Noticed two particular positives from Pruitt's Press Conference

[sjt18]

Maybe something... maybe not much.

In response to a Rucker question, he was almost defensive in saying that UT has a bunch of guys playing (ostensibly well) at the S spot. Earlier when asked about bringing pressure he said that the secondary determined what you could do on D (when scheming QB pressure). He also responded almost defensively about the CB's practicing against some pretty good WR's. One, it sounds like he thinks the secondary can hold its own. Two, sounds like he's kind of tired of hearing how great WVU's secondary is and how UT is nothing but trash. He's getting edgy.

Second thing I noticed is a hesitation when asked a question about the decision to put Trey Smith at LT after they'd said earlier that he'd play where they had a need. Putting him at LT to me sounds like they're confident at the other 4 positions. He didn't quite say that much but did say the competition had been good and that guys who weren't starting had earned playing time.

I hope I'm not deceiving myself but I'm starting to feel pretty good about this...

 

[jakez4ut]

Well it depends. What are you talking yourself in to believing?

That we're simply better than many's predictions of being a 5-7 team not capable of competing with any of the "names" on the schedule?

That we can win this one game?

That we're capable of winning 8-9 games?

Or that the level of improvement needed to get to 7-5, and be competitive with everyone not named Georgia or Alabama, had been attained?

 

[SD189]

I think he's saying these are my guys now... **** you

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

Pruitt has always sounded edgy and defensive to me dating back to UGA.

 

[sjt18]

Well it depends. What are you talking yourself in to believing?

That we're simply better than many's predictions of being a 5-7 team not capable of competing with any of the "names" on the schedule?

That we can win this one game?

That we're capable of winning 8-9 games?

Or that the level of improvement needed to get to 7-5, and be competitive with everyone not named Georgia or Alabama, had been attained?

Now you're putting me on the spot... I didn't really quantify it... Just feeling better about the team.

Since you asked though... I'll just start with this one game. I think Pruitt is going to try to stop their run and get in Grier's face... and at least start out trusting his safeties and young CB's to get the job done on the back end. I feel really good about a healthy OL with Trey Smith at LT. I hope my growing warm and fuzzies for JG aren't misplaced. I've always felt pretty good about the WR's if someone could get them the ball.

 

[Remy]

At another point in the presser he said something along the lines of the team is a representation of the coach and staff and they were ready and excited. Now that to me is pushing some confidence out there about the team he is going to be putting on the field. I didn't hear a lot of hedging bets and pour mouthing taking place. Pruitt ain't skeered at all and if he is, he hides it VERY well.

 

[Rockytopvol86]

So you’re saying there’s a chance!!!

 

[General Jack]

Maybe something... maybe not much.

In response to a Rucker question, he was almost defensive in saying that UT has a bunch of guys playing (ostensibly well) at the S spot. Earlier when asked about bringing pressure he said that the secondary determined what you could do on D (when scheming QB pressure). He also responded almost defensively about the CB's practicing against some pretty good WR's. One, it sounds like he thinks the secondary can hold its own. Two, sounds like he's kind of tired of hearing how great WVU's secondary is and how UT is nothing but trash. He's getting edgy.

Second thing I noticed is a hesitation when asked a question about the decision to put Trey Smith at LT after they'd said earlier that he'd play where they had a need. Putting him at LT to me sounds like they're confident at the other 4 positions. He didn't quite say that much but did say the competition had been good and that guys who weren't starting had earned playing time.

I hope I'm not deceiving myself but I'm starting to feel pretty good about this...

Careful, that season opening game week euphoria will get you every time. j/k

I'm feeling better given the lack of injuries and the amount of talent we still have on the roster... but there's still a learning curve at play for Pruitt. That tempers my expectations. I have no doubt he's a great hands'-on coach, question is, can he run a program. Sure hope so.

Good observations, thanks for sharing.

 

[sjt18]

At another point in the presser he said something along the lines of the team is a representation of the coach and staff and they were ready and excited. Now that to me is pushing some confidence out there about the team he is going to be putting on the field. I didn't hear a lot of hedging bets and pour mouthing taking place. Pruitt ain't skeered at all and if he is, he hides it VERY well.

