FREE THOUGHT FRIDAY:

O&W QUICK HITS:

-I’m a college football freak but can’t work up a fervor for sports out of their season. I think spring football is good for coaches regaining the full attention of their rosters; young players getting needed reps, fans of football only and access for kids. Nothing wrong with any of that I just don’t fit any of the above categories.

-I’ve seen very few Orange and White Games. I spent most of my life playing baseball or softball on the day of the event. I did have a string of attendances at the turn of the millennium when I briefly paused my softball tournament play and covered the event for The Tony Basilio Show. It’s a fun appetizer for the season ahead but I can only remember one instance where I drew a correct premonition for the season to come…

-While sitting in the press box -for the first and last time- for the 2006 O&W Game I envisioned unexpected success for a QB-WR connection that the stunningly disappointing 2005 season never hinted at. Erik Ainge had suffered through a dreadful sophomore season that saw him lose a starting job -earned with a sterling freshman campaign- in which he completed only 45.5% of his passes and threw 7 interceptions and 5 TDs. Highly touted WR Robert Meachem had shown none of the promise his high school accolades suggested contributing 5 catches for 61 yards and only one TD in his TWO prior seasons on campus. That April day in Neyland however there was an unmistakable connection between the two that overcame my general depression over the lost season in the rear-view mirror. For a change the eternal hope of spring became a fall reality. Ainge had an outstanding bounce-back junior campaign completing 67% of his passes for 2989 yards with 19 TDs and only 9 interceptions. Meachem emerged to catch 71 of those passes for 1298 yds and 11 TDs. It doesn’t happen often but on that one occasion I was clairvoyant.

-The press box comment above is not intended as a shot at those who ply their trade from that vantage point. It’s more a crack at my lack of professionalism. Press box decorum dictates objective, attentive, quiet, efficiency. I’m a Vol fan incapable of any of the above even at something as inconsequential as the O&W game.

-I actually like the new format where fans are exposed to things such as the Tennessee Drill, position competitions and skills contests. The fear of injury and the difficulty of dividing the squad equally make a true game setting impossible to create.

BUTCH BANTER: Tony, the Good Doctor Sean Sinclair, the callers and the Twitterati had some interesting back and forth on Wednesday’s show concerning Butch Jones and what could possibly lie ahead for both he and the Tennessee Football Program. Sinco is understandably a staunch Butch believer due to his personal affinity for recruiting, his direct involvement with the program at the height of its success and his recognition that through Jones’ and staff’s ability to attract talent the roster is stocked for success. Opposing voices bemoan diminishing returns on the recruiting front and see 2016 as his all-or-nothing Waterloo along with questioning his game day acumen. At the risk of setting off strands from the Waffle House jingle I completely understand both viewpoints. Grab the butter and syrup and check this out:

WE’RE SET UP FOR SUCCESS: It has been a long time since Tennessee was in better position to represent the Eastern Division in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. Even Jones’ most vociferous critic -if honest- would admit that regardless of the state of the division the Vols transformation from also-ran to favorite in the East has been done in a relatively short period.

THE ROSTER PASSES THE EYE TEST: I wasn’t directly involved as Sean was but in covering practices for Tony in times of more open media access I saw the roster when it was stacked and when it was depleted. The current player pool is much closer to the former than the latter. While conceding teams that consistently win leagues as strong as the SEC routinely sign Top-10 classes Jones and staff can evaluate and recruit plenty good enough to keep us competitive regardless of the number assigned beside the class. The roster is balanced and SEC-ready.

WHILE 2016 IS A KEY SEASON ALL IS NOT LOST BEYOND: We may never be better positioned for success than the upcoming season but 2017 won’t be a wash. We’ll be solid on both lines and the kicking game in 2017 and I will take that over proven skill position players and doubts at the point of attack.

BUTCH BETTER CONTINUE TO BE SPECIAL IN RECRUIT’S LIVING ROOMS: Because so far he has proven to be anything but on the sideline on Saturdays. I believe he prepares his team well during the week but to date I have seen nothing to suggest he can make a positive difference against the teams we must win our share against in order to be a frequent SEC Championship contender. If he were truly special in that regard the Vols would have been in Atlanta last year. I don’t care if it was deemed one year too early Tennessee had the best team in the East last season and failed to take advantage of it. I hope I saw some maturation in Butch’s approach as last season progressed but I can’t be certain when the level of competition obviously fell off. The next several seasons against Alabama, Georgia and especially Florida will tell us all we need to know.

STAFF UPGRADES MUST CONTINUE: Just as he evaluates the needs of his roster Butch Jones must also constantly analyze and improve his coaching staff. Three seasons in I believe he has handled this phase of his tenure well. While uncertain staff changes to-date were precipitated by things in Jones’ control I’m convinced Mike Bajakian to Mike Debord; Mark Elder to Larry Scott and John Jancek to Bob Shoop are all significant upgrades. I give Butch an A+ in reactivity. The required staff changes from this point will probably call for a more proactive approach.

TWO OUTTA THREE AIN’T BAD: If forced to give a definitive evaluation of Butch Jones earlier than I’m prepared to do so I would say he’s 2/3rds of the total package. He’s at his third stop as a college head coach. He’s entering his 10th season running his own program. If he was ever going to special on game day it probably would have been evident long before now. In order to be successful lacking that gift you must be a tireless and effective recruiter; CHECK. And you must create a culture and process that enhances development and prepares players for the challenges of being a major college football player both on and between Saturdays; CHECK.

SUMMATION: Butch Jones hasn’t convinced me that he will be successful long-term here in Knoxville. But I feel much better about his chances of doing so today then I did the day of his hiring.

MLB MENTIONS:

-The Orioles have been the surprise of the young season. I knew their lineup had the potential to be as explosive as any this side of the Blue Jays but saw no way their pitching would ever be strong enough to open the season with seven straight wins even if the first six were at home versus Minnesota and Tampa Bay.

-On the other side of the AL surprise meter are slow starts by Toronto and Houston. I expect both teams to show over the course of 162 that they are playoff-worthy.

-It would be stunning that Tampa Bay SP Chris Archer who appeared on his way to ace status would start 0-3 with an ERA over 7. It would be stunning that is had anyone else drafted him as their #1 pitcher in my fantasy baseball league. I could have turned Sandy Koufax into a middle reliever.

-Tony’s Phillies may not win many baseball games this season but SP Vince Velasquez’s Thursday performance should have Philadelphia baseball fans looking forward to at least one game out of every five. Velasquez tossed a three hit shutout versus the Padres with an amazing 16 strikeouts.

FINAL FRIDAY THOUGHT: Soak in the Orange and White festivities with the knowledge that after they conclude there are only 140 days until Appy State.

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