The CheckerBoard

Other than Jon Ford, no other RB on the board is even close.

Really? Fans accepted Dooley's mediocrity? Is that why this board was calling for his head and why there were. 60,000 people in Neyland for the Troy game?

I love some of the couch jockeys that take swipes at Woody Quinn. How many of you out there in Internet land built a D-1 program or coached at a D-1 level? I'm saying the numbers on that demographic are slim to none. We are all disappointed about not landing Green but the facts are facts like the OP said. We ain't that good and we are not the hot thing like Alabama are other major programs right now. It doesn't mean it can't change but it takes time and hard work. I think Butch to me at least has shown an ample amount of hard work and good will towards all of the fans and players...he's working on a time table like all other major college coaches. It's not a profession where stability exists anymore. For the record, I believe Butch can get this done. I have a small amount of proof for that statement (which are the numbers and facts everyone else has) but in the end we'll see what happens. In the duration , lets see where we are on NSD before we start complaining and getting all worked up.

Agree, I said back when we hired him that his first litmus test for me, would be signing day this year. Yes he is behind due to timing, but great coaches find a way to overcome adversity. Heres to hoping we finish strong.

While you've grossly oversimplified the point of the OP, I do think it's fair to say that ANY point you make with intelligent support and reasoning behind it will receive a better response than unsupported proclamations of opinion, stated as fact.

What you're also doing, however, is trying to re-cast and spin your side of the argument (we ought to be good and be good now) as the "real" positive side, with those arguing for a step-by-step climb back up the ladder as "negative". The problem with this spin, of course, is that when your side's unrealistic expectations don't come to pass, you'll be going negative all the time and wanting to this coach, too, then the next, then the next, to be canned, until by blind luck you catch lightning in a bottle with some hire. All the fire Fulmer folks had us all convinced it wasn't gonna be like that; it was all gonna be better; and we all bought it. How's that hope and change working out for ya? You might as well give Butch a chance, b/c your only other choice is to be miserable.

And it's one thing to say we are not as attractive to coaching candidates or recruits as we were in '98. It's also one thing to say we're not as attractive to recruits as Bama, UF or LSU, all of whom have won championships more recently, since everything is relative. However, it's something completely different to claim that "coaches or recruits don't want to come here." The OP didn't say that.

I'm not trying to spin anything. I'm not sure what you're trying to say here but I think you're confused. I've seen plenty of people summarize what the OP said, and get flamed for it. And here we see the same message, but in a longer form being praised. Just pointing out the irony in it, that is all. I guess some people aren't bright enough to see the obvious, but when someone spells it out to them, a light bulb comes on and they spew out up votes and praise.

And why the hell are you preaching to me about giving Butch a chance? And "hows that hope and change working out for ya?" I'm looking forward to seeing what this staff can do. You definitely have me confused with someone else, or just plain confused.

Thanks for pointing out that the OP didnt say "coaches or recruits don't want to come here"
Let me also point out, that I didnt say that either.
What a joke.

Play nice, guys, or we'll have to shut down the thread.

I'm sorry Ryan, I didn't mean for my thread to become World War III...