The CheckerBoard

Thanks Ryan and +1. I know the previous staff worked hard at recruiting but these new guys seem to have kicked it up to another level. Do you sense that or am I just too hopeful?

People mention TN family kids. We have to remember that kids these days grow up differently. Many of us remember the pre-ESPN days. You might see a dozen other schools play on TV, or read about their games in the papers. Otherwise, you could follow one team, watch the "Johnny Majors Show" or, if you were really fortunate, attend home games in Neyland.

I was one of those fortunate ones, at every home game growing up. It was like going to church. (Don't thump any Bibles at me, you know what I mean.) So, I simply have TN orange in my blood.

These days kids can follow all the teams in the country, in every conference. In that context, for the past eight years or so, the time that these recruits have been growing more conscious, TN has simply been mediocre at best. And at worst...you know.

The program has to earn loyalty. That is simply the lay of the land today in college sports, like it or not. The really talented recruits want to play for winning programs. Period. Time for TN to play big boy ball again.

Vols!