Complete and total All Star/All American two segment appearance from Houston Kress who broke it down scientifically yesterday on the show. His thorough preview of Tennessee's schedule was flat out next level. I loved his take on the way UT for once is getting a complete fair shake from the schedule makers. There's not a team anywhere of consequence on UT's schedule that wouldn't trade with the Vols in terms of opponents played the week before they meet the Vols. This season is really taking on an interesting shape 39 days out. I don't know what to think expectations wise but it's going to be a lot of fun to watch 2015 unfold. I just get the feeling that something truly memorable is about to go down here.
Meanwhile our scheduling secret is getting out.
Link
The secret is out...Did I tell you this? Butch Jones is getting ready to face some pressure in year 3. Too many people talking 2015 up.
Link
I hope David Climer in Nashville is kidding about this. I realize its chic to hate on Dave Hart over the Lady Vol issue. I also get that Climer's Tennessean is all in on the Hart hate and anti-UT administration position they've taken. Still the concept of digging up bones from Tyndall's short tenure at UT is beyond the pale. NOBODY does this. NOBODY and Climer knows that. In a word, this column is stupid. No offense but this is stupid.
Link
Stand With The Tony Basilio Show
Join the T Club
Make a One-Time Donation
Send Us A T-Mail. Click Here.
Click to subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Mid-State Heath says it's about mining.
'When it really boils down to it, it seems to me the biggest reason the Vols did so well in the 90s was recruiting the neighboring states. We could go down into GA, AL, SC, and cherry pick great players, then go mining everywhere from the west coast, Texas & Louisiana, Florida, Midwest and fill in the gaps.
But then Richt, Saban, Meyer, and Spurrier said, "Nopey." No more. The Vols simply couldn't close the deal anymore. (We particularly got Dooleyed on the lines of scrimmage...ouch).
The battle continues. TN likely lost to Saban on RB B.J. Emmons, who was first pro GA, then settled for Bama.
In particular, Georgia vs. Tennessee fighting for commitments seems to be the resounding theme. You got 5 star Kyle Davis likely down to TN and GA. You got Elijah Holyfield, a GA lean, looking at the Vols. You got five-star athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. out of GA, and Tennessee legacy player Nigel Warrior is a four-star safety is down to the Bulldogs and Vols. . Derrick Brown is another five-star defensive tackle the Vols are pursuing, but he appears to be going Bulldogs.
I think it is obvious that it's just so challenging to recruit GA and the neighboring states that you have to go mining for gold veins in less likely places. Since we landed Jarrett Guarantano, TN is now pro New Jersey -pursuing NJ 5 star RB Ohio State "commit" (whatever), Kareem Walker. Then there is No. 1 overall recruit in the 2016 class, NJ five-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary.
Can you imagine flipping Walker away from Meyer, then landing the top-ranked player in the country. Talk about some real headlines that would be!
MidState Heath'
I couldn't agree with you more Mid-State. Put it this way, when Saban first arrived at Bama in his first year he suffered multiple losses. As great as Spurrier is he had to pick it up on defense before contending for a division title at South Carolina. I believe college football is 80-85% players. Period. It's about bodies, depth, speed and flat old recruiting. Head coaches must be adept at delegating as well having a knack for feeling the game. Put it this way, if Butch Jones can consistently win many of the 6-8 decisive plays that decide the winners from the losers in signature games, he will be here for a long time and Tennessee could return playoff contention conservatively within 3 years.
Interesting recruiting stuff here.
Link
National media will love this. It's right up their alley. Do you think women can effectively coach men in football?
Link
Why is world level soccer catching on somewhat in this country? Because it's full of characters like the manager of Mexico who allegedly punched then challenged a member of the Mexican press in Philly yesterday after WINNING the Gold Cup. LOVE IT.
Link
This Hulkamaniac is smarting from Hogan's recorded rant.
Link
Paul Johnson is a taciturn clown. Never quits bitching. NEVER.
Link
Does college football have a safety crisis.
Link
This is a damn disgrace.
Link
Kobe Bryant seems likeable. At least he's never harmed a woman. Or did he?
Link
Equally deplorable is A-Roid 'who last night became the 6th player in major-league history to appear in a game at age 18 (or younger) and in his 40s (via @eliassports)'. Plus A-Roid went deep on his 40th birthday to top things off. It's the 8th time he's homered on his birthday. A Roid joins Gary Sheffield, Rusty Staub and Ty Cobb as players to homer as a teen and in their 40's. Think about how great Cobb was to make that list with all his accomplishments.
My Mets improved their bullpen last night. Get ready for the stretch drive. Gonna be a great 2nd half charge from my new guys.
Link
Blue Jays acquire Tulowitzki and are now all in.
Link
Of course Toronto's pitching still stinks.
Link
This is pure evil.
Link
4 teams vying for $1,000,000? Pretty cool idea.
Link
Holly Sonders (Holly Niederkohr) is a good sport for taking this young man to the prom. She's only 28. Stranger things seem to happen in our schools these days.
Link
Farm Aid is turning 30 with a great line up.
Link
Performance as a drug can be heartbreaking.
Link
I tremendously enjoyed Secret City: The Oak Ridge Story-The War Years on PBS last night. I checked for a re-air date and nothing came up. Look on line for this as it was time well spent. Amazing how much history we have right here in East Tennessee.
Tony
Get the Droid App!
Share This Blog
