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Jason Light said...
I don't post often, but I want to share my heart and mind.
I'm going to give you a hypothetical situation. You are a 5 star, 2013 top 20 football player being recruited heavily by 3 schools: Tennessee, Ohio State, and Alabama. You grew up watching the VOLS and want to see them get back to the top. The sky is the limit for you, and you know there is a very good chance you will go to the NFL. You want to go to a college that you feel will give you the greatest potential to get exposure and eventually send you to the league where you will make millions. Sure, you want a degree, but that is not your priority as long as you get to the NFL. So you weigh your options:
1) Bama - National champions 3 of the last 4 including defending champs back to back years
, excellent coaching and stability, great tradition, great development, great facilities, great history of putting players in the NFL, excellent national exposure, beautiful campus, etc. etc. etc.
2) OSU - Undefeated season last year, Coach who has won multiple national championships, Urban isn't going anywhere for a while, national brand, post season ban is over, great national exposure in recent past despite post season ban, nice campus, etc.
3) Tennessee - 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 5-7, 5-7 in last 5 years, brand new coach who has proven nothing on the field in the SEC - He has great potential but so did Dooley and Kiffin, excellent tradition, excellent facilities, great history of putting players in the NFL, family atmosphere with great relationships, nice campus, great fanbase, AWESOME colors, minimal national exposure in recent past - most great exposure came when they lost to ranked teams
I consider myself to be a very logical person and a very good decision-maker. My electrical engineering degree from UT has taught me to do so. Now if I was that recruit and had that kind of potential to go to the NFL, as much as I might love the VOLS and want to see them get back, I still don't think I could take the risk to sign with Tennessee. It would be in my best interest to go to a program with a proven track record in the recent past that would help ensure I get to the NFL and make the big bucks.
Now listen, I am as big a VOL fan as any. I was 7 when we won the championship in 98 but was super excited, I was mad when Fulmer was fired, I was outraged when we missed the field goal to beat Bama in '09, I wanted to punch someone when Kiffin left us the way he did, I wanted to die when we lost to Kentucky a couple years ago, I was there in the Swamp when Hunter went down and some of the Florida fans continued their gator chomp, I grumbled all the way back home from the close loss in Athens, Georgia this year, I punched my pillow in disgust today when Von Bell chose OSU, and I was upset when Boyd's mom got in the way of us getting another great receiver. But the reality is that Butch Jones has not coached a single game at UT yet. Anything could happen in the next 3-4 years.
Some of you say it's sad that Vandy out-recruited us. Yes, it is sad, but the fact is Vandy won 9 games this year, including an absolute mauling of UT. Some say look how much better Auburn did. Come on guys they won the National Championship 3 years ago. And Arkansas was the number 3 team in the land before Petrino had his moment.
Here's another thing. Lane Kiffin, as much as it makes me want to puke when I say this, was a great recruiter whether he was cheating or not. He had us well on the way to a top tier class when Dooley came in at the last minute to seal the deal. From that point on, Dooley's recruiting classes slowly got worse and worse. When he saw the writing on the wall, it seems he just gave up on recruiting and caused us a lot of problems for this class. Lacking good relationships with Tennessee high school coaches, giving up on many 4 and 5 star recruits, etc. Dooley had it way better (as far as recruiting - due to Lane Kiffin) when he first came compared to the awful recruiting situation that Butch came into. Just seeing us get back in the race for Green, North, Bell, Bellamy, Lawson, etc. was indicative of the recruiting that is to come under Butch and Co. Instead of signing a top 10 class and then getting lower and lower like Dooley did, I believe this is the worst class Butch will sign.
Now I have one last rant and I'll hush. Allow me to remind you of the definition of a VOL fan. Our fanbase is well known for its tenacious love and undying SUPPORT. We are supposed to SUPPORT our team through thick and thin. When times get rough, we cheer on our team. I personally refuse to leave the stadium before the final seconds expire even in a blowout loss simply because I want the coaches and the players to know I SUPPORT them. Those of you with an agenda to constantly tear down anything this coaching staff does is doing the exact opposite of being a fan. I would just put you on ignore, but that makes about as much sense as taking guns away from law-abiding citizens. Everyone has the right to express their opinions, and I choose to read them all. No, I don't think you should worship everything that comes out of Butch's mouth, but for Heaven's sake people, GET BEHIND THIS COACHING STAFF AND TEAM. Whether you like it or not, they are our coaches and you have no control over that. Here's to a winning season that will slowly change the perception of our program and get our football family that much closer to a championship.
