Tennessee can win the SEC East in 2018

#77
#77
Tennessee has 10 or 11 Win Talent but Butch was a 6 Win Level Coach- Coach Pruitt should change that and Winning the East this Fall is a realistic Expectation
 
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#78
#78
A lot of people underestimate how bad the culture and previous coaching staff is. This team has talent. If Pruitt can get the culture turned around and get the players conditioned then who knows what will happen. However this stuff doesn’t usually happen in year 1. Give it a couple years. Don’t bash OP though, I mean a team that didn’t even win their conference or division are natitonal champions. College football is weird.
 
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#79
#79
We just don't have the talent right now. Especially not at critical positions like CB and Oline.

Qb- C
RB- B
WR-C
OL- F
DL-C+
LB-C+ with Kirkland
CB-F
Safeties-B- with TK

That just isn't true. On 247 alone over a third of our scholarship players are 4* or 5*. If you combine the ones who were 3* on 247 but were 4* on either Rivals or ESPN it's very close to half. There's 30 on 247 alone then throw in the 3* guys who were 4* on atleast one of the others it's over 40. Those aren't the star rating's of a team that has no talent.The last 4 recruiting classes, not counting the current one only 3 teams on next year's schedule had a higher 4 year recruiting ranking. Ala, AU and GA. That includes Florida who we had a higher 4 year average than. That's 2 different valid arguments against the having no talent.We have 2 *4 QB's and one was the #1 DT QB in his class. Our OLine has 5 guys who were 4* or 5* players.Our LB's had 5 guys who were 4* and above including our leading tackler Bituli and Sapp who was another one of our leading tacklers. Including Kirkland that's 3 *4 LB's alone.Our DLine has Johnson and Tuttle who were 4* as were Taylor, Kongbo,Phillips, Crosby just on 247 alone. Our CB's have 4 *4 just on 247 and 3 *4 or *5 at safety.WR has a couple highly rated guys and Brandon Johnson was our best WR last year and was a *3. We definitely need to upgrade at WR, especially depth and playmakers. Our OLine has had injury and depth problems. Trey was a *5, Ryan Johnson a 4*, Richmond 4* so we definitely have to make numerous upgrades there. Those numbers don't lie and point to coaching and inability to develop players as the much bigger issue. No we don't have enough Championship type players or depth yet but we have more talent than 9 of our 12 opponent's next year. Then add to that what players we get in this class. The cupboard is far from empty but still got a little ways to go to compete for Championships. I'm betting this staff proves we have more than enough talent to get atleast 7 or 8 wins this year. Also betting we find out early on the players are getting a whole new different level type of coaching. The SEC is no longer the best top to bottom conference in football right now. Because of that We should not finish below 3 this year in the East.I just continue to see the no talent on the roster debate and the recruiting numbers and rankings 100% disprove that. It's not based off opinion but factual numbers.When 40+ of our returning roster were 4* or 5* on atleast one of the 3 services it completely backs up the argument against there being no talent on this roster. There is nothing to back up the argument of not having talent. Not enough depth and needing more championship type players at a few positions is a completely different story. Those numbers also completely validate that as well.
 
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#80
#80
As fun as that night and the shell shocked looks afterwards were. This isnt even close to the same thing.

For one, Auburn, Bama, Georgia and most of the rest of the SEC aren’t Hillary Clinton. They are going to be fierce and ready.

Not so sure about that. Top to bottom the SEC was not the best conference. The lack of overall ranked teams, the horrible bowl showing's outside of Ala/GA and a quarter of the SEC has a new HC. Even more if you combine the last 2 season's. It will be a few yrs before the SEC gets back to being more than just a top heavy conference. It's been a couple year trend not just this year.
 
