We are Tennessee

[TennesseeT]

It appears that we are all VOL fans here, some with different opinions than others. I think there is definately some problems with the level of play that we have seen to this point but I am not foolish enough to believe it is due to one person's failures. I have watched the games and I have seen the players not play to level they are capable of. I know many of you will say well it's the coaches responsibility of get them to play to their best level but it could also be because the players are human and it is human to error. What I'm not gonna do is pack it in and hope for the worst just for change's sake. I'm gonna pace the floor when I watch them on tv, stand and cheer when I'm in the stands, and realize that contrary to what many believe these men are giving what they have to give for the UT fans and I appreciate it.

 

[tennaseevol]

say what? why are east tennesseans tougher.....be careful how you profile. you could cause a civil war on here. Nashvegas and Memphis are dominated by UT grads, medical and law professionals.....carrying the economy of our great state. be careful!

History tells us this is so. Read this book and you will understand. It is arguably the most significant material written which will explain why "East Tennesseans are known for being independent, self sufficient, and above all, tough."

By Horace Kephart


It's a good read too.
Link to the online book :
Our Southern Highlanders - Google Book Search

 

[DC Vol]

I really don't want to compare a football GAME to military actions especially when people are giving their lives for the freedoms others.

It's the psychological similarities I was hitting on. Obviously, varying in degrees, but they are similar. Someone is well within their rights as a citizen of a country to take pride in their military, a student of a university to take pride in their school (regardless of the program they're in). If what you're saying is true, why does ANYONE ever go to a game and cheer? Why care? Why spend money on tickets? It's not like it's your son down there. Yeah, that's the idea, lets NOT care... because we're just sullen fans. Some poor idiot who puts on a shirt and gets rotten eggs thrown on us and called names much worse than "wusses" because of the actions of our teams. WE as fans didn't play. WE, as fans, didn't give up in the 4th Quarter, so why do WE, as fans, have to defend our teams dignity to drunken idiots? Care to explain that to me? I know that's what people have gone through with this, and I've been given a very hard time for UTs loss by coworkers. Except the one who is an Auburn grad, and a Texas fan. It isn't just a team, it is a team that represents the state of Tennessee. That's why they're the Tennessee Vols. Because of the "Volunteer State". That's why Davey Crockett is on the side-line. They do represent the fine state (not region of Tennessee). That's why the state flag is carried, in tandem, with the power T flag. Honestly, you won't find many teams that envelop representations of the state they are playing out of.

And for Knox county, which changed it's area code to the numerical representation of VOL, and all the sports sites and publications that have finally picked up on how big of a deal that collegiate football is in the South, I would say you're pretty far off the rocker on this one. And if you don't think a fan has any right to it, then don't generalize them. I know guys that, when deployed, have actually missed football season as much as their wives.

 

[General Jack]

It appears that we are all VOL fans here, some with different opinions than others. I think there is definately some problems with the level of play that we have seen to this point but I am not foolish enough to believe it is due to one person's failures. I have watched the games and I have seen the players not play to level they are capable of. I know many of you will say well it's the coaches responsibility of get them to play to their best level but it could also be because the players are human and it is human to error. What I'm not gonna do is pack it in and hope for the worst just for change's sake. I'm gonna pace the floor when I watch them on tv, stand and cheer when I'm in the stands, and realize that contrary to what many believe these men are giving what they have to give for the UT fans and I appreciate it.

While we have disagreed quite a bit recently, I agree with most of what you said in this post. I will also always support the players. I too will still root for the VOLS, and I hope that we win out from here... I have just seen too much evidence for me to believe thats going to happen. I also agree that this problem is bigger than one man, but the head coach is ultimately accountable and responsible, and he has failed to address most of the problems in recent years. To be fair, he has fixed some, notably overall disclipline, but generally the game is passing him by. That is why I believe its time for him to go. I just can't see us being a championship team in the current landscape with Fulmer at the helm.

