Spring games

[Volsfaninva917]

Florida just canceled their spring game, don't be shocked if Tennessee follows soon. Florida is still having spring practice, just no spring game that fans can actually attend which is what I think UT ultimately does

 

[Cosmo]

This team needs as many snaps as possible this spring. I really hope they get to have the game (even if we're not invited)...

 

[Volsfaninva917]

This team needs as many snaps as possible this spring. I really hope they get to have the game (even if we're not invited)...

They'll have spring practice, just no spring game. Spring games are really just for fans anyways, the coaches don't really like them

 

[87&91ALUM]

With the new staff coming in and importance of buy in, this will be a missed opportunity. I would plan an on-line spring "fling" to give coaches and players a chance to connect with fans. That is entirely possible. Let fans register for a "fan pack" like the old days with "T" sticker for the car, a nice fold out schedule, roster, and other stuff. Fans can order a VIP pack for say $20 plus postage and get a signed 2021 preview publication. Fans tune in to an internet stream or SECN show that lasts a couple hours and really gives the coaches a chance to make their pitch to fans. The actual spring game is one of those things you hold your breath that no one gets seriously injured. GO Vols! VFL. Ready to rock Neyland and win a lot of games. Hopefully another bowl game in a warm, sunny, fun for New Years, kinda place.

 

[87&91ALUM]

They'll have spring practice, just no spring game. Spring games are really just for fans anyways, the coaches don't really like them

Yeah, fans aren't very important, just a boat anchor for the coach.....good grief!

 

[IndianaVol]

With the new staff coming in and importance of buy in, this will be a missed opportunity. I would plan an on-line spring "fling" to give coaches and players a chance to connect with fans. That is entirely possible. Let fans register for a "fan pack" like the old days with "T" sticker for the car, a nice fold out schedule, roster, and other stuff. Fans can order a VIP pack for say $20 plus postage and get a signed 2021 preview publication. Fans tune in to an internet stream or SECN show that lasts a couple hours and really gives the coaches a chance to make their pitch to fans. The actual spring game is one of those things you hold your breath that no one gets seriously injured. GO Vols! VFL. Ready to rock Neyland and win a lot of games. Hopefully another bowl game in a warm, sunny, fun for New Years, kinda place.

This is a GREAT idea !!!
Get rid of the in-person spring "game", especially if the crowd limits are still in place, and go to your online format for sure.

Not only does it get fans engaged with players and coaches in a more wide-spread manner, but also brings in a little more revenue as I feel a lot more would spend the 20 to 30 bucks for the "fan pack" with exclusive login to the session than the gas money, ticket (although a few times it has been 'free' admission), parking, hotel if needed, meals, etc.

 

[LittleVol]

Florida just canceled their spring game, don't be shocked if Tennessee follows soon

Vaccine is available now.
Theses kids should be good to go.

 

[Volsfaninva917]

Vaccine is available now.
Theses kids should be good to go.

1. The Vaccine is available but not to all yet
2. They'll still have spring practice
3. I don't think they'll have an actual game that fans can attend

 

[BruisedOrange]

With the new staff coming in and importance of buy in, this will be a missed opportunity. I would plan an on-line spring "fling" to give coaches and players a chance to connect with fans. That is entirely possible. Let fans register for a "fan pack" like the old days with "T" sticker for the car, a nice fold out schedule, roster, and other stuff. Fans can order a VIP pack for say $20 plus postage and get a signed 2021 preview publication. Fans tune in to an internet stream or SECN show that lasts a couple hours and really gives the coaches a chance to make their pitch to fans. The actual spring game is one of those things you hold your breath that no one gets seriously injured. GO Vols! VFL. Ready to rock Neyland and win a lot of games. Hopefully another bowl game in a warm, sunny, fun for New Years, kinda place.

That would be the "Sanctions City Bowl presented by Doghouse R Us" where the climate is as warm as you can set it.

Any fan buy-in events (which are certainly needed) would have to be virtual (which would diminish the effectiveness tremendously). Maybe the better read of Vol Nation will be to earn our interest and enthusiasm on the playing field the first year.

I do think they could do some edu-tainment videos out of spring practice, though, showing Vols running the new offense and explaining how it works and what fans should be looking for. Guiding fans' expectations is PR Job #1 this year!

 

[Volsfaninva917]

Yeah, fans aren't very important, just a boat anchor for the coach.....good grief!

There has been talk in the past about doing away with spring games, I think this has just provided an opportunity to make that happen.

 

[VFLCodyGBO]

In a digital world, have the game, stream it somewhere, and give the fans something to watch. Not sure why they’d scrap it all together. Even if it’s played on the practice fields.

 

[Jaws]

Florida just canceled their spring game, don't be shocked if Tennessee follows soon. Florida is still having spring practice, just no spring game that fans can actually attend which is what I think UT ultimately does

I think Florida’s spring game has been modified from “cancelled” to Florida will have “an event on the SEC Network,” per the UF AD Scott Stricklin. I’m not sure if that means the SEC Network will basically just broadcast a scrimmage with no fans or some sort of other broadcast of practice activities.

