The way I see things, state of the team.

#1
stephenk24

stephenk24

Back after a long nap
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#1
After a depressing month or so of sports with a terrible start for the Pack and the dodgers not getting to the playoffs I thought I had better let off some steam about the Vols who haven't had the best of first halves to the season.

The good:

Our offence, it's been great. I have really enjoyed watching us light up good teams like Miss State, South Car and Georgia.

Fan passion, while I sit here watching the Miami U game, seeing how few fans are in the stands makes me appreciate how amazing we are as a fan base. It's been a tough time but Neyland is still pretty packed every week. Credit to you guys who have the chance to support the team at the stadium and take it.

Patterson, what a stud, he is so explosive and I really enjoy watching when he has the ball in his hands.

Being able to see every game for the first time, it's costing me a bomb to pay for espn college pass but it has been so worth it to see every game so far. Not bad quality either.

Showing my pride for the team at Dublin for the Notre Dame Navy game earlier this year. Sure I got abused by ND fans but I was in full orange and it was an awesome experience to see college ball live and show the many fans who made the trip from the us that VFL's exist outside of the amazing state that is Tennessee.

The bad:

Our D, how shocking... Where is Malik Jackson when you need him.

The coaching, while I think Dooley has done a pretty decent job by standing up very well to so many tough teams it just isn't quite what I expected. We give up way to many points because we leave receivers wide open on a regular basis.

The running game, while its better than last year, lane and Neal just aren't Barry Sanders. :)

Bray laying eggs on occasion.

The poor fan who passed away during the Nc State game. RIP.

Dooley criticism. I would prefer Gruden obviously, but, I really like Dooley and I don't think everyone really sees the big picture while slagging him off. Everyone has their own thoughts, which is fine, but I think some are too harsh on him as a whole. Look at who we have played....

I see us going 6-6, scraping a bowl and losing in it. I a, not sure which Bowl we would make, but would it likely be Music city if that is our record?

I have enjoyed the season so far, even though it has been a tad depressing at times *cough* *Alabama game*. What do you guys think of my outlook?

Bring on Troy and the rest of the year! GBO!

Stay classy Tennessee and don't be too harsh when criticising my views.... :thumbsup:
 
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#2
#2
For being so far away, I think it is a very sane and objective analysis. As some say, stepping WAAAAY back and looking a something from a distance clears things up. Some of the whiners and screamers have to go to work, listen to the obnoxious bammers or boodawgs, hear the constant yammering of the media, and, of course, here on VN. Get ready for the deluge of "you're accepting mediocrity", "sunshine pumper", yadda yadda yadda. But don't fear, there is an ocean between you and the mattress burners.
 
#3
#3
The offense has improved, not much else. Special teams, tackling, and game plans have not improved. The talent has improved across the board, especially at wr but it still has not caught up with UF, UGA, UA, LSU, or SC.
 
#4
#4
Dooley criticism. I would prefer Gruden obviously, but, I really like Dooley and I don't think everyone really sees the big picture while slagging him off. Everyone has their own thoughts, which is fine, but I think some are too harsh on him as a whole. Look at who we have played....
Click to expand...

Well one thing is for certain....if it there is a negative record to be set at Tennessee with Derek Dooley as the Head Coach he is going to achieve it.

Zero for a career against ranked teams, worse defense in the history of Tennessee Football, ending the winning streak against Kentucky while they started a WR at QB.....recruiting class ranked lower than Vandy's....hell he even is 0-1 in 3D games....boy he is on a roll....in the wrong direction.

5059837_700b.jpg


There is some British humor for you bro.
 
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#5
#5
to be as fair as possible.....

the problem with the team is that the weaknesses of the team aren't average or subpar......they are god awful.

so, in truth, the team isn't all that bad. but, there's no excuse, in year 3, to have performance so bad in some areas that it totally negates the strengths of the team.

it's been a pattern since dooley got there. in year 1, qb play and o-line play were putrid. last year, the offensive line couldn't create a hole in the running game against tulsa welding school. this year, they can't do anything defensively.

there's always something that isn't simply mediocre. it's terrible beyond the rest of the team's ability to overcome
 
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#6
#6
While it'd be nice to have Malik back, we desperately need EB to come back.
 
