The truth

[JayVols]

If we have any kind of defense this year, we will win some games, and be in all of them. Cincy had a good looking defense last year. Our D sucked at the basics..pursuit and tackling. We couldn't tackle a blocking dummy last year. IF we develop some team speed and up the IQ a little there will be a noticeable improvement. We certainly can't be any worse that last year. I look froward to this year...

Might I add that our defense needs lots of work on setting an edge. We couldn't contain our excitement last year much less All-SEC/All-American RBs and/or QBs.

 

[Big Ugly Vol]

This class was decent, I wanted better just like everybody else. Wait and see how it works out on the field.

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

Keep dreaming.

Posts like these are just as stupid as the sky is falling posts.

You have no idea and just say what you are HOPING will happen.

My negative brethren are simply saying what they BELIEVE will happen.

Same concept, just different views.

Completely unacceptable here at VN for some obviously.

Was this recruiting class the best we could hope for? Probably.

Was it good enough to make us more competitive in the SEC? Not even close on the defensive side.

I am concerned about Jones' inability to close on a single one of those big time signing day targets on the defensive side.

That has to get better by next year.

I am also concerned that we are hinging our defensive improvement in big part on a couple of guys that were fired from Georgia.

I have no idea what kind of coach Jones is going to be in the SEC on game day and neither does anyone else here.

I'll form my own opinions on that when the time comes instead of listening to a bunch of blowhards on here saying he sucks or he is the best ever.

The truth will probably be somewhere in the middle but I am not counting on more than barely being bowl eligible for the foreseeable future. The talent isn't where it needs to be and Jones probably isn't going to be a miracle worker on the sidelines.

 

[Donvolson]

The Vols do not look bad along the line of scrimmage. Need one more LB to have a good LB corp. Secondary has to be better. Place kicking/Punting will hopefully be better. Lacking a few WR's, but have good talent there after adding North. The running game and defense should get the VOLS the best season since 2007, which should not be that hard

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

We should bring in both Crowell and Dyer, with the expectation that the new culture created at Tennessee will support their rehabilitation efforts. CBJ could say "You have an opportunity to be the best backfield in the SEC...or you can destroy your final chance to play in the NFL. Your choice."

I would love to see him get both of those guys on campus under a zero tolerance policy.

We haven't had a true difference maker at RB since Foster and he only showed up against the Vandy's and Kentucky's of the world.

Doubt it happens though as it would be in direct contrast to what Jones has been preaching since day 1.

 

[zreeves]

Mizzou, Vandy, UK, Austin Peay, WKU, USB- There's 6... and if he can't outcoach Franklin... then is there any chance he becomes a winner at UT?

Then he needs to beat someone he isn't supposed to beat. Auburn or USCe seem to be the most likely targets... there's at least one more.

He then needs to win a lower tier bowl game that would likely be against and ACC or mid-major team.... there's 8.


I am NOT saying he will do it. I AM saying that his survival likely depends on him doing it.

ill be honest i wasnt counting both vandy and mizzou... based on last year i assume we would split them and i wasnt counting the bowl since i had us at 5-7

 

[GFieldVolFan]

If we have any kind of defense this year, we will win some games, and be in all of them. Cincy had a good looking defense last year. Our D sucked at the basics..pursuit and tackling. We couldn't tackle a blocking dummy last year. IF we develop some team speed and up the IQ a little there will be a noticeable improvement. We certainly can't be any worse that last year. I look froward to this year...

I agree. We surely cannot be worse than last season. Tackling was an issue. But, you also gotta think about the missed assignments and overall lack of ability to efficiently run a 3-4 defense. Our guys gave up alot of big plays by completely missing their assignments and being in the wrong spots. I can think of many examples on passing situations where two guys covered the same receiver or covered the same zone. Or they just were in the wrong spot all together. On running situations, there were gaping holes and missed assignments. Also, when the running back passed the front seven, we showed the inability to recover and catch them. Our speed and overall agility has to improve in the secondary from top to bottom.

