Observations on this board

[jrnyfan74]

I'm not finding where he laughed. Think you mistaking him for someone else. Maybe I missed something.

Quotes in a reference such as his usually indicate mockery or disbelief.

 

[govols/cc]

Star players do not wait until they are juniors and seniors to step-up and make an impact. Look at how many freshmen and sophomores play at Alabama? Granted they have more depth...and expectations here are not at that level either. Players get hurt...that's all part of the game. Good coaching can prepare kids to step-up when the opportunity presents itself.

How about a guy like Craig Faulkner? Was he a big-time recruit? No, but he was well coached and played with discipline and poise. Good coaches can get the most out of average players.

There are very few kids that come out of high school ready to jump right into big time college football. There are some exceptions but most have to have an adjustment period. The game is faster, the players are stronger, you're no longer the best guy on the field. The difference between Alabama's freshman & ours is they go in for a few plays here & there or go in & finish the last quarter with a 30 point lead & our guys are asked to play the entire game & try to win from the start.

 

[jrnyfan74]

There are very few kids that come out of high school ready to jump right into big time college football. There are some exceptions but most have to have an adjustment period. The game is faster, the players are stronger, you're no longer the best guy on the field. The difference between Alabama's freshman & ours is they go in for a few plays here & there or go in & finish the last quarter with a 30 point lead & our guys are asked to play the entire game & try to win from the start.

Depth is definitely an issue, I agree. I still think some of our guys have the talent to step-up and play well given the proper coaching. It's not just about X's and O's either...it is about instilling confidence and getting players to believe in themselves. It's tough to do that when you hear your coach throwing you under the bus.

 

[UTVOLKeith]

I am glad you find it funny...I have a bulging disc and pinched nerve that flare up from time-to-time to this day as a result.

I was a DT...we should meet sometime and talk about it.

never mind man just askin....>>no meeting

but my last play nt..... i swear it...

 

[Cartervol]

OP is right. Worst part is those are deep rooted problems that a little more time in the weight room and another year of seasoning doesn't fix.

They're going to keep him though and ride out whatever plan they have.

 

[87Vol]

I usually do not post on boards like this due to all of the silly going back and forth people do, but I feel compelled to post this message in light of the current state of our program.

First of all, it is obvious that not many people on here know much if anything about the team sport that is football. I played as an invited walk-on during Fulmer's first full year as HC, so I know a thing or two about the dynamics of a college football team. A back injury ended my playing days prematurely, but I still appreciate the fact that I got to participate in something that most folks don't get the chance to.

With all that being said, I am amazed at the people on this board that consistently post arrogant comments as if they really know and understand what it takes to build a solid program. Here are a few observations from the last 2 years of watching the Dooley led Vols:

-Dooley gets out-coached the majority of the time.
-The players do not respect Dooley or each other...this is why you see such uninspired football.
-Many of the players are regressing in talent.
-Dooley shows poor leadership by throwing his players under the bus and making excuses (this actually is a character issue).
-There is no sign of progress outside of a few star players (Rogers, Hunter).
-We are undisciplined, period.


Now I know that many of you will respond to this with the sarcasm that you always do to those who disagree with you, and that is fine. All you are simply doing is behaving childishly on here because you have nothing better to do really, and this is how you make up for other deficient areas in your life...so fire away.

However, I would challenge those of you who disagree to offer up a reasonable response instead of your typical "idiot fan" response. Can you honestly say that you really see progress being made? Please don't confuse recruiting a few talented players as progress either...it takes more than that folks. Can you say with a straight face that courage, respect, determination, drive, and discipline are virtues that describe our program? What in the last 2 seasons makes you think that all of a sudden we will be successful in 2012?

For those that can remember, think back to the 1988 Vols. They lost their first 6 games, and won their last 5 to finish the season with a losing record. At the end of the season, we all had hope because we saw a young team get better each week, and we knew progress was being made. Dooley may not get fired this year, but he is not the man to bring this program back to the competitive levels we are accustomed to. It is unrealistic to expect a championship every year, but I do expect us to be competitive with top SEC programs year-in and year-out.

This is Tennessee. Let's drop the losing mentality and start demanding excellence from our football program.

BINGO !!! +1 You nailed it, man !

 

[skeeter33418]

I usually do not post on boards like this due to all of the silly going back and forth people do, but I feel compelled to post this message in light of the current state of our program.

First of all, it is obvious that not many people on here know much if anything about the team sport that is football. I played as an invited walk-on during Fulmer's first full year as HC, so I know a thing or two about the dynamics of a college football team. A back injury ended my playing days prematurely, but I still appreciate the fact that I got to participate in something that most folks don't get the chance to.

