If it looks clunky this fall...

[volmanjr]

I have only read the last 2 pages of this thread, so forgive me if I repeat anything that has been said , but Kiffin has fallen into a "long way to go and a short time to get there" for next season, and expecting 9+ wins verges on ridiculous. I found myself to be indifferent on the Fulmer situation, on the one hand his "history" with the program was greatly appreciated...but it is history and IMO it was time for a change. But then on the other hand trying to find a miracle worker who catapults us back into the championship picture in 1-2 seasons is unrealistic (don't get me wrong, if it turns out that way well WAHOO!!) so I resigned myself to the prospect of finding someone who could steadily rebuild the program back to what we as (rational)Vol fans want...to be competitive with the top tier SEC programs and make it to bowl games and win a SEC title every 4-5 years. I hope that is what we got...only time will tell...and hopefully we won't go thru 3-5 different coaches in 10 years to get back to where we want to be.

 

[jakez4ut]

i can't find any fault with that line of thought jr. agreed.

 

[GreyWolf1129]

I have only read the last 2 pages of this thread, so forgive me if I repeat anything that has been said , but Kiffin has fallen into a "long way to go and a short time to get there" for next season, and expecting 9+ wins verges on ridiculous. I found myself to be indifferent on the Fulmer situation, on the one hand his "history" with the program was greatly appreciated...but it is history and IMO it was time for a change. But then on the other hand trying to find a miracle worker who catapults us back into the championship picture in 1-2 seasons is unrealistic (don't get me wrong, if it turns out that way well WAHOO!!) so I resigned myself to the prospect of finding someone who could steadily rebuild the program back to what we as (rational)Vol fans want...to be competitive with the top tier SEC programs and make it to bowl games and win a SEC title every 4-5 years. I hope that is what we got...only time will tell...and hopefully we won't go thru 3-5 different coaches in 10 years to get back to where we want to be.

And as usual, when you speak, you speak volumes.

Go Vols.

 

[tidwell]

I have only read the last 2 pages of this thread, so forgive me if I repeat anything that has been said , but Kiffin has fallen into a "long way to go and a short time to get there" for next season, and expecting 9+ wins verges on ridiculous. I found myself to be indifferent on the Fulmer situation, on the one hand his "history" with the program was greatly appreciated...but it is history and IMO it was time for a change. But then on the other hand trying to find a miracle worker who catapults us back into the championship picture in 1-2 seasons is unrealistic (don't get me wrong, if it turns out that way well WAHOO!!) so I resigned myself to the prospect of finding someone who could steadily rebuild the program back to what we as (rational)Vol fans want...to be competitive with the top tier SEC programs and make it to bowl games and win a SEC title every 4-5 years. I hope that is what we got...only time will tell...and hopefully we won't go thru 3-5 different coaches in 10 years to get back to where we want to be.

Post more. Please.

 

[PowerT83]

I have only read the last 2 pages of this thread, so forgive me if I repeat anything that has been said , but Kiffin has fallen into a "long way to go and a short time to get there" for next season, and expecting 9+ wins verges on ridiculous. I found myself to be indifferent on the Fulmer situation, on the one hand his "history" with the program was greatly appreciated...but it is history and IMO it was time for a change. But then on the other hand trying to find a miracle worker who catapults us back into the championship picture in 1-2 seasons is unrealistic (don't get me wrong, if it turns out that way well WAHOO!!) so I resigned myself to the prospect of finding someone who could steadily rebuild the program back to what we as (rational)Vol fans want...to be competitive with the top tier SEC programs and make it to bowl games and win a SEC title every 4-5 years. I hope that is what we got...only time will tell...and hopefully we won't go thru 3-5 different coaches in 10 years to get back to where we want to be.

VolManJr brings the thunder

 

[UT IE 95]

How exactly is it ridiculous to expect the highest paid staff in CFB to win 9 games. They should beat everyone on the schedule except UF, UAT, and Ole Miss. And I'm giving this staff a break on Ole Miss, I'd have gone into the season expecting Fulmer to win 10.