 

[GFieldVolFan]

As far as our recruiting class goes, I think CBJ and the staff did a great job for only having 31 days. Do I wish we would have got Green, Bellamy, and Von Bell? Absolutely. But I also think we got some steals.
Jabo Lee is underrated. If you look at his highlights on youtube, he is EXPLOSIVE. He could potentially play early. It will depend on how quickly he translates to the college game and SEC speed.
Marquez North is only a 4 star. But, he is every defensive coordinator's nightmare when it comes to physique. He is 6'3, 225 pounds, and speed is included. With his physical gifts, he can manhandle CB's and use his speed to outmaneuver LB's.
Josh Dobbs is a FREAK. Unlimited potential. His pocket presence is uncanny. He also shows the ability to scramble and get down before he takes a hit. Look at his videos on hudl.com. He also has an incredible gifted mind. He had a 4.0 GPA and is majoring in an incredibly advanced subject. I am very interested to see if he possibly competes with Peterman and Worely this season. If they redshirt him, his time will be coming sooner rather than later.

 

[iluvsmesumdooley]

Really? You had to respond by poisoning the well BEFORE making a good point or two?

The roster is much better than you seem to believe but Jones' future will not ride on '13 alone. Eight wins is by no stretch out of the question. In fact, if he's the coach to get UT back then 8 wins is the proof. Otherwise plan on going through this same junk again in 3 years.

But I think your point is that trying hard but coming up short regardless of the reason hurts his chances of getting the job done. That is absolutely true. It may be perfectly "reasonable" to say that he did well considering the circumstances. But UT will not be given extra points because he dealt with a tough situation.



IMHO, we will know whether he can coach this fall and the divide is 8 wins in 13 games. That requires him to beat someone we currently do not expect to beat then one more or a bowl opponent. He has to beat all six of the teams UT should beat.

ALOT hinges on this year. He doesn't have to win the East but he needs to be better than expected. I don't see 6-7 wins or less giving him the needed credibility for recruiting. Even if he pulled off a great class next fall then next year looks like a VERY young roster on the lines. So you would have a mediocre '13 season potentially followed by a losing '14 season... and another coach looking for some magic dust to save his job in '15.


I am not "predicting" 8 wins... just saying his survival probably depends on getting that many.

Simply "survival" with 8 wins? Shoot, if a coach like Jones manages to win 8 games with this steamy pile, I would support building a statue for him! I think they're only gonna get 4 wins. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[GFieldVolFan]

Simply "survival" with 8 wins? Shoot, if a coach like Jones manages to win 8 games with this steamy pile, I would support building a statue for him! I think they're only gonna get 4 wins. Hope I'm wrong.

So by 4 wins, I'm guessing Austin Peay, WKU, South Alabama, and Kentucky? I think the opportunities to take down South Carolina, Mizzouri, Auburn, and Vanderbilt are def there. I'm not saying we will win all of these games. But, I do think we will play competitive with a chance to win.

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

We won't really KNOW anything for 3 to 4 years.

Everything else is guessing and uninformed opinions at this point.

Anyone that thought our new coaching staff was going to recruit a great class with only 31 days to work on it is delusional at best.

bUTch simply WILL be here for at least 4 years so you may as well jump on the bandwagon and support him because nothing is going to change that with the financial mess we're in.

VFL...GBO!!!

 

[Vol logic]

Vandy lost a lot and we play them at home, feel good about that. Missouri as well should be a game where our d doesn't make same chumps look like heisman candidates. 6-6 boys and a return to Nashville is about as optimistic as I can be after recent developments. I sincerely hope I am wrong and we win 8.

 

[gnm53108]

We won't really KNOW anything for 3 to 4 years.

Everything else is guessing and uninformed opinions at this point.

