REALITY CHECK

[GoVols64]

Stop looking backward, it will make your blood pressure go down. Reality is we are not and have not been a good football team in a long time and all the Volnation posts in the world won't change that. Instead of flaming each other, talking about how bad everything has been for years and over critiquing the players and coaches let's try some rational conversation around what we should expect and what satisfactory progress would look like; deal?

I'll go first:

1. We must improve strength and technique on the OL to run the offense Helton has installed effectively; can this unit improve enough to be competitive this year after the gauntlet?

2. What games, assuming our players stay healthy and grow into the new systems, are winnable? Charlotte better be easy but what about SC and Vandy? Can we upset UK (I jut threw up in my mouth a little)....?

3. What do you, as a fan, want to see to mark that this team is playing better? May be a low ceiling this year but turnovers and penalties are my first areas of focus.

Thoughts?

Go Vols!!!!!!

 

[volsportsfan]

Brother, we've got Georgia right where we want em

 

[AstonRoyal]

I would say is that we should all let go of the past failures AND successes and focus on what we can control right now and what we can do to improve.

 

[G8rh8r]

One game at a time. One play at a time. There is a lot we need to improve on. Let’s focus on GA and move on from there. As long as I see fire, better protection of the QB, and less turnovers, I’ll call that success. Especially over the next few weeks.

 

[GoVols64]

I would say is that we should all let go of the past failures AND successes and focus on what we can control right now and what we can do to improve.

I'd only add that we should enjoy the fact that we have won it all and had some great years but not point to that time period as a rationalization of what we should be now. To your point its a false equivalence and drives people to levels of crazy that should be reserved for strippers.....

 

[GoVols64]

One game at a time. One play at a time. There is a lot we need to improve on. Let’s focus on GA and move on from there. As long as I see fire, better protection of the QB, and less turnovers, I’ll call that success. Especially over the next few weeks.

Amen brother!

 

[photovol]

Brother, we've got Georgia right where we want em

Get em on top of that mountain and push em off

 

[Jack Burton]

Pruitt has nothing to do with why we are in this position. He may or may not be the guy but it will take time to determine that completely.

I’ve been looking for things that aren’t affected by current levels of talent and development. Are our guys playing with heart? Not really. They’ve been pretty flat and some still have quit in them.

Do we look better coached? JG is better and would look even more solid with a reliable OL. The new defense seems to be implemented well. There’s not much they can do to help if the offense turns the ball over 6 times though.

The current class needs about 18 linemen. We’ll sort out which side they end up on later.

 

[Cherokee Orange]

Finally, some logical and reasonable discussion on VolNation. Nice to see.

Reading all the Doom and Gloom from the NegaVols this week has sucked!

 

[beneVOLence]

If we can improve, I think USCe, Vandy, Charlotte, Missiouri and Kentucky are winable games. I don't see us winning many of those, but I think we can be in the game late and possibly give ourselves a chance.

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

BREAKING NEWS. We are not and have not been a good football team in a while. Thanks for the reality check Op

 

[Volswarm]

Is it possible that we actually do have the talent to be competitive/win those last 4 games? All those kids can’t be busts. Obviously under developed I’m hoping that as these guys get coached up maybe just maybe we start to see more and more guys flash and start to play complete games. That’s what I’m hoping for anyway. GBO baby.

 

[livefaith]

Stop looking backward, it will make your blood pressure go down. Reality is we are not and have not been a good football team in a long time and all the Volnation posts in the world won't change that. ...

Looking backward is not my problem OP. It's the looking forward that has brought my BP down to the point where I think my heart may be @ to stop.

 

[Thou]

I really believe we can be a much improved team in 4 weeks. Not sure how much win/loss effect but to be able to compete with last 5 games will show us a lot.

 

[photovol]

When a very good VFL player states that there only 3-4 SEC players on both sides of the ball, we're going to need some Devine intervention to win 4 or 5 games.
Without intervention 3 wins may be the ceiling, but I hope we don't end up setting another low point in Vol history by going 3-9
God forbid

 

[Crazy Ivan]

When a very good VFL player states that there only 3-4 SEC players on both sides of the ball, we're going to need some Devine intervention to win 4 or 5 games.
Without intervention 3 wins may be the ceiling, but I hope we don't end up setting another low point in Vol history by going 3-9
God forbid

 

[LivinginthePast]

I want a better quarterback and offensive line

 

[jboyinmiss]

BREAKING NEWS. We are not and have not been a good football team in a while. Thanks for the reality check Op

why the sarcasm dude

 

[VolFan4life24]

When a very good VFL player states that there only 3-4 SEC players on both sides of the ball, we're going to need some Devine intervention to win 4 or 5 games.
Without intervention 3 wins may be the ceiling, but I hope we don't end up setting another low point in Vol history by going 3-9
God forbid[/QUOTE

I don’t want them to go 3-9 but as long as they beat Charlotte is all I care about now. Got a $1k bet riding on that game.

 

[jarnol32]

I want a better quarterback and offensive line

We have a good quarterback, just need the offensive line to give him time.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Yes we must improve alot of things. Strength and conditioning is a big one. We are on our 3rd S&C coach since 2015. I mean thats just bush league. Its no wonder why our team is where it is.

Charolette is the only for sure win left. I dont see us beating another team unless we imorove dramatically. Sorry but we are just that bad. Improvement? Improved OL play will count for me. 3-9 this year and next year wilk be rough as well.

 

[alexbond45]

Brother, we've got Georgia right where we want em

PREPARE THE BOOT

 

[chuck0303]

I really believe we can be a much improved team in 4 weeks. Not sure how much win/loss effect but to be able to compete with last 5 games will show us a lot.

Yeah, I think you're right. I don't expect we will have 8 turnovers again this season. It's probably going to be bloody with GA, Bama, & Auburn, we may be punting a lot, but I would expect the turnovers to be much. much less.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

When a very good VFL player states that there only 3-4 SEC players on both sides of the ball, we're going to need some Devine intervention to win 4 or 5 games.
Without intervention 3 wins may be the ceiling, but I hope we don't end up setting another low point in Vol history by going 3-9
God forbid

Dan Devine? I think he's out of coaching.

 

[nomads-11]

Scoring in the 20s against your equals or betters (the higher the better). Honest points, not garbage points. Tells me you're limiting your mistakes, gaining yards on the ground and through the air. Scoring against those teams that matter will show me improvement.