Lowering expectations with a new staff is just crazy. Let's pay more, upgrade, and expect less?

Kiffin obviously thinks he has playmaker talent since he's told at least two impact players he didn't want them.

 

[Business]

How exactly is it ridiculous to expect the highest paid staff in CFB to win 9 games. They should beat everyone on the schedule except UF, UAT, and Ole Miss. And I'm giving this staff a break on Ole Miss, I'd have gone into the season expecting Fulmer to win 10.

Lowering expectations with a new staff is just crazy. Let's pay more, upgrade, and expect less?

Kiffin obviously thinks he has playmaker talent since he's told at least two impact players he didn't want them.

I don't think they are the highest paid.

 

[volmanjr]

How exactly is it ridiculous to expect the highest paid staff in CFB to win 9 games. They should beat everyone on the schedule except UF, UAT, and Ole Miss. And I'm giving this staff a break on Ole Miss, I'd have gone into the season expecting Fulmer to win 10.

Lowering expectations with a new staff is just crazy. Let's pay more, upgrade, and expect less?

Kiffin obviously thinks he has playmaker talent since he's told at least two impact players he didn't want them.

Not lowering expectations just being realistic Georgia is still Georgia and bama is still bama Vandyand KY are not the SEC punching bags of old and we're talking about veteran players that Kiffin has left to him that let Wyoming beat them on top of new system and short recruiting season. I expect UT to win every time they take the field , but I know that is not going to happen 100% of the time. All I'm saying is the talk of calling for his head (which is what I infered after only reading a couple of pages) if we don't win a SEC title in the next 2 yrs is crazy. and I repeat if it happens WAHOOO!!! I'm just not going to be sharpening my chopping axe if it doesn't. And before we get into the whole Fulmer didn't have time to change it around , well sorry but yes he did. IMO he shouldn't have had to rebuild, he should have patched that boat better after 05.

 

[UT IE 95]

I don't think they are the highest paid.

I've read articles calling the assistant staff the highest paid in CFB. Maybe not - but in any regard, it's a higher paid staff at UT than the previous.

Give the new crew a raise and lower the bar for expecting wins is what I'm reading. Had Fulmer not been fired, his expectation would have been to win 10 games next season.

 

[Business]

I've read articles calling the assistant staff the highest paid in CFB. Maybe not - but in any regard, it's a higher paid staff at UT than the previous.

Give the new crew a raise and lower the bar for expecting wins is what I'm reading. Had Fulmer not been fired, his expectation would have been to win 10 games next season.

Staff. Maybe? I thought you meant overall coaching staff including CLK. I'm pretty sure it's not even in the top 2 in the SEC, let alone CFB.

As for Fulmer's expectations of 10 wins next season if he was theoretically still around, How do you come to that?

 

[UT IE 95]

Not lowering expectations just being realistic Georgia is still Georgia and bama is still bama Vandyand KY are not the SEC punching bags of old and we're talking about veteran players that Kiffin has left to him that let Wyoming beat them on top of new system and short recruiting season. I expect UT to win every time they take the field , but I know that is not going to happen 100% of the time. All I'm saying is the talk of calling for his head (which is what I infered after only reading a couple of pages) if we don't win a SEC title in the next 2 yrs is crazy. and I repeat if it happens WAHOOO!!! I'm just not going to be sharpening my chopping axe if it doesn't. And before we get into the whole Fulmer didn't have time to change it around , well sorry but yes he did. IMO he shouldn't have had to rebuild, he should have patched that boat better after 05.

Georgia lost it's QB and it's RB. It's at home and I expect a win there.

I'll conceed a loss to UAT (even though they graduate their sr. QB).

If this squad loses to Vandy or UK it would be a travesty.

UT losing to Wyoming was nothing more than a fluke of timing based on the team having just had thier coach fired. It was a complete lack of focus and, although it wasn't expected, in retrospect it was not shocking.

