Why are Vols so damn critical of UT???

#26
#26
MUR73 said:
If you listen to John Pennington every week he reminds Vol fans about how overreactionary, negative and just plain wrong our fanbase is. He is, in his own mind, Tennessee's moral compass.
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John Pennington as a moral compass will guide us off a cliff.

Our fanbase isn't the brightest, but John is the last person who needs to comment on them.
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#27
#27
maxxx said:
My dad played football and ran track for UT in 69 and 70 (I could be off a year or so). I'm a huge UT fan and supporter, but my dad ......





My dad played in Neyland during that era as well, and has ALWAYS been loyal at heart, with inconsistantly little in return....depends how youre $$$donating$$$ and whos AD. Can strain a relationship and attitude!
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#29
#29
Some fans are over the top. Some are realistic, and some drink the Kool-Aid.

You're gonna get all 3 in a fan base. It is what it is.

I support Dooley and the direction of the program. I do not however support Mike Hamilton.
 
#30
#30
maxxx said:
Why are Vols so damn critical of UT???

My dad played football and ran track for UT in 69 and 70 (I could be off a year or so). I'm a huge UT fan and supporter, but my dad never really seems willing to give them credit for anything. Even the championship year, he doubted them and talked about them folding during the entire season. Almost like he was expecting them to fail. After being on this site for a while now, I see that tons of UT fans act the same way. WTF is up with this mentality?? Do people realize just how good UT has been for a really long time?? My wife went to Iowa and I live in Big Ten country so I often compare the two leagues and its teams and fans. I never hear Iowa fans be constantly critical of their teams. Even after their crappy year they still support their kids and are looking to next season. They swear up and down that the guys they have are sooo good. UT fans, on the other hand, just seem to never be satisfied. Iowa fans are happy and looking forward to the new recruits hitting the weight room and helping the program win in a couple years when they are physically and mentally ready to help the team chase a title. UT fans are *****ing moaning about a class ranked #13 in the country. Thats nothing to sneeze at. Am I dont want to hear about what the other SEC teams do in recruiting. Why cant fans be excited about the new kid's ability to work hard and help in an year or so, instead of expecting these kids to produce in year one or two. (championships are not won with frosh and sophs.)

Just wondering why UT people seem to be eternally negative about a school and program that really is top notch. UT deserves better fans that dont constantly complain and create unnecessary pressure for their players and coaches.

I know its not ALL, but it seems to be a lot more than other schools. Please, can someone explain this to me???:unsure:
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Have you asked your Dad?
 
#31
#31
I don't know. Some folks say the "negavols" get more attention. Others complain about all the drinking of the "Dool-ade." Since we see a good mix of both, I'd say that this is a good sign. The fans seem to support the team, no matter what. The passion for the program gets us carried away sometimes, but that is how it goes in the SEC.

I love the Vols, and that is what leads to some of the remarks that you are probably talking about. When the Kiffin hire was made, I didn't like the guy but I went "all in" behind the guy because he was our coach (and we all see how that turned out). Heck, when we lost the bowl game to UNC, I almost lost my mind with a few rants on here about our inability to win meaningful games. Luckily, this was theraputic for me. HA!

In the end, I don't think we're any worse than other teams' fans. When you love your team as much as the Volnation does, you get passion. If that isn't what someone wants, they need to find another team. I'd be worried on the day when folks on here stop caring.
 
#32
#32
GetEmVols said:
This post sums up the OP point lol
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So realistic expectations = negavols?

Big difference between posters like SGM who have lots to say when things go wrong but are 100% absent when there are good things happening, and the other posters that realise where the program is at this time, and have set their expectation-levels accordingly.

I will always root for the Vols through thick or thin, but don't expect me to walk around with Orange-colored blinders on.
 
#33
#33
Not to sound all Freud or anything but I think it's a defense mechanism that some Vol fans have developed to protect themselves from being let down and disappointed. For all of the success that we have enjoyed over the years as Volfans, we've certainly had our fair share of heart break.
 
#35
#35
Preds&Vols said:
So realistic expectations = negavols?

Big difference between posters like SGM who have lots to say when things go wrong but are 100% absent when there are good things happening, and the other posters that realise where the program is at this time, and have set their expectation-levels accordingly.