Rant over.

jeremycheifer
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Weedline said...
Post got all communist-esque at the end there, no? Anyway, nah man, for you guys to prosper you need to chase this administration out with pitch forks and fire. I'm talking coaches, AD's, secretaries, ball guys, everyone. You need to start over. Sure it will take 3-5 years, but when it's done, you will be a force to reckon with again. Get the top brass together and open up some check books because that is what it's going to take. And I don't mean just on coaching staff money. You guys are just changing out band aids and gauze between staffs right now. JMO
jeremycheifer
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RockyTopRev ●
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Jason Light said...
I don't post often, but I want to share my heart and mind.
I'm going to give you a hypothetical situation. You are a 5 star, 2013 top 20 football player being recruited heavily by 3 schools: Tennessee, Ohio State, and Alabama. You grew up watching the VOLS and want to see them get back to the top. The sky is the limit for you, and you know there is a very good chance you will go to the NFL. You want to go to a college that you feel will give you the greatest potential to get exposure and eventually send you to the league where you will make millions. Sure, you want a degree, but that is not your priority as long as you get to the NFL. So you weigh your options:
1) Bama - National champions 3 of the last 4 including defending champs back to back years
, excellent coaching and stability, great tradition, great development, great facilities, great history of putting players in the NFL, excellent national exposure, beautiful campus, etc. etc. etc.
2) OSU - Undefeated season last year, Coach who has won multiple national championships, Urban isn't going anywhere for a while, national brand, post season ban is over, great national exposure in recent past despite post season ban, nice campus, etc.
3) Tennessee - 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 5-7, 5-7 in last 5 years, brand new coach who has proven nothing on the field in the SEC - He has great potential but so did Dooley and Kiffin, excellent tradition, excellent facilities, great history of putting players in the NFL, family atmosphere with great relationships, nice campus, great fanbase, AWESOME colors, minimal national exposure in recent past - most great exposure came when they lost to ranked teams
I consider myself to be a very logical person and a very good decision-maker. My electrical engineering degree from UT has taught me to do so. Now if I was that recruit and had that kind of potential to go to the NFL, as much as I might love the VOLS and want to see them get back, I still don't think I could take the risk to sign with Tennessee. It would be in my best interest to go to a program with a proven track record in the recent past that would help ensure I get to the NFL and make the big bucks.
Now listen, I am as big a VOL fan as any. I was 7 when we won the championship in 98 but was super excited, I was mad when Fulmer was fired, I was outraged when we missed the field goal to beat Bama in '09, I wanted to punch someone when Kiffin left us the way he did, I wanted to die when we lost to Kentucky a couple years ago, I was there in the Swamp when Hunter went down and some of the Florida fans continued their gator chomp, I grumbled all the way back home from the close loss in Athens, Georgia this year, I punched my pillow in disgust today when Von Bell chose OSU, and I was upset when Boyd's mom got in the way of us getting another great receiver. But the reality is that Butch Jones has not coached a single game at UT yet. Anything could happen in the next 3-4 years.
Some of you say it's sad that Vandy out-recruited us. Yes, it is sad, but the fact is Vandy won 9 games this year, including an absolute mauling of UT. Some say look how much better Auburn did. Come on guys they won the National Championship 3 years ago. And Arkansas was the number 3 team in the land before Petrino had his moment.
Here's another thing. Lane Kiffin, as much as it makes me want to puke when I say this, was a great recruiter whether he was cheating or not. He had us well on the way to a top tier class when Dooley came in at the last minute to seal the deal. From that point on, Dooley's recruiting classes slowly got worse and worse. When he saw the writing on the wall, it seems he just gave up on recruiting and caused us a lot of problems for this class. Lacking good relationships with Tennessee high school coaches, giving up on many 4 and 5 star recruits, etc. Dooley had it way better (as far as recruiting - due to Lane Kiffin) when he first came compared to the awful recruiting situation that Butch came into. Just seeing us get back in the race for Green, North, Bell, Bellamy, Lawson, etc. was indicative of the recruiting that is to come under Butch and Co. Instead of signing a top 10 class and then getting lower and lower like Dooley did, I believe this is the worst class Butch will sign.
