Online Now 609

The CheckerBoard

The place for inside information on the Tennessee Vols

On this Board 354
Record: 4783 (12/9/2012)

Online now 593
Record: 6475 (12/7/2012)

Reply

Are we that bad?

  • I'm fine with the criticism of the 40+ passes and the defensive communications (although, I'm not really surprised at either given our offensive personnel and other teams that have struggled with the 3-4 switch). But the AJ Johnson formation??? You have a problem with that??? That was at a good point in the game. The coaches weren't trying to force things at that point because the offense was actually moving the ball and we had the lead. His TD was the last good thing we did on offense before the meltdown. With the way Bray was playing at the end, we probably should have done that a few MORE times. I suppose you think the Patriots had a terrible offense which is why they always were having to throw touchdowns to Mike Vrabel instead of a real TE. Come on, man. You're pissed off and searching for things to whine about. There is plenty to be upset about in that game, but don't be upset about the stuff that actually worked.

    smasher423

  • The answer to the post is YES!! We don't have a running back that runs angry like AJ. That's the sad truth. Kodos to Dooley for realizing that.

    abkelley74

  • Tackling AJ would be like fighting the entire A team, which sounds like a bad idea to me.

    SRDC Vol

  • VolForce-1 said...

    No, his post clearly shows a total lack of understanding. You don't need practices to learn and entirely new defensive scheme and the hand signals that go along with it? Come on. And heck no, I will not cut him a break. I cut him and others breaks for years on VolQuest. I came here because it’s supposed to be different. Mindless ranting and raving will not be tolerated by me. The door won’t hit me in the butt, trust me.

    Actually from what I can tell the only difference between this site and Volquest is that the blame Dooley/fire Dooley crowd has been replaced by the Dooley Apologist/let him coach out his contract due to poor condition of the program he inherited crowd. Both scream and yell their dissatisfaction when anyone has a different opinion. Both down talk, ignore list, or rant to those with opposing views.

    Every now and then I'm able to have a discussion of differing opinions with some like big orange and Volsam, even though they are clearly in the all Dooley all the time crowd. Ha. I suspect that in a vacuum we could have half way decent discussions more frequently. However on this Board any decent discussion is hijacked by the Dooley or Bust crowd just like the Fire Dooley or Else crowd hijacks other sites.

    I don't always agree with Drizzle for instance, but the guy is pretty respectful with his opinion and if it weren't for him the Board would be bereft of certain discussions. Most people are pretty respectful in responding, but the ignorant comments that always follow are almost never checked by site ops like they do when the Hate Dooley crowd start pontificating and I do appreciate keeping that element in check. All and all the intervals between the really good discussions around here regarding the football Vols are getting less frequent.

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by DCVolunteer on 9/18/2012 at 1:44 PM

    DCVolunteer

  • We are in full melt down mode now. Just like the 4th qtr.

    abkelley74

  • DCVolunteer said...

    Actually from what I can tell the only difference between this site and Volquest is that the blame Dooley/fire Dooley crowd has been replaced by the Dooley Apologist/let him coach out his contract due to poor condition of the program he inherited crowd. Both scream and yell their dissatisfaction when anyone has a different opinion. Both down talk, ignore list, or rant to those with opposing views.

    Every now and then I'm able to have a discussion of differing opinions with some like big orange and Volsam, even though they are clearly in the all Dooley all the time crowd. Ha. I suspect that in a vacuum we could have half way decent discussions more frequently. However on this Board any decent discussion is hijacked by the Dooley or Bust crowd just like the Fire Dooley or Else crowd hijacks other sites.

    I don't always agree with Drizzle for instance, but the guy is pretty respectful with his opinion and if it weren't for him the Board would be bereft of certain discussions. Most people are pretty respectful in responding, but the ignorant comments that always follow are almost never checked by site ops like they do when the Hate Dooley crowd start pontificating and I do appreciate keeping that element in check. All and all the intervals between the really good discussions around here regarding the football Vols are getting less frequent.

    Then you're only selectively choosing which threads and posts to read. And to even attempt to claim that VQ fosters better discussion is a joke. That board has been a festering pool of hate for years, which is why a lot of people dropped it for this site.