I will always root for the Vols through thick or thin, but don't expect me to walk around with Orange-colored blinders on.
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Those are some good points. However, I bet SGM is just as big a fan as the rest of us . . . since his profile claims Chattanooga, I'll cut him some slack (since I'm a former Chattanooga guy myself). HA! We're all just passionate about our team. When they don't play up to expectations (or when some folks have unrealistic expectations), we get fired up.

My criticisms usually come out when we don't show improvement or when we lose those contests that we SHOULD have won. It happens to everyone.

Of course, I can talk rationally right now because it's the off-season. If it's during the season or right after a tough loss (see the UNC bowl game), my rationality usually takes about a 24-48 hour vacation. HA! Please forgive.

By the way, SGM -- is that short for Sergeant Major?
 
#37
#37
I was a VFL before there was a VFL Program. (And I think it is a good idea, BTW). I bleed orange, but don't spew bile. Some basic human psychology: you can focus on the negative and expect it, and not be overly impressed by the positive... or you can choose to focus on the positive and expect it, and not be overly impressed by the negative. The former works better for you and those around you. But, basic marketing: it is harder to sell copies of the KNS, fire up talk show junkies, or generally get a reaction with positive stuff.
 
#38
#38
g8terh8ter_eric said:
Saying that with almost 60% or more of the team being sophomores or younger, you will be setting yourself up for disappointment. I think we can win 8 games this year.
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No kidding. Talent and strategy can get you a win or two, but consistency is required to develop a winning tradition. Consistency requires maturity from the players and time (years) in the same program.
 
#39
#39
I guess if you are in the Big Ten you eventually get used to life wallowing in mediocrity. This is the SEC. We expect excellence.
 
#41
#41
theFallGuy said:
I guess if you are in the Big Ten you eventually get used to life wallowing in mediocrity. This is the SEC. We expect excellence.
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Maybe your the guy that people are talking about when they say some fans are just rediculous. That response is totally stupid. Football is not the only sport out there, and I would not call the Big Ten a week conference with low expectations. I'm getting so sick of dumb people making statements like that I give the SEC all the props in the world, but I am a very realistic person. Trying to act like the Big Ten is some sort of second rate league is just unrealistic and truly shows your ignorance.
 
#42
#42
VolDad said:
Have you asked your Dad?
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Great question, and yes I have asked him about it.He really wont give me a straight answer on it either. He speaks highly of his time at UT, but just seems to have a built in wall to protect his feelings in case they dont succeed. Its gotten worse the last few years as me and my brother have to almost force him to watch a UT gme these days. I made him watch a hoops game earlier this year, and he could not believe that they were that good and had the level of talent they do. He loves UT, but just seems to have a hard time believing they have an elite overall athletic program.
 
#43
#43
There is a reason we have a stadium that holds over 100,000. It took a lot of hard work by a lot of devoted coaches and players. Some players and coaches have ridden the coat tails of other players and coaches past success no doubt. I (being an older fan) always have high expectations for the Vols. A season we are not battling for an SEC Championship or a top ten national ranking is a season we came up short in my opinion. It's that simple.
 
#44
#44
I'm thinking some of you guys are not getting the OP. I used Iowa as an example. I have spent time following boards to schools that I know kids at or where they were recruited. I have followed Wisconsin, NIU, Purdue, Notre Dame, Kentucky, FSU, Toledo, Ohio St., Nebraska, and a few others. So, my experiences are not just limited to UT and Iowa fans. Yes, Every fandom has the negative guys, but UT seems to have a higher amount of negativity. Trust me, I know the high expectations UT fans have for the programs here. Trust me also, that all programs have very high expectations for there programs also. It just seems that some other fandoms seem to be more in touch with reality in regards to their teams chances. Iowa fans thought they were going to compete for the National Title this year, so you think they were cool with the flop of a year they had?? Hell no, but they did not scream to the mountain tops about every coach needing to be fired and other useless topics. I'm just trying to understand the need to criticize UT from the coaches to the recruits on a constant basis. Other fandoms dont seem as eager to jump on the home team and bash. High expectations are normal, but please be realistic also.

Thanks to you guys who posted valid comments and opinions.

BTW...can anyone tell me why the hell UT fans truly expect young players to make significant impacts on the program? I know the team is young, so dont say that. This attitude existed well before the last 2 years. I dont know any consistantly good program that relies of 1st and 2nd year players.
 