With all that being said, I am amazed at the people on this board that consistently post arrogant comments as if they really know and understand what it takes to build a solid program. Here are a few observations from the last 2 years of watching the Dooley led Vols:

-Dooley gets out-coached the majority of the time.
-The players do not respect Dooley or each other...this is why you see such uninspired football.
-Many of the players are regressing in talent.
-Dooley shows poor leadership by throwing his players under the bus and making excuses (this actually is a character issue).
-There is no sign of progress outside of a few star players (Rogers, Hunter).
-We are undisciplined, period.


Now I know that many of you will respond to this with the sarcasm that you always do to those who disagree with you, and that is fine. All you are simply doing is behaving childishly on here because you have nothing better to do really, and this is how you make up for other deficient areas in your life...so fire away.

However, I would challenge those of you who disagree to offer up a reasonable response instead of your typical "idiot fan" response. Can you honestly say that you really see progress being made? Please don't confuse recruiting a few talented players as progress either...it takes more than that folks. Can you say with a straight face that courage, respect, determination, drive, and discipline are virtues that describe our program? What in the last 2 seasons makes you think that all of a sudden we will be successful in 2012?

For those that can remember, think back to the 1988 Vols. They lost their first 6 games, and won their last 5 to finish the season with a losing record. At the end of the season, we all had hope because we saw a young team get better each week, and we knew progress was being made. Dooley may not get fired this year, but he is not the man to bring this program back to the competitive levels we are accustomed to. It is unrealistic to expect a championship every year, but I do expect us to be competitive with top SEC programs year-in and year-out.

This is Tennessee. Let's drop the losing mentality and start demanding excellence from our football program.

you make some valid points. but i dont think any coach in the country could have done much better of a job with last years roster at hand. this year when hunter went down it was certainly a blow to the mental make up of our young players.

however, if you understand football as much as you state, you also know his third year will make or break him as a coach. the roster is having to be rebuilt from the ground up. anyone that understands football also understands your team is only as good as the oline and dline, please look up the lines he was dealt.the mess that we call a roster this coach inherited no other coach in the country wanted to deal with. alot of that blame can be laid at the feet of the man you say invited you to walk on.

 

[skeeter33418]

Star players do not wait until they are juniors and seniors to step-up and make an impact. Look at how many freshmen and sophomores play at Alabama? Granted they have more depth...and expectations here are not at that level either. Players get hurt...that's all part of the game. Good coaching can prepare kids to step-up when the opportunity presents itself.

How about a guy like Craig Faulkner? Was he a big-time recruit? No, but he was well coached and played with discipline and poise. Good coaches can get the most out of average players.

this is something else i see alot of people talking about. in most cases, a "star" freshman thats doing very well is usually surrounded by upperclassmen. take the clowney kid at usc, on the opposite side of him is most likely a sure fire first rounder in the upcoming draft in ingram. off cords spent hours game planning around ingram. clowney is a legit talent, not taking that away from him, but he gets manhandled easily in this league by double teams as a freshman. again, not taking anything away from clowney, the kid will be a holy terror with a little more strength.

 

[zjcvols]

It's not coaching you are talking about. It's magic. You don't take a team that is mostly true sophs and FR, and then make them play without their 2 best offensive and 2 best defensive players and expect them to magically play at the level of veteran SEC teams. That is madness and delusion. Or just stubborn impatient idiocy.

Agree.

I just expect them to beat ****in Kentucky.

 

[fearsvols]

this is something else i see alot of people talking about. in most cases, a "star" freshman thats doing very well is usually surrounded by upperclassmen. take the clowney kid at usc, on the opposite side of him is most likely a sure fire first rounder in the upcoming draft in ingram. off cords spent hours game planning around ingram. clowney is a legit talent, not taking that away from him, but he gets manhandled easily in this league by double teams as a freshman. again, not taking anything away from clowney, the kid will be a holy terror with a little more strength.

I think fans in general dont understand the issues with the lack of upperclassmen. On offense covering the whole roster there are just 9 jrs and srs combined. In a normal year there should be on average around 20. The 9 are Ben Bartholomew, Carson Anderson, Darin Gooch, Tauren Poole, Matt Simms, Mycheal Ryvera, Zach Rogers, Anthony Anderson, Dallas Thomas...the young guys dont have much of anyone to lead them.
Now im not saying coaching has been great but its a lot easier to coach with jrs,srs and experience

 

[Spartacavolus]

-I thought the D got better, especially considering the continued losses of personell.
-special teams coverage was better than it has been in a decade

The offense never found identity and is being addressed. The notion that noone improved is off base. Being a walkon under fulmer doesn't mean you know anything about this locker room. I still want someone to explain how the players don't like Dooley, yet were lifting him and cheering last week. It doesn't add up. Neal responded after Dooleys horrific comment about him wanting to rest.
Fact is, we have too many quitters still with the program and the wussification that started under PF continues. I guess Dooley should just start clapping after mistakes and accept them. Maybe we can even get a snack list going so these boys can have some capri sun and crackers during a break in practice.
Damn this country is full of pussies and its wearing me out.