I agree completely that the talk of Kiffin and Co. getting fired for no SECC in two years is ridiculous. But two complete flop seasons would not be acceptable either.

9 wins next season should be the bar. Above that is awesome, below that and they have underachieved IMO.

 

[UT IE 95]

Staff. Maybe? I thought you meant overall coaching staff including CLK. I'm pretty sure it's not even in the top 2 in the SEC, let alone CFB.

As for Fulmer's expectations of 10 wins next season if he was theoretically still around, How do you come to that?

I expect the vols to be in the mix for the SECE into November. In order for that to happen, it typically translates to 10 wins.

 

[Business]

I expect the vols to be in the mix for the SECE into November. In order for that to happen, it typically translates to 10 wins.

You expected Tennessee to be in the hunt for the SEC East title if Fulmer was still the coach after a 5-7 season in 2008?

I got that.

What do you see that backs up that claim?

 

[UT IE 95]

You expected Tennessee to be in the hunt for the SEC East title if Fulmer was still the coach after a 5-7 season in 2008?

I got that.

What do you see that backs up that claim?

A lot of underclassmen that saw game time last season along with a solid incoming recruiting class. Combined with the fact that UT is typically in the SECE hunt in November.

 

[Business]

A lot of underclassmen that saw game time last season along with a solid incoming recruiting class. Combined with the fact that UT is typically in the SECE hunt in November.

The incomming recruiting class wouldn't have mattered at all. None of them would have played.

 

[Business]

Not to mention we'd still have Johnny Long waving his towel and having offensive linemen moving a mountain, but not quick or agile enough to get off the line and move a man.

You speak of Wyoming, chalking it up to lack of focus. What about Northern Illinois. Our offensive line couldn't man up against friggin Northern Illiniois. We're talking about Northern Illinois. Not Ron Zook Illinois, Northern friggin Illinois.

 

[volmanjr]

not to mention we'd still have johnny long waving his towel and having offensive linemen moving a mountain, but not quick or agile enough to get off the line and move a man.

You speak of wyoming, chalking it up to lack of focus. What about northern illinois. Our offensive line couldn't man up against friggin northern illiniois. we're talking about northern illinois. Not ron zook illinois, northern friggin illinois.

amen!!!

 

[volmanjr]

I've read articles calling the assistant staff the highest paid in CFB. Maybe not - but in any regard, it's a higher paid staff at UT than the previous.

Give the new crew a raise and lower the bar for expecting wins is what I'm reading. Had Fulmer not been fired, his expectation would have been to win 10 games next season.

Like I said I expect them to win every time they take the field, just not naive enough to think it will happen, and I stayed on the Fulmer bandwagon a long time but now I just don't think Fulmer had another 10 win season left in his bag. and while we are at it if we only win 6 or 7 games next season, but we don't look like a high school team playing a pro team in the other losses I will be satisfied that things are better, I'm tired of the embarassing losses where it looks like we don't deserve to be on the same field as the other team and of the teams (Cal, Air Force, N. Ill , Wyoming ect....) that we should be playing the bench by the 4th qrt taking us to the wire or beating us....that's where my expectations are, if that gets cleaned up quickly I'll be a happy man.

 

[gainesvol82]

Like I said I expect them to win every time they take the field, just not naive enough to think it will happen, and I stayed on the Fulmer bandwagon a long time but now I just don't think Fulmer had another 10 win season left in his bag. and while we are at it if we only win 6 or 7 games next season, but we don't look like a high school team playing a pro team in the other losses I will be satisfied that things are better, I'm tired of the embarassing losses where it looks like we don't deserve to be on the same field as the other team and of the teams (Cal, Air Force, N. Ill , Wyoming ect....) that we should be playing the bench by the 4th qrt taking us to the wire or beating us....that's where my expectations are, if that gets cleaned up quickly I'll be a happy man.

