Your opinion on the Team

#1
vollygirl

vollygirl

GO VOLS!!!
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#1
This is the first year I've followed recruiting, pre-season practices, etc. And I for sure never followed something like Wes Rucker and his "tweets". So maybe it's always like this.

But everything I've heard and read screams TEAM to me. From the senior members down to the freshmen, they really appear as individual pieces of one single unit. That's what I remember most from the '98 team (not saying this is an NC team, just saying there were so many guys stepping up each game that year when we needed them. But they played every game as a whole team.)

So, my question is, does every year start of this way? Or is there something happening here that really is different?
 
#2
#2
The honest truth is you can NEVER be sure of some things at the time, no matter how perfect they seem in retrospect.

1998 was supposed to be a down year, for example. We were supposed to win the national title in 2002 and we weren't that great at all.

I'll say this, there are no obvious signs of doom. It could turn into something special, but anyone "calling it" or "feeling it" probably "felt it" last year too.

We'll be no worse and probably a little better, I am sure of that.
 
#3
#3
I've felt the same way. I feel like for several years we have been more like a group of individuals than a team. But this year feels different for sure. I think it has something to do with CLK's philosophy of competition.
 
#4
#4
vollygirl said:
This is the first year I've followed recruiting, pre-season practices, etc. And I for sure never followed something like Wes Rucker and his "tweets". So maybe it's always like this.

But everything I've heard and read screams TEAM to me. From the senior members down to the freshmen, they really appear as individual pieces of one single unit. That's what I remember most from the '98 team (not saying this is an NC team, just saying there were so many guys stepping up each game that year when we needed them. But they played every game as a whole team.)

So, my question is, does every year start of this way? Or is there something happening here that really is different?
Click to expand...
It's clearly different and the right track, but new systems tend to take time. I like what we're doing and how we're built, but gelling is more than locker rooms, practice and chatter. Some can't be won without building trust in the heat of the battle.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#6
#6
I know that this is the most excited i've ever been about a football season before it's even started.
 
#7
#7
I think we will be a good.....not great.....but good team this year. I've said and maintained all year that we are an 8-4 team barring a rash of injuries and will go to a decent bowl. I will be more than happy with that for this year.
 
#8
#8
Brave Volunteer said:
I think we will be a good.....not great.....but good team this year. I've said and maintained all year that we are an 8-4 team barring a rash of injuries and will go to a decent bowl. I will be more than happy with that for this year.
Click to expand...

I don't think we can expect more than that next year, either. But perhaps from 2011 on we can go back to be realistically expecting 10 wins or more every year.
 
#9
#9
From what I've seen, heard and read, I don't think that there has been this kind of energy in our football program for a long long time. The group of coaches that we have right now know how to motivate the players and once they're motivated, they keep them that way.

Now who knows how that's going to translate on the field? I'm not expecting a stellar season this year. I certainly don't think we'll be playing for any kind of championship this year. What I'm looking for are the all the little things to indicate we're heading back in the right direction.

I'm very excited to see what unfolds this year, but I don't unrealistic expectations. We're going to lose some games this year. I'm more concerned with how we lose those games.
 
#10
#10
I agree that we won't be competing for a championship this year. But we might have a big say in who does.
 
#11
#11
Tennessee will be better than many expect. We will upset someone this year. The spirit on the hill is better than I have seen it in a while. The O Line will be much better, especially n run blocking which is key in the SEC. Crompton will have a good year in my opinion, especially since Clawson is gone (Boy he was a pitiful coach). Lane Kiffin energy will spill over to the team, Something Fulmer had when he took the reins.
 
#12
#12
It feels like there's a momentum building. I think momentum is part of what used to help us stay in a game for 4 whole quarters (remember those days?) But like I said, since I haven't followed this closely in years past, maybe it's always there at the beginning of the year the way it is now?
 
#13
#13
There is more excitement this year than it has been in several years. Last year for example, there was nothing in preseason like it is now.
 
#14
#14
I agree. The past few years I have been a little nervous from onset through, but this year I am cautiously optomistic...I think we are going to surprise one, maybe two, teams this year.
 
#15
#15
Personally, I was extremely excited last year because for the first time in a very long time UT went outside the program for an OC. I just knew that the offense was going to be special because it wasn't going to be the same ol' same ol'. Boy was I wrong.