#45
#45
utfantilidie said:
There is a reason we have a stadium that holds over 100,000. It took a lot of hard work by a lot of devoted coaches and players. Some players and coaches have ridden the coat tails of other players and coaches past success no doubt. I (being an older fan) always have high expectations for the Vols. A season we are not battling for an SEC Championship or a top ten national ranking is a season we came up short in my opinion. It's that simple.
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I feel the same way. If UT is not in contention for an SEC title I feel its a bad year. I also am a realist. I dont get pissy over recruits, and I dont consider players a bust for not seeing the field in the first couple years on campus. I coached two kids in HS that did not see the field until their junior years at their schools. Both ended up draft picks. One is a top five player at his position in the NFL and the other was a rookie this year and started ever game this year after returning from an injury.

Trust me, these kids know what is being said about them and the fans perceptions of them. When they feel the fans think they are bust outs, it can really effect the mental aspect of their games. Some end up being totally useless to the program because of it. Honestly, players should be ready to contribute their junior year, but they way people here rip them, some are ready to pack it in by that time.
 
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#46
#46
maxxx said:
Trying to act like the Big Ten is some sort of second rate league is just unrealistic and truly shows your ignorance.
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The so-called "Big Ten" is neither big nor ten. They are a second rate league. Sorry if that whizzes in your wheaties.
 
#47
#47
NYYVol said:
John Pennington as a moral compass will guide us off a cliff.

Our fanbase isn't the brightest, but John is the last person who needs to comment on them.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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Do I hear an AMEN from the congregation!
 
#48
#48
Preds&Vols said:
So realistic expectations = negavols?

Big difference between posters like SGM who have lots to say when things go wrong but are 100% absent when there are good things happening, and the other posters that realise where the program is at this time, and have set their expectation-levels accordingly.

I will always root for the Vols through thick or thin, but don't expect me to walk around with Orange-colored blinders on.
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I'll join you in the effort to be a realistic Vol fan. I'll root for the Orange with the best of them but you can't gloss over where we are at this point. Many do not understand just how low we had gotten in talent and depth. It took more than one year to bottom out and it will take more than one year to get back. Patience is the operative word but it ain't a common characteristic in most fan bases.

First post on this site by the way! Finallly had to find something besides GVX. Just got way too tedious after being a faithful participant since it started, all the way back to the pay site. (Not the same posting name though. Couldn't get it here.) Looking forward to some halfway intelligent commentary over here. And I hope any trolls are treated with the respect that they deserve. GVX has let that situation get totally out of hand to the point where you can't run a decent thread before it disintegrates after about five posts.
 
#49
#49
My take on this question is similar to those that have already discussed our past successes bringing higher expectations. Then when those expectations get trampled down with the bad coaching, coaching changes, pathetic team attitudes, Bar Knoxville's, Pilot's, etc. - we get testy. Besides that stuff what turns me negative is losing by being dumb on game day - whether it is the coaches or the players.

With Majors I always felt we were out-manned. Why? He had 15 years to fix it, how many more did he need? That's dumb. With Fulmer I felt we were dumber in our play calling and less motivated than other staffs/teams except in a couple of years. If Plan A did not work, there was no Plan B other than "look at the tape" and wait until next week. That's dumb. With Kiffin I know we were dumber - from MH on down. Why else would we hire a Liar Surfer Dude to run our program into the ground? Then last season with CDD we dumbed ourselves out of at least 2 obvious wins. Count to 11 at LSU and use a kicker that can kick the ball higher than 5 feet off the ground on extra points and field goals - you had at least two other kickers on the sidelines in Palardy and Cunningham. That along with many other dumb decisions in the MCB. Add in that Bray should have started every game after Florida. He certainly did not gain any more weight between then and when he played against the Gamecocks. He still played by feel when he did start.

I am major supporter of CDD and believe this time it will all be fixed. I am gald to see the coaching staff get fine tuned with this DL coach change. A cohesive staff will lead to a cohesive team. So maybe the past players and fan base will learn to trust the program again. :)
 
#50
#50
g8terh8ter_eric said:
The internet is not a very good measurement of how things are really going amongst the fans. If Neyland was half full for a Florida game, we would probably have something to fear. The whole problem is the media's access to the message boards and certain people in the media's ability to overstate things among the fans. I think that the state of the VolNation itself is good right now. We have stability and are back on the track UT should be on with Dooley at the helm. Will we win with Dooley, we will see by next year.
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You mean like when there were more alabama fans than there were tn fans at our home games.
 
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