I like Butch. But the mess about what he inherited when he got here has to go. This is year 5 (6?) and he has had the time to get his guys in there. It's time to put up or shut up.
The question and disagreement for some has always been how long it reasonably takes to rebuild a SEC caliber roster - one where a bus load of injuries will not impact the outcome - one where the team is reloading, not rebuilding every year.
The 5th year is when the players = his recruits only. The 5th year also, due to talent lost is a reloading year not a year filled with key players coming back at key positions.
The only 2 schools that have shown the ability to 'reload' and maintain consistency are Bama and OSU.
Reality is that had Tennessee won the East last year going say 10-2, the outlook for 2017 would still be what it is - that is if folks are objectively evaluating talent returning. Tennessee would still be replacing 6 NFL draftees and players at key positions with lots of unknowns going into the season.
Most have the grandiose requirements for 2017 (Must do this or be fired) only because they are still butt hurt from 2016 - not because they are looking at the experience of the players with eyes wide open.
There is:
- What a fan wants and hopes will occur and what could occur if everything aligns as the talent is there but just not tested
- What a fan can reasonably expect based on a looking at experience verses schedule and experience of opposing teams; This assumes players need to have some game day experience and grow into their potential.
- What a fan demands regardless of whether the team has the experience to achieve it; this assumes Tennessee should win because it is Tennessee and depth, level of injuries, experience of the players, etc. do not matter.
Those that want the coach to be on the "hot seat" fall into the "demanding even if the demands are not reasonable based on experience returning" category.
Tennessee is primed right now to solidly return to those some of us call glory days. 2017 is when your support, as a fan, is needed most. Yes it is a pivotal year. As a fan, one can either spend ones time tearing apart anything and everything about this team in hopes the team will take a nose dive backward to support ones agenda to "fire a coach" or one can spend ones time in full support of this team.
As for me, the players believe and that is what matters most to me.
Go Vols! Beat Tech! it is almost time.