#81
#81
That just isn't true. On 247 alone over a third of our scholarship players are 4* or 5*. If you combine the ones who were 3* on 247 but were 4* on either Rivals or ESPN it's very close to half. There's 30 on 247 alone then throw in the 3* guys who were 4* on atleast one of the others it's over 40. Those aren't the star rating's of a team that has no talent.The last 4 recruiting classes, not counting the current one only 3 teams on next year's schedule had a higher 4 year recruiting ranking. Ala, AU and GA. That includes Florida who we had a higher 4 year average than. That's 2 different valid arguments against the having no talent.We have 2 *4 QB's and one was the #1 DT QB in his class. Our OLine has 5 guys who were 4* or 5* players.Our LB's had 5 guys who were 4* and above including our leading tackler Bituli and Sapp who was another one of our leading tacklers. Including Kirkland that's 3 *4 LB's alone.Our DLine has Johnson and Tuttle who were 4* as were Taylor, Kongbo,Phillips, Crosby just on 247 alone. Our CB's have 4 *4 just on 247 and 3 *4 or *5 at safety.WR has a couple highly rated guys and Brandon Johnson was our best WR last year and was a *3. We definitely need to upgrade at WR, especially depth and playmakers. Our OLine has had injury and depth problems. Trey was a *5, Ryan Johnson a 4*, Richmond 4* so we definitely have to make numerous upgrades there. Those numbers don't lie and point to coaching and inability to develop players as the much bigger issue. No we don't have enough Championship type players or depth yet but we have more talent than 9 of our 12 opponent's next year. Then add to that what players we get in this class. The cupboard is far from empty but still got a little ways to go to compete for Championships. I'm betting this staff proves we have more than enough talent to get atleast 7 or 8 wins this year. Also betting we find out early on the players are getting a whole new different level type of coaching. The SEC is no longer the best top to bottom conference in football right now. Because of that We should not finish below 3 this year in the East.I just continue to see the no talent on the roster debate and the recruiting numbers and rankings 100% disprove that. It's not based off opinion but factual numbers.When 40+ of our returning roster were 4* or 5* on atleast one of the 3 services it completely backs up the argument against there being no talent on this roster. There is nothing to back up the argument of not having talent. Not enough depth and needing more championship type players at a few positions is a completely different story. Those numbers also completely validate that as well.

100% agree.. I kept seeing these no talent posts and thought maybe I was mistaken on the top five classes that ol' field goal jones had gotten the last 4 years.
 
#83
#83
So your first thought is going to be to call me an idiot, so let me clarify. I am not saying UT "will" win the east, and I'm not even saying there is a great probability that they will. I am saying they "can" win the east. Lets break down the division by team:

- Florida: Tennessee broke the streak in 2016 and in 2017 1 play made the difference in possibly winning. 1 play where Florida committed multiple fouls that were not called. Let me re-state this; the WORST UT TEAM EVER could have beat florida last year if not for 1 play. Yes I know they have a new coach, but I don't expect Mullen to have the success in year 1 that he had at MSST after several years. And lets remember he was not their first choice so the fan base will turn on him quickly if things don't start great. The type of player that chooses UF (entitled) is not the same personality who chooses MSST (something to prove) and I don't think he has the personality to handle them.

- Georgia: When I look at Kirby Smart I see a coach like Phil Fulmer; a good coach who will succeed on how good a staff he has. Georgia was very lucky this year, they only had 1 starter injured (Eason) and had a very capable backup, and in that offense until the last game he really was a game manager. Their 2 graduating RB's carried the load. Auburn showed the blueprint to beat them, but we all know it's tough to beat the same team twice in a season. Georgia loses 31 seniors plus any juniors who go to the NFL. Yes they have a good class coming in but this could certainly be a rebuilding year for them. Georgia ran over the worst SEC East in history; I don't expect that will continue.

- South Carolina: I think Muschamp has learned a lot from his time at Florida, but the only reason he won over UT last year is because he had Butch's number. 15-9, does that really sound like a juggernaut? Tennessee still has more talent than SCAR, and they barely won last year. Beating SCAR gave Tennessee a resurgence a few years ago and can do so again in 2018.

- Mizzou: I don't really know what to make of Mizzou. If you look at talent they simply don't have the atheletes to hang with UT or Georgia or Florida. But they did last year beating UT and UF and hanging with UGA. Their players fit their mold much like GT has players that fit what they do even if they aren' 5 stars. Mizzou loses Heupel and his high powered offense and with the talent differential, UT should win this game most of the time.

- Kentucky: Once again UT should always out-talent the cats. I don't make much of Mark Stoops, he is a decent coach but I don't think he will out-scheme Pruitt. This is a game the players should be up for and I expect big things.