I played for a HS coach like that. His confidence infected all of us. At the time, we were a school of 450 kids playing in a class that was supposed to cut off at 650. We went 32-5 in my 3 years with 4 of the losses coming to teams that won state championships. We beat more talented players just because we were confident that we would.

 

[1974Vol]

I'm with the "Let's wait and see" crowd but there are so many things you can point to that would indicate this team could and maybe even should beat UWV. Examples..how many former players are balling out at other stops in college or the pros that never flashed that skill as a Vol? Coaching really does matter and maybe we got one now. You look at the Vols cumalative recruiting rankings and they're way ahead of UWV. The statistics guy that used to be on here demonstarted that the team with the better recruiting numbers wins 70% of the time. You look at the sizes listed for the UWV front seven on D and if they're accurate it looks like TS could block 'em all by himself. People keep pointing to the OSU game from '18 as the way to stop the potent UWV offense and so I look up OSU's D stats for 2018 and they're 79th in total D. I mean the Vols were 81st. Part of me wishes I gambled because the Vols +13 sure is starting to look like easy money.

 

[FïreBall]

I played for a HS coach like that. His confidence infected all of us. At the time, we were a school of 450 kids playing in a class that was supposed to cut off at 650. We went 32-5 in my 3 years with 4 of the losses coming to teams that won state championships. We beat more talented players just because we were confident that we would.

This is what I hope will be the major difference between '17 Vols vs. '18 Vols... Pruitt instilling something in these players that Jones took away from them.. This is why I believe Pruitt is the man that will turn it all around.. GoVols!

 

[jakez4ut]

Now you're putting me on the spot... I didn't really quantify it... Just feeling better about the team.

Since you asked though... I'll just start with this one game. I think Pruitt is going to try to stop their run and get in Grier's face... and at least start out trusting his safeties and young CB's to get the job done on the back end. I feel really good about a healthy OL with Trey Smith at LT. I hope my growing warm and fuzzies for JG aren't misplaced. I've always felt pretty good about the WR's if someone could get them the ball.

Haha want necessarily trying to do that.

I pretty much agree. I think we're probably a little better than we thought we were 4-5 months ago. Not sure exactly what that means for the whole season yet.

I think 3-1 thru the first 4 is doable. And 4-0 isn't impossible, though still likely improbable.

I'll let you know how I feel about October and November after the bama game lol... That said count me in the group that says 7-5 is probably more realistic than 5-7 at this point. O line makes a huge difference.

 

[Alto1]

At another point in the presser he said something along the lines of the team is a representation of the coach and staff and they were ready and excited. Now that to me is pushing some confidence out there about the team he is going to be putting on the field. I didn't hear a lot of hedging bets and pour mouthing taking place. Pruitt ain't skeered at all and if he is, he hides it VERY well.

I noticed this too.......... I thought it was a very bold, and confident statement about where they are now.......... Other words, this ain't last years sucky vols team. Aight!!

 

[i2amavol]

Haha want necessarily trying to do that.

I pretty much agree. I think we're probably a little better than we thought we were 4-5 months ago. Not sure exactly what that means for the whole season yet.

I think 3-1 thru the first 4 is doable. And 4-0 isn't impossible, though still likely improbable.

I'll let you know how I feel about October and November after the bama game lol... That said count me in the group that says 7-5 is probably more realistic than 5-7 at this point. O line makes a huge difference.

Yeah, all else being adequate, we've got to be able to block'em or the rest won't matter. I have been optimistic about the OL most all of the past 10 years, mostly to end up disappointed. I will truly believe that Pruitt is on the right track when I see a QB who isn't constantly running for his life. I'm hopeful, but it is jus hard to be overly optimistic till I see it on the field.

 

[Pepe]

Haha want necessarily trying to do that.

I pretty much agree. I think we're probably a little better than we thought we were 4-5 months ago. Not sure exactly what that means for the whole season yet.

I think 3-1 thru the first 4 is doable. And 4-0 isn't impossible, though still likely improbable.