Anyone that thought our new coaching staff was going to recruit a great class with only 31 days to work on it is delusional at best.

bUTch simply WILL be here for at least 4 years so you may as well jump on the bandwagon and support him because nothing is going to change that with the financial mess we're in.

VFL...GBO!!!

IMO coach Jones thought he could...came very close to a elite class. Still got a good one tho.

Is our new coach "delusional"?

 

[Webbvol32]

A little optimism doesn't hurt, folks on here go way overboard though, in both directions. I'd say the ceiling is 7 wins next year, I'm hoping for 6-6 though, a bowl game would do the program a lot of good(as well as generate some revenue). It's hard to judge how good our competition wil be, it will be equally difficult to judge how this team is going to respond over the spring and summer. With that in mind and considering that Oregon is on the schedule in ooc, pulling 6 wins might be a tough task but, if we knock off mizzou like we should have last year and finish November strong again we should be playing another game a few days after Christmas. I think that ought to be the bar we set our expectations on this year as fans; being bowl eligible and competeing well, it's realistic and if we do better than that it's just a happy bonus.

FREAK THAT! I will NEVER,EVER,EVER predict,expect,or believe our beloved Vols will lose ONE GAME! Much less 6 or 7! Has NOONE watched the freaking games over the past 3 years? We were totally OUTCOACHED! We should`ve won 9 to 11 in 2012! Changing a 20th ranked D! Brilliant,Dools! I`m so thankful for Coach Chaney! Dools would`ve lost to KY! Can NOONE REALize the difference coaching makes? Just look at Candy! They took 1 and 2 star players and annihilated our 3,4,&5 star team! We have an extremely talented roster. I`ve been watching UT football my whole life. This is the most excited I`ve been since the derailed "Lane-Train". Butch understands the players mentality. I do not expect or believe we will implode in 5 games this season. I fully REALize how tough are schedule is. Do YOU REALize how tough it is to come into Neyland and beat a WELL-COACHED,TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER TEAM! damn! I feel like freakin Hitler in the Fuhrerbunker,.circa Apr 45! If you don`t know what the hell I mean,call dumbazz Dools! He knows all about military history. Too bad he didn`t apply ANY of Sun Tzu or Clausewitz`s maxims,much less our beloved General Neyland! We can`t even kick a freakin PAT with that idiot in command! He is out of Tennessee! I will be REAListic and expect to whip everybody`s azz untill I am proved wrong! I understand leadership, strategy,tactics,and winning. SO DOES BUTCH! Take it from Webbvol,we have a young Robert E. Lee coaching us now. I`ve watched Coach Jones` games for years. I love college football. I know what the freak I`m talking about. My uncle has been an excellent football and baseball coach my entire life. My dad was the biggest Vol fan in Jamestown. My job is to carry on that legacy......GO VOLS!
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[Sheath Huler]

"They only had a month!"

 

[gnm53108]

FREAK THAT! I will NEVER,EVER,EVER predict,expect,or believe our beloved Vols will lose ONE GAME! Much less 6 or 7! Has NOONE watched the freaking games over the past 3 years? We were totally OUTCOACHED! We should`ve won 9 to 11 in 2012! Changing a 20th ranked D! Brilliant,Dools! I`m so thankful for Coach Chaney! Dools would`ve lost to KY! Can NOONE REALize the difference coaching makes? Just look at Candy! They took 1 and 2 star players and annihilated our 3,4,&5 star team! We have an extremely talented roster. I`ve been watching UT football my whole life. This is the most excited I`ve been since the derailed "Lane-Train". Butch understands the players mentality. I do not expect or believe we will implode in 5 games this season. I fully REALize how tough are schedule is. Do YOU REALize how tough it is to come into Neyland and beat a WELL-COACHED,TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER TEAM! damn! I feel like freakin Hitler in the Fuhrerbunker,.circa Apr 45! If you don`t know what the hell I mean,call dumbazz Dools! He knows all about military history. Too bad he didn`t apply ANY of Sun Tzu or Clausewitz`s maxims,much less our beloved General Neyland! We can`t even kick a freakin PAT with that idiot in command! He is out of Tennessee! I will be REAListic and expect to whip everybody`s azz untill I am proved wrong! I understand leadership, strategy,tactics,and winning. SO DOES BUTCH! Take it from Webbvol,we have a young Robert E. Lee coaching us now. I`ve watched Coach Jones` games for years. I love college football. I know what the freak I`m talking about. My uncle has been an excellent football and baseball coach my entire life. My dad was the biggest Vol fan in Jamestown. My job is to carry on that legacy......GO VOLS!
Posted via VolNation Mobile