    This post was edited by tntoak on 9/18/2012 at 2:46 PM

    signature image signature image signature image

    tntoak

  • tntoak said...

    Then you're only selectively choosing which threads and posts to read. And to even attempt to claim that VQ fosters better discussion is a joke. That board has been a festering pool of hate for years, which is why a lot of people dropped it for this site.

    You read what you wanted to read. I didn't attempt to say or say that VQ fosters better discussion.

    DCVolunteer

  • No doubt my posts weren't exactly thought out to the extent they should have been and apparently it shows.

    Yes I am frustrated obviously as many others are. Yes I am critical of some things and probably shouldn't be as vocal about it.

    The AJ package works, yes. I just wonder about that decision when we are so thin at LB, that is all.

    Maybe when I see Bray looking at the sideline so much it reminds me of 2005 to much,a season I never got over I think.

    I'm just so tired of losing these type games. I'm tired of losing period. Perhaps that is my biggest downfall. I know there is talent there although still thin and young at spots. I do think this team will find some leaders in the next couple of weeks and nine wins is still realistic.

    Again, didn't mean to step on any toes and probably shouldn't have been do negative in my remarks.

    UTSwamper

  • UTSwamper said...

    No doubt my posts weren't exactly thought out to the extent they should have been and apparently it shows.

    Yes I am frustrated obviously as many others are. Yes I am critical of some things and probably shouldn't be as vocal about it.

    The AJ package works, yes. I just wonder about that decision when we are so thin at LB, that is all.

    Maybe when I see Bray looking at the sideline so much it reminds me of 2005 to much,a season I never got over I think.

    I'm just so tired of losing these type games. I'm tired of losing period. Perhaps that is my biggest downfall. I know there is talent there although still thin and young at spots. I do think this team will find some leaders in the next couple of weeks and nine wins is still realistic.

    Again, didn't mean to step on any toes and probably shouldn't have been do negative in my remarks.

    No worries dude. We're all sick of losing and a little bit on edge. Kudos for the honesty. +1 to you.

    smasher423

  • UTSwamper said...

    No doubt my posts weren't exactly thought out to the extent they should have been and apparently it shows.

    Yes I am frustrated obviously as many others are. Yes I am critical of some things and probably shouldn't be as vocal about it.

    The AJ package works, yes. I just wonder about that decision when we are so thin at LB, that is all.

    Maybe when I see Bray looking at the sideline so much it reminds me of 2005 to much,a season I never got over I think.

    I'm just so tired of losing these type games. I'm tired of losing period. Perhaps that is my biggest downfall. I know there is talent there although still thin and young at spots. I do think this team will find some leaders in the next couple of weeks and nine wins is still realistic.

    Again, didn't mean to step on any toes and probably shouldn't have been do negative in my remarks.

    We agree 100%, as I am sick and tired of seeing UT lose these games too.

    VolForce1202823

  • DCVolunteer said...

    Actually from what I can tell the only difference between this site and Volquest is that the blame Dooley/fire Dooley crowd has been replaced by the Dooley Apologist/let him coach out his contract due to poor condition of the program he inherited crowd. Both scream and yell their dissatisfaction when anyone has a different opinion. Both down talk, ignore list, or rant to those with opposing views.

    Every now and then I'm able to have a discussion of differing opinions with some like big orange and Volsam, even though they are clearly in the all Dooley all the time crowd. Ha. I suspect that in a vacuum we could have half way decent discussions more frequently. However on this Board any decent discussion is hijacked by the Dooley or Bust crowd just like the Fire Dooley or Else crowd hijacks other sites.

    I don't always agree with Drizzle for instance, but the guy is pretty respectful with his opinion and if it weren't for him the Board would be bereft of certain discussions. Most people are pretty respectful in responding, but the ignorant comments that always follow are almost never checked by site ops like they do when the Hate Dooley crowd start pontificating and I do appreciate keeping that element in check. All and all the intervals between the really good discussions around here regarding the football Vols are getting less frequent.