 

[Sib18]

We are Tennessee fans, enough should be said there. Nobody takes more pride in the school, the program, the players/coaches than Tennessee fans. It's home, we bleed orange; we attach "we" to everything, good and bad. What's happened the last few years is embarrement, and as "we" along with the players/coaches have been embarressed. There's a difference in losing with pride than getting flat out embarressed. For those that call this program "home", we always will, but won't stand for anything but the best.

 

[DC Vol]

While we have disagreed quite a bit recently, I agree with most of what you said in this post. I will also always support the players. I too will still root for the VOLS, and I hope that we win out from here... I have just seen too much evidence for me to believe thats going to happen. I also agree that this problem is bigger than one man, but the head coach is ultimately accountable and responsible, and he has failed to address most of the problems in recent years. To be fair, he has fixed some, notably overall disclipline, but generally the game is passing him by. That is why I believe its time for him to go. I just can't see us being a championship team in the current landscape with Fulmer at the helm.

That was Cutcliffe. Call the shots where they land, and Ainge admitted it was Cutcliffe along with a quote from a conversation with Manning stating "just listen to him, he knows what he's talking about".

The frosted hair, earring, pants being worn at the waist and not below his ass were all Cut.

 

[TennesseeT]

I'm pretty far off the rocker? You're the one comparing a game to real life scenarios. I'm so sorry and I'm sure the team is that you are being given a hard time at work. Why would you care what some "drunken idiot" says anyway? Thanks for reaffriming my original post. I have been a lot of uncomfortable places in my life and have never had eggs, or anything for that matter, thrown on me. Maybe they had it right when they called you what they did.

 

[Lexvol]

It appears that we are all VOL fans here, some with different opinions than others. I think there is definately some problems with the level of play that we have seen to this point but I am not foolish enough to believe it is due to one person's failures. I have watched the games and I have seen the players not play to level they are capable of. I know many of you will say well it's the coaches responsibility of get them to play to their best level but it could also be because the players are human and it is human to error. What I'm not gonna do is pack it in and hope for the worst just for change's sake. I'm gonna pace the floor when I watch them on tv, stand and cheer when I'm in the stands, and realize that contrary to what many believe these men are giving what they have to give for the UT fans and I appreciate it.

Here is my question TT. What if you found out they weren't giving their best effort? That is really where our opinions differ. I simply haven't seen the effort that you are talking about.

 

[justingroves]

That was Cutcliffe. Call the shots where they land, and Ainge admitted it was Cutcliffe along with a quote from a conversation with Manning stating "just listen to him, he knows what he's talking about".

The frosted hair, earring, pants being worn at the waist and not below his ass were all Cut.

Yep.

 

[TennesseeT]

Why wouldn't they be giving their best? Are they not men? So you think they're just showing up going through the motions. For what? A degree. I would definately be disappointed if they were not giving their all, but I just can't see that. These guys are football players, young men, and competitors. Most of them probably haven't lost that many games their whole high school career and they're gonna be fine with that now? I don't see it

 

[TennesseeT]

I think the biggest problem with a lot of fans is that like me, we talk s**t all year long and then have to eat crow when we lose and a lot of people can't handle it. I can, it doesn't bother me to hear crap at work or from friends because it's all in fun.

 

[justingroves]

Why wouldn't they be giving their best? Are they not men? So you think they're just showing up going through the motions. For what? A degree. I would definately be disappointed if they were not giving their all, but I just can't see that. These guys are football players, young men, and competitors. Most of them probably haven't lost that many games their whole high school career and they're gonna be fine with that now? I don't see it

See the 2005 season.

 

[Lexvol]

Why wouldn't they be giving their best? Are they not men? So you think they're just showing up going through the motions. For what? A degree. I would definately be disappointed if they were not giving their all, but I just can't see that. These guys are football players, young men, and competitors. Most of them probably haven't lost that many games their whole high school career and they're gonna be fine with that now? I don't see it

Then my disappointment should be understandable. I don't think these coaches are doing their best, and I think that translates into unfulfilled player potential.

 

[awebb7]

I think the biggest problem with a lot of fans is that like me, we talk s**t all year long and then have to eat crow when we lose and a lot of people can't handle it. I can, it doesn't bother me to hear crap at work or from friends because it's all in fun.

