buffaloblue
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- Jan 13, 2010
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We are so quick to use these words and talk about whats going on. Many of the kids come to our institution because they want to live these words. Some of them have 4 or 5 great years and become amazing contributors to this programs, and others realize that maybe they need to be closers to home or don't quite have what it takes to succeed here.
Being a Tennessee Volunteer should be about caring about this university, but at the end of the day these kids have to do what is best for themselves sometimes as well.
If David Oku chooses to leave because of PT issues, then thats fine, and if he was my friend or kid I might suggest the same thing.
Same can be said about Rod Wilks, can anyone blame him for transfering as he seeks to get on the field when he likely never would at Tennessee. I dont, and I thank him for the effort he gave while here.
Cody Pope was far from great for us, but at the end of the day, he went out on that field and put it out there for the Tennessee Vols on Saturdays when healthy.
Coach Chuck Smith might not have gotten along with some members of the coaching staff, and may have even known he would be leaving in the coming weeks, but that never once stopped him from recruiting his tail off for this university.
If Meline left due to personal reasons and positional issues, then I cannot blame the kid. I saw what moving from running back to db did for my roommate in college and it gutted him. You can go in with the best attitude possible, but it can ruin part of your love of the game. If you havent been through it then its not fair to comment on it, no offense.
If Eddrick Loftin never plays a snap for this university cause he just couldnt qualify, then at least I know his love for this university by never once waivering.
If Janzen Jackson needs to go take care of personal issues and leave school because its best for him, who the hell am I to critisize the decisions him and his family feel our best for him.
When Derek Dooley sits in a living room and says, you wont just be a Volunteer for 1 or 2 years, your a Vol for Life, we need to remember those words. These guys are Vols for Life in my mind, until they are not.
There are players that come and go every year, but most of them come to this university cause they fall in love with the school, the people, and the program.
Various guys leave for different reasons, and some leave cause they make the decision they no longer wanna be a VFL (Brice Brown).
I cant imagine if David Oku was having success he would want to leave, but as a former player, if leaving Tennessee to be able to get significant playing time was what it would take, then I would do it.
No matter how much you love a school, the practicing and time spent for little playing time is one of the most frustrating things.
So say what you like about Janzen, Oku, Loftin, Meline, Pope, or Wilks, because I will say, when you come to this university and put the work in, I will always view you as a Volunteer. When you commit to this program and go out there and give it what you have, then you are a Vol for Life.
Regardless of personal issues, injuries, transfering for playing time, or some other things.
Lets support our Vols through good and bad, and through coming into the program and at times leaving due to whats best for them.
Being a Tennessee Volunteer should be about caring about this university, but at the end of the day these kids have to do what is best for themselves sometimes as well.
If David Oku chooses to leave because of PT issues, then thats fine, and if he was my friend or kid I might suggest the same thing.
Same can be said about Rod Wilks, can anyone blame him for transfering as he seeks to get on the field when he likely never would at Tennessee. I dont, and I thank him for the effort he gave while here.
Cody Pope was far from great for us, but at the end of the day, he went out on that field and put it out there for the Tennessee Vols on Saturdays when healthy.
Coach Chuck Smith might not have gotten along with some members of the coaching staff, and may have even known he would be leaving in the coming weeks, but that never once stopped him from recruiting his tail off for this university.
If Meline left due to personal reasons and positional issues, then I cannot blame the kid. I saw what moving from running back to db did for my roommate in college and it gutted him. You can go in with the best attitude possible, but it can ruin part of your love of the game. If you havent been through it then its not fair to comment on it, no offense.
If Eddrick Loftin never plays a snap for this university cause he just couldnt qualify, then at least I know his love for this university by never once waivering.
If Janzen Jackson needs to go take care of personal issues and leave school because its best for him, who the hell am I to critisize the decisions him and his family feel our best for him.
When Derek Dooley sits in a living room and says, you wont just be a Volunteer for 1 or 2 years, your a Vol for Life, we need to remember those words. These guys are Vols for Life in my mind, until they are not.
There are players that come and go every year, but most of them come to this university cause they fall in love with the school, the people, and the program.
Various guys leave for different reasons, and some leave cause they make the decision they no longer wanna be a VFL (Brice Brown).
I cant imagine if David Oku was having success he would want to leave, but as a former player, if leaving Tennessee to be able to get significant playing time was what it would take, then I would do it.
No matter how much you love a school, the practicing and time spent for little playing time is one of the most frustrating things.
So say what you like about Janzen, Oku, Loftin, Meline, Pope, or Wilks, because I will say, when you come to this university and put the work in, I will always view you as a Volunteer. When you commit to this program and go out there and give it what you have, then you are a Vol for Life.
Regardless of personal issues, injuries, transfering for playing time, or some other things.
Lets support our Vols through good and bad, and through coming into the program and at times leaving due to whats best for them.
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