- Vandy: This may be the biggest shocker of all. Vandy and UT battled for worst in the East last year, and vandy looked head-and-shoulders above the Vols. Yes, there was an interim coach involved but the year prior Tennessee was embarrassed by vandy and you can't blame that on an interim. Injuries and this game being the end of the season have been contributors to the last 2 losses, but simply put, for Tennessee to get where they want to get they have to consistently win this game.

- BONUS - Auburn: Last time Gus got a big contract extension was after the 2013 BCS loss. HE followed that with a 8-5 season. He got a big contract after the bama win and proceeded to overlook your 2017 National Champion UCF Knights in the peach bowl. Auburn is certainly the more talented team right now but how motivated is Gus? He is fat and happy and would be easy to overlook UT.

Simply put, there is a path to success in 2018. The SEC East was bad last year and the West really wasn't all that much better. I'm not posting this to say I think Pruitt will be the 2nd coming of Neyland but I am saying I think this team is a better team than 4-8 and they have a chance to prove it.

That's pretty much how I see it too. It's also why I've been demanding of JP in year one. There are 8 wins on the schedule next year. Win at SCjr and we can make 9. Bowl win makes 10 in year 1!! Now do I think that happens? Ask me again after the Florida game, should be the best litmus test for 2018.
 
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#84
#84
So your first thought is going to be to call me an idiot, so let me clarify. I am not saying UT "will" win the east, and I'm not even saying there is a great probability that they will. I am saying they "can" win the east. Lets break down the division by team:

- Florida: Tennessee broke the streak in 2016 and in 2017 1 play made the difference in possibly winning. 1 play where Florida committed multiple fouls that were not called. Let me re-state this; the WORST UT TEAM EVER could have beat florida last year if not for 1 play. Yes I know they have a new coach, but I don't expect Mullen to have the success in year 1 that he had at MSST after several years. And lets remember he was not their first choice so the fan base will turn on him quickly if things don't start great. The type of player that chooses UF (entitled) is not the same personality who chooses MSST (something to prove) and I don't think he has the personality to handle them.

- Georgia: When I look at Kirby Smart I see a coach like Phil Fulmer; a good coach who will succeed on how good a staff he has. Georgia was very lucky this year, they only had 1 starter injured (Eason) and had a very capable backup, and in that offense until the last game he really was a game manager. Their 2 graduating RB's carried the load. Auburn showed the blueprint to beat them, but we all know it's tough to beat the same team twice in a season. Georgia loses 31 seniors plus any juniors who go to the NFL. Yes they have a good class coming in but this could certainly be a rebuilding year for them. Georgia ran over the worst SEC East in history; I don't expect that will continue.

- South Carolina: I think Muschamp has learned a lot from his time at Florida, but the only reason he won over UT last year is because he had Butch's number. 15-9, does that really sound like a juggernaut? Tennessee still has more talent than SCAR, and they barely won last year. Beating SCAR gave Tennessee a resurgence a few years ago and can do so again in 2018.

- Mizzou: I don't really know what to make of Mizzou. If you look at talent they simply don't have the atheletes to hang with UT or Georgia or Florida. But they did last year beating UT and UF and hanging with UGA. Their players fit their mold much like GT has players that fit what they do even if they aren' 5 stars. Mizzou loses Heupel and his high powered offense and with the talent differential, UT should win this game most of the time.

- Kentucky: Once again UT should always out-talent the cats. I don't make much of Mark Stoops, he is a decent coach but I don't think he will out-scheme Pruitt. This is a game the players should be up for and I expect big things.

- Vandy: This may be the biggest shocker of all. Vandy and UT battled for worst in the East last year, and vandy looked head-and-shoulders above the Vols. Yes, there was an interim coach involved but the year prior Tennessee was embarrassed by vandy and you can't blame that on an interim. Injuries and this game being the end of the season have been contributors to the last 2 losses, but simply put, for Tennessee to get where they want to get they have to consistently win this game.

