Big thanks to fellow Vol Kevin Neel for coming through for tickets for Noah and his brother for the Georgia game. If you'll recall, Noah is bringing his wheelchair bound brother up for the Georgia game and was hunting some tickets in the wheelchair access area. Kevin Neel is coming through. I celebrate this!
Boy...Do we need to get a win around here or what? I've always maintained that stuff like the controversy swirling around UT's program seems to follow programs during disappointing years. Granted the alleged incident happened back in the summer it was probably going to see the light of day even if the Vols were 4-1.
I don't know about you but this strife is wearing me out. I don't know about you but I'm not feeling 22. And I'm sure feeling for Coach 24 today as I write this. As you read this, things are very much up in the air on this with Butch Jones and Mac Crowder. How this ends up is anybody's guess. All bets are off as to the outcome of this burgeoning controversy.
In the meantime, Tennessee is twisting in the wind under the swirl of controversy. NOBODY is shepherding UT through this. NOBODY. Why hasn't Dave Hart issued a statement saying that UT is getting to the bottom of this? Do these people think this is going away? Because it's not. Of course the Tennessean is involved as are other local, regional and national sites.
Tennessee needs to get out in front of this. It's bigger than Butch Jones and his tenure here. Dave Hart needs to fully investigate this and cull through every inch of video from the day in question. Plus he should conduct full and thorough interviews with everyone in that vicinity on the day in question. Then, once this is complete, he should call a press conference and report his findings to us.
Because he's not doing his job like Doug Dickey would've, we are staring into murky waters today. Dickey was a master during times such as this. You must control the message or it will control you. This isn't 1992 and Dave Hart isn't at ECU anymore. Wake up Dime Store Dave.
Dave Hart needs to do his job. What happens if that family takes his sitting Head Coach to court in a civil suit (very possible) and he's caught flat footed? He must investigate this deal thoroughly and give us a full report when he's finished.
If it's bad, own it. If nothing's there, GREAT. Then we can all move on. For now this is a real situation. Ignoring it isn't going to make it go away.
In the meantime the rest of us need to chill. Shooting messengers isn't going to do any good. What if they're right? What then? Do they go from heroes to zeros. People I talk to around the program are concerned about where this could head.
Again, I claim no knowledge of this. My stance is that I wasn't there. Vol Colonel wasn't there on the day in question as he was on the heels of recovery from surgery. 'X' has been removed from the scene for a while to handle some other business. That said, people I trust within the program are concerned. After all, we're living a time of zero tolerance for coach player contact.
I'll ask you once again what I wondered here yesterday? Do you think Butch Jones when you look at him is capable of being involved in what's been alleged here? He seems pretty uptight to me. That whole red faced deal is concerning. At times he resembles teapot that's about to blow team through his ears.
Before we go to T-Mail today I once again want to encourage cooler heads to prevail in this. Let's wait and see where this goes and in the meantime get ready for Georgia! A win wouldn't make all of this go away but it sure would be worth celebrating.
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Tee Mail:
'Tony just let u know a bright side of butch. A kid in Hancock co who was starting qb lost his life a couple of weeks ago in a car wreck. Butch drove all the way to speak at his memorial service and gave his younger brother a football!
Shane, Upper East Tennessee'
I heard Chuck of WJBE ask Butch Jones about this very thing on Monday. Butch seemed appreciative of Chuck mentioning it. Thanks for calling this to my attention. I thought I understood Butch to say that the surviving members of the team visited with him last week. At any rate, we need to remember that these are people coaching these sports we love. And at the end of the day, it's all going to go back in the box no matter how monetarily rich or poor we are.
'Tony:
I have watched all of the pyrotechnics the last few weeks and listened to all of the commentary about the coaching staff.
While some of the commentary about specific coaching decisions is well justified much of the other criticisms are just plain outlandish. This situation isn't that complicated.
We have two significant flaws on the team and both of them are on the offensive side of the ledger. First, the OL is improved from last year but remain barely average at run blocking and clearly below average in pass protection. This exacerbates the fact that Dobbs is at best an average passer-not particularly accurate when his feet are set and hardly at all on the move.