 

[AndyMizunogolfer]

you make some valid points. but i dont think any coach in the country could have done much better of a job with last years roster at hand. this year when hunter went down it was certainly a blow to the mental make up of our young players.

however, if you understand football as much as you state, you also know his third year will make or break him as a coach. the roster is having to be rebuilt from the ground up. anyone that understands football also understands your team is only as good as the oline and dline, please look up the lines he was dealt.the mess that we call a roster this coach inherited no other coach in the country wanted to deal with. alot of that blame can be laid at the feet of the man you say invited you to walk on.

My problem on this year was the fact that we were one deminsional. The coaches did not have us prepared to deal with any adversity. I am sorry but you have to have a running game. There is no reason we shouldn't have been able to run the ball this year. The running game opens up everything for you on offense. While I would like to only hold Chaney responsible you have to hold Dooley responsible also. He knew we didnt run the ball great last year. He knew in the offseason it needed work. I am sorry but there is no excuse for not being able to run the ball on Montana,Cincy,MTSU,and Ky. I would like to think that Dooley is laying the groundwork. Although I dont know that he has a clue what to do once its laid. He has yet to outcoach anyone.

 

[LWSVOL]

What if you wait a year and get decent players, and Dooley has another dismal season. Your going to be in the same boat again. It will be a never ending revolving door of might, could be turning to should have been and why didn't they.

if they made a move right now, they would gut the recruiting class and the replacement coach would be from a MAC or WAC school, maybe. Might just be some assistant off another staff somewhere.

Why do anything with Dooley if you are just going to replace him with another unproven coach?

BTW, IMO next year would be same replacement scenario.. unproven coaches is what we do...

 

[vol81]

Larry, many on here dont understand how true your statement is. We are not going to pay Urban Meyer type money for a coach, not with who is in charge of making those decisions------and its not the AD. As I said in another thread, Like it or Not, thats just how it is here with our current powers that be. A mid-major, up and comer is what type of money we will pay....

 

[UTvols#1]

Come on man you know They are just kids.They just came out high school.Milk and cookies would be ideal.But hey don't listen to Dooley talk about youth its just an excuse for him not being able to coach.People love calling them Kids that need a motivator.Here's. Motivation..the ORANGE AND WHITE JERSEY. Not to mention the free scholarship.

-I thought the D got better, especially considering the continued losses of personell.
-special teams coverage was better than it has been in a decade

The offense never found identity and is being addressed. The notion that noone improved is off base. Being a walkon under fulmer doesn't mean you know anything about this locker room. I still want someone to explain how the players don't like Dooley, yet were lifting him and cheering last week. It doesn't add up. Neal responded after Dooleys horrific comment about him wanting to rest.
Fact is, we have too many quitters still with the program and the wussification that started under PF continues. I guess Dooley should just start clapping after mistakes and accept them. Maybe we can even get a snack list going so these boys can have some capri sun and crackers during a break in practice.
Damn this country is full of pussies and its wearing me out.

 

[SolidRockGolf]

I played football in high school and I know a little bit what I am talking about when it comes to coaching....

Seriously?

1) Fulmer
2) Kiffin
3) low amount of Juniors and Seniors
4) Injuries
5) Hungry fan base
6) Long and Very hard schedule
7) Finding the right coaching staff
8) Players mentally drained

Yeah he had a long road and he is trying his best to figure it out. Everyone is upset because he didn't make an A. So WHAT he needs to figure out what went wrong and fix it. He's a grown man who seems to have a good head on his shoulders and just because everyone has heard the regular "we lost negatives" from the media and players they all think they can put their 2 cents in.

Its doesn't take a coach to understand how this situation went sour and its pretty clear that Dooley knew this year was going to be very tough since he took UNC off the schedule. He is planning for 2012 and 2013 and I can wait to see how he responds. Thats the beauty of being a fan. I think he will and is putting himself in a position to turn this thing. The funny part is watching everyone act then like they weren't being babies now and knew he was going to do it... thats if he pulls it off.