Try as a might, I just can't see CLK, CMK or Coach O ever letting us lose to a Wyoming. I would hate to participate in practice that week if it were to happen.

 

[jakez4ut]

IE, you fall squarely in group 1.

 

[GTVol]

It's great to see he excitement in the Vol Nation again. The cross state presentations by CLK on Feb 5 to preview this year's recruits are sold out with more than double the attendance by Vol fans compared to last year. But, we must have patience and let the system work. It will take a couple of years to recruit the right type players to match the new system that will be installed this spring. The real question for 2009 is the QB position and the wide receivers. We have capable players in many positions but the skilled positions are a bit grey at this point, except for running backs. I spent the day today looking at the Perfection video and what jumped out at me was the ability of our receivers on the '98 Championship team to break away and make plays after the catch. Remember that? That skill was woefully lacking last year. Some of that is a result of coaching (maybe) but more likely, it is athletic ability.....and that is what we did not have last year. No break away speed either so we were relegated to short passes for a catch and dump. Let's hope we see something different this year. Maybe some new freshman recruits that make the starting team??? I feel optimistic and hope the Vol Nation does as well. But let's show some support by being patient in Year 1 of the CLK administration. Go Vols!

 

[vol_in_ar]

welcome to the board

 

[GTVol]

Thanks. This is a great board w/ lots of good info. Can't wait to see what surprises unfold on signing day. Hope our staff was able to sway some recruits even with the late start.

 

[sjt18]

and there you go.


keep in mind, Kiffin is dealing with what was left to him. Give the man the time to right the ship that your sacred cow couldn't.

I don't have sacred cows. I don't want Fulmer back. I want CLK to succeed in a magnificent way...

He was left with a quickly emptying cupboard. He's been so far unable to hang on to some critical OL recruits. It isn't fair. It isn't his fault. But if he doesn't get players starting with this class, UT will probably have 2 or 3 really rough seasons with the best talent situation being this fall. If he doesn't have at least one 10 win season and has one or two seasons around or below .500 then he's going to be in trouble.

You want to make this into a Fulmer issue because that's an easier argument for you. I said it was time for him to go. He's gone. It is done.

Saban came in behind Shula and landed the #10 recruiting class with about the same amount of time Kiffin has had... maybe a little less. Kiffin's class seems to be eroding by the day... Gone: Foster, Herbert, Hunter, Giles, Shackleford, Petty, Boyd. Probably gone: Phillips, Stokes, Thigpen. Possibly gone: Oku

Maybe I forgot someone but that's 11 pretty good prospects that have so far only been offset by Gordon, Green, and Edwards. Unless one of those guys can bulk up to 300 lbs... they don't help where UT needs it most.

 

[sjt18]

with the rosy picture you've painted for the outlook of this once great program, that sure says a lot about the job the guy you defended on this site for the better part of the last two and a half years.

This suggests you never understood my argument. I said he should be given a chance with a very, very high standard. Had he won 8 games, I would have joined the chorus calling for him to be fired immediately. Thankfully he didn't leave it to debate.

You ask why am i ok with 2nd tier all the sudden? because that's what we are right now.

But you're OK with staying there... It is OK if this class tanks... you are rid of Fulmer so its all good, right? Not for me. My desire didn't change. I want to see championship teams... and not in 5 or 6 years... if the stars happen to align just right.

I ask why all the sudden do you so whole heartidly expect c'ships year in and year out?

I said before last season if CPF didn't win a championship with that talent then he wouldn't compete for one for at least two years after. I expected the same from him as from CLK. A championship or consistent (and steep) progress toward one.

I asky why is a 5 win season this year all the suddne unacceptable, but 3 years ago, it is ok?

I never said it was. I said that Fulmer's contract was sickening because of 05. I said he should still be on probabation and allowed ZERO backsliding. I reasoned that he should get a chance to complete a turnaround because of his past success but that there should be no tolerance for anything less than real progress.

I don't like losing by 1 or 71... I expect better than that.