    Maybe I don’t know what to look for, but I don't see a single Dooley apologist post in this thread, and I am certainly not one of them. That being said, I think the constant radio and message board drama calling for Dooley's head does nothing at all to serve the program. JMO, but what worthy coach would come here knowing that he had 3 years at best or they were fired? And no they wouldn’t really have 3 years. Some of the fan base started calling for his head before first spring practice season was over.

    UT for the first time in years is starting to finally build some decent depth. Firing the head coach now would set the program back maybe 10 years? I don’t know. Granted, I’m guessing, but I don’t see any coach out there that could create instant success at UT willing to take a chance. And many of the exceptional players needed in this league won’t either. Sorry, but UT isn’t a coaching dream spot given the turnover and reaction this fan base has given to the previous 3 coaches. That’s documented fact, and why we ended up with a Kiffin and now a Dooley. If UT was Alabama we might have a Saban type coach out there wanting to coach here. To my limited knowledge he’s not out there anywhere right now. So who is the next hire?

    Now, I did read in this thread where some people tried to rationalize a defense trying to learn a new scheme in ~30 practices. If that makes them a "Dooley or Bust" then okay. I guess we'll simply agree to disagree.

    Am I saying it’s Dooley or Bust? Don’t know, I guess that’s up to interpretation. What I am saying is that UT needs STABILITY to continue to build much needed depth. This program was in much worse shape than most fans knew or were/are willing to admit. Dooley has been successful thus far in building depth and giving the program some stability notwithstanding the win-loss record. This, to me, is the first real season to measure Dooley by, not that I give him a pass on last season. But now the players are primarily from his three-ish recruiting classes. His grade for the UF game isn’t good at all. However, we’ve lost to UF before and still played in the SECCG. Will that happen this season? Don’t know. Personally, I kind of doubt it, but I still have a terribly bitter taste in my mouth from Saturday night that is in no way related to the Gin and Tonics I was bathing in.

    So am I a Dooley or Bust guy? I’d say no. I’m a UT needs some stability guy that would like to see what Dooley can do with some depth and his players, mostly. My tone on Dooley and UT’s need for stability may change by season’s end. We’ll see. But I’m not setting myself on fire and jumping off any bridges over a loss to a Gator team that was much better than anyone, except maybe Wes, thought.

    My two cents.

    This post was edited by VolForce1202823 on 9/18/2012 at 3:53 PM

    VolForce1202823

  • I personally don't see any benefit to using the wildcat, unless the qb is equally awesome and a huge threat running, throwing and handing off. If the qb in the wildcat does not possess great talent in all three phases of the game, the play is somewhat predictable for the defense.

    bloodrunorange

  • DCVolunteer said...

    Actually from what I can tell the only difference between this site and Volquest is that the blame Dooley/fire Dooley crowd has been replaced by the Dooley Apologist/let him coach out his contract due to poor condition of the program he inherited crowd. Both scream and yell their dissatisfaction when anyone has a different opinion. Both down talk, ignore list, or rant to those with opposing views.

    Every now and then I'm able to have a discussion of differing opinions with some like big orange and Volsam, even though they are clearly in the all Dooley all the time crowd. Ha. I suspect that in a vacuum we could have half way decent discussions more frequently. However on this Board any decent discussion is hijacked by the Dooley or Bust crowd just like the Fire Dooley or Else crowd hijacks other sites.

    I don't always agree with Drizzle for instance, but the guy is pretty respectful with his opinion and if it weren't for him the Board would be bereft of certain discussions. Most people are pretty respectful in responding, but the ignorant comments that always follow are almost never checked by site ops like they do when the Hate Dooley crowd start pontificating and I do appreciate keeping that element in check. All and all the intervals between the really good discussions around here regarding the football Vols are getting less frequent.

    spot on post and the most accurate anyone has said in this thread. +1 to you.

    And to the others claiming this is a troll thread, it's not. If it was, he'd continue to banter and go off on tangents and fire back at some of the replies. Just because someone posts something that you don't agree with doesn't mean its a troll. There are a lot of concerns that the original OP had that need to be weighed.