It sure bothers me. I guess as a Tennessee fan I am not comfortable getting used to it, mainly because I shouldn't have too.

 

[DC Vol]

I'm pretty far off the rocker? You're the one comparing a game to real life scenarios. I'm so sorry and I'm sure the team is that you are being given a hard time at work. Why would you care what some "drunken idiot" says anyway? Thanks for reaffriming my original post. I have been a lot of uncomfortable places in my life and have never had eggs, or anything for that matter, thrown on me. Maybe they had it right when they called you what they did.

First of all, apparently the psychology reference was above your reasoning. Fine. I'll drop the military reference, even though I have good personal reasons for making that allusion.

Second of all, I haven't been to any UT games that were not home games. I had several friends in the band, and team when I went to UT and fans that went to away games. They were all treated with varying levels of disrespect. It doesn't matter. I was at the UT game when Georgia embarassed us, and for the most part nothing was said, but there are always fans that take it way above "appropriate" and feel the need to insult me, my wife or any of my friends. I don't care how it's spun or why it started, but I would definitely NOT like having beer poured on me. You should count yourself lucky to have not experienced the vary levels of classlessness of some fans.

And lastly.... you're feeling the need to insult me personally?

You're really finding ways to drive your point home.

 

[TBALLVOL]

If not winning is not a good enough reason to get rid of a coach, then lets just not keep score anymore, and then we can convert Neyland Stadium into a homeless shelter where all the unemployed coaches in America can go to live...Tennessee Football requires a WARFARE mentality...not a WELFARE mentality!

 

[DC Vol]

I think the biggest problem with a lot of fans is that like me, we talk s**t all year long and then have to eat crow when we lose and a lot of people can't handle it. I can, it doesn't bother me to hear crap at work or from friends because it's all in fun.

It's not the good natured ribbing that takes place, that's the issue. It's the Texas fan that got his scrotum ripped open by an Oklahoma fan. It's stuff like that that takes place all of the country, mostly (hopefully) not as serious, but people have been killed for "good natured joking". Also, if fans weren't given any room to care, why would they feel the need to insult other fans for a group of kids on a field and what they did? Also, if you talk s**t all year long, than your contradicting your point of being able to brag about said group of kids on a field.

 

[slobberknocker]

Good post.

I agree that Tennessee doesn't strike fear in anyone. If anything the other teams see blood in the water. Look at what Vandy and UK have done against us.

When is the last time you saw a UT player get up in the grill of a fellow player for missing an assigment? Al Wilson?

When is the last time a UT coach, other than Trooper, showed real energy on the sideline?

Anyone?.......Anyone?.....

And when's the last time a Vol linebacker cut a freakin' car in half? I miss Hacksaw Reynolds and all the other kick ass and take names players from our glorious past.

 

[TennesseeT]

First of all, apparently the psychology reference was above your reasoning. Fine. I'll drop the military reference, even though I have good personal reasons for making that allusion.

Second of all, I haven't been to any UT games that were not home games. I had several friends in the band, and team when I went to UT and fans that went to away games. They were all treated with varying levels of disrespect. It doesn't matter. I was at the UT game when Georgia embarassed us, and for the most part nothing was said, but there are always fans that take it way above "appropriate" and feel the need to insult me, my wife or any of my friends. I don't care how it's spun or why it started, but I would definitely NOT like having beer poured on me. You should count yourself lucky to have not experienced the vary levels of classlessness of some fans.

And lastly.... you're feeling the need to insult me personally?

You're really finding ways to drive your point home.

I'm not trying to insult you DC. You said you had rotten eggs thrown on you and were called all sorts of name, mainly the equivalent to wussy. I just went with the info you provided.

You brought up something with the classlessness though! I always thought it was neat how players and fans react completely differently in win/loss situations. Players always meet at mid-field and congratulate the other, pray, or whatever they do. Maybe they realize it's just a game and shouldn't be taken so personally!

 

[slobberknocker]

Well then same to ya, because the only thing that makes us different is our views on the current coaching regime, and I don't have my head stuck in the sand. You obviously have a vested interest in the program or you wouldn't be here or care.



