Why should we not be in contention next year?

#76
#76
The players' reaction to Gruden seems to be positive to me. I think a former NFL winner has a tremendous edge in recruiting over everyone else (granted Saban has the same advantage). He can tout his ability develop personnel into exactly what the NFL seeks.

Gruden would be more of an upgrade that we should even be allowed to hope for.
 
#77
#77
well fulmer will not be fired this year.. however if he doesnt do it in 2007 its time for him to be shown the door.
 
#78
#78
lawgator1 said:
I would argue that your team improved this year and may well improve again next year, but its all relative. To be more successful in the SECE and then the SEC, you not only have to get better but you also have to get better quicker and more deeply than your competition.

And I see Florida, South Carolina, LSU, and to a more limited extent Arkansas, UGA, and maybe Auburn geting better, and getting better faster, than UT.
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This is a very inuitive observation. 100% agreed.
 
#79
#79
But this observation about getting better quicker and more deeply is really an illusion. It is true that defenses need to be built to respond to areas where other contending teams are developing but there is a limit to talent, and the opportunity to scheme in appropriate ways. Fulmer was able to do this to impose a UT scheme toward the end of Spurrier's tenure there. In other words he was finding ways to win, like running up the middle, in ways that neutralized Florida's strengths. Please remember lawgator1 does not have the Tennessee program at heart. His apparent objectivity gives him the opportunity to practice a subtle kind of psychological undercutting. None of us have a crystal ball.
 
#80
#80
utfantilidie said:
We have our QB,running backs,etc returning.Unless you are trying to say we are turning into the Colts and have to score 30 a game to win.:banghead2:
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Being in Indy, I would have to say I agree. I would also say the coaches need to find that emotional leader from the get go and get him to rub off on the rest of the team.
 
#81
#81
lawgator1 said:
And I see Florida, South Carolina, LSU, and to a more limited extent Arkansas, UGA, and maybe Auburn geting better, and getting better faster, than UT.
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You may well be correct. Of course, Florida loses a lot, SC may be well on its way to proving it is a legit 7-5 program, and LSU has Les Miles.

Tennessee has some exceptional talent that should be ripening from the '04 class, and it also has some glaring weaknesses.

It is easy to see that everybody else's underclassmen will improve. After a lackluster bowl loss, it is also easy to forget the promise of returning perhaps the best QB in the conference, an explosive Freshman RB, 4 of 5 OL starters, a stable full of experienced D Linemen and LBs, and 4 DBs with starting experience.

The SEC is tough, but I'm not sure how you look around the conference and see that everybody is getting better faster than UT. The Vols need to get much better on the offensive line, and they need an inexperienced recieving corp to step up quickly, but the sky isn't falling. Despite the egg they layed in the Outback Bowl (and the somewhat smaller egg in the Kentucky game,) I think you saw a team that executed better and was more disciplined than last year under the revamped staff.

I've said before that next year will tell a lot about the direction of the program. Personally, I think that with the coaches and the young talent we have, we will show some dramatic improvement in those "glaring weakness" areas. If they do, Tennessee will be a contender.
 
#82
#82
As long as the Mustain family is running the Arkansas program through Broyles, we might have a chance.
 
#83
#83
What I meant to say: With two coaches on our permanent schedule who have won National Championships, and with Florida and Georgia otherwise expected to be competitive the tactical situation for the Vols is indeed getting dicey. At least we have the spirit of the General to call upon. :eek:k:
 
#85
#85
lawgator1 said:
I would argue that your team improved this year and may well improve again next year, but its all relative. To be more successful in the SECE and then the SEC, you not only have to get better but you also have to get better quicker and more deeply than your competition.

And I see Florida, South Carolina, LSU, and to a more limited extent Arkansas, UGA, and maybe Auburn geting better, and getting better faster, than UT.
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Have you ever considered getting glasses?I think your vision is defaulting.:)
 
#89
#89
OWB said:
I don't get all of this "I'd like to get Gruden" talk. For people who are so dominated by the "what have you done for me lately" mentality, I'll ask you what Gruden has done for anyone lately.?
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He often has the look of a constipated man on his face!
 
#90
#90
BigPapaVol said:
Leave that alone. I'm hoping he packs his bags and rolls into KTown.
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It would be nice, for him to come to Knoxville, but you couldn't imagine the uproar that that would start in Fayetteville and spread across the state, if Nutt loses Mitch.

The reciever that left Damien Williams went to Southern cal..
 
#95
#95
utfantilidie said:
Didn't Gruden marry a UT cheerleader (female)?
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Yes...

In his first four seasons in the coaching profession from 1986-1989, Gruden was an assistant at the University of Tennessee in 1986 and 1987 as the Volunteers totaled a 17-7-1 record and won against Big Ten opponents in the Liberty Bowl and Peach Bowl. In 1988, he was passing game coordinator at Southeast Missouri State and in 1989 coached wide receivers at the University of Pacific.

Born August 17, 1963 in Sandusky, Ohio, Gruden attended South Bend Clay High School in Indiana and was a three-year letterman at quarterback at the University of Dayton, graduating in 1985 with a degree in Communications. The Flyers had a 24-7 record in Gruden’s three varsity seasons there and he was honored with the prestigious Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Award, given to the senior player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship and character. Gruden and his wife Cindy, a former University of Tennessee cheerleader, have three sons, Jon II, 12, Michael, 9 and Jayson, 5.
 
#96
#96
vol_in_ar said:
Yes...

In his first four seasons in the coaching profession from 1986-1989, Gruden was an assistant at the University of Tennessee in 1986 and 1987 as the Volunteers totaled a 17-7-1 record and won against Big Ten opponents in the Liberty Bowl and Peach Bowl. In 1988, he was passing game coordinator at Southeast Missouri State and in 1989 coached wide receivers at the University of Pacific.

Born August 17, 1963 in Sandusky, Ohio, Gruden attended South Bend Clay High School in Indiana and was a three-year letterman at quarterback at the University of Dayton, graduating in 1985 with a degree in Communications. The Flyers had a 24-7 record in Gruden’s three varsity seasons there and he was honored with the prestigious Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Award, given to the senior player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship and character. Gruden and his wife Cindy, a former University of Tennessee cheerleader, have three sons, Jon II, 12, Michael, 9 and Jayson, 5.
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:thumbsup:
 
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