 

[Volsfaninva917]

I think Florida’s spring game has been modified from “cancelled” to Florida will have “an event on the SEC Network,” per the UF AD Scott Stricklin. I’m not sure if that means the SEC Network will basically just broadcast a scrimmage with no fans or some sort of other broadcast of practice activities.

Probably just some kind of "virtual" event? I can't get into the whole virtual deal

 

[GAVol]

Vaccine is available now.
Theses kids should be good to go.

None of that is in dispute, although it remains to be seen how fast the vaccine gets to those under 65. I think most schools will have Spring practice and just not have fans for the Spring game which probably makes sense. It's not like Spring games are a moneymaker anyway.

 

[GAVol]

Probably just some kind of "virtual" event? I can't get into the whole virtual deal

Do you watch games on TV?

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Do you watch games on TV?

LMAO!

 

[IndianaVol]

Probably just some kind of "virtual" event? I can't get into the whole virtual deal

Do you watch games on TV?

Just like on a game day, I would want a good announcer and support people (interviewers, sideline people, analysts, etc.) to cover the experience.
Spring game has always been different than a regular game due to the rules different coaches implement, schemes lined up, scoring format, officiating format, personnel selections, etc.
So a production team to help the viewer guide through all of the things that are different and plus talk up different players and coaches would be a must.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Wait.

Just because Florida does something, why should we assume Tennessee would do the same?

I don't get it, man. Seems to me, 13 of the 14 programs in the SEC haven't said a thing about cancelling spring games, but we're expected to follow the lead of the 1 that did?

Totally don't get it.

 

[BruisedOrange]

Virtual sucks, but there are some creative things that could be done with it...

"Only $50 to get your avatar signed by the entire team!"

(write small, guys)

 

[preacherwebb]

1. The Vaccine is available but not to all yet
2. They'll still have spring practice
3. I don't think they'll have an actual game that fans can attend

4. They need to have a game that the players play in ... reps (and not the mental butch jones kind either)

 

[Otis1105]

You get less reps in a spring game than you do in a normal spring practice scrimmage. Plus, because spring is such a “put on a show” event you end up giving more reps to your 3rd string 4-5 star freshman QB than is merited and you end up throwing the ball more just to make the fans happy! It may effect the players who put in a lot of work that isn’t fun at all and one of the 7 saturdays a year they get to play In front of family and fans is now taken away. That’s the downside to not having a spring game!

 

[give_him 6]

Not a fan of the spring game. I'd rather the players get meaningful reps in a practice instead. Its awful to watch anyway.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

4. They need to have a game that the players play in ... reps (and not the mental butch jones kind either)

Yes, this.

I mean, someone said up above that coaches don't really like spring ball games. But it was the coaches who invented them. And the purpose they serve remains valid to this day: culminating event of spring practice, chance for players to put into practice in game-like conditions all the techniques they've been working on for a month, and even more importantly a chance for the offensive and defensive squads to get game-speed practice at teamwork against live competition.

I just don't see coaches suddenly saying, hey, we never liked this, we always just did this for the fans. Because they didn't. They did it for the team.

I'd think they still would. Maybe they'd want to dial down the commercialism if they could. But they'd keep the game. Wouldn't they?

Only caveat to all that is: injuries ... but then, injuries are a risk any time you go man-on-man at full speed, whether its a game or line drills or 1-v-1s.

US Army has a catch phrase: train the way you'll fight. It's super important for success. And I'd think it's just as valid in football as in the military.

 

[preacherwebb]

Yes, this.

I mean, someone said up above that coaches don't really like spring ball games. But it was the coaches who invented them. And the purpose they serve remains valid to this day: culminating event of spring practice, chance for players to put into practice in game-like conditions all the techniques they've been working on for a month, and even more importantly a chance for the offensive and defensive squads to get game-speed practice at teamwork against live competition.

I just don't see coaches suddenly saying, hey, we never liked this, we always just did this for the fans. Because they didn't. They did it for the team.

I'd think they still would. Maybe they'd want to dial down the commercialism if they could. But they'd keep the game. Wouldn't they?

Only caveat to all that is: injuries ... but then, injuries are a risk any time you go man-on-man at full speed, whether its a game or line drills 1-v-1s.

US Army has a catch phrase: train the way you'll fight. It's super important for success. And I'd think it's just as valid in football as in the military.

Injuries ... just don't tackle to the ground against each other ... not a guarantee, but should help

 

[BruisedOrange]

The state of Florida has the least limiting crowd rules in the country. If the Super Bowl is eventually shown to have not been a superspreader, there would have to be another reason for Florida not having a fan-participating event.
If that proves to be what happens.

I think the "Pigskin Recycling" competition (pass from the 20 yard line into* a garbage can in the corner of the end zone) remains an all-time fan favorite!

* If a Florida qb hits the lip of the garbage can, and the ball then bounces to the turf...
it counts. At least in Neyland.