Look at Petrino about 4 years ago when his team was young and losing. Fans hated him. Now look at him and what he has done to Arkansas. I believe Dooley in on a similar and hopefully better track than that.

 

[ob79]

Majors undertook a rebuilding project in '77 that doesn't necessarily pale in comparison but was marginally less than what Dooley took over...and it took him five seasons to recover.

Dooley was handed the keys to an AMC Gremlin and people expected him to drive it like it was a Porsche. I'm not saying he hasn't had his failures, b/c he has, nor am I saying he hasn't been out-coached at times, b/c he has but people just dismiss all of the deficiencies this team had like they were just minor bumps in the road, when in reality they were detrimental.

I like Dooley and I want him to succeed...but I have no idea if he can/will get it done here. Before the collapse Saturday I was truly optimistic about what I saw, now I'm not sure. I'll say this, how we play versus Florida next year will determine, in my mind, how he'll do.

 

[Orange Blazer]

I see a lot of people on this board claiming to be people they are not and knowing things they clearly don't.

Welcome to life at Volnation.

 

[VolRock]

I think the assement is fair.
What i dont see anyone talking about is the lack of fundamentals and technique. This is what we must get back too. Blocking! Tackling! and the Kicking game!

 

[2ironVol]

I usually do not post on boards like this due to all of the silly going back and forth people do, but I feel compelled to post this message in light of the current state of our program.

First of all, it is obvious that not many people on here know much if anything about the team sport that is football. I played as an invited walk-on during Fulmer's first full year as HC, so I know a thing or two about the dynamics of a college football team. A back injury ended my playing days prematurely, but I still appreciate the fact that I got to participate in something that most folks don't get the chance to.

With all that being said, I am amazed at the people on this board that consistently post arrogant comments as if they really know and understand what it takes to build a solid program. Here are a few observations from the last 2 years of watching the Dooley led Vols:

-Dooley gets out-coached the majority of the time.
-The players do not respect Dooley or each other...this is why you see such uninspired football.
-Many of the players are regressing in talent.
-Dooley shows poor leadership by throwing his players under the bus and making excuses (this actually is a character issue).
-There is no sign of progress outside of a few star players (Rogers, Hunter).
-We are undisciplined, period.


Now I know that many of you will respond to this with the sarcasm that you always do to those who disagree with you, and that is fine. All you are simply doing is behaving childishly on here because you have nothing better to do really, and this is how you make up for other deficient areas in your life...so fire away.

However, I would challenge those of you who disagree to offer up a reasonable response instead of your typical "idiot fan" response. Can you honestly say that you really see progress being made? Please don't confuse recruiting a few talented players as progress either...it takes more than that folks. Can you say with a straight face that courage, respect, determination, drive, and discipline are virtues that describe our program? What in the last 2 seasons makes you think that all of a sudden we will be successful in 2012?

For those that can remember, think back to the 1988 Vols. They lost their first 6 games, and won their last 5 to finish the season with a losing record. At the end of the season, we all had hope because we saw a young team get better each week, and we knew progress was being made. Dooley may not get fired this year, but he is not the man to bring this program back to the competitive levels we are accustomed to. It is unrealistic to expect a championship every year, but I do expect us to be competitive with top SEC programs year-in and year-out.

This is Tennessee. Let's drop the losing mentality and start demanding excellence from our football program.

Saw a ton of progress with the defense. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but your one year of "walk-on" status doesn't give you any more insight into this team than anyone else that has played a team sport at the collegiate level. I was a scholarship athlete AND a 4 year letterman. No it wasn't football, but I played plenty of it prior to college and spent a considerable amount of time with some of the football players while in college. I have some questions as to your points about this team:

HOw do you know the players don't respect each other or how do you know they don't respect Dooley? Are you in a position that allows you time to spend with the current players?

How do you identify someone that is regressing in talent? How do you actually regress talent? LOL. This is a pretty ignorant observation, with all due respect. Name the players you see regressing in talent

Would be interested seeing your response to my questions if you so choose to answer them. I can tell you that I know for a fact Dooley isn't gong anywhere this offseason, unless of course, he decides to leave on his own. I am not certain you've had enough exposure around players to make the types of compelling observations you are making. I don't know if Dooley is going to make it, but I am informed and mature enough to know he walked into a situation like no other coach at UT has in my lifetime. I know you played for Fulmer, so maybe you have some experience seeing what getting outcoached looks like considering he had the most talent of anyone in the SEC for about 9-10 straight years.