    Yes, the AJ wildcat worked and I personally loved it. But what if a Florida defender jacks his knee up and he is gone for the season. What would you all be talking about Sunday thru today? Personally, I'd be bummed it happened, but I wouldn't say Dooley has to go and rant and rave about how dumb it was.

    You all claim to be a lot better than volquest, but honestly you are just an extreme in the other direction.

    Btw, I'm pro Dooley and still think he should get this year plus another. But, at least I can see some value in what this guy was trying to convey without reacting as some of you who have escaped volquest have done.

    This post was edited by dheitz on 9/18/2012 at 5:50 PM

    dheitz

  • This is so true you dont win in the sec passing 40+ a game we are proof.

    Voller80

  • When I saw it I thought of 45 Johnny Majors, single wing...but hey I am not as smart as all of you folk.shrug
    Ma

    tnmavol

  • Some of you act like AJ can only get hurt playing offense. He is just as likely to get hurt playing defense. Ive seen all the linebackers have blockers shoot straight for their knees in all three games so far this season. People get hurt on both sides of the ball and i dont think that one side is more likely to get hurt more than the other side. Getting hurt is a risk they take everytime they step on the field no matter what side of the ball they are on.

    rainman10

  • tnmavol said...

    When I saw it I thought of 45 Johnny Majors, single wing...but hey I am not as smart as all of you folk.shrugMa

    Well I guess this info went over everyone's head...like a rocket.
    Maheadslap

    tnmavol

  • I think Dooley should utilize his personnel in the best way to win football games. I believe that's exactly what he is trying to do. My criticism in regards to the wildcat is not that Dooley is utilizing it or using AJ, because it looks like the wildcat works and considering the players he has to choose from AJ appears to be the right man for the job. I just don't think we'd be using AJ if Dooley had hired a RB coach from the beginning. I would think you'd have a better chance of convincing an elite back and his advisors that you were serious about running the ball if you had a RB coach. He has corrected that by hiring Graham which should help us secure an elite RB sooner rather than later. Just got to work with what he has right now.

    This post was edited by DCVolunteer on 9/18/2012 at 7:15 PM

    DCVolunteer

  • VolForce-1 said...

    Maybe I don’t know what to look for, but I don't see a single Dooley apologist post in this thread, and I am certainly not one of them. That being said, I think the constant radio and message board drama calling for Dooley's head does nothing at all to serve the program. JMO, but what worthy coach would come here knowing that he had 3 years at best or they were fired? And no they wouldn’t really have 3 years. Some of the fan base started calling for his head before first spring practice season was over.

    UT for the first time in years is starting to finally build some decent depth. Firing the head coach now would set the program back maybe 10 years? I don’t know. Granted, I’m guessing, but I don’t see any coach out there that could create instant success at UT willing to take a chance. And many of the exceptional players needed in this league won’t either. Sorry, but UT isn’t a coaching dream spot given the turnover and reaction this fan base has given to the previous 3 coaches. That’s documented fact, and why we ended up with a Kiffin and now a Dooley. If UT was Alabama we might have a Saban type coach out there wanting to coach here. To my limited knowledge he’s not out there anywhere right now. So who is the next hire?

    Now, I did read in this thread where some people tried to rationalize a defense trying to learn a new scheme in ~30 practices. If that makes them a "Dooley or Bust" then okay. I guess we'll simply agree to disagree.

    Am I saying it’s Dooley or Bust? Don’t know, I guess that’s up to interpretation. What I am saying is that UT needs STABILITY to continue to build much needed depth. This program was in much worse shape than most fans knew or were/are willing to admit. Dooley has been successful thus far in building depth and giving the program some stability notwithstanding the win-loss record. This, to me, is the first real season to measure Dooley by, not that I give him a pass on last season. But now the players are primarily from his three-ish recruiting classes. His grade for the UF game isn’t good at all. However, we’ve lost to UF before and still played in the SECCG. Will that happen this season? Don’t know. Personally, I kind of doubt it, but I still have a terribly bitter taste in my mouth from Saturday night that is in no way related to the Gin and Tonics I was bathing in.