- BONUS - Auburn: Last time Gus got a big contract extension was after the 2013 BCS loss. HE followed that with a 8-5 season. He got a big contract after the bama win and proceeded to overlook your 2017 National Champion UCF Knights in the peach bowl. Auburn is certainly the more talented team right now but how motivated is Gus? He is fat and happy and would be easy to overlook UT.

Simply put, there is a path to success in 2018. The SEC East was bad last year and the West really wasn't all that much better. I'm not posting this to say I think Pruitt will be the 2nd coming of Neyland but I am saying I think this team is a better team than 4-8 and they have a chance to prove it.

I agree that our SEC record last year was everything that could go wrong in games we could have won did. If things had gone our way we could have been 6-2, 5-3 in conference, the only 2 games we were out of played for the NC

UF, Mullen doesn't have a TE to play QB.

Georgia loses alot, but lets get away from losing 31 sr, counting 15-16 walkon sr who never played a snap as hurting them is a stretch.

USC improved more than anyone last year, won't be a cakewalk for anyone on their schedule

UK is UK, hoping they get to a bowl

Missouri will have the top qb in the East

Vandy is still Vandy.

UT, yes I believe our roster is low on talent, upper classmen are not going to suddenly become great with 1 year of better coaching, in fact the sr class may not buy into hard work after 3 years of country club football.

But, luckily, no one's roster is bursting at the seams with talent, other than maybe Georgia and we aren't 3-4 years behind. So there is a shot to win the East but we won't be pre season favorites.
 
#85
#85
Saban won 7 games his first season so I think it is reasonable to expect Pruitt to win a championship his first year with this talent.
 
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#86
#86
Time will prove that the talent was there, the scheme and inept player development were not. I don’t think we will win the East by any means, and neither did the OP say he did. I think 8-4 is a realistic and fair goal however.

Talent is about the same as last year. QB's have at least some starts under their belt albeit with less than average results. Chandler is a good RB different from jK but think he will be better. This was not a 4-8 team the negativity just built on it's self and became a dumpster fire. New coaching new O scheme may fit better with our O line skill set. I see 8-4 as ceiling and 6-6 as the bottom line. People were expecting to win the East last year at this time but an inordinate amount of injuries and bad attitudes coaches/players de-railed this team . We shall see if we can go from 20 injuries to 1 like Georgia.
 
#87
#87
Gawd....the only way UT wins the east is if it becomes a three team division with only us, UK and Vandy. Even then I'd not put money on UT next year. We are 2-3 years, at least, from contending in the east. Hell, I just hope for 6 wins and a bowl game next year. This roster just isn't getting us more than 7 wins next year and that number is me dreaming big. Way too many deficiencies and holes for us to be thinking beyond recruiting and 6 wins.

Every year it's the same fantasy. Then the fall arrives and reality sets in.
 
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#88
#88
We just don't have the talent right now. Especially not at critical positions like CB and Oline.

Qb- C
RB- B
WR-C
OL- F
DL-C+
LB-C+ with Kirkland
CB-F
Safeties-B- with TK

I don't think safety is an optimal position for TK. I think he would be utilized better at OLB
 
#89
#89
Talent is about the same as last year. QB's have at least some starts under their belt albeit with less than average results. Chandler is a good RB different from jK but think he will be better. This was not a 4-8 team the negativity just built on it's self and became a dumpster fire. New coaching new O scheme may fit better with our O line skill set. I see 8-4 as ceiling and 6-6 as the bottom line. People were expecting to win the East last year at this time but an inordinate amount of injuries and bad attitudes coaches/players de-railed this team . We shall see if we can go from 20 injuries to 1 like Georgia.

Injuries are probably the biggest factor. How in the world can a team like Georgia only have ONE starter injured the entire season?! And Fromm turned out to be just as good, if not better than Eason anyway. Unbelievable.
 
#90
#90
Georgia then everyone else. Our chances for winning the east are slim to none. Will be happy with 7 wins with this brutal schedule. Not to mention with uga, I think Swift is better than either Chubb or Michel.

A team that loses 31 seniors and a few juniors sprinkled to the NFL, has to affect Georgia.
That would be depth, sure they have starters that are lights out, but depth can catch up with you, via injuries and 4th quarter.
I feel GA will take a small step back next year, they can probably still win the East, but not as dominant as they did this year.
 