#9
#9
99gator said:
to be as fair as possible.....

the problem with the team is that the weaknesses of the team aren't average or subpar......they are god awful.

so, in truth, the team isn't all that bad. but, there's no excuse, in year 3, to have performance so bad in some areas that it totally negates the strengths of the team.

it's been a pattern since dooley got there. in year 1, qb play and o-line play were putrid. last year, the offensive line couldn't create a hole in the running game against tulsa welding school. this year, they can't do anything defensively.

there's always something that isn't simply mediocre. it's terrible beyond the rest of the team's ability to overcome
Click to expand...
You left out Special Teams.
 
#10
#10
mocfan said:
You left out Special Teams.
Click to expand...

Punting - absolutely the worst ever
Place kicking - terrible and probably the worst ever although, of late, Palardy seems a bit better
Kickoffs - very good with great coverage
Kickoff returns - exceptional (overlooking the mental lapse during the MSU pooch kick)
Punt returns - about average and glad we haven't muffed them like we have in the past few years
 
#11
#11
hillsborovol said:
Punting - absolutely the worst ever
Place kicking - terrible and probably the worst ever although, of late, Palardy seems a bit better
Kickoffs - very good with great coverage
Kickoff returns - exceptional (overlooking the mental lapse during the MSU pooch kick)
Punt returns - about average and glad we haven't muffed them like we have in the past few years
Click to expand...

Didn't UT return a kick off for a TD? First in like 2 blue moons and a coons age right? Thats a plus!..
 
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#12
#12
99gator said:
to be as fair as possible.....

the problem with the team is that the weaknesses of the team aren't average or subpar......they are god awful.

so, in truth, the team isn't all that bad. but, there's no excuse, in year 3, to have performance so bad in some areas that it totally negates the strengths of the team.

it's been a pattern since dooley got there. in year 1, qb play and o-line play were putrid. last year, the offensive line couldn't create a hole in the running game against tulsa welding school. this year, they can't do anything defensively.

there's always something that isn't simply mediocre. it's terrible beyond the rest of the team's ability to overcome
Click to expand...

While I do want a change at the head coaching position, you surely can't blame Dooley for bad QB and OL play in his first year. He did not recruit Matt Sims, and he worked Bray in. I think you can actually make a case that Dooley's best year was his first. Just an awful roster. Worst we have had in years.
 
#14
#14
VolGee4 said:
While I do want a change at the head coaching position, you surely can't blame Dooley for bad QB and OL play in his first year. He did not recruit Matt Sims, and he worked Bray in. I think you can actually make a case that Dooley's best year was his first. Just an awful roster. Worst we have had in years.
Click to expand...

you are right about year 1
 
#15
#15
VolGee4 said:
While I do want a change at the head coaching position, you surely can't blame Dooley for bad QB and OL play in his first year. He did not recruit Matt Sims, and he worked Bray in. I think you can actually make a case that Dooley's best year was his first. Just an awful roster. Worst we have had in years.
Click to expand...

Some good points, but Dooley had the most awful game management ever that first year. How many times did we get penalized for too many men on the field? I don't even want to think about the LSU fiasco.
 
#16
#16
stephenk24 said:
After a depressing month or so of sports with a terrible start for the Pack and the dodgers not getting to the playoffs I thought I had better let off some steam about the Vols who haven't had the best of first halves to the season.

The good:

Our offence, it's been great. I have really enjoyed watching us light up good teams like Miss State, South Car and Georgia.

Fan passion, while I sit here watching the Miami U game, seeing how few fans are in the stands makes me appreciate how amazing we are as a fan base. It's been a tough time but Neyland is still pretty packed every week. Credit to you guys who have the chance to support the team at the stadium and take it.

Patterson, what a stud, he is so explosive and I really enjoy watching when he has the ball in his hands.

Being able to see every game for the first time, it's costing me a bomb to pay for espn college pass but it has been so worth it to see every game so far. Not bad quality either.

Showing my pride for the team at Dublin for the Notre Dame Navy game earlier this year. Sure I got abused by ND fans but I was in full orange and it was an awesome experience to see college ball live and show the many fans who made the trip from the us that VFL's exist outside of the amazing state that is Tennessee.