You tell em webb.

:rock:

 

[Webbvol32]

A little optimism doesn't hurt, folks on here go way overboard though, in both directions. I'd say the ceiling is 7 wins next year, I'm hoping for 6-6 though, a bowl game would do the program a lot of good(as well as generate some revenue). It's hard to judge how good our competition wil be, it will be equally difficult to judge how this team is going to respond over the spring and summer. With that in mind and considering that Oregon is on the schedule in ooc, pulling 6 wins might be a tough task but, if we knock off mizzou like we should have last year and finish November strong again we should be playing another game a few days after Christmas. I think that ought to be the bar we set our expectations on this year as fans; being bowl eligible and competeing well, it's realistic and if we do better than that it's just a happy bonus.

Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[Pacer92]

FREAK THAT! I will NEVER,EVER,EVER predict,expect,or believe our beloved Vols will lose ONE GAME! Much less 6 or 7! Has NOONE watched the freaking games over the past 3 years? We were totally OUTCOACHED! We should`ve won 9 to 11 in 2012! Changing a 20th ranked D! Brilliant,Dools! I`m so thankful for Coach Chaney! Dools would`ve lost to KY! Can NOONE REALize the difference coaching makes? Just look at Candy! They took 1 and 2 star players and annihilated our 3,4,&5 star team! We have an extremely talented roster. I`ve been watching UT football my whole life. This is the most excited I`ve been since the derailed "Lane-Train". Butch understands the players mentality. I do not expect or believe we will implode in 5 games this season. I fully REALize how tough are schedule is. Do YOU REALize how tough it is to come into Neyland and beat a WELL-COACHED,TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER TEAM! damn! I feel like freakin Hitler in the Fuhrerbunker,.circa Apr 45! If you don`t know what the hell I mean,call dumbazz Dools! He knows all about military history. Too bad he didn`t apply ANY of Sun Tzu or Clausewitz`s maxims,much less our beloved General Neyland! We can`t even kick a freakin PAT with that idiot in command! He is out of Tennessee! I will be REAListic and expect to whip everybody`s azz untill I am proved wrong! I understand leadership, strategy,tactics,and winning. SO DOES BUTCH! Take it from Webbvol,we have a young Robert E. Lee coaching us now. I`ve watched Coach Jones` games for years. I love college football. I know what the freak I`m talking about. My uncle has been an excellent football and baseball coach my entire life. My dad was the biggest Vol fan in Jamestown. My job is to carry on that legacy......GO VOLS!
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Being a fan of both the Vols and history...I liked this post!

 

[k-town_king]

We won't really KNOW anything for 3 to 4 years.

Everything else is guessing and uninformed opinions at this point.

Anyone that thought our new coaching staff was going to recruit a great class with only 31 days to work on it is delusional at best.

bUTch simply WILL be here for at least 4 years so you may as well jump on the bandwagon and support him because nothing is going to change that with the financial mess we're in.

VFL...GBO!!!

You said the same things about Dooley till the day he was fired. But I think BJ is a good coach and will get it done unlike that loser Dooley. But if he doesn't he will get three years like DD. And we will know how he is going to do next year. He gets a pass this year since Dooley effed us so bad.