#92
#92
Also, I don’t think UT was as bad as their record was. That team was badly coached and gave up after losing to Florida.
 
#93
#93
Also, I don’t think UT was as bad as their record was. That team was badly coached and gave up after losing to Florida.

They weren't as bad if healthy. The problem is a lot of those injuried guys aren't coming back on the offensive line (3 total). Then you add in the guys going pro or graduating, and you're not left with much.
 
#94
#94
sorry even saying can makes you an idiot. unless UGA totally screwed the pooch AND e have miraculous luck.. not gonna happen. We play Florida, Georgia, auburn, alabama all in a row. Even if we beat UGA there is no way this roster comes out of that better than 2-2. realistic expectation from that stretch and 1-3 and 0-4 should not make anyone feel bad. On the other hand this is UGA's schedule.

Sept. 1 AUSTIN PEAY
Sept. 8 at South Carolina
Sept. 15 MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE
Sept. 22 at Missouri
Sept. 29 TENNESSEE
Oct. 6 VANDERBILT
Oct. 13 at LSU
Oct. 27 Florida (Jacksonville)
Nov. 3 at Kentucky
Nov. 10 AUBURN
Nov. 17 MASSACHUSETTS
Nov. 24 GEORGIA TECH

they have exactly 2 losable SEC games based on what they have coming back LSU and Auburn. anyone not retarded sees them winning every other game on their schedule and most folks only see one possible loss (Auburn). We'd have to beat them, unlikely, and they would have to also lose to either auburn or LSU. Also less tan likely though auburn could make it interesting. Best possible case for UT next year is 10-2 after regular season and that's with all kinds of magic. We will lose to Bama and one other SEC team period. IMO the best possible record we can hope for is 9-3 with losses to bama, uga and auburn. No amount of coaching can get more than 9 wins out of this roster. a realistic best case is 8-4 and that's what i see happening we will likely beat one of the big three and lose one bad game we shoulda won. UT next year is 8-4 I said it i locked it in and the second we lose game 5 I stop posting ever on forums. Even though my brain says 6-7 games tops my heart says this staff cna get us to 8.

Winning the SEC east.. crazy talk and only happens if UGA totally implodes. Not to mention there is this team called Florida. Do not sleep on the sheer amount of talent they have at hand. A bad recruiting class from Florida has to always be parsed against where they came from. California, Florida, Texas and Atalanta are the easiest places to miss on kids because they have so much talent. This is how UCF and FAU can pop up out of nowhere on the map. its why Georgia State a Joke college in any other state will make noise from time to time.

Georgia State (an overgrown community college) thought about getting into football in 2006. this was because some person saw what is. They are at the center of the biggest spot for football talent. Perfectly positioned geographically. They officially started playing football in 2010. They were independent for first 2 years...3rd year CAA 4th year sunbelt. is the sunbelt a hard conference? Nope, but name a team with no history that could get to Div1 (FBS) football in 4 years. They have only had 2 winning season and neither big but thats 2 of 8 years starting from nothing. Doing it with scraps from CC's and the dregs of Atlanta.

No matter how good the recruiting classes of Tennessee get there is a fact that cant be ignored. atlanta hands down had more football talent than any metro area and most states in the country.Atlanta Metros population is = to that of the state of Tennessee. The whole state and concentrated in s smaller area so they play each other. UGa will never be ut of the conversation for best team in country for the same reason UF, FSU and miami will not. There i such a concentration of talent there that its impossible to scout at the bottom end. They are gonna miss flks there because there are so many good players. In Tennessee the problem is even really good players are spread out. They tend to get the opposite, overrated. Look at Georgia, FL, CA, TX there are MULTIPLE high schools ther that put out multiple D1 talents yearly non-stop. here name one school like that. We have many "powerhouse schools" but most of those players don't go on to D1. Regularly. the best schools lets say MBA or Maryville maybe drop one a year. I am talking schools that drop 3-4 a year and multiple in state.

This is not about making folks feel bad or thinking other places are better. Its simple math and demographics. Ut is a strong well positioned program. We offer different things than others do. But not understanding that is how we wend up butthurt. UT had a program and we let it go firing CPF too early and it all fell apart. It was time for him to go, that year, we just did it wrong. Fire him end of season. You know he is gone he knows he is gone but make sure you have an upgrade as a replacement or a least serous interest before pulling the trigger.