The bad:

Our D, how shocking... Where is Malik Jackson when you need him.

The coaching, while I think Dooley has done a pretty decent job by standing up very well to so many tough teams it just isn't quite what I expected. We give up way to many points because we leave receivers wide open on a regular basis.

The running game, while its better than last year, lane and Neal just aren't Barry Sanders. :)

Bray laying eggs on occasion.

The poor fan who passed away during the Nc State game. RIP.

Dooley criticism. I would prefer Gruden obviously, but, I really like Dooley and I don't think everyone really sees the big picture while slagging him off. Everyone has their own thoughts, which is fine, but I think some are too harsh on him as a whole. Look at who we have played....

I see us going 6-6, scraping a bowl and losing in it. I a, not sure which Bowl we would make, but would it likely be Music city if that is our record?

I have enjoyed the season so far, even though it has been a tad depressing at times *cough* *Alabama game*. What do you guys think of my outlook?

Bring on Troy and the rest of the year! GBO!

Stay classy Tennessee and don't be too harsh when criticising my views.... :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

With him we are always going to lose to the SEC Elite, good dude just cant coach.
 
#17
#17
To paraphrase Aaanold: We'll be baaaack!

I'll support UT thru thick & thin. Its been a rough 4-5 yrs on us all, but all programs go thru that. Dooley has improved things a lot on The Hill, but just hasnt won enough & is rapidly losing support. I will give my all for Tennessee today! (And tomorrow!)
 
#18
#18
hillsborovol said:
Punting - absolutely the worst ever
Place kicking - terrible and probably the worst ever although, of late, Palardy seems a bit better
Kickoffs - very good with great coverage
Kickoff returns - exceptional (overlooking the mental lapse during the MSU pooch kick)
Punt returns - about average and glad we haven't muffed them like we have in the past few years
Click to expand...

Again, Dooley did not recruit Palardy. But we have improved in the coverage and return game. Dooley has had some bad luck. I don't think anyone can argue that. If we had Bray against USC last year I think we could have beaten them. That said, the fan base is just down, and I am ready for a change. I want to win some games that we shouldn't.
 
#19
#19
hillsborovol said:
Some good points, but Dooley had the most awful game management ever that first year. How many times did we get penalized for too many men on the field? I don't even want to think about the LSU fiasco.
Click to expand...

Sure. If he beats LSU we aren't even having this discussion. But UNC was just bad, bad luck.
 
#20
#20
99gator said:
to be as fair as possible.....

the problem with the team is that the weaknesses of the team aren't average or subpar......they are god awful.

so, in truth, the team isn't all that bad. but, there's no excuse, in year 3, to have performance so bad in some areas that it totally negates the strengths of the team.

it's been a pattern since dooley got there. in year 1, qb play and o-line play were putrid. last year, the offensive line couldn't create a hole in the running game against tulsa welding school. this year, they can't do anything defensively.

there's always something that isn't simply mediocre. it's terrible beyond the rest of the team's ability to overcome
Click to expand...

I'm now convinced you are a closet vols fan. You spend more time on this site than I do and I bleed orange. Just admit it.
 
#21
#21
hillsborovol said:
Punting - absolutely the worst ever
Place kicking - terrible and probably the worst ever although, of late, Palardy seems a bit better
Kickoffs - very good with great coverage
Kickoff returns - exceptional (overlooking the mental lapse during the MSU pooch kick)
Punt returns - about average and glad we haven't muffed them like we have in the past few years
Click to expand...

There is no acceptable excuse for ever, ever overlooking the mental lapse during that kickoff by MSU. That level of embarrassing incompetence should never ever be downplayed. It should serve as a horrible example of ineptitude for every future generation of Vols.

I honestly think that was the moment that I crossed over into the "Fire Him NOWWWWW" crowd. Before that I was OK with firing him after the game.
 
#22
#22
VolGee4 said:
Again, Dooley did not recruit Palardy.
Click to expand...

Based on his current recruiting, there is no reason to believe that he could've recruited Palardy. So I wouldn't be too quick to give him credit assuming he would've done better.
 
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