Now I have one last rant and I'll hush. Allow me to remind you of the definition of a VOL fan. Our fanbase is well known for its tenacious love and undying SUPPORT. We are supposed to SUPPORT our team through thick and thin. When times get rough, we cheer on our team. I personally refuse to leave the stadium before the final seconds expire even in a blowout loss simply because I want the coaches and the players to know I SUPPORT them. Those of you with an agenda to constantly tear down anything this coaching staff does is doing the exact opposite of being a fan. I would just put you on ignore, but that makes about as much sense as taking guns away from law-abiding citizens. Everyone has the right to express their opinions, and I choose to read them all. No, I don't think you should worship everything that comes out of Butch's mouth, but for Heaven's sake people, GET BEHIND THIS COACHING STAFF AND TEAM. Whether you like it or not, they are our coaches and you have no control over that. Here's to a winning season that will slowly change the perception of our program and get our football family that much closer to a championship.
Rant over.
Fear_Smokey
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jeremycheifer
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jeremycheifer said...
I see what u mean but for one ... Dooley and kif kif weren't proven winners. That's what stuck out to me as a bad part of ur statement. Cbj is a proven winner EVERYWHERE HE HAS BEEN! But I understand where u come from. I see it as if he is that great he will be seen no matter what. Tennessee is on tv every game. Just like oswho. Patterson last yr got TONS of national spotlight. Therefore the only reason I think he should go is if he is dying to have a good chance of winning a national championship. But also he may not even start at oswho. Where he most likely would at UT!!!! See what I mean????
Jason Light
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Jason Light
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Jason Light
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Colsha16
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Weedline said...
Post got all communist-esque at the end there, no? Anyway, nah man, for you guys to prosper you need to chase this administration out with pitch forks and fire. I'm talking coaches, AD's, secretaries, ball guys, everyone. You need to start over. Sure it will take 3-5 years, but when it's done, you will be a force to reckon with again. Get the top brass together and open up some check books because that is what it's going to take. And I don't mean just on coaching staff money. You guys are just changing out band aids and gauze between staffs right now. JMO
Jason Light
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Jason Light
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Jason Light
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Beach Vol said...
Thank you for saying exactly what I said back in November when sooo many of these "so called fans" were slamming Dooley and thus our entire program. Not once did they consider that the recruits, their parents, and their coaches/mentors were taking all of this in and feeling all the negativity that has been poisoning our program. (It seems like only yesterday that Bear Bryant died and their fans demanded that they hire someone with " "Alabama ties" and their program suffered for years.) We've been down for several years and it will take SEVERAL YEARS to build it back up but it WILL happen. Coach Jones was not my first choice but what did I know about him? Nothing. I watched his introduction and thought " here we go again...just another good salesman telling us what we want to hear...... Butch Jones and his staff could not have worked any harder than they did; they worked their asses off to get us the best class that they could and they delivered. I was amazed to hear all the comments the recruits made after their visits; they ALL said the same thing: CBJ/staff have a great plan, they are the real deal, they treat us like family, they are so easy to talk to, they really care about me as an individual. WOW, preach to me bro!! Music to my ears! I don't know if these guys can "cut it" in the SEC or not but they all have proven to me that they will pour their heart and souls into doing just that.They want to take us to the "promise land" and I, for one, believe they can and am behind them 100%. Hopefully, some of these "Johnny come lately" Vol fans will hold down all the negative thoughts/comments; get over your "instant gratification crap and get behind our team and coaches. "Rome wasn't built in a day" and neither will our football program but it WILL happen (with or without all you coaching wizards) and the real Vol fans will be with them every step forward and even for the occasional steps backwards. GO VOLS; Rise to the Top !!!! (Whew, Re-Vented. Thanks, Jason; it felt good!!)
Jason Light
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Colsha16 said...
Jason, I am new here and have posted a few times and with some of the negativity I'm wondering if I will stay on the "247 orange vine." But you just took my exact sentiments and ran with them... WOW, great thread... IMHO, no make that a great thread no matter who cares...
Go Vols
Jason Light
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Jason Light said...
I don't post often, but I want to share my heart and mind.
