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My Take...

  • When Tennessee fired Derek Dooley, I was equally hopeful and worried. I think the last 7 years of Tennessee football has created a sense of "what could possibly go wrong next" in the fan base, and I certainly know that has extended to me. I, for one, cannot believe how far this program has fallen. You can't even find a UT hat in a LIDS store or a Foot Locker anywhere west of the Mississippi or north of the Ohio. Any orange-colored apparel I see is now Clemson...disgusting.

    I was so excited when it seemed like Charlie Strong was going to be our next coach, and it was such an immediate let down that he said no. Given all the other negative and terrible crap I have going on in my life right now, it was like a sucker punch from the college football gods. Then when I heard it was Butch Jones, my first instinctual reaction was, "Are you friggin' kidding me?" But over the next 24 hours, I calmed and decided to wait and see a bit.

    I think Butch may regret the comment in the PC about building the "best staff in the nation" because, as subjective as that is, I don't think anyone in their right mind believes this staff...even with Tee Martin...would qualify for top-3 in the SEC right now, let alone the whole nation. But I realize it's subjective. The recruiting to finish off this class will mean a lot. And then we'll get a glimpse in spring practice and the O/W game. I am still not overly optimistic that Jones' offense will be as successful in the SEC as the Big East, but then I never thought Kevin Sumlin's would be either (granted he had a Heisman winner working miracles weekly). I am willing to give Jones the time he needs. And while I, like everyone else on this board wants to see the Orange rise again, I am fully aware it will take time and that 2013 will be a rough campaign.

    Look, I know I am not a huge fan favorite on this board for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons I think are misguided and some of them I just don't care about. I am not the most optimistic individual, and these last few months have done nothing to abate that fact. But I love Tennessee. And I love Tennessee football. It is one of the last things truly connecting me to my childhood and my proper Southern roots.

    I want to root for a damned winning program again. I want to be able to buy a damned UT hat in Denver, Colorado without going on Amazon. I want to wear my UT apparel without a damned comment about Kiffin.

    I hope, more than anything in this world at this very second, that Butch Jones is the man Tennessee needs right now. Because I think it is very clear...the rest of us need it too.

    This post was edited by CrockettTM on 12/10/2012 at 9:12 PM

    CrockettTM

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    RockytopATL

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    ol dad

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    AtomicCityVol

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    wataugavol

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    "Count it down with me. Five, four, three, two, one. The national champion is clad in Big Orange!"

    kyvolunteer

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    allwillbeorange

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    CrockettTM

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    Rocklion2000

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    GoOrangeVFL

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    "Count it down with me. Five, four, three, two, one. The national champion is clad in Big Orange!"

    kyvolunteer

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    RockytopATL

  • RockytopATL said...

    I always meant to ask. Are you any relation to the former congressman, king of the wild frontier and hero of the Alamo?

    Who is to say I didnt pull an Elvis at the Alamo?

    CrockettTM

  • CrockettTM said...

    Who is to say I didnt pull an Elvis at the Alamo?

    If you did that, and you're still around, you'd be the world's oldest man by about a century!

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    RockytopATL

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    VolBaller33

  • VolBaller33 said...

    I still can't believe you took CBJ's words at the press conference literally. SMH. I guess you believed him when he told the players they were the "best of the best". Some of y'all are in way too deep - not real healthy imo.

    Listen, I understand what you're saying. But Jones needs to realize he's in the SEC and is speaking to a fan base that is bruised and battered. Everything he says is going to be picked apart...fair or not.

    Hyperbolic speech is only going to cause him problems, especially when there was absolutely no reason to make the statement.

    CrockettTM

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    VolBaller33

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    BUTCH IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. GO VOLS!

    OrangeNCarolina

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    GO VOLS!!

    BuckShot JP

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    volsfaninohio

  • Another +1 for your OP, Crockett. I've said this in several threads now, but you guys saying "don't take Jones literally" are missing the point I think. Everybody understands feel-good hyperbole, and there is a time and place for it. Feeding it to this particular fanbase at this particular time in the life of the program is neither the time nor the place. And Jones should know that, if he is even half the coach he seems to think he is ("this process is infallible"). You just don't overpromise and underdeliver like this. For those who say "he's only had three days, give him a shot," I say "Exactly, look at what he is delivering after 3 days and compare it against what he promised."

    Now Tee has made his decision to stay out west, and the indications are, surprise!, another coach from Cincy will take the spot. Look, I want to see the man coach, I want him to have a shot, but I also want us to WIN. I have a hard time buying in with a coach who appears to be tossing tap water in my face and telling me it's raining. So my message for CBJ is something like this: enough with the feel-good "attaboys" and "best staff" and any other fluff you want to throw out. From here on out, I'm ignoring your words and watching what you do, and I want to SEE a commitment to excellence and being the best and WINNING. Right now coach, you are The Man when it comes to Tennessee football, so no more promises, just deliver the results. GBO!

    Let the DVs commence. biggrin

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    "I'm like Wes." --Ryan Callahan

    MiltonVol

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    volsfaninohio

  • Man! I'm surprised Crockett! You have always been a glass half empty kinda guy to me and it rubbed me wrong alot. If you look around at whats going on in this screwed up country, heck, screwed up world,this coaching crap is trivial. I have a close cousin that is on his 5th deployment. 3 to Iraq and 2 to Afghanistan. He's 1 and a half years from retirement and they have him training their "security" people and if you watch the news that ain't very secure! Maybe I've just gotten older and hearing young people make such a big deal outta what is truly small stuff just doesn't sit well with me anymore. I love the Vols as much as the next guy and want to see another national championship. Heck, I never thought I'd ever live to see the last one! Patience my friend! We WILL BE BACK! Nice post and a +1 to ya!vols

    volnut64

  • MiltonVol said...

    Another +1 for your OP, Crockett. I've said this in several threads now, but you guys saying "don't take Jones literally" are missing the point I think. Everybody understands feel-good hyperbole, and there is a time and place for it. Feeding it to this particular fanbase at this particular time in the life of the program is neither the time nor the place. And Jones should know that, if he is even half the coach he seems to think he is ("this process is infallible"). You just don't overpromise and underdeliver like this. For those who say "he's only had three days, give him a shot," I say "Exactly, look at what he is delivering after 3 days and compare it against what he promised."

    Now Tee has made his decision to stay out west, and the indications are, surprise!, another coach from Cincy will take the spot. Look, I want to see the man coach, I want him to have a shot, but I also want us to WIN. I have a hard time buying in with a coach who appears to be tossing tap water in my face and telling me it's raining. So my message for CBJ is something like this: enough with the feel-good "attaboys" and "best staff" and any other fluff you want to throw out. From here on out, I'm ignoring your words and watching what you do, and I want to SEE a commitment to excellence and being the best and WINNING. Right now coach, you are The Man when it comes to Tennessee football, so no more promises, just deliver the results. GBO!

    Let the DVs commence. biggrin

    Hey MiltonVol, always appreciate your opinion even if I don't totally agree with it(which ain't often). I just think this is part of Coach Jones' personna. He is a motivator and just throwing out positive vibes for the fans and the players. Now I can't forecast what the results of this Pep Talk Presser will be, but I have to admit, it sure was good to hear it. Orange. GO VOLS!

    BUTCH IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. GO VOLS!

    OrangeNCarolina

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    ChicagoUTVol