Now, with that said, I sure as "heck" didn't have the feeling I have this year. This year is going to be special in a different way. This year, we won't see a team run out of the tunnel already flat and not hyped for the game. This year, we won't see up the middle for no gain, up the middle for no gain, screen pass to the WR for 2yds and punt... over and over and over again.

This team has a fire burning to win... burning to redeem themselves from last year. The fire burns from a new spark of energy on The Hill that is going to resurrect this team from the depths of past years mediocrity and catapult us back to the top of the SEC where us TN fans are used to seeing our VOLS compete.

Welcome to the Lane Kiffin era! V.B.
 
#16
#16
Already stated my opinion. This team will hustle and play as a TEAM more than any UT team we have seen since 98. Utah played as a team and out-hustled bammer and we know the rest. 9-3 for these guys---IMHO.
 
#17
#17
"It energizes me. I remember just coming in in the summer, and I'd see coach Kiffin out here just running laps and stuff. Running stairs. Man, just to know that your coach is hungry like that, it makes you even more hungry," junior wideout Brandon Warren said. "You want to be right there with him.

"It's uptempo. We've got a sense of urgency and it's not going to do anything but better us."
Click to expand...

this sort of thing fires me up
 
#18
#18
Momentume baby! Four quarter football!!!!

What I wouldn't give to be a second half team again. I think it's comin.
 
#19
#19
We use to be a second half team because of confidence and attitude. Lane Kiffin brings that to the table. That is the difference. Last year we went through the motions like Vandy teams of the past. This year's team is building confidence and has that attitude. Getting the swagger back. Love it!!
 
#20
#20
yea i have followed more closely this year, too, vollygirl. i agree with the other posters, this will probably be: 1) the most exciting 8-4/9-3 team we've ever seen and 2)a real sign of things to come. What i am even more excited about is the fact our guys aren't in the papers for the wrong reasons and the collective gpa is higher than its been in 8-9 semesters. that will only translate into production on the field in the very near future. Take notice, we're coming.....................
 
#21
#21
It is like Kiffin said..."Some coaches are good film coaches and make adjustments after the game....I make adjustments on the fly, and I feel I'm a better in-game decision maker".
This staff is better then last staff, this offense will look way better then last year, we brought in some offensive help in the recruiting class, players have bought into the new system, and the competition is making players step into the next level that Fulmer could not get them to go...all advantages over last year.
This team will rise to the top again, and if our cards lay right we could make the turn around this year....Not a NC just a 9-10 win season.
Bama= has new O-Line and New QB
Georgia= lost "Knowshow" and Stafford
Auburn= we should have won last year but should get them this year for sure. We made better coaching moves during the offseason then they did and we have more talent on our team.

So if we play hard with few mistakes in those 3 games..They could easily be wins.
Florida I believe will be tough but I think it will be closer then some would think.....I think Monte will have blitzes packages that Tebow has never seen and will have Tebow running for his life all game...If our offense can move the ball the Florida game will be a slug fest!
I'm just ready for the season.....The most excited I have been in a long time about Tennessee Football.....GO VOLS!
 
#22
#22
We have a Senior heavy offense. A Plus
The O Line was best in NCAA two years ago, same players pretty much. A Plus
Running Backs are being pushed by two All American Freshmen. A Plus
Hancock and Warren playing Wide Receiver. A Plus
Offensive Scheme fits player's ability. A Plus
THREE good tight ends. A Plus
Something to prove. PRICELESS
 
#24
#24
Nice but true. There is a thin line between winning and losing and it is called Attitude. Talent helps too and I believe we have it.
 
#25
#25
OWB said:
From what I've seen, heard and read, I don't think that there has been this kind of energy in our football program for a long long time. The group of coaches that we have right now know how to motivate the players and once they're motivated, they keep them that way.

Now who knows how that's going to translate on the field? I'm not expecting a stellar season this year. I certainly don't think we'll be playing for any kind of championship this year. What I'm looking for are the all the little things to indicate we're heading back in the right direction.

I'm very excited to see what unfolds this year, but I don't unrealistic expectations. We're going to lose some games this year. I'm more concerned with how we lose those games.
Click to expand...

Exactly. It's ok to lose the games you're supposed to as long as you occasionally pull one out and don't get embarrassed in the rest. Not trying to start a debate but CPF might still very well be here if that wasn't the case.

I love the excitement that CLK and Co. have brought to the program. I'm not sure that we haven't all followed a bit closer this year Volly. CLK has made sure of it.:rock:
 
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