 

[VolRock]

good follow up 2iron and valid points
but did you reallly have to take a swing at our former coach?:hi:
I must admit you made me chuckle

 

[sanddune50]

you make some valid points. but i dont think any coach in the country could have done much better of a job with last years roster at hand. this year when hunter went down it was certainly a blow to the mental make up of our young players.

however, if you understand football as much as you state, you also know his third year will make or break him as a coach. the roster is having to be rebuilt from the ground up. anyone that understands football also understands your team is only as good as the oline and dline, please look up the lines he was dealt.the mess that we call a roster this coach inherited no other coach in the country wanted to deal with. alot of that blame can be laid at the feet of the man you say invited you to walk on.

Great post. Too many Vol fans with tunnel vision. Nothing like looking at a single spot on a wall and claiming it is the entire wall.

 

[sanddune50]

I think fans in general dont understand the issues with the lack of upperclassmen. On offense covering the whole roster there are just 9 jrs and srs combined. In a normal year there should be on average around 20. The 9 are Ben Bartholomew, Carson Anderson, Darin Gooch, Tauren Poole, Matt Simms, Mycheal Ryvera, Zach Rogers, Anthony Anderson, Dallas Thomas...the young guys dont have much of anyone to lead them.
Now im not saying coaching has been great but its a lot easier to coach with jrs,srs and experience

Another point that seems to escape the logic or lack thereof with most of the fans I hear chirpping.

 

[jrnyfan74]

Saw a ton of progress with the defense. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but your one year of "walk-on" status doesn't give you any more insight into this team than anyone else that has played a team sport at the collegiate level. I was a scholarship athlete AND a 4 year letterman. No it wasn't football, but I played plenty of it prior to college and spent a considerable amount of time with some of the football players while in college. I have some questions as to your points about this team:

HOw do you know the players don't respect each other or how do you know they don't respect Dooley? Are you in a position that allows you time to spend with the current players?

How do you identify someone that is regressing in talent? How do you actually regress talent? LOL. This is a pretty ignorant observation, with all due respect. Name the players you see regressing in talent

Would be interested seeing your response to my questions if you so choose to answer them. I can tell you that I know for a fact Dooley isn't gong anywhere this offseason, unless of course, he decides to leave on his own. I am not certain you've had enough exposure around players to make the types of compelling observations you are making. I don't know if Dooley is going to make it, but I am informed and mature enough to know he walked into a situation like no other coach at UT has in my lifetime. I know you played for Fulmer, so maybe you have some experience seeing what getting outcoached looks like considering he had the most talent of anyone in the SEC for about 9-10 straight years.

A team that respects their coach doesn't quit on them. This team had a lot to play for against Kentucky, and a few of the seniors have come out and stated they didn't want to be there. In their assessment, the team as a whole didn't want to be there. Players that respect each other do not quit on each other, period.

Poole is an example of a player who regressed this year. Our entire offensive line regressed this year. I will agree with you about the defense, some of them, especially on the line seemed to improve.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion as well...I just don't think you are very bright in this area. It is funny how many of you have responded just as I said you would. If you and a few others were half as intelligent and knowledgeable as you want others to believe, then you would respond with much less sarcasm and jabs, and start providing valid discussion points.

 

[jrnyfan74]

I played football in high school and I know a little bit what I am talking about when it comes to coaching....

Seriously?

1) Fulmer
2) Kiffin
3) low amount of Juniors and Seniors
4) Injuries
5) Hungry fan base
6) Long and Very hard schedule
7) Finding the right coaching staff
8) Players mentally drained

Yeah he had a long road and he is trying his best to figure it out. Everyone is upset because he didn't make an A. So WHAT he needs to figure out what went wrong and fix it. He's a grown man who seems to have a good head on his shoulders and just because everyone has heard the regular "we lost negatives" from the media and players they all think they can put their 2 cents in.

Its doesn't take a coach to understand how this situation went sour and its pretty clear that Dooley knew this year was going to be very tough since he took UNC off the schedule. He is planning for 2012 and 2013 and I can wait to see how he responds. Thats the beauty of being a fan. I think he will and is putting himself in a position to turn this thing. The funny part is watching everyone act then like they weren't being babies now and knew he was going to do it... thats if he pulls it off.

Look at Petrino about 4 years ago when his team was young and losing. Fans hated him. Now look at him and what he has done to Arkansas. I believe Dooley in on a similar and hopefully better track than that.

Here is Petrino's record at Arkansas:

2008 Arkansas 5–7
2009 Arkansas 8–5
2010 Arkansas 10–3
2011 Arkansas 10–2

You are entitled to your opinion, but I don't think Dooley will ever see 10 wins here.