Whatever criticisms you want to level at the defense I argue are overwhelmed by the offensive concerns. If we could be more physical running the ball we would have won all three of the losses. If Dobbs could be protected we would likely have won at least 2 of the 3.
In short, for all of the carping, the fact remains that on the Offensive Line our personnel is not nearly in the upper half of the SEC. We are improved all over the field but still behind in the trenches. For me that translates to recruiting continuing to be the big issue and where improvement must occur for the team to advance.
Most serious observers picked this team to be 8-4 or 7-5 on the season. That is right where they are at this time. We are right to complain about where we could be but let's not lose all perspective.
Franklin C.'
Franklin: Thanks for being there. I get what you're saying but it sucks that we are the one team in America that can't finish football games. Our coaches simply refuse to adjust and they're pretty proud of it. I point to the Butch Jones press conference following the OU game for proof when he called halftime adjustments overrated. NO, they're not. At this level they are vital. In game coaching under Butch Jones has me very concerned about his ability to win with any consistency at this level.
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'The email from Brooks from Richmond was terrific! Now there's a fan! It's hard enough driving from Nashville and back the same day. It's an even longer drive when we lose.
Why is this season so disappointing? Because Butch told us that DeBord was the man! Here was a Top 25 offensive coordinator to go with the Top 25 talent.
I wrote you before I believe programs that are consistently Top 25 always expect to win - somehow. Programs rated consistently 26 thru 50 (which now includes the Vols) hope to win against Top 25 teams, but don't really expect it. We expect to win against other 26 thru 50 teams, but that's a lower level of competition. We expected to beat BG. We don't expect to beat Georgia or Alabama. Maybe that's the new world we live in. I was hoping for more. Go Vols!
Ted, Columbia, TN'
Ted, we really need a win this weekend in the worst way. This fan base and those kids really deserve something worth celebrating. I'm officially with you. I'm concerned.
'Tony,
I won't go over the details of traveling up for games, hotel costs, and all the financial commitment to attend games. Goes without saying.
I feel like the fans keep getting kicked in the nads and we're told by the UT brass that we should take it. We're supposed to eat our excrement sandwich on a weekly basis, and then they want us to smile and tell them what a wonderful meal they've served us. Then they bombard us with phone calls and emails for more money. Heck, every year they call me and offer me the "opportunity" to buy extra tickets. Seriously?? When is enough enough for those guys? And then our coach tells us he's "taking names" of those who are critical. Can this guy be any more tone deaf? He's threatening those that fund his over inflated salary? Unbelievable.
And can we please quit slapping our coaches' faces all over everything. The UT admin builds up this coach worship and looks silly. Schedule has Butch on the front. Tee shirts with Butch's intensity face. Commercials with him building damn mailboxes. Can we stop it already! This program is bigger than whatever overpaid phys ed teacher they pay $3.5M to lose 5-6 games/year. Can you tell I'm fed up?
Thanks for all you do. I'm a regular listener here in Clemson country and can tell you that we are a laughing stock over here. I used to say "have your fun, we'll be back soon enough." Now I'm starting to wonder, and all I can do is grin and bear it. My saving grace is that we can still beat SC. Is that how far we've fallen?
Keep doing you do! South in SC'
South: Amazing e-mail. This is why I will always fight for the players and fans. The administration is getting rich on this deal. Head coaches and coordinators are getting rich. Assistant's and assistant AD's are living high on the hog. Every last bit of it comes at the expense of the fans. It's a shame because Tennessee sports should repay these fans so much more than they do. Kind of heartbreaking the way this season has gone thus far. Can we get a win Saturday? One time!!
'Tony:
It is easy to take a shot at CBJ or any member of the staff when you hide behind a pseudonym. I don't place much value on anonymous chattering.
Anonymous, Knoxville'
COMMUNITY CHEST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Additional volunteers are needed at Community Chest of Knoxville Thrift Shop located at 1508 N. Central (corner of Central St & Woodland Ave, a block and a half from our FISH Northwest Pantry). Volunteers at the Community Chest help with receiving, sorting and displaying in the retail shop donations of clothing and household items. For more about the Community Chest go online and
check out their website. Proceeds from the Community Chest support the work and mission of FISH Hospitality Pantries.
For more information about volunteering at the Community Chest contact Jim Wright at (865) 207-8572 or
send him an e-mail. Thank you.