    So am I a Dooley or Bust guy? I’d say no. I’m a UT needs some stability guy that would like to see what Dooley can do with some depth and his players, mostly. My tone on Dooley and UT’s need for stability may change by season’s end. We’ll see. But I’m not setting myself on fire and jumping off any bridges over a loss to a Gator team that was much better than anyone, except maybe Wes, thought.

    My two cents.

    I was just responding to a statement that was indirectly related to the ops original post. I will respectfully offer two opinions related to your response. One there are 21 downvotes in this thread, in which the op clearly raises some valid discussion points and didn't once call for Dooley's head. I don't agree with everything he said, but that is what precipitates discussion and makes the thread interesting in part.

    Two I am beginning to believe that the issue of whether Dooley comes back next year is moot. The buy out is probably too prohibitive. I want the guy to win. He has the right attitude toward Tennessee tradition and he appreciates the significance of coaching at UT, and I honestly believe he gets 8 wins.

    DCVolunteer

  • I want Dooley to stay. I also want him to win big games this year. I also want a Porsche.

    bloodrunorange

  • This post is for members of GoVols247 only. Join now! 7-Day Free Trial

    bigorange

  • DCVolunteer said...

    Actually from what I can tell the only difference between this site and Volquest is that the blame Dooley/fire Dooley crowd has been replaced by the Dooley Apologist/let him coach out his contract due to poor condition of the program he inherited crowd. Both scream and yell their dissatisfaction when anyone has a different opinion. Both down talk, ignore list, or rant to those with opposing views.

    Every now and then I'm able to have a discussion of differing opinions with some like big orange and Volsam, even though they are clearly in the all Dooley all the time crowd. Ha. I suspect that in a vacuum we could have half way decent discussions more frequently. However on this Board any decent discussion is hijacked by the Dooley or Bust crowd just like the Fire Dooley or Else crowd hijacks other sites.

    I don't always agree with Drizzle for instance, but the guy is pretty respectful with his opinion and if it weren't for him the Board would be bereft of certain discussions. Most people are pretty respectful in responding, but the ignorant comments that always follow are almost never checked by site ops like they do when the Hate Dooley crowd start pontificating and I do appreciate keeping that element in check. All and all the intervals between the really good discussions around here regarding the football Vols are getting less frequent.

    DC...

    Actually, I agree with some of this post. In fact, in Atlanta at the BeirGarten I was talking to either Tnbear or CPAVOL, but my conversation was about this board at times becoming a cheerleading section for CDD...

    Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a part of the fire CDD crowd, but I'm also not part of the CDD is our saviour crowd either. I like what he has done with the VFL program and for the most part he appears to be getting the program out of the Police line-up and into the game line-up, but we need a better product on the field from him..

    With that being said, CDD discussion brings out the fire in posters from both sides and leads to a lot of down votes if you're not a CDD supporter. The discussion here is more civil than on other boards, but I can see your point about the general outlook on this kind of thread.

    Ok, I've spouted off enough, I guess it's time for the down votes to hit me..oh well.....anyway..GO VOLS!!!

    This post has been edited 3 times, most recently by CLEMSONVOL716 on 9/19/2012 at 7:12 AM

    signature image signature image signature image

    CLEMSONVOL716

  • I do support Dooley. That said, I think its obvious his first coaching staff was a bust and probably didn't help the perception of him. I sometimes think Cheney was kept by default.

    I think Dooley was smart enough to make changes and there is no doubt in my mind he is the reason all those coaches left, no matter what they all say. To which,I applaud him.

    I might question and even be critical of some of his decisions but overall he is doing what he needed to stabilize this program.

    UTSwamper

  • Hey he has the right to post whatever he wants he pays the same monthly bill as all of us. That's why I enjoy this site different views no reason to tell someone to leave. I agree with most of what he said. What if aj would have gotten hurt on those wildcat runs I bet it would be a different story then. You don't see saban running hightower or mclain at wildcat. We have backs for that. I bet neal or lane can't play linebacker. And this defense does need work its good that we sticking up for our team but hey if we can't handle the whole package then let's not use the whole package simplify. Try new stuff against akron not florida we needed that win. I guess my hopes were just too high cause the truth is we are a long way from being a elite team. Let's see how we do the rest of the season. Go Vols

    hackburgman