We seem to have gotten lucky with Pruitt. Firing CBJ imo was dumb before season was over and U had something better interested. Firing him when we did was stupid and accomplished nothing but make the program look lost. And it was proved out in both cases. We did the Fulmer firing wrong and the Jones firing wrong. We actually almost did CPF right because if a certain person had not left USC for the seahawks that year and every other person on their list said no Kiffin would still be here. His team in Florida FA who lost 3 games this year twice they scored less than 31 points. their worst loss they scored 14. A nobody team in Florida averaged over 30 points a game. THeir worst loss this year a to wisconsin ranked 7 at the time 31-14. FAU is a really big community college. Scott frost is a legend for taking UCF to undefeated against similar schedule ,, but UCF has been on the map awhile. We almost dodged a bullet with Kiffin. We lost there and got shot. This time we dodged another bullet with Pruitt imo because it was almost really bad in this coaching search.

UT fans need to strap in and ride it out. It wont be this year or next but we will be back. Leave twitter alone. Go talk to a Cubs fan, a reds fan ask them how it felt and realize we are better positioned. Stop worrying about what the joneses (saban's) do and enjoy our squad. We ain't Bama and thank god for that.. we are Tennessee.

LSU is quickly becoming a dumpster fire. Coach O will be gone after the 19 season. Dawgs roll at red stick. However, Auburn, UF, UT and at SoCar are definitely loseable games. Based on the schedule I'd imagine UGA will be favored in every reg season game but nobody thought Iowa would beat OSU.
 
#95
#95
They weren't as bad if healthy. The problem is a lot of those injuried guys aren't coming back on the offensive line (3 total). Then you add in the guys going pro or graduating, and you're not left with much.

True, if all starts upfront. If the Oline can’t improve, we are in for a long season. Same with the Dline.
We definitely got a coaching upgrade. That should account for a few wins, maybe even one that we shouldn’t be favored to win.
 
#96
#96
Some here are due for a severe reality check. But it is the offseason so dare to dream!
 
#97
#97
Since we can win the East, that means we can win the SEC. Since we can win the SEC, that means we can make it to the playoffs. Since we can make it to the playoffs, we can win the NC. Since we can win the NC, that means we can go 15-0.

Thanks OP. I needed a boost of confidence.

Let's win them all.
 
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#98
#98
Injuries are probably the biggest factor. How in the world can a team like Georgia only have ONE starter injured the entire season?! And Fromm turned out to be just as good, if not better than Eason anyway. Unbelievable.

In my mind, it was a combination of things. First, S&C was far below what was needed. Butch let the tail wag the dog on that one. Second, for all the talk of 5 star hearts, I don't think we had many of those. This was a soft team mentally and physically. No confidence in butchs talent evaluation and recruiting despite the lofty ratings. The staff and team voiced such a concern about injuries that it became a self fulfilling prophecy. Team got it in their heads that injuries were the focus and they came. I'm also convinced this bunch couldnt tell the difference between being hurt vs being injured. They would not or could not play with some pain. Bumps and bruises are part of the game. Those you can play with. Something like a torn ACL is different although we did have a tough kid play with that one year. Team was fragile and soft and that mindset permeated through the staff and team. Became a mental thing and a crutch. The team is and was a reflection of the head coach so we saw exactly what should have from a butch jones coached team.
 
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Smith/Valentin/Richmond/Ryan Johnson/Tatum is talented in whatever form you put that. I think health/coaching has been the biggest obstacle on the offensive line, not talent.

Our starting OL should be Smith LT, Richmond LG, Locklear C, R. Johnson RG and J. Johnson at RT. Moving Richmond to guard should benefit his play since he has not been able to make it at tackle. Tatum, Niehuis, and Brooks will be backups at tackle spots. Colbert will be a backup at guard. The two freshmen may play or be red shirted depending if CJP can recruit any new JUCOs (e.g. Valintin) for OL. The other question is what is the status of Chance Hall. If healthy he would probably start at RT...but he is questionable and may need further surgery.
 
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