I'll let you know how I feel about October and November after the bama game lol... That said count me in the group that says 7-5 is probably more realistic than 5-7 at this point. O line makes a huge difference.

Pruitt has stated that his goal is to win every game. I don't think he has stated that his goal is to win all the games. There is a difference between those two statements and I think we as fans would be happier if we took that tack also

 

[UT-Rex]

At another point in the presser he said something along the lines of the team is a representation of the coach and staff and they were ready and excited. Now that to me is pushing some confidence out there about the team he is going to be putting on the field. I didn't hear a lot of hedging bets and pour mouthing taking place. Pruitt ain't skeered at all and if he is, he hides it VERY well.

I agree. Succinct; no/not a lot of pour mouthing from this Coach (like previous Coaches).

 

[TAF]

I was just glad to hear him NOT roll through a litany of injuries from Fall Camp...to inform who WON’T be available to start!

 

[WoodsmanVol]

♪♪♪ I's heah da Vols tran a-comin. I's heah da Vols tran a-comin. ♪♪♪
♪♪♪ And it be a-comin round da mountin when it com. ♪♪♪
♪♪♪ Dem wheels is a spiten fire as theys spin and a-turnin. ♪♪♪
♪♪♪ Git da banjo an match the clackety-clack by gum. ♪♪♪
♪♪♪ Id barrels by in a orange flas so bright. ♪♪♪
♪♪♪ Wid uh blazing power "T" for a headlight. ♪♪♪

 

[jakez4ut]

Pruitt has stated that his goal is to win every game. I don't think he has stated that his goal is to win all the games. There is a difference between those two statements and I think we as fans would be happier if we took that tack also

I'm happy, you?

 

[photovol]

Maybe something... maybe not much.

In response to a Rucker question, he was almost defensive in saying that UT has a bunch of guys playing (ostensibly well) at the S spot. Earlier when asked about bringing pressure he said that the secondary determined what you could do on D (when scheming QB pressure). He also responded almost defensively about the CB's practicing against some pretty good WR's. One, it sounds like he thinks the secondary can hold its own. Two, sounds like he's kind of tired of hearing how great WVU's secondary is and how UT is nothing but trash. He's getting edgy.

Second thing I noticed is a hesitation when asked a question about the decision to put Trey Smith at LT after they'd said earlier that he'd play where they had a need. Putting him at LT to me sounds like they're confident at the other 4 positions. He didn't quite say that much but did say the competition had been good and that guys who weren't starting had earned playing time.

I hope I'm not deceiving myself but I'm starting to feel pretty good about this...

It's just great to have a head coach that has an attitude of no nonsense and coaches a smash mouth type of football, something Butch Jones just didn't understand.
Pruitt is a coach we can all be proud of.

Go Vols

 

[VolsnRavens]

I'll take confident and edgy over goofy and arrogant (Dooley), and cheesy and cliche ridden (Jones) any day of the week. It's ultimately refreshing to once again have a coach who actually played the game, and that has actually coached SEC football. Almost football time in Tennessee.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

I think CJP 's latest is his best presser to date. He didn't act perturbed to be there. He wasn't an a##hole like Saban. He didn't polish t#rds like Butch and try to get you to eat one. Press conferences have absolutely no value in developing the team . After Saturday, the pressers will have more data, more meaning. Until then, it's just a leadership rep.

 

[catss350]

Until then, it's just a leadership rep

Lulz! You had to say it, huh? lmao

 

[LexVol71]

I'll take confident and edgy over goofy and arrogant (Dooley), and cheesy and cliche ridden (Jones) any day of the week. It's ultimately refreshing to once again have a coach who actually played the game, and that has actually coached SEC football. Almost football time in Tennessee.

Unlike like our previous mid-majors coaches, Pruitt not only coached SEC football, he coached at the highest level. He knows what a championship team looks like and what championship players look like. Unlike those two "wannabe" coaches, Pruitt understands what's needed to coach players up to play like champions because he's done it more than once. We haven't had a coach who knew how to do that since Phil.

 

[checkerboards09]

There’s just a quiet confidence with Pruitt. I honestly believe Phil made the best hire of the offseason of any school and it will pay off rather quickly.