'Tony:
Videos out and so is Butchy boy...rufkm....Cutcliffe
...end of story!!!!
PEACE OUT
Bill G, Nashville'
Bill: Breaking news? I didn't realize that the video existed. Glad you've got it all figured out.
'Tony,
From my vantage, in front of the Big Screen, DeBord has managed to transform Josh Dobbs into a less accurate Justin Worley. The Vols hit their stride in 2014 when CBJ and the "Jake" let Dobbs rip it up as a dual threat. In 2015, everything thing is "stay in the pocket." I believe Dobbs is more accurate and the receivers get off coverage better when Dobbs is mobile or in a moving pocket. Is DeBord enamored with trying to morph Josh Dobbs into Tom Brady. The 2-3 record says it ain't happening. If the staff doesn't let Dobbs return to 2014 form, Team 119 can sing, "I'll Be Home for Christmas ... and no bowl game." To just qualify for a bowl, Tennessee must win 4 of the next 7 games. Doable? Yes. But every loss reduces the probability of hitting the mark.
The game on Halloween in Lexington against Kentucky has upset alert all over it. I've been following Tennessee since the 50's, and I can't remember ever playing Kentucky earlier than the third Saturday in November. Usually by that time, The 'Cats are beat up without the depth the Vols have traditionally had.
Want a scary Halloween thought: Tennessee wakes up on November 1st with a 2-6 record staring an absolute must four consecutive wins over four weeks against Superior Steve; North Texas (Ok, win); Missouri; and the Commode Doors (better be a win).
A win over Georgia provides a small amount of insurance. Beat Georgia and Bama -- Damn 9-3! None of that will happen if DeBord keeps D'Dobbs in D'Pocket!
Mike G. OKC'
Mike: If Tennessee wakes up on Nov 1st with a 2-6 record, Butch Jones better get his resume ready. That is a nightmare scenario none of us would want to see. Tennessee simply doesn't lose to Kentucky in any year under any circumstances this side of Dooleyball. Extra credit for creative use of D' words. I likee.
'Tony,
The silence from the hill right now is deafening and based on the early practice reports something is wrong. Do you think we will hear from Bruce Jenner’s twin sister tomorrow? Aka Dave Hart (not sure how that would look in that white tack suit of his) If we had a competent administration these issues would have already been addressed. But in their typical fashion they are hiding in the parking garage at UT commons hoping this all goes away. But now there's a problem the national media has taken notice of this little story and the UT administration has never appeared dumber. Tony keep up the good work, it’s always sunny in Knoxville!
Cody, Vinton VA'
Cody: That whole Hart/Jenner thing is a word picture I could do without to be honest with you. For the record I hate this stuff. HATE. Georgia is coming to town this weekend and we should be celebrating another football weekend.
'Tony:
Could I define bandwagon fan? It is a fan that jumps around to the teams that are winning at the time with no loyalty to any one team. Where are all these bandwagon UT fans I keep hearing about? Are they the fans that are complaining about this administration and Butch Jones? No, can't be because they would have left years ago instead of caring enough to bitch about it. Ah, I know they are in the stands week after week and year after year in Neyland Stadium. They must not be watching UT. I guess they are on their phones watching their new favorite team during the UT game. Social media I agree can be a odd and disturbing place at times but I have seen far more rational arguments about this administration and football staff than crazy ones. Now we are hearing that the fans need to stop the "negativity". Really? Who is responsible for the "negativity?"
Perhaps it is an administration that has continually put the big orange screw to the fans all the while running the football program into the ground. Jones hasn't exactly helped the "negativity" with his inane press conferences nor Dave Hart with his arrogance. What if no fans showed up for the Georgia game? It is some in the fan base and media that are worried about "negative" fans. You better believe the only way the administration defines a "negative" fan is when their butts aren't in the stands. Otherwise, they leave us to fight among ourselves. They don't give a damn what Joe Blow (Ronwrightwanabe) said on twitter about them or the coaching staff. They rely on the old divide and conquer tactic. Let the fans and media fight it out among themselves while this bunch laugh all the way to the bank. They have pulled it off for years and I have no reason to believe it changes anytime soon. RWW Class of 88'
Oh well.
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