, I think it ends up as Coleman or Stephens. In any event, I think we end up with much better QB play than last year, and "much better" will be enough.

Go Vols.
 
#20
#20
IMO the O & D lines are in fact the weakest/Worst part of our team. They need to be improving more than any other unit. (Excluding QB of course!!)
 
#21
#21
If the QB play isn't better then last year I say we go to a 2 tight end set and run our stable of RB's until the defense cries mercy.
 
#23
#23
TheVol said:
There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic but generally what wins football is line play and Qb play. We appear to be weak on both counts. I think our coaches and the enthusiasm will lead us to winning in the short term, but it will be similar to Pearl and the B-ball team and take a dip before we reach the top. Will the fans and administration have the patients?
Click to expand...

How many patients can they see in a day?:unsure:
 
#24
#24
vology major said:
IMO the O & D lines are in fact the weakest/Worst part of our team. They need to be improving more than any other unit. (Excluding QB of course!!)
Click to expand...

You hit that one on the head. You know, I seem to remember when Ainge was in his junior year, Cutcliff made a comment that they needed to work on qb mechanics before the new guys would be ready to contribute. Sometimes micromanaging can break a business.
 
#25
#25
One of the things that should help the O-line are backs and plays that hit the hole quicker. O lineman can be more aggressive at the point of attack and not have to sustain their blocks as long. This should help cover up some deficiencies. If we can impose our will a bit in the running game it will open up the passing game as more defenders will have to commit to the run...this should help even our QB's look better.

I think scheme and coaching will improve our o-line and QB performance more than anything. Cut worked around the o-line and rb talent with dink and dunk passing game, this staff has better rb talent to work with and will employ a more physical running scheme than Cut ran. Also our o-line and rb coaches are much better than what Cut had.

The other element that will help our O is better field position opportunities from better ST play and more focus on creating turnovers by the D.
 
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