I'm going to give you a hypothetical situation. You are a 5 star, 2013 top 20 football player being recruited heavily by 3 schools: Tennessee, Ohio State, and Alabama. You grew up watching the VOLS and want to see them get back to the top. The sky is the limit for you, and you know there is a very good chance you will go to the NFL. You want to go to a college that you feel will give you the greatest potential to get exposure and eventually send you to the league where you will make millions. Sure, you want a degree, but that is not your priority as long as you get to the NFL. So you weigh your options:
1) Bama - National champions 3 of the last 4 including defending champs back to back years
, excellent coaching and stability, great tradition, great development, great facilities, great history of putting players in the NFL, excellent national exposure, beautiful campus, etc. etc. etc.
2) OSU - Undefeated season last year, Coach who has won multiple national championships, Urban isn't going anywhere for a while, national brand, post season ban is over, great national exposure in recent past despite post season ban, nice campus, etc.
3) Tennessee - 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 5-7, 5-7 in last 5 years, brand new coach who has proven nothing on the field in the SEC - He has great potential but so did Dooley and Kiffin, excellent tradition, excellent facilities, great history of putting players in the NFL, family atmosphere with great relationships, nice campus, great fanbase, AWESOME colors, minimal national exposure in recent past - most great exposure came when they lost to ranked teams
I consider myself to be a very logical person and a very good decision-maker. My electrical engineering degree from UT has taught me to do so. Now if I was that recruit and had that kind of potential to go to the NFL, as much as I might love the VOLS and want to see them get back, I still don't think I could take the risk to sign with Tennessee. It would be in my best interest to go to a program with a proven track record in the recent past that would help ensure I get to the NFL and make the big bucks.
Now listen, I am as big a VOL fan as any. I was 7 when we won the championship in 98 but was super excited, I was mad when Fulmer was fired, I was outraged when we missed the field goal to beat Bama in '09, I wanted to punch someone when Kiffin left us the way he did, I wanted to die when we lost to Kentucky a couple years ago, I was there in the Swamp when Hunter went down and some of the Florida fans continued their gator chomp, I grumbled all the way back home from the close loss in Athens, Georgia this year, I punched my pillow in disgust today when Von Bell chose OSU, and I was upset when Boyd's mom got in the way of us getting another great receiver. But the reality is that Butch Jones has not coached a single game at UT yet. Anything could happen in the next 3-4 years.
Some of you say it's sad that Vandy out-recruited us. Yes, it is sad, but the fact is Vandy won 9 games this year, including an absolute mauling of UT. Some say look how much better Auburn did. Come on guys they won the National Championship 3 years ago. And Arkansas was the number 3 team in the land before Petrino had his moment.
Here's another thing. Lane Kiffin, as much as it makes me want to puke when I say this, was a great recruiter whether he was cheating or not. He had us well on the way to a top tier class when Dooley came in at the last minute to seal the deal. From that point on, Dooley's recruiting classes slowly got worse and worse. When he saw the writing on the wall, it seems he just gave up on recruiting and caused us a lot of problems for this class. Lacking good relationships with Tennessee high school coaches, giving up on many 4 and 5 star recruits, etc. Dooley had it way better (as far as recruiting - due to Lane Kiffin) when he first came compared to the awful recruiting situation that Butch came into. Just seeing us get back in the race for Green, North, Bell, Bellamy, Lawson, etc. was indicative of the recruiting that is to come under Butch and Co. Instead of signing a top 10 class and then getting lower and lower like Dooley did, I believe this is the worst class Butch will sign.
Now I have one last rant and I'll hush. Allow me to remind you of the definition of a VOL fan. Our fanbase is well known for its tenacious love and undying SUPPORT. We are supposed to SUPPORT our team through thick and thin. When times get rough, we cheer on our team. I personally refuse to leave the stadium before the final seconds expire even in a blowout loss simply because I want the coaches and the players to know I SUPPORT them. Those of you with an agenda to constantly tear down anything this coaching staff does is doing the exact opposite of being a fan. I would just put you on ignore, but that makes about as much sense as taking guns away from law-abiding citizens. Everyone has the right to express their opinions, and I choose to read them all. No, I don't think you should worship everything that comes out of Butch's mouth, but for Heaven's sake people, GET BEHIND THIS COACHING STAFF AND TEAM. Whether you like it or not, they are our coaches and you have no control over that. Here's to a winning season that will slowly change the perception of our program and get our football family that much closer to a championship.
Rant over.

Colsha16
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Jason Light
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But in the meantime I just support the team. I can't worry too much over things out of my control.
Please read and hear me out, as a fellow VOL fan