Did Tennessee players throw the OSU game?

#1
UTFranklinVol

UTFranklinVol

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#1
Josh Pate reporting Nico and other players tried demanding more money right before the OSU game. Instead of sitting out they played which leads me to wonder did they throw the OSU game on purpose because they didn't get what they wanted?

 
#2
#2
UTFranklinVol said:
Josh Pate reporting Nico and other players tried demanding more money right before the OSU game. Instead of sitting out they played which leads me to wonder did they throw the OSU game on purpose because they didn't get what they wanted?

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No. Vols just got outplayed by a better team at their home stadium.
 
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#6
#6
I don't think players throw games but I will state that when you get behind, sometimes players are quicker to let off the petal.

I will state that our push to make it close before half time shows that they gave some degree of effort.

I just think it was a perfect storm of Ohio State having all the mojo (and more talent), Tennessee being overwhelmed, Tennessee missing Dylan Sampson (I think that was huge from leadership aspect), and the Nico drama.

I am starting to wonder one thing, though. Some of the turnover in December may have been in response to Nico (such as Squirrel White for example). Some of these players may have wanted to get away from Nico and the drama.
 
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#7
#7
UTFranklinVol said:
Josh Pate reporting Nico and other players tried demanding more money right before the OSU game. Instead of sitting out they played which leads me to wonder did they throw the OSU game on purpose because they didn't get what they wanted?

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Nico didn't play like a kid that tried to throw the game. Wrs couldn't get open and he put his body on the line to try and make things happen with his legs.
 
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#10
#10
UTFranklinVol said:
Josh Pate reporting Nico and other players tried demanding more money right before the OSU game. Instead of sitting out they played which leads me to wonder did they throw the OSU game on purpose because they didn't get what they wanted?

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I think it's all tied in. I don't know they "threw the game", but there was definately a lack of maturity and focus. If you are worried about money at a time like that, you aren't going to be able to compete at a level to win big games. Same thing with Friday practice. If you are willing to miss a valuable and limited practice opportunity with your team to try and milk more money, your focus is not on winning. It's not on your legacy. It's not even on your career. It's on a few dollars you think are in front of your face. It told the staff a lot of what Nico's priorities are. I'm proud of the coaches for being willing to send him and his dad packing. I am however a little concerned about not seeing through some of this in the recruiting process and "finding the right fit".
 
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#11
#11
jhen713 said:
Nico didn't play like a kid that tried to throw the game. Wrs couldn't get open and he put his body on the line to try and make things happen with his legs.
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I agree with this. I remember saying he was the only one that showed up that day. We just got outplayed. I do remember the Vandy game at Vandy when I think it was Hunter and CP, quit playing hard in the middle of the game but they didn’t throw it. It was already lost.
 
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#13
#13
Volfan76 said:
I think it's all tied in. I don't know they "threw the game", but there was definately a lack of maturity and focus. If you are worried about money at a time like that, you aren't going to be able to compete at a level to win big games. Same thing with Friday practice. If you are willing to miss a valuable and limited practice opportunity with your team to try and milk more money, your focus is not on winning. It's not on your legacy. It's not even on your career. It's on a few dollars you think are in front of your face. It told the staff a lot of what Nico's priorities are. I'm proud of the coaches for being willing to send him and his dad packing. I am however a little concerned about not seeing through some of this in the recruiting process and "finding the right fit".
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I think players tend to always come out and play at the start but when things start to go against you, you give up easier. This tended to be how we played that game. We were fighting at the start but once the real pressure hit, the players started to fold. The secondary was really our weak spot but that is hard to tell whether it was a lack of effort or just Ohio States' phenoms at WR.
 
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#14
#14
Volinnooga said:
As I recall it, Nico gave more effort than anyone else (but when you are running for your life, effort is a must).
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what if it wasn't just Nico. what if some on the OL were letting things slip on purpose because they weren't making enough money? what if they let things slip because they were pissed at Nico demanding more money? the article points to more than just Nico. but you can see how all this stuff can take many forms of "not trying"
 
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#15
#15
We were outplayed by a better funded, deeper program with less drama. 100% believe there were locker room dynamics already dividing the team going into the game. There were guys that just didn’t want to be there. I do question how hurt Dylan Sampson was truly and did he just shut it down knowing other guys really didn’t care. I don’t think anyone could blame him knowing what we know now. Half hearted efforts have ended many running back careers over the years.
 
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#16
#16
UTFranklinVol said:
what if it wasn't just Nico. what if some on the OL were letting things slip on purpose because they weren't making enough money? what if they let things slip because they were pissed at Nico demanding more money? the article points to more than just Nico. but you can see how all this stuff can take many forms of "not trying"
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There may have been a little bit of that but our offensive line was questionable all year at pass blocking (they were great at run blocking). Some of that is just the unit. Ohio State also had a very good defensive line and it was probably one of the stronger units we played all year.

I think players not wanting to get injured for the NFL could have played just as much a part as Nico. Missing Dylan Sampson didn't help as well IMO.
 
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#17
#17
UTFranklinVol said:
Josh Pate reporting Nico and other players tried demanding more money right before the OSU game. Instead of sitting out they played which leads me to wonder did they throw the OSU game on purpose because they didn't get what they wanted?

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That's not what he said, he said Nico thought about sitting out, and he wasn't the only player either. He said nothing about other TN players just Nico
 
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#20
#20
94smokybear said:
That's not what he said, he said Nico thought about sitting out, and he wasn't the only player either. He said nothing about other TN players just Nico
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How could Nico sit out. He wasn’t going to draft. That would have been an even worse decision than not showing up for practice. (While in contract negotiations)
 
#21
#21
volbound1700 said:
I don't think players throw games but I will state that when you get behind, sometimes players are quicker to let off the petal.

I will state that our push to make it close before half time shows that they gave some degree of effort.

I just think it was a perfect storm of Ohio State having all the mojo (and more talent), Tennessee being overwhelmed, Tennessee missing Dylan Sampson (I think that was huge from leadership aspect), and the Nico drama.

I am starting to wonder one thing, though. Some of the turnover in December may have been in response to Nico (such as Squirrel White for example). Some of these players may have wanted to get away from Nico and the drama.
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Wish we could get Squirrel back. He was my favorite Vol
 
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#22
#22
94smokybear said:
That's not what he said, he said Nico thought about sitting out, and he wasn't the only player either. He said nothing about other TN players just Nico
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Another reason why this crap is for the birds. If players actually thinking about sitting out/opt out when in a college football playoff game due to wanting more money. Geez. I understand now why the old school coaches have gotten out. These entitled kids today being given money to play - not a good mix. Part of me believes the NCAA wants this to blow up so they can swoop back in.
 
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#24
#24
UTFranklinVol said:
Josh Pate reporting Nico and other players tried demanding more money right before the OSU game. Instead of sitting out they played which leads me to wonder did they throw the OSU game on purpose because they didn't get what they wanted?

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This reads like a OffTheHookSports headline.Dave is that you?
But the answer is no.
 
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