The CheckerBoard

This one is tough to swallow.. I feel like there has to be more to this story. Shocked right now

Graham is a traitor. He can turn in his VFL card now. He and Tee Martin both.

Sorry to disagree. While I've just found out about this, there are many possible reasons Graham is leaving. Maybe he's discovered he doesn't fit, maybe he's a canary in the coal mine. I'll be damned if I'm calling a VOL hero like Graham a traitor.

I'm not going to go as far as traitor or anything like that I just would like to know whats going on. It's just shocking, especially considering the timing of it. This hurts Butch with the fan base though, I'm still bought into what Butch is selling but he needs to make a heck of a hire to replace Graham to keep things going.

Man, just when I thought everything was looking up too. Guess it still is but this one hurts.

It's a business first. I am not happy with him leaving but I cannot fault the man for doing what he feels is best for his career and family. JMO

This!

People are taking this way too personally. This is a personal decision that Jay Graham gets to make. Most of us haven't been in this position before. While many here would like to think they would never leave Tenn if provided this opportunity, the truth is you just don't know. To be qualified to receive the Tenn position, you're going to be qualified for many more opportunities. None of us know his real personal and professional considerations. Jay Graham gave his all when he played for us and owes us nothing.

As a former player, we should wish Jay Graham well and hope that CBJ finds a suitable replacement that will help Tenn kick FSU's ass should we be lucky enough to play them in the next few years.

This. This is his career, not some volunteer stint for his alma mater.

Sorry, he doesn't owe the fans anything just because he played ball here.

My understanding is that UT slow played (not Graham's call) alot of backs in hopes of getting Henry and Green and some reputable outlets have stated that had Dooley won enough games to stay Green would be a Vol- thank-you Jay Graham. I question whether some of you are 10 years old, because no rationale sober adult would say some of the truly asinine stuff that has been posted on Graham leaving- especially considering most of you don't even know the whole story. Your post seems to suggest that Reggie White, Tony Robinson, Chuck Smith, Majors, Fulmer, Wilson, Price, Tee don't matter to the program now which is ignorant. The program Jones is selling isn't even the program without those guys. His actions and words seem to suggest that even if you seemingly can't understand. The tradition that many of you throw out when discussing recruiting and what UT has to offer IS Jay Graham and Tee Martin and many others. Many of these guys recruit for UT on the regular now in unofficial capacities the same as players that went to Bama or Florida. Belittling former players isn't new. Unfortunately Fulmer still gets an extreme amount of undue criticism. Chavis wasn't appreciated (he may be now). Just Crazy. I hope Jay is able to get closer to what he wants to accomplish in his career.

JMO. Former players do not win games.........VERY few affect recruits now. Sure they are our history but that is just that......History. You think former players are why AU won a title or Ole Miss recruited such a great class or Clemson out recruits us every year almost?

ONLY Peyton, EB, and a handful of others really matter at this point of our program........Eric Ainge in the media or Tony Robinson or esp Chuck Smith at this point. Fulmer of course matters as he is very visible in the program today and is on TV and might even have a position at UT sooner than later. Big difference than guys like Price or Wilson etc.

I am far from 10 years old and not sure why you would even hint that too. 41 and have an opinion. I am NOT bashing anyone but Jay Graham for saying YES 2 months ago when he didnt have to say YES.

Chavis does nothing for UT now and recruits daily against us..........Graham will recruit against us tomorrow. Our history and tradition is not our reality or need now. Those things are very separate. I LOVE OUR TRADITIONS AND HISTORY....this had nothing to do with that.