You're right, that is a good post. Reasonable people can appreciate success and criticize failure. It those who accept failure, or blindly follow a failing regime that I don't understand.

Yeah... like BUSH!

 

[slobberknocker]

No, we are very different: I don't base my life and my happiness -- nor define MY successes and failures -- on the performance of a team of post-adolescents. When they win, it spices up the week. When they lose, I don't take it as a personal insult on me, my family, my state or anything else. It's just an entertaining game to me -- much like coming to this board and watching grown men whine, groan and moan about a football team over which they have zero control (but think that they do).

Nothing more, nothing less.:thumbsup:

Gotta agree with Fayette. I wish people would take as much time worrying about our country.

 

[TennesseeT]

It's not the good natured ribbing that takes place, that's the issue. It's the Texas fan that got his scrotum ripped open by an Oklahoma fan. It's stuff like that that takes place all of the country, mostly (hopefully) not as serious, but people have been killed for "good natured joking". Also, if fans weren't given any room to care, why would they feel the need to insult other fans for a group of kids on a field and what they did? Also, if you talk s**t all year long, than your contradicting your point of being able to brag about said group of kids on a field.

I don't think I contradicted myself. I didn't say there was anything wrong with bragging about a victory or a successful season. I said there was something wrong with turning on the team (team=players/coaches/etc.) simply because you have to deal with a loss or a down season. My point was fans want to share the wins but give all the criticism and blame when that team loses. Take your criticism and eggs like a man DC

 

[DC Vol]

I'm not trying to insult you DC. You said you had rotten eggs thrown on you and were called all sorts of name, mainly the equivalent to wussy. I just went with the info you provided.

You brought up something with the classlessness though! I always thought it was neat how players and fans react completely differently in win/loss situations. Players always meet at mid-field and congratulate the other, pray, or whatever they do. Maybe they realize it's just a game and shouldn't be taken so personally!

Fans all over the nation have rushed a field after a huge win (ken over louisville). That is fine, and is perfectly normal. If a group of Kentucky fans went out looking for a group of Louisville fans to mob, that is jacked, and unacceptable. It happens though. I have never been messed with, mostly because I'm a pretty big guy and my friends are all pretty big. But I have known people to get jumped just because. It happens, and that's my beef with fans that take it too far. One of my best friends in the Marines was a bammer and we gave each other buckets of s**t before game time. But we'd watch the game together, and all would be well. But if he was to key "bama" into my car that would be p***y, that would be different. See what I mean? Nothing any member of the band that goes down there has done is deserving of the way they get treated. It's crap, I know, they know, but my point is people take it a LOT more seriously than "just a bunch of kids on the field" and it does mean more to people than just a "warm and fuzzy". Thats the only reason I brought any of that up.

 

[Fayettevol]

I love it: keyboard warriers blasting away at each other, grown men(?) talking about a college football team's loss being a "personal insult to me, my family and my home," even East Tennesseans claiming moral superiority over the rest of the state (Look at where the economic growth is, my friends; it's in the Middle.)

That's one reason why I come to this board: to watch computer jockeys hold up in their cubes somewhere sniping at each other as though what happens on a football field is life or death to them.

 

[DC Vol]

I don't think I contradicted myself. I didn't say there was anything wrong with bragging about a victory or a successful season. I said there was something wrong with turning on the team (team=players/coaches/etc.) simply because you have to deal with a loss or a down season. My point was fans want to share the wins but give all the criticism and blame when that team loses. Take your criticism and eggs like a man DC

I don't think many people on the board have turned away from the team. It's almost all towards Fulmer (we are going the way of PSU under Paterno, FSU under Bowden and Michigan under Carr... towards mediocrity). Some have beef with Chavis, but I personally am reserving my criticisms towards Chavis and Cutcliffe (and have been pretty adament about that) until the end of the season. I agree with you though, there are quite a few people that are showing little faith in a, believe it or not, fairly highly qualified staff and a capable team. And I have yet to see what eggs or criticism I have to take like a man. :thumbsup: